Celestial Beast Taming

Chapter 305: Chapter 185: Longya City’s Reaction

Tao En was a man who despised evil, and Fu Mo was keenly aware that it would now be nearly impossible to mend their relationship.

’But Tao En is also sentimental about old times,’ he thought. ’It’s not like I have no chance at all.’

Standing in the wrecked living room, Fu Mo turned to his deputy, who stood by his side, barely daring to breathe.

”Go prepare gifts worth five billion Federation Coins. And remember, whether you choose Guardian Beasts or materials, don’t pick more than five items in total.”

”Then have these gifts sent to Tao En.”

The deputy heard Fu Mo’s command and hurried to comply.

Just as he was about to start preparing the gifts, Fu Mo spoke again.

”Once you have the gifts ready, I will go to Starlight City myself.”

After giving his orders to the deputy, Fu Mo contacted the Celestial Destiny Seeker from Beihan City with whom he had agreed to explore a Secret Realm.

Even with only the slimmest of chances, Fu Mo wanted to try and repair his relationship with Tao En.

After all, there was still a shred of goodwill between them from their fathers’ generation.

He knew it was impolite to stand up the Celestial Destiny Seeker from Beihan City, but right now, Fu Mo couldn’t afford to care about such things!

Fu Mo didn’t notice the look in his deputy’s eyes as he turned away.

As Fu Mo’s deputy, he had followed him every step of the way to this point.

This deputy had witnessed Tao En’s favoritism toward Fu Mo, and he had also seen how ruthlessly Fu Mo had treated Tao En and his grandchild.

People aren’t made of stone.

In the deputy’s opinion, if this was all about pursuing personal gain, then rather than clinging to that slim possibility with Tao En, it would be better to continue sucking up to and fawning over Cao Xing’an as before.

’Secrets never stay secret for long,’ he thought. ’If it were just me being sent to Starlight City in secret, that would be one thing. But with Fu Mo himself making the trip, Cao Xing’an is bound to get wind of it.’

No matter the reason, someone who tries to play both sides will never be truly trusted by either.

Previously, regarding Tao En’s situation, the deputy had advised Fu Mo many times.

Just a few days ago, in fact, the deputy had vehemently advised Fu Mo not to act as Cao Xing’an’s envoy, which would sever the last shred of goodwill with Master Tao En.

Not only had Fu Mo refused to listen, but he had also berated him for overstepping and given him a harsh dressing-down.

When it came to these decisions, even if he disagreed, the deputy had no intention of saying another word.

He just had to follow Fu Mo’s orders and do as he was told.

In truth, to say Fu Mo was the most regretful person in Longya City after hearing the news of Tao En’s recovery wasn’t accurate.

The person who regretted this news the most at this moment was, without a doubt, Cao Xing’an.

Cao Xing’an was both shocked and enraged by the news, overcome with regret that he hadn’t eliminated Tao En all those years ago.

To think he had let Tao En have a chance to make a comeback!

The fear from when Tao En had targeted and suppressed him in the past came flooding back, wrapping itself around Cao Xing’an’s heart.

His butler, Uncle Wang, felt his heart clench upon hearing the news.

If not for his failure to carry out Cao Xing’an’s orders—if the bizarre entity he dispatched had actually killed Tao En—then this current mess would never have happened.

Having followed Cao Xing’an for so many years, Uncle Wang knew perfectly well that his master was a man who was quick to shift blame.

To prevent Cao Xing’an from venting his anger on him, Uncle Wang hurriedly spoke.

”My lord, even if the wounds to Tao En’s soul have healed and he’s a Five-finger Peak Creator again, you have nothing to fear!”

”You are also a Five-finger Peak Creator now! In terms of Ability, you and Tao En are equals.”

”Besides, you’ve spent the years since becoming a Five-finger Peak Creator forging countless connections. Your influence within Creator circles is far greater than anything Tao En could hope to match now.”

”The damage to Tao En’s soul was so severe that even a Mother Insect of the Soul-Devouring Demon Insects made a home in his soul.”

”Even if Tao En used some unknown method to recover, it’s impossible for his soul to have healed so completely.”

”His soul suffered from necrosis and other maladies—you confirmed all this through your secret investigations.”

”No matter how great Tao En’s Talent is, he’ll never be able to advance any further!”

Uncle Wang knew exactly what Cao Xing’an wanted to hear. Seeing his words had somewhat eased his master’s expression, he quickly continued.

”Furthermore, I suspect that Tao En has likely only recovered partially, not completely.”

”The current Tao En is nowhere near the level of a Five-finger Peak Creator.”

”It’s just that Starlight City has never had a Five-finger Peak Creator in residence and wanted to use this opportunity to attract talent, so they orchestrated this whole thing.”

”With the Star Emperor’s prestige, making this happen wouldn’t be impossible.”

”My lord, for you to pull some strings in the Craftsmen’s Guild and get a Four-finger Creator certified as a Five-finger Creator is a simple matter.”

Seeing that Cao Xing’an’s expression had completely relaxed, Uncle Wang lowered his voice and said,

”My lord, I heard it was that Healing-type Celestial Destiny Seeker from Starlight City who healed Tao En’s injuries.”

”That Healing-type Celestial Destiny Seeker from Starlight City only awakened his Soul Base a short while ago. At most, he’s only reached the Extraordinary Tier by now.”

”To prevent him from treating Tao En again, do you think we should...?”

Before Uncle Wang could finish, Cao Xing’an cut him off with a sharp rebuke.

”Uncle Wang, you’ve followed me for so many years. You should understand that careless words can bring disaster.”

”Don’t ever say such things again!”

”Go prepare some gifts and arrange for someone to deliver them to Su Sheng in Starlight City.”

”He healed Tao En and gained his friendship.”

”If I extend an olive branch, surely he wouldn’t push away a Five-finger Peak Creator like myself just for Tao En, would he?”

”Tao En has already gone to Starlight City; he’s no longer in Longya City. The score between us can be settled another time.”

”Remember, the person you send must convey my sincerity to Su Sheng.”

As Uncle Wang turned and walked out of the quiet room, he failed to notice Cao Xing’an staring at him with a piercing gaze, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table.

In truth, the terror in his eyes hadn’t diminished in the slightest despite Uncle Wang’s words.

Uncle Wang might have known what Cao Xing’an wanted to hear, but he had no idea just how deep a psychological scar Tao En’s past suppression had left on him!

A plan was rapidly forming in Cao Xing’an’s mind.

’It seems I have no choice but to contact that organization!’

However, there were some in Longya City who were overjoyed by the news.

Lü Yunyi, the director of the Xilong Commerce Association, and Lü Jiangping, a Five-finger High Tier Creator, were both in exceptionally good moods.

Now that Tao En had recovered to the Five-finger Peak level, he would most likely continue to oppose Cao Xing’an.

Then Cao Xing’an wouldn’t have the time or energy to continue suppressing the Xilong Commerce Association!

Cao Xing’an had been suppressing Lü Jiangping in order to consolidate the Creator factions of Longya City.

Now that the news was out that Tao En had recovered from his soul injuries and become a Five-finger Peak Creator again,

even though Cao Xing’an was still the only Five-finger Peak Creator in Longya City and Tao En had already left,

many of the Creators who had originally been willing to side with Cao Xing’an would no longer stand so firmly with him.

For a Five-finger Creator, there wasn’t much benefit in acting as a vassal to Cao Xing’an, a Five-finger Peak Creator.

On the contrary, siding with Cao Xing’an meant becoming Tao En’s enemy.

When Tao En’s soul was damaged and he only had the strength of a three-finger Creator, other Creators wouldn’t have offended Cao Xing’an for his sake.

But a Tao En at his Peak still held immense influence in Longya City!

For a long time to come, Cao Xing’an would lose his absolute control over Longya City’s Creator circles due to Tao En’s resurgence.

Lü Jiangping could take advantage of this period to make a push toward the Five-finger Peak Creator rank.

Lü Yunyi had struck a cooperative deal with the Celestial Destiny Seeker, Zhong Yi.

Zhong Yi and Wen Tao had saved Master Tao En’s life, so by partnering with Zhong Yi, she had effectively established a connection with Tao En.

Now, not only did the Xilong Commerce Association have Drunken Dragon Jade to sell, but she had also secured a powerful backer for herself.

’Life shouldn’t be as difficult from now on!’

Zhong Yi, deep in sleep, was oblivious to the storm caused by Tao En’s re-certification as a Five-finger Peak Creator.

Having used the Source Material Celestial Shuttle to return to the Virtual Source Network, Zhong Yi had already passed through the wall that looked just like a Secret Realm Entrance.