"Senior, do you have any other instructions?"
Wu Zhi, the Sect Master of the Four Symbols Sect, retracted his spiritual energy domain and stood with his hands respectfully at his sides, addressing Ling Fan.
"What about the taxes for Maplewood City from now on?" Ling Fan asked.
"Since Senior has spoken, naturally, all taxes will be waived!" Wu Zhi quickly replied.
Mu Renmin, Mu Yiyi, and the people of Maplewood City were stunned upon hearing this. It was as if they had been hit by a pie falling from the sky. They knew that in previous years, over ninety percent of the spiritual plants produced by Maplewood City had been given to the Four Symbols Sect. This amounted to an astronomical sum. If the burden of taxes were lifted, Maplewood City would immediately become wealthy, and the additional cultivation resources would allow them to quickly produce a large number of martial arts powerhouses.
Just as Mu Renmin and Mu Yiyi were struggling to believe their good fortune, Ling Fan shook his head and said, "It's not enough."
The crowd could hardly believe their ears. Wu Zhi's promise to waive taxes for Maplewood City was already an unprecedented concession, yet Ling Fan still found it insufficient. The powerful figures of the Four Symbols Sect immediately became displeased, but none dared to voice their objections.
Seeing the displeasure of the Four Symbols Sect experts, Mu Renmin felt uneasy and quickly waved his hand, saying, "Young Master Ling, it's enough, it's enough! We are completely satisfied!"
"City Lord Mu, you don't need to worry," Ling Fan said. He then looked at Wu Zhi and continued, "Starting this year, the Four Symbols Sect shall annually pay Maplewood City two million ten-year-old spiritual herbs, ten thousand Yellow-grade pills, one hundred low-grade Black-grade pills, one hundred spirit cores, one hundred Yellow-grade spiritual weapons, ten low-grade Black-grade spiritual weapons. Additionally, you will provide Maplewood City with ten Yellow-grade high-tier martial arts techniques, three low-grade Black-grade martial arts techniques, and one mid-grade Black-grade martial arts technique."
With each condition Ling Fan stated, the complexion of Wu Zhi, the Sect Master of the Four Symbols Sect, and the other experts from the Four Symbols Sect grew more grim. By the end, their faces were more bitter than tears. Ling Fan was essentially demanding that they disgorge double what they had previously taken from Maplewood City. This was an outrageously greedy demand!
Meanwhile, Mu Renmin, Mu Yiyi, the people of Maplewood City, Mu Qin Xin, and the disciples of the Silver Feather Sect were all dumbfounded. They were so shocked by the conditions Ling Fan proposed that they were speechless. They instinctively felt that the Four Symbols Sect would never agree to such excessive terms.
"Sect Master, this person is going too far! He's merely at the Profound Force Realm. Even with a powerful background, our Four Symbols Sect is not to be trifled with. What are we afraid of!"
"That's right, Sect Master! Our Four Symbols Sect has governed this region for hundreds of years. When have we ever suffered such a silent humiliation? We absolutely cannot compromise with him!"
"Please, Sect Master, give the order! I can subdue him by myself!" A group of Four Symbols Sect experts could no longer restrain themselves and erupted.
Ling Fan looked at Wu Zhi with a half-smile. Wu Zhi shivered and quickly turned to scold the experts of the Four Symbols Sect, "Shut up! What right do you have to speak here? Am I the Sect Master or are you? Anyone who dares to disrespect Senior Ling again will suffer the same fate as those fools, Jue Ya and Gu Jiu!"
Wu Zhi's reprimand immediately silenced everyone. The experts of the Four Symbols Sect were extremely aggrieved, each filled with resentment but daring not to speak. Their faces were etched with defiance. Wu Zhi, however, paid them no mind. They had no idea of Ling Fan's terrifying power!
Though his heart bled, Wu Zhi still said, "Everything will be done as Senior Ling has decreed. From now on, our Four Symbols Sect will pay tribute to Maplewood City and will never dare to disobey Senior Ling's will."
"Hmm." Ling Fan finally nodded with slight satisfaction. Seeing Ling Fan nod, Wu Zhi breathed a sigh of relief. At last, this demon was satisfied! It seemed his life was saved for today. He would have to burn incense for the spirits of his ancestors upon his return.
"You may leave," Ling Fan said. Wu Zhi felt as if he had been granted a great pardon. However, before he could take a step, Ling Fan suddenly added, "Wait, give me a positioning talisman. I will visit your Four Symbols Sect in a couple of days."
Upon hearing Ling Fan's words, Wu Zhi, the Sect Master of the Four Symbols Sect, was on the verge of tears. "Senior Ling... this, I, you... our Four Symbols Sect's meager possessions are nothing in your eyes, truly! Perhaps you shouldn't go..."
"In the Celestial Realm, the Heavenly Cang Sect, the Crimson Dragon Hall, and the Snow King Palace are the wealthiest and most profound. If you truly wish to visit, you should visit them..."
"What, you don't welcome me?" Ling Fan glanced at Wu Zhi calmly. Wu Zhi's face turned pale with fear, and he forced a smile, saying, "I dare not, I dare not. The Four Symbols Sect welcomes Senior Ling's esteemed presence."
It was a long while after Wu Zhi and the experts of the Four Symbols Sect had left that everyone finally snapped back to reality. The dignified Sect Master of the Four Symbols Sect, one of the Martial King giants of the Celestial Realm, was terrified of a young man not yet twenty years old, like a ghost. This made everyone feel as if they were living in a dream, filled with a sense of unreality.
"Brother, hit me. Did the Sect Master of the Four Symbols Sect and his entourage really come just now? Am I dreaming?" a young man from Maplewood City asked the person next to him. The person next to him did not hold back and slapped him. The young man clutched his burning cheek, finally confirming he was not dreaming. He looked at Ling Fan, the grey-haired, black-eyed figure in the distance, with immense shock. His expression was as vivid as it could be. In fact, it wasn't just this young man; everyone present felt the same way.
"I think I heard Sect Master Wu agree that from now on, not only will they not collect taxes from Maplewood City, but they will also pay tribute to us..." a Maplewood City expert said, still in disbelief, confirming with the person beside him.
"You heard correctly! As soon as Young Master Ling spoke, Sect Master Wu agreed without daring to utter a word! From now on, our Maplewood City will live the good life we've only dreamed of!"
"That's great!"
"Not only do all the spiritual plants belong to us, but the Four Symbols Sect will also give us so many good things – spiritual herbs, pills, spiritual weapons, martial arts techniques... I never even dared to dream of these things!" Outside the City Lord's mansion, all the strongmen of Maplewood City cheered and rejoiced, overcome with excitement.
"Young Master Ling, it seems I still underestimated your status and strength," Mu Renmin said with emotion, walking up to Ling Fan and bowing deeply. Ling Fan waved his hand, signaling Mu Renmin not to be so formal. Mu Yiyi, however, excitedly hugged Ling Fan's arm and shook it, saying worshipfully, "Brother Ling Fan, why is the Sect Master of the Four Symbols Sect afraid of you? He's a very powerful Giant Spirit Realm Martial King!" Hearing Mu Yiyi's question, everyone's curiosity was piqued, and they all pricked up their ears.