Chapter 149
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Chapter 149: Profit Above Everything
King Qin Guang gazed at Zhang Yang with a complex mix of envy and jealousy.
No one else had been able to enter the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins, yet Zhang Yang had done so effortlessly.
Everyone knew how precious this opportunity was. Being the first to enter meant securing countless advantages. While others were forced to wait anxiously outside for four days, Zhang Yang was already inside, seizing opportunities for himself.
This had never happened before in the history of the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins.
"Young Master Zhang, would you be willing to trade us the method to enter the ruins early?" King Qin Guang asked, his eyes gleaming with desire.
Zhang Yang smiled. "This method is extraordinary—only I can use it. It’s not something others can replicate."
In truth, he had no idea how he had managed to enter.
King Qin Guang sighed. "Young Master Zhang, you truly are blessed with great fortune. To enter the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins alone and claim endless opportunities—even I am envious."
This was no exaggeration.
Many of the treasures that emerged from the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins were of immeasurable divine value. Some even had the potential to reshape the Great Boundless itself.
"It’s just a coincidence, nothing more," Zhang Yang said with a chuckle.
King Qin Guang nodded knowingly. "Indeed, just like it was a coincidence when you outsmarted Liu Feijue, a coincidence during the battle at Trapped Dragon Pavilion, and now, yet another coincidence. I understand—if there’s any similarity, it’s purely coincidental."
Zhang Yang burst into laughter. "You truly understand me, King Qin Guang."
After exchanging pleasantries, King Qin Guang got straight to the point.
He wanted a stalk of Reverse Phoenix Grass.
This was an exceptionally rare and powerful spiritual essence. At present, there were only a handful of locations in the entire Southern Region where it could be found, and the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins was one of them.
"If I have it, you can count on me," Zhang Yang said. "But as for the price…"
He was well aware of the value of Reverse Phoenix Grass.
During Saint Liu Yinhua’s time in Mo City, Zhang Yang had spent many leisurely moments with Xue Feishuang, watching the flowers bloom and fall as she imparted various bits of knowledge to him.
By now, he had acquired a broad understanding of many things.
Reverse Phoenix Grass had extraordinary effects on birds with phoenix bloodlines. With sufficient resources, it could even induce a regression to ancestral forms, significantly enhancing a bird’s potential and strength.
"Name your price," King Qin Guang said boldly, displaying none of the cold ruthlessness typically associated with an assassin. Compared to the sacred lands and empires, he seemed far more agreeable to Zhang Yang.
Zhang Yang pondered for a moment before responding. "Last time, you mentioned that you had cultivated numerous assassination talents across various series—the Asura series, Phantom series, Evil Spirit team, and Uncertain team. How about this? You give me the remaining three from the Asura series, along with the Four Great Phantoms from the Phantom series."
King Qin Guang chuckled. "Let Blood Asura make the offer to Young Master Zhang!"
"Agreed," Zhang Yang nodded.
The Asura series consisted of four individuals: Ghost Asura, Golden Asura, Moon Asura, and Blood Asura.
Each of these Four Great Asuras commanded a hundred Asura Assassins.
Blood Asura was the weakest among them, yet he had already reached the Ascending to Heaven realm by the time he left Mo City.
The Phantom series also had four members: Flower Phantom, Dark Phantom, Fire Phantom, and Wind Phantom.
Unlike the Asura assassins, the Phantoms had no subordinates. They were intelligence specialists, primarily supporting assassinations with information gathering and reconnaissance.
Zhang Yang lacked a proper intelligence network, and these four individuals were undoubtedly excellent choices.
The Asura Assassin Team.
The Phantom Intelligence Team.
Both could help fill the gaps in the Vast Forest.
"Assassins are easy to find; there are plenty in the Underworld Assassin Organization," King Qin Guang said. "But the role of the Four Great Phantoms is…" He hesitated to continue.
Zhang Yang raised two fingers and said, "Two branches of Reverse Phoenix Grass."
"Deal!"
King Qin Guang agreed without hesitation. "I will arrange for them to come. We can make the trade on the fifth day of May."
He paused before adding, "I will also arrange for the Judge team, the Uncertain team, and the Evil Spirit team to come. If you wish to work together, I will instruct them to fully cooperate with you."
The two had a pleasant conversation.
This interaction was entirely different from how Zhang Yang dealt with other factions.
In his view, the Underworld Assassin Organization had a much better reputation than the so-called Five Elements Commerce Association.
After reaching an agreement, Zhang Yang set off alone, heading deeper into the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins.
Meanwhile, news of his early entry spread among several major forces.
Fengyu Town buzzed with excitement.
The news traveled even further. Beyond the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins, Zhang Yang’s name had become legendary across the Southern Region. People had heard it so often that it felt like their ears would develop calluses.
Many were puzzled as to why all the good fortune seemed to favor Zhang Yang.
Little did they know, the dangers he had faced in Mo City were numerous. He had nearly offended the entire Southern Region, and that, too, was a price he had to pay.
The allure of the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins was already immense, but now it attracted even more people. Major holy lands, empires, forbidden zones, great families, and sects all gathered their top talents. Some cultivators who had been in seclusion were even pulled out—all with a single goal in mind: the Daybreak Phoenix Ruins.
Moonview Tower was among them.
However, before making a move, Yilie first sought out Yi Ren Zui.
Yi Ren Zui sat in her room, her face emotionless.
She was unaware of the events unfolding outside.
But when she saw Yilie’s expression, she—who knew her father better than anyone—immediately sensed that something had changed.
"He’s gone," Yilie said, sitting across from her.
Yi Ren Zui’s beautiful eyes sparkled with brilliance.
Yilie’s expression turned cold as he spoke sternly, "Don’t you care about your father? Do you realize how important he is to me?"
"I know he came because I invited him," Yi Ren Zui replied, her charming face filled with sorrow. "I also know my father betrayed him because of me. He never intended to trade, yet because of our friendship, he offered my father many treasures, hoping to curry favor with Moonview Tower and secure a future for himself."
She looked directly at Yilie and asked, "What does my father expect me to say to my friend?"
"Friend?" Yilie scoffed. "Do you value your friends more than me? I am your biological father!"
Yi Ren Zui forced a smile. This was her father—someone who placed personal interests above everything else.
Yilie took a deep breath and said, "Zui’er, you must understand. The owner has already announced his seclusion this year to strive for sainthood. Whether he succeeds or fails, his position will soon be vacant. The Grand Elder, the Second Elder, and I are all competing for it, but I am at a disadvantage. Fortunately, I have managed to gain an advantage this time. If I can secure Zhang Yang’s cooperation, my chances of becoming the owner will greatly increase. And if I succeed, you will be the young lady of Moonview Tower, equal in status to Qiu Yuwan."
Yi Ren Zui closed her eyes. "The treasures you are trading for—where do they come from?"
"Of course, they come from the deal with Zhang Yang," Yilie replied. He hesitated before adding, "Looking back now, I regret not taking him captive when I had the chance. If I had, all those treasures would be mine, and I could sell them later on my own terms. I wouldn’t have to be so passive now."
Yi Ren Zui turned to look outside.
Yilie’s voice softened. "Zui’er, what have I always taught you? In the Southern Region—no, in the entire world—profit is above everything. Only by seizing opportunities and securing power can we ensure our future. So-called ‘friends’ exist to be used and discarded."
"You have a good relationship with Zhang Yang," he continued. "So this time, I will arrange enough people for you. Invite him. He will definitely meet with you. And once he does, we will take him down."
"Your father’s future, and yours, depend on him."
Yi Ren Zui remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "Alright."
