Yao Tiansheng naturally came this time to seek external aid. Just after reaching an agreement with Tan Wang, the City Lord of Tianyuan City, and returning to the Sect, he encountered Qin Xiao and the other two.
Now that Lin Tiancheng had explicitly stated he would protect Qin Xiao, Yao Tiansheng had openly lost his chance to take action. Acting covertly carried high risks, which was why he sought external aid.
Their ability to reach this cooperation was thanks to the Li Family. After all, Tan Wang's wife was from the Li Family, Li Cheng was a Personal Disciple of Immortal Sword Peak, and both Li Cheng and Yao Kaidong had perished. Whether it was the Li Family or Immortal Sword Peak, they both wanted revenge.
Moreover, Yao Kaidong had also revealed to Tan Wang that Qin Xiao possessed abundant resources. As long as they could capture Qin Xiao, Yao Tiansheng was willing to split the spoils 40-60, with 60% going to Tan Wang.
Although Tan Wang was merely a major city lord with an official rank of only sixth grade, he also had connections. If Chen Lou, a seventh-grade official, had connections, how much more so for Tan Wang, who was one grade higher than Chen Lou and ruled a much larger city.
His connections were naturally no smaller than Chen Lou's. The Deputy District Chief of the Eastern District, also serving as the Eastern District Inspector, Tan Shangfu, with a fourth-grade official rank and Body Integration mid-stage cultivation, was his father.
Although the Heavenly Dynasty prohibited such nepotistic relationships, where there is a policy above, there is a countermeasure below. Such relationship networks were actually quite numerous, especially in this remote Qingzhou, where it was even more severe.
Above the fourth grade, there were distinctions of upper, middle, and lower. Upper fourth grade referred to the Eastern District Chief, middle fourth grade referred to the Deputy District Chief, and the Commander was lower fourth grade. Although all were called fourth grade, due to the subordinate relationships, there existed this so-called distinction between upper, middle, and lower.
Therefore, even though Tan Shangfu and Chen Shunyi were both fourth grade, Tan Shangfu was still half a rank higher than Chen Shunyi and was one of his superiors.
This was also why Yao Tiansheng was willing to concede 60%. Otherwise, why would he, at Soul Formation late-stage, be so humble and pleading for cooperation with a city lord who was only at Nascent Soul late-stage?
"What a coincidence, Great Elder. Where are you going? At your age, you shouldn't get angry so easily; it's not good for your health. If there's nothing else, I'll head back first."
Seeing that Yao Tiansheng was picking a fight, Qin Xiao didn't care. He was in a very good mood and didn't mind at all.
"Kid, don't think the Sect Leader can protect you for long. You're just a pawn. You'd better pray you don't end up in my hands in the end."
Qin Xiao's indifference only stirred up Yao Tiansheng's displeasure.
However, he also knew this matter wasn't particularly significant. Convening an Elder Council wouldn't result in any severe Penalty. He just wanted to find a reason to reprimand Qin Xiao. But this kid's completely indifferent attitude made it impossible for him to feel good about it.
"Great Elder, rest assured. This junior understands his position very well and won't trouble the Great Elder to worry about it. If there's nothing else, I'll head back first."
After saying this, Qin Xiao took Yun Man and Lin Shimeng back to Seven Stars Peak, not giving it any further thought.
If he encountered the Great Elder elsewhere, he would naturally be afraid. After all, he had already experienced a Soul Formation stage attack, and the Great Elder was at Soul Formation late-stage. Even though he had broken through now, he still couldn't withstand it. But within the Sect, he didn't care because he was certain the Great Elder wouldn't dare to act.
Of course, it wasn't 100% certainty, which was why he hurried back to his peak. If he provoked the Great Elder to the point of desperation and the Great Elder insisted on killing him, by the time the Sect Leader arrived, he'd already be cold.
"Kid, you won't be jumping around for much longer. I'll let you live a few more days."
Watching Qin Xiao's departing figure, Yao Tiansheng's eyes flashed with a trace of ruthlessness.
Not long after Qin Xiao and the other two returned to Seven Stars Peak, a disciple came to deliver a message, saying the Sect Leader wanted the Holy Maiden to return for a while.
"Master, I was just about to go see father, but I didn't expect father to send a disciple to summon me first. Then this disciple will go now."
Lin Shimeng said this to Qin Xiao before leaving.
This was within Qin Xiao's expectations, and besides, what could he say about a father and daughter meeting?
"Master, aren't you afraid she'll tell the Sect Leader, since you've revealed so much?"
Only after Lin Shimeng left did Yun Man ask with concern.
"Do you think the Sect Leader doesn't know? He sent his daughter to be a disciple, so naturally he knows I have many resources. Moreover, your progress can't be hidden from others. Now I can only hope the Sect Leader isn't blinded by greed."
For now, Qin Xiao chose to trust Lin Tiancheng's character. There was no other choice; it seemed he didn't have any alternatives unless he betrayed the Sect and went to the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion.
But once he betrayed the Sect, he would be pursued by the Sect. After all, if the Sect produced a traitor, they definitely wouldn't let it go. So Qin Xiao didn't want to cause trouble for the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion.
Another option was to seek refuge with the Immortal Dao Merchant Association. After all, he had good relations with both Ling Wushuang and Ling Ruoxue. But it wouldn't be convenient for Yun Man. Qin Xiao could guess that Yun Man must have reasons for not wanting to be exposed; otherwise, she wouldn't wear a veil every time.
So for now, Qin Xiao's only choice was to stay at Seven Stars Peak. To have autonomy, he would need to have Soul Formation stage strength first. For now, staying at Seven Stars Peak was best. At least there were Formations on Seven Stars Peak; as long as the Grand Elders didn't take action, he could still protect himself.
Meanwhile, Lin Shimeng had already returned to the Main Peak and met Lin Tiancheng.
"Meng'er, where have you all been these past few days?"
Lin Tiancheng asked with some concern.
"Father, we just went to Tianyi City to visit Senior Ye."
Lin Shimeng, who should have reported truthfully, for some reason didn't tell the whole truth.
"Alright. During this time, has Qin Xiao given you any resources? How much? Is it the same treatment as Yun Man?"
Lin Tiancheng didn't beat around the bush and directly asked the key questions.
He summoned Lin Shimeng precisely to find out what Qin Xiao had been doing these past few days and incidentally to inquire about what resources Qin Xiao had given his daughter.
"Just some Spirit Stones and Pills. He gave quite a lot, and whatever Yun Man has, I have too."
Lin Shimeng originally intended to tell her father everything, but then she remembered Qin Xiao's words, saying her trust level wasn't sufficient. Could he have been referring to this moment, knowing she would tell her father everything?
After some hesitation, Lin Shimeng still chose not to say everything. On one hand, she wanted to prove herself, that she wasn't as Qin Xiao described. On the other hand, it was also because the resources Qin Xiao had given were indeed considerable, and Qin Xiao had many secrets. She didn't know what consequences revealing them might bring.
"Meng'er, what's wrong with you? Why are you so distracted? Did Qin Xiao bully you? Tell me, I'll go to Seven Stars Peak right now to settle accounts with him."
Seeing that his daughter didn't elaborate and seemed somewhat distracted, Lin Tiancheng immediately stood up and said.
"Father, no, it's nothing. I'm at the Nascent Soul stage; how could he bully me? I just suddenly remembered I have something else to do, so I got distracted. And I'm a bit tired after just returning. Father, if there's nothing else, I'll head back to Seven Stars Peak first."
Seeing her father stand up, Lin Shimeng quickly explained. Her mind was a bit chaotic now, so she didn't want to say more and wanted to return.
"Since you're tired, go back and rest first. Take more care to rest."
Seeing he couldn't get any more information, Lin Tiancheng didn't press further and let Lin Shimeng leave.
Only after Lin Shimeng left did Lin Tiancheng summon a disciple.
"Go investigate all of Qin Xiao and the others' activities in Tianyi City."
Lin Tiancheng felt his daughter hadn't told the whole truth, so he decided to investigate himself.