Ding Hui turned back, looking at Fang Yu, her eyes full of hope and excitement.
"Spirit? A spirit? He has captured a wild [Spirit]? Good, good, good!"
Ding Huiâs eyes darted around.
"Then we need to think carefully about how to make Daoist Qinglingâs psychological defenses crumble faster, placing all hopes on you."
The way she looks, itâs clear sheâs up to something.
Thankfully, Ding Huiâs strength is mediocre, and sheâs always been one of our own; otherwise, Fang Yu wouldnât dare think about how troublesome it would be to stand against her.
Just as they were talking, there was a sudden knock on the door outside.
"Brother Diao! The Hai Family Patriarch has come to visit in person! Heâs waiting for you in the main hall now!"
That was clearly the voice of Qing Anshun.
Fang Yu found it a bit strange. Things have progressed to this point, and itâs almost impossible for the Qing Family to keep him anymore, yet the Qing Familyâs Patriarch hasnât met him even once, nor shown any sign of wanting to keep him; everything was handled by his son. What does this mean? Do they know they canât win him over and have given up?
Clearly, they were so eager to win him over before.
Wait! Could it be that the Qing Family kept him around to sell him to the Hai Family or Qingling Taoist Temple for a high price?
"They came quite quickly. Husband, letâs go; since the head of the Hai Family came personally, we should discuss the price well."
Ding Hui adjusted her skirt and came to Fang Yuâs side, winking at him as she took his arm.
As Fang Yu opened the door and stepped out with her, allowing Qing Anshun to lead the way, he asked softly.
"Aside from the Hai Family, how many other top family powers are there in Sunset City?"
Ding Huiâs voice echoed directly in Fang Yuâs mind.
"Counting the Hai Family, there are about Seven Great Families, with the Qing Family at the bottom. Families like the Ke Family have a considerable gap compared to the Hai Family. Even if they acquire you, they lack the resources to elevate you to a higher standing, just holding the card in their hands. But the Hai Family, once they annexed Qingling Taoist Temple, they truly have the resources and capability to make you the next Daoist Qingling. Of course, as the Hai Familyâs Daoist Qingling."
"So once Qingling Taoist Temple falls, the Hai Family might develop an interest in you, and by then, it wonât be as easy for us to leave."
"Therefore, we have to precisely grasp the timing to withdraw."
"Once we agree to join the Hai Family, our time in Sunset City enters a countdown."
"During this time, we need to gather intelligence, then you deal with Daoist Qingling, get the wild [Spirit], and leave Sunset City before Qingling Taoist Temple is completely crushed."
Fang Yu realized that Ding Hui had thought through everything thoroughly.
Her analysis gave Fang Yu a clear strategy for what he should do next and how to prepare.
Before reaching the main hall, several guards in different styles of clothing were already visible at the entrance.
Among them, with whom he had a brief encounter this morning, 6000 combat power [Hou Xingchao], was also standing at the entrance.
Seeing Fang Yu approaching, Hou Xingchao nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
Alongside Hou Xingchao, there were several Hai-named guards, one with 6000 combat power and the others with around 4000 combat power.
[Sea Blue Iron: 6512/6512.]
[Hai Bupu: 4233/4233.]
[Hai Nanfu: 4016/4016.]
Fang Yu felt a slight puzzlement.
The entire Hai Family has come, yet they brought only this few people?
Currently, Fang Yu dared not activate the Kaiyuan Demon Body due to insufficient attribute points, but even in a normal state, he stood around 5000 combat power, considered among the stronger among the 5000 Blood Warriors.
If he could fully master the power of the Believers or had the attributes to activate the Primordial Demon Body, he might not be far from the combat power of a Demon Leader.
However, in such high-pressure situations, Fang Yu didnât plan to use it lightly as it can lead to dangerous situations, considering the limit of his spiritual power.
In the current state, after reaching the limit of 500 spiritual points, he could not continue to exert himself in this manner.
Due to Qing Anshun leading the way, these guards were quite sensible, allowing passage directly.
"Brother Diao, hurry!"
Fang Yu followed Qing Anshun into the main hall.
Immediately, the situation inside the hall came into full view.
A table full of food and drink, with only three sitting together.
[Qing Tianping: 5000/5000.]
[Hai Ruoyin: 500/500.]
[Hai Lin Jun: 9531/9531.]
Fang Yu:...
Damn, unexpectedly strong!
What is this?
This dramatic power difference, whatâs the situation?
Fang Yu thought the Hai Familyâs Patriarch, at best, would have combat power at the level of a Hall Master.
Turns out his blood volume is almost as much as a demonâs, approaching five digits.
Isnât that more formidable than the heads of the Five Great Families of Tianyuan Town?
No, come to think of it... I havenât seen the specific strength of the heads of the Five Great Families, only knowing that the ancestors of the Five Families are all monsters.
However, ancestors are ancestors, and heads are heads. Just like the Lin Family, the head is the steward Lin Ye, not the Lin Familyâs ancestor.
Moreover, the Five Great Families of Tianyuan Town have profound foundations; as Fang Yu indicated, the Hei Family casually sent elders to partake in artifact seizure battles, all having strength at the Hall Master level.
"Lord Hai! Second Young Master Hai!"
Qing Anshunâs sudden respectful salutation brought Fang Yuâs thoughts back.
Qing Anshun pointed at Fang Yu and his companion, introducing, "These are Diao De Yi and Mrs. Diao. They have arrived."
The three inside turned their gaze simultaneously.
Qing Tianping and Hai Ruoyin, not to mention.
The former had been in hiding, yet I was always in the Qing Family, staying in their guest room, so thereâs no need to elaborate.
The latter had just been met not long ago.
However, her appearance surprised Fang Yu a bit, unsure of the Hai Familyâs Patriarchâs intentions.
The only stranger present was Hai Lin Jun, with a mustache and a face of innate dignity.
"So these are the Diao couple, seeing you both is quite challenging, nearly costing me my beloved son."
Hai Lin Jun squinted slightly, seemingly wanting to intimidate Fang Yu.
Ding Hui seemed to want to speak but was suddenly held back by Fang Yu.
Fang Yu just smiled and said.
"Patriarch Hai, misunderstanding, itâs all a misunderstanding. Shall we sit and talk?"
Hai Lin Junâs lip curled slightly.
"Alright, letâs sit and talk."
Fang Yu noticed that when Hai Lin Jun spoke, both Qing Tianping and Hai Ruoyin remained silent.
Apparently, Hai Lin Jun had control of the scene.
Daoist Qinglingâs burst of strength had a time-debuff; Fang Yu could manage with time.
But dealing with this one wouldnât be that simple.
Especially while protecting Ding Hui, it became harder.
Fortunately, Fang Yu and his companions were here to discuss cooperation.
As Fang Yu and Ding Hui sat down, he could feel clearly that the Hai Family Patriarch gave a sense of vitality, as if thriving, with plenty of room to grow.
Whereas when meeting Daoist Qingling earlier, he was like the twilight years, lacking any vigor.
Thereâs a subtle transition between sun and moon, a changing of eras.
"Letâs not beat around the bush, Brother Diao. I am here today to do two things."
"The first, I want you to join my Hai Family and become our honored Guest Elder. Sever any relation with Qingling Taoist Temple entirely."
"Second, return my worthless son to me."
"If you agree to these two matters, Iâll let pass the harm you caused my son, and respect you as the Hai Familyâs honored guest."
Hai Lin Jun wasnât one for circumlocution; before Fang Yu could even take a bite, he went straight to the point.
Luckily, Fang Yu didnât care, just raising an eyebrow before speaking.
"Your young master Hai was the one who provoked me first..."
Before Fang Yu could finish, Hai Lin Jun waved his hand.
"I donât care; the correctness doesnât matter. The result is my son is in your hands, and I have sought from you. So you can make demands, if I find them acceptable, we shake hands and reconcile. However, if you are too greedy, this wonât end well."