"Something this good exists?" Liang Qu was surprised.
Newly appointed Elders received an extra year's salary as a Settlement Fee. The Heavenly Fire Sect's core Elders were quite humane.
"Yes, yes, it's a wonderful thing! I asked my brother—apparently the Heavenly Fire Sect never had this policy before. It only came out this year. Several Fifth Realm Elders in the sect have already received it. Master, your rank is the highest, so your Settlement Fee is the most generous of them all."
"There wasn't one before?" Liang Qu raised a brow.
"Mm-hmm, there wasn't. They say it's because Blood Treasures have increased these past two years. Whether it can continue in the future isn't certain." Lao Mengyao happily claimed credit. "Master, you struck gold! I kept it in mind as soon as I heard the news. See? The moment I came out of seclusion, I told you right away. It would've been such a pity to miss it! When you get back, you have to treat your disciple to a Blood Treasure feast!"
"No feast. Want a peach?"
Liang Qu raised a hand, plucked a peach, and tossed it to Lao Mengyao, privately feeling uneasy.
A "newly introduced" policy—why did that sound so strange?
He had not forgotten his special identity. In the Heavenly Fire Sect's eyes, he was a naturally born variant River God, second only to the Dragon Lord, and held tremendous "nourishing" value to the Blood River Realm. Could they be planning to make a move already? So soon?
"Why is there only one peach..." Lao Mengyao was already sick of them.
"If it tastes good, don't be picky. Oh, right—where's your Senior Brother Xi Ziyu? Why isn't he here?"
"Him? His grandfather and sister are at home, so he went back for the new year." Lao