617 Establishing Authority! (2/2)
Caught in a confusing mix of feelings, Mie Liezi fell silent.
Wang Baole didn't rush him. He coughed, then walked towards the alchemical cauldron. The surrounding cultivators dared not stop his approach. They stepped back and allowed Wang Baole to make his way to the front of the cauldron. He raised and waved his right hand, and the cauldron split open in a deafening thunder, then exploded.
The donkey leaped out from the cauldron. It looked haggard and miserable, and a great portion of its fur was singed. Its spirit seemed drained as well. However, Wang Baole could sense that those were only superficial injuries and that it was going to be fine.
The donkey was clearly excited to see Wang Baole. It was about to start braying again when Wang Baole glared at it. It immediately drooped its head and looked sheepish. It nuzzled Wang Baole's leg as if it was trying to gain Wang Baole's favor.
How did I manage to rear such a glutton! Wang Baole was furious. He was an adopted disciple, the most good-looking man in the whole of the Federation. To think that he was being followed around by this glutton. The odd match they must make in other people's eyes. He was about to send a kick flying in the donkey's direction when Mie Liezi, having noticed the relatively unharmed donkey, spoke with his raspy voice.
”Wang…” He was stumped after saying the first word. He wasn't sure how he was to address Wang Baole. He froze, then decided not to think too much about this.
”Wang Baole, Sun Hai is indeed the one at fault here. I'll have him apologize to you right now.” Having said that, Mie Liezi raised his right hand in a wave. Sun Hai's Nascent Soul flew out. Hovering in mid-air, he began to bow profusely at Wang Baole, his pleading eyes shining as he apologized repeatedly.
”Please be merciful, Elder Wang. Your humble disciple was unaware of your esteemed status. I beg your forgiveness for the offense that I have committed towards you…”
Mie Liezi felt slightly comfortable as he listened to Sun Hai's apologies. However, Wang Baole not only had rank on his side, but he also had reason. Getting Sun Hai to apologize was the only way to resolve the matter peaceably.
After a moment of silence, Feng Qiuran turned and looked at Wang Baole as well. She and Mie Liezi might be of separate factions, but Sun Hai was still a Nascent Soul of the Vast Expanse Dao Palace. Feng Qiuran would have her reservations if Wang Baole decided to punish Sun Hai.
Wang Baole knew what she was thinking. He also knew that it wasn't impossible for him to kill Sun Hai, though it would require some effort. It wasn't as simple as finding an opportunity to assassinate him secretly.
He wasn't going to just let him off the hook like that, though. After some thought, he said slowly, ”My intrinsic sacred beast has suffered an immense and unjustified tragedy. This will cause it great…” Sun Hai immediately knew what Wang Baole was trying to do before the latter was even done speaking. He shouted hastily, ”Elder Wang, this humble disciple is willing to compensate… fifty thousand battle credits!” Sun Hai's heart ached as he shouted out the figure. However, it was clear he wasn't going to get away with paying nothing.
Wang Baole rolled his eyes and continued speaking.
”…emotional harm, from all the fright it has experienced. It'll result in its failure to attain future breakthroughs in cultivation!”
Wang Baole cued the donkey secretly after saying that. The donkey blinked, then suddenly screamed and fell to the ground. Foam started to bubble around its lips, and its limbs twitched. The donkey looked like it might drop dead at any moment. It looked exactly like the performance it was.
Feng Qiuran smiled wryly, while Mie Liezi turned his head away. He couldn't be bothered with the sight. The Nascent Soul realm cultivators around them all had odd looks on their faces. Sun Hai was dumbfounded. His heart had progressed from a mere ache to a full-blown bleeding out. There was a moment of silence. Then, he clenched his teeth and said, ”A hundred thousand credits. I'll compensate you a hundred thousand battle credits!”
As he said that, the donkey cried out and spat out a large mouthful of blood…
”A hundred and fifty thousand…” Sun Hai was on the verge of tears. His voice trembled. That was the entirety of his fortunes.
”A hundred and fifty thousand credits to be delivered within the next three days. Do take note, though… Sun Hai, I'm not pursuing this matter further because it's your first offense. But if you do this again…” Wang Baole left his sentence hanging. He leveled a meaningful look at Sun Hai, and murder flashed across his eyes. Then, he cupped his fists and saluted Feng Qiuran, put away his identity token, turned around, and left—leaving behind a group of silent cultivators with unfathomable looks in their eyes.
The donkey leaped into the air and hurried after Wang Baole. It was no longer throwing up blood. It trotted after Wang Baole and left with its master. Cries of joy punctuated the air now and then. The cultivators listened to the donkey's jubilant cries as they watched Wang Baole disappear into the distance. They shared a single thought.
In the near future, the Vast Expanse Dao Palace… might receive its fourth Grand Supreme Elder, one even if he were only be at the Core Formation realm!