C1450 Return
C1450 Return
"I find this jade slip useful, so I'll gladly accept it," Lin Xuan stated, his tone even. "I'm not without fairness; I'll certainly offer you a reward. What is it that you desire? A treasure, a position, or an office?"
Upon hearing this, a flicker of disappointment crossed Sun Yang's eyes—his greatest secret, his most prized possession, was slipping away. But his expression quickly shifted to one of delight. Value is relative, after all. Despite its high rank, the jade slip was ill-suited for him and for this era, particularly in his hands. Unlike Lin Xuan, he had only recently advanced to the late period of the Martial Monarch Stage. Within the Purple Cauldron Sect, there were many above him in terms of cultivation and status. He couldn't dominate the continent and gather rare treasures like Lin Xuan could. The likelihood of him utilizing the jade slip was uncertain at best. It might remain unused until his demise, buried and forgotten.
Considering this, it made sense to capitalize on the opportunity and sell it for a handsome sum. Sun Yang might have hesitated with anyone else, but Lin Xuan was a different story. This man had effectively unified the entire Dongyuan Continent. No treasure on the continent was beyond his reach, ensuring the possibility of fetching the highest price.
Yet, amidst his contemplation, Sun Yang's demeanor betrayed a hint of reluctance. In the presence of someone with the power over life and death, caution could never be overstated. The other party had claimed his treasure and promised compensation in return. But if he asked for too much, appearing overly greedy, he risked offending Lin Xuan—and that could lead to complications.
Not only would there be no benefits, but it would also invite trouble.
If he asked for too little, it would be a significant loss.
There had to be a proper balance.
Sun Yang pondered for a moment before speaking up.
"It is an honor for the Hall Master to value my treasures."
"I seek nothing else in this life but a thirst for power."
"Please, allow me to serve as the Vice Hall Master of the Purple Tripod Hall and assist the Hall Master with his concerns."
Sun Yang's plea was earnest. Although he was clearly seeking advantages for himself, he framed it as if he were considering Lin Xuan's interests.
This was the art of conversation.
It appeared that Sun Yang was well-versed in the ways of the world.
His desire for power wasn't out of the question.
"Agreed."
Lin Xuan gave a slight nod.
"From this day forward, you are the real power Vice Hall Master of the Purple Tripod Hall, second only to the Hall Master himself!"
His ambition to unify the Dongyuan Continent was never about power for its own sake.
It was about gathering resources to sustain several existences.
Who managed these forces, who held the titles of hall master or vice hall master, these details were of little concern to him.
Obedience was all that mattered.
No one on the Dongyuan Continent was his equal.
If someone was disobedient, he would simply replace them—no big deal.
Appointing a new vice hall master entailed no loss for him.
"The position of vice hall master alone lacks a certain significance. Take this bottle of Emperor Spirit Rejuvenation Pills as well."
Lin Xuan spoke again.
He produced a jade bottle and tossed it over.
Inside were five pills, each a high-grade product of the Emperor Level.
They were useful even to those at the peak of the Emperor Level.
These were Lin Xuan's spoils of war.
Yet, they were of no use to him anymore.
"Thank you, Hall Master!"
Sun Yang caught the jade bottle, feeling the pure medicinal power within. The Pill Essence in his Dantian quickened its pace, and his expression brightened with surprise.
He had never heard of the Emperor Spirit Rejuvenation Pill before.
But given that Lin Xuan had offered it, it was clearly no ordinary pill.
Even a cursory sensing of it surpassed any pill he had encountered before.
The majority of Emperor Level High-grade Medicinal Pills paled in comparison.
What a grand gesture.
Sun Yang was inwardly astonished.
His ambition for the vice hall master position wasn't solely driven by a desire for power.
More crucially, as the vice hall master of the Purple Tripod Hall, he was on par with the former Sect Master of the Purple Cauldron Sect.
His status was exceedingly high, and the resources at his command were vast.
The Purple Cauldron Sect had dominion over the entire Wuchen State, a First-class State just below Dongyuan State in prestige.
The extent of their power was immense.
Through this role, he could acquire resources, enhance his status, and accelerate his cultivation.
Typically, only those at level 9 of the Martial Monarch Stage could attain such a position.
Yet here he was, having only recently advanced to the late period of Level 7 of the Emperor Level.
Within the Purple Tripod Hall, there were more than a handful of cultivators with higher cultivation levels than his.
By any calculation, it wasn't his turn.
Only Lin Xuan's direct appointment could make it possible.
In the Purple Tripod Hall, as well as across the entire Dongyuan Continent, Lin Xuan's word was law, with no one daring to ignore it.
Unexpectedly, Lin Xuan not only consented.
He also bestowed upon him a bottle of High-grade Emperor Level Medicinal Pills.
Such a reward far exceeded Sun Yang's original expectations.
He was more than content.
"This matter must not be disclosed to anyone," Lin Xuan commanded sternly.
"As you command," Sun Yang responded with a bow.
Subsequently, Lin Xuan led Sun Yang away from the clearing and into a grand hall.
Here, numerous Emperor Level Martial Cultivators and the senior members of the Purple Tripod Hall were assembled, with the exception of Yang Mao and a few others.
Yang Mao and his group were tasked with executing Lin Xuan's prior orders, gathering 50% of the Purple Tripod Hall's reserves.
"Effective immediately, Sun Yang is the acting Vice Hall Master of the Purple Tripod Hall!" Lin Xuan declared publicly.
"Yes, Hall Master!" the Emperor Level Martial Cultivators responded in unison.
There was not a single voice of dissent or question.
The entire continent was effectively under Lin Xuan's command.
Appointing a Vice Hall Master was a trivial matter.
Yet, everyone was quite curious.
What sort of advantages had Sun Yang provided Lin Xuan to warrant the exchange for a position with actual power as a Vice Hall Master?
Certainly not just an empty title.
Though trivial for Lin Xuan, such a position was not easily secured.
Otherwise, wouldn't it lead to disorder and confusion?
That would be highly inconvenient for Lin Xuan as the Hall Master.
But since it involved Lin Xuan,
they kept their curiosity to themselves, not daring to delve deeper.
At least not while Lin Xuan was still on the Dongyuan Continent.
Subsequently,
Lin Xuan departed from the grand hall, heading to the Scripture Tower of the Purple Cauldron Sect.
He had already reaped some benefits at the Scripture Pavilion in the Eastern Courtyard.
Now at the Purple Cauldron Sect, he was not about to miss out.
Back in the hall,
"Hall Master Sun, congratulations!"
"Starting today, Hall Master Sun will be our superior!"
"Brother Sun, ascending to the position of Hall Master is a tremendous stroke of luck!"
"..."
Everyone offered their congratulations to Sun Yang.
Among them were some whose cultivation surpassed Sun Yang's, those who normally wouldn't give him the time of day.
Sun Yang's face beamed with a smile, his excitement palpable.