Lu, Miao, and Tang families reaped immense profits, completely striking gold with this venture.
Some rejoiced while others lamented.
Upon learning of the actions taken by the Lu, Miao, and Tang families, Xiang Xueyuan instinctively crushed a wine glass.
"Father, be careful with your hands." Nie Qingkong showed no significant reaction.
Rather, if Xia Qingtian and the others had done nothing, Nie Qingkong would have found it abnormal.
Having known Xia Qingtian for quite some time, Nie Qingkong discovered that she always managed to catch people off guard with unexpected "surprises" in peculiar ways.
This time was no different.
No one could have possibly anticipated the Lu, Miao, and Tang families publicly revealing the treasure's location and then organizing such a grand expedition.
Nicely put, it was a welcome to all adventurers.
It was not much different from organizing a tour group, just far more expensive.
Furthermore, when Xia Qingtian had burned the treasure map in front of them earlier, he should have realized that Xia Qingtian definitely had a backup plan.
Ultimately, it came down to others being more resourceful and skilled, and he had no choice but to accept it.
"This must have been Xia Qingtian's idea!" Xiang Xueyuan finally understood. "Damn it..."
He had originally hoped that the Lu family might be hiding another piece of the Celestial Stone.
His original piece had been destroyed by Xia Qingtian, halting his research. If there was another piece there, he might have been able to continue his studies.
He could have gone to survey it, and without anyone knowing, taken the stone to continue his unfinished research.
But Xia Qingtian...
She had to announce it to everyone with such fanfare!
Wasn't this going against him?
"Father," Nie Qingkong said after having the shattered wine glass and spilled red wine cleaned up. "Since they've provided the opportunity, we can also make use of it."
"You mean..." Xiang Xueyuan's eyes lit up, and he immediately thought of a countermeasure.
Before, his vision had been clouded by anger. Now, with Nie Qingkong's reminder, he truly conceived a good idea.
"Very well," Xiang Xueyuan sneered. "Twenty million is nothing. I'll give them as much as they want. Qingkong, you handle this matter."
"Yes," Nie Qingkong replied before turning to leave.
After Nie Qingkong departed, Xiang Xueyuan's gaze fell upon the night sky as he called out, "Gaia."
"Master," a woman with a graceful figure emerged from the shadows. Her long black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her expression was solemn.
"Contact Erebus and Nyx's people and have them track the entire expedition," Xiang Xueyuan commanded sternly without turning his head. "This time, you will also lead a contingent, and have Uranus prepare ample weaponry."
"Weaponry?" Gaia blinked slightly. "Master, if you and the young master are participating, won't it be unsafe?"
"It's fine. According to the map, the treasure is on an isolated island," Xiang Xueyuan stated. "I want everyone to depart with great fanfare, but for the return journey, I prefer less noise."
Gaia was slightly taken aback by Xiang Xueyuan's words. He intended for all those people to perish on the island!
"And by the way, don't let Tarik know about this. As a young master, his temperament is still too benevolent; he needs more experience," Xiang Xueyuan said indifferently. "Go."
"Yes," Gaia responded and retreated back into the darkness.
"Money isn't earned that easily," Xiang Xueyuan gazed at the night sky outside the window, a sophisticated curve gracing his lips. "Xia Qingtian, the lesson I'm teaching you this time will be repaid with your life."
When that time came, with so many people unable to return, he wouldn't have to do much more, and the entire country of Z would fall into chaos.
This world had too many people, too much noise, and he disliked it.
Meanwhile, Nie Qingkong was unaware of Xiang Xueyuan's complete plan. Three days after paying the deposit, he received an invitation and a detailed statement.
This invitation allowed three people to embark on the adventure.
As soon as Nie Qingkong read this, he thought of Sif.
However, Sif had been taken away by the Wen family, and there was still no news.
Although Sif had been acting impulsively lately, they had grown up together, and Nie Qingkong would not abandon her at this time.
Thus, Nie Qingkong, holding the invitation, approached Xiang Xueyuan again. "Father, one invitation allows three people to travel together. Perhaps for the third person, we could bring Sif along? Otherwise, with her temperament, who knows how long she'll cause trouble."
Upon hearing Nie Qingkong's words, Xiang Xueyuan's gaze deepened, and a doting father's smile appeared on his lips. "Of course."
He would arrange Nie Qingkong's final period of training within this journey as well.
He hoped that on this trip, Nie Qingkong would become the successor he envisioned.
Then, he would host the grandest wedding for Nie Qingkong and Xia Qingyu, officially handing over power to this young couple.
He would also dedicate himself entirely to his experiments.
This time, he wouldn't give anyone another chance to interfere; no one would be able to spoil his plans again.
"Father," Nie Qingkong said immediately after Xiang Xueyuan agreed, "Then I'll have someone bring Sif back."
"Mm, go ahead," Xiang Xueyuan replied. "In these few days, she should have realized her mistakes."
"Yes," Nie Qingkong responded and immediately set about arranging for Sif's retrieval.
Sif had also known that this wretched place couldn't hold her for long. She understood that the reason Xiang Xueyuan sent her with Wen Jiu was to punish her for overstepping her boundaries during this period.
She admitted she was wrong but had no regrets.
If given another chance, to disrupt the relationship between Xiang Xueyuan and Xia Qingyu, she would still act the same way.
After all, as long as Xiang Xueyuan found her useful, he wouldn't truly harm her.
Although Sif herself wasn't entirely sure of her exact use to Xiang Xueyuan, her adoptive father had never indulged or doted on anyone else the way he did her.
Perhaps there was some father-daughter affection involved in this as well.
In Sif's world, Xiang Xueyuan and Nie Qingkong were enough.
Everyone else should disappear.
The official departure date was two days later, which was enough time for Sif to go on a shopping spree for beautiful dresses and suitable equipment, and even find an opportunity to flaunt herself in front of Xia Qingyu.
Xia Qingyu merely rolled her eyes at this and ignored her.
What troubled her more was that her sister didn't seem to intend to bring her along this time.
How could that be acceptable?
What if there was danger?
She absolutely had to find a way to follow!
Sneaking out was likely out of the question; her sister had already gotten angry last time.
Pleading might also not be very effective, as while her sister appeared easygoing, she was very stubborn at critical moments.
After much thought, Xia Qingyu's gaze fell upon Lu Yaoyang.
Perhaps... she could try to leverage him...