Chapter 1396: Chapter 1397: Give 1 Million to Those Who Betray Me
“It really is Brother Li!”
“Husband!”
The two elders’ pupils constricted, staring at the young man before them whose aura resonated with undeniable familiarity. They wouldn’t even need to test if he was an imposter—his aura alone confirmed he was the one who had shared countless days and nights with them all those years ago!
Appearances could be feigned, but the cultivation and aura that defined him could never be falsified!
It was indeed Li Xiaobai. Five hundred years had passed, and yet, miraculously, he had returned!
“Weren’t you taken by the Immortal Gods…”
“The heavens truly have eyes! Who would have thought Brother Li could return to the mortal world one day!”
“We greet Brother Li!”
Chen Yuan’s hands trembled, and a dazzling light shot out from his clouded eyes.
“Haha, a mere five centuries—gone in the blink of an eye. But you two have changed so much, I almost didn’t recognize you!”
Li Xiaobai laughed heartily and casually tossed out two elixirs for them to swallow.
These were Longevity Pills, capable of extending life.
The entire hall watched as Long Xue and Chen Yuan, without the slightest hesitation, directly swallowed the elixirs. In the span of a single moment, gray hair turned jet black, and two once decrepit and elderly masters regained their youth and vitality within mere breaths, right in the center of the hall.
“Husband!”
Long Xue’s expression became complex. She dared not meet his gaze directly. Years had passed, she had grown old, yet he remained youthful as ever.
To think that his first appearance after so long would be marked by his ability to forcibly elevate their lifespans to a whole new level.
Many cultivators in the hall revealed astonished expressions. This truly was Li Xiaobai—confirmed personally by Chen Yuan and Long Xue—and he actually possessed such abilities to restore one’s youth.
This was no ordinary cosmetic trick. The cultivators present were not amateurs; they could clearly feel the fierce vitality surging back into Long Xue and Chen Yuan’s bodies, like an unending ocean tide.
“Youth regained—just like in the old days.”
Chen Yuan lowered his head to examine his hands, murmuring to himself.
“It’s a trifling matter. As high-ranking members of the List of Villains, how could you possibly remain in such a state? These years, it’s thanks to your care that the sect has continued to thrive. You’ve suffered much!”
Li Xiaobai waved casually, radiating calm and confidence. No matter the challenges faced by the Villain’s Guild, his arrival promised their resolution.
He had come this time to settle lingering ties in the Central Origin Realm, ensuring his path to ascension into the Upper Realm would be free of concerns.
“What is the current state of the Central Origin Realm? I hear the Sword Sect has been renamed as the Villain’s Guild. Is everything in the sect still well?”
Li Xiaobai seated himself boldly, unrestrained, and asked directly.
“Where is Sect Master Ying? Why haven’t I seen him?”
“Well…”
“After so many years, Sect Master Ying has already passed away.”
Chen Yuan spoke in a subdued tone. Most powerful cultivators rarely reached such an age. Even Zhang Liancheng back in the day only survived to six hundred years, eventually becoming unrecognizably decrepit.
“The vicissitudes of time. In the blink of an eye, everything changes, and old companions are gone. Yet, from all appearances, the Villain’s Guild seems to be thriving today!”
“Sect disciples remain formidable, and the sect’s influence remains strong. If Sect Master Ying could see it, I’m sure he’d find that deeply gratifying!”
Li Xiaobai nodded slowly, unsurprised. At least Sect Master Ying hadn’t fallen victim to the Immortal Gods; aging naturally was, in its way, a reprieve.
“How fare the various superpowers?”
“Has the Villain’s Guild encountered any difficulties of late?”
Li Xiaobai continued to inquire.
Chen Yuan’s face showed a touch of hesitance. His eyes darted subtly, signaling left and right: “These matters are better reported in private!”
Walls have ears!
The meaning was clear enough—present company wasn’t entirely trustworthy. Unsurprising, for a top sect in the Central Origin Realm, spies were undoubtedly present. Among the cultivators gathered in the hall, it was likely more than a few were covert agents of other sects, there to probe the Villain’s Guild’s resources and vulnerabilities!
Yet Li Xiaobai had never feared such petty antics. With absolute strength, political maneuvering and deceit amounted to little more than courting death.
“Speak freely. Any problems, I’ll handle them!”
Li Xiaobai made a dismissive gesture.
At that, many cultivators in the hall perked up their ears. They didn’t anticipate that, after painstaking efforts to uncover delicate information, such intel would be freely shared, right here, without any risk—simply because Li Xiaobai had demanded it. Chen Yuan and Long Xue wouldn’t dare hold anything back.
Finally, an opportunity to learn the true situation of the Villain’s Guild!
Previously, analysis across the sects suggested the Villain’s Guild had peaked and was beginning its decline—though its full extent had yet to manifest. With Li Xiaobai’s return, today seemed poised to confirm that assumption.
“In truth, the Villain’s Guild is experiencing only the illusion of prosperity; the reality has become grim.”
“Many sect resources have been completely depleted. Tangneng First-class and Good Goods Supply are nearing shortages, yet the influx of cultivators visiting the Villain’s Guild has only increased. The numbers haven’t diminished, forcing us to maintain appearances lest suspicions arise. At this rate, closure is inevitable.”
“Additionally, in recent years, various super sects have been eyeing us hungrily, secretly forming alliances and siphoning away considerable resources. Seeds of betrayal have been sown.”
Chen Yuan reported one matter after another. For a sect, these issues were indeed potentially fatal. Though the Villain’s Guild remained strong in numbers, the daily drain on its resources was relentless. On top of that, rival sects had deliberately sabotaged supply chains, cutting off certain essential materials, leaving them stretched precariously thin.
Ruling the realm is harder than conquering it.
Yet, from Li Xiaobai’s perspective, these were mere trifles. Lack of resources? Then replenish them. He had no shortage of wealth—boundless supplies of silver and Immortal Stones. As for sects conspiring against the Villain’s Guild, the solution was simple: eliminate dissenters outright. If none complied, wipe them all out. No challenge whatsoever.
“None of this constitutes a real problem. Compile a list and identify all forces that have betrayed the Villain’s Guild!”
Li Xiaobai spoke calmly.
“It’s all noted down.”
Chen Yuan took out a small book and respectfully handed it over.
Li Xiaobai flipped through it nonchalantly, recognizing the names written within. Nearly all major superpowers, save for the Demon Sealing Sect, had gradually distanced themselves from the Villain’s Guild, under various pretexts. Though they outwardly remained aligned and benefitted from guild protection, in reality, they had practically become independent entities.
Moreover, numerous smaller sects had similarly broken away, maintaining only nominal ties while their allegiances had clearly shifted.
“Still the same familiar faces. Those old acquaintances, I recall—when the Immortal Gods crossed realms, these were the ones who fled first. Indeed, scourges truly endure!”
“Brother Li, how do you wish to proceed? Should we take measures against them?”
Chen Yuan asked, his tone respectful. The hall fell utterly silent; everyone lowered their heads, nervously awaiting his response. Many attendees came from some of the implicated sects. These weren’t spies but rather envoys sent by their factions for cultivation in the Villain’s Guild. Upon hearing potential consequences for their sects, their hearts leapt up to their throats.
But Li Xiaobai’s subsequent words stunned and baffled them entirely.
Seated confidently, the young man closed the booklet in his hands and spoke lightly: “To each sect listed within, send one million superior-grade Immortal Stones.”
“What?”
“To those who betray me, I give one million. To those loyal to me in the future, I’ll give billions. Now revel in the applause!”