naaapseattle Chapter 180 Taking Advantage
Chapter 180 Taking Advantage
Chapter 180: Borrowing Power
Li Lan didn't even spare the other party a glance,
He walked into the tea house on his own,
And chose a cold sentence.
"Take me to the best private room here."
The waiter had seen all sorts of people and wasn't surprised by this.
He quickly led the way with a smile, guiding him into a private room on the second floor.
A flash of light from the rune formation on the wooden wall,
And the noisy sounds outside instantly vanished,
The entire private room suddenly fell silent.
"Where is your manager? Call him here."
Sitting upright on the Grand Tutor's chair, Li Lan spoke again, his voice still as cold as ice.
"Fellow Daoist, the manager, that elder, has been quite busy recently and may not be able to spare the time for now. If you have anything important, feel free to instruct this one, and I will definitely relay it to the manager word for word."
The Lianqi seventh level waiter, before figuring out the identity of the person in front of him,
Naturally wouldn't easily disturb the manager.
Clap!
Li Lan said no more, throwing a lavishly decorated storage bag onto the table.
The waiter opened it and looked, his entire face illuminated blue by the spirit stones inside.
Seeing that the other party was wealthy, how could he dare to be slow?
He immediately became even more humble,
Bowing and quickly backing out.
Before long,
A portly middle-aged man pushed the door open and walked in.
Li Lan gave him a brief look but couldn't discern his specific cultivation level.
This indicated that this person's realm was either above the tenth level of Qi Refining,
Or he was wearing a magic tool to block divine sense inspection, just like him.
"This one is Xu Miaohai. May I ask how this Fellow Daoist is called?"
While Li Lan was sizing up the other party,
Xu Miaohai's small, squinted eyes were also observing him.
Li Lan had no intention of wasting words with the other party,
And went straight to the point, asking:
"This one, Guan, heard by chance that the Xu family is going to auction a thirty-year-old Spirit Devouring Flower?"
"That is indeed the case. If Fellow Daoist Guan also wants this item, you can come back here in seven days,
This one can make the decision to keep this private room available for Fellow Daoist at any time—"
Before Xu Miaohai could finish speaking,
He was rudely interrupted by Li Lan.
He raised a hand, and two more storage bags flew onto the tea table.
"This one, Guan, is just passing by and cannot wait for seven days here.
Fellow Daoist Xu, just hand over that Spirit Devouring Flower to this one, Guan. Consider these extra spirit stones as a reward for you."
It was the first time Xu Miaohai had heard such domineering words,
This person was actually extorting the Xu family, which couldn't help but ignite a trace of anger in his heart.
But Xu Miaohai, being able to become the manager here, was ultimately a smooth operator.
Although he was angry in his heart, he didn't show it in the slightest,
Saying with a troubled expression:
"This... I'm afraid it's not appropriate?
Our clan has already spread the word about auctioning the Spirit Devouring Flower. How can we conduct a private transaction?
In seven days, all the Fellow Daoists will come for this flower,
If I cannot produce this Spirit Devouring Flower,
Wouldn't I leave an image of breaking my word in the hearts of all Fellow Daoists throughout this entire Jiuhua County?
The way of merchants has always valued credibility the most since ancient times.
Without integrity, how can my Xu family gain a foothold in this Jiuhua County?
This matter is absolutely impossible."
Upon hearing this, Li Lan sneered.
"Truly impossible?
Do you know why this Seat wants this Spirit Devouring Flower?
Naturally, it is to prepare for searching for that wicked female demonic cultivator.
This Seat advised you kindly, but you completely ignored it,
This makes it difficult not to have some thoughts.
How could an ordinary cultivator be so blind?
Could it be that this Xu family has some connection with that female demonic cultivator?"
Li Lan suddenly stood up, inadvertently revealing the token on his waist.
The three large golden characters 'Human Emperor Hall' almost blinded Xu Miaohai's eyes.
He felt as if his scalp had exploded.
The other party was actually a Human Emperor Hall Executor!
Xu Miaohai's legs went soft, and he almost knelt directly on the ground.
He could no longer maintain his facade and quickly explained with a face full of panic:
"M-my lord, my Xu family has been diligent for decades and has never known any female demonic cultivator!
I hope Executor Lord will see clearly!"
Li Lan let out a cold snort, his eyes like sharp blades, piercing the other party's face,
He sneered:
"Whether the Xu family has problems, Fellow Daoist Xu's words don't count, nor do mine,
It needs to be thoroughly investigated to know.
This Seat will report this upwards now and first thoroughly investigate you for seven days."
Having said that,
Li Lan made to take out a sound transmission talisman.
Xu Miaohai had been in business for many years, and now hearing the other party mention him specifically,
How could he not understand the crucial point?
He seemed to have grabbed the last straw,
And quickly said:
"Lord Guan, previously this one, Xu, did not know the reason, and thus did not dare to easily sell this Spirit Devouring Flower.
Since this flower is related to that female demonic cultivator, this one, Xu, is willing to represent the family and lend a hand to my lord.
To show our sincerity, this thirty-year-old Spirit Devouring Flower is given to you.
This one, Xu, wishes Lord Guan a triumphant return from this campaign to eliminate demons and protect the Dao!"
A trace of playfulness flashed in Li Lan's eyes,
He said mockingly:
"Fellow Daoist Xu, aren't you worried about breaking your word now?
Don't let this one, Guan, ruin the Xu family's reputation for integrity.
If someone reports this to the Human Emperor Hall Steward in the future because of this, this one, Guan, will be in a difficult situation."
"No! Absolutely not! Lord Guan, please rest assured!
Heavenly materials and earthly treasures have always belonged to the capable since ancient times. Lord Guan, please just accept this thirty-year-old Spirit Devouring Flower.
This one, Xu, guarantees that this matter will be handled properly and will absolutely not cause any trouble for Lord Guan!"
Seeing the other party's sincere expression, with a hint of pleading in his eyes,
Li Lan finally relented.
"Fine, perhaps I was truly overthinking it,
Thinking about it, it's also impossible,
The Xu family has always been dutiful. How could they be involved with that female demonic cultivator?
Fellow Daoist Xu, quickly go and fetch that Spirit Devouring Flower. This one, Guan, still needs to continue searching for the whereabouts of the female demonic cultivator.
If that demoness is truly captured because of this flower, this Seat will definitely submit a report, recording a contribution for your Xu family."
Officials have two mouths, and are right in every matter.
How could Xu Miaohai dare to say half a 'no'?
He could only nod repeatedly in agreement and quickly sent someone to fetch an embroidered box.
Li Lan opened it and looked,
Finding that the spiritual energy inside was abundant and it was indeed thirty years old.
He unceremoniously put it into his storage bag, got up, and left.
"Lord Guan, your spirit stones—"
Xu Miaohai held the two bags of spirit stones and carefully chased after him.
"This Seat never takes things by force. Consider these things a reward for you."
Li Lan did not stay here long,
Quickly leaving the Green Bamboo Tea House and disappearing into the crowd.
Xu Miaohai stood outside the door, watched for a while,
Then immediately returned to the private room on the second floor.
At this time,
There was a young cultivator with long, shoulder-length hair inside.
As soon as Xu Miaohai saw him, he quickly bowed in greeting.
"Young Master, did you see anything?"
The young cultivator gently tapped the table with his index finger,
And said lightly:
"This person, with a cultivation base at the tenth level of Qi Refining, actually dares to be so arrogant and overbearing. His disposition is truly extraordinary."
"What?!"
Upon hearing this, Xu Miaohai's small eyes widened into perfect circles, bulging outwards.
"This damn scoundrel! He's actually a fake?!
How dare he play such a trick on me,
I'll definitely peel his skin off!"
Xu Miaohai rolled up his sleeves, making to rush out and apprehend the other party.
However, just as he made a move,
He was stopped by the Xu family's Young Master with two words.
"Stop."
"Young Master, he—"
"Although this person's cultivation is low, he is not necessarily a fake.
One doesn't have to be at the Foundation Establishment (Early Stage) realm to be qualified as a Human Emperor Hall Executor.
Those with the legendary Heavenly Spiritual Root will be specially recruited into it."
After hearing the Xu family's Young Master's explanation,
Xu Miaohai's expression changed again,
He said with lingering fear: "Young Master's meaning is? This guy actually possesses the Heavenly Spiritual Root qualification?"
"It's just a possibility.
Perhaps, this guy killed a Human Emperor Hall Executor, seized his token, and is here acting like a tiger by borrowing the fox's might.
But no matter which possibility it is, it's not worth offending the other party for the sake of a mere spiritual plant.
Let's turn the page on this matter and not mention it again."
Although the Xu family's Young Master was young, he considered matters quite thoroughly,
And immediately made a conclusion.
Xu Miaohai clearly didn't have such a broad perspective,
He said unwillingly:
"Young Master, wouldn't it be better for us to report this matter to the Human Emperor Hall?
If the other party is truly the murderer who impersonated a Human Emperor Hall Executor, we could even get a reward.
If not, we wouldn't lose anything, right?"
The Xu family's Young Master chuckled lightly.
"How could there be no loss?
Casually attracting the attention of the Human Emperor Hall is the biggest loss for our rogue cultivator family.
Remember this well, without sufficient profit to be gained, absolutely do not easily get involved with cultivators from the Human Emperor Hall.
Otherwise, you'll only end up losing more than you gain.
This guy even left behind two bags of low-grade spirit stones,
When real Human Emperor Hall cultivators extort, they are like those who eat people without spitting out the bones."
Upon hearing this, Xu Miaohai said no more and obediently agreed.
In a remote jungle fifty miles outside Qingbo Square.
The black-robed person who had dealt with Xu Miaohai removed all disguises,
And handed over all the gains from this trip to a middle-aged cultivator dressed simply.
The true body of Li Lan took out the embroidered box,
Inspected it again, and then put it away with satisfaction. Just as he had expected,
Having this Human Emperor Hall Executor token could indeed save a lot of trouble.
If he didn't have this disguised identity,
If he wanted to obtain this thirty-year-old Spirit Devouring Flower,
He would probably have to spend a lot more effort.
If he participated in the auction in a conventional manner,
The uncertain factors were simply too great,
And he might very well miss out on this spiritual plant.
Therefore,
Li Lan, who always sought stability in everything, had no choice but to take a risky move,
Playing out a scene of borrowing the tiger's skin to make a banner. Currently, the effect seemed quite good.
He wasn't worried that using the Qi Concealing Black Gauze to block divine sense detection would be seen through by the other party using special means.
Taking a step back, even if it was seen through,
The Xu family might not dare to risk it for a spiritual plant,
And make a move against him.
This matter, placed on any rogue cultivator family, they would absolutely not dare to gamble, and there would be no need to gamble.
Because once they lost the gamble,
Truly offending the Human Emperor Hall would mean the destruction of their clan and sect, a fate of utter ruin.
After taking this Spirit Devouring Flower,
Li Lan did not stay here long.
He changed to a hidden location, and then sent the disguised Spirit Bean Soldier to other markets,
To collect the materials and magic tools he needed.
In the subsequent few times, he conducted transactions using normal means and did not put on airs using the name of the Human Emperor Hall again.
After all,
The same trick is best used only once in an area.
Li Lan still understood the principle of moderation.