Just as Jimo Qianzhou had expected.
Jie Mubai was going to drive a hard bargain, and he wasn't about to lay his cards on the table right away either.
He was clearly going to use this opportunity to squeeze them dry.
But Jimo Qianzhou was still willing to give it a try.
Setting aside his character, Jie Mubai's ability was something he genuinely believed in.
After all, many of the Prison Sect's most vexing problems had been solved by Jie Mubai.
The title of "genius of barrier formations" was no empty boast.
"Master, when do you plan to open the Fortune Holy Land?" Jimo Qianzhou asked.
"The sooner the better, or we'll miss the window. I'll go open it now — wait for me here."
With that, Jie Mubai departed the area.
Baili Zilin took the opportunity to take the scroll, studied it carefully, and furrowed his brows slightly.
"Uncle Qianzhou, is this Jie Mubai really trustworthy? Does he truly have the capability?"
"Don't let him swindle us."
Baili Zilin looked toward Jimo Qianzhou.
His concern was simple.
He was afraid Jie Mubai would con them out of their resources.
Even if what he'd asked for so far was just an appetizer, the items were still priceless.
"Jie Mubai isn't the sort of man who lacks vision. He's ambitious — far more than our Prison Sect needs him, he needs us. He wouldn't burn bridges over something this small."
"Rest assured, Young Master Zilin. Even with Lord Baili and the others in seclusion, Jie Mubai wouldn't seize this chance to cheat us."
Jimo Qianzhou actually had considerable trust in Jie Mubai.
"His son, Jie Tian, has been completely suppressed by Chu Feng. He was originally a prodigy blessed by heaven, but because of Chu Feng, his reputation is ruined now — he's become a laughingstock across the world."
"And as his father, he won't even lift a finger to help?"
Baili Zilin raised the question that had been puzzling him.
The Fortune Holy Land — such an important opportunity.
Under normal circumstances, shouldn't Jie Mubai have given this chance to Jie Tian?
"People are different from one another, and not all fathers in this world are good fathers."
"I've almost never heard Jie Mubai bring up Jie Tian on his own. Either he hides his feelings deep, or in his heart, he truly has no affection for Jie Tian."
"But even without affection, that's normal enough."
"After all, Jie Tian was taken away and raised by Jie Tianran from a young age. Father and son rarely had the chance to meet."
"Affection needs to be cultivated. Even between the closest of kin, if there's no contact for too long, it's inevitable that feelings grow cold."
Jimo Qianzhou said.
"In that case, I'm incredibly fortunate — not only do I possess top-tier talent, but I also have a top-tier father."
Baili Zilin said.
"Naturally. Lord Baili would give his very life for you without a moment's hesitation."
Jimo Qianzhou replied.
…
Chu Feng and the others were still at the Nine Heavens Summit.
Master Jiuzhan was still focused on treating Wang Qiang's injuries.
"Master."
Suddenly, Liu Kuo's voice rang out.
"What is it?" Master Jiuzhan asked.
"Master, please stop for a moment and take a look outside," Liu Kuo said.
Master Jiuzhan knew that while his disciple was normally full of nonsense, he wasn't incapable of reading the situation.
He knew full well that his master was focused on healing Wang Qiang and couldn't be distracted — yet he'd come to call him anyway. Something had to have happened.
So Master Jiuzhan paused the formation channeling Wang Qiang's treatment, swept his broad sleeve, and the surrounding scenery dissolved, revealing the scene beyond.
At that moment, they could see that above a starfield along the Bloodline Heavenly River, an enormous phantom had appeared.
The spectacle was formed from condensing aura, shaped like a mountain and immensely vast, covering nearly an entire starfield — and it was still expanding.