A Tycoon Makes His Move

"I wasn't, I..." Chekenao had not expected Xiao Ni to want to take Qingtian away, and to say something so shameless on top of that. For a moment, he was at a loss for words.

Was Xiao Ni doing this on purpose? Who had been thinking the same thing as him? He had only asked him to restore the Heaven-Soaring Dragon Python's original appearance and strength; he had never said anything about taking Qingtian away.

Chekenao was utterly frustrated, yet powerless to argue. If he exposed Xiao Ni's lie, he might reveal his true thoughts, and then the Heaven-Soaring Dragon Python would probably beat him senseless. After all, no one who had experienced the pinnacle of rapidly growing stronger would want to return to their former strength.

"I know you're worried that Qingtian might cause trouble outside, Senior. Rest assured, I'll keep him under control for you." Xiao Ni patted his chest in guarantee, then took Chekenao aside and whispered, "Senior, weren't you worried that Qingtian would scatter your bones? I'm doing this for your own good. You won't blame me, right?"

"Is there really no way to take back his strength?" Chekenao asked, clinging to a shred of hope.

Although he feared the current Heaven-Soaring Dragon Python, this was still a Fourth-Order Magical Beast he had spent a year and a half taming. Moreover, the Heaven-Soaring Dragon Python had stayed at the bottom of the well for a full ten years. It was impossible to say he felt no attachment at all.

"No." Xiao Ni shook his head helplessly.

Not only did he truly lack the ability to revert Qingtian to his original state, but even if he could, he would not do so. The Heavenly Extreme Avatar Pill had been awarded by the system. If he wanted to refine another one, he would have to search everywhere for the ingredients, which would be a huge hassle.

He had obtained quite a few medicinal herbs from Yang Cheng, but most could only be used for first- and second-grade pills. There were not many materials capable of refining third-grade pills, and none at all for fourth-grade pills, much less a seventh-grade pill like the Heavenly Extreme Avatar Pill.

"Forget it. You should take him with you." Chekenao gritted his teeth, then turned to Qingtian and said, "If you want to leave with Xiao Ni, then go with him. But I've taken such good care of you all these years, so Xiao Ni and the others must give me five million Gold Coins as compensation."

Chekenao's tone was somewhat arrogant. This was his last shred of dignity.

He did not truly intend to demand five million from Xiao Ni. Xiao Ni could certainly bargain with him. But the Heaven-Soaring Dragon Python was, after all, a Fourth-Order Magical Beast he had raised for ten years. How could he let Xiao Ni take it away so easily?

"Five million? Why don't you just rob someone?" Qingtian rolled his eyes irritably, then said to Xiao Ni, "Big Brother, ignore him. If I want to leave, no one can stop me!"

Hearing Qingtian's words, Chekenao angrily raised a finger, about to curse him out. But when he met Qingtian's domineering gaze, he immediately backed down.

There was no helping it. This guy was now a Four-Star Dou King, while he was only a Five-Star Dou Ling. If he truly provoked him, having his bones scattered would be the least of his worries. If the entire inn became ruins, that would hardly be worth it.

"Senior Nao, I have..." Xiao Xun'er was about to hand Chekenao a gold card when Xiao Ni grabbed her jade-like hand.

"Girl, I can handle this." Xiao Ni smiled calmly, then walked before Chekenao, placing his right hand behind his back and adopting the bearing of an expert. "Senior Nao, if the Chek Lineage is willing to form an alliance with the Xiao Household, I can give you ten million."

"Ten million?!" Chekenao and Qingtian cried out at the same time. Qingtian was the first to recover, asking tentatively, "Big Brother, are you joking with us? That's ten million! Fewer than five percent of the people in the entire Jia Ma Empire could possibly produce that much."

Chekenao had also recovered by then, but his throat was still dry.

Whether Xiao Ni was serious or merely joking, he took it as the truth. Ten million was simply too much for him, even for the entire Chek Lineage.

Why was Xiao Ni not playing by the rules? Even if he wanted the Chek Lineage to ally with the Xiao Household, there was no need to be so extravagant, was there? Upon hearing five million Gold Coins, shouldn't a normal person try to lower the price or add some conditions?

"Coincidentally, my teacher happens to be among that five percent." Xiao Ni spoke lightly, then took out a black-and-gold card under the astonished gazes of Xiao Xun'er and the other two. "Senior Nao, there are exactly ten million on this card. Please accept it."

The system had rewarded Xiao Ni with one hundred billion Gold Coins that very morning. He was now the greatest tycoon on the Battle Qi Continent. If he wished, with his ability as a Seventh-Grade Alchemist and his terrifying wealth, he could absolutely recruit a large number of experts.

"Big Brother, even if you have money, you can't spend it like this. Isn't it just getting the Chek Lineage to ally with the Xiao Household? Leave it to me." Qingtian had not expected Xiao Ni to actually produce ten million, and hurriedly snatched the card away.

Good heavens, that was ten million Gold Coins! Wouldn't it be better to buy something with it? Even spending it all on food and drink would be better than giving it to that old man Nao.

"True. Since you call me Big Brother, I should consider your feelings too. How about this? I'll give that ten million to you." Xiao Ni waved casually, then took another black card from his storage space. "Senior Nao, there are twenty million Gold Coins here. That should be enough to secure an alliance between the Chek Lineage and the Xiao Household, right?"

Since he had already given Qingtian ten million, it would be rather inappropriate not to raise Chekenao's offer. After all, the Xiao Household would have many occasions to rely on the Chek Lineage in the future.

At that moment, Qingtian was stunned again.

What the hell? Why had it doubled again? Big Brother, do you have so much money that it's burning a hole in your pocket?

"I..." Chekenao's throat burned as he struggled to utter a single word, only for the black-and-gold card in Xiao Ni's hand to be snatched away by Xiao Xun'er beside him.

"Xiao Ni still owes me money. You haven't forgotten, have you?" Xiao Xun'er raised her brows and directly put the black card away.

Sigh, Xiao Ni is far too wasteful. He gave away thirty million Gold Coins without even blinking. Even if the money came from his teacher, he still shouldn't be so lavish. If Xiao Ni's teacher learned of this, would he be so angry that he coughed up blood?

"Right, I still owe you four thousand Gold Coins. The money on this card is yours, and the extra can count as interest." Xiao Ni chuckled, looking utterly carefree.

He could give Qingtian ten million Gold Coins, so giving Xiao Xun'er twenty million was even less worth mentioning.

"Uh..." Hearing Xiao Ni's words, Xiao Xun'er revealed an awkward yet polite smile, while Qingtian and Chekenao's mouths twitched violently.

What the hell? You owed four thousand and paid back twenty million—why are you being so generous? Even after eight hundred years, the interest could never be that high!

"Senior Nao, here are thirty million. Please don't stand on ceremony with me." A moment later, Xiao Ni took out another black-and-gold card, and the room instantly fell even more silent.