Qian Liangmu coughed gently. "The leader of the Myriad Poison cult, the Myriad Poison Ancestor, would like to invite you to become a protector of the cult."
Peng Jingni immediately sneered. "The Myriad Poison cult sure has schemed well. Is this the great riches and honour you speak of?"
Li Qingshan took a sip of alcohol. "That's right. To regular cultivators, the identity of a protector of the Myriad Poison cult is indeed great riches and honour."
However, what he was implying was as clear as day. This was absolutely nothing to him!
He thought, A mere protector wants to pull me into the Myriad Poison cult's war chariot? Isn't that a little too naive? The Sword Collection palace invited me as a guest elder, and they gave me a powerful arcane treasure at the very least. And, if I really do run into trouble, the Sword Collection palace will lend me a hand for the sake of their pride. For a demonic sect like the Myriad Poison cult, it'll be nice if they don't stab me in the back.
Qian Liangmu smiled as if everything was within his grasp. Then he said, "Then what about the identity of a guest elder of the King of Southern Yue's estate?"
Yu Wufeng raised an eyebrow and thought, Here comes the main show.
The King of Southern Yue's estate had always had a tradition of recruiting guests, regardless of their identity or race. As long as they could pass through the corresponding test, they could become guests and receive the protection of the royal family, enjoying many benefits.
In the past, whenever they recruited guests, countless cultivators of the Mist province would flock over like ducks. In the Mist capital, they would wage a bloody battle for the identity of a guest.
Peng Jingni's lips parted, but he said nothing in the end. The South Sea Sword pavilion could oppose the Myriad Poison cult, and they did not fear Qian Liangmu's identity as a prince, but they dared not ruin the King of Southern Yue's estate's grand plan.
The King of Southern Yue's method of selecting a successor was even harsher than the imperial clan of Great Xia. They revered the primitive law of the survival of the fittest. Princes trained in various parts of the Mist province, so dying was very common. As long as a great cultivator like the master of the sword pavilion did not directly take action and carry out targeted killings, the King of Southern Yue's estate basically would not seek revenge.
However, this matter was clearly connected to the conflict between the Mist province and the Green province. If the King of Southern Yue's estate could recruit Li Qingshan, it would be equivalent to directly dealing a heavy blow to the cultivation community of the Green province. Who would be reckless enough to drag the King of Southern Yue down?
Qian Liangmu glanced at Peng Jingni with a smile, filled with provocation. Right now, he no longer represented the Myriad Poison cult, but the King of Southern Yue's estate. However, to his disappointment, Li Qingshan did not reveal any expression of surprise. He still appeared very calm.
"Not bad, this can also be considered a great fortune. Is there anything else?" Li Qingshan took a sip of wine and asked with a smile.
Qian Liangmu's brows twitched. Should I say that he is greedy, or is he heartless? In the face of such an important decision, he could actually still smile.
"Esteemed guest!" Qian Liangmu narrowed his eyes and spat out these two words as if he was spitting out a knife. A cold light flashed in his eyes. The dagger was revealed.
Humph, let's see if you can still laugh!
Yu Wufeng's eyes narrowed. He never expected the King of Southern Yue to offer something like that!
The King of Southern Yue's estate was known to have three thousand followers, which were divided into upper, middle, and lower levels according to their cultivations. Those who had to go through the first heavenly tribulation could become low-ranking officials, while those who had to go through the second heavenly tribulation could become mid-ranking officials. Only those who had undergone three heavenly tribulations had the right to become an honoured guest.
Just the mere status of a lower honoured guest was enough to make countless people scramble for it. Before honoured guests, even the King of Southern Yue had to show some respect, referring to them as "fellow".
Although Li Qingshan was known as the King of Savages, he had yet to undergo the third heavenly tribulation! The King of Southern Yue had actually broken tradition and directly appointed Li Qingshan as an honoured guest. As long as he became an honoured guest, he could basically do whatever he wanted in the Mist province. There were countless other benefits as well.
This truly was a great fortune!
However, it was exactly because this fortune was great enough that it made it even more difficult for him to turn it down. Since the King of Southern Yue had demonstrated his determination, there were not a lot of people who dared to turn him down.
If Li Qingshan turned him down, he would not necessarily be safe even if he remained within the formations of Savage mountain. However, if he agreed, it would be equivalent to breaking off ties with the Green province.
As Qian Liangmu had expected, Li Qingshan's smile vanished as expected. He frowned slightly, but Qian Liangmu's heart sank.
However, Qian Liangmu's heart sank. Li Qingshan had only straightened his body. Just this simple action was like a mountain suddenly growing several hundred meters taller, casting down a huge, heavy shadow. He felt the pressure suddenly increase.
He was shocked. Li Qingshan had clearly not purposefully displayed his bearing to deter him. He had only assumed a stern stance, yet it was enough to make him feel greatly threatened. It was like a mortal facing a vicious tiger. Even if the vicious tiger had no intentions of hunting, all it needed to do was stare, and it was enough to frighten them.
The Startling Salamander sword in Peng Jingni's hand thrummed and flew out of its sheath with a clang. He pressed down on the hilt in a hurry and comforted the Startling Salamander sword spirit. He sighed in amazement inside, Just a slightly stern expression and no aura, and he managed to make the Startling Salamander sword give off a warning. What boldness! Originally, I thought with my cultivation, I wouldn't be among the best at the second heavenly tribulation, but I wouldn't be any weaker than anyone. Looking at it now, I've really overestimated myself. Senior brother Yu has cultivated arduously for so many years and is already close to the third heavenly tribulation, yet he still lost to him. Looks like it's no coincidence.
In the past few years, Li Qingshan had been decisive in killing. Who knew how many second heavenly tribulation humans, demons, and daemons had died to his hands, so he had developed a certain bearing.
"Please consider it carefully, commander. Do not let down the King of Yue's kind intentions."
Qian Liangmu knelt on the rock and clasped his hands. His sleeves fluttered as he bowed to the ground, bowing deeply.
Originally, he was rather dissatisfied with the King of Southern Yue directly giving Li Qingshan the status of honoured guest. Once Li Qingshan became an honoured guest, even he, the prince, would have to take the initiative to bow when they met.
But at that moment, most of his dissatisfaction vanished. Instead, he came to a realisation. If it really became a battle to the death, I'll probably die to his hands. I won't even be able to escape. This was not a judgement based on rationality. It was purely a feeling of intuition. This intuition had only come to him through countless trials of life and death since he was young. Who knew how many times it had saved his life.
Even if the title of King of Savages was still a little undeserving right now, with his talent and boldness, as long as he did not die along the way, there would be a day when he would leap over the third heavenly tribulation and stand alongside the various kings.
It was not a shameful thing to bow to such a person. However, his bow was already a form of etiquette towards honoured guests. It was close to forcing him to abdicate. He stared right into Li Qingshan's eyes fearlessly and thought to himself.
Make your choice, King of Savages! Whether it's the Mist province or the Green province, if you take a wrong step, even geniuses will die. Their souls will disperse, and they'll be crushed to pieces.
Li Qingshan smiled. "What're you being so stern for?" He scratched his head and sighed. "Sigh, I originally wanted to muddle my way through, at least for a few years and wait until the war actually begins. But sure enough, a mighty provincial lord isn't that easy to deal with."
"Of course, pretending to agree first before explaining to the Green province without offending either side seems to be the smartest choice. However, I've never been a clever person, and I don't like putting on an act and feigning civility, so …"
Li Qingshan drank all the alcohol in the jar and smiled.
"I refuse!"
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