While Yun Tiānkōng was in "deep water and hot fire," the garrison was also in "deep water and hot fire," and the "Three Immortals Sword Sect" was also experiencing undercurrents.
The "Neon Quasi-Saint Son" of the "Yingzhou Sword Sect," having received strong sponsorship from the "Dragon Rider Merchant Guild," could no longer hold back and began to make his move.
He paved his way with money, lavishly bribing the Grand Elders of the "Penglai Sword Sect" and the "Fangzhang Sword Sect."
The "Three Immortals Sword Sect" was a prestigious orthodox sect, and its Grand Elders were principled. Their principle was: "Pay more money!"
Uh...
That's right, it was "Pay more money!"
"To betray our sect's Quasi-Saint Son and support you, Neon Quasi-Saint Son, is against our noble principles, therefore, pay more money!"
The "Neon Quasi-Saint Son," spending the "Dragon Rider Merchant Guild's" money without a pang of heartache, agreed to the price increase.
He decisively met the demands of the Grand Elders and generously added more money.
Having reaped sufficient benefits, the Grand Elders all changed their stance and began to secretly support the "Neon Quasi-Saint Son."
In recent times, the "Neon Quasi-Saint Son" had been enjoying great success.
If this momentum continued, the "Neon Quasi-Saint Son" would undoubtedly become the Co-Lord of the "Three Immortals Sword Sect."
At that time, he would have absolute power and could do as he pleased!
The future looked promising!
The "Neon Quasi-Saint Son" was a man of his word and treated Qian Duōduō, the manager of the "Dragon Rider Merchant Guild" and his top contributor, very well.
Every few days, the "Neon Quasi-Saint Son" would invite Qian Duōduō for banquets and drinks.
Qian Duōduō was extremely considerate; would he go to a banquet empty-handed? Of course not, he had to bring some "local specialties"!
What "local specialties" could the "Dragon Rider Merchant Guild" have? Spirit stones, of course! Large quantities of spirit stones!
Each time he attended a banquet, Qian Duōduō brought at least "ten million low-grade spirit stones," and sometimes even "twenty to thirty million low-grade spirit stones."
It had to be said, the "Neon Quasi-Saint Son" was deeply fond of this fat man.
Considerate, wealthy, and knowing how to play his part!
For a moment, the "Neon Quasi-Saint Son" felt a touch of reluctance.
Perhaps, once he became the Co-Lord of the "Three Immortals Sword Sect," he would not destroy the "Dragon Rider Merchant Guild" but, as agreed upon, cooperate with them and treat them favorably.
Heh heh...
Just kidding!
How could the "Neon Quasi-Saint Son" have such a naive thought?
In his eyes, Qian Duōduō and the "Dragon Rider Merchant Guild" were his money bag. He needed them now, so he would appease them slightly.
When he truly became the Co-Lord of the "Three Immortals Sword Sect" and could cover the sky with one hand, would he let the "Dragon Rider Merchant Guild" off the hook?
What a joke!
The "Dragon Rider Merchant Guild" was a goose that laid golden eggs, yet this goose lacked the strength to protect itself.
In the eyes of the "Neon Quasi-Saint Son," the "Dragon Rider Merchant Guild" was very weak, just a bunch of Golden Core cultivators, utterly pathetic!
Facing such a goose that could lay golden eggs but had no self-preservation ability, the "Neon Quasi-Saint Son" felt he would be letting himself down if he didn't devour it whole.
Therefore, the fate of the "Dragon Rider Merchant Guild" was already sealed, destined to be annexed by the "Neon Quasi-Saint Son."
Thinking this, the "Neon Quasi-Saint Son" wore a smile of utmost sincerity and friendliness. He raised his wine cup and toasted Qian Duōduō at the banquet.
"Manager Qian, this Holy Son must offer you a good toast today! My great undertaking's success is all thanks to Manager Qian's help; Manager Qian deserves immense credit!"
Qian Duōduō quickly stood up. He was as usual, his round, chubby face adorned with a harmless smile. If there was any difference, it was that Qian Duōduō was now bowing and scraping, his face full of fawning, much like a sycophant trying to curry favor.
Qian Duōduō raised his cup and flatteringly said.
"Your Highness the Holy Son is too kind! Your Highness the Holy Son possesses great vision and unparalleled might; you were born to be the Co-Lord of the Three Immortals Sword Sect! My help was merely adding to the splendor; it cannot be considered a merit!"
Upon hearing Qian Duōduō's words, the "Neon Quasi-Saint Son" was overjoyed. He thought to himself.
"Good, this fat man knows his place!"
The "Neon Quasi-Saint Son" scoffed inwardly but smiled outwardly.
"Manager Qian is too modest. Come, let us drink heartily!"
They then engaged in a prolonged round of toasting and drinking.
The "Neon Quasi-Saint Son" first toasted Qian Duōduō, followed by his subordinates, led by "Mr. Liu Sheng," who all raised their cups to Qian Duōduō.
After a round, Qian Duōduō, unable to hold his liquor, had a glazed look in his eyes and unsteady steps, swaying precariously.
"Useless!"
The "Neon Quasi-Saint Son" and the others all scorned Qian Duōduō in their hearts.
However, on the other hand, they were also very happy.
Was there a better partner than Qian Duōduō?
Foolish and rich!
As expected, the drunken Qian Duōduō began to "sprinkle money" again!
He drunkenly took out a storage bag and handed it to the "Neon Quasi-Saint Son."
"Your Highness the Holy Son, here are ten million low-grade spirit stones. A trivial sum, a mere token of my appreciation!"
The "Neon Quasi-Saint Son" was already ecstatic.
He found Qian Duōduō particularly dashing when he was handing over money.
If not for the need to maintain his "cool and imposing demeanor," the "Neon Quasi-Saint Son" would have rushed forward and given Qian Duōduō a big kiss.
The "Neon Quasi-Saint Son" gave "Mr. Liu Sheng" a knowing glance.
"Mr. Liu Sheng," understanding the signal, immediately stepped forward with a smile and accepted the storage bag handed over by Qian Duōduō.
"Manager Qian, thank you for your funding! When His Highness the Holy Son's great endeavor succeeds, your investment today will yield returns of a hundred or even a thousand times!"
"Mr. Liu Sheng," truly the "chief strategist," did not even bat an eye as he casually painted a grand picture for Qian Duōduō.
And Qian Duōduō fell for it. He chuckled, overjoyed.
"Thank you, sir, thank you, Your Highness the Holy Son!"
Qian Duōduō wanted to continue building rapport and strengthening his relationship with the "Neon Quasi-Saint Son," but alas, his alcohol tolerance was too poor. The effects of the alcohol surged, and he began to gag, on the verge of vomiting.
The "Neon Quasi-Saint Son" looked at him with disdain, dropped the pretense, and directly ordered.
"Manager Qian is drunk. Someone, escort him out!"
Immediately, two "Yingzhou Sword Sect disciples" stepped forward and helped the inebriated Qian Duōduō out.
Once Qian Duōduō had left, the "Neon Quasi-Saint Son" dropped all pretense and impatiently snatched the storage bag from "Mr. Liu Sheng."
He opened the storage bag and looked inside.
Brilliant light shone, and spiritual energy emanated!
Wow, all high-grade spirit stones!
Precisely one thousand of them!
With this sum, he could bribe even more Grand Elders.
A satisfied smile spread across the "Neon Quasi-Saint Son's" face.
"Hahaha, that fat idiot Qian Duōduō is truly foolish and rich!"