Chapter 144: Establishing Authority

When the news reached Qinghe City, Su Yun was drinking tea in his courtyard.

Liu Xuanqing's transmission Jade Slip lit up, containing only one sentence: The three Sects of the Western Regions have sent envoys to Qinghe City to meet the master. Su Yun put down his teacup and asked which three Sects. Liu Xuanqing replied, "Tianxuan Sect, Wanhua Valley, and Sword Sect." The three Sects each had an old monster at the Late Huashen Stage presiding over them and were the largest powers in the Western Regions. The envoys were already on their way and would arrive in about five days.

Su Yun thought for a moment, then told Liu Xuanqing to keep an eye on things and send any news promptly. Liu Xuanqing assented, and the Jade Slip darkened.

Su Yun leaned back in his chair, gazing at the sky. The three Sects of the Western Regions, Late Huashen Stage. They were coming with ill intentions. But it wasn't necessarily a bad thing. He was just worried about not having an opportunity to deal with the major Sects of the Western Regions, and now they were delivering themselves to his doorstep.

Five days later, in the evening, three figures landed at the gate of Qinghe City.

Leading them was a middle-aged woman with a cold expression, dressed in a long green dress, and possessing a profound aura. Mid Spirit Severing Stage. Behind her followed two women, both at the Peak Nascent Soul Stage, one in a white dress and the other in a red dress, both exceptionally beautiful and with outstanding temperaments. The three stood at the city gate, surveying the city.

Zhou Yuanshuang stepped forward and asked where they were from. The middle-aged woman said they were from the Tianxuan Sect in the Western Regions and had come to visit Young Master Su Yun. Zhou Yuanshuang had already received Su Yun's instructions, so she stepped aside and said that the master was already waiting.

The three followed Zhou Yuanshuang into the city. Along the way, they saw shops lining both sides of the street and a bustling flow of pedestrians. Most were female Cultivators, with cultivations ranging from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core, occasionally seeing a few at the Nascent Soul Stage. When these female Cultivators saw Su Yun's people, they all bowed respectfully. The middle-aged woman watched all of this silently.

When they entered the courtyard, Su Yun was drinking tea at a stone table. He was wearing a moon-white long robe with a new belt made by Zhao Lanxin tied around his waist, looking like an ordinary young Cultivator. But the moment he looked up, the middle-aged woman's pupils contracted slightly. Mid Spirit Severing Stage. The same Realm as her. And that aura was even more profound than any Mid Spirit Severing Stage she had ever seen.

Su Yun put down his teacup. "You have come a long way, please sit."

The middle-aged woman sat opposite him, with the two Nascent Soul female Cultivators standing behind her. She spoke directly, "Young Master Su, my surname is Shen, and I am an Outer Sect Elder of the Tianxuan Sect. I have come this time to discuss a few matters with Young Master Su."

Su Yun nodded. "Elder Shen, please speak."

Elder Shen said, "The first matter concerns the Xuanming Sect. The Xuanming Sect is a Sect of our Western Regions. Although it's not a major School, it is still a part of the Western Regions. Young Master Su destroyed the Xuanming Sect and established a Qinghe Sect in the Western Regions. The three Sects of the Western Regions require an explanation for this matter."

Su Yun smiled. "An explanation? The Xuanming Sect sent people to ambush me and steal my things. It is only right and proper that I destroyed them."

Elder Shen was silent for a moment. "The second matter is that the three Sects of the Western Regions can acknowledge Young Master Su's establishment of the Qinghe Sect in the Western Regions. However, the Qinghe Sect must pay tribute to the three Sects annually. It's not much, five hundred thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones per year."

Su Yun shook his head. "The Qinghe Sect is mine and is not subject to anyone's control. There will be no tribute."

Elder Shen's expression changed slightly. "Young Master Su, the Western Regions have their rules."

Su Yun looked at her. "My rules are the rules."

The atmosphere solidified. Elder Shen stared at Su Yun for a long time, and the hands of the two Nascent Soul female Cultivators were already on their sword hilts. Su Yun picked up his teacup and slowly took a sip. He didn't look at the two Nascent Soul female Cultivators, only at Elder Shen.

"What about the third matter?" he asked.

Elder Shen took a deep breath. "The third matter is that the Valley Master of Wanhua Valley wants to see you. She has a business deal to discuss with you."

Su Yun raised an eyebrow. "What business?"

Elder Shen said, "The Valley Master of Wanhua Valley wants to refine a batch of Soul Transformation Stage Pills, but she is missing a few Materials. She knows that Young Master Su has the Pill Formula and would like to borrow it. The conditions can be discussed."

Su Yun put down his teacup. "The Pill Formula is not for loan. But she can exchange things for it. Soul Transformation Stage Pills are also acceptable, ten High-Grade Spirit Stones per pill."

Elder Shen was stunned. "Ten High-Grade Spirit Stones per pill? Is that all a Soul Transformation Stage Pill is worth?"

Su Yun smiled. "I said ten High-Grade Spirit Stones per pill, but the Materials are to be provided by yourself. The Alchemy fee is separate."

Elder Shen's expression changed. She stood up. "Young Master Su, I will relay your conditions to the Valley Master. But for the first two matters, you had best reconsider. The patience of the three Sects of the Western Regions is limited."

Su Yun also stood up. "No need to reconsider. My conditions will not change. The Qinghe Sect will not pay tribute and does not need anyone's acknowledgment. As for the rules of the Western Regions, I don't care."

Elder Shen stared at him for a long time, then turned and left. The two Nascent Soul female Cultivators quickly followed. As they reached the door, Elder Shen suddenly stopped, turned back, and glanced at Su Yun. "Young Master Su, you are very strong. But the three Sects of the Western Regions are not to be provoked."

Su Yun smiled. "Let's see."

Elder Shen's Face turned ashen, and she strode away.

After they left, Valley Master Su Yao walked out of the room, her expression grave. "Master, the three Sects of the Western Regions are not to be trifled with. The Tianxuan Sect Master is at the Late Huashen Stage, the Master of Wanhua Valley is also at the Late Huashen Stage, and the Sword Sect Master is even at the Spirit Transformation Peak Stage. Our current strength is not enough."

Su Yun nodded. "I know. That's why I'm not fighting them."

Valley Master Su Yao was startled. "Then you just now…"

Su Yun picked up his teacup. "I was negotiating conditions just now. That's how business negotiations are; whoever backs down first loses. If I don't back down, they will. The three Sects of the Western Regions have vast enterprises and won't risk their lives over a Xuanming Sect. What they want is Face; if I can't give them Face, I'll give them something else."

Valley Master Su Yao didn't understand. "Give what?"

Su Yun said, "Soul Transformation Stage Pills. If they want Soul Transformation Stage Pills, they have to exchange things for them. Be it Spirit Stones, Spirit Medicine, or Cultivation Techniques, I will accept them all. As long as the benefits are great enough, they won't make a move."

Valley Master Su Yao was silent for a moment, then nodded. She had to admit that her master made sense.

Indeed, seven days after Elder Shen left, the Valley Master of Wanhua Valley came in person. She was a middle-aged woman with a gentle Face, dressed in a plain white long dress, and her aura was as profound as the sea. Late Huashen Stage. Behind her followed two young women, both at the Peak Nascent Soul Stage, extremely beautiful, and with outstanding temperaments.

Su Yun received her in the courtyard. After the Master of Wanhua Valley sat down, she spoke directly, "Young Master Su, I want five Soul Transformation Stage Pills. I will provide the Materials, and you name the Alchemy fee."

Su Yun looked at her. "Five Soul Transformation Stage Pills, how many people do you intend to use them for?"

The Valley Master said indifferently, "That is a matter for Wanhua Valley, no need for Young Master Su to worry."

Su Yun smiled. "Five pills are fine. The Alchemy fee is fifty thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones per pill. Materials are to be provided by yourself."

The Valley Master frowned slightly. "Fifty thousand per pill, five pills would be two hundred and fifty thousand. Young Master Su, this price is too high."

Su Yun shook his head. "It's not high. The Materials for the Soul Transformation Stage Pill, such as the ten-thousand-year ganoderma, sky thunder bamboo juice, and nine-turn dragon saliva, are all priceless. I'm only charging fifty thousand because you came in person."

The Valley Master was silent for a long time. Finally, she nodded. "Alright. Fifty thousand per pill, five pills. I will send the Materials within a month. When can the pills be refined?"

Su Yun looked at Valley Master Su Yao. Valley Master Su Yao said, "If the Materials are complete, three months."

The Valley Master nodded and stood up. She glanced at Su Yun. "Young Master Su, I can mediate for you with the Tianxuan Sect and the Sword Sect. But you must remember, the Western Regions are not the Central Regions. The waters here are very deep."

Su Yun also stood up. "Thank you for the reminder, Valley Master. No matter how deep the water, it won't drown me."

The Valley Master smiled and turned to leave.

Su Yun stood in the courtyard, watching her back disappear outside the door.