Chapter 421: Threats and Temptations

Hui Yao's expression shifted dramatically, losing all his previous ferocity. He slumped, forcing a laugh: "No problem at all, I can simply reassign these people to other islands. Consider it a token of friendship!"

"Alright."

Li Yuanjiao narrowed his eyes, remaining silent. Unwillingly, Hui Yao swore a spiritual oath, followed by a Profound Scenery spiritual oath. Only then did he see Li Yuanjiao remove his hand from the sword hilt.

Li Yuanjiao signaled his sister. Li Qinghong produced a storage pouch and handed it to the demon. Hui Yao, familiar with such transactions, accepted it readily, his expression far more sincere. After a brief exchange, he swiftly departed, clutching the jade box.

He flew out of the formation in a daze, still reeling from the shock of being so utterly subdued in an instant. He had made the oath in a stupor, feeling a cold sweat break out and his spirit almost leave his body.

He opened the storage pouch to find numerous spiritual items and ores inside. The jade box in his hand was cool to the touch, and he couldn't help but be swayed. Hui Yao silently reverted to his true form and plunged deep into the sea.

Watching Zong Yan repeatedly call out 'Grandpa' as he escorted Hui Yao out of the formation, Li Qinghong sneered: "They are truly creatures who fear power but harbor no gratitude. Tempt them with benefits, and their greed grows; show them a fist, and they immediately fall silent."

Li Yuanjiao nodded: "We still need to provide the necessary benefits. While these lackeys can't achieve great things, they can easily disrupt our plans, and I fear they might draw our enemies here."

After these words, Zong Yan rushed back on the wind, landing and prostrating himself on the ground. He respectfully declared: "Your subordinate greets both sirs! Zongquan Island pledges its allegiance only to you two!"

Li Yuanjiao nodded slightly, having observed Zong Yan's conduct, which was better than most. He quietly asked: "Have you always been this humble and subservient, begging so pitifully?"

"Alas!"

Zong Yan's respectful expression remained unchanged. He cupped his hands and gravely replied: "Naturally. I simply lose a bit of face and utter a few 'Grandpas.' If it pleases them, it can spare several lives on the island."

Li Yuanjiao remained silent. Li Qinghong quietly glanced at him and said softly: "Everyone speaks of the East Sea as dim and desolate, yet you are far more honorable than those so-called righteous cultivators within our own lands."

Zong Yan repeatedly protested, "I wouldn't dare." Li Yuanjiao waved his hand, withdrew several bags of spirit rice from his storage pouch, placing them with a rustle before the hall. He then took out several pills and handed them all to Zong Yan.

"Take these resources for now. Distribute the spirit rice to the island's cultivators; from now on, they won't need to consume blood qi."

Zong Yan bowed deeply, choking back a sob: "Yes!"

These spirit rice were but a drop in the ocean for the Li family, yet in this remote sea region where spirit rice couldn't be cultivated, they were invaluable resources for Zong Yan and his people.

He respectfully withdrew with the items. Examining a few of the pills, he was overwhelmed by their fragrant aroma, his eyes stinging. He hastily pulled the boy from the side hall, shook his arm vigorously, and choked out: "Good child, let's go home!"

The boy took two bewildered steps, while Zong Yan burst into laughter, scooped him up, and swiftly flew towards the distant town.

Inside the hall, the Li siblings watched him depart, then exchanged smiles. Li Qinghong commented: "It's truly a remote sea region; they have no idea of the abundance within our lands... Ten Fetal Breath spiritual items? What kind of demand is that? The tribute our family paid to the Green Pond Sect during my Fetal Breath stage was far more than that!"

"Hmm."

Li Yuanjiao shook his head, pondering: "These are spiritual items from our home region; they might be recognized. Or should we exchange them for overseas spiritual items at a market before handing them over, to prevent the demon from growing suspicious?"

"As for the Wanling Flower..."

He mused: "I've already inquired. A Han family sells them overseas, and several other sources are northern enterprises. There are also one or two known locations in the sea. If we provide one every five years and tie it to the Han family, it shouldn't pose a significant problem..."

Li Yuanjiao couldn't immediately produce anything that would instantly tempt this creature. However, having compelled the demon to swear a spiritual oath and accept their bribe, effectively preventing him from leveraging the Flood Dragon Palace's influence to intimidate others, was already a worthwhile outcome.

"Once this matter is concluded, I will return home to stand guard."

Li Qinghong asked. Li Yuanjiao glanced at his sister and replied: "Don't worry about the trouble. Kongheng and I will escort you all the way to Xianhu. After this round trip, I will enter seclusion to cultivate and prepare to break through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage."

"Great!"

Qingdu Mountain.

The pale blue grand formation on Qingdu Mountain glowed as usual. Li Chengliao took a few steps on the water, crossed the lake, and landed in the town.

Chen Mufeng, the Jade Court Guard by the shore, had been waiting for some time. With Li Xicheng's succession as family head, Chen Mufeng had acquired the power and resources he had long desired. He now possessed a commendable cultivation of the fifth-level Qi Condensation.

After all, this eldest young master was the future pillar of his lineage. As Li Chengliao rarely descended to Qingdu, Chen Mufeng, despite his busy schedule, made time to greet him, approaching with a beaming smile. Li Chengliao offered a slight bow in return and quietly addressed him: "Commander."

"Greetings, Young Master."

Li Chengliao, currently at the fourth level of Fetal Breath cultivation, wasn't originally scheduled to descend the mountain. However, his father, Li Xicheng, had found him a fiancée, necessitating this trip to meet her.

His father, Li Xicheng, as family head, naturally bestowed upon him a noble status. While many prominent families were vying for his hand, Li Xicheng had specifically chosen a woman from the Liu family.

The Liu family's lineage had long fallen into decline, yet fortunately, a remarkably talented woman named Liu Lingzhen had emerged. She had broken through to the third level of Fetal Breath at just fifteen, making her a genius within the town.

Given the Liu clan's decline, she had no cultivation resources to speak of. To stand on par with prominent families through her own efforts was no small feat. With no significant background, Li Xicheng was overjoyed. He consulted the Liu family and arranged the engagement with Li Chengliao.

The matter was thus settled. Li Chengliao had seen her portrait; she was indeed strikingly beautiful and talented, so he naturally had no objections. Nevertheless, he still needed to meet her in person to discern if she was truly intelligent or merely a beautiful façade.

Now, following Chen Mufeng into the grand hall, they took several turns into a side hall. Two cups of tea were already prepared on the tea table, but there was no one in sight.

"Hmm?"

Li Chengliao frowned slightly, a hint of surprise on his face. Chen Mufeng, more embarrassed, paled slightly and quickly apologized: "Your subordinate will go check immediately... Perhaps something went amiss."

"No matter, Commander, please do as you see fit."

Li Chengliao responded with great composure. Chen Mufeng was about to turn and depart on the wind when a Jade Court Guard rushed in, dropping to one knee and muttering urgently: "Reporting, sir..."

His voice was very low. Li Chengliao, who had not yet developed spiritual sense, only vaguely caught a few words: "crippled... the Xu family... ultimately refused to come... the news has been suppressed..."

Li Chengliao frowned, idly turning the teacup on the table as he watched Chen Mufeng's back. He observed the middle-aged man clenching his fists tightly, grinding his teeth, yet forcing his voice to remain low: "Go gather all the Court Guards for me!"