Impact

Several hours later. Yaoguang exhaled a long breath and ended his cultivation. Thanks to his ultimate, pinpoint control over his body, his physical condition had recovered considerably. Though he had not quite returned to his peak... Even engaging in another life-and-death struggle against demons would pose no problem. However, when he sensed the presences lingering outside, his brow furrowed. "Still haven't left?" Before heading upstairs to recuperate, he had clearly told the Jishi Society members to show themselves out, yet they were still at Yuyuan. Did they suddenly no longer care about losing face? He walked downstairs. On the ground floor, Aili had politely poured a few cups of plain boiled water to host Ji Pingtian, the president of the Jishi Society. Outside the courtyard gate, besides the Jishi Society members who had not entered the living room, Leng Jun and his group had also arrived. Even Yue Xingzhou had not departed. Although Yue Xingzhou and Leng Jun's group were not on the same level of strength as the Jishi Society members, their presence here undoubtedly signaled a posture of vigilance. Consequently, the atmosphere was somewhat awkward. Only when Yaoguang came back downstairs was the tension finally broken. Ji Pingtian immediately rose and swiftly brought out a box. "Yaoguang, I had forgotten that you sustained injuries while eliminating Zhao Sheng and those demons. Here is a batch of Body-Nourishing Pills I urgently had brought over. They are remarkably effective at healing injuries sustained by martial artists in combat. If you have use for them, by all means, give them a try." Yaoguang did not take up the offer, merely asking, "Does President Ji have other business?" "Well..." Ji Pingtian forced a smile. "The transfer procedures for three hundred billion Chixing coins are quite cumbersome. With me here, I can coordinate and resolve any issues the moment they arise." "Oh." Yaoguang glanced at his phone. He had previously muted it, but looking at it now... Several deposit notifications had already arrived. The three hundred billion Chixing coins were being transferred in multiple installments, and the majority had already cleared. Even as he checked, another large transfer came through. A quick calculation... It was almost complete. Looking at the long string of zeroes in his account balance, Yaoguang truly felt a stir of emotion. Once money reached a certain level, it was just a number. "That will do," Yaoguang said. "Suit yourselves, everyone." "Lord Yaoguang." Ji Pingtian stepped forward and said sincerely, "I apologize from the bottom of my heart for what happened earlier..." "No matter." Yaoguang waved a hand to cut him off. "You did nothing wrong, and I will not breach our agreement over this." Hearing that, Ji Pingtian breathed a small sigh of relief. Immediately after, he got to the main point: "Not long ago, word came from within the Jishi Society. Zhao Sheng's status in the Rebirth Society... is not simple..." "The Rebirth Society, or Chixing?" Yaoguang asked. Ji Pingtian froze slightly upon hearing this, then replied, "In nature, there isn't much difference. In any case, I'm afraid this matter will not end here." "I know," Yaoguang answered. He also believed this matter should not end here. Because... He had no intention of letting it end yet. "Just to be safe, Yaoguang, you should come with me to the Jishi Society. I can guarantee that what happened to Xia Wuyuan will never occur within the Jishi Society..." Ji Pingtian said solemnly. "No need," Yaoguang said. "I won't be going to the Jishi Society." "You're not going?" Ji Pingtian and Zong Yan exchanged glances, both feeling a sense of foreboding. After a long pause, President Ji managed a smile and said, "Yaoguang, rest assured. Once you come to the Jishi Society, your status as a 'Revelator' will be finalized immediately. When that happens, within the society..." "There is one thing President Ji seems not to have grasped." Yaoguang looked at Ji Pingtian. "The agreement I signed with you has always been transactional. I help you fight the Chixing Martial Saints at the All-Under-Heaven Martial Meet, and you pay me a sufficient amount of money... So, let us keep business strictly business." The moment these words were spoken, Ji Pingtian froze. Zong Yan seemed to recall something as well and said, "Yaoguang... indeed laid down conditions. According to his request, what we signed was Contract Template No. 6." "Contract Template No. 6?" Ji Pingtian understood in an instant. Under Contract Template No. 6, the only obligation Yaoguang had to bear was indeed representing the Jishi Society at the All-Under-Heaven Martial Meet to face the Chixing Martial Saints. Everything else could be completely disregarded. The only reason the Jishi Society even had this template was because the upper echelons believed that whether someone was a Martial Saint seed or a Revelator, if they wanted access to better cultivation arts, a greater share of resources, and careful guidance from Martial Saints or Divine Realm Martial Saints, they would have to contribute, carry out missions assigned by the society, and abide by the society's rules and regulations. Yet Yaoguang... Did not need any of it! Cultivation arts? Not needed. Resources... With three hundred billion Chixing coins arriving in his account, that would clearly last him a very long time. As for guidance... In the entire Jishi Society, there probably wasn't a single person capable of guiding him. In other words, the contracts, routines, and regulations the Jishi Society used to bind Martial Saint seeds and Revelators were utterly useless against him. "Let it be, then," Yaoguang said. "When the All-Under-Heaven Martial Meet comes around, send someone to inform me." Seeing this, Ji Pingtian knew it was improper to stay any longer, lest he provoke further annoyance. He stood up and said, "Whether against the Rebirth Society or Chixing, we stand on the same side. If Lord Yaoguang needs any assistance, please do not hesitate to ask." "All right," Yaoguang replied out of courtesy. With that, Ji Pingtian and Zong Yan led the rest of the Jishi Society members out of Yuyuan. Looking back at the brightly lit courtyard behind them, Ji Pingtian felt helpless. "President," Zong Yan sighed as well. "Back then, I only wanted to sign the agreement as quickly as possible. After all... signing a nineteen-year-old Grandmaster for ten billion Chixing coins was an incredible bargain." "I understand. You did nothing wrong," Ji Pingtian said. When Yaoguang sought nothing from the Jishi Society's resources, arts, or guidance, the validity of this contract rested entirely on his personal integrity. And Yaoguang's stance was unmistakable: no talk of sentiment, only business. "Never mind. Placing the blame on the contract is pointless," Ji Pingtian said. To either the Jishi Society or Yaoguang, the contract itself was merely an explanatory statement; it carried no binding power whatsoever. The crux was whether the two sides could get along pleasantly and share common ground. Yet on that front, he, the president, had completely bungled things. "A frog looking up from the bottom of a well," Ji Pingtian remarked with a sigh. Because Yaoguang was young, people instinctively fell into treating him like an elder would. On top of that, he had habitually treated Yaoguang like any other member of the Jishi Society, speaking to him from a superior's stance. Yaoguang's refusal to submit made him feel defied, breeding displeasure, and Fang Lu's fanning of the flames only magnified that discontent. Finally, there was his own style of conduct. Martial Saints broke past the human limit; one man was an army, concentrating vast might in a single form. They were accustomed to acting straightforwardly, and few dared to cross them. Although Zong Yan's messages to Ji Pingtian had repeatedly described Yaoguang's formidable strength and monstrous talent, Ji Pingtian's core impression had remained fixated on "a nineteen-year-old Grandmaster." In the end, his own self-importance had caused him to miss a tremendous opportunity. "President," Zong Yan said, carefully choosing his words. "I have been in the Dayu branch of the Jishi Society for so long, yet I failed to uncover that the Dayu royal family had long since betrayed us... This is my own incompetence and dereliction of duty. Furthermore, I am advanced in years and no longer possess the strength to stabilize a nation's affairs. I wish to resign as president of the Dayu branch." "You..." Ji Pingtian recalled the information he had seen in Fang Lu's memories. The Dayu branch... Had indeed been infiltrated until it was like a sieve. No matter what, Zong Yan could not escape responsibility. Moreover... After a moment of thought, Ji Pingtian said, "Take some time to rest first." Zong Yan nodded. "In fact, you might consider a new place to go," Ji Pingtian added. "Hmm?" Zong Yan was taken aback. Ji Pingtian pointed toward the villa in Yuyuan behind them. "I no longer harbor the slightest doubt regarding Lord Yaoguang's strength and potential. But his foundation is too shallow. If nothing else, his support team alone is entirely mismatched with his status." Zong Yan caught on. "Apply to join Lord Yaoguang's support team?" Ji Pingtian nodded. "That way, we can at least maintain a bridge of connection with Lord Yaoguang, so we don't become complete strangers in the future." As he spoke, he produced a device and operated it, saying, "Furthermore, as expected, Lord Yaoguang will likely take action against the Liao family. Originally, I considered handing the Liao family's dossier to him right then, but after thinking it over, I felt it would be better for you to bring that information as a stepping stone." Zong Yan checked his custom phone; a file had already arrived. "Things have come to this; we can only do our best to make amends," Ji Pingtian said. After a brief hesitation, Zong Yan nodded. "I'll see if I can secure the position." *** Inside the study. Because of Ji Pingtian's visit, Yue Xingzhou had not left. "The aristocratic families maintain connections with one another, don't they?" Yaoguang asked. "Yes," Yue Xingzhou nodded. "Over these years, the Liao family disregarded the tacit understanding that 'the royal court and the aristocratic families share the realm,' heavily suppressing the various families. If the major families hadn't covertly united to counter them, they would have been devoured clean long ago." "Then, if the core members of the Liao family were to disappear, could you ensure that the Kingdom of Dayu does not fall into turmoil?" Yaoguang asked bluntly. Though Yue Xingzhou had anticipated something like this, hearing the words spoken directly from Yaoguang's mouth still caused his pupils to contract sharply. "Lord Yaoguang, are you planning to..." His voice trembled slightly. Unconsciously, he had adopted an honorific tone. "Indeed," Yaoguang said, leaning back in his chair with a calm expression. "Since they have chosen not to act like humans and have defected to the demons, they don't deserve to be humans anymore." *Hiss!* Yue Xingzhou drew in a sharp breath. If Yaoguang had merely broken through to Martial Saint, Yue Xingzhou naturally would have tried to dissuade him from such madness. Yet his clash with Ji Pingtian moments ago had proven... Having attained Martial Saint, his combat strength was not below the Divine Realm! A Divine Realm Martial Saint... Coupled with the coordinated efforts of the other families, overturning the Liao family was by no means an impossible dream. Most crucial of all... Yaoguang! A nineteen-year-old Martial Saint! And a nineteen-year-old Martial Saint wielding Divine Realm combat power at that! What did that signify? It meant he would inevitably enter the Artifact Sect! He was destined to soar to astronomical heights! As long as the Yue family played this card, all the aristocratic families in Dayu that had been oppressed by the Liao family would immediately rally to Yaoguang's side, sparing no effort to make Dayu's pie bigger and stronger. Because... If all went smoothly, it meant that besides Chixing and Xuelong, a third super-empire was about to rise! And when that time came... Every one of them would be founding ministers of a new dynasty! With that thought, Yue Xingzhou answered with resolute conviction: "We can!" "Good," Yaoguang nodded. "Contact them."