Two days later, the sun rose.
Ye Cangtian finally received news from Tingfeng Tower, and once again brought Xuan Liu to Tingfeng Tower.
This time, the楼主 (Lóuzhǔ - Tower Master) had learned his lesson and did not set up a main seat. Instead, a round table was placed in the grand hall.
The 楼主 and Felav both sat on one side.
It seemed they were equals.
Seeing this, Ye Cangtian chuckled inwardly but said nothing more.
"Please, sit, sit."
The 楼主 cordially invited Ye Cangtian to a seat, then turned his gaze to Felav.
It was evident that the 楼主 also wished to settle the matter quickly, to avoid any prolonged delays.
Sensing the 楼主's gaze, Felav did not hesitate and spoke directly, "I have already requested permission from Guangming Hall, and Guangming Hall has agreed to my request."
As he spoke, Felav took out two small porcelain bottles of different colors from his Qiankun bag and placed them on the table.
Needless to say, these were undoubtedly the Jiuzhuan Jindan and the Wudao Dan.
Ye Cangtian glanced at the small porcelain bottles and said, "According to the rules of our cooperation in Huaxia last time, you should pay one Jiuzhuan Jindan first."
"Agreed."
Felav agreed without hesitation, casually pushing the small bottle containing the Jiuzhuan Jindan towards Ye Cangtian.
Since Qiao had agreed during the last operation in Huaxia, there was no reason why he, as a cardinal, should not agree.
After taking the porcelain bottle, Ye Cangtian examined it carefully. Finding no issues, he directly stored it in his Qiankun bag.
The next moment, he glanced at Felav again and said, "The Jiuzhuan Jindan is fine. Can I inspect the Wudao Dan now?"
"Of course."
Felav pushed the other porcelain bottle forward without hesitation.
As before, after receiving the porcelain bottle, Ye Cangtian inspected it and showed a satisfied smile.
However, this time, Ye Cangtian was supposed to return the Wudao Dan, but he did not. Instead, he directly put the Wudao Dan into his Qiankun bag.
This scene instantly dumbfounded the 楼主 and Felav.
What was going on?
The 楼主's eyes were full of confusion. Wasn't it agreed that they would inspect the goods? If there were no issues, shouldn't it be returned?
"Poxiao, what do you mean by this?"
"Can I interpret this as outright robbery?"
Felav's face suddenly turned cold, his voice like a thousand-year-old frost, sending shivers down one's spine.
This Wudao Dan was borrowed from Guangming Hall by him. If anything unexpected happened, he could not bear the responsibility!
Moreover, the people from Guangming Hall had explicitly warned him that the Pope attached great importance to it, and if the Wudao Dan were lost, he would not be able to return.
For this reason, he was exceptionally anxious about the Wudao Dan.
"How can you say that this is robbery?"
"This is what I deserve, isn't it?"
Facing the agitated Felav, Ye Cangtian smiled slightly and said playfully.
Upon hearing this, Felav exploded, angrily saying, "You're talking nonsense! The mission isn't even finished, and how can the Wudao Dan be considered yours already?"
"Alright, then I'll explain it to you!"
Ye Cangtian continued, "The agreement from the last Huaxia operation was that regardless of whether Ye Cangtian was killed or not, Guangming Peak would pay one Wudao Dan as a reward. If you don't believe me, you can confirm with 'Qiao' right now!"
He paused and continued, "Since this cooperation is based on the standard of the last cooperation, this Wudao Dan will be mine sooner or later."
"What difference does it make whether it's sooner or later!"
"Besides, you should be grateful to me, do you know that?"
Uh...
The 楼主 was completely bewildered. Not only did Poxiao snatch the Wudao Dan, but now he was asking Felav to thank him. He had truly never seen such a shameless person!
"I should be grateful to you?"
With that one sentence, Felav could no longer hold back his anger. He slammed his hand on the table, pointing furiously at Ye Cangtian and saying, "Poxiao, tell me, what should I be grateful to you for!"
"During the last Huaxia operation, Qiao fled after being defeated and did not fulfill his promise. He owes me one Wudao Dan."
"And this time, since we are continuing our cooperation, Guangming Hall should have originally provided two Wudao Dans for the cooperation. Now I only ask for one Wudao Dan from you. Aren't you the ones who are benefiting?"
"Since you are benefiting, shouldn't you thank me?"
Ye Cangtian ignored Felav's anger and maintained a smiling face, speaking with a pleasant expression.
"..."
With that sentence, Felav's face became extremely grim, yet he was choked as if he had swallowed a fly, unable to utter a single word.
He was well aware of the last Huaxia operation and knew that Qiao had tricked Poxiao specifically to achieve his goal.
He would not fulfill this promise afterward.
However, he was now in a predicament with no way to express his suffering!
Could he directly expose this matter?
Wouldn't that be an insult to Guangming Hall?
Who would dare to cooperate with Guangming Hall in the future!
But Felav was also unwilling to have the Wudao Dan taken away by Poxiao like this!
Just then, the 楼主, who had been silent all along, finally spoke, saying, "Poxiao, forgive my bluntness, but the last operation is in the past. If a promise was not fulfilled, you should seek out Qiao, not Felav. It seems improper!"
"Yes, yes, yes. Whoever should be sought, go seek them."
Hearing this, Felav's eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly, immediately agreeing.
He muttered inwardly, this old man is finally useful for once...
"I cannot agree with what you said!"
"My partner is Guangming Hall, not Qiao! Nor is it Felav."
"And since Felav is representing Guangming Hall this time, and the Wudao Dan is provided by Guangming Hall, is there anything wrong with me taking my reward?"
"Besides, as I said earlier, this Wudao Dan will be mine sooner or later. What's the difference whether it's sooner or later? Could it be that this time, Guangming Hall still intends to use the Wudao Dan as a guise?"
Ye Cangtian argued logically. It was impossible for them to get back the Wudao Dan that was already in his possession!
This was also the trap he had set for them.
Since they wanted to cooperate with him again this time, he naturally had to retrieve the rewards that were not paid last time!
Uh...
With those words, the 楼主 was instantly rendered speechless.
Felav's face grew increasingly flushed, and his anger blazed. He said coldly, "Poxiao, I don't want to argue with you right now. I just want to ask you, are you going to hand over this Wudao Dan or not!"
"Heh heh, you can't win with reason, so now you're planning to use force?"
Ye Cangtian cast a contemptuous glance at him and continued, "Then I'll say one last thing: what difference does it make whether I hand it over or not?"
"If you hand over the Wudao Dan, we'll let this matter go. After the mission is completed, the Wudao Dan will naturally be yours!"
"But if you refuse to hand over the Wudao Dan, then don't blame me for being impolite. You won't be able to leave Tingfeng Tower even half a step!"
Sensing Ye Cangtian's gaze, Felav's anger instantly exploded. He gritted his teeth and said fiercely.
Firstly, he represented Guangming Hall and could not be made a fool of by Poxiao like this. His own reputation was secondary; the key was that Guangming Hall could not lose face.
Secondly, how could the Wudao Dan truly be handed over to him? It would only be safest in his own hands.
What if the other party consumed it? How would he report back?
"Heh heh, it seems you truly have no sincerity!"
Ye Cangtian sneered upon hearing this, his eyes showing even greater disdain. "Come, let me see what abilities you have to keep me here!"
Clang!
As Ye Cangtian's words fell, Xuan Liu, who had been standing behind him all along, drew her long sword at the first opportunity.
Although the people in front of her were the 楼主, Felav, and the elders of Tingfeng Tower, even if she made a move, it would be of no use.
However, no matter what, she could not let Ye Cangtian face the enemy alone.
"Heh heh, why are you so agitated?"
"Put your sword away. Do you need to deal with a mere little bug? I can crush it with a flick of my foot."
Ye Cangtian saw Xuan Liu draw her sword, turned his head, and said with a smile.
Earth-grade powerhouses valued their reputation. If Xuan Liu did not make a move, they would generally not trouble her.
After all, Xuan Liu's strength was low, and if this matter got out, it would tarnish their reputation.
But if Xuan Liu made a move, the outcome would be different. It would mean they were provoked, and killing her would be considered normal, with no one saying much.