Journey to the End of the Night Chapter 1543 - 955: United in Heart and Fate
Previously on Journey to the End of the Night...
Qingxin pursed her lips, a hint of a smile gracing her features: "Shifang City conducts business worldwide, forging strong connections far and wide.
Today, under my master’s directive, I bring a humble offering, aiming to strengthen our bond with Shifang City and convey our sincerity. Is this not a way to establish mutual rapport?"
Fang Geyu appraised her, momentarily uncertain of the woman’s true intentions.
If she could patiently endure the vexing elders, surely dealing with an outsider like Qingxin would be simple.
"Oh? Is that so? Then it must be a welcome gesture. I am keen to learn who your master is and what kind of gift you have prepared." Fang Geyu inquired with palpable interest.
However, the attending elders, upon noticing the visitor’s cultivation was merely at the Seeking Tao Realm, deemed it far too insignificant to warrant their attention.
A wave of contempt washed over them.
It seemed anyone, regardless of their standing, now dared to seek favor from Shifang City.
"What is this 'One Drop of Blood'? Just a gaggle of self-important upstarts from some forgotten corner of the world.
It’s unprecedented to see an envoy at the Seeking Tao Realm arrive in Shifang City with such audacity.
The Demon Alliance? Hmph, I doubt this fledgling alliance possesses more demon beasts than what resides in my own backyard."
They had already engaged in a few heated exchanges with Fang Geyu, barely suppressing their irritation, and now Qingxin became the convenient target for their derision.
"It’s like someone providing a pillow precisely when you’re yearning for sleep. Didn't Miss Three just mention needing a substantial quantity of spirit stones?
And now, a gift arrives; it certainly showcases the sincerity of the One Drop of Blood’s leader."
"In this day and age, who would stoop to using spirit stones, such crude commodities, as a means to express goodwill and present gifts?"
Faced with the frosty barbs from the Shifang City dignitaries, Qingxin simply offered a faint smile and replied: "Please forgive Qingxin for being but an ordinary individual.
My master expressed concern that some might be so short-sighted as to be unable to procure spirit stones, thus commissioning me to prepare five thousand spirit stones.
Along with these humble presents, we aim to convey our intentions, hoping Miss Three will graciously accept them."
Fang Geyu’s eyes, as clear as a tranquil lake, held a depth that was difficult to fathom.
She regarded Qingxin with a calm, steady gaze, betraying no hint of her thoughts.
Yet, the elders positioned below the dais let out derisive scoff's, their disdain evident.
Although Shifang City did not rival the grandeur of the Heavenly Dao Three Sects, its considerable wealth was widely acknowledged.
It was not an exaggeration to say that renowned cultivators arrived daily, bearing magnificent gifts into the city.
Whether these offerings were accepted rested entirely on the prevailing mood.
The giver's background, reputation, and standing were meticulously evaluated before any gift was considered.
Not just any individual could easily present a gift to Shifang City and foster a connection.
Wei Haocang, one of the seven elders, let out a cold laugh and declared: "If it’s a modest gift, why even bother presenting it, only to become a laughingstock with a mere five thousand spirit stones?
You speak with such pride. The Demon Alliance was founded merely three years ago, yet it seems you’ve staked everything upon these past few years.
Even if you resorted to bluffs and managed to amass top-grade spiritual stones, in the eyes of Shifang City, you still appear rather insignificant."
Qingxin responded with a gentle smile, a snap of her fingers, and from behind her emerged a throng of dark-clad demon cultivators, each bearing a large trunk.
With a sidelong glance and a subtle nod, she signaled, and the demon cultivators promptly overturned the trunks they carried.
Whoosh!!!
A cascade of brilliantly hued spirit stones spilled forth; these trunks were clearly enchanted spatial artifacts.
They poured out in an unending stream, rapidly forming a towering pile.
The surging Spiritual Power ascended towards the heavens, so dense it was almost tangible, enveloping the area in a dreamlike, misty luminescence.
Standing amidst this spectacle, even one’s pores could discern the pure Spiritual Power seeping in, akin to a gentle, fine mist.
Hair and eyebrows quickly grew damp from the concentrated Spiritual Power.
And this was merely the Spiritual Power emanating from the overflowing spirit stones.
All present watched in stunned silence as the mountain of spirit stones lay before them, each stone imbued with the attributes of the Five Elements.
The densely packed Spiritual Power had almost coalesced into a visible spiritual manifestation, creating a truly awe-inspiring scene.
Wei Haocang, who had spoken moments before, now wore an expression of utter mortification.
This was not five thousand ordinary spirit stones; these were undeniably top-grade spiritual stones!
It was suddenly clear why this young lady dared to jest about the elders' narrow-mindedness.
The esteemed third young lady of Shifang City, the future city lord, had urgently required three thousand top-grade spiritual stones. The elders, however, had been reluctant and repeatedly refused her plea.
Yet, shortly after, the Demon Alliance they had so readily dismissed presented a 'modest gift' with an air of humility and courtesy.
A full five thousand top-grade spiritual stones, an amount exceeding Fang Geyu’s request by two thousand.
Such immense generosity managed to evoke nothing but shame within him.
Di Lianggong, who was bound to the pillar, turned ashen, disbelief and shock clouding his eyes.
It turned out the relatively new Demon Alliance, founded only a few short years prior, was far from a minor force.
He struggled to grasp how a woman by the name of Qingxin had managed to accumulate such substantial wealth.
Even the wealthiest elders residing in Shifang City couldn't help but be impressed by the fifty thousand top-grade spiritual stones presented.
Not even a sliver of disdain for the young girl in the Seeking Tao Realm could be harbored by them any longer.
Fang Geyu narrowed her captivating eyes and broke into a gentle smile, asking, "Did you just mention your name as 'Qingxin'?"
Qingxin offered a slight nod and a soft smile in response. "Yes."
"Is it 'Qingxin' as in 'a clear heart'?"
This question came out of nowhere, catching Qingxin slightly off guard. After a moment, she responded with a gentle and genuine smile, "It is 'Qingxin' as in 'the heart becomes clear at first sight.'"