Before Yue Guan could speak, Hu Bai slowly stepped forward. Staring directly at Ning Fengzhi's old fox face, he said evenly, "Sect Master Ning's words make a lot of sense. So we've decided that starting next year, Spirit Hall will no longer ask the Two Great Empires for subsidies."
The moment those words left his mouth, everyone present was stunned. Hu Bai paused slightly, then his tone turned sharp. A faint chill seemed to radiate from him, making people shudder. "But! Spirit Hall will still Awaken Martial Souls for commoners free of charge. However, if those Commoner Soul Masters with Soul Power wish to receive the Soul Master Subsidy, they must join Spirit Hall!"
Ning Fengzhi chuckled. "Little fellow, are you sure your words carry any weight? If I'm not mistaken, you should be the child of these two, right?"
Hu Bai had no interest in explaining himself to that smiling fox. He turned to Yue Guan and said, "Uncle Yue, now that we've received this year's Soul Master Subsidy Amount, it's time for us to leave."
Seeing Hu Bai's domineering side, Yue Guan smiled faintly. "Alright. We'll do as you say."
As Yue Guan's group departed, Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin did not try to stop them. Only after their figures vanished from sight did Ning Fengzhi let out a sigh, his expression turning somewhat grave.
"Uncle Jian, it seems we underestimated that little fellow. We need to investigate his relationship with Spirit Hall."
Chen Xin nodded slightly. "Yes. His appearance gives me a bad feeling."
Ning Fengzhi rose to his feet and looked at Xue Ye. "Xue Ye, perhaps Heaven Dou Empire truly won't need to hand over the Soul Master Subsidy Amount next year. You should be happy about that."
Afterward, Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin left.