Chapter 568: Chapter 568: 569 Conspiracy

“However, some families couldn’t restrain themselves and stole the water source from Tangneng First-class to start their research.”

“Moreover, many families within Aolai Country have begun constructing Tangneng First-class shops, seemingly intending to sell the bathing water stolen from Tangneng First-class in their own stores.”

“Such behavior is really despicable. I never would have thought that prestigious houses would do such things!”

Zongdao’s face turned angry, feeling very indignant about the actions of the various families.

He had not expected that the great families had fallen to this point, secretly conducting research on stolen bathwater was bad enough, but now they were directly transporting it into their own clans for use and sale, which was utterly shameless.

Li Xiaobai, on the other hand, remained very calm. All these were nothing but petty tricks, not worth worrying about. Bathwater was abundant; they could simply replenish what was taken later.

After patiently listening to Zongdao’s report, Li Xiaobai smiled lightly and said, “They are all inconsequential, underhanded tactics. Tell the three great families not to worry about anything. If they want to buy Huazi, let them buy it. If they want the bathwater, let them steal it. There’s no need to worry.”

“I will compensate for the resources lost in the shops later.”

“That would be quite good.”

Zongdao heaved a sigh of relief. Li Xiaobai was brimming with confidence, and it seemed that the petty actions of those families were destined to end in failure.

“How are my friends doing now?” Li Xiaobai asked.

“They are distributing Huazi across Aolai Country, almost every family has received one. Now, every cultivator in the country is aware of its existence, and I believe they will soon flock to the central area of Aolai Country to buy them up.”

Mentioning his fellow disciples and sisters, Zongdao was also beaming with joy. He had never seen cultivators work so efficiently. In just one terrifying day, not only had they distributed Huazi all over Aolai Country, but they had also thoroughly explained its effects to each household.

These individuals were also extraordinary. Being friends with Li Xiaobai, they must all be exceptional prodigies.

“Mmm, quite good indeed. The storm is coming soon. In the next few days, I’ll have to trouble Clan Leader Zong to pay extra attention to the changes within Aolai Country.”

Li Xiaobai spoke slowly.

“Young Master Li is overstating. These are trivial matters, but I will keep an eye on them.”

…

At the same time, within an ancient family in Aolai Country, a group of family heads gathered to discuss important matters.

“Has the shop at the city center been investigated clearly?”

“Why have the three great families suddenly started building a lot of Tangneng First-class and fine product shops? Who is providing them with the goods behind the scenes?”

At the center seat, an old man with white hair asked with a somber expression.

The three great families had unexpectedly unveiled two powerful weapons overnight, and despite the dozens of families working together, they were still unable to decipher the secrets. The water source for Tangneng First-class seemed to be just ordinary water, and the core of the fine product shops’ Huazi was just a roll of Enlightenment Tea Leaves.

Yet, such a simple combination was able to enhance the Spiritual Power and comprehension of cultivators, which was indeed unfathomable.

“Reporting to Elder Su, it is a cultivator named Li Xiaobai. The Tangneng First-class and fine product shops are his handiwork. In other words, this man is likely the driving force behind this commercial battle!” Patriarch Situ spoke blandly.

“Situ, your household has had the most contact with this Li Xiaobai. Tell us, what is the situation with this person?” demanded a family head dissatisfied with the recent prominence of Li Xiaobai. Not only did the family heads know of him, but the story had also spread among the younger generation, linking him with the theft of the Sea Clan ancestor’s remains—a very mysterious affair.

“This individual was brought back by our Vice Leader as a young prodigy. However, after interacting with him, our family discovered that things were not as they seemed. My Situ Household once sent a Great Crossing Realm second-level cultivator to make contact with him, but in just one move, his cultivation was almost crippled. This person is definitely not as simple as he appears on the surface.”

“I suspect that this Li Xiaobai is an ancient expert who has not shown himself to the world, and his being brought into Aolai Country by the Vice Leader is by no means without ulterior motive,”

Patriarch Situ spoke slowly, shocking everyone present with his opening statement.

“What!”

“He killed a cultivator at the second layer of the Great Crossing Realm in one move!”

“And also crippled the opponent’s cultivation level?”

“Is there anyone in the world who can achieve this, what kind of cultivation level would that require?”

“Could it be that like several of our leaders, he is a Half-step Human Immortal?”

The pupils of many Family Heads contracted, killing a Great Crossing Realm Cultivator in one move was something that deserved deep contemplation.

They admitted to themselves that they could not achieve this feat; as Great Crossing Realm Cultivators, they were confident they could easily defeat Uncle Ying, but they could never accomplish an instant kill. After all, he was still of Great Crossing Realm cultivation, and even if his strength was weak, it shouldn’t be to such an extent.

Only by a complete crushing of the realm could one achieve this step.

Elder Su, sitting in the high seat, also nodded slightly, his turbid eyes revealing a hint of contemplation.

“So it is, I was curious at the time, but it was just a young prodigy brought back by the Vice Leader. Why did the third leader specifically inform us about it? It seems she had known the true identity of the other party all along, her notifying us was a hint!”

“At this critical juncture, the Vice Leader brings this person here, the purpose is self-evident. He will be a stumbling block on our path to rise, and must be eliminated,”

Elder Su stated indifferently, having analyzed most of the situation in an instant.

“Indeed, but this person’s strength is exceptional; even if we all join hands, we are not necessarily sure that we can eliminate him without anyone knowing. Clearing this stumbling block might be difficult!”

Patriarch Situ furrowed his brows and spoke, suggesting the other party’s realm was at least high within the Great Crossing Realm, on par with them, the Family Heads, or even much higher.

If things were to escalate, he feared the three leaders would not sit by idly.

“Hehe, who said this person requires our personal intervention?”

“He has plenty of enemies in the Immortal Spirit Continent.”

Elder Su’s eyes flickered with a strange light as he spoke lightly.

“What do you mean, Elder Su?”

The Family Heads asked aloud.

“The third leader is our support. The Great Family Head will have her own ways to deal with the other side. Quickly write a letter, and invite that one from Central Province over here, telling him we want to offer him a great gift. Let’s use another’s knife to do our dirty work!”

“By doing so, we can also bring in a Half-step Human Immortal, which will only benefit our plan without any harm. After the success of the plan, with the third Family Head stationed in Aolai Country, that person would not dare to commit any rash acts!”

Elder Su’s voice was cold as he spoke.

“Understood, this plan is ingenious!”

Patriarch Situ’s heart leaped with joy. He had thought about this method before, and if it were up to the Situ Household to extend the invitation, the cost would be too much for him to bear. But now that Elder Su had proposed it, it was different. With Elder Su overseeing everything, his Situ Household would not have to pay a heavy price.

“Remember, ponder carefully over what should be said and what should not,”

Elder Su cautioned, then disappeared into the depths of the great hall.