The inside Nie Liâs Myriad Miles Rivers and Mountains Painting was dotted with Deityâs Lakes. Every low grade Deityâs Lake could produce close to ten thousand spiritual stones a month. The lone medium grade Deityâs Lake produced an even more shocking quantity. In a single month, it could produce fifty to sixty thousand spiritual stones and hundreds of spiritual stone essences.
Just some scraps from these lakes was already more than sufficient to support the three thousand plus Demon League members.
Therefore, Nie Li had told Gu Bei to take in more underlings. The more, the better, since he could easily accommodate all of them.
Although the strength of Gu Beiâs three thousand plus didnât amount to much, with the large amount of spiritual stones provided by Nie Li, their cultivations would rise much faster than those of ordinary Divine Feathers Sect disciples.
As far as other were concerned, the fact that Gu Beiâs faction had already grown to such an extent in a single month was indeed quite frightening.
Several people were gathered together in a courtyard of the Skysoul Institute.
Among them were Gu Heng, Murong Yu, and a few dozen other bosses of their own factions.
Gu Heng swept an eye over the gathering and said, âBy now, you all should know my aim, why Iâve gathered you all here today. The faction that Gu Bei has established has already recruited over three thousand members in such a short amount of time. If we donât stop its expansion now, then one day, we might not even have the power to speak freely anymore.â
âBoss Gu Heng, weâve calculated their spendings. As of right now, that kid has to pay hundreds of thousands of spiritual stones every month. Itâll probably be hard for him to expand any more! If he were to continue expanding, how many spiritual stones would he have to exhaust every month? Before long, theyâll probably have to disband, right?â
âThatâs what I feel as well. Hundreds of thousands of spiritual stones every month isnât a small amount! How is that kid, Gu Bei, able to keep it up?â
These factions all felt that if Gu Bei continued to play around like that, then thereâd be a day when he could no longer continue on. When that time came, the Demon League would automatically be disbanded, even if they didnât do anything.
Gu Heng coldly swept his gaze at everyone as he said with a solemn voice, âYou guys are making a huge mistake in thinking like that. Iâve heard that not only is the Demon League not putting a halt to their recruitment, theyâll take anyone whoâs above 2-fate.â
âHow is that possible?â Several bosses furrowed their brows.
âIâve investigated and found out that itâs true!â Murong Yu continued on with a solemn voice, âIâve no idea where theyâre getting so many spiritual stones from. But right now, their supply of spiritual stones doesnât look like itâs depleting. That kid spent nearly four hundred thousand spiritual stones on the auction! Iâm guessing that heâs obtained some ancient supremeâs treasure. Thatâs why he dares to be so extravagant!â
An ancient almightyâs treasure?
Hearing Murong Yuâs words, the eyes of the bosses all lit up.
Itâs a pity. Even if Gu Bei and his group had obtained some ancient almightyâs treasure, it was absolutely impossible to expect them to bring it to the outside world. Therefore, trying to snatch it was basically impossible.
Murong Yu swept an eye over everyoneâs expressions. The corner of his mouth raised into a smile, and said, âWhat if they really do have an endless supply of spiritual stones? With such high-quality treatment being offered from the Demon League, your subordinates would definitely be shaken as well. If that happens, would they still be as willing to work as hard as before? Can you guys offer the same treatment as the Demon League?â
Gu Heng spoke up. âWhat Murong Yu just said is correct. The Demon League is breaking regulations. If they keep this up, then along with Gu Beiâs extraordinary talent, theyâll be stealing the Gu Clanâs Patriarch seat one day. If that happens, then weâre all finished!â Gu Heng said with a solemn voice as he looked at everyone, with a ferocious look flashing through his eyes. âSome of my thoughts received support from a certain person. The Demon League wonât make it far; however, Iâll need the help of everyone gathered here!â
âBoss Gu Heng, pray tell!â The bosses all cupped their hands.
Although they didnât know who Gu Heng was speaking of, the knew that that person definitely wasnât a simple individual. After all, Gu Heng was treating them with such esteem.
âIf we join forces, the number of people that weâll be able to mobilise will be almost fifteen thousand. We can absolutely crush the Demon League with that. If we take the initiative before the Demon League has developed to a real threat, then weâll be able to thoroughly destroy them while theyâre still young!â Gu Hengâs face was smeared with a sinister smile.
All the bosses had hesitation on their faces.
âBoss Gu Heng, right now, Gu Bei is the first-in-line successor to the Gu Clan. We can understand your thoughts; however, weâre not like you, who has no worries. We donât dare to offend the Gu Clanâs successor!â
Everyone gathered here was capable of commanding a faction in the outside world; that proved that they were smart people. They understood that Gu Heng wanted them to lend their strengths to deal with Gu Bei, so that Gu Bei couldnât compete for the Gu Clanâs Patriarch seat anymore. However, Gu Heng was currently out of favor in the Gu Clan; the gathered faction bosses didnât want to get dragged into the whirlpool either.
A trace of chilling light flashed through Gu Hengâs eyes. He understood that these people wouldnât do anything without profit, so he said in a solemn voice, âThis matter isnât for my interest alone. If the Demon League continues to develop, none of you will have a good time in the future, either. Everyone present is one of us. As long as you aid me in removing the threat of the Demon League, Iâll make a copy of the [Dharani] technique for you!â
At Gu Hengâs words, the hearts of these bosses shook.
âIs Boss Gu Heng serious about this?â
âThatâs right.â Gu Heng nodded, âSince Iâve said as much, not even four horses can drag it back!â
âOkay! Iâll do it!â
âMe too!â the bosses agreed.
The [Dharani] cultivation technique was a secret of the Gu Clan. Rumors said that only the truly talented younger generations were capable of learning it. Once the [Dharani] technique was leaked, the Gu Clan would definitely dispose of him. These bosses never imagined that Gu Heng would actually be willing to use it as a bargaining chip!
A chilling light flashed through Gu Hengâs eyes again. In order to make these people move for him, he had to use his trump card. As for the [Dharani] technique, what a joke! How could he, Gu Heng, possibly give out the genuine one? When the time comes, heâd just give them a fake one, since they wouldnât be able to tell if itâs genuine or not.
Asking Gu Heng to fork out money was simply impossible. This method didnât require him to hand over a single stone. At the same, he could accomplish his greatest goal.
âBoss Gu Heng, write a contract so we can have confidence in your words!â someone suggested.
âI can write a contract; however, Iâll seal it with an inscription pattern array. When the time comes, bring the sealed contract to me and weâll unseal it together!â Gu Heng said after he thought a bit. Of course, heâd already made plans in his heart.
âOkay!â The bosses exchanged glances and nodded in agreement. As long as they held the contract, they could use it against Gu Heng. That way, they wouldnât have anything to worry about.
In reality, they also understood that the Demon League was a great threat. Otherwise, they wouldnât have gathered at Gu Hengâs place. After Murong Yu discussed the countermeasures, they all feigned indifference so that they could wheedle some benefits out of Gu Heng.
As for the possibility that Gu Heng might double cross them, they had their own countermeasures. If Gu Heng burned the bridge after he crossed the river1 they could band together to cause a disturbance for him. There were so many of them gathered here; if they used their numbers to do something, then Gu Hengâs seat as a successor candidate would probably become unstable.
Gu Heng will deal with it when the time comes. For now, he had to find a way to suppress Gu Bei. He couldnât be bothered about anything else.
Quickly, Gu Heng started gathering experts from various factions and planning out how theyâd deal with the Demon League. Fifteen thousand experts would be sufficient to wipe the Demon Leagueâs existence from the Skysoul Institute.
A group of experts left the Skysoul Institute and headed for the outside world.
On a floating Deityâs Lake.
This Deityâs Lake was also nearly dried up. However, Nie Li hadnât found a chance to remove its Deity Root yet. Therefore, it became the perfect gathering point for the Demon League. Thousands of men were stationed here. The others were out hunting for demon beasts.
Gu Bei and Lu Piao were presently training the newcomers whoâd just joined. Nothing could be accomplished without routines and standards. Only with strict and impartial discipline can there be fighting strength. As for how to be impartial, Li Xingyun had taught them a lot.
Suddenly, Heng Yan flew back with wounds covering his body. It was as though heâd experienced an intense battle.
âMaster Bei, we were ambushed! Hundreds are dead!â Heng Yan gasped as a pained expression was displayed on his face. His wounds were still dripping with fresh blood.
âThis is a spiritual medicine for healing wounds. Take it quick!â Gu Bei tossed him an elixir, then asked in a solemn voice, âSpeak clearly about what just happened!â
Heng Yan swallowed the healing elixir, caught his breath, then reported, âWe were ambushed by a group of experts. The other party had nothing but Heavenly Star Realm experts. We couldnât win against them. Only I managed to escape.â
A group of Heavenly Star Realm experts?
Gu Bei frowned his brows for a brief moment. The only people they werenât on good terms with were people like Gu Heng and Murong Yu. And the one with the greatest motive to suppress the Demon League was definitely Gu Heng!
Gu Heng finally couldnât hold back anymore and had decided to take action!
âRecall the remaining people! We must return to the Skysoul Institute!â Gu Bei said after pondering it over. With their current strength, trying to fight against Gu Heng would be too hard.
Just when Gu Bei was about to lead his army in evacuation, the sky at a distance began filling with black dots. A surge of powerful auras rolled over them.
Over ten thousand people had surrounded the Demon League. The one leading them was Gu Heng.
âYounger Cousin Gu Bei, itâs been a long time.â Gu Heng flew towards Gu Bei, then stopped once there was about a hundred meters of space between them. He looked at Gu Bei.
Gu Bei calmly returned the look as he said, âI trust that youâve been well since we last met, Elder Cousin Gu Heng. Youâve brought so many people to visit me; however, this doesnât seem like itâs just for a simple greeting, right?â
âI came over to discuss some matters with Younger Cousin Gu Bei.â Gu Hengâs eyes flashed with cold and proud look.
âWhat matters? Iâd like to hear the details!â Gu Bei swept any eye over the surrounding area. The number of people that Gu Heng had brought was too great. It wouldnât be easy to leave. Today, the entire Demon League probably wouldnât be able to leave.
Gu Hengâs eyes slightly narrowed as he looked at Gu Bei. âIf Younger Cousin Gu Bei is willing to withdraw from the competition for the Patriarchâs seat and disband the Demon League, then Iâll let our past enmity be bygones. Iâll allow Young Cousin Gu Bei to control the Gu Clan with me in the future. What do you say?â