Chapter 417 - 415: Negotiation

In response to Treasure Turtle Daoist’s words, Li Qiye gently shook his head. "You’re mistaken," he said. "To be precise, the Yin Yang Pool came first, and only then did your Qianli River and this paradise, the Thousand Carp Lake, come to be—all relying on the Yin Yang Pool. Moreover, the Yin Yang Pool does not belong to your Qianli River. Does the Sect Leader understand?"

Treasure Turtle Daoist had always been rather partial to Li Qiye, but his words today infuriated him. Though he maintained the dignity befitting a sect leader, he couldn’t help but say with a hint of anger, "Young Master Li, then please, do tell. If the Yin Yang Pool doesn’t belong to the Qianli River, who does it belong to?"

"Me." Li Qiye pointed to himself. "Let me be frank with you, Sect Leader. The Yin Yang Pool belongs to no one but me. As for that place you mentioned, only I am permitted entry. No one else gets in unless I give the word!"

"Young Master Li, don’t take this too far!" Treasure Turtle Daoist couldn’t stop the anger welling up inside him. He had gone to great lengths to maneuver on Li Qiye’s behalf in this matter. Now, not only was Li Qiye utterly uncooperative, he was spouting arrogant nonsense. How could that not infuriate him?

Li Qiye gave Treasure Turtle Daoist a lazy glance. "Sect Leader, I understand what you’re implying. I also understand the attitude of those old geezers from your Qianli River. They just want the secret, and they’re willing to use any means necessary to get it. But, Sect Leader, do you know why I’m still here?"

Treasure Turtle Daoist’s gaze sharpened, and he felt a chill. As the sect leader of an Emperor Immortal Gate, he had weathered countless storms. He was a wise man, and now that he thought about it, something felt off. Li Qiye had clearly anticipated how things would develop, yet he remained here, perfectly at ease.

Had it been anyone else who knew the Qianli River meant them harm, they would have likely fled long ago, getting as far away as possible. But Li Qiye hadn’t fled. He was composed, unhurried, and utterly unfazed.

"I’m all ears." Treasure Turtle Daoist took a deep breath, finally managing to suppress his anger.

Li Qiye smiled, revealing snow-white teeth. With a nonchalant air, he said, "It’s nothing special. I’m just seeing whether you descendants of Qianli Immortal Emperor have brought shame upon your founder. To be frank, I’ve already given you, Treasure Turtle Daoist, a great deal of face. If you still don’t know when to back down, then I suppose it’s time for the Qianli River to fall into ruin."

"What is the meaning of this!" Treasure Turtle Daoist’s expression changed as he spoke in a grave voice.

Li Qiye said indifferently, "I mean nothing by it. If there’s nothing left in your Qianli River for me to cherish, then there’s nothing in this land worth a second glance. In that case, let the Qianli River fall into decline. It would actually leave me with one less attachment!"

He hadn’t taken back what he’d left in the Golden Divine Hall, not only because of Qianli Immortal Emperor but also to give the Qianli River a chance. While some of its elders had left a bad taste in his mouth, people like Lan Yunzhu, Treasure Turtle Daoist, and Elder Yang had made a good impression. People like Treasure Turtle Daoist and Lan Yunzhu, at least, were worthy of his mercy.

Treasure Turtle Daoist’s expression turned ugly. He stared daggers at Li Qiye. Anyone else would have flown into a rage by now, but the Daoist controlled his temper. In a heavy tone, he said, "Young Master Li, do not forget that this is the Qianli River. My Qianli River is an Emperor Immortal Gate. It has stood tall through ages past and is not so easily intimidated."

"I have no intention of intimidating you, Sect Leader," Li Qiye said with a beaming smile. "I am merely speaking the truth. Yes, this is the Qianli River. And it is precisely because this is the Qianli River that I should be the Sovereign of all that is here. Sect Leader, have I made myself clear enough?"

This land had been forged by his very hands; this miracle was something he and Qianli Immortal Emperor had created together. If Li Qiye truly wished to be Sovereign of the Qianli River, he had countless ways to make it happen.

"The Qianli River is no pushover for anyone to bully," Treasure Turtle Daoist said coldly.

These were not empty words from Treasure Turtle Daoist. As an Emperor Immortal Gate, the Qianli River truly had the power to back up its claim of fearing no enemy.

"I know the Qianli River is powerful," Li Qiye said with a nod. "But do you know why it has prospered to this day? Do you know why your Qianli River gets to possess a paradise like the Thousand Carp Lake?" He added indifferently, "It’s because this land is still worth remembering to me!"

For him, as for Qianli Immortal Emperor, this land was worth cherishing, for it was laden with memories of the past. The items within the Golden Divine Hall were absolutely peerless. With them, Li Qiye could have cultivated another Emperor Immortal Gate. Yet, even in the age when Qianli Immortal Emperor departed, Li Qiye did not take those things away!

It was just as Qianli Immortal Emperor had said: this land was worth cherishing, for it held memories of joy and laughter. If it hadn’t, he would have taken everything away long ago, during the age of the Black Dragon King. After all, he had acquired all of these items from the most perilous corners of the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands.

Treasure Turtle Daoist stared blankly at Li Qiye, momentarily speechless. Anyone else would have dismissed Li Qiye’s words as arrogant boasts, even the ravings of a lunatic. Yet, the Daoist didn’t feel that was the case at all.

Treasure Turtle Daoist couldn’t understand it. ’As a member of the younger generation, what power could he possibly have to confront an Emperor Immortal Gate?’ Even the strongest of the young generation would never dare to speak of challenging an entire Emperor Immortal Gate.

After a great effort, Treasure Turtle Daoist calmed his racing thoughts. He said gravely, "Young Master Li, I have worked very hard on this matter, hoping for a peaceful resolution. But if you are unwilling to cooperate, then even I, the Sect Leader, will be powerless to protect you."

"I am endlessly grateful for the Sect Leader’s concern," Li Qiye said with a smile. "But if you are asking for my cooperation, then I’m afraid I’m unable to oblige."

Treasure Turtle Daoist was now in a difficult position. Seeing that Li Qiye refused to cooperate, he still hadn’t given up hope. He took a deep breath. "Young Master Li, this matter concerns the very survival of our Qianli River, so we must be cautious. We have no ulterior motives. As disciples of the Qianli River, we simply wish to go inside to better understand our own foundation. If you are willing to tell us the key to entry, the Qianli River is prepared to pay any price!"

"What’s this? The hard approach failed, so now you’re trying a soft one?" Li Qiye said with a laugh.

Treasure Turtle Daoist said in a heavy voice, "We can sit down and discuss this matter calmly. As long as Young Master Li is willing, you can name your price. If we can come to an agreement, the Qianli River can meet your demands."

"Treasure Turtle Sect Leader, you still haven’t grasped the situation," Li Qiye said, smiling and shaking his head. "Name a price? Sect Leader, if I truly wanted treasures, I wouldn’t be waiting around to bargain with you. Do you think the Qianli River has anything more precious than the Golden Divine Willow? If I really wanted a treasure, I wouldn’t have needed to ask for your permission; I would have taken the Golden Divine Willow long ago."

"Take the Golden Divine Willow!" Treasure Turtle Daoist’s expression changed drastically at these words. The Golden Divine Willow was tied to the very foundation of the Qianli River! If it were to be taken, the consequences would be unthinkable.

"If I wanted to take the Golden Divine Willow, I’m quite sure it would go with me willingly," Li Qiye said indifferently. "But do you know why I left it here? It’s because I was giving your Qianli River a chance. I’ve said enough for you to understand. A sect leader should know when to back down."

Treasure Turtle Daoist stood there in a daze. ’Take the Golden Divine Willow?’ In truth, their Qianli River knew very little about the Divine Willow. But could Li Qiye really take it away? The thought made the Daoist hesitate, especially since Li Qiye didn’t look like he was joking in the slightest.

"Sect Leader, I’ve said all I’m going to say, and my meaning should be clear," Li Qiye said with an air of indifference. "As for the Yin Yang Pool, you’d all best forget about it. Let things remain as they are! Otherwise, the Qianli River will be courting its own doom."

Treasure Turtle Daoist fell silent. Their Qianli River was an Emperor Immortal Gate; logically, it shouldn’t be so easily swayed by the threats of a junior.

However, as sect leader, his intuition told him that continuing to press the issue would be detrimental to the Qianli River. He had no idea what power Li Qiye was hiding, but his gut told him that making a true enemy of Li Qiye would mark the beginning of the Qianli River’s decline.

Treasure Turtle Daoist had no proof, nor could he fathom what methods Li Qiye possessed. He only had his intuition, and it was screaming that turning against Li Qiye would be a foolish move.

After a long moment, Treasure Turtle Daoist stood up. Finally, he said in a heavy tone, "Young Master Li, you must understand that even as the sect leader, I cannot make the final decision on a matter of this magnitude. It’s not my call to make alone."

"I know that," said Li Qiye. "Since you are the sect leader, your wisest course of action is to persuade the others. Act as if nothing has happened. You will continue to possess your paradise at the Thousand Carp Lake, and you will remain a flourishing Emperor Immortal Gate! There are places you are not meant to go, so you should not go!"

Treasure Turtle Daoist sighed internally. Even if he believed Li Qiye, and even if he was willing to give up on exploring the secrets of the Yin Yang Pool, the other Elders would not necessarily agree.

The inevitable has finally arrived. What will be the fate of the Qianli River? Please continue tomorrow!!!!!!