Chapter 00126: You Can't Refuse
# You Can't Refuse
Chapter 126
Novel: Abandon The Universe
Chapter 126: You Can't Refuse
"Senior Brother Zhangmen, it seems someone is blocking our way ahead."
Qiu Liguang, who was in charge of controlling the Qianyun Boat, spoke with a hint of nervousness.
Though he had been with the Qianyun Sect for twenty years, under the philosophy of the old sect leader, Shan Changxiu, he had learned to avoid trouble as much as possible.
If there was a way to not cause a stir, they wouldn’t.
Lan Xiaobu's divine sense already detected the figures ahead.
They were also on a spiritual vessel, one that seemed to be of medium grade, even higher than their Qianyun Boat.
"Friends aboard the flying boat, we are from the Wuhai Sect, please come out for a chat."
A voice reached them, clear even from a distance, despite the prohibitive aura of the Qianyun Boat.
Shan Qianyue and Xuan Fu tensed up.
Shan Qianyue lowered her voice, "Xiaobu, the Wuhai Sect is a five-star sect from the Fog Sea to the west of Yuan Continent. I've heard they are quite notorious for ambushing other sects during certain events. They make people disappear without a trace. It's said that their methods are clean, which makes it hard for others to retaliate."
Lan Xiaobu chuckled, standing up.
"I'll go take a look."
At that moment, the two ships were very close—less than ten meters apart at most.
Lan Xiaobu stepped onto the deck of the Qianyun Boat.
The opposing vessel was noticeably larger, and on its deck stood a muscular man, towering nearly two meters tall.
"Haha, would it be possible for you to come aboard our ship for a chat? Our protective array is already opened," said the muscular man, his laughter booming as he invited Lan Xiaobu over with a gesture.
Several others behind him had already revealed their magical treasures, knowing this was a signal to prepare for a confrontation.
Typically, who would willingly step onto a stranger's ship mid-journey? Even the foolish would know better.
As soon as Lan Xiaobu refused, they would initiate an attack, because to ignore an invitation from a five-star sect would be seen as disrespect, making it worthy of punishment.
"Of course, I can," Lan Xiaobu replied, gesturing for Shan Qianyue and the others to wait on the boat.
Then he leaped across the gap, landing on the opponent's ship.
The disciples from the Wuhai Sect were taken aback.
Wait, this isn’t how it’s supposed to go! Shouldn’t we start over?
"Good bravery, my name is Zhuo Mingqiu from the Wuhai Sect. May I know your name, friend?" Zhuo Mingqiu was having mixed feelings as he saw Lan Xiaobu so boldly disregard his aura.
If Lan Xiaobu was really a disciple from a five-star sect, maybe he should just let it go.
Yet, he speculated that Lan Xiaobu wasn’t.
Anyone from a five-star sect would at least have a medium-grade spiritual item, but here was Lan Xiaobu with a low-grade one.
Lan Xiaobu looked at Zhuo Mingqiu with an expression of confusion.
"Didn’t you invite me? Why would I need courage to come when invited?"
Zhuo Mingqiu was momentarily at a loss for words.
Indeed, he had invited him, and now this person stood before him, so why the talk of courage?
With a bright smile, Lan Xiaobu said, "I’m Lan Xiaobu from the Qianyun Sect. I wonder if you invited me here because you need my assistance with something?"
The mention of the Qianyun Sect puzzled Zhuo Mingqiu.
What sect was that? He hadn't heard of it.
Generally, he would recognize five-star and four-star sects, and even some famous three-star sects, but this Qianyun Sect was unknown to him.
One of his younger companions noticed Zhuo Mingqiu's awkwardness and quickly whispered, "Senior Zhuo, the Qianyun Sect is a two-star sect that seems to have fallen from grace. I heard their strongest elder is only at the Foundation Establishment stage. Who would have thought they'd dare to send someone to the Primordial Ruins?"
Zhuo Mingqiu nearly choked on this information.
How could someone from a mere two-star sect dare to step onto his ship? Did they think they could just come in for tea?
If it were someone from a three-star or four-star sect, he might have considered an excuse.
But knowing Lan Xiaobu was from a two-star sect, Zhuo Mingqiu decided against finding a way out.
"Here’s the thing, our ship is too small for all my fellow brothers. We noticed your flying boat is quite nice, so I’d like to offer you a hundred low-grade spirit stones to buy it. How does that sound? You can't refuse."
Zhuo Mingqiu looked at Lan Xiaobu with a grin.
"Your ship isn’t too shabby, either. I also happen to be in need of a ride, so how about I offer you one hundred and one low-grade spirit stones?" Lan Xiaobu’s smile was radiant.
"You’re looking to die…" Zhuo Mingqiu muttered, then threw a punch aimed at Lan Xiaobu's head.
So what if he killed a disciple from a two-star sect? If he dealt with the others afterwards, who would know it was him? Even if they did, what could they do?
But Lan Xiaobu didn’t budge, meeting his punch with one of his own.
This time, Lan Xiaobu unleashed nearly all of his true essence, realizing that Zhuo Mingqiu underestimated him and hence did not use any treasures.
Otherwise, dealing with this guy might have been a challenge.
"Crack!" The sound of bones shattering rang out as their fists collided.
Cold sweat erupted on Zhuo Mingqiu's forehead.
Even cultivators fear pain; how could he not? Lan Xiaobu's punch had shattered his knuckles.
"You…" Zhuo Mingqiu's face paled, and he quickly swallowed a medicinal pill.
Lan Xiaobu patted Zhuo Mingqiu's shoulder with a smile.
"So, what do you think of my earlier proposal?"
Zhuo Mingqiu gasped, realizing that disciples from two-star sects were not to be underestimated anymore.
Several of his younger disciples sensed trouble and activated the ship’s killing formation.
But it seemed as if Lan Xiaobu didn't see it; he allowed them to power it up.
Zhuo Mingqiu cursed himself for being a fool.
Lan Xiaobu's strength was clearly above theirs.
By activating the killing formation, weren’t they just trapping themselves?
"Friend Lan, I was wrong earlier. I apologize. We, the Wuhai Sect, are a five-star sect, and I am merely a foreseeing disciple sent to claim a territory. If anything happens to me, our sect will not let it go."
Lan Xiaobu replied, "What could happen? I merely proposed to buy your ship. You invited me over but didn’t offer to trade; were you trying to entertain me? I am not unfamiliar with five-star sects. Have I not dealt with Liu Li from the Western Kunlun Sect? You’re asserting a more formidable background than him."
Zhuo Mingqiu felt a buzzing in his mind.
Even though they were both five-star sects, there was still a gap between the Wuhai Sect and the Western Kunlun Sect.
His position in the Wuhai Sect was nowhere near what Liu Li's was.
If Liu Li could be taught a lesson, Zhuo Mingqiu knew he was far from it.
"What do you want?" Zhuo Mingqiu sweated from his forehead.
Then he recalled something and quickly added, "This ship doesn’t belong to me; it belongs to the sect. If you take it, the sect will definitely hunt you down."
Lan Xiaobu calmly replied, "So you mean to say I should just leave empty-handed? How about one hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones? This time, you can’t refuse."
Zhuo Mingqiu turned green.
One hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones? Did he think he was a thief?
Not waiting for Zhuo Mingqiu to shake his head, Lan Xiaobu continued, "You initially planned to rob our spirit boat and then eliminate us, didn’t you? What a clever plan; this way, no one would ever know you killed disciples from the Qianyun Sect?"
Zhuo Mingqiu’s cold sweat poured out as he sensed the implication of Lan Xiaobu’s words.
Was he planning to erase all witnesses? There was indeed a chance, as this young lad might think he could get away with it.
"Here’s a hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones. I admit my wrongdoing in wanting your flying boat, so let’s call it even, shall we?” Zhuo Mingqiu hurriedly produced the spirit stones.
Even a disciple from a five-star sect would consider a hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones a significant sum.
Not everyone has the wealth of a fourth-grade alchemist.
Taking the spirit stones and leaving the ship, Lan Xiaobu felt a wave of relief wash over Zhuo Mingqiu.
He immediately ordered the ship to speed away, putting as much distance as possible between them and Lan Xiaobu, a disciple from a two-star sect who defied logic.
…
"Brother Xiaobu, are you okay?" When Lan Xiaobu returned, Shan Qianyue finally felt a sense of relief.
"What could happen? We just had some tea and got to know each other. Let’s speed up and claim a position. By the way, I plan to go into seclusion for the next few days; please don’t disturb me,” Lan Xiaobu thought it essential to seize this opportunity to break through the Spirit Refining Technique to the fourth stage.
After all, his cultivation level was a touch too low, and the number of people he had offended was quite substantial.
Lan Xiaobu occupied the master bedroom of the flying boat, pulling out a pile of medicinal pills.
To break through the Spirit Refining Technique to the fourth stage, he needed to prepare various pills.
He indeed had many medicinal pills, and this collection he spread out had at least dozens of varieties.
From first-grade to fourth-grade; most were meant for recovering true essence, healing injuries, dispelling poison, or enhancing cultivation levels.
After searching, he couldn’t find any that could restore his sea of consciousness or spirit.
To quickly break through to the fourth stage, he would have to tear his soul.
But Lan Xiaobu was no novice anymore; back when he didn’t know the dangers, he would dive right in.
Now that he understood the risks, he naturally had to be prepared with recovery pills.
Having searched thoroughly, Lan Xiaobu couldn’t help but sneer at the Western Hidden Alchemist, Chunyu Liangyong.
That fellow was all about his reputation yet didn’t even have a single soul recovery pill, and he called himself a fourth-grade alchemist.
(End of Chapter)