Chi Family Territory, Study Room
Chi Liu received the summons. After hearing what Chi Shang wanted, he looked troubled: "My lord, is this really wise? Our Chi family's relationship with the Wu family is, well, quite good. At the very least, during all the Wu family's recent difficulties, we've maintained strict neutrality and never made a move."
"So what? Every other family can act against them, so why can't ours?" Chi Shang grew irritated.
Chi Liu gritted his teeth inwardly, thinking, "This Lord Chi Shang really is just like the rumors say. What do I do now?"
While thinking, he said aloud, "I understand your feelings, my lord. But on our end, well, especially since certain business dealings of ours have always been closely tied to the Wu family. If we suddenly turn against them..."
Chi Shang suddenly realized what he meant.
"I see."
"You're referring to the dream realm business, aren't you?"
Chi Liu nodded. "My lord is perceptive."
The Wu family wanted to develop the dream realm business for gray-market income — how could they possibly bypass the Chi family?
The Immortal Gu within this rank-nine Gu formation were split among the Southern Border's rank-nine families, but the actual formation was set up by none other than Chi Qu You, the Chi family's Supreme Grand Elder, with his own hands.
Although the Chi family contributed relatively few Immortal Gu, their influence over this rank-nine Gu formation was enormous.
Therefore, when the Wu family developed the dream realm business, they absolutely had to bring the Chi family along. The Chi family's Gu Immortals understood the formation far better — without winning them over, this business simply couldn't operate.
Chi Shang sighed to himself. No wonder the Supreme Grand Elder had once said that human hearts are unfathomable. Sigh — for personal gain, Chi Liu, a Gu Immortal of my own Chi family, won't even stand on my side.
His expression darkened, and he was rather embarrassed.
He wanted to openly break with Fang Yuan, but the very first step had met with resistance. What now?
For the moment, Chi Shang felt helpless.
After all, he'd only been reassigned here recently. Back in the Chi family, he had spent most of his time in seclusion cultivation, rarely interacting with other Chi family Gu Immortals, devoted to studying the Dao of Formations. His influence in the family was the weakest among all the Seventh Transformation Gu Immortals.
Now, within this rank-nine Gu formation, he was even more of a newcomer. This flaw was showing itself — he, a dignified Seventh Transformation Gu Immortal, couldn't even command a single Chi Liu.
Chi Liu's mood was equally foul. Defying a Seventh Transformation Gu Immortal — especially a favored protégé the family had invested heavily in — naturally left him feeling uncomfortable.
But a subordinate naturally had a subordinate's own way of surviving.
Chi Liu thought for a moment, then spoke: "My lord, it isn't that I'm unwilling to handle this for you. It's just that your status is too important — once this matter is exposed, the fallout would be enormous. Why don't you allow me to first report this to Lord Chi Gui? He's the one in charge here. Let's hear his decision. What do you think?"
Chi Liu's tone was humble and polite, while also subtly flattering Chi Shang.
Chi Shang heard this and felt quite pleased. He nodded immediately: "Very well. Let's see what Lord Chi Gui has to say."
When Chi Gui heard Chi Liu's report, his brow furrowed as well.
This kind of romantic rivalry — when it landed on anyone's desk, it was unpleasant no matter how you looked at it.
Chi Gui felt truly stuck.
On one side was Chi Shang, their own family member. Setting aside personal feelings, Chi Shang had the Supreme Grand Elder standing behind him.
On the other, if this matter really got blown open, it wouldn't just be a private affair anymore — it would become a political matter that could affect diplomatic relations between the Wu family and the Chi family.
This world was one where the strong were revered, where individual combat power superseded all organizations.
And so politics, too, was personal politics.
Chi Shang and Wu Yihai both held extremely high positions. A conflict between them was a conflict between the Wu and Chi families.
This was no exaggeration.
"Especially the Wu family — they're already facing storms from every direction, beset on all sides. If our Chi family strikes at them now, it would damage our reputation for neutrality. We'd earn the infamy of kicking someone while they're down, not to mention it would sour our relationship with the Wu family and harm our interests."
"But I can't just leave Chi Shang unappeased either..."
Chi Gui pondered hard, and eventually came up with a solution.
So he privately advised Chi Shang: "We can't let this blow up. If it does, it'll be bad — the impact would be terrible. Even if our side wins, we'd only be laughed at. This is a private matter after all; I suggest we handle it as one. You could inform Fairy Si Liu about the situation. Wu Yihai is also interested in Qiao Si Liu. If you ask Fairy Si Liu to serve as a witness, Wu Yihai definitely won't be able to play the scoundrel anymore."
Chi Shang slapped his thigh upon hearing this and cried out: "Brilliant!"
Chi Gui smiled, privately feeling rather proud of himself.
For Chi Gui, the matter could be handled perfectly. For Chi Shang, it held even greater appeal — who wouldn't want to crush their rival before the woman they admired and make a grand show of it?
The matter was settled this way, and Chi Shang quickly sent the details to Qiao Si Liu through a communication path Gu worm.
Regardless of what Fang Yuan's side might do, Chi Shang immediately felt a tremendous weight lift from his shoulders.
"Now Fairy Si Liu knows everything. I said this was a gentleman's sparring match, and that Wu Yihai started it — she shouldn't be turned off by that, right?"
"I need to finish Wu Yihai's challenge as quickly as possible."
"This is where I'm strongest. I absolutely cannot lose."
The tremendous pressure now gave Chi Shang tremendous motivation.
He contemplated the problem before him.
"Is this another piece?"
"It has some slight connection to that previous Gu formation component."