Chapter 1353: Chapter 63: Signing Contracts and Wording Agreements (Part 2)
Zhang Yan chuckled lightly; perhaps the Zhongtai Xuanyue factions once cared for their shared lineage, but judging from these payments, it’s now clearly a matter of life and death with all pretenses stripped away.
Nevertheless, if he could capture a few more immortal cities, he wouldn’t refuse. Inserting a wisp of Spiritual Energy, soon the required Three-flavor Spirit Medicine appeared, unseen, he nodded secretly. The emergence of these three items indicated that the Zhongtai Treasury indeed held them.
Without further hesitation, he forced out a drop of Essence Blood from his fingertip, letting it fall into the Jade Tablet. The object quivered gently and with a crack, split into two halves, one half flew towards the hands of the three elders, while the other remained in his hand.
Over on the platform, Elder Lin saw the situation under control beneath the altar, and couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction. He slightly bowed to Elder Yan beside him, saying, "Senior Brother, I’ve already arranged the order for the fighting; would you like to review it?"
Elder Yan nodded, "I was just about to take a look."
Elder Lin took a Jade Scroll from his sleeve, presenting it. After Elder Yan opened it, he pointed and said, "Please see, Senior Brother, as you instructed, I arranged for a ceremony to test those willing to sign the contract. There are five who hold grudges and refuse to comply; I marked their names in red."
Elder Yan let out a sound of acknowledgment and immediately passed judgment, "These ones are rebellious and cannot be entrusted with important tasks."
Elder Lin, testing the waters, said, "Then..."
Elder Yan shook the Jade Scroll in his hand, speaking lightly, "Isn’t it necessary to find capable individuals to temper Rong Junzhong’s sharpness? Use these ones, then."
Elder Lin replied, "Yes."
After a while, all twenty Nascent Soul cultivators had signed the Dharma Contract, and the Contract Jades all flew to the desk in front.
Elder Yan counted them and was satisfied to find none missing. The previous times had resulted in significant casualties within the Sect, and with these individuals, the Zhongtai cultivators would no longer have to fight to the death, preserving their Primordial Qi. As for the lives of these people, they were of no concern to him.
Suddenly, a loud sound came from Heaven, making him look up to see a streak of fire flying in, causing him to narrow his eyes slightly.
Elder Lin was surprised and said, "Why has that boy surnamed Du come as well?"
The fire flew undeterred straight towards where the three sat. Elder Yan frowned and had to stand aside to avoid it, just in time as the blaze struck the platform with a crash, scattering outwards. Du Shixun strode out from the fire, his eyes flashing with Divine Light, first scanning the audience before turning to salute the three elders.
Elder Yan, was well-mannered, maintained a smile, as if nothing was amiss, said, "Why has the Junior Sect Leader come here?"
Du Shixun proclaimed loudly, "By my father’s command, I am here to co-host the signing ceremony with you elders."
Elder Yan’s expression remained unchanged, "Do you have proof?"
Du Shixun did not elaborate, producing a blue-black Jade Token, raising it with one hand, "The Sect Leader’s Token is here."
Seeing he came prepared, Elder Yan said no more and chuckled, extending his hand to point, "Since it’s the Sect Leader’s order, we should comply. Please, Junior Sect Leader, take the main seat."
Du Shixun casually took the main seat without politeness.
The three elders had no choice but to step aside, Elder Lin was quite indignant, "It was decided that us Senior Brothers would preside, but this boy forcefully inserted himself!"
Elder Yan stroked his beard, "The Sect Leader, though sometimes radical in action, usually follows reason. This sudden change might have another story behind this Jade Token."
Elder Lin had a thought, indignantly exclaiming, "It must be Madam Zhao causing trouble in the background! Trying to steal our people, I must report this to the Sect Leader."
Elder Yan shook his head, "The Sect Leader relies on this boy against Rong Junzhong and will surely protect him; even if you confront him, it’ll only force him to admit it. But today’s event, counting him in, will matter little. During the banquet, he killed two, making sharp remarks with no regard for face; I doubt many would follow him."
Du Shixun, long cultivating abroad, had no real foundation within the faction. Heeding Mrs. Zhao’s advice, he decided to pick a few people from among these Human Cultivators to become capable subordinates and as the future foundation for leading the Sect and Chu Kingdom.
But after calling several people up, none agreed; the cultivators, intimidated by his previous brutal actions, were filled with fear and did not dare to agree.
The three elders observed disdainfully, Elder Lin mocked, "It seems as Senior Brother predicted."
Having toiled away to no avail, Du Shixun became agitated. At this moment, turning his gaze, he spotted Zhang Yan calmly seated below the platform, suddenly brightening his eyes, he leapt down from the Dharma Seat, "True Master, you must know my intentions, will you comply?"
Zhang Yan couldn’t help but find it amusing. Du Shixun clearly lacked people skills, and his words were blunt; no wonder no one wished to subject themselves to him. However, this person was straightforward and bold, making dealings much simpler compared to the scheming elders; perhaps he could gain more benefits, "Since Daoist Du invites sincerely, how can this poor Daoist refuse?"
Du Shixun was overjoyed; Zhang Yan, a Nascent Soul Second Realm cultivator, was outstanding among them. Even though he hadn’t been prominent before, his Daoist Cultivation was evident, "As long as you assist me well, after defeating Rong Junzhong, you will be appropriately rewarded, Daoist."
Elder Yan asked, "Who is that person?"
Elder Bai took the Contract Jade and gave it a glance, "The items this person requests are mainly used by evil cultivators."
Elder Lin showed disdain, "So, a remnant of the Evil Sect."
Elder Yan said, "No matter his origins, he’s signed the contract and can’t disobey, letting him follow Du Shixun is best."
Returning to the Dharma Platform, Du Shixun remembered Mrs. Zhao’s earlier reminder, "I hear you senior elders have arranged the fighting order, show it to me."
Elder Yan pondered for a while, then gestured to Elder Lin.
Elder Lin resignedly handed over the Jade Scroll with a stern face.
Du Shixun grabbed it, scanned it quickly, and noticed Zhang Yan’s name among those to fight Rong Junzhong; he sneered silently. Previously, he wouldn’t have cared, but this was the first renowned cultivator he had recruited with his own skills. How could he let these old geezers manipulate him? He snatched up the pen, crossed out Zhang Yan’s name, and randomly circled someone else’s name, tossing it to Elder Yan, "In my view, it should be arranged thus."
Elder Lin, upon seeing it, was enraged and slammed the table, "This was previously set, how can it be altered at will?"
Elder Yan quickly restrained him, turning slowly to Du Shixun, "Since the Junior Sect Leader prefers it this way, then it shall be done."
...
... (To be continued. If you enjoyed this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)
