"A restriction talisman—you actually have a restriction talisman crafted by a Fusion-stage expert!"
A shrill, shocked voice rang out from within the golden light. Then, a blood-soaked figure burst out, streaking away as a shadow toward the distant horizon.
At the same time, Colin Jiang's furious voice thundered: "Chase him! Go after him! I want to see that old traitor's head!"
Off to the side, Pavilion Mistress Bei sighed, "The Duke of Qi Residence truly has deep foundations—even a restriction talisman made by a Fusion-stage master!"
Restriction talismans are single-use consumables—once activated, that's it. But those crafted by Fusion-stage experts are incredibly precious. When triggered, they can unleash about one-tenth of the creator's full power.
As the golden light faded, Colin Jiang's figure appeared. He wasn't much better off—his whole body was drenched in blood, and there was a fist-sized bloody hole in his chest, with fresh blood still pouring out.
No wonder Colin Jiang was so furious and determined to kill Jiang Bao—Jiang Bao had left him in this miserable state.
Mountain Invincible, badly wounded, led five Divine Transformation guards to hunt down Jiang Bao, while the two latecomer consecrated protectors supported Colin Jiang, healing his wounds from either side.
Right then, Ian Song's voice rang out: "Old turtle, doesn't it feel great getting wrecked by your own subordinate?"
As he spoke, Ian Song's gaze fell on the two consecrated protectors.
Seeing this, Duke Jiang Kui's expression changed dramatically. He was terrified Ian Song might pull the same trick again and buy off his two consecrated protectors to kill him. Now that he was gravely injured and had played all his trump cards, if those two protectors switched sides, what could he possibly use to defend himself?
So, he couldn't afford to keep bickering with Ian Song and quickly turned to the two protectors, saying, "Hurry, let's get back to the residence!"
"My lord, the Duke of Qi Residence has been stormed by over ten thousand cultivators. I'm afraid we can't go back!" one of the protectors said with a bitter smile.
"Don't worry about that! Just get us out of here—move!" Duke Jiang Kui urged.
"Yes, sir!"
The two protectors grabbed Duke Jiang Kui, their figures blurring as they turned into a streak of flowing light and vanished from sight.
Watching Duke Jiang Kui flee in such a panic, Pavilion Mistress Bei felt a strange sense of unreality. She couldn't help but sigh—this Young Master Song's methods were simply beyond imagination.
It wasn't long before another streak of light flashed by—Old Man Tanner arrived with Cece in tow. He grinned at Ian Song inside the array and said, "Young friend, I didn't let you down! I've brought your Cece girl back, safe and sound. Are you satisfied?"
"Thank you, Senior!" Ian Song stepped out of the array and bowed respectfully to Old Man Tanner.
Old Man Tanner waved his hand and said, "No need for that! I took your ten thousand top-grade spirit crystals, saving someone for you is nothing. Honestly, I got the better end of the deal. How about this—I'll help you out three times for free in the future, what do you say?"
Hearing this, Ian Song's eyes lit up. A mid–Divine Transformation expert offering three free moves—now that was a serious promise.
Suddenly, an idea struck him. "Old Man Tanner, would you be interested in earning some more spirit crystals?"
"Please, Young Master Song, go ahead!"
Ian Song spoke sincerely, "I'm willing to pay fifty thousand top-grade spirit crystals per year to hire you as my personal guard for three years. What do you say?"
"Fifty thousand top-grade spirit crystals per year!"
Hearing Ian Song's offer, Old Man Tanner couldn't bring himself to refuse. Three years wasn't much—an old monster could easily spend decades in closed-door cultivation anyway.
The two of them quickly negotiated the terms, and the deal was sealed. Ian Song paid Old Man Tanner fifty thousand top-grade spirit crystals for the first year right on the spot.
Watching from the side, Old Zhou was green with envy. Fifty thousand top-grade spirit crystals! Pavilion Mistress Bei treated him well, but he only got about fifty crystals a year.
"Young Master Song, do you still need guards? What about me?"
Just then, the Calamity Sword Maiden, Raina Quinn, stepped forward on her own initiative.
Old Man Tanner said, "Young Master, let me introduce you. This is Raina Quinn, a direct-line disciple of the Calamity Blade Sect. Her swordsmanship is top-notch—she's known as the Calamity Sword Maiden."
Ian Song looked Raina Quinn up and down, then grinned. "I'm actually short a maid to serve tea and water—want the job?"
Did he seriously just offer her a maid's job?
Raina Quinn couldn't help but look a little annoyed.
Just then, Ian Song spoke again: "One thousand top-grade spirit crystals per year."
"Raina greets Young Master!"
The annoyance on Raina Quinn's face vanished instantly. She bowed deeply, her attitude now utterly respectful—she only got ten top-grade spirit crystals a year in the Calamity Blade Sect. With Ian Song offering a thousand, she'd gladly be a maid—or even a bed-warmer!
"Good! Here's a little welcome gift for you!" Ian Song tossed her ten top-grade spirit crystals.
"Thank you, Young Master!" Raina Quinn said excitedly.
Ian Song then signed a contract with Raina Quinn. At her insistence, the term was set for ten years.
"Young Master, do you still need a cook? Why not take me in too?" Pavilion Mistress Bei stepped forward with a bright smile, her tone slightly teasing.
"Mistress Bei, you're joking—I couldn't possibly afford you!" Ian Song replied with a playful shake of his head.
Pavilion Mistress Bei shot him a look. "Young Master, I'm serious—and it's buy one, get one free! My requirements aren't high, just five thousand top-grade spirit crystals a year!"
Don't be fooled by Pavilion Mistress Bei's delicate beauty—she was also an early Divine Transformation expert. But Old Man Tanner secretly warned Ian Song that her backer was the Second Prince, and their relationship might be more than just business. If Ian took her in, he'd definitely offend the Second Prince.
But would Ian Song be afraid of offending the Second Prince?
Of course not! He'd come to the capital specifically to steal the Sixth Prince's future bride. Offending one prince or two—what's the difference? Might as well offend them both!
"Mistress Bei, are you truly willing to join me?" Ian Song asked again, his expression growing more serious.
"I wouldn't dare joke about this with you, Young Master Song!"
Ian Song couldn't help but laugh. "All right, then! In that case, I can't shortchange you—ten thousand per year. From now on, you're one of my people!"
Pavilion Mistress Bei smiled sweetly.