"I understand." Zhou Long nodded solemnly.
Since the young master didn't want him to follow, there must be a deeper meaning behind it.
He only needed to handle the part assigned to him by the young master.
Zhou Long's gaze became increasingly resolute. Unifying the surrounding islands? He would undoubtedly accomplish it!
As the group discussed, Bibi Dong emerged from the farm's courtyard.
Seeing a group of elderly men gathered around Ye Tian, Bibi Dong covered her mouth and laughed, saying:
"Am I interrupting your meeting?"
"Sister, you're joking," Ye Tian replied with a smile. "What's there to interrupt in our meetings?"
"Yes, just some business matters," Chen Jian said, trying to ease the atmosphere.
Bibi Dong shot a glance at Chen Jian, then walked up to Ye Tian with a sly smile.
"Xiao Tian, you have so many talented people around you. Why not introduce a few to Spirit Hall?"
"I'm seriously short on talent under my command."
At this, a hint of vigilance flashed in Chen Jian's eyes.
Before Ye Tian could respond, Chen Jian answered directly, "Pope Bibi Dong, we old folks are already at the age for retirement. Right now, we only manage to make a modest living under Young Master Ye Tian's favor. High positions and generous salaries in Spirit Hall don't suit us at all."
Trying to annex the young master's forces?
Absolutely impossible! Chen Jian thought to himself.
Despite Chen Jian's firm refusal, Bibi Dong didn't show any anger.
She smiled at Ye Tian. "As expected of your subordinates. Even their temperament mirrors yours."
"Birds of a feather flock together!" Ye Tian chuckled.
"People with similar interests are naturally drawn to one another."
"To be honest, Spirit Hall already has many talented individuals. While it may seem like we lack them, most of our talents are simply undiscovered."
"In that case, when I return to Spirit City, I'll count on you, Xiao Tian, to help your sister identify them," Bibi Dong said.
"No problem," Ye Tian patted his chest and assured her.
"Xiao Tian, where is Yu Tianheng being held? I think it's time to release him," Bibi Dong brought up Yu Tianheng's matter again.
Through her spies, she had learned of an impending negotiation between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire.
Thus, releasing Yu Tianheng would further strain relations between the Star Luo Empire and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, complicating the situation.
This would create a period of infighting and stalling among the various factions.
Moreover, Bibi Dong wasn't concerned that Yu Tianheng had recognized her.
No one would believe the words of someone deemed a criminal.
Even if the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan believed him, the Heaven Dou Empire would dismiss such claims as nonsense.
Ye Tian smiled faintly. "He's being held in the cellar of the storage room. Elder Chen, send someone to bring him here."
"Understood," Chen Jian replied and left.
Before long, Yu Tianheng, with vacant eyes, was brought before Ye Tian and the others.
Although his cultivation remained intact, he lacked any strength or will to resist.
As the two guards let go of him, Yu Tianheng collapsed to the ground.
Gone was his former arrogance, replaced by a lifeless expression.
"What happened? Haven't they been giving him meals?" Ye Tian asked with doubt, finding it hard to believe his subordinates would be so cruel.
"Reporting to Young Master, all his meals were delivered without fail, but he suspected they were poisoned and refused to eat."
"Nonsense, Ye! If you truly have compassion, just give me a quick death!"
Yu Tianheng, his eyes reddened with hatred, shouted furiously.
"And you, Bibi Dong! One day, you and your Spirit Hall will be annihilated by the iron fist of righteous soul masters!"
"Facing death, and still so defiant. At least you have some backbone," Bibi Dong said, narrowing her eyes.
Yu Tianheng snorted coldly. "As the young master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, I act with integrity. How could I lack backbone?"
"If you acted with integrity, you wouldn't have caused trouble for me. You wouldn't have ended up here," Ye Tian retorted.
"Bah! Who do you think you are! Colluding with Spirit Hall—you'll be despised by all soul masters!"
Yu Tianheng continued angrily, venting his frustrations in the face of death.
Hearing this, Zhou Long became furious.
"How dare you insult the young master!"
"Young Master, toss this brat into the volcano behind the farm. That will ensure he's disposed of cleanly," Zhou Long suggested.
Chen Jian gave Yu Tianheng a cold glare. "Let's see if you're still so defiant when you're staring into bubbling lava!"
Yu Tianheng broke out in cold sweat.
Although his upbringing made him value his reputation more than life, he wasn't fearless.
In fact, these days had been consumed by constant fear for his life.
Ultimately, only one word echoed in his mind: death.
Captured by Spirit Hall's Pope, he saw no hope of survival.
Perhaps his life had been spared temporarily due to Ye Tian's wedding and to avoid tarnishing the joyous occasion.
Now that the wedding was over, his time had come.
The thought made Yu Tianheng's legs tremble.
Still, he clenched his jaw tightly, even biting his tongue to resist the urge to beg for mercy.
If he surrendered now, his faith would shatter.
Even if he survived, he would merely be a walking corpse.
Ignoring Zhou Long's protests, Ye Tian approached Yu Tianheng and squatted down.
"It seems you have a strong desire to live," Ye Tian remarked.
Yu Tianheng closed his eyes, clasping his hands tightly together, as if refusing to hear.
"I won't kill a coward like you."
"You're free to go."
Ye Tian stood and casually waved his hand.
At these words, Yu Tianheng's eyes flew open, filled with disbelief.
Impossible!
Ye Tian letting me go?
This must be a joke!
Surely his experts were ready to strike me down the moment I fled like a fool!
Overwhelmed by these thoughts, Yu Tianheng froze.
"You'd better leave quickly. Otherwise, I might change my mind," Ye Tian said.
Yu Tianheng glanced at Bibi Dong, his eyes widening again.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was a thorn in Spirit Hall's side.
Even if Ye Tian spared him, how could Bibi Dong let him go?
But Bibi Dong simply turned her head away, as if Yu Tianheng was nothing more than air.
Yu Tianheng dared not linger.
Afraid that Ye Tian might go back on his word, he seized this chance to live.
Summoning his survival instinct, Yu Tianheng struggled to his feet.
With a complex look in his eyes, he glanced at Ye Tian and Bibi Dong before sprinting toward the farm's exit.
He had to survive!
…
Watching Yu Tianheng's fading figure, Zhou Long looked puzzled. "In his current state, can he even make it back to the Star Luo Empire?"
"That's where you underestimate intelligence networks," a man called Thirteen, who had appeared unnoticed, explained with a smile. "For a clan as powerful as the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, they must have intelligence networks in every major city on the continent."
"As the young master, Yu Tianheng must know of these."
"So, once he leaves the farm, returning to the Star Luo Empire shouldn't be too difficult."
"Oh? Does that mean your intelligence network also spans the entire continent?"
Bibi Dong's curious gaze fell on Thirteen.
Thirteen, perhaps the most mysterious of Ye Tian's subordinates, possessed a spirit ring configuration even more terrifying than hers as the Pope.
And his intelligence skills were astonishing.
Thirteen chuckled awkwardly. "You'd have to ask the young master about that. I don't know much."
Knowing what not to say was the first rule of an intelligence operative.
"Alright, Sister, stop prying into Thirteen's business," Ye Tian interjected, helping to change the subject.
(End of Chapter)
Guys, my country has been in state of war since last night and my city is on the borders so my update schedule has been very unstable. I apologize for that. And I am not sure when everything will get to normal so I request you all to be patient with me! Also I would appreciate it if you guys will support me financially in the times of crisis! Thank you!
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