Betroth the Saintess to You

Xu Mu led several people towards the tents in the distance. Besides the two from Xianling, Pang Xun, who had fled earlier, had also returned.

Through his perception, he discovered that the people Chen Xuan had dealt with had already been gathered by the locals, piled together and were ready to be buried.

Xu Mu hurried over there first. The guards around, seeing Xu Mu and Chen Xuan, fearfully cleared a path.

Not much time had passed, so they certainly recognized the two.

Some of them quickly headed to the deepest tent to report the news of their return.

Xu Mu came to the bodies, looked around, and asked, "Are you planning to bury these corpses?"

"That's right. After battles here, we always bury the bodies collectively."

One of the middle-aged men from the Baishi Clan nodded.

"Then let me take care of it for you."

Xu Mu reached out his hand, and a dark gold light fell from it. These sticky, dark gold liquids surged towards the bodies.

Hum!

The gold suddenly expanded, enveloping all the corpses. Within just ten-odd seconds, the piled bodies disappeared completely, along with their clothes and even the bloodstains left on the ground.

Xu Mu felt the Sacred Devourer Gu at his fingertip; it had just devoured other small Sacred Gu.

It seemed intent on continuing to evolve.

The other Baishi Clan members nearby, seeing what had happened, showed looks of terror.

"Don't be nervous. They're friends. All of you, withdraw."

From the distance came a soft, effeminate male voice. It was none other than Xian Lingqi.

With him were Xian Lingnan and Pang Xun.

The Baishi Clan members all retreated, leaving only the three core members on the Baishi side.

"Xu Mu, since you've come back, I assume you're willing to cooperate with us?"

Xian Lingqi opened his hands with a smile. "Before that, I need to tell you something: Lao Jie and Chi Ting are indeed in a cooperative relationship."

"I figured that out."

Xu Mu had seen Chi Ting's face before he left last time, and obtaining those two bodies was likely part of their agreement.

"Then what's your plan?"

Xian Lingqi continued asking.

"I'm willing to cooperate with you and help you seize the position of clan leader. But you need to go to the outside world and sign an agreement with our Sanitation Department, stating that the Baishi Clan will not cause trouble outside without permission in the future."

Xu Mu's eyes fell on Xian Lingnan. "If you cross the line, our experts will annihilate you completely."

"We agree."

Xian Lingqi didn't hesitate. Before Xu Mu arrived, the three of them had already discussed it.

Since races stronger than the Baishi Clan hadn't made a move, they certainly wouldn't be the first to stick their heads out.

"Sister Nan? What about you?"

Xu Mu waited for Xian Lingnan's reply.

Through his Divine Eye, he checked her favorability towards him. It was still negative, but not as much as before.

Then he checked the filial piety values among the three. It was a mess of ulterior motives; each person's value towards the other two was negative.

"I'm just the Saintess, a mascot. My opinion doesn't count."

Xian Lingnan, perhaps being sarcastic, flicked her hair indifferently.

"Xu Mu, Xiao Nan has already agreed. Let's get back to discussing the cooperation."

Xian Lingqi looked at Xu Mu and asked the key question. "What help can you provide us? And what price do we need to pay?"

"The help I can offer is just this."

Xu Mu pointed to the three disguised people beside him.

The Baishi Clan members had already noticed Li Chenshuang before they arrived.

Any man would almost certainly be drawn in by such a terrifyingly bountiful figure at first glance.

Xian Lingnan squinted her eyes. She didn't like this woman from the very first look.

Li Chenshuang took off her cloak's hood. She also ordered the two corpses behind her to reveal their heads.

Seeing the figures before him, Xian Lingqi's expression turned sour. "Are Chi Ting and Lao Jie's clan in a cooperative relationship? Can't he detach the Gu insects?"

"Don't worry. That's why I brought this big sister from the Jiuli Clan. She now has full control over the Gu insects. Chi Ting won't be able to control them."

Xu Mu explained with a smile.

Pang Xun, seeing Xian Lingcui standing nearby, still felt a shadow over his heart. This clan leader had ruled their Baishi Clan for far too long.

Xian Lingqi's throat moved, but he swallowed again.

Xu Mu noticed he seemed hesitant to speak and asked, "We're partners now. Speak your mind. Don't let it affect our relationship later."

"Xu Mu, I'll be honest then. If this succeeds, could you return my father's body to me?"

Xian Lingqi's gaze fell on Xian Lingbu. "After all, I'm his son. He's dead now; I want him to rest in peace."

"That depends on my big boss lady. These two corpses belong to her now."

Xu Mu glanced at Li Chenshuang beside him.

Li Chenshuang's expression didn't change. What she cared about most was the Dark Servant Worm, not the corpses.

"Once the matter is settled, I can return your father's body to you. But you need to give me another corpse, one at the Fifth Tier of the Realm-Breaking Stage."

Li Chenshuang smiled. She wasn't familiar with the Baishi Clan, so she wouldn't make a loss-making deal.

"Agreed."

Xian Lingqi nodded. "Then let's talk about the next matter. For your help, what price do we need to pay?"

Xu Mu first turned to Chen Xuan. "Old Chen, what do you want?"

"Me? Definitely rare treasures, something suitable for my metal attribute."

Chen Xuan said without hesitation.

He felt his current cultivation method was sufficient; what he lacked were treasures that could directly boost his power.

Xu Mu nodded, then looked at Li Chenshuang. "And you?"

"I get something too?"

Li Chenshuang was a bit surprised, then chuckled. "I need rare treasures too."

[Favorability +10]

"Alright. We all need rare treasures. Let's keep it cheap this time. Three Grade-Nine items, how about that?"

Xu Mu asked.

"Grade-Nine treasures are quite rare. I definitely don't have enough on me. I can plunder some treasures from the Lao Jie clan. If that's still not enough, I'll betroth Xiao Nan to you. How about that?"

"What?"

Xian Lingnan, who had been acting aloof, turned pale. "Xian Lingqi, what do you mean?"

"I actually think Commander Xian's suggestion makes sense. If we can't gather enough treasures, offering the Saintess as a token of gratitude is within reason."

Pang Xun, well aware of Xian Lingqi's intentions, continued, "The Saintess has astonishing talent. If Brother Xu Mu marries her, it would be like a tiger gaining wings."

Xian Lingnan clenched her fists. Their intentions were written all over their faces.

They still needed her status as Saintess for now. If they truly succeeded, Xian Lingnan as the Saintess would become useless.

Keeping her around would only be a threat. So they were eager to push her out and install an obedient Saintess.

"I disagree."

Xu Mu immediately refused. This woman had negative values for both filial piety and goodwill, and he wasn't a fool.

“Brother Xu Mu, it seems you're looking down on our Saintess,”

Xian Lingqi said with a meaningful smile. “What a pity.”