Zhuang Bi was inexplicably gifted a "Starfall Sword" and treated with exceptional kindness by a group of Golden Core sword cultivators, bordering on obsequiousness. They were practically begging him to let them in.
True Person Qing Jiao: "Senior Brother Zhuang Bi, please believe in our sincerity. The Constellation Sword Alliance truly harbors no ill will towards Shengfeng Sect!"
True Person Qing Bao: "Senior Brother Zhuang Bi, please be merciful and don't force us to come in for tea!"
...
All the Golden Core sword cultivator masters from the "Constellation Sword Alliance" addressed Zhuang Bi as "Senior Brother Zhuang Bi." The respect shown was immense!
Zhuang Bi was overwhelmed.
"Uh, fellow Daoists, you are all too polite. So, what exactly is it you need?"
True Person Qing Jiao said sincerely, "Senior Brother Zhuang Bi, to be frank, we are here for the immortal mansion ruins of the Eastern Sword Sect!"
"We, the Constellation Sword Alliance, are the inheritors of the Eastern Sword Sect. Now that the immortal mansion ruins have appeared, this is the heritage of the Eastern Sword Sect and rightfully belongs to us!"
"Of course, we are not unreasonable. We understand this is Shengfeng Sect's territory. If we gain control of the immortal mansion ruins, we will hand over twenty percent of the benefits to Shengfeng Sect!"
Zhuang Bi
(⊙_⊙)
Utterly bewildered!
"Handing over twenty percent of the benefits to Shengfeng Sect, won't that be too..."
Zhuang Bi meant to say "too much," but before he could finish, True Person Qing Jiao became anxious.
True Person Qing Jiao quickly interjected, "Senior Brother Zhuang Bi, I know twenty percent is too little, but please understand our difficulties!"
Zhuang Bi: "No, it's..."
True Person Qing Jiao: "Alright, I understand. Senior Brother Zhuang Bi, I'll compromise further. We can offer Shengfeng Sect at most thirty percent of the benefits. Thirty percent!"
Zhuang Bi
(⊙_⊙)
It was as if his mother had inexplicably opened the door for him, and he had inexplicably arrived home!
Just what kind of "business genius" was True Person Qing Jiao, to negotiate a price like that?
At this moment, all the Golden Core sword cultivator masters of the "Constellation Sword Alliance" watched Zhuang Bi nervously, fearing he might get displeased and turn hostile.
Their "Shengfeng Sect" had six thousand Golden Core elders, which was truly terrifying!
The "betrayal" that everyone worried about did not happen. Zhuang Bi nodded hesitantly, agreeing to the profit-sharing plan: Shengfeng Sect would receive thirty percent, and the remaining seventy percent would go to the "Constellation Sword Alliance."
The Golden Core sword cultivator masters of the "Constellation Sword Alliance" all breathed a sigh of relief.
*Phew!*
So tense!
Such a "dangerous negotiation" made them feel as if they were treading on thin ice, incredibly anxious!
True Person Qing Jiao also breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, they had reached a cooperation intention with the "local dragon." It wasn't easy!
"Senior Brother Zhuang Bi, next, let's discuss joining forces to seize the immortal mansion ruins. Do you have any brilliant ideas?"
Zhuang Bi thought for a moment and casually replied, "The immortal mansion ruins have already been occupied by the Yun family. The Yun family has widely distributed immortal invitations, and on the first of April, they will hold an Immortal Assembly..."
Zhuang Bi had no "brilliant ideas" at all. He was merely stating the situation of the immortal mansion ruins.
The Golden Core sword cultivator masters of the "Constellation Sword Alliance" had their eyes light up, filled with excitement.
True Person Qing Long, ranked second and known as "Second Wolong," stepped forward.
He gently fanned himself, chuckled, and cupped his hands in greeting towards Zhuang Bi.
"Senior Brother has excellent methods!"
Zhuang Bi
(⊙_⊙)
Utterly bewildered!
"Did I say anything?"
Due to his extreme bewilderment, Zhuang Bi accidentally spoke his mind.
*Did I say anything? I really didn't say anything!*
Upon hearing this, True Person Qing Long's "wise" smile faltered slightly, and a hint of "competitiveness" appeared between his brows.
"Senior Brother Zhuang Bi, are you testing my intelligence? Hehe, I am not talented, but I have some understanding of strategy. I can probably guess Senior Brother Zhuang Bi's plan..."
Then, True Person Qing Long began to speak eloquently. He believed Zhuang Bi's plan was as follows:
First, forbearance!
During the next two months, maintain continuous forbearance, avoid direct conflict with the Yun family, and wait for the "Immortal Assembly" on the first of April.
Second, fanning the flames.
Secretly publicize and build momentum, making the "Immortal Assembly" as grand and lively as possible!
Strive to involve more cultivator forces in the "Immortal Assembly"!
Finally, the grand finale!
On the first of April, when the "Immortal Assembly" begins, the "Constellation Sword Alliance" will suddenly emerge, reveal their identity as inheritors of the Eastern Sword Sect, and unleash their "trump card" to reclaim the immortal mansion ruins in one fell swoop!
...
True Person Qing Long looked at Zhuang Bi with complex eyes, a trace of reverence in his expression.
"Senior Brother Zhuang Bi, I have one last question. How did you know that the Constellation Sword Alliance possesses a trump card?"
Zhuang Bi
(⊙_⊙)
Utterly bewildered!
*How would I know? Didn't you just say it yourself?*
"I don't know!"
Zhuang Bi answered honestly. He truly didn't know!
Upon hearing this, True Person Qing Jiao and True Person Qing Long trembled all over.
True Person Qing Long gave a bitter smile, "Senior Brother Zhuang Bi, at this point, are you still testing our sincerity?"
Zhuang Bi: "I'm not!"
True Person Qing Long: "Senior Brother Zhuang Bi, you don't need to hide it. We are all intelligent people, I understand! You already know our trump card, and you are giving us an opportunity to reveal it ourselves. If we reveal it, you'll see that we are sincere about cooperating, right?"
Zhuang Bi
(⊙_⊙)
Utterly bewildered!
*Brother, what on earth are you talking about!*
At this moment, True Person Qing Jiao stepped forward and bowed to Zhuang Bi.
"I apologize, Senior Brother Zhuang Bi, I shouldn't have kept it from you!"
Saying that, True Person Qing Jiao produced a scroll.
The scroll slowly unfurled, radiating spiritual light and auspicious colors. Streaks of starlight shot up into the sky.
In an instant, starlight filled the horizon, forming a profound celestial map.
Dense starlight permeated the entire world!
Zhuang Bi was completely stunned.
*So, so magnificent!*
True Person Qing Jiao's somewhat excited voice rang out.
"Senior Brother Zhuang Bi, this treasure is called the Eastern Star Chart. It is the supreme treasure of the Eastern Sword Sect. With it, one can control most of the formations within the immortal mansion ruins. Only true inheritors of the Eastern Sword Sect can possess this treasure!"
True Person Qing Long stepped forward and said to Zhuang Bi, "Senior Brother Zhuang Bi, this time, you should trust us, right! On the first of April, at the Immortal Assembly, we will present the Eastern Star Chart as the legitimate inheritors of the Eastern Sword Sect. If the Yun family insists on being unreasonable and refuses to return the immortal mansion ruins to us, a major battle will inevitably break out. We have two hundred Golden Core sword cultivators here, which should be enough to hold the line! If not, we hope Senior Brother Zhuang Bi can provide assistance and send your sect's six thousand elders to help us!"
Zhuang Bi
(⊙_⊙)
Utterly bewildered!
He was still completely dazed and subconsciously replied,
"It's a small matter, a small matter!"
True Person Qing Jiao was overjoyed.
"Good, thank you, Senior Brother Zhuang Bi. Then it's settled!"