"A seat at the table?" The beautiful blonde woman frowned slightly, tapping her sharp fingernails painted in a frosty violet. Her words prompted the others to exchange glances, sending brief spiritual transmissions amongst themselves.
"Just for the Concoction Method?" Shui Yu, the sole Grand Mortal Sovereign Alchemist of the Golden Life Pavilion, the foremost authority on alchemy within the Golden Life Pavilion, and teacher of countless alchemic talents, asked with a wisp of ridicule. While the Neo-Dawn Eclipse Pill's concoction method would save them some time, this was insignificant compared to a seat at this table. They ran the most successful business enterprise of the entire Grand Cyclic Stellar Region.
It wasn't so simple that a ninth-grade product, convention-breaking or not, was capable of buying its way into. There were more frowns than anything as everyone considered this matter seriously. While some dismissed the possibility, they were all businessmen.
A Golden Meeting was a venue for discussions and thus for open negotiations. It would be foolish for a businessman to treat it as a joke and not a starting point. Since Sheng Jizi had summoned them, calling forth the 87th Golden Meeting, there was definitely more to this.
The beautiful blonde-haired woman's tapping ceased. She gave Sheng Jizi a look, "Who's obtaining the seat?"
"..." They all realized that they had neglected to determine this, and when they looked to Sheng Jizi to see his faint smile, they realized therein lies the complexity of this issue. Even Shui Yu wiped away his disdain, replacing it with a solemn frown.
There were three likely possibilities:
Firstly, Xue Yifei, the Dragonborn Saintess, wished to obtain a seat herself, using her husband's method as a gift due to his love for her. This might seem like getting Wei Wuyin's favor, but he was far removed from the situation. This was the option they all considered, not taking it seriously. Xue Yifei might have the backing of Wei Wuyin, but this wouldn't translate to being able to offer enough to justify her taking the spot.
Secondly, Wei Wuyin himself. This was a little complex to consider. It was, at this point, largely believed by everyone that Wei Wuyin had the backing of a mysterious force. Furthermore, he had at least two Earthly Saints acting in his pocket. While the strange Earthly Saint that fought against the Tang Clan was undetermined in origins and purpose, Wu Yu, the Grand Knight of Neo-Dawn, was his publicly acknowledged Alchemic Knight.
However, the incoming reports about Wei Wuyin's True Element Sect's visit had detailed using the Fire Phoenix as a mount. This made sense as the Fire Phoenix had only arrived recently, and it was a beast with the strength of a Demi-Mortal Lord. Considering the difficulties for the beast to cultivate, and no one discovered her Nirvanic Transformations, it was definitely not a part of the Grand Cyclic Stellar Region prior. It likely came as he came.
This option was still a little tenuous but acceptable. Wei Wuyin was a mortal; he had potential and an Earthly Saint at his beck and call. He would be a useful addition if he developed in the right track.
But the third option was the one they all didn't wish to see, especially the leadership. There wasn't a single person here who didn't know the story about the King of Everlore and the Godpill Association. Long ago, the Godpill Association was the foremost authority on Alchemy, led by none other than the Evergod himself. The legendary, unfathomably talented King of Everlore arrived, growing in reputation and means, breaking records and generating all sorts of unconventional products that skyrocketed the region, and then took over the Godpill Association.
It was now named the Everlore Association, the Evergod reduced to a vice Association Master even after thousands of years of the King of Everlore's continued absence. It was quite…
If Wei Wuyin's mysterious backing decided to use this as a way to worm their way into the Golden Life Pavilion, chances were…it'll be the Golden Neo-Dawn Pavilion very soon. If rules were reshuffled, their interests might be outright threatened, lessened, or stripped from them. Inviting a tiger into their homes was a folly of unparalleled idiocy. A folly they were unwilling to perform.
Sheng Jizi could understand all their thoughts and concerns, so he alleviated their worries by explaining: "The Dragonborn Saintess seeks the seat, not Wei Wuyin or those behind him."
The Golden Councilmen all had varying expressions, most leaning heavily on disapproval. Xue Yifei might be a Saintess, her talents exceptional, her feats great for her age, but she was just a mortal with very little to offer except the youngling dragon that stood behind her. The Neo-Dawn Eclipse Pill's concoction method was exceptional, and they wanted it greatly, but the ask was too much.
"This might be to our benefit," the blonde-haired woman resumed her table-tapping, her clear light-green eyes looking at Sheng Jizi. "While Xue Yifei has no prospects of growth as of now, she could grow. Crucially, she would have to contribute in accordance with the rules or else be expelled, and her placement isn't a threat to our interests, unlike the uncertainty of Wei Wuyin. Moreover…"
Shui Yu chimed in at this point, adding: "She's the link to a possible second King of Everlore. Is that what you think, Lady Shuang?" The others grew into a somber mood. The possibility that Wei Wuyin ended up as a second King of Everlore was indeed possible. While it was too early to foresee, if he did have a connection to that figure, chances were he was bound to reach unimaginable limits in a few millennia.
Sheng Jizi replied with a silent smile.
Lady Shuang was Shuang Xi. There wasn't a single person that didn't know her name throughout the entire Grand Cyclic Stellar Region. At least those that had any significance. She was amongst the top three Architects in the entire Stellar Region, rivaling the Yu Clan's Yu Yilang and Soul-Creation Saint of the Ninestar Sainthall.
She was also the inventor of the Skyship that redesigned travel and assisted heavily in the creation of the Sky Destroyers used by the Imperial Clan. Her feats didn't stop there, as she led the project of constructing and designing the entire formation structure of the Endless Prosperity's highway of import and export, including the interconnected 81 World Realms.
"You wish to make an investment?" Shuang Xi directly asked Sheng Jizi.
"I do," he replied.
"There's a lot of risk to this," Shui Yu added.
"I know," Sheng Jizi remained confident. The others chimed in as well, but Sheng Jizi remained certain that this investment was justifiable to make. While it was a heavy one, it could benefit them greatly in the long run. First and foremost, they weren't an alchemist association but a business. There was no 'genuine' centralized leadership. If someone tried to change how they operated, the Golden Life Pavilion would certainly collapse.
They functioned on neutrality and fairness, seeking profit and relations, and this kept them alive through it all. Despite being the Pavilion Master, besides a few additional powers, such as being able to call forth meetings, assigning interim Branch Managers, or removing those from their positions with justification, he wasn't that powerful. He had to act in accordance with the rules, just like everyone else.
If it wasn't for that, how could the Golden Gate Pavilion last for tens of thousands of years? While it has suffered a few name changes over the years, its operations were fairly consistent. There was no need to change what was extremely effective already.
The entire group debated for an hour, discussing whether they should accept this offer.
"If so, then I say we negotiate for more. Preferably, we obtain some other benefits alongside the Neo-Dawn Eclipse Pill's Concoction Method," Shui Yu suggested. He was very curious about what other concoction methods Wei Wuyin might have.
At this point, when everyone was already clear on accepting this proposal, if only to obtain the immediate benefits of the Neo-Dawn Eclipse Pill in this surging and changing cultivation society. In truth, their greed won over them. While many felt the urge to reject the proposal, it was only an initial reaction, and as they thought more about the Neo-Dawn Eclipse Pill's effects and potential profits, capable of allowing them to reach every single edge of the stellar region, opening up to possible deals to enable them to operate in other starfields, and gain territory to freely do so by opening up lesser branches, it was gradually more accepted. The idea of expansion was too tantalizing.
There weren't many experts that would accept their talents being far, far worse than their peers. The Neo-Dawn Eclipse Pill would sell. This was an indisputable fact. What they would get from this, such as the operating rights in other starfields or territories, was a matter of course.
Usually, investments were speculatory with unexpected variables, but the Neo-Dawn Eclipse Pill was a certainty. Moreover, with the entire Golden Life Pavilion working towards concocting it, the Ever-Domain Pill would be trounced. It wouldn't be a one to six, but a close one to one.
There would be no competition.
That said, the Everlore Association will definitely have a market for the poorer cultivators. This meant there was enough room for them both.
Sheng Jizi agreed with Shui Yu's suggestion.
However, Ban Ma, who remained quiet all this while, spoke out in curiosity: "Are we certain that Dragonborn Saintess Xue has the Concoction Method?"
"..."
This question had itched his heart for quite a while. It felt interesting how this wasn't discussed. What if she didn't, and she hadn't asked Wei Wuyin, and if so, then what if he said no? Shouldn't they be discussing this with Wei Wuyin first, not Xue Yifei? If he was Wei Wuyin, he definitely wouldn't leave such a valuable method to Xue Yifei, his concubine.
She wasn't even his wife.
Moreover, why would she need it?
"..."
Shuang Xi gave Ban Ma a quiet look, a faint smile on her lips.
"Of course she has the concoction method! She suggested this offer," a Golden Councilman exclaimed exasperatedly. This junior was a little too slow. What would Xue Yifei gain by lying about this? And those words of the Golden Councilman alleviated many of their spontaneous concerns, realizing that the question was indeed quite brainless.
"She does; I've seen the method in her possession," Sheng Jizi said, further alleviating everyone's worries. As for why Sheng Jizi hadn't taken it, it was unbefitting of a businessman to rob others, and offending Wei Wuyin was not on his to-do list.
How could he even consider scheduling this meeting without proof that she had the bargaining chip in her hands? Sheng Jizi wasn't incompetent.
Shui Yu nodded, "Then, let's discuss what other things we-"
RUMBLE!
A terrifying, hectic rumble shook the entire room. Everyone except Shui Yu, Shuang Xi, Sheng Jizi, and Bai Jiang, the First Branch Manager, rose from their seats in a rush. Their eyes glinted with spiritual light, and their Mystic Auras slowly expanded protectively.
"What's happening?" A Golden Councilman asked.
"Are we under attack?!" Another asked.
Sheng Jizi frowned so deeply that his eyebrows nearly went vertical. He sighed with a clenched fist, "The Star-Hex, huh? Why not just give up?" Sheng Jizi glanced at the furthest edge of his position, the wall that was currently twisting and fluctuating as if in chaos; a mirage of shimmering visuals was ceaselessly occurring there.
Soon, all of their eyes and senses found that spot. The disturbance of spatial energies was far too great not to notice eventually.
From the shimmer, four silhouettes could be made out. As the silhouettes came into focus, the Mystic Ascendants could all see each of them clearly. At the lead, an old man with vibrant eyes and a Demi-Mortal Lord cultivation base. He was a person they would never forget.
Ma Zheng!
Ma Zheng had a calm smile on his face as he sauntered to the table, causing the Golden Councilman who was in his way to stumble to the side, nearly toppling to the ground. The chair that was directly across from Sheng Jizi was empty, remaining so as no one had occupied it, and it pulled out of the table as if preparing to seat its rightful owner.
Ma Zheng slowly sat down, staring at Sheng Jizi from what seemed like a far yet extremely close distance. "Give up? I'm just reclaiming what's mine, Little Jiji."
Sheng Jizi coldly scoffed.
