"Seven-colored Heaven-devouring Python?
Interesting. "
After her attack was blocked, the Phantom let out an unexpected snort. Shortly after, she shot out a strange gaze and leaped towards Xiao Xiaocai.
The Phantom's speed was extremely fast. Even Xiao Xiaocai couldn't help but turn pale. In the face of danger, her delicate body suddenly shone brightly. Seven-colored snake scales appeared on her icy skin, revealing her true form.
"Who is this person?
He is actually able to force the sect master's adopted daughter to this extent? "
Ling Xiao was extremely shocked. One had to know that in the past year, no one had ever been able to force Xiao Xiaocai to reveal her true form. But this person actually did it?
And from the looks of it, even Xiao Xiaocai's true form might not be his match.
"When did such an expert appear in the Empire?"
Xiu!
When Xiao Xiaocai felt threatened, the silent Qin Shi finally moved. He stepped forward and protected Xiao Xiaocai behind him.
Facing this Phantom, he didn't dare to be careless. "Divine Son Technique!"
"Meteor Tyrant Body Technique!"
As the two techniques were activated, his black eyes widened exaggeratedly. A complicated hand seal was formed in front of his chest and a black sun shot towards the approaching Phantom. "Phantom Amaterasu!"
Rumble!
The explosion caused the surrounding clouds to disperse. Only then did Qin Shi say coldly, "Boss Yuan, Xiao Xiaocai is my adopted daughter. Aren't you being a little too disloyal by treating your old friend's adopted daughter in such a manner?"
"Haha, have I been recognized?"
The Phantom floated in the air. His palm was injured by the black sun. He couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "Is this the seventh rank martial technique from back then?
It is indeed powerful. "
After speaking, the Phantom took off his bamboo hat, revealing the middle-aged man's face. From his serious expression, it wasn't hard to notice that he was emitting an extraordinary aura.
"It is indeed you." Staring at the middle-aged man, Qin Shi narrowed his eyes.
He wasn't unfamiliar with this person. On the contrary, he was very familiar with him. After all, in the Crimson Flame Empire, there were only a few people that he cared about. And this person in front of him was one of them.
"Sect Master, you know him?" Ling Xiao asked curiously.
Qin Shi nodded with a smile and said, "Yes. You should also know that this person's reputation in the Empire is comparable to Hua Ling."
"What?
Can he fight with Hua Ling? "
The elders of the Qin Sect clicked their tongues. Hua Ling was once the number one of the Crimson Flames. Who could look down on Hua Ling?
"Who is this person?"
"The head of the Doorless Auction House, Yuan Bo, Boss Yuan." Qin Shi brought out the identity of the middle-aged man. Ling Xiao and the others suddenly understood and looked at Yuan Bo with a weird expression.
Everyone knew that the Gateless Auction House was the biggest auction house in the Empire of Red Flames. It was located in every corner of the Imperial City. Furthermore, the Gateless Auction House had a huge network of connections. Back in Lotus City, it was obvious that the Gateless Auction House wasn't afraid of the Dark Palace in the Eastern Region.
Qin Shi glanced at Yuan Bo from head to toe, slightly shocked.
He clearly remembered that the last time he saw Yuan Bo, Yuan Bo was only at the First Level of the Heaven Realm, but now he had reached the peak of the Third Heaven Realm, and there was even a faint hint of him breaking through to the Fourth Heaven Realm.
"Hoho. Boss Yuan, it has been a few months since we last met. Looks like you are glowing with glory. No wonder the outside world is full of mystery about you," Qin Shi broke the silence.
"What are you talking about? Compared to Sect Master Qin, I am far inferior. In just half a year, Sect Master Qin has replaced Hua Ling and is about to become a legend of the empire." Yuan Bo shook his head humbly.
Gazing at Yuan Bo, Qin Shi felt an extreme sense of oppression coming from Yuan Bo. This sense of oppression didn't come from Yuan Bo's cultivation. Instead, it came from Yuan Bo's aura. "Boss Yuan, you haven't been following me for so long just to brag about me, right?"
"Haha, nothing can be hidden from Sect Master Qin."
Yuan Bo undeniably spread his hands. "I'm here to discuss something with you, Leader Qin."
"What is it? Boss Yuan, just say it. Don't call me sect master. We are all friends. Boss Yuan has helped me before, right?" Qin Shi said politely.
"Hoho, at least you have some conscience."
Boss Yuan nodded satisfactorily. "Actually, I am not here for anything important. I just want to talk about cooperation."
"Cooperation?" Qin Shi was interested. "What kind of cooperation?"
"As you know, my Gateless Auction House has always been neutral in the Red Flame Empire. But that is because the Red Flame Empire is divided into five forces. As a businessman who doesn't do anything without benefits, I don't want to be involved in the sect wars. But now, it is different. Now, the empire is dominated by your Qin Sect. Even the Dark Palace and the royal family have allied with you. Of course, I have to find a way to climb on your high branch and seek protection," Yuan Bo said flatteringly.
For some reason, Qin Shi had a strange feeling when he heard Yuan Bo's flattery. But after looking at Yuan Bo's face for a long time, he couldn't find any clues. Thus, he could only say with a smile, "Brother, aren't you treating me like an outsider? Haven't the Qin Sect and the Gateless Auction House always been friends and allies?"
Yuan Bo was stunned at first. Then, he said with relief, "Of course. But I think our relationship can be further improved, right?"
"Further improved?" Qin Shi frowned.
"That's right. Right now, the Qin Sect is in charge of the South, West, and North Regions. They also control more than half of the East Regions. However, I heard that the Qin Sect doesn't seem to have any assets of its own. It's still relying on its original foundation and your personal contributions to maintain it. I think that with your ability as a Soul Incantation Charm Master, maintaining a sect shouldn't be a problem. However, you have to know that this isn't a long-term plan.
What about when the time comes?
What about the Qin Sect? "Yuan Bo's words shocked everyone. Ling Xiao and the others at the side became solemn.
Yuan Bo was right. This had always been the Qin Sect's weakness. Previously, when they were in the North Region, the Qin Sect didn't need any property. With the wealth Qin Shi earned from wandering outside, it was enough to support a sect in a third-grade city for more than a hundred years. But now, it was different. The Qin Sect was the biggest power in Crimson Flame City. Its daily consumption was in the tens of millions.
Moreover, even if he could continue to provide, it wouldn't last forever. He needed the Qin Sect. It was natural for him to invest in the early stage, but it couldn't be endless. Otherwise, the Qin Sect wouldn't be able to support him. Instead, it would become a burden.
Qin Shi had long thought about what Yuan Bo said. That was why he recruited He Yan and the people from the Alchemist Association. But nothing could be accomplished without rules. He couldn't make ends meet just by relying on the income of these people.
That was why Qin Shi was so busy these days. He originally wanted to leave the empire and explore, but that was also why he was trapped in the Qin Sect.
"Boss Yuan, what do you mean?" Qin Shi asked. "Haha.
It's very simple. The cooperation between the Qin Sect and the Gateless Auction House is a business cooperation. As the biggest sect, the Qin Sect can protect us while the Gateless Auction House should have a lot of rare treasures. As long as we work hard, I think we can earn a considerable amount of wealth. Brother Qin, what do you think? "Yuan Bo expressed his thoughts.
Hearing that, the eyes of Ling Xiao and the others lit up.
"Sect Leader, this is a good idea. There are thousands of auctions in the Gateless Auction every year. Every auction has a considerable amount of profit. If we can join forces with them, we won't have to worry about the Qin Sect's economic problems anymore," Ling Xiao said excitedly.
Qin Shi considered for a while and didn't reply immediately.
Logically speaking, the cooperation was definitely beneficial to the Qin Sect. But Qin Shi couldn't figure it out. With the current situation of the Gateless Auction House, there was no need for them to cooperate with outsiders. In the business circle, even the Qin Sect couldn't shake them. Why would Boss Yuan let the Qin Sect have a bite of such a big bowl of delicious soup?
Was he really seeking protection?
No, Qin Shi was sure that was impossible.
"Brother, what do you think?" Yuan Bo asked again.
Qin Shi couldn't figure it out, so he had to restrain his thoughts. No matter what the reason was, at least it was beneficial to the Qin Sect. He nodded and said, "In that case, thank you, Boss Yuan. I will arrange the relevant disciples to visit the Gateless Auction House in the next few days. How about we talk about it in detail then?"
Yuan Bo laughed happily, "Good. I hope we can have a pleasant cooperation. I will welcome the people of the Qin Sect at the Gateless Auction House."
"Let's have a pleasant cooperation."
After the cooperation was settled, Qin Shi didn't waste any time and directly rushed back to the imperial city.
The moment he entered the imperial city, Qin Shi spread out his spiritual energy. After making sure no one was following him, he said to Ling Xiao, "Elder Ling Xiao, help me investigate the Gateless Auction House in the next few days. I want to know the background of the Gateless Auction House and the identity of Yuan Bo."
"Um?
Sect Leader, do you think there is something wrong with him? "
"It can't be said to be a problem, but the feeling he gives me is very different. Just now, I saw a scheming look in his eyes. It was as if he had already predicted everything, including the financial situation of my Qin Sect. Nothing can be hidden from him," Qin Shi said solemnly.
Ling Xiao was surprised. Since the end of the war between the empires, Qin Shi hadn't shown such an expression for a long time. He couldn't help but agree solemnly, "Okay. I will send someone to investigate in the next few days."
"Um. Remember to be careful. Don't let him find you. After all, we are partners now. After the sect stabilizes, I think you will leave. At that time, the financial problems of the Qin Sect will depend on him," Qin Shi reminded and didn't say anything more.
When they returned to the imperial city, it was already midnight.
Qin Shi said goodbye to Ling Xiao and hurried back to the imperial garden.
He had promised Yu Luocha that he would return before tonight.
However, when he returned to the imperial garden, Yu Luocha wasn't there. This made him very worried, "Did something happen to Luocha?"
Thinking of this, he immediately shook his head, "Impossible. This is the empire. Father, Mother, Grandfather, Little Yu, and Concubine Lin are all here. Nothing should have happened."
At this time, he suddenly frowned. A figure had entered his detection range.
"Get down here!"
Locking onto the figure, he turned his palm, and a golden chain of spirit energy pierced into the sky, binding the figure in an instant.
Bang!
This figure was a young man. He didn't even have the chance to react. Just as he was bound by the golden chain, he was pulled down by Qin Shi and fell to the ground.
"Speak. Who are you? Why are you here in the middle of the night?" Because of Yu Luocha, Qin Shi said fiercely.
"Sect Leader Qin, don't do this. I am Concubine Lin's man."
The young man was frightened. He retreated while trembling and said, "Concubine Lin, Concubine Lin asked me to find you. She wants you to come back to the palace with me quickly."
"So late?
Why is Concubine Lin looking for me? "Qin Shi was still vigilant. However, the young man's next sentence made all his defenses collapse.