The Sects Bleed, Qian Mochen Rejoices

"Big Brother, I drafted a list. During the negotiations later, steer things toward these good items."

"Don't ask for resources. Those aren't worth much."

After hearing Qian Mochen's string of demands, Qian Xunji's mouth twitched.

Little Brother, listen to the things you were asking for.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Heart Separation Control technique, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect's secret method for raising dragon-type soul beasts, the Elephant Armor Sect's heavy armor forging techniques...

Which one of those was not the lifeblood of its sect?

"Little Brother, do you think I've lived long enough? The moment I open my mouth, do you believe these people would join forces and beat me to death?"

Qian Mochen, lying behind the folding screen, spoke unhurriedly. "Big Brother, have you heard of the Broken Window Theory?"

"??"

"If we want to open a window in a room, we can first propose smashing a hole through the roof. The owner will naturally agree to our request to open a window instead."

"Later, just receive them one by one. Sweet-talk them a little more and make them feel as though we're the ones taking a huge loss."

"Don't worry, Big Brother. I'll protect you!"

A trace of helplessness appeared on Qian Xunji's face.

Since his little brother wanted the lifeblood of these sects, what else could he do?

It was his own younger brother, after all. Naturally, he could only indulge him.

After having delicious tea and pastries brought over, Qian Xunji's first visitor was Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

"Sect Master Ning, regarding those three cultivation methods, I have two options here."

"If you choose the simplified version on the left, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect must pay Spirit Hall one million Gold Soul Coins or equivalent heavenly treasures every year."

Ning Fengzhi picked up the booklet on the left and casually flipped through it before quickly setting it down.

With his discerning eye, he could easily tell that much of the content had been removed from this booklet. It would be useless even if he bought such cultivation methods back.

"Your Holiness, then what are Spirit Hall's conditions for this detailed version?"

Qian Xunji lifted his teacup and slowly took a sip before speaking. "For the detailed version, we only sell slots."

"Ten slots a year. And the cultivation methods must never be passed on. Otherwise, Spirit Hall will spare no effort in silencing whoever leaks them!"

"I want one member of the Ning family from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. In addition, you must provide medicinal herbs at cost, worth one million, every year."

The hand holding Ning Fengzhi's teacup slowly tightened. "Your Holiness's demands are a little too harsh."

If he truly sent out one of his clansmen, then twenty years later, Spirit Hall would possess the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's martial soul inheritance.

Moreover, medicinal herbs worth one million at cost would be several times more expensive than one million Gold Soul Coins. If he agreed, he would be slowly destroying the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

"What do you mean, Sect Master Ning?"

Qian Xunji was not worried in the slightest. These sects were the ones begging Spirit Hall now, not Spirit Hall begging these miserly sects.

A hint of irritation rose in Ning Fengzhi's heart.

He could not possibly agree to Qian Xunji's terms.

But if he could not bring those three sets of cultivation methods back, how much longer would the Ning family have to wait before rising to prominence?

"Your Holiness, the Ning family bloodline will never be allowed to leave the family! Forgive Ning for being unable to agree to that!"

"I am willing to provide medicinal herbs worth five million every year in exchange for those ten slots."

Ning Fengzhi had quietly switched the concepts.

The gap between a cost of one million and a value of five million was not as shocking as it sounded. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect earned a fortune from medicinal herbs every year, relying on the fact that only its people knew how to cultivate certain rare herbs.

Qian Xunji sighed and looked at Ning Fengzhi with sincere eyes.

"Fengzhi, how many years have we known each other?"

Alarm bells rang loudly in Ning Fengzhi's heart, but his expression remained unchanged as he answered, "Almost forty years."

Qian Xunji sighed with emotion. "Yes, we've known each other for so many years."

"How many forty years does one get in a lifetime?"

After saying that, Qian Xunji's voice suddenly became serious. "Fengzhi, I know how difficult it is for you to support the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect alone."

"We've known each other for so many years. Even if I have to give up my position as Pope, I'll fight for favorable terms for my old friend!"

Ning Fengzhi said nothing. Countless thoughts churned within him as he guessed at Qian Xunji's intentions.

"Fengzhi, how about this? Forget the Ning family bloodline. For the first year, give me a copy of the Heart Separation Control technique, plus medicinal herbs worth two million. After that, just provide medicinal herbs worth three million every year!"

Ning Fengzhi quietly clenched his fist. Looking at Qian Xunji's expression as though he had bared his heart and soul for him, Ning Fengzhi truly wanted to punch him in the face.

You're so noble!

You're so impressive!

Do you know that not even every member of my clan gets to learn the Heart Separation Control technique?!

"Brother Xunji, you don't understand how hard life is for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!"

Since Qian Xunji wanted to play up their relationship, Ning Fengzhi naturally took the cue and began describing just how difficult things were for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Every year, after earning money, they still had to pay one-third of it in taxes to the Heaven Dou Empire. The annual food, clothing, and daily expenses of the sect's disciples were a bottomless pit.

There was only one meaning behind it all: could the price be lowered a little more?

After haggling with Ning Fengzhi for a long time, Qian Xunji was finally "persuaded" to reduce the annual medicinal herbs by one million.

Ning Fengzhi decisively nodded and swiftly drafted an agreement for Qian Xunji to sign and stamp with the Pope's seal. Ning Fengzhi then signed his own name and stamped it with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's sect master seal.

With the agreement reached, the two middle-aged men, both as cunning as foxes, smiled happily.

Qian Xunji was happy that the Heart Separation Control technique his little brother wanted was now in hand, and that he had also gained additional income in medicinal herbs.

Ning Fengzhi felt that he had used a sob story to completely fool a Pope, saving the sect quite a bit of expense.

"Brother Fengzhi, let's head out together."

Ning Fengzhi did not refuse.

Inside Pope Hall, the people from the major powers sipped at their tasteless tea, their attention fixed on the room Sect Master Ning had entered earlier.

With a creak.

The door opened.

Ning Fengzhi emerged with a smile on his face. His long robes fluttered, and his triumphant appearance made the expressions of the other dozen or so sect masters and family heads tighten.

Qian Xunji personally escorted Ning Fengzhi all the way out of the hall. Seemingly by accident, he waved the agreement in his hand before quickly putting it away.

Everyone only caught sight of Spirit Hall's Pope seal and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's sect master seal. Clearly, Sect Master Ning, whose schemes were more numerous than lotus roots had holes, had definitely achieved his goal.

With those three sets of cultivation methods, wouldn't the combat strength of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's nearly ten thousand disciples rise by a massive margin?

The Douluo Continent's cake had long since been divided up almost completely. Now that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's strength had greatly increased, it would certainly want to stuff a little more into its own pocket.

If they could not bring the three sets of cultivation methods back today, they would be the ones squeezed off the table!

In just a few seconds, the atmosphere inside Pope Hall turned heavy, and the faint smell of gunpowder began to spread.

"Your Holiness, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect also wants those three sets of cultivation methods!"

"Sect Master Yu Yuanzhen, let us discuss this inside!"

Qian Mochen watched the hall's tense, needle-against-wheat atmosphere with satisfaction, nearly unable to stop himself from laughing out loud.