Chapter 786: You Won't Even Call Me CEO Chu (I)

Chu Liang said, "Why is Starhold Island competing for a spot in the Terrestrial Ten? It must be because you're dissatisfied with your current position. You're a powerful force in the East Sea, but that's only because you have the Penglai Supreme Sect supporting you.

"At the same time, because of the Penglai Supreme Sect, the various sects in the Heavenly Star faction have joined forces against you, making it totally impossible for you to make a name for yourselves in the nine provinces.

"After all, the immortal sects in the nine provinces are refusing to let the Penglai faction into the nine provinces, so all of you have no way of expanding there. Even if you win a spot in the Terrestrial Ten, do you really think you'll be able to expand your influence? Your role as Penglai's hound has already been set in stone. There's no way to change it."

"But..." Chu Liang paused. "Well, I'm just a lowly, untalented person, but I may be able to help you change that."

Hong Jufeng was stunned; Chu Liang sounded so convincing.

This wasn't the effect of a divine skill from a Great Dao though. Unlike the Celestial Master, Chu Liang didn't need a divine skill to persuade people. His words alone had struck a chord with Hong Jufeng.

As a member of Starhold Island's younger generation, Hong Jufeng had grown tired of being confined to a small corner of the East Sea.

Every sect in the world of immortality cultivators had its own sphere of influence. Within that territory, they could compete for access to hidden realms, valuable treasures, or sanctuaries of spiritual qi. They also had first dibs on missions involving evildoers or other supernatural threats.

Whenever a conflict occurred, it would usually be between neighboring immortal sects. If a sect were to seize resources from another sect in a distant region, it would be seen as overstepping boundaries.

For smaller sects, this sphere of influence might cover just a few mountains and lakes. Larger ones could have control over an entire province. Each sect in the Terrestrial Ten generally had a sphere of influence that covered one of the Four Great Territories[1], and they rarely left their region to operate elsewhere. There was a tacit understanding that only the Divine Nine had the freedom to travel to any corner of the nine provinces.

Back when Chu Liang and his companions took missions from the Sword Exchange Pavilion, they mostly picked ones that were located in the Southern Regions because that allowed them to stay close to Mount Shu. However, they did occasionally travel far and wide across the lands. For disciples from smaller sects, such a level of mobility was unimaginable.

The Divine Nine's and Terrestrial Ten's ability to expand their sphere of influence limitlessly was a great advantage for acquiring resources. Nevertheless, there were sects that did not use or have that ability, like the Greater-Yin Cult and the Penglai Supreme Sect.

Despite being one of the Divine Nine, the Greater-Yin Cult was extremely reclusive. Its members seldom left their corner of the Northern Regions and rarely ventured out to compete for resources. Likewise, they did not allow outsiders to approach their domain—not even those from the other sects in the Northern Regions. Regardless, the other immortal sects were more than happy to let them remain isolated.

The Penglai Supreme Sect had long been regarded as the leading sect of the righteous path, but they were located in the East Sea, which was far from the mainland where the nine provinces were located. The three islands of Penglai, the most blessed lands in the mortal world, provided for all their needs, making it unnecessary for them to leave the East Sea.

Aside from being self-sufficient, there was one more major reason the Penglai Supreme Sect stayed off the mainland—the blockade that the immortal sects in the nine provinces had imposed on it.

With the imperial court as their leader, the sects in the Heavenly Star faction and sects outside the faction like the Mount Shu Sect and the Great Astral Sect openly and secretly prevented the Penglai Supreme Sect from expanding its influence to the mainland. Everyone understood how powerful the Penglai Supreme Sect was. If it were allowed to establish a foothold on the mainland, no one would be able to stand against it.

If they let the Penglai Supreme Sect occupy even just one area in the nine provinces, it could then freely explore hidden realms and recruit cultivation prodigies. Soon enough, the nine provinces would be dominated by the Penglai Supreme Sect and its hounds, leaving little room for any other immortal sects to survive.

Over the years, the Penglai Supreme Sect had been covertly stirring up trouble. It used sects like Taotie City and the Thunderbolt Stronghold to infiltrate the mainland and bypass the blockade, baring its fangs with full force.

As a loyal hound of the Penglai Supreme Sect, Starhold Island had certainly reaped great benefits in the East Sea. However, it had also suffered countless setbacks and found itself excluded from the mainland alongside its owner.

Nevertheless, the most significant disadvantage for Hong Jufeng was that he had been stuck eating seafood for so long that it made him want to vomit. He had only occasionally gotten to enjoy a roasted leg of lamb when his father hosted feasts.

Hang on...

At that moment, Hong Jufeng suddenly remembered the lamb leg he had left behind.

It's probably cold by now...

His heart ached just at the thought of it.

Seeing Hong Jufeng's expression suddenly turn solemn, Chu Liang knew that his words had gotten through. So, he continued, "If you want to establish lines of communication with the sects in the nine provinces, Red Cotton Peak is the best gateway for that.

"I believe the first step should be using the Mountain-Suppressing Rock as the point of attraction. Let Starhold Island's spirit ores flow outward while allowing the resources of the nine provinces to flow in. This will deepen your ties with the other immortal sects and serve as a way to break the ice.

"With me as your intermediary, you don't have to worry about any pressure. In the nine provinces, I happen to have... quite the network."

Hong Jufeng cast a glance at Grand Ancestor Fuyou and thought,

True

.

He hesitated for a moment before timidly asking, "Young Hero Chu, it's not that I don't want to do as you say. Everything you're saying sounds great, but Starhold Island's foundation is in the East Sea. We have no choice but to live under someone else's thumb..."

Chu Liang shook his head with a smile. "I'm not asking you to cut ties with Penglai; all I'm asking is that you let me help you. Having one more person helping you doesn't conflict with your ties to Penglai, does it?

"I understand the situation your sect is in. In order to survive in the East Sea, you have no choice but to acknowledge the Penglai Supreme Sect as your father. But you can think of me as... a kind neighborhood uncle."

Hearing that analogy made Hong Jufeng fall into deep thought. "Hmm..."

Chu Liang continued, "But you must be clear on one thing—who your real family is. I'm investing my money and effort into Starhold Island's development. In return, I want at least sixty percent of future profits and veto power over all major decisions. I won't interfere in your sect's daily affairs, but when important matters arise, our interests must align. You will remain the sect leader, but I will be the Chief Executive Overseer. Understood?"

Hong Jufeng stared blankly at Chu Liang, looking rather dazed. The concepts Chu Liang mentioned were clearly overloading his brain.

Chu Liang had become more adept at negotiations after his previous dealings with Huan Leisheng, but Starhold Island was different from the Talismanic Sect. Starhold Island had a serious shot at becoming part of the Terrestrial Ten, so it was understandable for Hong Jufeng to be apprehensive.

"No problem. I respect your opinion on the matter, Young Master Hong. You're free to decline or take more time to consider," Chu Liang said kindly.

"Ah, then I'll think about it some more..." Hong Jufeng replied, quickly buying himself some time.

After all, this was a major decision—one that troubled him greatly.

Chu Liang suddenly stood up and turned to Grand Ancestor Fuyou with a smile. "Well then, Esteemed Senior Fuyou, please have them continue mining in the meantime. In a while, I'll send people over to transport the materials ahead of time. I still have business to attend to back at Mount Shu, so I won't stay any longer."

Grand Ancestor Fuyou cupped his hands together and said, "Young Hero Chu, at least stay for a meal before leaving. I asked you to come all the way here... If I fail to host you properly, I will feel greatly guilty and ashamed..."

Hong Jufeng shot to his feet and blurted out, "There's nothing to eat here but some lousy fish! How about let's just finish this discussion first?"

Hong Jufeng could tell from Chu Liang's stance that since they hadn't reached an agreement, he was just going to turn around and leave.

All right.

You'll be fine if you leave now, but what about my several hundred men? They're still stuck here miners. And it's not like I can just turn around and ask the old man to let me go, can I? He will probably plant another bug in me and make me dig away mindlessly alongside my men.

And I haven't even eaten my lamb leg!

It was then that Hong Jufeng realized the conditions that Chu Liang had discussed with him were secondary. The most important thing was that he would be saved from this nightmare!

Chu Liang had spoken too politely, making Hong Jufeng believe—for a moment—that he actually had a choice.

Hong Jufeng declared firmly, "Young Hero Chu, we'll do it your way. I agree to all your conditions!"

It was only after hearing those words that Chu Liang leisurely sat back down. In a calm voice, he replied, "But you won't even call me CEO Chu?"

𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

...

1. Referring to the Northern Regions, Southern Regions, Eastern Regions, and Western Regions. ☜