Backing Shui Mingqing with All His Might (2)

But not everyone who came out early was a coward afraid of death, a disgrace to their sect. Some had obtained peerless treasures and emerged early for safety's sake—but how could such peerless treasures be so easily obtained? As for what the truth really was, everyone would have to wait and see... Some things in this world were called "without coincidence, there would be no story." Coincidences were rare, but they did happen. The leader of Jueqing Palace's party was an elder named Lu Tao. Lu Tao had happened to receive a message from his sect, ordering him to contact the people of Cháotiān Palace and Lihuo Palace to refine a batch of immortal pills and immortal artifacts. So Lu Tao sent people to invite Cháotiān Palace's elder Ya Fuzi and Lihuo Palace's elder Huo Lianqing to Jueqing Palace's shop to discuss the matter. Unfortunately, Lu Tao had long been accustomed to being arrogant and domineering. During the negotiations, he repeatedly used Jueqing Palace's reputation as the foremost sect of the Immortal Realm to force down the price. This was no business negotiation—it was plainly bullying others with power. Ya Fuzi and Huo Lianqing were left with bellies full of fire, but both their factions did business with people across the world, so they forcibly held back from falling out with him. Both claimed they could not make the decision and would need to seek instructions before giving an answer. Lu Tao was deeply dissatisfied. In a tone that was practically an order, he told them to seek instructions immediately. One was the Immortal Realm's foremost alchemy sect, the other its foremost artifact-refining sect. No matter how accommodating they were, they had not reached the point of fearing him. Just as they were about to flick their sleeves and leave,