Cultivation: Starting from a Mortal Bone

Chapter 528: Chapter 484: Negotiating Terms

Bai Feng returned to the Carefree Pavilion with a heavy expression, gently stroking his white beard, his hand trembling slightly, as he recalled the conversation with the Empress today and couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

He really didn’t expect the Empress’s strength to be so unfathomable.

At the same time, he was secretly worried that he did not see Qin Yu this trip, nor did he know when this Qin Grandmaster would arrive at the Carefree Pavilion.

At this moment, Bai Feng was filled with regret.

If he had listened to Bai Yaoyin that day and had not gone to the rooftop, he wouldn’t have encountered that scene, let alone inadvertently collided with Qin Grandmaster.

”Second Elder, Father and the Clan Elders have sent messages.”

Just as Bai Feng was sighing, Bai Yaoyin’s voice rang out.

Bai Feng’s expression slightly darkened, his brows tightly furrowed. Messages at this time were nothing more than inquiries about his meeting with the Empress in the palace today.

If those Elders knew he did not meet Qin Yu, he would surely receive a scolding.

Moreover, there’s a possibility that his identity as the Second Elder might be stripped!

”Second Elder, could it be you haven’t seen Qin Master?”

Bai Yaoyin still referred to Qin Yu as Master; after all, there is only one Grandmaster in any field.

In the field of arrays, the Grandmaster is none other than the Emperor of the Great Qin.

Leading the Second Elder to the back hall, seeing his not-so-good expression, Bai Yaoyin could already guess what happened.

If these were minor matters, the Immortal Country Royal Family would give the Bai Family some face.

However, she knew very well that for the Great Yan Immortal Country’s Royal Family, Qin Yu’s identity wasn’t merely that of a tributor.

Even as a tributor, one must be respectful to the Empress Dowager and the Princess.

She had never seen someone from Lingtian Peak able to walk alongside the Empress Dowager.

But Qin Yu not only could, each time he even held the Princess’s little hand in her presence.

Bai Yaoyin had never heard of anyone besides the Great Yan Empress being favored by the Empress Dowager and the Princess.

Their relationship alone shows that Qin Yu holds significant importance to the Great Yan Royal Family.

Additionally, it must have been approved by the Great Yan Empress, otherwise, such a thing could never happen.

Regarding Qin Yu, even if the Bai Family’s Second Elder personally appeared, obtaining benefits before the Empress is naturally impossible.

Sure enough, Bai Feng shook his head, hesitating to speak.

”Second Elder, if there’s anything, feel free to say it.”

Bai Yaoyin had a faint smile on her face.

She naturally hoped the family would value Qin Yu; the more so, the more possibilities arose between her and Qin Yu.

”Yaoyin, could you send a message to Qin Master, inviting him out for a conversation?”

Bai Feng hesitated for a moment but still forced himself to ask.

”This...”

Bai Yaoyin seemed to have anticipated the Second Elder’s request, yet she did not immediately agree.

”You know how important an array grandmaster like Qin Yu is to our family.”

”Whatever requests you have, feel free to ask, as long as it eliminates Qin Master’s misunderstanding of the Bai Family.”

Bai Feng, being shrewd, naturally understood her meaning.

Yet he still spoke with apparent righteousness, appearing as though he was acting out of a sense of family duty.

”Second Elder, what are you saying, this is what Yaoyin should do, but my acquaintance with Qin Master... isn’t deep, and I may not necessarily have such influence.”

Bai Yaoyin shook her head, feigning concern.

Bai Feng remained silent; such words were considered with a grain of salt.

He was no fool!

Although Bai Yaoyin was very low-key, within Carefree Pavilion there were confidants who had witnessed both of them having pleasant conversations several times.

”By the way, Second Elder, I think Youxi’s ability is quite remarkable. I plan to let her manage the fifth level; how about that?”

As she finished speaking, Bai Feng’s brow furrowed, his expression deepening.

Youxi is one of the higher-ups in the Great Yan Imperial City’s Leisure Pavilion, and she has another identity; she was brought out by Bai Yaoyin from the Ancient Race and can be said to be one of her confidants!

Moreover, the fifth level of the Leisure Pavilion is unlike the bottom four levels; here lies the true rare treasures of the Leisure Pavilion, and the real major powers generally trade on the fifth level.

Apart from the remnants of arrays on the top floor, the fifth level is the true core of the Leisure Pavilion.

Currently, the steward of the fifth level is precisely the Second Elder’s confidant, not because of his Elder status, but a pawn he placed there many years ago.

Over the years, Bai Yaoyin’s actions and even Bai Yaosha’s arrival, were known to the Second Elder through this pawn.

If the authority here were handed over, the Great Yan Imperial City’s Leisure Pavilion would become dominated by Bai Yaoyin!

To be honest, the Second Elder was very reluctant.

”The old man remembers she has been in the Leisure Pavilion for less than four years, hasn’t she?”

Bai Feng frowned and was somewhat dissatisfied.

This girl, her appetite is indeed too big, does she really think this Elder would be easily manipulated by her?

”Second Elder, you may not know, the Elders know you offended Qin Master and are now discussing to dismiss your Elder title, if not for my father’s strong defense...”

Bai Yaoyin was not surprised by the Second Elder’s refusal, her stunning face carrying a faint smile, two charming and adorable dimples, emitting a calmness that says everything is under control.

Being able to oversee the Imperial City Leisure Pavilion, Bai Yaoyin is not just Qin Yu’s gentle little wife, but also a formidable woman capable of stirring winds and waves.

The Second Elder’s pupils contracted, suddenly exuding a powerful aura.

As a clan elder, the matters he experienced far exceed what Bai Yaoyin could compare with.

Now, this young girl actually dared to threaten him?

He must know, even his father, Clan Leader Bai Lan, has never mentioned seizing power from his hands!

However, facing the imposing Bai Feng, Bai Yaoyin showed no sign of fear, with a composed smile still on her face.

”Yaoyin, don’t think that just because you’ve repaired a remnant array for the clan, you can secure this position. Don’t bite off more than you can chew.”

Bai Feng’s voice was deep, his tiger-like eyes shining with a chilling glint.

”Second Elder, you jest. I merely wish for a quiet place for my sisters and me.”

Bai Yaoyin did not back down in the slightest.

Although on the surface she was the Chief Steward of the Carefree Pavilion, there were too many spies of other clan elders here, restricting her every move.

This feeling, she greatly disliked.

Seeing Bai Yaoyin’s confident demeanor, the Second Elder seemed to see the reflection of his younger self, once full of ambition and fearless.

However, now he had too many concerns.

Moreover, Bai Feng was very aware that what Bai Yaoyin said wasn’t a threat. If his offense truly damaged the Bai Family’s relationship with an Array Grandmaster,

the other clan elders would certainly not hesitate to strip him of his position as the Second Elder.

Bai Feng remained silent for a long while, finally sighing deeply as he conceded.

”In that case, I thank the Second Elder.”

Bai Yaoyin finally felt a sense of relief.

In fact, she had long wanted to control the entire Carefree Pavilion in the palm of her hand.

But before, without sufficient reason and merit, even if she wanted to proceed, she would have met with significant resistance.

Now, she only needed to take down the Steward of the fifth floor. As for the other elders’ confidants, they were not a major concern and could gradually be cleared out until the entire Imperial City’s Leisure Pavilion was fully under her control.

...

At nightfall.

After bidding farewell to the Empress Dowager, Qin Yu returned to the Lifebound Space with his numerous concubines, preparing for his daily cultivation.

”Does Master have something on her mind?”

Qin Yu gently played with the jade foot in his palm, asking.

Today, the Sect Leader and Master seemed out of sorts; even when he demonstrated his technique, Su Xihe’s reaction wasn’t as strong, merely glaring at him angrily with a worried expression.

”I heard everything the Empress Dowager said today.”

Su Xihe glared at Qin Yu.

What does he mean by something on her mind?

Does this rebellious disciple know what he’s doing?

Su Xihe keenly sensed a change in the Empress Dowager.

Usually, the Empress Dowager’s muttering was very quiet, though it wasn’t her first time calling the Empress a tyrant or foolish emperor, there was always a reason.

But this time, at least on the surface, it seemed unwarranted.

Evidently, the Empress Dowager must have discovered something significant.

Of course, Su Xihe also dared not to speculate wildly.

After all, in this world, no one dared to show any disrespect toward the Great Yan Empress.

So, she could at most be a little suspicious.

Not daring to think in outrageous directions.

Qin Yu paused for a moment, clearly not expecting the Sect Leader and Master to be so astute.

Usually, Su Xihe was quite proud and indulgent in stories.

Even after following Qin Yu for so long, every time she behaved like a shy maiden, unable to let go and always maintaining her master’s stance.

With her, Qin Yu deeply experienced the feeling of newness every day.

Unexpectedly, this master’s mind was so intricate, able to discern a few clues from the Empress Dowager’s reaction.

”Master, don’t overthink it. If there really was something, do you think I’d still be allowed to stay in the Imperial Palace?”

Qin Yu leaned in to hold his master in his arms, fully appreciating her Innate White Jade Sacred Body.

”Hmm?”

Su Xihe’s dai mei furrowed; what does this rebellious disciple mean?

Still denying it?

However, it seems he’s right; if there really was something, how could the Empress still allow him to stay in the Imperial Palace?

Su Xihe had indeed thought of this.

But...

What if the Empress also discovered the use of the warm current?!

Su Xihe had not forgotten, the first time she tasted its sweetness, she had monopolized Qin Yu for quite some time.

This rebellious disciple had shielded himself from the outside world for so long; how similar it was to the initial scenario?!

”Don’t worry, Master, I won’t put myself in danger.”

Qin Yu gently comforted her.

In fact, at that time, he had acted impulsively.

But, that was the Great Yan Empress. Perhaps, it was the only opportunity where he could exploit a vulnerability?!

If he hadn’t seized it then, given the Empress’s nature, even if his cultivation improved in the future, she might not necessarily deign to submit to him.

”It’s good that you know.”

Su Xihe glared at him reproachfully, her heartstrings inexplicably tugged.

The reason for her worry was that if something truly happened to Qin Yu... could she still live?