Chapter 818: Hua Rong's Letter, Sheng Gong's Home

Xu Xiaoshou smiled and nodded, finally understanding Dong Ling's purpose.

Daring to use me?

Good!

If you dare to use me, then I won't be afraid to deepen ties with the Alchemy Master Association. I'll give you some benefits now, and we'll see how you extricate yourself later!

"This is of course."

Xu Xiaoshou replied while glancing at the tens of thousands of spectators, then loudly addressed the crowd: "I am willing to accept President Dong Ling's invitation and join the headquarters of the Alchemy Master Association in Dong Tian Wang Cheng."

After a pause, a smile appeared on his face: "As a return favor, after today, I will grant the exclusive supply rights for 'Chi Jin Ye' to the headquarters of the Wang Cheng Alchemy Master Association, to produce more and better healing medicines for everyone's benefit!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire venue fell silent.

Just moments before, everyone had been questioning whether Xu Shao's appointment as honorary vice president was too unrealistic.

That was because they had witnessed a peer, even a junior, suddenly rising to a level far above their own status, which naturally stirred some jealousy.

But after the jealousy faded, they realized that Xu Shao's role as honorary vice president of the Wang Cheng Alchemy Master Association could bring them benefits.

Now, all the spirit refiners in the audience changed their tune.

"Good!"

"Xu Shao is mighty! I'm the first to support you as honorary vice president—charge ahead!"

"A new official brings benefits to the people. I've tried Chi Jin Ye before—it's incredibly effective. The people of Wang Cheng are in for a treat, ha ha ha."

Even Dong Ling was stunned.

As Shi Ti had thought, she had risked inciting public outrage to give the honorary vice president position to Xu Shao because she had noticed something and harbored intentions of testing and protecting him.

But she had never imagined that Xu Shao would offer such a huge benefit before even officially taking office.

"Are you serious?" After recovering from her daze, Dong Ling looked at the young man beside her with barely contained excitement.

"My word is as heavy as Mount Tai," Xu Xiaoshou said with a slight curl of his lips.

Dong Ling's eyes sparkled with admiration. She suddenly raised her hand, wanting to pat Xu Shao's shoulder to express her excitement and say a few words of subtle thanks.

But as soon as she lifted her hand, Xu Shao deftly avoided it, leaving her hand hanging awkwardly in the air.

"Don't worry. By granting the exclusive supply rights for 'Chi Jin Ye' to the Wang Cheng headquarters, you won't miss out on any of the future profits," Dong Ling quickly composed herself and promised firmly.

"Saying that makes things a bit distant..." Xu Xiaoshou raised an eyebrow, glanced back several times, and said in a low voice: "Actually, it's not just 'Chi Jin Ye'—I've also developed 'Lian Ling Ye'. I just don't know if you can handle it."

"'Lian Ling Ye'?"

"Yes, just as 'Chi Jin Dan' relates to 'Chi Jin Ye', 'Lian Ling Dan' relates to 'Lian Ling Ye'."

With that explanation, Dong Ling instantly understood and felt overjoyed.

However, her years of honed instincts made her realize that such good fortune falling from the sky in broad daylight couldn't be real—why was it landing on her?

"What are you after?" Dong Ling frowned.

"After?" Xu Xiaoshou seemed surprised and chuckled: "I'm already the honorary vice president of the Wang Cheng Alchemy Master Association, aren't I? We're all on the same side now. What could I be after? Just to benefit all humanity and the people of the Five Domains!"

Dong Ling: "..."

If anyone else said that, she might believe it.

But standing before her was Xu Shao—how could she dare to believe him?

Has this guy lost his mind?

Dong Ling was suspicious.

She had protected Xu Shao for her own reasons, and he probably didn't know about her connection to the Sheng Gong Jin Zhao lineage yet.

But why was he being so good to her?

Coveting her beauty?

Dong Ling startled herself with that thought.

Seeing that the woman in front of him didn't believe him, Xu Xiaoshou pondered for a moment and said seriously: "A drop of kindness deserves a spring in return. President Dong Ling was willing to bear the infamy to give me the honorary vice president position—why can't I turn that infamy into honor for you?"

These words were so sincere that Dong Ling was moved.

She suddenly felt that her previous view of Xu Shao might have been wrong.

Perhaps this person wasn't just a playboy—he had a clear sense of right and wrong in his heart.

He remembered kindness shown to him.

"In that case, I'll first thank you on behalf of the Wang Cheng spirit refiners, Xu Shao." Dong Ling also became serious.

Xu Xiaoshou straightened his expression and flicked his sleeve: "It's Xu Hui!"

Dong Ling was taken aback, then laughed: "Yes, I suppose it is—President Xu."

At that moment, the information panel had changed from "under suspicion" to "under gratitude."

Xu Xiaoshou knew his sincere words had touched President Dong Ling.

He also knew that this woman had taken the bait.

From now on, the exclusive supply rights for Chi Jin Ye wouldn't belong solely to Tan Shen anymore, but to the bigwigs of the Alchemy Master Association as a whole.

And the exclusive resale rights—he had already signed a contract with Duo Jin Merchant Guild. The future market was vast.

By handing this over, it was like Xu Xiaoshou was only selling a single recipe for Chi Jin Ye and Lian Ling Ye.

But it wasn't a complete package deal—he was just selling the method, then turning from a worker into a shareholder, starting to collect dividends from the Alchemy Master Association.

From now on, neither Xu Xiaoshou nor Tan Shen would have to work.

The spirit medicines from Duo Jin Merchant Guild would continue to be delivered to him, and he could choose to distribute some or hoard them all.

On the association's side, they would use it as training for their alchemists, refining Chi Jin Ye and the like with the association's spirit medicines, then let Duo Jin Merchant Guild sell the finished products.

The profits from sales would be split—one share for the association, one for Duo Jin Merchant Guild, and the rest...

Xu Xiaoshou would get the biggest cut without any investment.

In short: "If you won't bring a team, you'll just have to work alone until you drop."

The partnership was sealed.

Xu Xiaoshou knew he had achieved financial liberation and become a free man.

As long as the Wang Cheng Alchemy Master Association headquarters stood and Duo Jin Merchant Guild remained operational, his accounts would see a steady stream of spirit crystals coming in.

And not just that...

"Gratitude received, passive value +1."

The information panel kept popping up with Dong Ling's changing emotions.

This woman occasionally glanced back at Xu Xiaoshou, unable to figure out why there was such a good person in the world.

Xu Xiaoshou smiled.

Not only was he financially free and work-free, but he had also gained the friendship of the Wang Cheng Alchemy Master Association.

If anything happened to him in the future, Dong Ling would be the first to fight desperately for him.

After all, every batch of Chi Jin Ye produced meant profits for this bigwig of the Alchemy Master Association.

"Mutual benefits, everyone wins—how dirty..." Xu Xiaoshou couldn't help but sigh.

On the judges' platform.

A dozen or so old presidents were no longer holding back and were trying to attack the protective spirit array.

In the blink of an eye, not only had the honorary vice president position slipped away, but so had the Chi Jin Ye supply rights, and on top of that, Xu Shao had mentioned Lian Ling Ye...

"Shameless! Dong Ling, you're too shameless!"

"Trapping a dozen of us old men in a spirit array—how can you have the nerve?"

"After today, I'll report this to the Zhongyu Alchemy Master Association headquarters and list all your crimes."

"'Chi Jin Ye' and 'Chi Jin Dan'—those are the interests of my Tian Yuan Cheng. You brat, stealing from the tiger's mouth—you'll be cursed by heaven!"

"How hateful—ahh!"

From the audience's perspective.

The old judges had all calmly returned to their seats, each with a smile, appearing relaxed and composed.

"The Alchemy Master Association is so harmonious. Unlike our factions, where peaks fight openly and secretly for interests, even resorting to murder."

"Exactly. I thought President Lu was going to collaborate with Xu Shao on Chi Jin Ye, but President Dong Ling secured the partnership rights. His calm demeanor must mean they discussed it in advance."

"They're all masters, truly impressive."

"We're not even in their league—remarkable."

The Alchemy Conference came to a close.

With the matters settled, Xu Xiaoshou returned to his base at Tian Shang First Tower, carrying the champion title, a four-grade badge, Ping Hu Xiao Qing Hua, and the coveted Wang Cheng Trial Jade Pendant.

Along the way back, various factions that had previously kept their distance suddenly emerged like bamboo shoots after rain, all eager to discuss cooperation and mutual benefits.

Xu Xiaoshou rejected them one by one.

What a joke!

Partnering with these local Dong Tian Wang Cheng forces would at best cover the Wang Cheng area and harvest a small portion of resources.

But partnering with continental-level powers like Duo Jin Merchant Guild and the Alchemy Master Association would influence the entire Five Domains.

The choice was obvious, even with your toes.

No matter how tempting or alluring the conditions from these factions were, Xu Xiaoshou didn't even meet them, simply having Xiao Wanfeng turn away guests.

But there was one person he kept.

For no other reason than that violent girl, Hua Luo, nearly smashed the signboard of Tian Shang First Tower while carrying a large bathtub.

Not even Xiao Wanfeng could handle it—Xin Gugu was getting overwhelmed too.

"Hua girl, what exactly are you trying to do?"

After clearing everyone out as required, only Xu Xiaoshou and Hua Luo remained in the main hall of Tian Shang First Tower. Xu Xiaoshou got straight to the point.

Hua Luo shouldered the large bathtub without any intention of putting it down, looking ready to fight if he didn't comply.

She adjusted the bathtub on her back: "Do you recognize this thing?"

"Of course," Xu Xiaoshou nodded. "It's a dan ding—a larger one, anyway. It can't possibly be a bathtub, right?"

Keep pretending... Hua Luo sneered coldly: "During the Alchemy Conference, why didn't you dare show your alchemy techniques and instead used those black chickens to distract everyone?"

"Black chickens?" Xu Xiaoshou listened to the echoes in the empty hall and shrugged with a smile. "What black chickens? That was my alchemy art, Hua girl. Isn't saying that a bit insulting to my Xu family alchemy techniques?"

"Xu family?" Hua Luo was furious. "So, your final condensing technique was also from the Xu family?"

Xu Xiaoshou raised an eyebrow, directly activating the Bagua Xiang Sheng Tu to block the view from upstairs, including from Xiao Wanfeng and others, and his expression turned serious.

"Hua girl..."

"Don't call me Hua girl!"

Hua Luo interrupted. She always felt that the way Xu Shao addressed her lacked respect.

But she couldn't pinpoint what was disrespectful—it just felt like he was teasing her.

"Alright, little Hua girl..."

"Call me Hua Luo!"

"We're not that familiar..." Xu Xiaoshou's words trailed off as the violent girl's glare cut him short. He sighed and said: "Fine, Hua Luo girl, what exactly do you want?"

Hua Luo wasn't skilled in alchemy, but her cultivation was strong, so she could sense the fluctuations of the spirit array around them.

Knowing no one was watching, she became bolder.

"Xu Xiaoshou!"

"Hmm?" Xu Xiaoshou was startled, as if taken aback. "Hua girl, you can't just say things like that. I'm the legitimate heir of the Bei Yu Tai Xiang Xu family..."

"Xu Shi Bo!" Hua Luo interrupted.

Xu Xiaoshou choked up.

Shi Bo...

That title...

"Why won't you acknowledge me?" Hua Luo was deeply saddened, unable to understand why.

Xu Xiaoshou's heart rippled, but his face remained expressionless: "Hua Luo girl, I'm truly curious—why do you keep mistaking me for your Xu Shi Bo? Just because of the surname? Are you sure you haven't got the wrong person?"

"I haven't got the wrong person..."

Hua Luo shook her head firmly and explained: "Others might not recognize the Jin Zhao Condensing Technique, but as a Jin Zhao successor, how could I not? You're clearly my master Bai Lian's senior brother, my grandmaster Mu Lin's senior brother Sang Qi Ye's disciple. Do you really think I'm that stupid and can't see anything?"

Hua Luo felt her intelligence was being insulted.

She might not be good at alchemy, but that didn't mean she had no brains.

Hearing this, Xu Xiaoshou sensed something was off.

This girl had come to claim kinship last time.

Now, after seeing the Jin Zhao Condensing Technique, she had become even more insistent.

But she didn't seem to be here to accuse or fight...

She also didn't appear to be an enemy...

At least, from their few interactions, this girl hadn't shown the cunning that Xu Xiaoshou had seen in those truly smart people.

Clearly, she wasn't playing dumb—she was just genuinely naive.

In that case, perhaps some things could be said openly.

"So, let me put it this way—I'm not the Xu Shi Bo you're talking about, but I don't mind hearing why you're so convinced that I am."

The young girl obviously wasn't very sharp, and she spilled everything at once.

She pulled a letter from her embrace.

"This letter is from my master Bai Lian to me. His task for me was to come down the mountain and find the successor of Sang Shi Zu's lineage—that's you, Xu Xiaoshou!"

"I've figured out the letter's intent during my time down the mountain. Sheng Nu Sang Qi Ye—that is, Sang Shi Zu—has already been captured by Sheng Shen Dian Tang, leaving you as the only one left wandering outside."

"I'm not stupid—how could I not realize that this letter isn't really from my master, but from my grandmaster Mu Lin, or even Grandmaster Jin Zhao Ban Sheng?"

"His disciple Sang Qi Ye rebelled from Sheng Gong a long time ago."

"But you haven't—on the surface, there's no evidence pointing to you as Sang Qi Ye's disciple. You're just a Jin Zhao successor wandering outside, someone who hasn't returned to Sheng Gong."

"Grandmaster wants you to come home. Once you're home, you'll be safe, but why won't you acknowledge me? Why won't you come home?"

Hua Luo was getting anxious as she spoke.

What she couldn't understand most was that if Xu Shi Bo just agreed, Sheng Gong could protect him easily—there were so many excuses.

But he just kept refusing—what was he planning?

Xu Xiaoshou fell silent after listening.

He finally understood Hua Luo's true intention.

So, that line from Sang old man before blocking the arrows—"Your next backer, Long Rong Zhi"—meant something like this?

"Can I take a look at this letter?" Xu Xiaoshou asked solemnly, looking at the envelope.

Hua Luo quickly withdrew her hand, her face full of suspicion: "No, you can only see it if you confirm that you're my Xu Shi Bo."

What a foolish girl—how can you still think you're not stupid at this point... Xu Xiaoshou was frustrated.

Is this really a Jin Zhao successor?

Did Jin Zhao's white flames burn your wits?

If you got the wrong person, wouldn't you be confessing everything to a stranger right now—and even handing over the biggest evidence that Sheng Gong is shielding dark forces?

It's a good thing you found the right person... Xu Xiaoshou grumbled inwardly.

He didn't know if Hua Luo was just foolishly lucky or something else.

Such naivety, yet she had managed to find the real person.

But...

Should he take this letter? Should he read it?