Chapter 2096: Then there's nothing to talk about?

It's just a lousy Fairy Artifact; I'll compensate for it, let them go.

Seeing Qinghe Lao Guai speak without hesitation, the middle-aged man and the others all wore strange expressions.

A mere Fairy Artifact? You say that so easily; even their Cloud Base Palace only possesses three such artifacts.

You're just a lone cultivator; searching your whole body, could you possibly scrape together three Fairy Artifacts?

His eyes narrowed slightly, the middle-aged man's face also sank, his tone extremely indifferent.

"Dao Brother Qinghe is wealthy and magnanimous, but this matter isn't merely about compensation."

"What do you intend to do?"

"We of Cloud Base Palace won't release the person; I hope Dao Brother Qinghe won't interfere."

The middle-aged man clearly stated that releasing them was impossible; as soon as his words fell, Qinghe Lao Guai's body faintly surged with Línglì.

Everyone present was an Immortal Emperor or a perfected Immortal King Realm expert; naturally, they noticed this immediately.

In response, the middle-aged man's attitude was equally unyielding; he stepped forward, immediately standing before Qinghe Lao Guai, face solemn, and said coldly.

"Do you think Cloud Base Palace has no one? If you want to fight, we'll see it through to the end."

Cloud Base Palace does not wish to provoke a formidable lone cultivator like Qinghe Lao Guai, but that does not mean we are afraid.

But as soon as the middle-aged man spoke those words, a terrifying Línglì erupted from Qinghe Lao Guai's body, no longer faintly visible.

That terrifying pressure, like an inverted sea pouring down, spread from the horizon and instantly enveloped the entire Cloud Base Palace.

However, facing Qinghe Lao Guai's pressure, the middle-aged man did not yield; his aura erupted as well, and for a moment the two pressures stood in opposition above Cloud Base Palace.

Neither side would back down, and with battle imminent, the onlookers wore complex expressions.

When dealing with the Thieves' Sect, they share the same stance, but Qinghe Lao Guai has no grudge with anyone; who would want to provoke an Immortal Emperor Realm lone cultivator for no reason?

If the opponent hides in the shadows, it will truly be a hassle later on.

However, just as everyone hesitated, the middle-aged man's mental transmission suddenly rang in their ears.

"Everyone, this Qinghe Lao Guai has come for the Thieves' Sect; don't forget that your own treasuries have also been visited by the Thieves' Sect."

Huh???

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions changed, and the middle-aged man's voice continued.

"Now the only way to settle this once and for all is to completely detain this old thing."

The middle-aged man has killed intent; otherwise, being constantly watched by an Immortal Emperor Realm lone cultivator would keep anyone awake.

The simplest method is naturally to kill him on the spot; a dead person poses no threat.

And upon hearing the middle-aged man's words, the others' gazes toward Qinghe Lao Guai also changed.

That statement does make sense; moreover, having finally captured Ye Zhangqing and his companions, releasing them is certainly impossible.

Therefore, killing Qinghe Lao Guai is the best choice.

Moreover, this fellow is a lone cultivator; killing him incurs no fear of retaliation—that is the weakness of lone cultivators.

They seem carefree and rootless, but if an enemy finds an opportunity, they strike without hesitation, utterly fearless.

No matter how high one's cultivation.

Thus, sects and Immortal Clans treat lone cultivator experts thus: either avoid offending them, or if offended, strike first, seize the chance to slay them outright, giving no hope of survival.

All are old foxes who have lived who-knows-how-many years; the meaning of the middle-aged man's words was naturally understood quickly.

Nearly half of them were persuaded, harboring killing intent toward Qinghe Lao Guai.

Naturally, he sensed the shift in everyone's gazes and had long guessed what those fellows were thinking.

Qinghe Lao Guai's expression darkened; not because he feared for his own safety, but because the hard-won initiative he had seized might slip from his grasp.

When the others arrive, that tremendous merit will have to be split equally among all.

But there's no helping it; those people with the middle-aged man are truly ungrateful.

He already said he'd compensate; even if he can't presently gather three Fairy Artifacts, given a little time he could still manage.

At worst, we could share some of the merit.

But these folks spurn a toast and choose a penalty drink, making Qinghe Lao Guai extremely displeased.

I've already given you face.

His gaze was equally icy, but just then a Fairy Boat sped rapidly from the horizon.

As it approached Cloud Base Palace, a disciple rose into the air to intercept.

But that Fairy Boat utterly ignored them; a massive pressure emanated from its cabin, instantly shaking back the few disciples who had stepped forward to block.

This is trespassing on the Sect—a classic case of ill-intentioned visitors.

The middle-aged man also frowned, wondering what was going on today.

The matter with Qinghe Lao Guai isn't settled, and now someone comes to cause trouble at the Sect?

Fury burned in his chest, but before the middle-aged man could speak, the Fairy Boat had already steadied before Qinghe Lao Guai.

The person had not yet appeared, but his voice came first.

"You old thing, shouldn't you be home holding a child?"

"I said you're bragging; just like me, you have no Dao companion, so where would a child come from?"

Accompanying the words, another old man stepped down from the Fairy Boat.

The old man wore simple gray cloth, nothing special, yet he appeared far more normal than Qinghe Lao Guai.

And as this gray-clad old man appeared, someone in the crowd recognized his identity.

"Bai Li Tu...... how did he also come?"

This is another lone cultivator expert on par with Qinghe Lao Guai, and his killer instinct is even stronger by quite a margin.

"Brother Bai Li."

At that moment someone in the crowd shouted; looking toward the voice, they saw the speaker—Bai Li Tu—break into a grin.

It turns out to be Brother Jin Dao, long time no see, we'll chat later, I'll first handle the business................

Bai Li Tu said with a bright smile, but just as his words fell, he heard Qinghe Lao Guai softly say a sentence.

What the hell are we still chatting for? They won't agree, they're already ready to attack—are you coming or not? If not, get lost to the side.

Hearing this, Bai Li Tu coldly snorted.

Why wouldn't you come? This windfall fortune smashing onto your head—there's no reason not to take it, and besides, are you sure there's nothing to discuss?

What the hell, they want three Fairy Artifacts—are you paying or am I?

I don't have that much on me right now—how about we owe it for now?

Owe my ass, you actually plan to pay?

That's true too, Fairy Artifacts are still pretty expensive.

The two communicated via voice transmission; after saying that, Bai Li Tu also came to stand beside Qinghe Lao Guai, his gaze fixed on the middle-aged man, and he spoke calmly.

Are you going to release the person, or do you just want to go through the motions first?

Hearing this, the middle-aged man didn't answer, his face merely growing uglier, turning completely dark.

Another one shows up................