Chapter 126

Bai Li Huo's refusal actually made Yan Buji a little strange.

If the Huo Xiong Sect had no interest in managing the market, why would they send such an important person as the External Affairs Elder to come and chat with me?

In other words, the existence of the Huo Xiong Zong Fang Shi is precisely because the Huo Xiong Zong is here; even if they planned to clear out all the merchants and arrange their own people to do business, that would be normal.

Then what exactly do they want?

Yan Buji asked doubtfully: "I don't know how much profit Elder Bai Li wants."

"Profit? Do you think we need these Spiritual Stones?" Bai Li Huo said lightly.

"Then there must be other demands; in my view, if the Elder had no interest at all, he wouldn't have come this trip." Yan Buji laughed.

Bai Li Huo smiled, extended a finger: "Within a year, if you can make the market number one in the Kun Dao region, I will fully support you."

Yan Buji shook his head: "That's absolutely impossible."

"Since you can't do it, then just leave."

"Yes."

Yan Buji also didn't want to say more to such a person.

So you still want to get something for nothing, right?

I've already done quite well to build the Huo Xiong Zong Fang Shi with effort; to also make the market the largest in the Kun Dao region would require time and resources that could not possibly be accomplished within a year.

Yan Buji turned and left without any hesitation; Wei Zifeng stood frozen, looking puzzled at Bai Li Huo: "Elder Bai Li, what does the Sect mean by this? Really asking Yan Buji to expand the market shouldn't be this forced, right?"

Speaking of which, Yan Buji also counts as his person; the Sect Master giving such conditions might be testing his administrative ability?

Bai Li Huo frowned: "Wei Zifeng, this is the Sect Master's intention. Since he's unwilling to accept, there's nothing more to say."

"But for such a matter, why shouldn't they also tell me?" Wei Zifeng pouted, not understanding what they were selling in their gourd.

"Forget it, since he can't do it, let me step in. Wei Zifeng, out of respect for the Sect Master and fellow disciples, I give you three days to close your Hundred Treasures Shop."

"What? On what basis!!"

Bai Li Huo's eyes shifted, he gave Wei Zifeng a deep look.

Wei Zifeng shrank, his face darkened, he clasped his hands and said: "Yes, Elder."

After leaving the Law Enforcement Team's residence, Wei Zifeng also grew angrier the more he thought.

On what basis?

I was doing fine here, after great difficulty I hired a capable person to help manage my business, and now with a single order I'm told to close shop for good?

Isn't this just slapping my face?

Wei Zifeng gritted his teeth, returned to the Hundred Treasures Shop, and saw Yan Buji sitting silently behind the counter.

He sighed: "Yan Buji, Elder Bai Li said...."

"Are we to close the Hundred Treasures Shop?" Yan Buji raised his head and asked tentatively.

"You guessed it? Then can you guess why the Sect is doing this?"

Yan Buji thought carefully, then shook his head: "I don't know the internal situation of the Huo Xiong Zong, but if the Huo Xiong Zong truly doesn't care about Spiritual Stones, then it's for something else. Reputation is likely what the Huo Xiong Zong wants. Using the market to complete the first step of the plan, only then can they advance further."

Reputation?!

Wei Zifeng frowned, suddenly thinking of Liu Yun!

The Sect.... could it be that they are now thinking of starting to build momentum for Liu Yun, waiting for the right opportunity to let Liu Yun become famous in the Kun Dao region, thereby attracting the attention of major powers in the Wan Dao Mountain Range, and then sending out the outstanding ones?

But that's not right, the Huo Xiong Zong has a superior sect existing; could there be other reasons?

Wei Zifeng thought carefully, the Sect is likely indeed preparing to build momentum for Liu Yun, but whether it's to sell Liu Yun for a good price or to make more powerful allies is beyond Wei Zifeng's knowledge.

"Alas...."

Wei Zifeng let out a long sigh, helplessly looking at Yan Buji: "I'm really sorry, Yan Buji, I'll have to close the Hundred Treasures Shop these few days."

"It's fine; working with the boss this period, I've also gained a lot; it's time to part." Yan Buji laughed.

Since the Hundred Treasures Shop is gone, the agreement previously signed is naturally void.

However, Wei Zifeng can simply pat his butt and return to the Huo Xiong Zong to continue cultivation, but Yan Buji doesn't know how to proceed with his own next steps.

Although the cultivation world is vast and one can go anywhere, wanting to find a suitable place to cultivate, with so many resources, it's impossible to avoid contact with other cultivators.

With only what I currently have on me, I'm afraid I lack the strength.

Yan Buji turned his head, looked at Wei Zifeng, and suddenly thought of a bold proposal.

"Boss, if you trust me, give me ten thousand Spiritual Stones, I'll go to other markets and create an enterprise! If I succeed later, I'll repay tenfold; if I fail, then consider you blind, boss."

Wei Zifeng's face twitched, he looked at him in shock: "What you're saying.... that last sentence is my phrase, right?"

"Haha, so boss, are you willing to take this gamble, place a bet on me, hoping to later recoup ten times the cost?" Yan Buji laughed.

Wei Zifeng remained silent for a moment; for him, taking out a few thousand Spiritual Stones isn't too painful, but ten thousand Spiritual Stones is truly not a small amount!

How much does a First-Tier Spiritual Material normally cost? Just a few or a few dozen Spiritual Stones.

Opening with ten thousand Spiritual Stones, even Fivefold Transformation Spiritual Material could be easily obtained! Even if they were Threefold/Fourfold Transformation Accumulation Device, adding a bit oneself could also get them, so Wei Zifeng's hesitation also stems from wondering where Yan Buji gets the confidence to think he'd give him that many Spiritual Stones.

How long have they known each other?

Even if they were childhood best friends, asking for this huge sum all at once, no one would agree.

He doesn't actually treat Spiritual Stones like dirt.

Yan Buji looked at Wei Zifeng, also knowing that the other party likely wouldn't agree.

Even if he knows his own abilities, how could he guarantee that Yan Buji keeps his word?

So this is nothing but a matter of trust.

"At most five thousand, I guess."

Yan Buji was thinking, Wei Zifeng spoke: "This won't do; if you say at parting I'd even give you one or two thousand Spiritual Stones, wishing you future cultivation success and a bright Dao, that's fine. But you saying this is an investment, I really can't believe you."

"Hahaha, boss being cautious is right; no one should blindly trust." Yan Buji laughed.

Wei Zifeng laughed: "Alright, I'll see you off then?"

Boss, you're just going to chase me away?

Then do you still want to stay here for a few more days?

Yan Buji thought, then nodded helplessly: "Indeed, staying here any longer wouldn't be interesting."

Soon, the two left the market.

Wei Zifeng stood before Yan Buji, clasped his fists, and said: "Mountains high, waters far, Fellow Daoist Yan, until we meet again."

"Yes, oh right, Boss, did you really hear what I just said?" Yan Buji suddenly said.

Wei Zifeng stared: "What words?"

"The last line, huh."

Wei Zifeng chuckled: "You people, telling me not to trust others? I've heard that saying dozens of times in my sect."

"Haha, yes. Don't trust others...."

Yan Buji lunged forward, five fingers grabbing at Wei Zifeng's chest!

In an instant, Wei Zifeng's body burst with strong light, but at this moment Yan Buji suddenly launched a lethal sneak attack—how could it be just one move?

"You?!" Wei Zifeng widened his eyes, looking at Yan Buji in disbelief.

Immediately, Yan Buji exerted his full strength again, his face full of a sinister smile, and said:

"Just like someone like me! Heh heh heh!"

A palm strike from below struck Wei Zifeng's chin, with only the clear sound of breaking bones heard; Yan Buji's left eye suddenly turned gold, triggering a spirit explosion!

Bang!

Wei Zifeng was blasted far away; under Yan Buji's sneak attack, a three-pronged assault—even if he had a self-defense treasure, he could not escape death!

Yan Buji narrowed his eyes, ran over, took several spiritual stone bags from Wei Zifeng's person, then fled!

Meanwhile.

In the Fire Bear Sect's main hall, Sect Master Wei Jinhuo suddenly sensed something, immediately shot out of the hall, while the surrounding elders looked shocked.

All that could be heard was Wei Jinhuo's angry roar from afar: "Who? Who dares to kill my nephew?"