Translator: Anubis Translations
The Jade Maiden Sect was an officially recognized organization within the Sunset Glow Sect's outer sect, with a designated area of their own. They had constructed a building there for cultivation purposes.
The building spanned an entire acre, exuding an air of grandeur.
As Gu Feng and Yan Xixi stepped through the gates, they were greeted by a charming female cultivator.
"Oh, if it isn't my former junior brother! What brings you here?"
"Senior Sister, I've come today to discuss a significant business opportunity with Senior Sister Qi," Gu Feng replied with a smile.
The female cultivator eyed him suspiciously. "This isn't another scheme to rob someone, is it? The Jade Maiden Sect is a respectable organization. We don't engage in such activities."
"Ahem, you've misunderstood, Senior Sister. I assure you, this is entirely legitimate," Gu Feng said, clearing his throat.
"How legitimate? Enlighten me," the female cultivator said, casting a flirtatious glance at Gu Feng, which made Yan Xixi puff up with irritation.
"Very legitimate. If we can reach an agreement, I guarantee you'll earn two hundred thousand spirit stones."
At the mention of such a sum, the female cultivator's eyes lit up. Two hundred thousand spirit stones was no small amount. "Wait here for a moment. I'll fetch Senior Sister Qi."
It didn't take long for the female cultivator to return, but Qi Tingting was notably absent.
"Senior Sister Qi doesn't want to see you. She says you can relay your message through me."
"Uh—" Gu Feng was momentarily taken aback. "Is Senior Sister Qi in a bad mood?"
"Who knows?" the female cultivator shrugged.
"Alright, then I'll explain it to you. Please relay this to her. Time is of the essence, and you'll need to decide quickly whether to proceed."
Gu Feng then glossed over some key details, focusing instead on the copywriting business he proposed.
The female cultivator's mouth fell open in astonishment, her eyes sparkling with amazement. She was utterly stunned.
Despite the Jade Maiden Sect's large numbers, their ability to generate income was lackluster. Their primary source of revenue came from teaming up to hunt demonic beasts in exchange for spirit stones—a grueling and dangerous endeavor. After accounting for cultivation expenses, their monthly net profit barely reached one or two million spirit stones.
What Gu Feng was proposing could earn them two hundred thousand spirit stones in a single night, with absolutely no risk involved. It was an opportunity too good to pass up.
"Wait here. I'll go inform Senior Sister Qi immediately," the female cultivator said, her excitement palpable as she rushed toward the inner hall.
In the inner hall, two figures sat facing each other, sipping tea.
"Sect Leader, you shouldn't have given the Solitary Yang chapter of the 'Jade Illusion Scripture' to Gu Feng! He's not the right candidate. It would've been better to let Shu Yuheng cultivate it," Qi Tingting said, her brow furrowed. Shu Yuheng, the second-ranked prodigy on the outer sect's genius ranking, was the name she mentioned.
"I don't like Shu Yuheng," Chu Youhuan replied coolly.
"What about Gu Feng?" Qi Tingting pressed.
"You're placing too much significance on this. At the time, I simply couldn't bear to see him perish on the spot, that's all.
He triggered a thunder tribulation just by breaking through to Qi Refinement. His Myriad Tribulations Physique is worse than any previous generation's. It's unlikely he'll ever reach a level where he can be of help to me.
Besides, I only gave him the Qi Refinement chapter of the 'Jade Illusion Scripture.' If I don't give him the subsequent chapters, he'll have no choice but to switch cultivation methods."
Hearing this, Qi Tingting felt a weight lift off her chest.
Just then, the female cultivator who had been speaking with Gu Feng entered.
"Sect Leader, Senior Sister Qi, here's what Gu Feng proposed..."
The female cultivator quickly relayed the details, then stood quietly, awaiting their decision.
"Did you say the list is called the 'Robbery Guide'?" Chu Youhuan asked, her expression peculiar.
"Yes!" the female cultivator nodded.
"That kid's really raking it in!" Chu Youhuan chuckled, then began to explain further.
Qi Tingting was utterly shocked. What kind of money-making ability was this?
Not only had he collected protection fees, but he was also selling a Robbery Guide, effectively double-dipping.
Based on the number of names on the list, Gu Feng could earn nearly eight million spirit stones in just a few days—equivalent to half a year's income for the Jade Maiden Sect.
"Tingting, go negotiate with him. Buy out his Robbery Guide, including the copying and selling rights!
He's eating the meat; we'll settle for the broth," Chu Youhuan said, a sly glint in her beautiful eyes.
"Understood, I'll handle it!" Qi Tingting immediately stood up. The potential profits were enormous. If the deal went through, this single business venture could match the Jade Maiden Sect's monthly income.
It had to succeed.
...
"Senior Sister Qi, will you take on this business or not? Time is of the essence!"
As Qi Tingting emerged, Gu Feng greeted her with a smile.
"Is this your current flame?" Qi Tingting asked, her gaze flickering toward Yan Xixi, her tone cold.
Yan Xixi's face flushed with embarrassment, which only deepened Qi Tingting's displeasure.
"We'll take it, of course!"
"Fantastic! To show my sincerity, I'm willing to pay a portion of the deposit upfront."
"How much are you planning to sell the Robbery Guide for?"
"Twenty spirit stones per copy. No discounts, no bargaining!" Gu Feng replied honestly, a mischievous smile in his eyes.
"You're ruthless. Selling a list for twenty spirit stones is even more outrageous than robbery," Qi Tingting glared at him.
"Heh," Gu Feng chuckled awkwardly.
"The Jade Maiden Sect intends to buy out your Robbery Guide, including the copying and selling rights!"
"This..." Gu Feng hesitated, stuttering.
"What? Have you forgotten who gave you your cultivation method?"
"Fine, what price is the Jade Maiden Sect offering for the buyout?" Gu Feng probed.
"Five million!" Qi Tingting thought for a moment before spitting out the figure.
"Five million? You're earning a hundred thousand a month, and you want to buy it out for five million? That's no different from robbery!"
Before Gu Feng could respond, Yan Xixi, standing beside him, was already fuming, her eyes wide with indignation.
"Stay out of this, kid. This is business between me and my former junior brother," Qi Tingting said with a dismissive wave.
The price was indeed outrageous, but she was confident Gu Feng would agree.
"Gu Feng, don't agree to this. The Jade Maiden Sect is just trying to rob you of your spirit stones."
"I know," Gu Feng whispered, calming Yan Xixi's agitation, then turned back to Qi Tingting.
Before he could speak, she continued.
"Sigh—our Sect Leader really must have been blind to give such a precious cultivation method to someone so stingy. What a waste!"
Qi Tingting's barbed words left Gu Feng thoroughly embarrassed.
Clenching his teeth, he said, "Five million it is, then. A one-time buyout... but I've already promised ten thousand copies to Tuoba Lei. You'll have to buy his batch at five spirit stones per copy."
"Deal!" Qi Tingting smiled triumphantly.
Qi Tingting returned to the inner hall and immediately informed Chu Youhuan of the agreement.
"Hahaha, Sect Leader, you should've seen the constipated look on Gu Feng's face. It was priceless!"
"Five million is indeed too low. I wouldn't have agreed to it," Chu Youhuan also smiled.
"With this, the Jade Maiden Sect will earn at least an extra million spirit stones each month.
But it seems we're short on spirit stones!" Qi Tingting said, somewhat troubled.
"I'll cover the shortfall. If that's not enough, I'll borrow the rest!"
The Jade Maiden Sect had three million spirit stones in storage, along with materials for crafting and alchemy. Adding Chu Youhuan's personal savings and some borrowed funds, they managed to scrape together five million.
Soon, both parties signed the relevant agreement, with Gu Feng adding some force majeure clauses.
TL/N: A force majeure clause is a provision in a contract that frees both parties from liability or obligation when an extraordinary event or circumstance beyond their control occurs. These events typically include natural disasters (like earthquakes, floods, or hurricanes), wars, strikes, pandemics, or other unforeseen situations that prevent one or both parties from fulfilling their contractual obligations.
With five million spirit stones in hand, Gu Feng left satisfied.
Qi Tingting and Chu Youhuan were equally pleased.
"Gu Feng, you've made a terrible deal. They're just using the cultivation method to extort you!" Yan Xixi said indignantly. "We shouldn't have approached the Jade Maiden Sect in the first place."
Gu Feng flashed a toothy grin but remained silent.
Yan Xixi was all too familiar with that expression. Whenever Gu Feng looked like that, it usually meant he was either in the process of or planning to swindle someone.
"There's a trick to this?"
"Don't you think a sect would take action against someone like me, who's disrupting the rules?" Gu Feng whispered.
"Based on my estimation, this business will only last this month, at most twice. After that, Elder Liu will definitely summon me for a 'chat.'"
Hearing this, Yan Xixi's face lit up with joy. "So, the Jade Maiden Sect's buyout is essentially a lost cause. They're likely to lose several million spirit stones!!"
"That depends on their luck. It's not like I forced them to buy it out," Gu Feng said with a shrug.
"Ha, you're too much. You've swindled them out of five million spirit stones. I bet it's drained their coffers completely!"
"Business is risky. Can you blame me?"
(End of the Chapter)
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