Yu Fengzhi's Compromise

"What do you feel?" Qian Xunji asked.

"Very powerful." Qian San closed his eyes and sensed the change.

"The first is [Devour]. When the Spider Spear pierces a target, it can forcibly drain their Soul Power and vitality, then turn them into my own reserves."

"The second is [Enhancement]. The Spider Spear can raise all my attributes by 50% and my movement speed by 50%. It also carries a deadly poison, and it can evolve in the future."

"What about your Soul Power?"

Qian San checked, then shook his head. "No change. I'm still at level forty-seven."

"Just as I expected." Qian Xunji stood and patted his son on the shoulder.

"All right, go back and consolidate your gains. I still have things to take care of. If you need me, contact me with a feather."

That night, Kelaishi Academy was quiet.

Yu Fengzhi brought Gu Xin to Qian Xunji's temporary residence in secret. As soon as the two met, Yu Fengzhi bowed deeply.

Gu Xin stepped forward and presented a storage ring. Yu Fengzhi kept his head lowered as he spoke respectfully.

"Your Eminence, there are two million Gold Soul Coins and a thirty-thousand-year-old right leg bone inside. I prepared this apology for last night's offense. Please accept it and let go of your anger."

Qian Xunji took the ring and casually swept it with his mental power. He nodded. Yu Fengzhi had truly paid a steep price to save his life. Two million Gold Soul Coins was no small sum, even for a major sect.

"I'll accept it." Qian Xunji pulled over a chair and sat down.

"Gu Xin, wait outside. Sect Master Yu, we'll talk alone."

Gu Xin obediently left and closed the door behind him.

Only the two of them remained in the room. Qian Xunji looked at Yu Fengzhi and got straight to the point.

"In a few days, I'll be taking Qian San and the others away from the academy for a special training trip. I plan to take Yu Rongrong with us."

Yu Fengzhi's head jerked up, and his expression changed.

His first instinct was to refuse. Yu Rongrong was his only daughter and the sect's hope for the future. Anyone could see that Qian Xunji wanted to take her as a hostage. He meant to hold the Seven Treasure Overlord Pagoda Sect's lifeline in his hands and stop them from making any moves behind his back.

Yu Fengzhi gave a strained laugh. "Your Eminence, Rongrong has been pampered since she was little, and she has quite a temper. I'm afraid she'll cause trouble for you on the trip. Perhaps—"

"Sect Master Yu." Qian Xunji cut him off, his tone turning playful. "You're a clever man. You saw clearly what happened to Old Poison's Martial Soul last night, didn't you?"

Yu Fengzhi froze. Of course he had seen it clearly. Dugu Bo's original Martial Soul had become the Red Heaven Python Emperor. That could only mean it had undergone Martial Soul Evolution. All day, Yu Fengzhi had been itching to know what kind of heavenly opportunity Dugu Bo had encountered.

Most importantly, when Qian Xunji had released his Martial Soul, it had clearly been an Angel with eight wings. Combined with Dugu Bo's transformation, Yu Fengzhi had already guessed the truth.

Seeing the longing in Yu Fengzhi's eyes, Qian Xunji continued. "You guessed right. That was Martial Soul Evolution. You're a clever man. Do you think it was all a coincidence?"

Yu Fengzhi's breathing grew quicker.

Qian Xunji stood and began to dangle a carrot before him.

"Sect Master Yu, because of the limits of your Martial Soul, your Seven Treasure Overlord Pagoda Sect can never advance beyond the seventh level. Am I right? The trip I'm taking them on isn't for sightseeing. It's to seek an opportunity that your sect might not encounter in hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of years."

Qian Xunji walked over to Yu Fengzhi and stared into his eyes. "Let Yu Rongrong come with me. As long as she behaves, I can give her a chance to break through her Martial Soul's limits. If her Martial Soul can reach the eighth level, or even the ninth, do you think you'd be losing out on this deal?"

Yu Fengzhi fell completely silent.

Qian Xunji's words had struck him right where it hurt.

Breaking through the limits of their Martial Soul was the dream of every past sect master of the Seven Treasure Overlord Pagoda Sect. Yu Fengzhi knew Qian Xunji really was taking Yu Rongrong as a hostage, but if that hostage could earn the sect a breakthrough in its Martial Soul, then this was a deal they had to make.

And more importantly, he was facing a Peerless Douluo. He had no right to say no.

After a long while, Yu Fengzhi let out a deep sigh and nodded. "I understand. It's Rongrong's good fortune to travel with Your Eminence and broaden her horizons. I agree to let her go."

"That's more like it." Qian Xunji smiled with satisfaction.

But a heavy worry still weighed on Yu Fengzhi's heart. He hesitated, then asked, "Your Eminence, Rongrong's situation is settled, but what about the sect? Yesterday, Gu Xin followed your orders and killed so many geniuses from Haotian Hall. Haotian Hall will never swallow this insult. They'll investigate everywhere like mad. What if they come after us? What are we supposed to do?"

Qian Xunji countered, "You're the sect master of the Seven Treasure Overlord Pagoda Sect. Why are you asking me what to do?"

Yu Fengzhi was left speechless.

Qian Xunji continued, "I'll be taking my people on a training trip. I won't have time to deal with squabbles between your sects. You were the ones who did it. Covering up the evidence and handling Haotian Hall's investigation are your responsibility. If you can't even manage the cleanup, then you don't deserve to be called one of the Three Upper Sects."

Qian Xunji made himself perfectly clear: he was washing his hands of the matter. This was not only a test; he was also cutting off Yu Fengzhi's retreat.

Yu Fengzhi had no choice but to bury the matter completely. If Haotian Hall uncovered the truth, the Seven Treasure Overlord Pagoda Sect would be finished. If Yu Fengzhi dared to betray Qian Xunji, then when Qian Xunji returned, the sect would be finished all the same.

Yu Fengzhi felt bitter, but he knew he had no way out. He could only stake everything on Qian Xunji.

"I understand." Yu Fengzhi gritted his teeth and promised solemnly.

"Rest assured, Your Eminence. While you're away, I'll personally lead our people and guard the sect. No matter what happens, I won't cause you any trouble, and I won't let Haotian Hall find even the slightest trace."

"Good. Remember what you said today." Qian Xunji patted Yu Fengzhi on the shoulder. "Stay here and guard your sect. When we return, I promise you'll have a brand-new daughter."

That brought their conversation to an end. Yu Fengzhi and Qian Xunji had reached an understanding.

Yu Rongrong would join Qian Xunji's group as both a hostage and a trainee. Carrying a heart full of helplessness and a glimmer of hope for the future, Yu Fengzhi returned to the Seven Treasure Overlord Pagoda Sect with Gu Xin that very night to face the storm to come.

Qian Xunji walked alone along the academy path, planning the journey ahead.

Once they reached the Surface World, the children would need to undergo training. He and Huang Tian couldn't spend all day babysitting them. After thinking it over, he decided they needed a reliable instructor to lead the group.

Wasn't there already a perfect candidate right in front of him?