Going with the Current, Cutting Off Their Wings

"Young master, you mustn't."

The saying goes, "A son of a wealthy family will not sit under a dangerous roof."

"Young Master, as the direct descendant of my lineage and the eldest disciple of the Dao Master, how can you risk your life?"

Wu Zhiqi indeed exceptionally powerful and possessed great supernatural abilities.

However, he was facing three peak Grand Unity Great Sage had one foot in the Great Luo Dao Lord realm. He was dealing with powerful figures who were secretly manipulating the situation and making all sorts of moves. If he was not careful, he could be overthrown.

Guizhenzi said in a deep voice:

"This old man once studied under the Dao Master."

Dao Lord once said, "Flowing water does not strive to be first, but rather to flow endlessly."

"Young master is also versed in the art of Water Essence, and should know its mysteries."

Temporary success or failure means nothing.

"Patience means being open-minded and able to endure. Young Master has the potential to become Great Luo. If he acts prudently and waits for the future, today's enemy will be nothing more than an ant."

"Even the powerful figure behind him... may not be unable to destroy him in the future!"

As Guizhenzi finished speaking, Old Man Qingrong and several others bowed again:

"Please, young master, take refuge in this secluded place for the time being!"

Wu Zhiqi's golden eyes flashed, concealing the turbulent emotions within them, and he resolutely said:

"My mind is made up, no further words are needed!"

This...

Guizhenzi and the others paused, a sense of helplessness flashing through their minds.

That temper...

Before they could even try to persuade them...

Wu Zhiqi, who had been looking down, suddenly leaped up. His golden-white armor shimmered with the Heavenly Light, and his eyes gleamed like lightning beneath a cliff. He stared into the void and shouted sharply:

"Who's lurking around like that?!"

Guizhenzi and the others immediately became alert.

Various magical treasures shimmered with spiritual light and appeared one after another in the void.

Ripples spread through the void, and soon Wang Pan, dressed in a golden robe and with a joyful expression, appeared from the Grand Void.

He looked up and around, paused for a moment, then quickly called out:

"My lords, it's me, it's me!"

We're on the same side, we're on the same side.

"So, you've met the Dao Master?"

Guizhenzi's aged face was full of joy, and there was no trace of the sorrow he had just shown.

Even the Old Man Qingrong and others became indifferent.

Now that the Dao Lord has returned, they have nothing to worry about, and their anxious hearts are instantly at ease.

"This disciple has received the Imperial Decree of the Dao Master and has come here to subdue the three demons in order to resolve the predicament of the Dao lineage!"

Wang Pan recounted everything he had seen and heard in the Eastern Sea.

Although Wang Pan was unable to describe the whole picture due to the difference in their levels of understanding, Wu Zhiqi and others, having only glimpsed a part of the whole, already knew Zhou Yuan's intentions.

He nodded slightly, his platinum-rimmed eyes shifting slightly, revealing a hint of sharp teeth and a flash of ferocity.

"Since that's the case..."

"We simply need to play along."

"Tomorrow at the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, with the help of Master's methods, we will directly capture the three demons."

"Then this matter will be settled!"

Having said that, he leaned forward slightly, as if deep in thought, or perhaps hesitant. After a long while, Wu Zhiqi revealed his true, ferocious nature, his golden eyes gleaming as if he were about to devour someone. His words carried a bloody stench.

"As for the Marketplace makers and their forces gathered by the three demons, kill them all, leave no one alive!"

"Who cares about disciples, followers, relatives, or old friends?"

"No one involved in this matter shall be let off the hook."

Upon hearing this, Madam Jiuzhen was shocked and looked puzzled.

He was about to speak up and refute her.

Wu Zhiqi's seemingly casual remark had an impact on far more than just millions of lives.

If it were an ordinary living being, killing it wouldn't be a problem.

However, the construction of the Acquired Merchant Dao Marketplace has its own historical legacy. In principle, it is based on the Wuyi Mountain Dao Lineage, but it also involves the two top Daoist lineage forces of Phoenix Perch Mountain and Sun Palace.

The entanglements of cause and effect, and the conflicts of interest, are as tangled as a knotted hemp that cannot be untangled.

The Marketplace shopkeepers and branch presidents of various chambers of commerce, who are all brought together by the three demons, are mostly associated with the Phoenix Perch Mountain Dao Lineage and Sun Palace Daoist lineages.

If they were all wiped out, it would be a catastrophe.

Thinking of the two powerful Demon Clan lineages, Phoenix Perch Mountain and Sun Palace, Madam Jiuzhen felt a chill run down her spine.

"Can..."

But before she could finish speaking, she was stopped by a stern look from Guizhenzi.

The old man slowly spoke, interrupting her:

"What the young master says is quite right."

"Over the years, some Marketplace owners in the Sun Palace and Phoenix Perch Mountain Dao Lineage have been outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant, and have done their fair share of embezzlement."

"The Dao Lord made an agreement with those individuals at the very beginning of the Marketplace's construction."

"The ownership of the Marketplace belongs to the Wuyi Mountain Dao Lineage, while the management rights are shared with the Phoenix Perch Mountain Dao Lineage. As for the Sun Palace, there is actually only one divine official residing there to promote the integration of all races."

However, after Zhou Yuan disappeared into the universe, the Wuyi Mountain Dao Lineage could no longer suppress Phoenix Perch Mountain and the Sun Palace, and many benefits were wantonly swallowed up by these two parties.

Over the years, the resources lost are not insignificant.

"I have kept a detailed record of everything these parasites have done over the years."

"So, as the young master said, we uprooted them completely."

"However, we must also warn our disciples that those who abide by the rules of the Sun Palace and Phoenix Perch Mountain Dao Lineages must not be affected."

Guizhenzi's gaze was deep and unfathomable.

This is a good opportunity to clean up all the Marketplace.

Although their Wuyi Mountain Dao Lineage consists of only a handful of people.

However, over the years, quite a few True One, Celestial, and Grotto-heaven Cultivators have been cultivated.

Backed by a vast Acquired Merchant Dao, and with a grotto-heaven suspended high in the universe, it may be difficult to cultivate any pillars of society in the short term, but it is not difficult to cultivate cultivators of this grotto-heaven and the Heavenly Human Realm.

'Thus, with the Dao Lord overseeing the source of commerce above, and Dao disciples filling every Marketplace and district below.'

'Only in this way will this Marketplace truly belong to the Wuyi Mountain Dao Lineage Marketplace.'

'And Acquired Merchant Dao will not be interfered with by outsiders.'

Wu Zhiqi glanced at Madam Jiuzhen, who was still deep in thought. He knew that she was sharp-minded, but the more she thought about things, the more worries she had, which often hindered her actions.

He just chuckled:

"I know you all fear this move will offend the Phoenix Perch Mountain Dao Lineage and the Sun Palace."

"But these greedy people are probably keeping their actions a secret from the Celestial Venerables."

"We're taking action to help the adults clean house!"

"Besides, now that our master has returned, we are not without powerful figures backing us up."

"This matter is being handled impartially. If we're going to be so timid and hesitant, we might as well just hand over the Marketplace directly!"

Wu Zhiqi's eyes gleamed with golden light.

If the adults were unaware of this beforehand, then so be it.

If they were truly condoning these disciples' misbehavior behind the scenes, given Master's temperament, he would likely have to retaliate.

However, Wu Zhiqi felt that such a being as the Celestial Venerable probably wouldn't even glance at what was happening here.

Having said that...

Everyone present immediately understood the situation.

Then they all spoke up to refine the details.

Before long, a detailed plan was finalized.

"In that case, we'll just have to wait until the day comes to settle this."

Guizhenzi looked out the window.

The night was deep, and a crescent moon hung Grand Void in the sky, hidden in the clouds and mist, indistinct and unclear.