164: Cooperation is possible, but more money is required.

That bone-deep, seductive laughter was like a soft feather and a poison-tipped hook, lightly scratching the nerves of everyone on the battlefield.

The black mist dissipated.

Under Bai Jinnian's brush, the Ghost Shadow Maze Formation had long since become useless.

Beneath Zhao Wuyou's dragon emperor halberd, the corpses of the Ghost Shadow Guards littered the ground.

The few remaining assassins trembled, looking at the ornate white bone sedan at the end of the street with eyes filled with even deeper fear than when they faced Zhao Wuyou.

Madam White Bone.

In the Western Regions, this name represented another form of extreme terror.

Unlike the overbearing and bloody nature of the Black Flame Demonic Sect, she represented the desire to devour bone marrow and silent withering.

"Sister?"

Wang Duojin narrowed his eyes.

The defensive Formation Plate he had been ready to throw out was quietly tucked away again.

He looked at the bone sedan with its swaying gauze curtains, his face wearing his signature merchant's smile.

"You must be joking, Sister."

"Why would you need to personally take action against a few mere flies?"

"We were just afraid of damaging the newly opened store of our Myriad Dao Real Estate; my Senior and Junior Brothers here don't know their own strength when they strike."

He spoke these words nonchalantly.

Yet they were like an invisible slap across the faces of the remaining Ghost Shadow Guards.

The woman inside the bone sedan let out a soft "giggle."

"Little fatty, your tongue is quite sweet."

"I just don't know if the skill in your hands is even half as impressive as the skill of your mouth."

A corner of the gauze curtain was gently lifted by a hand as white and smooth as jade.

An exquisite face, enough to drive every man in the world mad, was revealed.

Eyebrows like distant mountains, eyes like autumn waters.

Every frown and smile carried a naturally-born charm.

She reclined on a soft couch, wearing a pink gauze dress as thin as a cicada's wing that outlined her breathtaking curves.

She looked at Wang Duojin with a gaze that seemed to suck one's very Soul inside.

"I like energetic little brothers like you the most."

"How about this."

"I will help you solve the trouble of the Black Flame Demonic Sect."

"After the matter is settled, that 'Heart of Ten Thousand Demons' will belong to me."

"Your Myriad Dao Divine Sect and my White Bone Palace will form an alliance to rule the Western Regions together."

"As for you..."

Her gaze moved past Wang Duojin and fell upon Ye Chenfeng.

In those autumn-water eyes, an undisguised possessiveness flickered.

"You shall come to my White Bone Palace and be my first Palace Master Consort."

"How does that sound?"

As soon as these words were spoken.

The entire area fell dead silent.

Even the smile on Wang Duojin's face froze.

Veins bulged on Zhao Wuyou's hand as he gripped the dragon emperor halberd, a flash of disgust crossing his golden eyes.

Gongsun Yan's delicate brows furrowed tightly.

Bai Jinnian gave a cold snort and turned his head away.

Ye Chenfeng's expression remained calm.

He didn't even spare the woman a single glance.

He simply raised his hand and flicked a finger toward the few remaining Ghost Shadow Guards.

Swoosh!

A nearly imperceptible gray Sword Qi flashed by.

The bodies of those Heavenly Immortal Realm Ghost Shadow Guards suddenly stiffened.

In the next moment.

Fine lines of blood appeared simultaneously on their necks.

Then, their heads rolled off.

Their Divine Souls were utterly destroyed.

Having done all this.

Ye Chenfeng finally turned his head slowly, his gaze falling upon the bone sedan for the first time.

His gaze was cold and detached.

It was as if he were looking at a lifeless object.

"We cannot afford your 'help.'"

"Your Dao is also too filthy."

"Scram."

A single word.

Cold and concise.

Without a hint of emotion.

The seductive smile on Madam White Bone's face froze for the first time.

In those Soul-stealing eyes, a flash of astonishment and a sliver of icy chill appeared.

She had dominated the Western Regions for thousands of years.

Never had any man dared to speak to her in such a tone.

The atmosphere around the bone sedan instantly dropped to freezing point.

The sixteen sturdy demonic cultivators carrying the sedan all emitted a dangerous aura.

"Giggle, giggle, giggle..."

A few breaths later.

Madam White Bone laughed again.

Only this time, the laughter was no longer seductive.

Instead, it was filled with a bone-piercing chill.

"Interesting."

"Truly interesting."

"Little brother, you have successfully piqued my interest."

She took a deep look at Ye Chenfeng, a gaze that seemed to be branding her property.

"I will remember you."

She lowered the gauze curtain, and her exquisite figure was once again concealed.

"I am in a good mood today."

"So I'll watch the show for a while."

"I'll watch how you group of little fellows who don't know the heights of the heavens are crushed into meat paste by the Black Flame Demonic Sect."

"Let's go."

The massive white bone sedan slowly turned around.

The sixteen demonic cultivators carried it, silently retreating into the shadows of the street.

It had come suddenly.

And it left just as bizarrely.

It was as if it had never appeared.

But everyone knew.

An even more venomous snake had set its sights on this group of powerful dragons crossing the river.

"Damn it."

Wang Duojin cursed under his breath as he looked in the direction where the bone sedan had disappeared.

"Crazy woman."

"Third Junior Brother." Ye Chenfeng's voice pulled back his thoughts.

"It's time to clear the area."

Wang Duojin understood instantly.

He stepped forward again, looking at the demonic cultivators on the street who had become even more hesitant and greedy because of Madam White Bone's appearance and departure.

He cleared his throat and channeled his immortal essence.

"Everyone! You all saw it!"

"The Black Flame Demonic Sect is no good! Even an assassination was handled so poorly!"

"The White Bone Palace is just a bunch of women, they can't handle the big stage!"

"If you want to make a name for yourself in the Western Regions, you have to look to our Myriad Dao Divine Sect!"

"What I said earlier still stands!"

He pointed to the golden pavilion where the Formation light had been relit.

"From now on, within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn!"

"Anyone willing to join the subordinate forces of our Myriad Dao Divine Sect, come here to register!"

"I don't care which Sect or faction you belonged to before!"

"As long as you register, you are one of us!"

"After one incense stick!"

His voice suddenly turned cold, filled with unquestionable Killing Intent.

"Anyone who still dares to stand on the street and oppose us..."

"...will be treated as an accomplice of the Black Flame Demonic Sect!"

"Kill without mercy!"

His voice, like rolling thunder, spread throughout the area.

The street broke into an uproar.

All the demonic cultivators looked at each other.

Join?

Or continue to wait and see?

Right then.

Ye Chenfeng moved.

He took a step out of the pavilion.

He floated in mid-air.

The simple and ancient longsword in his hand was slowly unsheathed.

Hum—

A sword hum, clear and far-reaching.

It rang through the entire Dry Bone City.

He didn't release any pressure.

He simply swung his sword toward the center of the city in an unremarkable fashion.

A hazy gray sword light shot out from his hand.

The sword light wasn't fast.

In fact, it was somewhat slow.

It flew high into the sky, growing larger and larger under everyone's gaze.

Ten zhang.

A hundred zhang.

A thousand zhang!

Ultimately, it transformed into a giant gray sword spanning the horizon!

That giant sword just hung there quietly over Dry Bone City.

The sword tip pointed diagonally toward the earth.

An invisible Sword Intent of destruction, enough to make even an Immortal Lord tremble, enveloped the entire city.

Beneath that sword.

Every demonic cultivator felt as if a guillotine was resting on their neck, ready to fall at any moment.

Their Divine Souls and their Dao Hearts trembled under this Sword Intent.

"My words,"

Ye Chenfeng's voice rang out again, clearly reaching everyone's ears.

"I will only say once."

"Either."

"Submit."

"Or."

"Die."

Silence.

A deathly silence.

A few breaths later.

Thud!

A demonic cultivator who was closest could no longer bear the fear from the depths of his Soul; his knees buckled, and he knelt on the ground.

"I... I am willing to surrender! I am willing to join the Myriad Dao Divine Sect!"

His voice, carrying a sob, broke the silence.

It was as if the first domino had been pushed over.

Thud!

Thud!

Thud!

The sounds of kneeling rose one after another!

"I surrender! Don't kill me!"

"I've disliked the Black Flame Demonic Sect for a long time! I am willing to serve the Myriad Dao Divine Sect like a dog or a horse!"

"Immortal, spare my life! I have an eighty-year-old mother above and a three-year-old child below!"

In an instant.

The entire street was a field of kneeling people!

Those demonic cultivators who, a moment ago, were thinking of trading their heads for a bounty were now competing to express their loyalty.

Wang Duojin looked at this scene, unable to stop smiling.

"See that, see that!"

"I told you, Eldest Senior Brother, this move of yours is much more useful than my small amount of Immortal Stones!"

"This is called the brand effect! This is called market monopoly under military deterrence!"

He immediately directed Ghost Fiend and the others.

"What are you standing there for! Register! Go register them quickly!"

"Record their names, Sects, and cultivation levels for me!"

"From today on, they are the peripheral security personnel of our Myriad Dao Real Estate!"

The chaos of Dry Bone City was forcibly brought to a close in such an absurd yet efficient manner.

Half an hour later.

At the top floor of the "Myriad Dao Real Estate, Western Regions Headquarters."

The eight Personal Disciples gathered together.

Wang Duojin was holding a thick register, excitedly reporting today's "battle results" to everyone.

"...In this business expansion in Dry Bone City, a total of 3,728 peripheral personnel were recruited. Among them are three True Immortals, 127 Heavenly Immortals, and the rest are Earth Immortals."

"Preliminary estimates suggest that the monthly management fees from these people will bring us at least 50,000 High Grade Immortal Stones in net profit!"

"Eldest Senior Brother, I suggest we immediately establish the 'Dry Bone City Myriad Dao Security Group'! With Ghost Fiend as CEO! We'll just be responsible for collecting the money!"

Ye Chenfeng ignored him.

His gaze fell on the detailed map of the Abyssal Demon Ridge on the table, which had been hand-drawn by Ghost Fiend.

At the very center of the map, the "Demon Emperor Palace" marked in blood emitted an ominous aura.

"Old Demon Black Flame wants to use our hands to break the Seal of the Immortal King Ancient Demon."

Ye Chenfeng's finger lightly tapped the location of the "Demon Emperor Palace."

"He thinks we are chess pieces."

"He doesn't know that we are here to flip the chessboard."

Battle Intent rose in Zhao Wuyou's eyes.

"Eldest Senior Brother, how do we fight?"

"Fight?" Ye Chenfeng shook his head.

"No."

"We are going to reason with them."

He looked at Wang Duojin.

"Third Junior Brother, how many industries does the Black Flame Demonic Sect have in Dry Bone City?"

"Reporting, Eldest Senior Brother!" Wang Duojin immediately perked up. "According to my market research, the Black Flame Demonic Sect controls seventy percent of the mineral trade in Dry Bone City, ninety percent of the Medicinal Pill shops, and all of the slave markets!"

"They are the absolute leading enterprise in this city!"

"Very good."

Ye Chenfeng nodded.

"From now on, all of these belong to us."

He looked at everyone, his voice calm yet carrying an unquestionable power.

"Three days later is the Demon Child Assembly."

"Before that."

"I want the words 'Black Flame Demonic Sect' to completely disappear from Dry Bone City."

"I want Old Demon Black Flame to become a lone man whose very Sect gate has been raided by others."

"He wants to play the fisherman waiting to reap the rewards?"

The corner of Ye Chenfeng's mouth curled into a cold arc.

"I'll drain the pond he's fishing in first."

---

(PS: The following is filler content)

Wang Duojin's Perspective:

"I'll drain the pond he's fishing in first."

When Eldest Senior Brother Ye Chenfeng said those words so nonchalantly, I, Wang Duojin, admit my heart skipped a beat.

No, it wasn't a heartbeat; it was my business DNA burning wildly! I seemed to see countless Immortal Stones, mineral veins, Magic Treasures, slaves... ah no, labor forces, waving at me!

Annexation! It must be a full-capital annexation!

The golden abacus in my hand was flicked so fast it almost sparked. In an instant, seventeen acquisition plans and thirty-two risk contingency plans were generated in my head. That battle maniac Zhao Wuyou was already carrying his halberd, ready to smash things up, and that gloomy fellow Ye Wushang had a grin like he was about to eat someone.

Tsk, a bunch of brutes who only know how to fight and kill; they don't understand the art of capital operation.

Just as I was about to explain my "Feasibility Report on Realizing the Asset Restructuring of the Black Flame Demonic Sect through a Combination of Hostile Takeover and Violent Liquidation" to Eldest Senior Brother, I suddenly felt a... very peculiar gaze.

This gaze didn't belong to anyone present. It had no Killing Intent, no greed, but was instead full of... right, full of observation and assessment of our "project's" prospects!

Hey! It smells like an investor!

I immediately stopped my small movements, narrowed my eyes that could see through balance sheets, and looked in the direction of the feeling. My gaze seemed to pierce through time and space, through the layers of buildings in Dry Bone City, and precisely locked onto you.

That's right, you! The potential... Sugar Daddy who has been behind the screen, silently following every move of our Myriad Dao Divine Sect!

"Ahem!"

I cleared my throat. Although I didn't make a sound, I knew you could "hear" my inner thoughts. I immediately put on my most professional and sincere expression, as if facing a top investor holding hundreds of billions in capital.

"Good evening, Boss! I am Wang Duojin, Chief Financial Officer of the Myriad Dao Divine Sect, President of the Myriad Dao Merchant Guild, and founder of Myriad Dao Real Estate! It's a pleasure to meet you!"

"As you can see, our 'Myriad Dao Idol Group' has just taken on a new project—the 'Western Regions Development Plan.' Currently, we are in the seed round stage, preparing for a round of disruptive market integration of the local leading enterprise, the 'Black Flame Demonic Sect.'"

I lowered my voice and continued in business jargon that only the two of us could understand:

"This project has broad prospects and unlimited potential! Eldest Senior Brother is responsible for the force endorsement, ensuring our hard power; I am responsible for capital operations, ensuring that every cent invested has an excess return! Once successful, we will monopolize the entire Western Regions market. By then, the profits will be as vast as the sea!"

"I know you've been watching. An insightful investor like you won't strike unless certain, and when you do, it's because you've seen the huge potential of our project!"

I rubbed my hands together, showing my signature kind smile.

"Now is the best time for you to take a stake!"

"Look, every click of that 'Update Reminder' button in your world is equivalent to injecting a 'booster fund' into our project! The more reminders, the faster we can liquidate the Black Flame Demonic Sect, and the sooner you can see us divide the fruits of victory!"

"As for the 'gifts' you bestow..."

My eyes instantly lit up like two High Grade Immortal Stones!

"Those 'Love Power,' 'Inspiration Capsules' are the most direct 'venture capital'! They will transform into our team's 'project Luck'! With this Luck, I can drive prices lower during acquisitions, Zhao Wuyou can drop more equipment during fights, and even Eldest Senior Brother's sword strike will have a few more points of deterrence!"

"This is a guaranteed profitable business! Every cent you invest will turn into a hundredfold return in our more exciting and satisfying story in the future!"

"So, Boss..."

I bowed deeply to you.

"It's time to show your investment insight."

"Let's work together to make this project bigger and stronger, and create more brilliance!"