Chapter 555 - 484: Seeking an Ally, A Test of Worth?

Chapter 555: Chapter 484: Seeking an Ally, A Test of Worth?

Chi Weixuan, a core disciple of the Jade Void Sword Sect and a Late-stage Golden Core cultivator.

He had led a fleet of ships on a mission when he supposedly stumbled upon the Far South Continent by accident, taking control of the port to procure some necessary supplies.

The above was the Jade Void Sword Sect’s official statement on the matter.

But as everyone knew, officials spoke with a forked tongue. In a world where the rule of law meant so little, it would be an understatement to say that such official proclamations were nothing but blatant lies that twisted the truth.

’The Sword Sect’s secret mission? Hah... A mission for the Jade Void Sword Sect took them all the way south, to the Far South Continent? And they just so happened to land at Hope Port?’

’You’ve got to be kidding me.’

’And that last wretched survivor from the Chu Family... he certainly gave me a little surprise...’

Su Ye sat enthroned on his high dais, his eyes glinting. A pure white Communication Talisman danced between his fingertips like a gliding fish.

The intelligence networks of the Nanyaoguang Corporation and the Flame Alliance had provided him with a wealth of reliable information. After collating the reports, he had pieced together a general outline of the situation.

Chu Jiangyuan had escaped and thrown in his lot with Chi Weixuan, offering up intelligence on the Far South Continent as his way in.

Chi Weixuan coveted the Far South Continent, so the two hit it off immediately. They struck a deal to leverage the power of the Sword Sect, interfere in the continent’s affairs, and forcibly carve out a piece of Su Ye’s profits.

’These damn hyenas. I ought to skin them alive...’

Su Ye’s expression was grim, a cold, murderous intent surfacing in his eyes.

He had long considered the Far South Continent his own sacred, inviolable domain. The Jade Void Sword Sect daring to encroach upon it naturally infuriated him.

But.

He was also well aware.

’What’s done is done. With the arrival of Chi Weixuan’s fleet, the Far South Continent’s exposure is now inevitable.’

’The Jade Void Sword Sect, the True Treasure Pavilion, the Profound Light Cave... and other sects from the inner sea, even the Loose Cultivators, will all learn that a new continent has appeared south of the Yaoguang Islands.’

’Sigh...’

Even though he had been mentally prepared for this possibility, the thought still brought a pang of sorrow to Su Ye.

This meant that from now on, it would be nearly impossible for him to continue using his monopoly to have the Nanyaoguang Corporation efficiently rake in profits as it had before.

By now, he had a profound understanding of the interests the Far South Continent represented.

The idea that he could rely on his Golden Core cultivation to develop the Far South Continent while maintaining a monopoly—as he had in the past—was simply naive.

Even if every living thing and all its resources vanished from the continent, a single fifth-tier Spirit Vein alone would be enough to make any sect from the inner sea see red with greed!

’To maintain the Nanyaoguang Corporation’s monopoly over the Far South Continent... even if I revealed my true strength, I wouldn’t be strong enough...’

Su Ye sighed, pressing a hand to his forehead.

If he went all out, his power was equivalent to that of a weaker Early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

But what right did a weak Early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator have to monopolize an entire continent?

And so, having confirmed that his current strength was nowhere near enough to maintain his monopoly over the Far South Continent, Su Ye steeled his resolve.

’An ally!’

’I need an ally!’

Su Ye knew he still held some advantages.

The Nanyaoguang Corporation—a well-established force that had been developing the Far South Continent under his leadership for decades—was an asset of considerable value.

For any power that wanted to expand into the Far South Continent, the assistance of the Nanyaoguang Corporation would, without a doubt, make the endeavor significantly less difficult.

It would grant them an immediate, decisive first-mover advantage!

Therefore, the Nanyaoguang Corporation was an excellent bargaining chip in his hand.

Having identified his bargaining chip, the next question was who to choose as an ally... and for Su Ye, this was not a difficult problem.

Li Jinhua.

The proud and graceful Golden-eyed Dragon Maiden.

From any perspective, she was the best choice.

A Nascent Soul True Monarch, one of the Seven Sages of the True Treasure Pavilion, the Dragon Maiden of Cangyuan Dragon Palace... this last identity was especially important.

It meant that behind her stood the Cangyuan Dragon Monarch, a figure whose power was comparable to a Late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Even though he had remained dormant for many years and rarely made a move, no one would dare question his strength.

’Besides, Li Jinhua and I have a decent relationship.’

This was very important!

After all.

He called it ’choosing an ally,’ but subconsciously, Su Ye knew that was just putting a positive spin on it.

In reality, wasn’t it more like he was seeking shelter with a powerful faction to gain their protection?

Or, to put it in more palatable terms, was he like a promising startup that had achieved some success and was now accepting an investment from a major corporation?

In a situation like that, his personal connection with Li Jinhua became crucial.

’After all... if someone wanted the Nanyaoguang Corporation’s help, they could just take it over by force...’ Su Ye sighed. The high-level cultivators of this world were truly ill-mannered.

They see a faction someone else has painstakingly built, one that’s turning a handsome profit, and they immediately think of using their own power to seize it, to play a winner-take-all game with no respect for private property whatsoever!

—So said Yehai of the Flame Alliance, the very man who had seized Weiyuan Immortal City by force and trickery.

...

With his plan settled, Su Ye activated the Communication Talisman.

As a highly favored prospective core disciple of the True Treasure Pavilion, he had the privilege of contacting Li Jinhua directly. She had given him a High-Tier Communication Talisman, allowing for convenient, real-time messaging.

It could even display a live image, just like the video calls from his past life.

BUZZ.

The Communication Talisman activated, forming a screen of light.

Li Jinhua’s figure appeared within the light screen. She was as regal and graceful as ever, lounging languidly on a plush divan. Her golden, slitted pupils—the eyes of an apex predator—shone with an amber glow.