Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 342: Chapter 342: Lin Lanxin Arrives

Ye Qingchen’s method not only perfectly thwarted the Huanyue Sect’s conspiracy and resolved the Chen Yue Pavilion’s crisis, but it also united a large number of Pill Kings from the Chaoyun Country. This move invisibly bolstered the Chen Yue Pavilion in its fight against the Huanyue Sect, a brilliant strategy that killed two birds with one stone.

After recruiting a considerable number of Pill Kings, the Chen Yue Pavilion completed all its orders on time and in full, establishing a credible reputation. Furthermore, the quality of the Spirit Pills sold by the pavilion was exceptional. Consequently, even after the twenty percent discount promotion ended, business remained booming.

The Huanyue Sect, on the other hand, was in a much more miserable state. Initially, they had spent a vast amount of Spirit Stones to buy Spirit Pills from the Chen Yue Pavilion. Their plan was to crush the pavilion and then launch their own ten percent discount promotion to recover their costs and even turn a small profit. However, with the Chen Yue Pavilion’s enduring popularity, the Huanyue Sect’s business plummeted. Even with a ten percent discount, their shops remained deserted.

Even the herb merchants originally affiliated with the Huanyue Sect recognized the Chen Yue Pavilion’s potential. They began to sign cooperation agreements with the pavilion and started promoting it extensively. It was safe to say that the plan devised by Xi Jianwei had backfired completely, resulting in a devastating double loss.

When Huan Yuehua heard this news, he flew into a rage once again. He ordered his disciples to find Xi Jianwei immediately and summon him to the sect.

Xi Jianwei knew what he was about to face. Although Huan Yuehua had approved the plan, he had been the one to propose and execute it. Now that things had turned out this way, he would inevitably have to take the fall.

As soon as he arrived at the sect hall, Xi Jianwei sensed the tense atmosphere. Sect Master Huan Yuehua and his wife, Lin Lanxin, were seated in the center of the hall. When they saw Xi Jianwei enter, neither bothered to glance his way. After Xi Jianwei paid his respects, he received no response and could only stand there awkwardly. As the chief Alchemist of the Huanyue Sect, this was the first time he had ever received such a cold reception. The entire hall was exceptionally quiet, and no one spoke a word. After what felt like an eternity to Xi Jianwei, Lin Lanxin finally broke the silence.

”Elder Xi, how has the Spirit Pill shop’s business been recently?”

Xi Jianwei swallowed hard and braced himself before replying, ”Reporting to Madam, this month’s sales are... approximately twenty percent of the usual.”

”Twenty percent? What are you even good for?!”

Hearing Xi Jianwei’s response, Huan Yuehua could no longer contain his fury. He shot up from his seat and began to berate him. ”Xi Jianwei! When you proposed this plan, you swore you would crush the Chen Yue Pavilion! And now? The Chen Yue Pavilion is still standing strong, but it looks like you’re about to bring our Huanyue Sect to ruin! I’m warning you, don’t go thinking the grass is greener elsewhere. The Huanyue Sect made you, and it can just as easily destroy you! Without the Huanyue Sect, you are nothing!”

Huan Yuehua’s words were incredibly harsh, but Xi Jianwei chose to remain silent. It was just as Huan Yuehua had said: Xi Jianwei owed his current achievements entirely to the Huanyue Sect. He was a man who repaid his debts of gratitude, and besides, he had indeed failed to handle this matter properly.

Lin Lanxin gently tugged on Huan Yuehua’s sleeve and said with a smile, ”Elder Xi, you are our chief Alchemist. In my opinion, you should focus your energy on alchemy. From now on, you no longer need to concern yourself with the shop’s operations. As for dealing with Chen Qingye, I will handle that personally!”

After she finished speaking, Lin Lanxin waved her hand, dismissing Xi Jianwei. Clearly, he had disappointed them greatly, and they were preparing to cast him aside now that his purpose was served.

However, Xi Jianwei did not feel dejected at being stripped of his authority. On the contrary, he felt a great sense of relief. After leaving the hall, he took a deep breath. It’s better this way, free from all their schemes. Now I can focus completely on the Alchemy Dao and strive to break through to the eighth-grade Pill King realm!

After Xi Jianwei left, Huan Yuehua said discontentedly, ”My lady, letting that old fool off so easily is far too lenient. You have no idea how many Spirit Stones he cost us.”

Lin Lanxin smiled. ”Rest assured, husband. I will make that Chen Qingye from the Chen Yue Pavilion pay back everything we’ve lost, and with interest. Besides, Xi Jianwei is still our sect’s most capable alchemist, and we still need him to work himself to the bone for us. Once we’ve squeezed every last drop of value out of him, it won’t be too late to deal with him.”

Huan Yuehua nodded. ”Then what do you think we should do now, my lady?”

Lin Lanxin sneered. ”A mere upstart power. Do they really think they can make waves in Illusory Moon City? I’ll go to the Chen Yue Pavilion myself. I want to see just what’s so special about this Chen Qingye.”

Huan Yuehua nodded again and added a word of caution, ”A disciple reported some time ago that Liang Xiong publicly declared his support for the Chen Yue Pavilion. You should be careful on your visit, my lady.”

Lin Lanxin waved her hand nonchalantly. ”That’s all just a ploy to win people over. Would Thunder Valley really turn on us for the sake of some minor power?”

Huan Yuehua also laughed. ”You’re right, my lady. In that case, let Huan Donglong accompany you. His strength has also reached the fourth level of the Martial King Realm. With him by your side, I will be much more at ease.”

「...」

Swaying gracefully, Lin Lanxin appeared at the entrance of the Chen Yue Pavilion. Behind her stood Huan Donglong, his presence formidable and his face expressionless, his gaze fixed straight ahead. The surrounding people instinctively kept their distance from him. Seeing the constant stream of customers inside the Chen Yue Pavilion, Lin Lanxin scoffed inwardly and gracefully stepped into the building.

When a clerk from the Chen Yue Pavilion saw Lin Lanxin and her companion enter, he immediately went to greet them. The clerk was momentarily stunned by Lin Lanxin’s enchanting face, but he quickly composed himself. Lowering his head, he dared not look at her as he cautiously asked, ”What Spirit Pills would you like to purchase, Madam? Allow me to guide you.”

Lin Lanxin was slightly taken aback. I just used my Bewitching Technique with the intent of making the clerk lose his composure so I could create a scene. But to my surprise, a mere clerk from the Chen Yue Pavilion managed to stay lucid. It seems these clerks are very well-trained.

Seeing the clerk too afraid to look up, an idea flashed in Lin Lanxin’s mind. She sneered, ”Is this how the Chen Yue Pavilion treats its customers? You don’t even dare to raise your head? Have you no manners at all?”

The clerk hurriedly bowed and scraped, apologizing profusely.

But Lin Lanxin, refusing to yield an inch now that she had her pretext, began to shout, ”A tiny shop like the Chen Yue Pavilion dares to look down on me? I don’t think this place needs to exist any longer. Dong Long, tear this shop down!”

Huan Donglong bowed to accept the command and began to circulate his Spiritual Energy. As the surrounding customers quickly scrambled out of the way, Ma Chunsheng saw the commotion and rushed to inform the guards, while he personally ran to report to Ye Qingchen.