Chapter 15

"Damn it! Damn it!!" Musansheng roared angrily at the entrance of the Danqi Sect, "You remember this! The Iron Scroll Sect can live without your Danqi Sect!"

In front of the Danqi Sect’s mountain gate stood a woman with willow-like eyebrows and peach-like eyes, wearing a red long dress, exuding a touch of coquettish charm.

"Musansheng, these are your words. From now on, the Iron Scroll Sect and the Danqi Sect will sever all ties. Please leave."

The woman’s tone was firm, and her attitude was resolute, showing no fear of Musansheng’s threats.

She was the eldest daughter of the Danqi Sect’s leader, Qin Kelan, and also the sister of Qin Youwei.

Compared to Qin Youwei, Qin Kelan’s talent in alchemy was far inferior to her brother’s.

However, in terms of strategy and martial arts, she was far superior to Qin Youwei, by more than a hundred times.

Now, she was the undisputed leader of the Danqi Sect, handling all the sect’s medicinal trade, wielding great power.

Despite being only twenty-three years old, with her strategic acumen, the Danqi Sect’s strength had grown by more than a third in just a few years, showing a clear trend of catching up to the fourth-ranked Iron Scroll Sect.

Musansheng was momentarily stunned. His earlier words were out of anger and also a form of threat.

In fact, Musansheng’s original intention was still to negotiate with the Danqi Sect, as a stable supply of medicinal pills was essential for the stable development of a sect.

As the representative of the Iron Scroll Sect this time, he hoped to renegotiate with the Danqi Sect, with both sides making some concessions.

However, the negotiation results were far from his expectations, and the Danqi Sect’s tough stance was beyond Musansheng’s anticipation.

The Danqi Sect had even allocated half of the medicinal pills originally supplied to the Iron Scroll Sect to two smaller sects, which was a direct challenge to the Iron Scroll Sect’s dignity.

Moreover, the Danqi Sect had raised the prices of the medicinal pills, and this increase was specifically targeted at the Iron Scroll Sect.

If everyone had raised prices together, the Iron Scroll Sect would not have reacted so strongly.

But now, the Danqi Sect’s targeting of the Iron Scroll Sect made it impossible for the Iron Scroll Sect to swallow this humiliation.

The Danqi Sect’s intentions were clear: to support allied sects and suppress the Iron Scroll Sect, which was above them.

As long as the other three of the five major sects were not involved, they would not intervene, and the Danqi Sect’s ambitions were evident.

The other three sects were far stronger than the Danqi Sect and the Iron Scroll Sect, so they did not need to worry about the Danqi Sect turning on them.

Was the Iron Scroll Sect going to be bullied by the Danqi Sect?

Musansheng felt increasingly aggrieved the more he thought about it, which was why he had shouted and cursed at the Danqi Sect’s mountain gate.

However, he also knew that the Iron Scroll Sect could not do without the Danqi Sect.

Thirty third-stage Qi-Initiation Pills every month were essential for the core disciples’ cultivation. Without these pills, the core disciples’ progress would slow down, but that was secondary.

The key was that any interruption in the supply would cause unrest, which would be a fatal blow to the entire sect.

First-stage Blood-Replenishing Pills and second-stage Qi-Replenishing Pills were also essential for the outer disciples’ survival.

Without these pills, why would the outer disciples fight for the sect?

Despite the Iron Scroll Sect’s size and few enemies, there were at least ten major battles involving over a hundred people each month.

Without these pills, not only would there be a significant loss of disciples, but the number of casualties would also increase sharply.

These were just the effects on the disciples. There were also the elders, grand elders, and even the higher-ranking ancestors.

They were in long-term seclusion and often needed to seek high-grade medicinal pills from the Danqi Sect.

If the relationship with the Danqi Sect deteriorated, the Iron Scroll Sect would be in chaos.

Looking at Qin Kelan, whose face was cold, Musansheng felt no admiration, not even a hint of beauty.

This woman was a devouring female demon!

To lower his head? Musansheng could not bear the humiliation. Even if he did so now, he would only be mocked even more.

To find another source and buy medicinal pills from other towns?

The nearby towns had the most medicinal pills from the Danqi Sect. Even if there were a few in other places, they would likely be controlled by local forces, leaving no room for an outsider like him.

"Qin Kelan, do you really think the Iron Scroll Sect dares not to move against your Danqi Sect?"

"The Iron Scroll Sect dares to move against the Danqi Sect, but you also need to be able to move against the other three sects. Do you think they will sit idly by and let you devour the Danqi Sect?"

Threats? Qin Kelan was not afraid of threats. The Danqi Sect had faced countless threats to reach its current position. If a few words from Musansheng could scare her, she would not be qualified to lead the Danqi Sect’s trade.

"Fine! We’ll see who wins!"

Musansheng felt bitter. The Iron Scroll Sect was not a low-ranking sect that could be satisfied with a few pills and a few months of rewards to its outstanding disciples.

He left the Danqi Sect’s mountain gate in a daze, not sure how he managed to walk away.

Suddenly, Musansheng stopped, his brows furrowing. "Who! Come out!"

A figure emerged from the corner. They were already in Qingzhou City, and Musansheng was not worried about any harm.

This person was Bai Chen, who had been lingering in Qingzhou for the past few days. Although A Dai had gathered a lot of intelligence, it was not comprehensive, so Bai Chen decided to come to Qingzhou himself.

On one hand, he wanted to see what a big city in this world was like, and on the other, he wanted to take the opportunity to meet the major sects near Qingzhou.

Qingzhou was indeed large, at least in terms of area, comparable to a first-tier city in Bai Chen’s memory.

It was also far more prosperous than Qing Shui Town, no wonder the sects rooted here had developed such momentum.

Even a small sect here was larger than the Mountain Path Sect, and the five major sects were like five towering mountains, vast and awe-inspiring.

"Who are you?" Musansheng’s face darkened, naturally assuming Bai Chen had ulterior motives.

Bai Chen did not look like someone with a background, neither in his attire nor his demeanor.

If Musansheng had to guess, he would say Bai Chen was a low-ranking thug, definitely not a good person.

"Of course, I’m here to make friends." Bai Chen tried to be friendly, but his smile only made Musansheng more wary.

Musansheng’s brows furrowed. Had the Iron Scroll Sect fallen so low?

Even low-ranking gangs were probing his limits?

"You? Not qualified!" Musansheng still carried the pride of the Iron Scroll Sect. The five major sects were not to be courted by just anyone, nor were they friends with just anyone.

Even if they were a bit down now, it was only temporary. Once they overcame this crisis, they would be fine.

Every day, countless people had designs on the five major sects, but the five major sects still lived comfortably.

Bai Chen smiled, a smile that made Musansheng uncomfortable.

He had expected this result. It was like a billionaire suddenly encountering an unknown person claiming to be a friend. They would not receive a warm welcome.

But facing it, he was still a bit unhappy, just a little.

"Is that so? Looks like we can’t be friends. Hope we don’t meet again."

Bai Chen turned and left, walking away decisively.

What was the point of staying? To explain how great he was?

To explain how much capital he had, and that making friends with Musansheng was not a favor to the Iron Scroll Sect?

Musansheng was surprised by Bai Chen’s attitude. Was he really here to make connections?

If he had genuine intentions, why would he leave so easily?

Strange guy!

He must have some ulterior motive. Did he really think the Iron Scroll Sect would beg for his help?

Musansheng dismissed it as a minor incident. These days, all kinds of people existed.

Did he think acting mysterious made him superior?

At that moment, a figure emerged from the crowd. It was Musansheng’s junior brother, Wang Yu, looking anxious, clearly summoned by their master.

"Senior Brother, Master is urgently calling you back."

Indeed, Musansheng nodded calmly, "I’ll return immediately."

He was thinking about how to explain the failed negotiations with the Danqi Sect to his master.

Wang Yu, seeing Musansheng’s dazed expression, urged, "Senior Brother, hurry back. Master is waiting for your decision."

"Decision? What decision?" Musansheng was taken aback.

His master had not been involved in sect affairs for years, and almost everything was handled by him. Why would his master emerge from seclusion now?

"Qingzhou... Qingzhou Auction House has a tenth-stage Spirit-Enhancing Treasure Pill..."

Wang Yu, out of breath, paused to catch his breath, then continued, "The auction will start in three days. Now... now the whole of Qingzhou is talking about it."

Musansheng’s face changed dramatically, finally understanding why Wang Yu was so anxious.

"Is this true?"

"Senior Brother, you’ve been away at the Danqi Sect for a few days, of course, you wouldn’t know, but now everyone in Qingzhou knows."

"Hurry, let’s go back." Musansheng did not wait for Wang Yu to catch his breath and started walking.

Joking, this was a huge matter! How could Musansheng not be anxious?

A tenth-stage Spirit-Enhancing Treasure Pill? No wonder his master was so eager to call him back.