Discussing Cooperation

Papal Hall.

Dongfang Yu stood below the platform, his face dark as he looked at Yue Guan. He had been drinking peacefully when Yue Guan had "invited" him to the Papal Hall.

"Teacher." Dongfang Yu withdrew his gaze and spoke respectfully.

Bibi Dong said softly, "Elder Ju, you may leave first."

"As you command." Yue Guan gave Dongfang Yu a look that said, Good luck to you.

"Gulp." Dongfang Yu could not help swallowing.

"You've been quite the center of attention, haven't you?" Bibi Dong asked blandly, staring at him.

"I would not dare."

"Enough. I summoned you here to give you a task."

"Please give your instructions, Teacher."

Bibi Dong picked up a cigarette from the table and said, "I had people test this thing called a cigarette. Its effects are indeed as you described, so..."

Dongfang Yu looked somewhat puzzled. What was this about?!

"So this time, you will go to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to discuss cooperation."

Dongfang Yu lowered his head and said, "Teacher, I'm still young..."

"Of course, I will certainly send someone to assist you," Bibi Dong said flatly.

"Teacher, aren't you afraid I'll mess it up?" Dongfang Yu raised his head and asked with a puzzled look.

"Would you?" Bibi Dong smiled lightly and asked in return.

Do not employ those you doubt; do not doubt those you employ.

This time, she wanted to see just how much this disciple of hers was still hiding, and whether he could truly stand on his own.

Over the past few years, she had seen his loyalty and respect for herself. There had never been any sign of abnormality or disloyalty.

That was why she had been willing to entrust certain matters to him. Over the years, he had handled quite a few things for her, and every time, he had completed them splendidly.

Sometimes, she even wondered whether he was really a child.

Dongfang Yu took a deep breath, inwardly ecstatic. Bibi Dong had finally begun to regard him as her true disciple. That was... very good.

"This disciple accepts the order." Dongfang Yu's voice was somewhat excited.

Bibi Dong gave a faint laugh. Was gaining her trust really enough to excite him this much? In three years, this was the first time he had ever lost his composure.

"Go."

"This disciple takes his leave."

After leaving the Papal Hall, Dongfang Yu's grin stretched from ear to ear all the way back, looking every bit like a petty man reveling in success.

Three years! Did you know how I spent those three years? Anyone who didn't know better would think I'd spent three years playing Greedy Blue Moon!

To earn this trust, he had sacrificed too much and endured far too many things no one his age should have had to endure!

"Huh? You're fine?"

Hearing the disdainful voice behind him, Dongfang Yu turned around, and his face immediately darkened.

"Uncle Yue, were you hoping something would happen to me?"

Yue Guan gave an awkward laugh. "Of course not. I was just taking a look."

With that, he vanished right before Dongfang Yu's eyes, coming without a trace and leaving without one.

Dongfang Yu's eyes were filled with envy. A Title Douluo... what a realm to yearn for!

"Old fool." Muttering under his breath, Dongfang Yu returned to his residence.

Inside the Papal Hall.

After hearing the guard's report, Bibi Dong wore a strange expression. His smile had looked ferocious? His entire face had been twisted out of shape from smiling? How could anyone possibly smile like that? A person couldn't... at the very least, they shouldn't.

Besides, Little Yu was always respectful and serious in front of her. She could not imagine him looking like that...

The next day, after bidding farewell to Hu Liena and the other two, as well as Bibi Dong, Dongfang Yu boarded a carriage and set off for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

The person assisting him this time was a red-robed bishop named Mark, a Soul Douluo. From this alone, it was clear how much Bibi Dong valued this cooperation.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was located amid a mountain range within the Heaven Dou Empire. Such a location was quite common. Most sects established themselves in places like this: on one hand, they were far from the noisy cities and could gather resources from the nearby mountains.

On the other hand, they could use the special terrain to conceal the sect well. Anyone unfamiliar with the route would have to spend some time searching for it. However, this location had also become one of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's major weaknesses.

After traveling for several days and nights, Dongfang Yu finally arrived at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Quite a few disciples were patrolling outside the sect, and their training was fairly disciplined. Still, compared to Spirit Hall, they were far inferior. After all, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was a sect of auxiliary martial spirits.

"Hello, please inform your sect master that Dongfang Yu of Spirit Hall has come to pay a visit," Dongfang Yu said with a smile after being stopped by the sect disciples.

"Spirit Hall?"

"Alright, I'll report it immediately. Please wait a moment." The disciple did not make things difficult for Dongfang Yu, since the sect had been cooperating with Spirit Hall for the past three years. It was no secret.

Although Spirit Hall was domineering and ambitious, it did not really have any enmity with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had always remained a neutral force, and they were currently cooperating as well, so there was even less reason to offend Spirit Hall.

The disciple left quickly and returned just as quickly.

"The Sect Master invites you both in. Please follow me."

"Thank you for the trouble." Dongfang Yu and Mark followed the disciple into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Along the way, Dongfang Yu kept marveling. As expected of the richest force—it was fucking luxurious.

Just look at the jade-carved statues lining the way. They were lifelike! Even the floors were made from an exceptionally hard and expensive kind of jade.

If this place were not in the mountains, it would probably be even more prosperous than Spirit Hall. Ning Fengzhi truly was a qualified businessman.

Dongfang Yu soon met Ning Fengzhi in the reception hall. Chen Xin was with him as well.

Ning Fengzhi rose to greet him and said with a smile, "Young Master Dongfang, it has been a while. I hope you have been well."

Dongfang Yu also smiled warmly. "Sect Master Ning, I apologize for disturbing you this time."

"Greetings, Senior Chen Xin."

Chen Xin gave a slight nod, as cold and aloof as ever.

"It has only been three years, yet I never expected the young master to already be able to stand on his own."

Ning Fengzhi was indeed rather surprised. He had not expected Bibi Dong to send her disciple here. This was only a child.

Was this not a joke? But Bibi Dong did not seem like someone who liked joking around, and she could not possibly abandon cooperation with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

The only explanation was that she was serious. She was not fooling around.

At that thought, Ning Fengzhi gave Dongfang Yu a meaningful look. This little fellow truly had exceptional cultivation talent. Could it be... that he was also skilled at business negotiations?

"Someone, serve tea."

Everyone took their seats.

"Young Master Dongfang, you have traveled a long way. Would you like to rest for the night first?" Ning Fengzhi asked.

Dongfang Yu shook his head. "There is no need, Sect Master Ning. Let's discuss business first. I still need to return and report back."

Why the fuck are you being polite with me?! I have important business too.

"Since that is the case, very well." Ning Fengzhi smiled gently, likely having no idea that the mild-mannered and courteous Dongfang Yu was already cursing him out inwardly.

"Bishop Mark, bring out the item."

"Yes, Young Master." Mark took a box from his robes and opened it, revealing several cigarettes resting quietly inside.

Ning Fengzhi picked one up and examined it carefully. Curious, he asked, "Is this the item Her Holiness the Pope mentioned in her letter?"

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