Chapter 124: Sorry, But I’m Still Calling the Shots p2


    “It’s not that I’m eager, but the oath has been made. If you’re unable to pay and you suffer divine retribution, my conscience wouldn’t be able to handle it…”


    His voice was filled with mock concern.


    The Third Prince stopped, turning to glare at him.


    After a moment, he exhaled slowly. “I’ll have the Great Qian Dynasty deliver the spirit stones.”


    He glanced at Lin Ling, who was yawning, entering the pavilion, then he looked back at Mu Zhi’an.


    “You win this time, Young Master Mu. I concede defeat.”


    He paused, then added, his voice laced with a veiled threat, “But I know everything about you.”


    His words would have intimidated most.


    Even some married women had submitted to him, fearing his power.


    But Mu Zhi’an was unfazed.


    He simply smiled, nodding. “Remember to deliver the spirit stones.”


    His words were casual, yet they struck the Third Prince like a blow, making him stagger slightly.


    He glared at Mu Zhi’an, then, with a cold snort, he turned and left, the disciples’ gazes following him.


    Ye Yu watched, his heart burning with resentment as he saw Mu Zhi’an, Ye Lingxuan standing beside him, her gaze lingering on him with a tenderness that twisted his gut.


    In Tianxuan City, Mu Zhi’an had the backing of the Mu family. Now, in the Two Polarities Sect, he had Ling Long… Why?!


    He was the one with great destiny! Why was Mu Zhi’an receiving all the opportunities…?


    Could it be that Bai Ruoxi and Ye Lingxuan, with their own immense destinies, were somehow influencing his luck?


    He glared at Mu Zhi’an, his fists clenching.


    After a moment, he relaxed his grip.


    The inner disciple selections were in two days. While the peak lords would make the final decision, there would be a sparring competition among the candidates beforehand. If Mu Zhi’an wanted to become an inner disciple, he would have to prove himself…


    And then… He was no longer the weakling he had been in the past. A mere fifth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator… it was nothing…


    He chuckled inwardly, turning and disappearing into the crowd.


    Mu Zhi’an chatted with the remaining disciples for a while, then sent them away.


    They were all intelligent. Openly trying to curry favor with him now would be too obvious.


    They were all fellow disciples. There would be plenty of opportunities to build relationships later.


    Huang Manting looked at him, her gaze knowing, her voice a seductive whisper. “You’ve been keeping secrets from me, Young Master Mu… You knew Senior Ling Long all along…”


    “If you’re free in the next few days, come visit me.”


    She swayed her hips enticingly as she walked away.


    The pavilion, which had been bustling with activity moments ago, was now quiet. He turned to Ye Lingxuan, his voice soft. “I’m sorry you had to defend me.”


    She smiled, her voice clear and melodious. “It’s nothing. I simply dislike seeing people abuse their power.”


    “Is that the only reason?” he asked, his gaze meeting hers.


    She blushed, looking away, her voice a soft murmur. “There are other reasons…” Sёar?h the Novёl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The aloofness, the distance she had maintained, it had vanished…


    She’s so wealthy… Carrying five hundred thousand spirit stones with her… He looked at her, her beauty enhanced by her blush, his thoughts racing.


    What kind of background does she have…? To casually produce such a sum…


    “You should be careful, Brother Mu. Senior Ling Long was here today, but if she’s not around next time…” she said, her voice laced with concern.


    He chuckled, shaking his head. “It’s fine. Even if she’s not here…”


    Senior Sister Lan had already informed the sect master about Bai Ruoxi. Her silence meant she approved…


    If the sect’s leadership approved, what was there to worry about?


    Only the Third Prince believed he had lost because of Ling Long.


    From the beginning, he never had a chance.


    He patted Ye Lingxuan’s head, smiling. “You must be tired after your seclusion, Lingxuan. Go rest. I’ll bring you and Qian’er some Eight Treasures Crane later.”


    This was still the Garden of Heavenly Harmony. Bai Ruoxi might be meditating, but she couldn’t have missed the commotion.


    If she saw him patting Ye Lingxuan’s head, with her standing there, watching them…


    It would be a classic misunderstanding. He wanted to avoid that.


    …


    Meanwhile.


    “That Mu family young master, he’s not as simple as he appears…” the peak lord of Dao Peak, Yu Ziyan, said, hovering in the air, her voice laced with a hint of admiration.


    “His cultivation is only at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment, but he’s quite capable. I sensed that Mu family servant girl, Wei Mengrou. She’s probably protecting him,” Xiang Yan said.


    “Normally, within the sect, there’s no need to maintain those master-servant dynamics… For her to be so devoted, he must have something special,” Yu Ziyan agreed, nodding.


    “And Senior Ling Long is with him…”


    Yi Hao looked at them. “We should keep her presence a secret until after the inner disciple selections.”


    They nodded, understanding his reasoning.


    Their minds were racing, their thoughts filled with possibilities.


    They had a significant advantage. They knew about Ling Long’s relationship with Mu Zhi’an. The other peak lords didn’t.


    He had earned Ling Long’s favor, and he was close to several of the most promising candidates…


    They would have to reconsider their choices for inner disciples.