Consequences of a Bad Deal

Some moron decided to plagiarise my stuff, his name is GilgameshBabylon, the mate even copy&paste Fate in Denial... Well, after bombing his 'fics' he deleted them. Regardless damage has been done. So now it's harder for you guys to read my stuff on Discord or you can subscribe to the Pat if you don't want to socialize:

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~~~~~~~~~~~

Feng Hengkong realised that he made a mistake, he was too embarrassed to stay any longer.

The Phoenix Emperor swiftly boarded his airship and left.

The whole journey back he didn't say a word as he was thinking about how to fix this mess.

The mistake was that he didn't betrothal his daughter to Xiao Long.

This would have fixed everything and he could potentially buy Purifying pills at a discount price or even free as from the looks of it the new Young Master of Supreme Ocean Palace doesn't care much about them.

But he flinched at this and instead went for a much worse deal.

Now 10 maiden girls will be given to him. For the first time since the founding of the Divine Phoenix Empire, Phoenix blood will leave its Sect.

Utterly preposterous, his Ancestors will have his head for this.

Not only that but he only got 30 purifying pills. At least he knows what the grass looks like he could make those baths for the extra effect.

He could potentially have two elders with all Profound Entrances open.

While it's impressive…the price is far too high.

When he arrived back at the Capital, the first thing he did was to visit the Ancestors at the Phoenix Forbidden Ground deeply underground in Phoenix City.

"Hengkong, You are back." His father, Feng Tianwei opened his eyes when he saw his greatest son.

"Royal Father, I have brought some great news."

"...We assume you got us more of those pills?" When the Grand Sect Master said that the other elders opened their eyes as well. Even the Ancestor Feng Zukui opened his eyes.

"...Yes. This junior got 300 Profound Sensitive pills, and 80 of the upgraded vitality pills, which improve life force, vitality, stamina, and physical strength…Permanently!"

"...Incredible, it appears the recent generation is quite talented." Ancestor Zukui said with an impressed tone.

"...This…Royal Father, this junior has learned who the alchemist is."

"...Oh? Curious? Do tell us."

"...This…well… he is a self-taught young genius from the backwater Kingdom of Blue Wind Empire."

"...Hmm, then we assume you were able to rope him in? Hengkong you are aware of our current situation? Offering Xue'er hand in marriage would seal him with us for the rest of his life." Feng Tianwei was no fool if a young self-taught boy can do such miracles then it's something they have to acquire no matter the case.

"...Sadly, the Supreme Ocean Palace acquired him first, the Sovereign of the Seas made him her successor, and he will be the next Sovereign of Ocean Palace."

Feng Hengkong was fighting down his nervousness as he was in the presence of his elders. He doesn't like giving them bad news…

There are still several to come…

"...Irrelevant. This might be even better. Supreme Ocean Palace was our second choice for alliance after Absolute Monarch Sanctuary. Now that they have Junior as Young Master it will be better for us to form this Alliance to weather the upcoming hundred years until Feng Xue'er Phoenix's spirit awakens."

The current Phoenix Emperor grimaced when he heard how casually his father wanted to sell his only granddaughter.

"We assume that you are planning to arrange something?"

"...This…well, this Junior has formed a trade agreement with him."

"You need to tighten the bond, Hengkong. Don't make us repeat what we just discussed. We are in no position to act high and mighty in front of Sacred Grounds."

"...Of course…Royal Father…this…well…This Junior has another deal made with the Young Master of Ocean Palace."

Feng Hengkong is feeling like his heart is going to jump out of his chest. This was it… this was it… he is going to suffer…

"Speak."

"...This junior has discovered a secret about Profound Veins. Through the process of purification, one can open all of the Profound Entrances."

"...This method, you acquired it?"

"...This…We got 30 pills in this trade…"

"...What did you offer?"

"10 maiden girls, 2 Emperor Profound Weapons, Fire-based grasses, herbs, and fruits of his choice…"

*BOOM*

Feng Hengkong flew like a ragdoll into a wall.

"FOOLISH!!! WHAT PATHETIC DEAL DID YOU MAKE HENGKONG!?"

Feng Tianwei stood up from his simple cultivation mat, for the first time in many years.

He floated down and landed on the ground several metres away.

His cultivation of [Sixth of Sovereign Profound] revealed itself for a moment before calming down.

"...Royal Father…"

"Silence, Hengkong. Your Royal father is disappointed in you, no…we are LIVID. You made a single deal instead of a permanent one! You have been the Emperor of our Divine Phoenix Empire for over 100 years! Did you learn nothing?"

"Tianwei. Fix this. This can't continue."

Ancestor's voice made even the Great Sect Master turn stiff for a moment.

"Yes. Royal Father." Feng Tianwei respectfully answered before looking at his son.

"Hengkong follow us! We are going to discuss this in detail."

*Gulp*

The current Phoenix Emperor was like a brat in front of his Royal Father. This is going to hurt.

~~~

The previous Emperor leaving seclusion for the first time in hundred years got the entire Phoenix Empire shocked to the very core.

Everyone was wondering why this happened.

Why did the Grand Sect Master take charge of the Sect and the Empire?

Before the continent can digest this information another even greater news shook the entire continent!

Supreme Ocean Palace declared that the Alchemist by name Xiao Long from now on is the Young Master of Supreme Ocean Palace and the Future Sovereign of The Seas.

This made everyone, even The other Great Sacred Grounds raise their eyebrows.

Whatever this alchemist did has shaken Qu Fengyi to the point that she made him her successor. The woman still has more than 500 years of life in her. There is no need to declare an Heir who is not even her blood relative or child…

The rest of the continent was wondering what this means, but the news in Blue Wind Empire is way different.

The news which reached The Four Major Sects is different.

It was that Xiao Clan, the backwater clan created from exiled members of the Xiao Sect, was added to the Supreme Ocean Palace.

This was the most absurd, most insane news which didn't make utter sense until the rest of the details were revealed.

"GET OUT! ALL OF YOU GET OUT!"

*BOOM*

Furniture was sent flying everywhere as Xiao Juetian the current Sect Master of Xiao Sect started throwing things out of fury and utter anger!

The news reached him and he was not happy, no he was utterly mad.

The sheer chance to become part of a godly Sect was the wildest dream of any Major Sect or Clan!

Now the descendants of an exiled member of his family are part of Sacred Ground! Sacred Ground is like a god-like existence! There was not a single [Tyrant Profound] in the Blue Wind Empire since its founding! And Sacred Grounds have them in hundreds!

There is simply no amount of words to describe how Xiao Juetian is feeling.

Now, the entire Empire knows how disgraced his Xiao Sect is! They won't have enough face to show themselves in public!

After several more minutes of pondering he decided that it was time to leave and visit Xiao Clan.

Time to beg for forgiveness.

While Xiao Sect was impacted the worst, the other three Major powers were In a more confused and shocked state.

In Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace the fairies are whispering among themselves about this development.

Sacred Ground is a distant thought for the majority of them.

Only one thought recalled something perplexing.

"...Mistress. Yueli remembered something. I was in the City, where the Xiao Clan is located. A girl declined my offer to join Frozen Cloud." Chu Yueli ranked fifth said with a frown on her face. She was still annoyed that a mere girl declined her.

If not for her Frozen Heart Arts she would have been furious for such disrespect.

"Curious…this girl might know something about Xiao Long."

"...She asked how long it takes to reach [True Profound], my answer shocked her… but…at that time I thought my answer might have awed her… but now… I think she was shocked at how long it will take." Chu Yueli recalled this before talking some more.

"...and now there is news of a wedding, Airships from Devine Phoenix Empire, and a Sacred Ground… we might have missed an incredible opportunity."

The Mistress stiffly nodded. A missed opportunity indeed this was. For a moment she thought about meeting this alchemist who shook the whole Empire from the very foundations.

"Yueli. I want you to go there and observe from a distance. Don't interact, don't provoke, simply watch what is happening in this city. What is happening with the Xiao Clan, I want to learn."

"As you wish, Mistress, Yueli will do it."

Frozen Cloud was not the only one. The Heavenly Sword Villa's Mistress was a descendant of the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region 7th elder. Even though she abandoned her Sacred Ground for her husband, she still had some of her connections.

An investigation was launched to discover what is going on.

The last remaining Major Power of Blue Wind Empire, the Burning Heaven Clan, started their investigation into this situation as well.

~~~~~~Xiao Long~~~~~~

"Long'er, your Grandmother and Grandfather have to go. We expect a visit in a few short years! Otherwise, we will visit ourselves!" My new Grandmother said with an overbearing tone.

"Yes. Grandmother, I understand. I might as well visit you two when I reach [Sky Profound] of a higher realm.

"Do that. My successor must have an overbearing attitude."

After saying that the pair followed by a bunch of [Sovereign Profound] elders started to float towards their Airship.

I was left with a couple of [Sovereign Profound] Elders one from Supreme Ocean Palace and another from Black Moon Merchant Guild.

Once my new grandparents left I sighed in relief.

"Let's go Yue'er I need to rest." I grabbed my wife's waist and snuggled into her nape.

"Yes. Let go. Qingyue will make something to eat for you."

I nodded before starting to walk toward my house.

As the pair of us left Xiao Elders returned to their cultivation, same with my bodyguards.

Though the Xiao elders became extremely, EXTREMELY excited about what has happened to me.

Sadly they don't realise how big of a drag everything is going to become in the future.

I doubt they care…

Regardless, I spent the whole day doing nothing, just relaxing after a hectic couple of days I had with my new grandparents.

I finally realised what it means to have truly overbearing relatives. Even my gorgeous wife had to suffer from an overbearing grandmother.

I am pretty sure that my wife has a spacey look from time to time. I am sure that she might develop PTSD.

Regardless, my grandmother told her that the Phoenix Empire will be sending girls toward me soon, so I have no idea how my wife will react. If I recall correctly Xia Qingyue was a wreck when Yun Che married Cang Yue.

Now I am going to get a gift box with 10 Phoenix Girls…

"...Husband…"

"Hmm?"

"Qingyue…should start cultivating…otherwise it will be difficult to control that…harem your grandmother wants."

"...True…You are right." I sighed while saying that. Guess we should start working.

My hand went over her naked body and I started to pour my purifying energy into her.

I counted her Profound Entrances… it was 21… just like it was in the book, no wonder my Grandmother didn't moan about getting another wife so soon. She was satisfied with the current one.

Regardless it will take ages to open Profound Entrances like this so, we need the pills and the baths.

"...It should only take two or so days for you to achieve Heavenly God's Spiritual Veins. Once you have it you can start to cultivate rapidly."

"Understood. Many thanks, my husband~" She kissed me on my lips before starting to dress. After getting dressed in Xiao clan clothes she then started to dress me as well.

It's quite cute as I have few moments to tease her when she is dressing me up. Talking about traditional duties or a wife…how curious.

After we left the bedroom we went to the kitchen where food started to be prepared. There was a stiff agreement of some sort between the pair of maids in my household.

Xia Dongling and Xiao Lingxi had some sort of tense relationship.

I can assume they are in their respective camps…

'So strange…'

I realised that this is some sort of strange court politics!?

Regardless, for now, I forgot about my maids. Lingxi was far too stiff with this, but my Qingyue is not. So I ended up putting my wife on my lap and we spent a few hours just eating breakfast like lovers.

Those were the few moments of happiness before going to work.

Once breakfast was done I proceeded to walk towards my workplace.

'Now I feel like a white-collar person…damn…waking up doing morning routines then going to work most of the day…'

"Lingxi…you will be coming with me. Since Dongling is here, she can be with Yue'er."

My maid's eyes gleamed for a second. While my wife's eyes widened for a moment.

"Understood! Young Master!"

"Dongling, I leave Qingyue in your care. Make sure to change the water of the baths at specific intervals."

"Yes. Young Master."

~~~

As Xiao Long left with Xiao Lingxi, Xia Qingyue bit her lower lip. She has overestimated how her husband will react. Now that she brought her maid he can keep him around as long as he wants!

'...Curses… not long after this those Phoenix females will arrive! I need to think of something!'

"My Lady, for now, you should focus on your baths."

"I will. You need to open your Entrances as well, Dongling. I can't have you weak when those females arrive here!"

"U-Understood!"

The pair of a maid and a Mistress proceeded to start their work as well.

It will take time but Xia Qingyue is sure she will be victorious in the end. After all, she is the first wife, she claimed her prize the earliest she could. As they say, the early bird gets the worm.

And she is that bird.

~~~~~~Back to Xiao Long~~~~~~

I scanned a purple ring my new Grandfather left behind. It's my second purple ring.

It was my new grandfather and grandmother's gifts inside it.

My eyes ended up on a specific box. I pulled it out and opened it.

It was hand sized red ginseng. Its strong smell started to assault my nose, this thing was thousand years old. The things Profound Energy has already started to bombard me.

"W-What is this Young Master? It's…powerful!"

"This is a thousand-year-old ginseng, its effects are directly linked to blood in one's body. It should boost my regen and physique-related things once I make it into a pill."

"...Incredible… people from Sacred Grounds don't hold back!"

"...Tell me about that…I am still in shock that they made me their Young Master."

"Un! I think Young Master deserves it. You made this clan strong."

I rolled my eyes hearing that.

"...I don't know. It's strange. Anyway…" I stored the ginseng for now. I will be buying some of those blood grasses first. Need some tests.

Before that, I summoned an exquisite box with the Ocean symbol on it.

I opened it and there were bottles made from exquisite porcelain on it.

They all were tagged with the names of Realms on them. Starting from [Earth Profound] and ending with [Tyrant Profound].

I opened the [Earth Profound] bottle first. A powerful medical smell started to ferment my warehouse.

It was full of dark purple pills.

I took one and inspected it. My Profound Energy started to bombard this pill.

"...Hmm…"

Purifying flames erupted from the holding hand as it started to purify the pill.

'This pill… It's full of impurities…'

My grandmother insisted that I should be careful with the pills as reckless consumption of these will affect my cultivation. After scanning one… I am certain…adding this much dirt would make anyone's cultivation damaged.

After a while… It took a while to purify it. A Profound Core was used in the creation of this pill.

My Purifying flames improved quite a bit.

[Purifying Flames] (5/10) {13.67%}

Once a dark purple pill now it was light purple, nearly glass-like transparent.

And the energy it was emitting became much more intense.

"Beautiful…" I said with small awe it was similar to the Regen pill I made some time ago.

Taking a deep breath I got myself comfortable before swallowing the pill.

The moment it landed in my stomach it dissolved and pure energy started to spread through my whole body.

I started to guide it and add to the circulation of my Profound Veins.

My cultivation started to rise steadily.

Once it reached the threshold I experienced a breakthrough.

'This way of cultivation is fast…but now my body needs to adjust…' I sighed internally. It's a pain to be an average young master. But I prefer being this to that masochist.

The moment I opened my eyes I looked at Xiao Lingxi standing in front of me with a wide smile.

She was a ball of joy as long as you don't provoke her. Once mad she has a nasty right punch.

"Congratulations Young Master! You are one step away from Peak [Spirit Profound]!"

"Hmm…yeah, the pills are impressive but it's going to take a while until I can take another."

"Un! But, it's faster anyway! You will be the youngest Xiao to reach [Earth Profound]!"

Damn…she keeps on bombarding me with praises…

"...Lingxi if you keep doing that you will inflate my ego."

She smirked for a bit.

"I am simply doing what your Grandmaster instructed me to do~"

I rolled my eyes hearing that.

Of course, she did…