Chapter 732: Quick Resolution

Cui Ji's loud concession of defeat startled those outside the hall, who immediately rushed in.

Since both were members of the East Pole Alliance and Cui Ji had publicly conceded, Qin Sang couldn't press the advantage. He put away his magic treasures and the Flying Yaksha.

While the merchant alliance was a loose association formed for mutual benefit, far less rigid than a sect, it still operated under certain rules. Without a blood feud, openly killing a Nine Stars Association manager would invite scrutiny from the entire merchant alliance.

"Take your people and get off Wuyuan Island at once." Qin Sang said coldly, showing no mercy.

Cui Ji's expression shifted erratically; the sensation of the sword energy had left a profound impression on him. Under the gazes of varying expressions, Cui Ji, humiliated and enraged, bellowed at his Nine Stars Association subordinates, "What are you waiting for? Get back, pack your things, and go!"

"Wait." Qin Sang raised a hand. "Fellow Daoists, traveling in such haste with so much cargo, it's not only inconvenient to navigate the demon sea, but it also risks attracting thieves. As fellow members of the merchant alliance, we feel it's our duty to assist. We can count the goods and send them to the Nine Stars Association later, so you may travel unburdened."

"You... you're going too far!" Cui Ji's face flushed, and his lips trembled. The rogue Daoist spoke eloquently, but once such a profitable opportunity was seized, there was no chance he would relinquish it. He imagined them later receiving nothing but a pile of worthless junk from the Nine Stars Association – it would be utterly disgusting.

Ignoring Cui Ji, Qin Sang turned to the others. "You are all managers from major merchant associations, intimately familiar with the value of various treasures. Let us count them together, serving as mutual witnesses. What are your thoughts, fellow Daoists?"

The onlookers' eyes flickered between Qin Sang and Cui Ji. The hall was chaotic, though the battle had ended swiftly, leaving few marks beyond the deep craters created by Zixia. They still couldn't fathom how Qin Sang had defeated Cui Ji and forced his concession.

They had initially believed that a master capable of challenging Cui Ji had finally arrived. In a clash of two tigers, both would surely seek to curry favor with various factions, making life much easier for everyone else. Yet, unexpectedly, a single battle decided everything, with Cui Ji proving utterly defenseless. They had driven away a jackal, only to welcome a fierce tiger. This was the outcome they had dreaded most.

Some were quietly considering mediating for Cui Ji, but none dared voice such thoughts in Qin Sang's presence. From the moment he entered, Qin Sang had completely dominated the situation, giving no one time to form alliances, forcing them to make an immediate choice. To speak for the Nine Stars Association now meant risking being the next to be expelled. If Qin Sang proved even more ruthless, they might not even get a chance to leave the island. Furthermore, judging by his tone, he seemed willing to share profits with the various houses, unlike Cui Ji's overbearing approach.

Knowing full well that circumstances dictated their actions, they understood their choice. One by one, they voiced their agreement with Qin Sang, some even vowing their support.

"Daoist Master Qingfeng is right," one began. "The journey is long, and carrying so much cargo while acting in haste means the merchant association won't have time to arrange an escort. It would indeed attract the attention of thieves..."

"Fellow Daoist Cui, rest assured, we guarantee that not a single coin's worth of the Nine Stars Association's goods will go missing..."

Cui Ji was so enraged his face turned livid, as if he might vomit blood. But then he saw Qin Sang's hand resting on the head of his capable subordinate, and two utterly cold, emotionless gazes pierced out from under his cloak. Cui Ji's heart instantly chilled. He had no doubt that if he dared to utter a single word of defiance, Qin Sang would immediately strike to kill. With the fence-sitters swiftly changing allegiance, the tide had turned irrevocably.

Moreover, Cui Ji had been trying to communicate with his Purple Gloom Bead, only to discover that his life-bound magic treasure had suffered significant spiritual damage, with no hope of recovery in the short term. He hadn't even clearly seen what that streak of red light was. This method of defiling others' magic treasures was incredibly bizarre and insidious; Cui Ji had never encountered anything like it.

"Fine! Fine!" Cui Ji gritted his teeth, forcing down his humiliation. He ordered his men to carry his capable subordinate, then turned and left without a backward glance.

An hour later, Qin Sang and the other merchant association managers departed. They appeared congenial, as if their discussions had been highly amicable. However, as soon as they turned away, these same individuals cursed Qin Sang as a shameless demon Daoist, no different from Cui Ji. Then, with great enthusiasm, they followed the Wang sisters to ransack the Nine Stars Association's property.

Qin Sang had no intention of altering the power structure Cui Ji had established. After absorbing the Nine Stars Association, he would be the master of Wuyuan Island, and it was unthinkable for him to pass up such a lucrative opportunity. Naturally, he proved somewhat better than Cui Ji, refraining from pressuring the other merchant associations as intensely. He proactively distributed some profits to placate them.

While the Wang sisters led their people to inventory the Nine Stars Association's assets, Qin Sang walked alone toward the shop. At this moment, the Nine Stars Association was already far from his mind. Holding a sea chart, he began to select a suitable cultivation site near Wuyuan Island. The reason he could swiftly resolve the Nine Stars Association's trouble and expel Cui Ji ultimately lay in his own formidable strength and unwavering confidence. He wouldn't reverse his priorities and allow the merchant association to hinder his progress. The Wang sisters were sufficient for that task.

Demonic beasts were densely populated around Wuyuan Island, frequently appearing in groups. However, there weren't as many Core Formation stage great demons as in the Thousand Demon Sea region. Qin Sang couldn't find a suitable location for himself on the sea chart and realized he would have to search slowly once he left the island.

He entered the shop. The old man had returned at some point. He closed the main door, approached Qin Sang, and whispered, "Daoist Master, I just sent someone to observe the Nine Stars Association's movements. We found that group split into three directions, and Cui Ji and his capable subordinate mysteriously vanished; we don't know which group they joined."

"He is indeed cautious." Qin Sang sneered, then mused, "Never mind. Tell our people to be cautious from now on. As long as they don't rashly leave Wuyuan Island, I doubt the Nine Stars Association will dare to cause trouble here. Remember to send a full report of today's events to Elder Zou... From now on, Daoist Wang will be in charge of the merchant association's affairs, with your assistance. Do not disturb me unless there is a crisis of life and death..."

"Understood." The old man's respect for Qin Sang deepened. He was inwardly thrilled; with the Qiongyu Merchant Association replacing the Nine Stars Association, his own standing would undoubtedly rise.

After giving his instructions, Qin Sang returned to the cave dwelling arranged by the merchant association for quiet cultivation. He remained on Wuyuan Island for several months, intentionally cultivating relationships with local masters and helping the Wang sisters stabilize the situation until the Qiongyu Merchant Association was firmly established. Only then did he quietly depart the island.

With the aid of the Hunyuan Concentric Ring, Qin Sang searched extensively and eventually found a suitable island. After contacting the Wang sisters, he established a cave dwelling there. On Wuyuan Island, he commanded respect and had subordinates at his service. Here, however, he opened his eyes to the vast, perilous demon sea, and his dwelling was nothing more than a cave he had carved with his sword. Yet, compared to the intrigues of Wuyuan Island, Qin Sang much preferred the freedom he found in the wild.

He summoned the Heaven-Eyed Butterfly, observing that the thunder cocoon had not only remained unbroken but was actually growing thicker. He had no idea how much longer it would take for the Heaven-Eyed Butterfly to awaken.