Chapter 839: A Slight Adjustment

Cui Cui Chengxiao's smile was stiff as he said, "The Domain Lord speaks with startling directness."

"Outside, the Wu tribe is fighting—hundreds, even thousands of lives lost every moment. These warriors have followed me through life and death; I cannot ignore them." Xiang Little Wei Yuan still smiled warmly.

Cui Cui Chengxiao frowned slightly; he was an old hand, and in an instant he sensed they had reached the brink of collapse.

Yet at this moment his skill showed: "Very well, then I'll speak plainly. The Immortal Ancestor has urgent matters and cannot act directly. But though he cannot act himself, he can block other Immortals from making moves—on this point, it's nearly the same as acting directly."

Xiang Little Wei Yuan's smile didn't change, but Behind Bao Yun, Xiang Xiang Xiaoyu, and Cui Yu had already begun evaluating the feasibility of the Cui family's proposal.

Blocking Immortals from making moves was indeed important—but how important? They were all rising talents of their clans, with only fragmented knowledge of Immortal affairs, far from fully understanding.

The three had barely begun to think when Xiang Little Wei Yuan's smile grew even brighter, even more sincere—as if he were about to agree. But Xiang Xiang Xiaoyu's heart skipped; he felt an unsettling familiarity in that smile.

Instantly, a wound he refused to touch was ripped open: years ago, during the Sect's Ascension Trials, six-year-old Xiang Little Wei Yuan had worn this same smile, earnestly telling Xiang Xiaoyu, "You almost hurt me!"

Xiang Xiaoyu suddenly gritted his teeth—this bastard truly had a fate tied to the Qingtian Palace!

But it was clear now: Xiang Little Wei Yuan was about to refuse, and had no intention of continuing the discussion. Besides Xiang Xiaoyu, Behind Bao Yun and Cui Yu also knew Xiang Little Wei Yuan's habits—they understood this matter was over.

But before Xiang Little Wei Yuan could speak, Cui Cui Chengxiao said, "... There is one other matter."

Xiang Little Wei Yuan paused. Though prepared to refuse, out of politeness he still listened—after all, they had traveled a great distance to offer aid; it was genuine goodwill.

Cui Cui Chengxiao said, "The Immortal Ancestor possesses a rare primordial Immortal artifact. Once cultivated for a thousand years, it can purify one's foundation once. Below the Yu Jing realm, it can elevate one's Manifestation rank by one tier. The Immortal Ancestor's intention is..."

Here Cui Cui Chengxiao paused, clenched his teeth, then said, "... to adopt Cui Yu into the Qinghe Cui family and purify his foundation, helping him advance his Manifestation. Even if he doesn't reach Yu Jing directly, it will be nearly the same."

Xiang Little Wei Yuan's smile didn't change at all; he laughed, "The Immortal Ancestor truly has grand generosity—but it's unnecessary! Why go to such expense?"

"Rest assured, Immortal Ancestor—Qingzhou is vast enough to accommodate both our families! But the Qingming Realm Stone is unique; the Cui family's chosen nature and location for the Realm Stone—we must discuss it in detail when we have time."

Xiang Little Wei Yuan's warmth left Cui Cui Chengxiao momentarily flustered; he blinked, then said, "Yes, this does require detailed discussion. I shall return and report to the Immortal Ancestor. Our clan still has several unused Realm Stones—we'll have an answer within ten days."

"No rush!" Xiang Little Wei Yuan smiled warmly, almost reaching out to grasp Cui Cui Chengxiao's hand. "Please convey my regards to the Immortal Ancestor. Oh, by the way—when shall we send Cui Yu over?"

Cui Cui Chengxiao froze again. Xiang Little Wei Yuan might as well have written "afraid you'll change your mind" on his face. He mumbled, "Isn't there still a war? Cui Yu bears heavy responsibilities..."

"No problem! He's already been sidelined—whether he's there or not makes no difference. He can leave now! Why not take him with you this time?"

With Xiang Little Wei Yuan pushing so hard, Cui Cui Chengxiao understood: if he refused, this man would turn hostile on the spot. He immediately said, "Then so be it—I shall depart tomorrow..."

He glanced at Xiang Little Wei Yuan's smile and changed his words: "Tonight."

Xiang Little Wei Yuan immediately summoned the Realm's power to send Cui Yu away: "Go pack your things quickly!"

Once Cui Yu vanished, Xiang Little Wei Yuan grabbed Cui Cui Chengxiao's arm, eager: "Cui Elder, don't rush—tell me in detail about this adoption. Did the Ji-Zhao Cui family agree?"

"This matter was personally decided by the Immortal Ancestor and the Ji-Zhao Cui patriarch. The Immortal Ancestor's cultivation is supreme, but his Immortal Art is too arduous—few among his descendants can even begin. The Cui clan of Ji-Zhao has produced outstanding young talents over the past century, and among them, the Immortal Ancestor chose Cui Yu."

Xiang Little Wei Yuan released his grip and smiled: "Good, you've discussed it. I'll need your guidance in the future, Cui Elder."

But Cui Cui Chengxiao didn't smile. He coldly said, "If my answer had displeased the Domain Lord, wouldn't you have turned hostile right then? Perhaps even attacked?"

Xiang Little Wei Yuan smiled innocently and sincerely: "How could I? I'd never dare fight you, Elder. Besides, I'm no match for you."

Cui Cui Chengxiao was startled—this man had truly considered attacking?

After Cui Cui Chengxiao left, the silent Xiang Xiaoyu and Behind Bao Yun finally asked: "Is it settled?"

Xiang Little Wei Yuan sighed: "When Immortals act, they strike straight at the core. Regarding Cui's path, how could I refuse?"

"Song Cui has endured for so long—they might have to cede two or three commanderies," Xiang Xiaoyu warned.

Xiang Little Wei Yuan grew distant, then said, "Qingzhou is vast. Even if we give up a little, it's still vast enough to hold us. And if one day Qingzhou isn't enough, there's still boundless land to the west and north—we'll simply take it. As long as we all reach Yu Jing, land won't be lacking."

Before Xiang Xiaoyu could speak, the voice of the Shaoyang Star Lord echoed in his mind: "Listen to that answer—what a grand vision! And he's blessed with great fortune! What about you? Content with small gains! Is the Eighth Tier so comfortable? Can you even sleep in your current state?"

"The task is done—why are you still standing around chatting? Are you this idle? Have you finished your duties? Prepared for war? Decided what you'll do in this great battle to earn fortune? Does fortune come freely? Will the people bow their heads just because you show your face?"

A barrage of questions left Xiang Xiaoyu dizzy. He sighed helplessly, stood, and said, "If there's nothing else, I'll return to work." "Alright, take care of yourself, don't overwork," Xiang Little Wei Yuan replied, baffled by Xiang Xiaoyu's recent obsession—almost unnatural in its intensity.

Now alone in the room, Behind Bao Yun said, "Happy?"

Xiang Little Wei Yuan exhaled, smiling: "I never expected Cui's path to open up at this moment. With Cui's path clear, one heavy burden is lifted—of course I'm happy."

"Cui Cui Chengxiao is an old fox. Only after he presented this condition did I realize—he never intended to offer it at first. Had I slipped even slightly, he'd have slipped past me. I just don't know why he held back—if he'd said it earlier, I'd have agreed on the spot."

Behind Bao Yun raised her eyebrows slightly: "Normal. Everyone has selfishness. Maybe to claim credit, or perhaps some younger relative in his family also wanted this opportunity and hoped to keep it. A chance to reach Yu Jing draws many to risk everything. If you're from a great clan, you've seen this countless times."

Xiang Little Wei Yuan found it hard to believe: "This is an Immortal's gift to me—he'd steal it and still explain it to his master?"

"If you'd agreed from the start, half the matter would've been settled. With Cui Cui Chengxiao's merit and some additional leverage, he could've claimed it. But now—it's a different story."

Xiang Little Wei Yuan sighed: "All calculations. Why not just do more? Look at Xiang Xiaoyu—he's finally on track."

Behind Bao Yun said, "It's strange. I don't understand what's gotten into him. Why don't you go see him? Has he encountered something upsetting? Been provoked?"

Hearing this, Xiang Little Wei Yuan grew concerned and nodded.

But Behind Bao Yun suddenly said, "But I'm not happy. Don't you see?"

Xiang Little Wei Yuan blinked: "You mean Cui Cui Chengxiao thinks you came to Qingming just to work for me?"

Behind Bao Yun's face was expressionless: "That's not wrong—it just needs slight adjustment."

Xiang Little Wei Yuan had no idea why she was suddenly upset, but where could he guess? He had no choice but to follow her lead: "How to adjust?"

Behind Bao Yun remained expressionless: "Just remove the word 'work.'"

Xiang Little Wei Yuan thought carefully, then his mind exploded like a heavenly tribulation—he nearly leapt up, but Behind Bao Yun seized him.

"This... this is an office..."

"No one will come."

"But..."

"No buts. I dressed carefully today—don't waste it."

At the Qingming border, a flying vessel hovered. Its exterior was ordinary, but its materials were refined, its design exquisite—only in flight did its superior performance reveal itself.

After boarding, Cui Cui Chengxiao ordered the crew to prepare for departure, to leave at dusk once Cui Yu arrived. He returned to his cabin, stared into space, then opened a Yu Jing spiritual treasure.

Before him appeared a woman in court robes, urgently asking: "Any good news?"

Cui Cui Chengxiao sighed: "Hong Lian'er's path... find another way."

The woman panicked: "What other way? Hong Lian'er has only a few years left—how can she wait that long? Isn't the Domain Lord just a child under thirty? How can you not control him?"

"Wasn't the plan not to mention this condition? Why did you bring it up?!"

Cui Cui Chengxiao looked exhausted: "The Immortal Ancestor treats this man with utmost seriousness—he's not easy to manipulate."

The woman's face darkened: "I don't care! Hong Lian'er is the only bloodline of our branch—I won't watch him perish! If you can't do it, then don't bother—I'll handle it myself. Once Cui Yu arrives in Song, I'll make him abandon it himself!"

Cui Cui Chengxiao was horrified: "Don't act recklessly! Don't ruin the Immortal Ancestor's plans!"

"None of your concern!" The woman's image vanished.

(End of Chapter)