160: Struggle for power and profit

“He’s here.”

Xu Sanyan chuckled softly; he knew someone would be unable to hold back and come to pledge allegiance to him, but he hadn't expected it to be so soon.

He had thought people would only make up their minds after he Broke Through to the Mystic Path Realm, since standing with him meant completely offending Elder Wu and his faction.

Xu Sanyan waved his hand lightly, and the Restriction outside the door opened. “Come in.”

He didn’t even get up to greet him.

He never bothered with the pretense of valuing talented individuals; he only believed in the supremacy of profit. Even the best relationships couldn't withstand the temptation of gain, and in the Demon Sect, talking about feelings was even more laughable.

As long as the benefits Xu Sanyan promised were enticing enough, not only would they not mind him not greeting them at the door, but even if he defecated on their heads, they would have to praise how good it smelled.

If there were no benefits, even if Xu Sanyan knelt and begged them, no one would spare him a glance.

“Greetings, Saint.” The old man walked in slowly, his posture tall and straight, wearing a gray robe that looked clean and tidy, presenting a decent appearance.

Xu Sanyan scrutinized him, but even with his Qi Observation Art, he couldn’t discern his true background.

“Please sit.”

“Thank you, Saint.”

Xu Sanyan chuckled, “Elder Liu, what brings you here?”

“To assist the Saint,” Liu Tang said, stroking his beard.

“Assist me?” Xu Sanyan motioned for him to continue.

“The Saint has just assumed a high position and must be unfamiliar with many things. This old man has been in the Saint Sect for over three hundred years and once assisted the previous Saint. While I dare not say I know everything about the Sect’s affairs, big and small, I do have some insights.”

Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow in surprise, “You assisted the previous Saint?”

“Yes,” Liu Tang nodded.

“How did he die?”

Liu Tang shook his head, a hint of melancholy in his expression. “He died in a Secret Realm. Over two hundred years ago, an ancient Secret Realm was discovered in the Central Plains. All Five Great Sects sent people, and the Saint went as well, never to return.”

Xu Sanyan nodded, bringing the conversation back. “You said you can assist me. What do you want?”

Before Liu Tang could answer, Xu Sanyan spoke again, “Don’t say you want nothing. If you want nothing, I won’t use you. Think carefully before you speak; you only get one chance.”

Xu Sanyan propped his arm on the table, resting his chin on his clenched fist, staring at him with a calm expression.

Liu Tang pondered silently. He hadn’t expected this Saint to be so unconventional. From his understanding, Xu Sanyan should be eager for talent right now. His arrival at this moment was undoubtedly a timely aid, and he should have been very welcome.

But now, the situation was quite the opposite. This Saint didn’t seem worried about Elder Wu and the others; he was even very calm, as if he already had a countermeasure in mind.

The scene fell silent for a moment. Xu Sanyan didn’t rush him, waiting quietly.

After a long while, Liu Tang finally spoke, “I have a son, whose talent is decent. He is twenty years old and has already reached the Perfection of Inner Energy. This old man wishes to secure a future for him.”

Xu Sanyan twitched his lips. “How old are you, old man?”

“About four hundred and ten.”

“Your son is twenty?”

“The Saint jests…”

Liu Tang smiled, “In my early years, I was devoted to the Dao and had no intention of continuing the Legacy. Now, my path in the Dao has ended, and there’s no possibility of further advancement, so I can only place my hopes on the next generation.”

Xu Sanyan nodded slowly. “Tell me, what should I do next?”

This was a test. If Liu Tang’s words made sense, then he would pass the assessment.

Liu Tang naturally understood his meaning and had already made his plans. He spoke unhurriedly, “The Saint previously ordered the spread of news, which was a good move. However, most people are still observing and dare not rashly choose sides. This old man believes we should add more fuel to the fire.”

Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow. “Continue.”

“Gather momentum.”

“How so?”

“Win over the lower-level Cultivators, first consolidate power, then gradually understand the operations of each Hall, and intervene when the time is right.”

“The Saint has just entered the game, and his Foundation is unstable. Rashly intervening in the affairs of various Halls can easily lead to problems. If the other side then makes some small moves that cause losses to the Sect’s interests, even the Saint will be implicated, which would be a net loss.”

“That’s too slow,” Xu Sanyan shook his head.

This method required long-term accumulation; although stable, it took too long, and he was unwilling to wait.

Liu Tang explained, “The struggle for power is inherently a gradual tearing. Today, you tear off a piece; tomorrow, you bite off a chunk. Through this ebb and flow, you accumulate advantages little by little.”

“Furthermore, Elder Wu and his faction have deep roots, and their people are in every Hall, making it difficult for outsiders to intervene.”

Xu Sanyan didn’t express his stance, instead asking, “Do you know how much Spirit Stone revenue the various Halls of Red Dragon Mountain generate in a year?”

Liu Tang calculated silently. “Converted to Spirit Stones, after deducting various expenses, the net profit is probably around a million. Fifty percent must be submitted to the Sect, ten percent to the Hall Master, and the rest is distributed among the Elders. Elder Wu’s position earns him at least fifty to sixty thousand Spirit Stones a year, or items of equivalent value.”

Xu Sanyan pursed his lips. No wonder they were fighting him to the death; with such a huge fortune, no one would willingly let go easily.

“And half has to be submitted to the Sect?”

Liu Tang nodded. “That’s right. The Sect’s expenses are also very high. The Cultivation of the Disciples within the Sect requires Spirit Stones, and purchasing various herbs for Alchemy also requires Spirit Stones. This is no small expense.”

Xu Sanyan understood. He looked up at him. “If I hand this over to you to manage, how long will it take to see results?”

“Within ten years, there will definitely be results,” Liu Tang stated unequivocally.

“Ten years?”

Xu Sanyan secretly rolled his eyes. In ten years, he didn’t know what stage his Cultivation would have reached. Perhaps by then, he wouldn’t need to scheme with them back and forth; he could just wave his hand, and all those who disobeyed would be annihilated.

“If I let you enter the Affairs Hall as Deputy Hall Master, how long will it take you to uncover their secrets?”

Liu Tang’s heart rejoiced. “Within one year, there will definitely be results.”

With power in his hands, he could recruit people, and things would be much more convenient.

Xu Sanyan’s expression was cold. “Good. I’ll give you one year. We’ll see the results in a year. If the outcome doesn’t satisfy me…”

“This old man understands.” Liu Tang cupped his hands.

His path was at its end, and his time was near. If he could pave the way for his descendants before he died, it would be a deed of Karma. If he failed, there was only death.

A smile slowly appeared on Xu Sanyan’s stern face. “Hmm, bring your son tomorrow. I’ll take a look.”

“Yes. Then I won’t disturb the Saint. I’ll take my leave.”

Liu Tang knew what Xu Sanyan meant. Bringing his son over was merely a veiled threat, but he had already prepared himself mentally.

Since he came today, he had already thought it through, staking his entire life on Xu Sanyan. The two would either prosper together or suffer together.

It’s a gamble, so where is there no risk?

As soon as Liu Tang left, Meng Zhuer arrived with Xiang Tan and Chu Yuan.

“Greetings, Senior Brother,” the two bowed.

Xu Sanyan sat lazily in the main seat, his gaze passing through the collars of their clothes, just able to see the pale skin on their chests, the undulating cleavage quite deep.

This suddenly piqued his interest. He grinned, patted his thigh, and said, “Come, sit here.”