Chapter 168: Poor Tang Xiao San Must Suffer
Spirit Hall.
Qian Xunji received a letter from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Ning Fengzhi wanted to purchase the immortal herb Qiluo Tulip at any cost, so long as his clan could afford it. It appeared that kid Tang San had visited the Ice-Fire Yin-Yang Well and discovered all the immortal herbs there were already picked. But given the inherently evil, selfish nature of the Tang family, it wasn't just Ning Rongrong involved in this matter.
In other words, the letter very likely came from the Clear Sky Clan, aiming to secure immortal herbs for Tang San. Might Ning Fengzhi have learned that Ning Rongrong and the others were reincarnated and thus knew the "plot"?
For now, Qian Xunji didn't see a clear answer. The idea of Ning Fengzhi buying immortal herbs was actually Tang Hao's plan. Should Ning Fengzhi know the Shrek Seven were reborn, it hardly mattered; the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's overall strength might surpass some but was far from matching Spirit Hall. At most, they would devote more gold coins and heavily invest in producing Tang Sect hidden weapons as protection. The so-called "three upper sects in solidarity with the Tang Sect" would then prepare to defend against Spirit Hall's assault.
But Qian Xunji had no plans to attack the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan anyway. With "little fairy" Bibi Dong and Bo Saixi in the picture, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was doomed sooner or later. He could simply stand by, munch on melon seeds, and watch the show.
As for the Qiluo Tulip…
Tapping his fingers on the armrest of the Pope's throne, Qian Xunji pondered whether or not to go through with a deal with Ning Fengzhi. Another Qiluo Tulip wouldn't grow for decades, but the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would undoubtedly be destroyed. All its wealth and industries spread across the continent—who wouldn't covet that? Best not to let Bibi Dong have it all.
If, by some chance, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan escaped disaster and continued to develop—especially after obtaining the Qiluo Tulip and upgrading their spirit to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—Qian Xunji definitely wouldn't consider making any transaction. However, they wouldn't survive much longer, and letting them trade for the Qiluo Tulip actually wouldn't be a loss for him. Quite the contrary, it might become an incredibly lucrative arrangement for Spirit Hall.
Consider that once Bibi Dong took out the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, if Sword and Bone Douluo desperately held her back while Ning Fengzhi fled with Ning Rongrong, where could they hide from Bibi Dong's pursuit? They couldn't rely on the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, which was weaker than the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, nor could they rely on the Clear Sky Clan—Ning Fengzhi had witnessed how Qian Xunji utterly trampled it at the last Seven Great Sects Re-election Assembly. Besides, Bibi Dong was a dual-spirited genius who hadn't even used her full might when destroying them, and she could still grow stronger. Ultimately, wouldn't Ning Fengzhi's only option be to seek refuge with Qian Xunji's Spirit Hall?
A Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—recognized as the continent's top support spirit—joining his Spirit Hall was worth an astronomical sum. If that Pagoda user ended up fleeing to Spirit Hall, the Qiluo Tulip effectively cost him nothing, while he'd still claim the vast wealth the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had accumulated over generations. That was far more than a few "east's worth" of gold coins. In fact, the Pagoda plus its associated industries would become a veritable gold-egg-laying goose. Every hundred years or so, it could produce wealth potentially exceeding ten times that of a single "east"—in practical terms, "ten years, one east!"
If in the coming years the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan were utterly wiped out—Ning Fengzhi and all direct descendants dead—Spirit Hall would devour their colossal assets, still yielding a tidy profit. But if Ning Fengzhi and Ning Rongrong survived to seek sanctuary under Spirit Hall, Qian Xunji would profit immensely, at zero cost.
Of course, there were two variables:
Ning Fengzhi might learn the Shrek Seven were reincarnated, notice Ning Rongrong's odd behavior of focusing solely on Tang San and Oscar while ignoring everything else, recall how Bibi Dong once endured tragedy, and decide to be proactive—perhaps by consuming the Qiluo Tulip himself and evolving to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, then remarrying for a second heir to pass on the Nine Treasure Pagoda. But that was easily addressed. The Qiluo Tulip required inhaling its flower's essence gradually and cultivating one's soul power. Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong possessed the Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda instead of the Seven. Some of its nectar could be diverted to others, weakening its effects and snuffing out Ning Fengzhi's hopes. Ning Fengzhi, craving advancement, would likely make the "right" choice in the end.Tang San was another unpredictable factor. A person's nature was set from birth and altered by environmental influences. Ning Rongrong had been reborn, and in her previous life, she'd been with Oscar. At present, though, she valued Tang San most. If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan collapsed and only Ning Rongrong (plus maybe a few of her clan's retainers) survived, she might be foolish enough to run to the Clear Sky Clan seeking Tang San's protection.
That, too, was simple to handle. Why was Ning Rongrong so devoted to Tang San? Because of his talents, intelligence, and formidable strength, which allowed him to carry Shrek through all difficulties. But it wasn't as though Tang San would become a god-king again—he didn't have a latent Blue Silver Emperor spirit, or eight wings from the Sea God, or any immortal herbs. And Qian Xunji, after all, still needed to claim the Sea God's Heart—the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud—for himself, which would be a matter for the upcoming Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament in Heaven Dou City. He planned to drop by, have a chat with Emperor Xue Ye, and make some moves.
For the sake of Spirit Hall's supremacy and "ten years, one east" of grand profit, Tang Xiao San would just have to be made to suffer.
Friends, if you enjoyed the novel, you can subscribe to my Patreon channel.
Until November 30th, get 40% off your subscription and the purchase of the novel.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Johanssen