As soon as Ouyang Shuo spoke, the faces of the men who had gathered around him changed instantly.
It was known that the Ouyang family's assets were second only to the Dongfang clan, and they even had assets overseas. To say the least, as long as Ren Yuanhao nodded, he could transform into someone worth hundreds of millions!
However, not only did Ren Yuanhao show no signs of joy, but he stared at Ouyang Shuo with cold eyes. Such a gaze made Ouyang Shuo's heart tremble.
"Senior Ouyang," Ren Yuanhao bowed slightly, "and all friends, is it a bit inappropriate to discuss this matter at this critical juncture? We are surrounded by enemies, and we don't even know what kind of people the man on the mountain peak will send. Moreover, my elder brother, friends, and Dongfang Xu are all in his hands..."
Ren Yuanhao suddenly fell silent. The thought of Liu Fuqu, Liu Yu, and his companions, whom he had desperately rescued from Lionheart Building, potentially falling victim to foul play at this very moment, made him feel stifled. He then looked at the gazes of the people around him, feeling a raging fire burning within.
"What brother says is true, but then again, isn't one more ability user one more hope?"
Ouyang Shuo was still trying to persuade.
"My Xia family is willing to transfer eighty percent of our assets."
The man speaking was the man beside Xia Xiaomo, and this man was the acting director elected by the board, Xia Jianshu, who had higher authority than Xia Xiaomo.
"Xia Jianshu! Are you really going to oppose the Ouyang family?"
Ouyang Shuo glared, his voice stern, attempting to use the Ouyang family's heritage to suppress this rising star.
How could Xia Jianshu not know that doing so would make him an enemy? However, even an E-class ability user was enough to firmly establish their Xia family among the four great families, let alone this ability, which was at least C-class!
This risk was worth taking.
"Uncle, please don't cause trouble, okay?"
Xia Xiaomo desperately held onto Xia Jianshu's arm, attempting to ease the tense atmosphere, but Xia Jianshu seemed resolute and was determined to confront Ouyang Shuo.
"Fine, perhaps my brother doesn't think highly of us, finding our Xia family's assets inferior to the Ouyang family's. In that case, we are willing to offer ninety percent!"
Xia Jianshu's words instantly made the atmosphere in the hall even more tense. However, the leaders of both sides did not notice the expression on Ren Yuanhao's face at this moment.
He clenched his fists tightly. With the three women behind him, even without looking at his face, one could tell how distressed he was at this moment.
"Do you know the risks involved in being an ability user?" Ren Yuanhao's voice suddenly rose. "Yes, ability user, what a coveted term, as if having it means having the world. But have you considered the laws of ability users, have you felt the constant fear day and night? Moreover, didn't the old woman say that the higher the level, the greater the difficulty of assimilation? Among you, who dares to risk near-certain death to assimilate an ability!"
Ren Yuanhao turned away in silence, a chilling smile on his face. "I originally thought that everyone present was righteous and of unyielding integrity, but you, are you not even as good as women?"
The women he referred to naturally meant the Dongfang and Ji families.
Xia Jianshu and Ouyang Shuo were about to say something more when they were interrupted by Dongfang Ji.
"Gentlemen, I know what you are worried about." Dongfang Ji cleared his throat. "I know that your two families have stood tall in Yun Jin City for many years, with abundant wealth, but you lack a true family ability of your own. Therefore, you are very concerned about the increasingly frequent activities of ability users posing a threat to you."
"Patriarch Dongfang, you are perceptive. After encountering the attack by ability users last time, I, Xia Jianshu, clearly understand the importance of ability users to a family. It is like a great nation continuously researching high-tech weapons, even nuclear weapons, for the same purpose. Nuclear weapons are the shield for a nation's survival, and ability users are also the facade of a family. Relying on others will always make one's hands tied; in critical moments, one must stand up for oneself."
After Xia Jianshu finished speaking, he bowed respectfully to Ouyang Shuo. In terms of their standing, they were not much different, and such courtesy was considered quite high.
"Patriarch Ouyang, to be frank, your family has retainers who are ability users, so security is not an issue. However, our Xia family has been living in fear since the attack that day, not even daring to turn on the lights at night. I hope you can understand this feeling."
At this moment, Ren Yuanhao's patience finally reached its limit!
"Enough! I came here today only to find a way to save people, not to listen to you blabbering!"
It wasn't that Ren Yuanhao didn't like money, but this kind of money, even if he consumed it, would make him uneasy. He lacked the aptitude to be a businessman; at best, he could only be a passable accountant.
"Everyone, would you indulge this old woman for a moment?"
Although Dongfang Ji's voice was low, it contained a heart-stopping power. After all, standing before these people was a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment realm, and also an ability user!
The hall fell silent. Dongfang Ji's expression slightly softened as he said, "Actually, I've been thinking about a problem. Perhaps the sect leader of Chi Xiao Sect is indeed a talent. By sending a disciple, he has managed to turn us all into a scattered mess. His cunning and foresight are something that all of you present have lost to completely."
Seeing that no one spoke, Dongfang Ji continued, "Let's all consider why this guy is targeting Ren Yuanhao?"
"This is not difficult to guess. He must believe that Brother Ren will be a threat to him, so he sent people to kill him," Ouyang Shuo responded solemnly.
"Good, then guess again, has the True Lord Sect Leader considered the possibility of his own disciples being counter-killed like this?" Dongfang Ji continued.
Ouyang Shuo vaguely understood what Dongfang Ji was trying to say and replied, "Well, of course, he would have considered that."
"So, don't you find this matter strange?"
As soon as Dongfang Ji said this, almost everyone present exchanged glances, while only a few people like Ye Lan understood Dongfang Ji's meaning.
"I believe Mother means that the True Lord Sect Leader might even be here to present 'treasure,' but this treasure might very well be a bomb." Ji Fu glanced at Ren Yuanhao, and the remaining half of the sentence was naturally for Dongfang Ji to finish.
"Exactly, this little girl's mind is quite sharp." Dongfang Ji pointed at the slowly stiffening corpse in front of him, his tone becoming extremely heavy. "Think about it, if that old fox simply wanted to kill Ren Yuanhao, why would he cause the commotion in S Street that caused widespread panic? His purpose was merely to inform you that this kid possesses a highly enticing domain-type ability, making him a super fat lamb. And that old fox has already anticipated that once the domain-type ability is unleashed, it will inevitably attract everyone to fight over it. Even if not, if Ren Yuanhao is slightly greedy, he will assimilate it. Isn't that right?"