Shen Sifeng, the Master of Social Grace
Lu Ping looked at Little B and Little C, completely exhausted.
Moreover, the Shen Household is currently still an ally.
Lu Ping was able to participate in the Dao of Alchemy Grand Competition because he used the Shen Household's recommendation.
Let's keep this line running for now.
Lu Ping chose A.
[You chose A.]
[You take the initiative to speak.]
"What brings you three seniors here so late at night?"
[The Flattery has taken effect.]
The smile on the face of the middle-aged man in the brocade robe from the Shen Household became more genuine.
[Yan Xuanyao looked at you, her tone very polite.]
"Lu Ping, you're a smart man. I'll be frank."
[With a flick of his wrist, a Storage Ring landed on the table.]
He pushed the Storage Ring in front of you.
"There are 300,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones in here."
You glanced at the Storage Ring, but didn't reach for it.
[Three hundred thousand.]
The official prize money for the champion of the Seven-City Grand Competition is exactly 300,000.
[As for the Fourth-Level Alchemist Certificate, Yan Xuanyao did not mention it.]
"What does Manager Yan mean by this?"
You're asking a question you already know the answer to.
"Withdrawing from the Seven-City Grand Competition."
[Yan Xuanyao stares into your eyes,]
"Tomorrow morning, the Chamber of Commerce will announce that you have overdone alchemy, damaging your Dao foundation and requiring seclusion for recuperation. You will be unable to continue participating in the Seven-City Grand Competition."
"The Azure Dragon Merchant Association Team by a substitute."
[The Shen Household representative still wore that kind smile, while the other elderly man remained motionless with his eyelids lowered.]
[Only Yan Xuanyao spoke throughout the entire session.]
[It seems the upper echelons of the Azure Dragon Merchant Association have reached a tacit understanding.]
Even the Shen Household, who recommended you for the competition, agreed to this result.
"We know you've been to the Four Domains Gambling House."
[Yan Xuanyao suddenly added a sentence.]
"You are very capable, insightful, and courageous. But sometimes, having too many ideas isn't a good thing."
[You pondered for a moment, and then you understood.]
[They were worried about you, but you really did win the championship.]
[You're too strong, so strong that you're beyond their control. For a chess player, an uncontrollable piece is the greatest risk.]
The best solution would be to lay you off early.
[So, you were fired because you were too capable?!]
Is Tom's behavior reasonable?
[Options pop up.]
[A: Take the money and leave. 300,000 is already a lot; there's no need to fight to the death with the Azure Dragon Merchant Association over a competition.]
[B: Smash the Storage Ring on Yan Xuanyao's face. I'm going to the Seven-City Grand Competition, and nobody can stop me, I said it!]
[C: Pulls out the Labor Law and throws it in Yan Xuanyao's face, "Because of good performance, you're being violently laid off? I'm going to the labor arbitration committee to sue you! No N+1, tomorrow we'll put up banners in front of the Chamber of Commerce!"]
Lu Ping looked at Little A.
Actually, the reason for coming to the Azure Dragon Upper Domain was to detour to the White Tiger Domain.
However, it was only to fulfill my promise to Shen Yuerong that I've been delayed until now.
Since the Azure Dragon Merchant Association is willing to pay him to leave early, it's not unacceptable.
Lu Ping chose A.
[You chose A.]
[You were just about to accept this 300,000.]
[The Restrictions outside the cave abode were suddenly activated.]
[Liang Yishou's voice came in from outside, revealing an undisguised panic and trembling.]
"Fellow Daoist Lu! Fellow Daoist Lu! The Si Clan of Dangang City requests an audience!"
[Yan Xuanyao's hand, which was turning towards Fire Jade Gallbladder, stopped.]
The friendly smile on the Shen Household representative's face froze for a moment.
[Si Clan?]
[You raise your hand and remove the Restrictions from the cave abode.]
The Stone Gate suddenly opened with a roar.
[Liang Yishou was slightly taken aback when he saw Yan Xuanyao inside. He quickly bowed, said nothing, and hurriedly left.]
[Si Wangshu strode in, dressed in a light blue and white gown, her expression aloof.]
[Behind her followed an old woman with a hunched back.]
The old woman was dressed in simple linen clothes and wore a veiled hat.
The moment she stepped inside, the atmosphere within the cave abode changed.
Yan Xuanyao suddenly stood up.
Si Wangshu didn't even glance at Yan Xuanyao, or the other two.
She walked straight up to you and respectfully gave you a junior's bow.
"Wang Shu has just arrived in Baodi City and heard that you are resting here, so I have come to pay my respects."
The air inside the cave abode seemed frozen.
[Yan Xuanyao stared at Si Wangshu, then turned to stare at you.]
[Si Wangshu?!]
[A rising star among the direct descendants of the Si Clan.]
[A low-level Alchemist from the Central Region, yet he's being treated with the respect due to a direct descendant of the Si Clan, a top-tier Aristocratic Clan in the Azure Dragon Upper Domain?]
Si Wangshu made no mention of the Seven-City Grand Competition.
She was like a well-behaved junior visiting an elder.
[You remained seated, not even rising, merely nodding slightly.]
"Please sit down."
Yan Xuanyao's plan was completely shattered.
He originally thought you were just a low-level cultivator with some talent, and that he could buy your future with 300,000 Spirit Stones.
[Now he realizes how terribly wrong he was in judging you.]
The Shen Household representative reacted extremely quickly.
[His stiff expression lasted only half a second before it was replaced by an even warmer and more sincere smile.]
"Oh dear, so Miss Si has also come to visit young friend Lu."
"My name is Shen Sifeng. A hundred years ago, I had the honor of listening to the Sage Lord Zhongyuan expound the Dharma, and I benefited greatly from it."
[The Sage Lord Zhongyuan mentioned by Shen Sifeng is Si Zhongyuan, the current Head of the Lineage the Si Clan.]
Si Wangshu paused slightly as she was about to sit down.
She turned around, her gaze finally landing on Shen Sifeng standing to the side.
Si Wangshu's expression remained aloof, but she returned the greeting with her hands clasped together.
"So it was Shen True Lord."
["Wang Shu had also heard the Head of the Lineage mention that the Shen family of the Bao Di clan was skilled in strategy."]
"The Azure Dragon Merchant Association's current stability is largely thanks to the meticulous planning and strategizing of the Shen Household's elders."
[These two sentences were spoken gently and politely, showing the demeanor of a noble family.]
Shen Sifeng's smile deepened, and he waved his hands repeatedly.
"You flatter me, Sage Lord Zhongyuan. The Shen Household merely runs errands and performs mundane tasks for you fellow practitioners."
[After exchanging pleasantries, Si Wangshu turned around and sat down in the chair below you.]
[Shen Sifeng casually pushed the Storage Ring containing 300,000 Spirit Stones on the table towards your hand.]
"This 300,000 is the Chamber of Commerce's reward for your outstanding contributions to Baodi City in this competition."
"Young friend Lu, the Chamber of Commerce headquarters happens to be recommending a Fourth-Level Alchemist this year."
"Our Shen Household has jointly proposed that this Fourth-Level Alchemist spot be given directly to Young Friend Lu."
"I wonder what plans you have for young friend Lu?"
[Watching Shen Sifeng's performance, you sigh once again, realizing that the cultivation world is all about understanding human relationships and worldly affairs.]
[Options pop up.]
[A: Know when to quit while you're ahead, take the opportunity to back down, grab your certificate, and leave.]
[B: He kicked over the stone table, pointed at Yan Xuanyao's nose, and yelled, "Weren't you going to throw money at me? Go ahead and throw it!"]
[C: Starts with "I’ll Make Three Points," detonates Spirit-Chaos Lure and Divine Spirit-Winding Thread, throws Spirit Stone stones in face to trigger "I'm the Client," and lays off three minor Nascent Soul cultivators with Star River Myriad Blades physical attacks. Then, turns to Si Wangshu and says, "The executives have dropped gold coins, let's split it 50/50!"]