Chapter 2154: Master Sun Qiang (Part 2)

He found a place to hide. Not long after, a dark figure also arrived at the entrance.

The figure presented an invitation, and a moment later, the gate creaked open.

The figure was a graceful woman. With a swift movement, Ying Fei ascended a tall tree, using its branches and leaves to conceal himself, and quietly peered into the courtyard.

"It's Qi Ling'er, the head of the black market!"

He clearly saw the scene in the courtyard and recognized the newcomer.

It was indeed Qi Ling'er, the woman from the black market.

"Didn't she just sell elixirs at the market? Why is she here now?"

Puzzled, he focused his attention and looked into the courtyard.

"Qi Ling'er greets Steward Sun!" the woman in black robes said, polite and respectful, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.

"Hmm, may I ask... why have you come?" Steward Sun asked, looking at her, puzzled.

First, an inexplicable fellow left, and now another one appeared. What trouble had the young master gotten into?

"The Beauty Elixirs were a joint venture between Young Master Zhang Xuan and myself. We had previously agreed to split the profits evenly, but after careful consideration, we've decided to give Young Master Zhang ninety percent of the profit. Furthermore, we will bear all the costs!"

With a slight smile, Qi Ling'er handed over a card and a storage ring. "These are the proceeds from this venture," she explained. "A total of 28,000 divine coins. Ninety percent of that is 25,200, which is all on this card. Also, the medicines Young Master requested are here as well. Is Young Master present? I'd like to pay my respects."

"The Young Master is not here," Sun Qiang replied, shaking his head.

"In that case, I won't disturb you further." Without another word, Qi Ling'er bowed and retreated from the entrance.

"Ninety percent of the profits? Or ninety percent of the *gross* profits?"

Witnessing this scene, Ying Fei's teeth chattered.

He knew that Qi Ling'er was incredibly shrewd in business. As a member of the Imperial City's Qi family, she feared no power, not even the City Lord's Mansion. Otherwise, she wouldn't openly operate an underground black market dealing in prohibited items.

Yet, such a powerful figure had come here, behaving as docile as a child, willingly giving away ninety percent of her profits and bearing all the costs herself...

It was terrifying!

"It seems Qi Ling'er must know his true identity, or perhaps his true strength, otherwise she wouldn't act this way!" Ying Fei realized with a start.

He was once again glad he hadn't made a move earlier. Otherwise, he'd likely be a corpse by now.

"I must report this news to the City Lord as soon as possible..." Without further hesitation, Ying Fei rushed towards the City Lord's Mansion.

"You mean... Zhang Xuan easily tamed the Phosphorous-Armored Beast, and Qi Ling'er even groveled, willing to give him ninety percent of the elixir sales profit?" Wu Fangqing was filled with disbelief.

Before, he had considered him a hidden talent, a dragon in slumber... but for Qi Ling'er to behave this way, this 'dragon' was clearly far more extraordinary than he had imagined!

"I saw it with my own eyes; it's absolutely true!" Ying Fei affirmed, nodding.

"The Phosphorous-Armored Beast has unparalleled defense. Even though its cultivation is only at the peak of an Upper-Rank God, its true combat power is not much weaker than mine. I offered it every possible condition, but it refused. Yet, it easily surrendered to a young man... And Qi Ling'er also showed such deference..."

Wu Fangqing's eyebrows twitched. He had thought the young man was merely talented, but he never expected him to be so powerful!

"Investigate thoroughly," he commanded, no longer able to contain himself. "Where did Qi Ling'er go after meeting Zhang Xuan, and what happened?"

"Yes, sir!" Ying Fei replied, turning to leave. He returned shortly after. "City Lord," he reported, "after meeting Zhang Xuan, Qi Ling'er went to the Nether Soul Pool at the Nether Soul Hall!"

"To test her bloodline?" Wu Fangqing frowned.

The Nether Soul Pool was a blood pool primarily used for testing bloodline power. Qi Ling'er went there after parting ways with Zhang Xuan, and her attitude changed drastically... She must have discovered some unknown secret.

Ying Fei nodded. "It should be, but my authority is too low to investigate further."

"No matter, I'll go and see for myself!" Wu Fangqing replied. He rushed towards the Nether Soul Hall and arrived shortly. With a wave of his hand, a crystal recording stone appeared in his palm.

As divine power flowed into it, the scene of Qi Ling'er's earlier appearance quickly emerged.

"Heavenly God Wujiang bowing down?"

"God King Nirvana Fire bowing down..."

"Is that God King Nangong Ping? He's bowing too..."

Wu Fangqing trembled uncontrollably, biting his tongue so hard he didn't even feel the pain.

The blood pool was the most accurate for testing bloodline power, which meant...

This Zhang Xuan must possess an Imperial Bloodline!

There were only ten Emperors in the entire world, and one had just recently emerged... For Zhang Xuan to also possess such a bloodline, his status was unimaginably high!

Could he be the son of an Emperor, concealing his identity while on a trial?

"Quickly, prepare gifts! I must pay my respects to Young Master Zhang Xuan..."

As he walked out of the Nether Soul Pool, Wu Fangqing wasted no more words and urgently gave orders.

"Wait! Xiaoxiao offended Young Master Zhang Xuan. Bring her along too. Make her kneel outside the door and await his judgment."

"Yes, sir..." Ying Fei replied, turning towards the City Lord's Mansion.

Seeing the majestic buildings of Night冥 City appearing in sight, Zhang Xuan asked, "The City Lord tried to tame you, so he must have interacted with you extensively. What is his specific strength? What kind of person is he?"

Since he was staying here, he naturally needed to be prepared; otherwise, no one would be able to save him if something went wrong.

"His strength is at the peak of a Lower-Rank Heavenly God, incredibly powerful," Zhang Jia replied after a moment's thought. "Before I broke through, I could barely withstand his attacks and couldn't counter. The only reason I survived so long was that he didn't genuinely want to kill me; otherwise, I would have died long ago."

Although its defense was unparalleled, it was still only at the peak of an Upper-Rank God. There was a significant difference in rank; if the opponent had truly intended to kill it, it wouldn't have lasted so long.

"And now?" Zhang Xuan asked.

"Now that I've broken through to a Heavenly God, I can defeat him easily. However, as the City Lord, he possesses a Lower-Rank Heavenly Divine Artifact. If he uses that weapon, winning wouldn't be so simple for me. But it wouldn't be easy for him to defeat me either. Overall, I'd say it's a fifty-fifty chance," Zhang Jia explained.

Weapons were categorized into Divine Artifacts, Heavenly Divine Artifacts, King Artifacts, and the most powerful, Imperial Weapons! Each category was further divided into four grades: Lower, Middle, Upper, and Peerless.

Although Wu Fangqing's weapon was merely a Lower-Rank Heavenly Divine Artifact, it was still of the Heavenly God tier, which was not something an Upper-Rank God could contend with. Even after its breakthrough, Zhang Jia still felt immense pressure when facing such an item.

Zhang Xuan nodded. The reason humans were powerful was their ability to use weapons. While Sacred Beasts had strong individual abilities, that wasn't necessarily true when weapons were involved.

"This City Lord Wu has a cold and unruly personality," Zhang Jia continued, showing concern. "As a regional overlord, over time, he's inevitably developed a strong desire for control. If he learns that Young Master has tamed me, thereby disrupting his plans, he will likely come seeking trouble!"

Having spent a long time with him, Zhang Jia knew the City Lord's disposition well: he was the typical ruler who believed "those who obey me prosper, those who defy me perish." The Young Master's intervention would certainly displease him.

"Seeking trouble?" Zhang Xuan asked.

"From what I know, he's not very tolerant," Zhang Jia said, shaking its head. "Two years ago, a stranger, unaware of her identity, inappropriately touched his daughter. The man's arm was severed on the spot, and he was thrown into prison. He hasn't been released since and has most likely died in his cell. The most concerning thing is his petty nature."

"I'll be careful," Zhang Xuan nodded. Regardless of the City Lord's temperament, once Zhao Ya and the others broke through to God-rank, they would leave this place to search for Luo Ruoxi and Master Kong, making any future contact unlikely.

After a few more exchanges, Zhang Xuan smiled slightly. "We're here. I'll be staying in this place..."

Hearing this, Zhang Jia looked down from its back and indeed saw a small courtyard come into view.

"Why... are two people kneeling?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

Zhang Jia followed his gaze and saw a young woman and a middle-aged man kneeling at the entrance. In front of them stood a stout man with his hands behind his back, his face a picture of indifference. Beside him, another middle-aged man stood, his expression one of profound respect and humility. It was clear they were terrified of offending someone.

"Our Young Master's dignity is not something you can simply violate!" the stout man sneered, with astonishing arrogance. "You'll kneel here until dawn, then we'll talk!"

"What in the world is Sun Qiang doing?"

Seeing the stout man causing trouble again, Zhang Xuan helplessly shook his head. Just as he was about to instruct the divine beast to descend, he noticed Zhang Jia behind him, trembling uncontrollably as if going mad.

"What's wrong?" Zhang Xuan asked, utterly perplexed by the behavior of this normally fearless divine beast.

Zhang Jia's voice trembled as it spoke, "The ones kneeling are... the expert from the City Lord's Mansion who's been trying to tame me, and the City Lord's daughter. And the one speaking, apologizing, is none other than Wu Fangqing himself..."

He had just finished saying that the City Lord might cause trouble, that he was unruly and petty... yet, in the blink of an eye, his daughter and subordinate were kneeling on the ground, and he himself was profusely apologizing?

"Can someone tell me what just happened?!"

Zhang Jia was utterly bewildered.