"Sect Master, you see, I noticed you hadn't returned for some time and was worried you might miss this negotiation."
"As it happened, Yue Ling made the acquaintance of a remarkable individual — a man of truly extraordinary abilities — so I had Yue Ling invite him here."
Yue Ling's Master hurried to explain.
"Truly extraordinary abilities?"
"How laughable. In this godforsaken place, where would they find anyone of extraordinary ability?"
"And where exactly is this supposed genius?"
"I don't see anyone."
"Don't tell me you never actually invited anyone at all?"
The two grandees immediately began sneering.
Hearing this, Yue Ling's Master's expression grew awkward, while Yue Ling furrowed her brow, her displeasure evident. But since these two were guests the Sect Master himself had invited, she held her tongue.
"The person didn't come?" the Sect Master asked. "Why don't I see anyone?"
"Sect Master, my benefactor did come. It's just that for certain reasons, he is unable to show himself," Yue Ling explained.
"Unable to show himself?"
"Could it be he's done something shady and doesn't dare show his face? Perhaps he's nothing but a con artist?"
The two grandees scoffed, then turned their gaze toward the Sect Master. "Nameless Sect Master, it seems your elder and disciple here aren't all that bright."
"Doesn't show his face, so he must be a con artist?" came a voice. "Tell me — is it possible that the two of you simply aren't worthy of seeing my true form?"
It was Chu Feng who spoke.
He had already assessed the situation. These two were merely at the ninth level of the Dragon Transformation realm — their strength was, at best, on par with his own. Even without their help, he could handle the people from the Nine-Level Pavilion without issue. So he had no fear of offending them.
"What arrogance! You dare say we aren't worthy of seeing you? Do you even know who we are?"
After hearing Chu Feng's words, the two grandees' expressions turned icy. They had not expected that in a place like this, someone would dare look down on them.
"What, want to have a go?" Chu Feng replied.
"You're joking. A go? Who do you think you are, worthy of competing with the two of us?"
"You don't even qualify to make us lift a finger."
The two grandees wore expressions of utter disdain. It wasn't that they feared Chu Feng — they genuinely considered it beneath them to exchange blows with someone like him. The two of them were likely from another world, and they looked down on everyone in this one without exception. In their eyes, every person here was nothing more than an ant.
"Nameless Sect Master, what exactly is the meaning of this?" one of them pressed. "If you've already found someone else, why bother summoning us?"
"We have no interest in associating with this sort of waste."
"If you don't need our help, just say so and we'll leave right now."
"However, you breached the contract first. The deposit will not be refunded, and you will compensate the two of us."
One of the grandees fixed his gaze on the Sect Master, applying pressure.
"Grandees, please don't misunderstand — I knew nothing of this! You absolutely cannot walk away now!"
When the Nameless Sect Master heard they were about to leave, not only did cold sweat pour from his brow, but his voice softened to a near whimper. Then, twisting his aged face, he completely shed his meek demeanor and turned on Yue Ling and her Master with a furious glare.
"Yue Ling, Fang Tong — look at what you've done!"
"Get out. Take your so-called benefactor who doesn't dare show his face and get out. Don't you dare involve yourselves in this matter any further."
At these words, the anger on Yue Ling's face deepened. But since this was the Sect Master, she couldn't retort. She could only quickly send a secret voice transmission to Chu Feng, apologizing.