Chapter 2686 - 2678: Style Shift

Chapter 2686: Chapter 2678: Style Shift

Artifact refiners tend to be relatively wealthy, and this Nascent Soul Artifact Refiner’s craftsmanship is superb; he is among the top in his sect.

But twenty extreme Spirits... he truly cannot afford to compensate, not even his own, since Yi Jue only possesses eight pieces!

Yi Jue may be young, but a good Spirit Plant master can earn more than an Artifact Refiner.

Feng Jun had just returned when he heard such news, feeling a bit fed up, he straightforwardly announced: that Nascent Soul Artifact Refiner is unwelcome at White Pebble Beach, and anyone who shelters him should consider facing retaliation from White Pebble Beach.

Currently, it’s the Taiqing Sub-Court that is sheltering the Artifact Refiner, and Wu Xiu, a True Immortal from Taixu Sect, personally came to explain, saying that the Artifact Refiner is not a bad person but is only proficient in artifact refinement and not good at interpersonal interactions; it was an unintentional act, hoping Mountain Master Feng would be merciful and spare him.

Feng Jun shook his head decisively, "There’s no need to persuade me further, for if you do, I might start hating you too; if I happened to meet him outside and he offended me a bit, maybe I’d let it go, but he came right to my doorstep to cause trouble... if it were you, would you agree?"

Wu Xiu the True Immortal covered his face and left, not even bothering to apologize—his coming forward this time was indeed too hasty.

Mei Yeyu, who had been watching coldly all along, suddenly spoke up, "That Nascent Soul Artifact Refiner... isn’t that simple."

He’s considered a "worker" role at White Pebble Beach, rarely expressing his views; it’s quite unusual for him to speak up this time on his own.

Feng Jun nodded, "Of course, it isn’t simple, I know people who are oblivious to things, but believe me, in a matter as significant as this, Ban Yu the True Sage wouldn’t assign someone irresponsible to handle it, so there must be a problem... but you, how did you perceive that?"

Mei Yeyu raised his chin, answering proudly, "Using sword analysis... actually, I just wanted to tell you, you didn’t do wrong."

"Even if it were wrong, it wouldn’t matter," Feng Jun replied indifferently, "After all, they’re coming to provoke, does motive matter?"

Feng Jun’s words spread, and the Nascent Soul Artifact Refiner left overnight, leaving behind an obsidian piece, indicating that within ten years, he will create a better Virtual Combat Magical Treasure.

At this moment, Feng Jun happened to be receiving a True Immortal from the Ji Family.

The True Immortal from Ji Family found Feng Jun, demanding an explanation as to why the Xuan Yuan Family could entrust the Gongyang Family to buy things on their behalf, but why couldn’t the Ji Family do the same, hinting in his words—does Xuan Yuan Family in face hold greater sway than Ji Family?

Feng Jun was a bit stunned, realizing Ji Family won’t let go, because aside from sect and clan practitioners’ conflicts, is there also a factor of clan face-off ranking involved?

Aware of this, he suddenly felt a bit sorry for Ji Family, couldn’t help but comment, "Is the pressure of being the top family really this heavy?"

The True Immortal from Ji Family was originally speaking rather subtly, upon hearing this, his expression changed abruptly, "You dare to speak about Ji Family like that?"

The First Family does have its stature, the erstwhile Xuan Yuan Family was the same, considering themselves comparable to the Seven Superior Sects, implicitly even above the Eighteen Paths, forbidding open disrespect towards Xuan Yuan Family.

But in the eyes of Eighteen Paths’ cultivators, any path casually pulled out can battle Xuan Yuan Family to a deadlock, if including subordinate sect forces, what does the First Family count for?

Ultimately, much of Seven Superior Sects and Eighteen Paths’ strength is dedicated to nurturing dominion lineage, clan practitioners don’t have this concept.

Clan practitioners also attempted this approach, nurturing legacy power in different domains, but the fundamental of the clan system—bloodline recognition, doesn’t support this nurturing method.

After various domains’ forces grew, if same-surname, there’s a great chance it’d develop into collateral branches and eventually divide away, if different surnames, they might directly establish their own power.

After trying hundreds of times, clan practitioners resigned themselves, they couldn’t emulate the sect system.

If anyone did manage it, it wouldn’t belong within the clan practitioner category.

No matter how, the previous Xuan Yuan Family compared themselves to Seven Superior Sects, now Ji Family replacing Xuan Yuan Family becoming the top-ranked family, having such esteem is normal—dare you evaluate Ji Family like this?

Feng Jun was indifferent, what of the First Family? I dared to offend Wanhuan Sect and Lingmu Sect thoroughly, yet I’m still doing quite fine now, isn’t it a dream to think of befriending everyone?

So, he casually remarked, "The First Family is fought for by strength, not by others’ judgments, if your Nascent Soul ideals can fully represent Ji Family... I think, Ji Family is very risky indeed."

The True Immortal from Ji Family’s face became even uglier, "Seems you have... no respect for Ji Family at all."

"Exactly," Feng Jun nodded lazily, "if... you can fully represent Ji Family."

If it doesn’t work out, let’s have another round of "saving one person by killing another." Although his status seems very stable now, the situation isn’t exactly optimistic, as all sides continue to test — even including sect forces like the artifact refining path.

The True Immortal from the Ji Family was stunned for quite a while, surprisingly not acting out again. "Of course, I cannot represent the Ji Family. You have a point; after all, the First Family fought their way to the top based on strength... I just want to know why the Ji Family can’t make the purchases on behalf of others?"

Sure enough, these families with long-standing traditions send out cultivators to socialize, who are trained not just to be helplessly furious but to master their anger just as instinctively. Without this, families couldn’t survive for generations, and ascending to First Family status is simply out of the question.

This individual stayed calm, but Feng Jun felt his attitude was still inadequate. Given this, Feng Jun decided to just offend him once and for all, casually saying, "I make the decisions here. I choose who gets to buy... especially not selling to someone as muddled as you."

Upon hearing this, the True Immortal of the Ji Family clenched his teeth, paused for almost five seconds, then took a deep breath and spoke slowly, "If you weren’t the host here, I’d truly hold you accountable for the crime of disrespecting a superior... Did you call me muddled?"

Disrespecting a superior is a serious offense, but the rules of Tianqin also acknowledge home-field advantage — when facing guests at one’s own place, one can be a bit unruly. However, this advantage... can be quite flexible.

"Of course, you’re muddled. Not knowing where you’re wrong makes you even more muddled," Feng Jun replied offhandedly, "but I’m under no obligation to point out your mistakes..."

"I know, it requires money," the Ji Family’s True Immortal quickly responded, then flipped his hand, revealing a top-grade Spirit Stone before speaking solemnly, "A top-grade Spirit Stone, in exchange for Mountain Master Feng’s guidance... I hope your answer satisfies me."

Who said that the disciples of Ji Family only know how to look down on others? This individual’s ability to change his approach is truly astonishing.

"I’ve seen top-grade Spirit Stones before, it’s just... I dare not offend the Ji Family," Feng Jun sighed, putting away the Spirit Stone. Changing style? I can barely keep up.

Then he chuckled, "The Xuanyuan Family purchases for the Xiong Family, the Gongyang Family for the Ji Family... If you want to compare, shouldn’t it be with the Xiong Family?"

Comparing my family to the Xiong Family... The Ji Family’s True Immortal almost spat out blood. Could you possibly underestimate my family any more?

He knew the Xiong Family has True Lords, but the True Sages of the Xiong Family... truly demean themselves. If they had presentable True Sages, they wouldn’t need the True Lords to run around so much.

But on further thought, Feng Jun’s words actually made sense. Criticizing him for being muddled was not wrong; ultimately, he was being overly concerned, and this explained the previous disrespectful comment — "the pressure on the First Family is immense."

However, whether the Ji Family’s True Immortal was indeed overly concerned is hard to say. He continued his changed style, saying, "That thought is correct, worth a top-grade Spirit Stone, anyway it’s recouped through purchase fees... The Ji Family still wants to be ahead in obtaining Magical Treasures, please guide us, Mountain Master Feng."

Accusing suddenly shifted to paying for guidance — this time, the purchase fees went directly to the manufacturer, eliminating intermediaries.

As for such disciples of the First Family, does it make you nervous?

Feng Jun felt a bit uneasy.

However, perhaps influenced by the Taixu Sect, with previous matters settled, he decided to discuss principles, "Without regulations, nothing can be accomplished efficiently; I’m organizing the purchasing order. Previously, the Xuanyuan Family paid in full first, showing their trust in me..."

At this point, he noticed Liu Yiyi peeking in from outside, so he raised his hand to signal, "What’s the matter?"

Liu Yiyi brought over a message from the Artifact Refiner, claiming that a stronger Virtual Combat Magical Treasure will be crafted within ten years.

Feng Jun pondered for a moment, glancing sideways, noticing that the Ji Family’s True Immortal’s expression wasn’t favorable.

Then he smiled, "Originally, your Ji Family should wait in line. But for the First Family, I do feel a bit of respect, now there’s such an opportunity... I wonder if the Ji Family is interested?"

You have no actual respect for my Ji Family! The Ji Family’s True Immortal finally saw through it — the last time Feng Jun showed respect, it resulted in him receiving a top-grade Spirit Stone.

When Mountain Master Feng spoke of wanting to reorganize order, he realized, this fellow doesn’t intend to comply with anyone... In fact, strong families often operate this way — "I don’t want what you think, I want what I think."

Therefore, the Ji Family’s True Immortal’s expression was rather unpleasant and lining up to purchase based on arrival would certainly erode the family’s prestige.

But hearing that Feng Jun would again show "respect," he felt a slight jolt, then smiled and nodded, "If Mountain Master Feng is willing to give us a chance, my family certainly has interest, but this ’respect’ should not be too costly."

"It’s not about being expensive or not, respect is obviously discounted," Feng Jun cheerfully remarked, "I’d like to trouble the Ji Family to post a bounty for killing the Nascent Soul Artifact Forger of the artifact refining path, priced at... half-price priority supply of a set of Magical Treasures."

"To kill the Artifact Refiner of the refining path..." The Ji Family’s True Immortal’s mouth twitched slightly, thinking, are you trying to provoke my family into a fatal clash with the refining path? You call this... a discount?

Yet the next moment, he realized, "Is my family responsible for just posting the bounty?"