I Can See Your Combat Power
Chapter 1409 - Chapter 1409 Chapter 691 Capricious_2

Chapter 1409: Chapter 691: Capricious_2 Chapter 1409: Chapter 691: Capricious_2 “Isn’t it too much to say they do all the dirty, exhausting work while Tang Luo just stands still and reaps the benefits?” Where in the world is there such reason?

“The stain of slaughtering the sages’ descendants is ours to bear, yet half of the nine Divine Artifacts inherited by the Yun Clan has been secured solely by Longxi’s Pride. Doesn’t the Pride find these terms a bit too harsh?”

Desire might have stirred within them, but the spirit of quoting sky-high prices and paying the earth when the time comes is an excellent tradition etched into the bones of the great houses. If a problem could be resolved through negotiation, no one would spare their strength.

Still wearing that arrogant look with nostrils flared, Tang Luo said with disdain, “If it weren’t for the need of someone to bear this infamy, what makes you think you deserve to share even half of the Divine Artifacts?”

It was like being prodded in the throat with a stick; with just one sentence, the acerbic Longxi’s Pride sealed the lips of all those who wanted to haggle.

“Just spit it out, Young Master!”

Tang Luo lowered his head, glancing over the strong individuals who dared not speak their anger, and said indifferently, “Having already secured two Divine Artifacts, the Young Master could stop here without issue, but I fear it’s different for you all. If you’re willing, let’s form an alliance and enter together. If not, you’re free to return home. Of course, you could also try to break through me and storm into Longyuan. Three options lie before you, choose one.”

A brazen nature coupled with invincibility in battle granted by the two Divine Artifacts meant not even the three Garrison Commanders would choose the last path.

Moreover, their goal to begin with was to fight for the Realm Heart Stone of Longyuan; as for the Divine Artifacts, they didn’t care too much about them.

And such a stone was ultimately to be handed over to the Qionghua Star Lord; they didn’t believe that Tang Luo would dare to intercept it.

Thus it appeared that the Fire Department could involve itself in the Garrison Commander’s cause without any concern. Just as the three were exchanging glances, preparing to step forward, the refined and cultured Cao Ziqi cleared his throat to speak.

“Gentlemen, please be patient for a moment. The terms proposed by Longxi’s Pride were to the experts of various tribes in Chengzhou. However, I too have a small condition to present.”

Before the words were complete, those from Chengzhou burst out in outrage, and even the faces of the Garrison Commanders from Wang Chang’s side turned sour.

They naturally respected the Beast Taming Sect, but the respect transferred onto Cao Ziqi was decidedly limited.

Especially since they were already made to feel acutely aggrieved by Tang Luo, this latest development provoked intense reactions and dissatisfaction.

“Tang Luo already wants to take half of the things inside. Does Young Master Cao also want to take a half?”

“Some are the youngest Fierce Realm powerhouses since ancient times, topped with otherworldly battle prowess. For those rashly imitating, even the scions of the Holy Land would get a dusted nose.”

Sarcastic and direct, such comments were unending. Cao Ziqi forced a smile and said, “Gentlemen, you misunderstand. I don’t wish to take anything from you; I merely request that as you vie for the Divine Artifacts, ensure to spare the lives of a few Yun Clan leaders.”

Hearing Cao Ziqi’s request, the crowd’s expressions softened slightly, though there was no sign of agreement.

Their act of playing deaf and dumb seemed an effort to regain the dignity lost to Tang Luo from Cao Ziqi.

Predicting such a scenario, Cao Ziqi smiled and said, “Gentlemen, please carefully observe that open Spirit Realm Gate. Do you notice mingling waves with strands of golden patterns, a distortion of two forces at a stalemate? This is because this portal is being propped open by the power of the Ghost King’s plate. So, this Spirit Realm Gate, I too have a say over half of it!”

His polite tone didn’t mask the significance of the message, and those who had just ignored Cao Ziqi changed their expressions instantly.

Compared to Tang Luo’s direct dominance, this one truly killed without drawing blood.

“It seems everyone agrees.”

Cao Ziqi, having made his announcement, smiled towards the side of Chengzhou, then turned to speak with the few Garrison Commanders who had distanced themselves from the crowd, “Alright, let’s arrange for people to enter Longyuan. Garrison Commander Zhu, I’ll have you lead the way.”

“Wait!”

Hearing Cao Ziqi directly naming Zhu Wushen to lead the team, the other two Garrison Commanders from the Fire Department couldn’t sit still any longer.

The hot-tempered pirate from the East Sea, Lei Dingbo, spoke out unsatisfied, “With Young Master Cao meddling like this, even if Garrison Commander Zhu becomes the Fire Department’s Great Commander, he may have a hard time convincing everyone!”

Cao Ziqi maintained his composure, smiling gently, “Garrison Commander Zhu doesn’t need to convince anyone; he just needs to obey!”

Pointing at the Crimson Divine Armor on his body, Cao Ziqi quietly said to the two unsettled Garrison Commanders, “Both of you are smart and capable. Naturally, you should understand that if you’re going to sell, you’d look for the best buyer. What else can the Great Commander give you aside from status and a few cheap spirit-transformed bodies?”

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“Is such a price enough for two aspirant grandmasters to charge into battle and fight to the death?”

Waving his finger, Cao Ziqi laughed, “That’s selling ourselves too cheap!”

“Wang Chang’s organization is the intelligence organization of the Three Realms Holy Land, isn’t serving Wang Chang also serving the Three Realms Holy Land!?”

Lei Dingbo truly couldn’t grasp the intricate politics between the holy lands. Since they had decided to respond to the Recruitment Order issued by the Dutian Heavenly King, weren’t they prepared to sell themselves into service?

Their purpose was not just for the resources and methods to break through their current realm, it was more to secure a future for their descendants and subordinates, to ensure they had a good end.

But Cao Ziqi’s words now confused him–could one really sell themselves more than once?

Seeing Zhu Wushen obediently standing behind Cao Ziqi, observing from nose to heart, Lei Dingbo was utterly perplexed.

“The Dutian Heavenly King certainly serves the Three Realms Holy Land, but don’t forget, who provided the resources for rebuilding the Heavenly King’s guard!”

Cao Ziqi continued as if he were pulling rank, “Although the Three Realms Holy Land is one family, the overall command now lies with the Qionghua Star Lord. What if one day… the orders from the Divine Court conflict with those from the Beast Taming Sect?”

If Lei Dingbo were not so obtuse, Cao Ziqi wouldn’t need to spell it out so clearly.

Back when Cao Jinyu was in power, the Beast Taming Sect’s control over the Heavenly King’s guard was unprecedented.

It was the existence of the Heavenly King’s guard that greatly facilitated the sect’s deployment of outpost throughout the world.

Now that Cao Jinyu had died, the An Family, seizing the opportunity, moved against the Cao Family, sending the Qionghua Star Lord to take over the Heavenly King’s guard.

To the public eye, this appeared to be a mere replacement of the Great Commander, but for the Beast Taming Sect, it signified the complete loss of control over Wang Chang.

Just look at those still remaining in Wang Chang; with the backing of the previous Forest Department’s guardian, Wang Chang, An Yuanxi of the Wind Department swiftly rallied a group of powerful allies to stabilize the situation. His position as a guardian was as firm as Mount Tai.

The Forest and Mountain Departments were directly led by their own grandmasters, leaving only the Fire Department open for the Cao Family to exert influence.

After all, the Beast Taming Sect had put in great efforts in rebuilding Wang Chang, and if all the department guardians and the Great Commander were from the An Family, it would be somewhat unjustifiable. This was the face-saving leeway allotted by the Qionghua Star Lord to the Cao Family.

These were remarks overheard during idle chatter by the elders in his clan, but Cao Ziqi took them to heart and even volunteered to join Wang Chang.

Riding the waves that could propel someone to great heights was not an opportunity that came often. To this direct descendant of the Cao Family, the Dutian Heavenly King’s guard was the surfboard beneath his feet in times of riding the tide.

Originally, Ning Bufu should have been the sharpest blade, but now that blade was broken by others, and he had to find another way.

If he could turn the Fire Department into an unswervingly loyal stronghold, the future would hold great promise.

“The matter is laid out before you, both of you can decide at your leisure.”

Having tossed out these words to the two troubled-looking garrison commanders, Cao Ziqi gave Zhu Wushen a meaningful look.

The latter immediately got the message. He gathered his loyal subordinates and, after nodding to Tang Luo, they disappeared into the Spirit Realm Gate.

The people of Chengzhou, seeing Wang Chang’s troops entering, also stirred uneasily.

With Ning Bufu gone, their gaze naturally shifted to another powerful figure, Mo Yuju.

This crane-haired yet youthful-looking warrior quickly did the calculations in his heart, and then decided to organize the Chengzhou elites to enter Longyuan. However, Tang Luo extended his hand from afar to block their way.

“It seems you all had quite an issue with me just now. Well, I’ve changed my mind. This Longyuan Spirit Realm, the noble families of Chengzhou are not allowed to enter!”

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