Chapter 2710: Bounty Released

Yun Buyao felt this whole discussion was a bit redundant, but since her master had instructed her, she came to take part anyway.

However, the Members of Luohua from the Earth Realm already sensed that this was not just some ordinary discussion; it had nothing to do with the dispute between Yu Qingzhu and Zhang Caixin over future status, nor was it purely about setting rules.

What they were touching now was actually the clash of culture and civilization between two worlds—Cultivators from Earth: should they just copy the local Cultivators’ attitudes and do as the natives do, or should they try to change some of the existing perceptions?

Mi Yunsan, the local who had followed Feng Jun the longest, very keenly picked up on this. Seeing Yun Buyao withdraw from the discussion, she couldn’t help asking out loud, “Boss, from your point of view, you should be supporting Senior Sister Qingzhu, right?”

She had always kept her posture very humble; even though Yu Qingzhu started Cultivation later than she did, a higher Cultivation Level still made her the senior sister.

“Are you saying I’ve always acted like some kind of Holy Mother?” Feng Jun let out a bitter laugh, throwing out a term that the native Cultivators didn’t really understand, then spread his hands. “Actually… I mainly just hate trouble. If we set rules like that, it’ll mean a lot more work.”

“It’s not really that much trouble,” Gazi had sorted his thoughts out as well. “Brother Qiang is right, we can borrow the existing forces of White Pebble Beach.”

Zhang Caixin had kept quiet all this time. In her heart, she actually agreed somewhat with Feng Jun’s view; she didn’t like trouble either—if you come to my place to buy something and then lose your own wallet, are we supposed to be responsible for that too?

Seeing Gazi speak up twice, she realized she couldn’t just stay silent. “The existing forces at White Pebble Beach won’t be around forever… once the Magical Treasure refining is finished, most of them will disperse.”

“That’s different,” Gao Qiang actually went up against her. He spoke with serious conviction, “Refining Magical Treasures is, in itself, a kind of transaction; we ought to provide security and maintenance of public order as part of the service… once the refining is done, those Cultivators who come here to seek resonance in aura and fated opportunities with their peers have nothing to do with us.”

“I’m not a Holy Mother either,” Yu Qingzhu joined in, speaking solemnly. “I just want, within our capabilities, to bring more order to everyone. White Pebble Beach ought to have that kind of ambition and bold vision too!”

Hearing that, Feng Jun couldn’t help quietly linking up with the Big Boss. “From your perspective, is my disciple getting a bit full of herself?”

“Actually… what she’s saying isn’t wrong,” the Yin Spirit Bigwig hesitated, then said, “You’ve said it yourself: the greater the power, the greater the responsibility. Just don’t count me in when you’re doing this kind of thing.”

Big Boss, you really never forget how to weasel out! Feng Jun was in the middle of silently roasting him when he noticed everyone’s eyes turning his way. “What’s up?”

“The discussion’s over,” Zhang Caixin, acting as the secondary chair of the discussion, spread her hands. “I think everyone has fully expressed their opinions, and all relevant thoughts and concerns have been thoroughly exchanged.”

“Why are you playing at diplomatic language for no reason?” Feng Jun looked at her, half crying half laughing. “Alright then, let’s raise hands and vote.”

“Vote for what?” Gazi stated his position directly. “Brother Jun, whatever you say is how it’ll be. Who thinks we even need to raise hands?”

With him putting it like that… anyone who wanted to fight for the right to raise their hand would feel awkward doing so.

But Yun Buyao very straightforwardly backed him up. “Exactly. The Cultivation Techniques and resources all came from the Boss. The Boss gets to make the call.”

That was even more definitive—repaying the source of your water is just how it should be, isn’t it? Even if the Boss let you vote, would you really have the nerve?

“We really don’t need a vote,” the third to agree was actually Yu Qingzhu. She nodded. “The Boss has full authority to decide. I’m only bringing up a rational suggestion; the final decision has to be the Boss’s, of course.”

Feng Jun looked around and saw that no one else had any opinions, so he chose to wield sole authority. “Since that’s the case, then I declare… for any thieves who dare to target our transaction partners at White Pebble Beach, there is a need to strike them hard.”

After making this decision, the Bidirectional Gate opened again. Feng Jun wrapped Yu Qingzhu in his aura and flew over next to the Xiong Family People. “True Immortal You Shan, White Pebble Beach has already decided to move against the thieves. I’d like to ask you to provide specific information about what was stolen.”

Elder You Shan genuinely felt this request was humiliating, but he’d also noticed White Pebble Beach shutting down the Bidirectional Gate. After hesitating a bit, he asked, “Mountain Master Feng, is this the intention of the seniors of your Sect?”

Feng Jun had just been fretting over how to reason with this stubborn blockhead. Hearing him put it that way, he simply nodded. “If you look into our ‘three responsibilities at the door’ practices, you’ll see that we put a lot of emphasis on order.”

Hearing that, True Immortal You Shan could only feel a bit helpless. He’d heard about the ‘three-responsibility zone in front of the door’ stuff the White Pebble Beach disciples were doing. At first he’d thought it was a bit unnecessary, but he couldn’t deny it really did bring a lot of convenience.

Some Clans had even said that once they returned home, they’d promote these methods within the Clan—Clan Practitioners had always paid some attention to this sort of thing, but no one had ever systematically raised it before, so now they could just borrow the idea.

Even the Xiong Family itself was planning to copy it once they went back—if a Clan wants to grow strong, they must learn any good thing they see without hesitation.

True Immortal You Shan tried one last bit of resistance. “There are so many Cultivators coming to White Pebble Beach. If Mountain Master Feng is going to take care of them all, I’m afraid you won’t have any time left for Cultivation.”

Feng Jun waved his hand, speaking with casual disdain. “I’m not going to manage those who come seeking fate and opportunities. But anyone coming to buy Virtual Combat Magical Treasures, I absolutely will manage… after all, this is a transaction in Extreme Spirit level, not ordinary Upper Spirit or Middle Spirit.”

“A common High-grade Spirit,” a Nascent Soul Initial Stage cultivator from the Xiong Family beside Elder You Shan couldn’t help rolling his eyes when he heard that—what a bold claim.

“This rule is good,” Xuanyuan Buqi watched the drama happily, never afraid of things getting big. “For small-time cultivators doing petty deals, there’s no need to meddle—otherwise your place will turn into a refuge for fugitives. But when it’s big business, and connected to you… then it’s worth looking into.”

“A refuge for fugitive cultivators…” Feng Jun glanced at him and couldn’t help complaining, “Why do I get the feeling, Great Lord, that you’re trying to set me up?”

“Ha, you’re actually afraid I’ll set you up?” Xuanyuan Buqi chuckled. With that artifact-refining fellow backing him, could he really scam Feng Jun? “Actually, my Xuanyuan Family has provided similar shelter before… and sure enough, there were cultivators who’d committed crimes and slipped in, taking advantage of the chaos.”

Feng Jun smiled. “So it’s based on experience… thanks for the reminder, Great Lord. I’ll be on guard.”

Honestly speaking, back in the Earth Realm, how many times has he run into similar situations? That’s why he’d clearly stated that only when buyers of the Virtual Combat Magical Treasure get scammed will White Pebble Beach step in.

When he looked at the Xiong Family people again, Elder You Shan wore a helpless expression. “We really weren’t planning to trouble Mountain Master Feng in the first place.”

“Oh, give it a rest,” Xuanyuan Buqi snorted unhappily. He’d seen people with backbone, but ones as pretentious as the Xiong Family were rare. “There are plenty of folks lined up behind your clan. If Mountain Master Feng doesn’t step in, can you really hold out?”

True Immortal You Shan’s face flushed red, then he raised his hand and cupped his fists. “Mountain Master Feng, please come inside so we can find a discreet spot…”

“No need for that,” Feng Jun waved his hand. “Let’s just talk here. It’s fine if others hear.”

“This…” True Immortal You Shan’s face turned crimson again. He honestly felt like snapping—what, are you humiliating my Xiong Family like this?

“White Pebble Beach does not intend to send people out,” Feng Jun stated cleanly, which also served to ease their concern. “I plan to spend Spirit Stones instead. Whoever finds the thief, their artifact-refining fee will be reduced by two High-grade Spirits. Whoever captures or kills the thief, five will be deducted.”

“This…” It was still the same word, “this,” but his mood had completely flipped. Elder You Shan was truly moved. “How can we let White Pebble Beach pay out those Spirit Stones?”

“It’s fine,” Feng Jun waved his hand again, answering lightly. “I already said it: that thief didn’t just slap the Xiong Family in the face, he slapped White Pebble Beach as well.”

“Mountain Master Feng, that’s a bit unfair to us,” Xuanyuan Buqi spoke up on the side, putting on a serious face. “Those who haven’t had their Magical Treasures refined yet can gain from the bounty—but we, who already finished our refinements… shouldn’t we get a refund on our High-grade Spirits too?”

“High-grade Spirits I earned with my own ability—why should I refund you?” Feng Jun gave him a half-smiling look. “But Great Lord, you’re being a bit rigid… If you successfully claim the bounty, just look at how many people are lined up behind you. Don’t you know how to go negotiate with them?”

“Ha.” Even though True Immortal You Shan had just suffered a theft and was in a bad mood, seeing Great Lord Buqi getting mocked by a mere Golden Core, he couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

“You dare laugh at me?” Xuanyuan Buqi glared at him in annoyance. “I was planning to help you, you know. Now I’m not helping anymore!”

“How could I dare let Senior personally get involved?” True Immortal You Shan forced out a smile—not that he didn’t want to laugh, it’s just that his earlier emotions hadn’t fully passed yet. But his mind was already back to normal. “If Senior is willing to spread the word for us a bit, the Xiong Family will be more than satisfied.”

Since other people’s forced intervention was already a foregone conclusion, he naturally had to brace himself to face it.

“That’s easy enough,” Xuanyuan Buqi nodded solemnly.

He had his own calculations. He wasn’t refusing to help the Xiong Family out of spite; he just wanted to keep an eye on Feng Jun. That guy had slipped away with Yi Jue last time and ran off to the Amber Realm. Luckily nothing happened, or that Soul Exit Pill would’ve gone down the drain.

So, over the next stretch of time, all the cultivators at White Pebble Beach heard the news: someone had actually set their sights on the cultivators coming here. This time, the ones who got hit were the Xiong Family, and fifteen High-grade Spirits were stolen!

Contrary to what the Xiong Family juniors worried about, no one mocked them at all. The cultivators who knew the details were basically all furious: someone dared target us? This isn’t over!

Stuff like this isn’t exactly rare in the everyday lives of cultivators. Most of the time the attitude is “if it doesn’t concern me, I won’t bother,” but this time is different—someone is stepping up to take the lead.

So justice isn’t something cultivators lack. It’s just that cultivators are like loose sand; you need a leader to pull them together into a force.

Unfortunately, most of the time there just isn’t such a leader—those with strength can’t be bothered, and those without strength can’t shoulder it.

But White Pebble Beach has the qualifications to lead. Feng Jun’s Cultivation Level isn’t high, but it’s enough that cultivators trust him, and he’s basically dipping into his own pocket to put up a bounty—and at a pretty generous price.