Chapter 408: The Undercurrents of the Shang Continent

Shang Continent.

Three months passed in a flash. Since the Shadow Demon Sect was wiped out overnight by a mysterious powerhouse, the Immortal Fox Sect has now become the undisputed hegemon of the Shang Continent.

This is not only because the former absorbed the vast majority of the legacy left behind after the Shadow Demon Sect's destruction, but also because of the Immortal Fox Sect's original Earth Sovereign powerhouses.

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After several months of settling in, many sharp-witted factions and powerhouses gradually figured out the crux of the matter.

Being able to grasp the fall of the Shadow Demon Sect headquarters and react at the first opportunity is not simply a matter of so-called intelligence capabilities. Looking at it from a darker perspective, whether that powerhouse had any shady dealings with the Immortal Fox Sect, they could not know; in the end, it is a matter of opinion.

With the Shadow Demon Sect as a cautionary tale, they, who are well-versed in the way of survival, would naturally not act as a target at such a critical juncture. It was nothing more than changing from one mountain to another dynasty; life goes on as it should.

The outside world had various opinions about the Immortal Fox Sect, but the latter offered no explanation, simply quietly digesting the legacy gained from annexing the Shadow Demon Sect.

On this day, a young man in a white long-sleeved robe appeared outside the Immortal Fox Sect.

Just as he appeared in the line of sight of the Immortal Fox Sect disciples, before the latter could step forward to stop him, an Elder swept over from the distance. Under the strange gazes of the disciples, the Elder stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Lord Xiao Han!"

Having experienced that scene several months ago, Xiao Han's image had been deeply imprinted in the minds of all the high-level members of the Immortal Fox Sect.

With the Elder setting the example, these Immortal Fox Sect disciples, who had become a bit arrogant due to their sect's power surging after annexing the Shadow Demon Sect, suppressed the confusion in their hearts and bowed as well.

As the person involved, Xiao Han merely glanced with surprise at the Elder, who was more respectful than before, and nodded slightly. He also felt a slight sense of relief in his heart; with the other party's attitude, dividing the spoils today should go quite smoothly.

Although he was confident that as long as the Immortal Fox Sect had not lost its mind, they would not dare to swallow his share of the spoils, he could not rule out the possibility of the latter being blinded by greed.

It would be nice to save some effort now.

Following the Immortal Fox Sect Elder into the sect's main hall, there were no other beings in the empty hall, only the enchanting figure lazily leaning against the back of a chair at the head of the hall.

"Immortal Fox Sect Master, the purpose of my visit here should not need to be stated, right?" After the Elder withdrew, Xiao Han said straight to the point.

"Hehe~"

Xianhu Niangniang lightly covered her red lips, and her silver-bell-like laughter echoed in the hall, lingering for a long time.

She changed her posture, crossed her legs, and revealed a large expanse of snow-white skin like congealed fat through her high-slit long dress, appearing quite alluring.

"My Immortal Fox Sect, a small household, does not have the guts to renege on Lord Xiao Han's account."

As her voice fell, she tapped her jade finger, and with a flick, a crimson stream of light flew into Xiao Han's hand.

"According to your requirements, this share has been fully converted into Supreme Spiritual Liquid, approximately 150 million. You may verify it."

Her autumn-water eyes, filled with thick charm, winked playfully at Xiao Han, and her red lips parted slightly.

Xiao Han put it away casually and said indifferently:

"There is no need to verify; I still trust the reputation of the Immortal Fox Sect."

Xiao Han and Xianhu Niangniang tacitly omitted a certain part: if the Immortal Fox Sect had truly withheld his share, the former might have been very happy to come here again to drink tea.

"Is Lord Xiao Han interested in cooperating with the Immortal Fox Sect?"

Just as Xiao Han was about to leave, Xianhu Niangniang suddenly spoke.

Pausing his steps, Xiao Han turned around curiously.

"Cooperation?"

"It is said that Lord Xiao Han manages a chamber of commerce?"

Xianhu Niangniang rested her chin on her jade hand and said with great interest, her words revealing strong confidence, while a flash of surprise crossed her eyes.

When Xianhu Niangniang noticed a piece of a chess game secretly laid out by the Shadow Demon Sect through clues, her inner astonishment was beyond measure. A powerhouse with the strength to single-handedly destroy the Shadow Demon Sect would actually be willing to hole up in that kind of place; it was truly unbelievable.

"You investigated me?"

The moment Xianhu Niangniang's words reached his ears, Xiao Han's expression suddenly turned cold, and a bone-chilling cold air suddenly spread from where Xiao Han stood.

"Earth Sovereign?!"

Xianhu Niangniang was completely shaken. According to what the Immortal Fox Sect powerhouses said back then, although Xiao Han's combat power was comparable to an ordinary Sovereign Peak, his Spirit Power cultivation was at most around the eighth level of the Supreme Realm.

Compared to the other party's Spirit Array cultivation, it was not worth mentioning.

However, in a mere three months—not even half a year—he had directly crossed the barrier that many heaven-favored children could not cross in a lifetime, reaching the same level of Spirit Power cultivation as her own. It was simply inconceivable.

A deep sense of envy welled up in her heart. As intelligent as she was, how could she not know that Xiao Han must have found a treasure in the Shadow Demon Sect's treasury?

Suppressing the strangeness in her heart, Xianhu Niangniang also raised an aura to contend with the coldness in the hall, forming two distinct regions, and then she smiled.

"Lord Xiao Han is overthinking; I have no intention of being detrimental to you."

"It was just information I learned inadvertently."

"Only I know about this in the entire Immortal Fox Sect."

Oh?

Xiao Han looked Xianhu Niangniang up and down, confirmed the sincerity in her words, and temporarily set aside the killing intent in his heart.

"Sect Master, please tell me how you wish to cooperate."

Entering the main topic, Xianhu Niangniang's aura changed completely. She sat upright at the head of the hall, looking extremely capable.

"Are you interested in entering the Shang Continent?"

"Shang Continent?" Xiao Han was slightly stunned. The other party's meaning made him feel a bit strange; what was this situation?

The previous cooperation between the two sides was based on having a common enemy and shared interests.

But if he, an outsider, wanted to intervene in the Shang Continent, he would inevitably have a conflict of interest with the Immortal Fox Sect, which had already become the local hegemon. He did not believe Xianhu Niangniang would ignore this crucial point.

Perhaps having anticipated Xiao Han's question, Xianhu Niangniang explained:

"The Shang Continent is famous throughout the Da Qian World for its prosperous commerce. There are countless chambers of commerce and auction houses here; one more chamber of commerce from you would not be much."

"With your addition, it will make this place even more prosperous, which also has no small benefit to my Immortal Fox Sect."

Xiao Han did not relax and continued to stare closely at Xianhu Niangniang; the other party's explanation was not enough to dispel the doubts in his heart.

A chamber of commerce depends on its scale, and the Hanyi Chamber of Commerce, with Xiao Han's full support, was enough to crush all chamber of commerce factions in the Shang Continent; this was by no means an empty boast.

Xiao Han had even more sufficient confidence that within twenty years, the Hanyi Chamber of Commerce could occupy half of the Shang Continent's commerce. During this process, the two sides would naturally clash, and at that time, the little friendship of their current cooperation would not be worth mentioning at all.

This is truly inviting a wolf into the house.

"Does Your Excellency truly believe that my Immortal Fox Sect can monopolize the interests of the Shang Continent alone?"

Seeing that Xiao Han still did not believe what she said, Xianhu Niangniang looked helpless and spoke again.

"What does the Immortal Fox Sect Master mean by this?"

Xiao Han's eyes flickered; he seemed to have guessed the reason why Xianhu Niangniang had proactively "invited a wolf into the house."

Sure enough...

"Although the Shang Continent does not have many resources, and its area is unremarkable in the Da Qian World."

"But due to the prosperity of commerce, the circulation of wealth here can rival the sum of a dozen surrounding continents."

"The massive circulation of wealth is naturally also a source of immense profit."

"It can be said that the Shang Continent is completely a sweet pastry; ordinary forces simply have no qualifications to control this place."

"Even the Immortal Fox Sect cannot!"

Xianhu Niangniang's tone was very cold as she recounted this cruel fact.

Then she gave a bitter smile,

"In the past, the Shang Continent had two top-tier forces, the Immortal Fox Sect and the Shadow Demon Sect; especially with the Shadow Demon Sect's bloody and crazy style, ordinary forces dared not provoke them at all."

"Only in this way were those hungry wolves who coveted the Shang Continent kept honest, daring only to foster some small forces in the Shang Continent."

"Now that the Shadow Demon Sect has fallen, my Immortal Fox Sect is already unable to stand alone, and those fellows are becoming restless again."

"Therefore, the current plan is..."

"Are you hoping that I will replace the position of the Shadow Demon Sect?" Xiao Han pondered aloud.

"That is correct."

Xianhu Niangniang said without hesitation, then her eyes shone with a sharp light,

"Moreover, with Your Excellency's presence, we can do even more..."