Compensation

"I'll pay! I'll pay!" The 'True God Heart' in Luo Feng's hand echoed with a voice. The face of Vice Leader Lai Mo appeared on its surface, filled with anxiety and fear.

The dignity of a strong man was worth nothing at this moment—Vice Leader Lai Mo had no desire to die!

"Where is the additional Universe Sand?" Luo Feng asked.

"It's with the leader! The leader has it!" The image of Lai Mo on the surface of the True God Heart shouted urgently, "Leader! Leader!!!" His voice, infused with the power of an Eternal True God, naturally spread far and wide. If not for the array formations of the Dream Flower Pavilion, the range would have been even greater.

Suddenly, a figure covered in black scales appeared at the entrance of the Lanxing Hall—it was the Blood Python Society's leader, Mu Yang.

As the head of a dark force, Mu Yang, despite his black-scaled body, appeared ordinary with a restrained aura. However, those well-informed knew that the Blood Python Society's leader, Mu Yang, was one of the most formidable figures in Huyang City, with unfathomable strength. Even the City Lord's Mansion had suffered at his hands before.

"I'll cover the remaining twelve thousand Universe Sands. Please release my brother," the Blood Python Society's leader, Mu Yang, said with a smile. "And as for that staff weapon, our Blood Python Society would also like to buy it back. Please name your price."

"Leader of the Blood Python Society, you are straightforward," Luo Feng said as he casually tossed the staff away with his left hand. "This staff will be valued at six thousand Universe Sands."

"Without even receiving the Universe Sand, Brother Luo He has already returned the weapon. I am impressed!" Mu Yang praised with a smile.

He knew full well the consequences of not paying up.

"This is eighteen thousand Universe Sands," Mu Yang said, producing a black bottle. The bottle flew toward Luo Feng, and with a sweep of divine power, Luo Feng confirmed it contained exactly 18,000 Universe Sands—not one more, not one less.

Luo Feng took the black bottle with his right hand, and with a flick of his left hand, the True God Heart shot back into Vice Leader Lai Mo's body. Lai Mo quickly recovered and stood up, his eyes filled with fear as he looked at Luo Feng.

During the negotiation, the other Eternal True Gods kept silent, fearing that any misstep might provoke anger toward them.

"I truly admire Brother Luo He's strength. Two thousand Universe Sands paid as compensation is well deserved," Mu Yang said. "As for tonight's Hundred Flowers Banquet, we will take our leave."

With that, Mu Yang turned to leave, with Vice Leader Lai Mo following behind. The Dream Flower Pavilion Master could only watch from the side.

Luo Feng glanced at the black bottle in his hand.

"This leader can be quite patient," Luo Feng thought. Of the ten or so Eternal True Gods attending the banquet, the one with the most terrifying strength and wealth, according to the information he had, was likely the Blood Python Society's leader, Mu Yang.

While the two Eternal True Gods from the Qu Meng Royal Family held high status, there were over ten Eternal True Gods within the Qu Meng Royal Family stationed in Huyang City. Given the high resource consumption of their secret techniques, how much could they possibly have left?

On the other hand, the Blood Python Society was under the sole control of its leader, who had long exploited the many cultivators in Huyang City, amassing a vast fortune.

"Lord Luo He," the Dream Flower Pavilion Master approached.

"Tonight is no longer suitable for staying. Pavilion Master, I will take my leave," Luo Feng said as he rose. With all the other Eternal True Gods watching him, he couldn't continue listening to the music.

Luo Feng then left with Morosa, while the Dream Flower Pavilion Master followed to see them off. She promised, "Rest assured, Lord Luo He, we will take good care of Alroya."

The Dream Flower Pavilion Master was indeed a bit nervous.

After all, anyone who had witnessed Luo Feng casually extract Vice Leader Lai Mo's 'True God Heart' couldn't help but feel uneasy.

"This Lord Luo He is incredibly powerful," the Dream Flower Pavilion Master thought as she watched Luo Feng leave. "He must be among the top tier in Huyang City. But why did he lose control under my illusion?"

...

"Tonight's Hundred Flowers Banquet was truly spectacular!"

"This conflict ended with the Blood Python Society yielding." The two Eternal True Gods from the Qu Meng Clan joked as they stood up. Whether it was Luo Feng's action or the Blood Python Society's leader, Mu Yang, complying with the demands, it was all quite entertaining to them.

A dark force leader bowing and paying compensation? How rare was that?

"Lord Luo He's strength is truly terrifying."

"Did he lose control during the illusion because of a mental flaw, or did he do it on purpose?" The Eternal True Gods pondered as they prepared to leave the banquet.

"This Luo He is stronger than I am," Baiwu Jun thought to himself. "The Blood Python Society leader is immensely powerful, yet he chose to yield!"

As a member of another dark force in Huyang City, Baiwu Jun understood the fearsome nature of the Blood Python Society's leader.

If the six Eternal True Gods of their 'Six Lords Alliance' had similar strength and were united, the Blood Python Society's power was mainly due to the singular strength of its leader. The two deputy leaders were much weaker by comparison.

One by one, the Eternal True Gods left, either discussing the events or lost in their own thoughts. Only the two Eternal True Gods who were enamored with the Dream Flower Pavilion Master, Shang Tianyan and Sang Shuiyun, remained.

"My new friend Luo He is incredibly strong!" Shang Tianyan marveled. "He was even willing to drink with me and acknowledge me as a friend."

"With such strength, how could he have lost control during the illusion?" The winged man, Sang Shuiyun, wondered, his melancholic eyes filled with confusion. "An Eternal True God might have a weak will, but someone this powerful couldn't have a weak will!"

"Indeed, whether it's refining the bloodline of a beast or cultivating powerful secret techniques, both require a strong will," Shang Tianyan agreed.

"But he did lose control," Sang Shuiyun insisted. "You and I both saw it."

Shang Tianyan paused and nodded, "Yes, he did lose control."

"I can't figure it out," Sang Shuiyun said, his eyes full of confusion.

"Sometimes, losing control doesn't necessarily mean the illusion was too strong," Shang Tianyan said. "It could also mean he willingly immersed himself in it."

"Willingly immersed?" Sang Shuiyun looked at Shang Tianyan. "Was there something in the illusion he was seeking?"

Shang Tianyan's eyes brightened as he saw the Dream Flower Pavilion Master approaching. He quickly called out, "Pavilion Master!"

Sang Shuiyun's gaze also softened as he looked at the Dream Flower Pavilion Master.

...

At the Blood Python Society's headquarters.

"This time, our Blood Python Society has lost too much face. We were overshadowed by a newly emerged Eternal True God, and even you, the leader, personally paid the compensation," a gaunt figure couldn't help but say. He was the other deputy leader of the Blood Python Society, Mu Lin. "This incident happened at the Dream Flower Pavilion, with so many Eternal True Gods witnessing it. By tomorrow, this will spread throughout all the factions in Huyang City!"

Deputy Leader Lai Mo and Leader Mu Yang remained silent.

"Lai Mo, was he really that strong? Did he take your True God Heart in just one move?" Deputy Leader Mu Lin pressed.

"Do you think I would lie about something like this?" Lai Mo retorted angrily.

"Enough," Leader Mu Yang said as he looked out the window. "This matter ends here."

Deputy Leader Mu Lin was shocked, "Are we just going to let this Luo He, who came out of nowhere, continue to overshadow our Blood Python Society?"

"A common Eternal True God daring to provoke us cannot be tolerated," Mu Yang said calmly. "But an Eternal True God who can take Vice Leader Lai Mo's True God Heart in one move—we lose nothing by yielding."

Mu Yang gazed out the window, "Besides, I could tell he was waiting for me to make a move! He was in the shadows, while I was in the open. He knew much about me, while I knew nothing about him... so I couldn't act."

"Let's wait until I learn more about him," Mu Yang's eyes turned cold. "Then I'll make him pay the price."

...

The conflict had been witnessed by over ten Eternal True Gods, and word of it spread quickly throughout Huyang City that night, reaching all the informed factions.

The name 'Luo He' was soon remembered by all.

In a small building of the Yan Feng Pavilion.

"This Luo He is truly interesting," the Yan Feng Pavilion Master said as he read the latest report. "He lost control listening to the Dream Flower Pavilion Master's illusion, yet in the next moment, without using any weapons or treasures, he took the Blood Python Society's deputy leader's True God Heart with one move."

The gray misty figure organizing the intelligence calmly remarked, "He acted right in front of the Blood Python Society's leader, Mu Yang. Clearly, he was prepared to fight the leader. But Mu Yang chose to yield."

"Uncle, who do you think is stronger?" the Yan Feng Pavilion Master asked curiously.

"The Blood Python Society's territory is coveted by many factions, and the Five Great Clans have tried to take it. But despite several assassination attempts, the Blood Python Society's leader, Mu Yang, has survived them all. Several Eternal True Gods from the Five Great Clans have died at his hands. To this day, we haven't fully uncovered his true capabilities," the gray misty figure explained. "As for this Luo He, we know almost nothing about him—he's too mysterious."

"Who's stronger? Only a real fight will tell," the gray misty figure concluded.

"Based on what I know of the Blood Python Society's leader, this won't end here," the Yan Feng Pavilion Master said, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

...

In the Chaos Armor No. 3 super-large cave dwelling.

Mo Limeng looked at the latest report from the City Lord's Mansion and couldn't help but be surprised, "This Luo He was able to suppress the Blood Python Society? The City Lord's Mansion has upgraded his rating to A?"

The City Lord's Mansion assigned ratings to each Eternal True God, ranging from highest to lowest: A, B, C, and D.

The highest 'A' rating indicated an Eternal True God that even an entire Huyang Army corps couldn't handle!