Chu Estate reopens, and all the previously dismissed servants, maids, and guards return. Far from holding any resentment, they are especially grateful to Ian Song.
First off, it’s just too hard to find such a high-paying job.
On top of that, before Ian dismissed them, he gave them plenty of extra immortal stones. Now that they’ve returned, Ian has raised their original salaries by a hundred immortal stones, and even paid them for the half-year they were gone.
So, what they feel most is gratitude toward Ian.
On this day—
Ian is sitting with his guitar, singing to a group of women.
Suddenly, a maid comes to report: someone named Victor Sima is here to visit.
“Lead them to the Reception Hall and let them wait!”
Ian’s lips curl into a faint smile. The whole alliance model he’d advised Adrian Moon to build—joining forces with other halls—was actually meant to pressure Victor Sima.
Just imagine—watching all the subordinate halls rake in piles of immortal stones, while Gale Division itself gets nothing. Even if Victor Sima can keep his seat, the rest of the high-level elders definitely can’t.
If this situation drags on, Gale Division's morale will collapse. Victor Sima has his eye on becoming the next Saint Alliance leader—he can't afford for his division to lose heart.
That's why, to safeguard his status and interests, he has no choice but to come meet Ian Song.
But making Victor Sima submit is no easy task for Ian.
Half an hour later, the scene shifts to Chu Estate's Reception Hall.
Victor Sima put down his teacup, his face showing faint displeasure. Ian had left him waiting for a full half hour.
"Ian Song is way too arrogant!" Ethan Zhou snapped, unable to hide his anger.
Ethan Zhou spat, his face dark with fury.
"Quiet!" Victor Sima said coldly, shooting Ethan a warning look.
Victor Sima glared at Ethan Zhou. If Ethan hadn't messed up earlier, Victor wouldn't be in such a passive position. Hearing Ethan's complaint, Victor felt another surge of resentment: 'Ian Song, I'll let you be arrogant for now, but soon you'll taste my methods!'
Just then—
Footsteps sounded from outside. A moment later, Ian Song strolled in, his pace unhurried as he entered the Reception Hall.
Victor Sima remained seated, steady and unmoved.
Seeing their helm master stay seated, Ethan Zhou and the other Profound Immortal followed suit, not rising from their seats.
Ian smiled indifferently and took the main seat. "Sorry, I had some matters to handle and arrived late. Hope you don't mind, Helm Master Victor."
His apology was just for show; all three could tell Ian wasn't the least bit sorry—he'd done it deliberately.
"Ian, aren't you being a little too disrespectful to our helm master?" Ethan Zhou said, unable to hide his dissatisfaction.
Ethan Zhou added, his tone full of discontent.
Ian's expression turned cold. "What? I've already apologized and explained myself. What more do you want?"
"If you think I'm disrespecting you, you're free to leave. I never begged you to stay."
"Besides, we all know why you're here. If you're seeking help, act like it. If you keep tossing out sarcastic remarks, are you here to ask for help or just to show off?"
Ian's words were harsh, leaving Ethan Zhou's face flushed red with humiliation and anger.
"Ethan, Ian is right. If you're asking for help, act like it. Apologize to Ian Song!" Victor Sima said, his tone calm and measured.
"I...!" Ethan Zhou hesitated, clearly reluctant.
Ethan Zhou's face shifted several times, but finally he bowed his head to Ian. "I'm sorry, Ian Song. I misspoke just now."
Ian smiled again. "Recognizing and correcting your mistakes is a great virtue, Elder Zhou. Remember not to be so hot-tempered in the future, or you'll easily offend others."
Ethan Zhou's face turned dark, but he forced himself to nod. "Thank you for the reminder, Ian Song."
Ian ignored him and turned to Victor Sima. "Helm Master Victor, let's be direct. I can guess why you're here—go ahead and speak frankly."
Victor Sima looked at Ian Song. "Ian, I want you to hand the pill business directly to Gale Division."
"You want that? On what grounds?" Ian retorted.
Ian sneered as he spoke.
Victor Sima's eyes flashed with anger, but his face wore a smile. "Gale Division has more influence and manpower. If you give us the business, we can help you conquer every market at the fastest speed!"
Ian smiled. "That's not enough to move me. The Saint Alliance has nine divisions—anything Gale Division can do, the others can too."
Victor Sima's heart tightened. He narrowed his eyes. "Then what are your terms, Ian? Just say it."
"I want Gale Division to work for me!" Ian declared.
Ian spoke calmly, without hurry.
"Hahaha!" Victor Sima burst out laughing, dropping all pretense and letting his anger show.
Victor Sima laughed loudly, no longer bothering to hide his anger. He stared coldly at Ian. "Ian, aren't you overestimating yourself? You're just a Golden Immortal, and you want to control Gale Division?"
"If you won't agree, someone else will." Ian replied with confidence.
Ian said, full of confidence.
"You won't get that chance!" Victor Sima said coldly. "Today, I'll teach you a lesson. In the Immortal World, without enough strength, you'd better not indulge in delusions!"
"Oh? So Helm Master Victor plans to use force?" Ian said playfully.
The next moment, Victor Sima rose to his feet, unleashing the full aura of a late-stage Profound Immortal. The pressure filled the Reception Hall, making the air thick and oppressive.
He stared at Ian, his voice cold and sinister. "Here's the deal: if you submit to me, when I become Alliance Leader, you'll be made a Saint Alliance elder and have a chance to study the Immortal Tome. But if you refuse, I'll capture you and enslave you with forbidden arts. You have ten breaths—will you submit to me, or become my slave?"
"Are you really that confident, Helm Master Victor?" Ian replied coolly, not the least bit flustered.
"Time's running out, Ian. Make your choice!" Victor Sima urged impatiently.
Victor Sima pressed Ian impatiently.
Suddenly—
Ian stepped forward and vanished from the Reception Hall.
"Where do you think you're going!" Victor Sima shouted, immediately giving chase. Ethan Zhou and the other Profound Immortal hurried after him.
Victor Sima barked and disappeared as well. Ethan Zhou and the other Profound Immortal quickly followed.
Half a quarter-hour later, high above a desolate wilderness, Ian stood suspended in mid-air, hands behind his back, his white robe fluttering with no wind, long black hair drifting freely.
A moment later, Victor Sima appeared in the sky nearby, letting out a cold snort.
"Hmph!" Victor Sima snorted, then reached out at Ian. A massive golden handprint formed above Ian's head, sealing the surrounding void.
Victor Sima didn't use Law, only his Profound Immortal yuan force.
"Helm Master Victor, do you really look down on me that much?" Ian asked, shaking his head.
Ian shook his head inwardly, then raised his fist and punched upward. The descending golden handprint shattered under his blow.
Ian didn't even flinch. With a casual punch upward, he shattered the golden handprint before it could land.