Chapter 714: with translation of chapter title

Following Xiong Ba Tian to a tavern, after arranging for the staff to stay, Yan Buji looked at the bill and was surprised to find that the person hadn't taken any kickbacks.

Xiong Ba Tian laughed, "My friend, it seems there are many strong ones in your group, yet they all look to you. Is your status higher than theirs?"

"I am Yan Buji of the Great Sinful Sect, merely a Hall Master within the sect. The Elders have more important matters, and I generally handle the rest," Yan Buji smiled.

He must not speak carelessly; although Yan Buji is one of the persons in charge of mining, those Elders have higher seniority and strength within the sect, so Yan Buji must be deferential to them, lest he invite trouble.

Xiong Ba Tian smiled, "Alright, it seems you humans like to delegate tasks to others."

"Not entirely; some matters must be done personally to feel at ease,"

Xiong Ba Tian smiled, "Then let me introduce my Jade Emperor honey; how does its quality look to you?"

Yan Buji watched Xiong Ba Tian pull out a jar of honey, still containing some remnants of Jade Emperor bees, and he carefully sensed it with his hand.

"This isn't Jade Emperor honey, is it? If I'm not mistaken, this should be honey from a close species called the Emerald Jade bee," Yan Buji said lightly.

Well done, Xiong Ba Tian, you pretended to be some fine demon, only to sell counterfeit goods!

Xiong Ba Tian extended his hand, covered in hard black hair, wiped his nose, and apologetically said, "So this friend is a regular; since you recognize it as Emerald Jade bee honey, why not taste it yourself?"

Yan Buji raised an eyebrow, "You don't expect me to have to buy it just because I taste it, do you?"

"Well, others might, but you, my friend, have an extraordinary status, perhaps even a guest of honor of the City Lord. I wouldn't dare do that, lest my future days become difficult," Xiong Ba Tian laughed.

Yan Buji looked at him puzzled, then stuck a finger into the jar, dabbed some honey, and put it in his mouth.

Hmm?!

"Your honey?!"

"Hehe, how is it? I told you it's good,"

Yan Buji nodded, "Indeed, although not authentic Jade Emperor honey, the effect is almost identical. Daoist friend, do you also practice insect control and gu cultivation?"

"Well, these are just minor tricks. Friend, do you want some? One thousand Spiritual Stones per jar!"

"One thousand?"

That's way too cheap!

"How many do you have?"

"The thousand I mentioned are medium‑grade Spiritual Stones."

"That's too expensive; at most a hundred."

"Your haggling is too harsh; the minimum is nine hundred."

"Two hundred, I'll take everything you have."

Xiong Ba Tian's face twitched, he gritted his teeth and nodded, "Consider me, Xiong Ba Tian, befriending you; I have another hundred jars here!"

Yan Buji took a deep breath and bought them all.

These Spiritual Stones were not Yan Buji's personal collection; he had diverted a portion of the stones used for mining development. Of course, the Emerald Jade bee honey was of high quality, all at the Fivefold Transformation level. Moreover, the rarity of Spiritual Material meant that a jar priced at two hundred medium‑grade Spiritual Stones far exceeded the market price for ordinary Fivefold Transformation Spiritual Materials, but if sold in the Heavenly Spirit Realm, it would certainly yield a modest profit!

When the time comes, he'll use the profit to fill the deficit; by the numbers, Yan Buji has made a decent gain.

However, this fellow actually knows a method for cultivating Spiritual Material, and Yan Buji is eager to ask him. Yet the other party is unlikely to reveal his culinary skill, so Yan Buji instead asked:

"Daoist Xiong Ba Tian, may I ask which faction of guests the City Lord is currently receiving?"

"Oh, about that, it seems to be a sect called something like 'Uncounted Sect'." Xiong Ba Tian thought for a moment and asked, puzzled.

Uncounted Sect?

Yan Buji pressed his chin, about to ask something else, when Zhou Wan'an rushed over: "Hall Master Yan, hurry, the City Lord summons!"

"Alright, Daoist Xiong Ba Tian, see you next time if fate permits."

"Goodbye." Xiong Ba Tian smiled and waved, secretly delighted.

He didn't expect his cultivated bees to earn him so many Spiritual Stones; people always say humans are foolish with money, but it turns out to be true!

Yan Buji also hadn't expected that just as everyone settled, a message from the City Lord's residence arrived, inviting them to negotiate.

Soon, the group arrived before the towering spire that pierced the clouds; despite the powerful demon‑race guards surrounding it, they were unperturbed and walked straight inside.

Scanning the surroundings, most of the pavilion's decorations were unique demon‑race cultural symbols; Yan Buji saw a massive ox head hanging from a beam and was baffled.

Wouldn't hanging a lion or tiger be more majestic?

"That skull… seems to belong to the former master of Luohuang Zhou," the Elder Lianxu's face changed, as if sensing the terrifying aura still emanating from the dead skull.

Yan Buji fell silent, relieved that he didn't ask further.

Experience, experience—one must see to truly understand; otherwise, staying at home reading is of little use, as what's described in books never matches what one sees.

Yan Buji felt humbled by his limited experience, and soon, guided by the demon‑race attendants, entered the main hall.

As soon as he entered, Yan Buji saw a short, humanoid‑looking demon cultivator whose whole body was covered in fur, with claws on its hands and fangs in its mouth, seated on a high seat.

With just one glance, Yan Buji dared not stare further and looked elsewhere.

Hmm?!

There seemed to be a very familiar aura… where have I sensed it before?

"Great Sinful Sect cultivator, specially here to pay respects to the City Lord of the Royal City!"

"Hmm, I am Xiong Feiyu, and this is Wushu Zi, who will handle affairs with you from now on. The humans here belong to the Uncounted Sect; you happen to arrive today, and regarding the extraction of gold‑steel ore, I have several requirements to discuss with you in advance,"

"Understood!"

"Please sit first, Wushu Zi, and speak to them." Xiong Feiyu seemed uninterested in these trivial matters, delegating everything to the middle‑aged man in a Daoist robe beside him.

"Yes," Wushu Zi smiled, stepped down, and bowed to the group.

"I am Wushu Zi, pleased to meet you all. Although the royal court asks us to swiftly restore Luohuang Zhou's ecological environment and handle post‑war reconstruction and other tasks, those matters have all been outsourced. You, however, are responsible for the more important gold‑steel ore affairs; the City Lord's demand is simple: after you commence extraction, each household must supply one thousand gold‑steel ore ingots annually!"

After Wushu Zi finished speaking, a person from the Uncounted Sect immediately stood up: "Mr. Wushu Zi, City Lord, the vein we have taken over cannot compare to that of the Great Sinful Sect; a thousand a year seems excessive, we fear we cannot bear it!"

Xiong Feiyu furrowed his brows and looked at Wushu Zi.

Wushu Zi understood and smiled, "If a thousand is untenable, then I invite you all to voluntarily relinquish it."

Hmm?

They don't look like they're doing business—who just shows up and chases people away?

Yan Buji stood to the side, oddly staring at Wuxuzi.

Likewise, a gaze came from the Not Count Sect side, tense and uneasy:

"It's over, how did I run into him here!!"