I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense

[Attribute Points +4000…]

[Attribute Points +5000…]

As expected of the Great Family Head of the Eastern Sea, even his cultivation level and power were unfathomably deep, just the pressure of his aura and gaze alone caused my Attribute Points to skyrocket.

No wonder they say that a true powerhouse can kill with a glance, such oppressive momentum, perhaps Elder Mo from before would have exploded to death at a mere encounter, right?

No Half-step Human Immortal is a pushover, terrifying indeed!

After pinning her gaze on him for a moment, Huahuo suddenly withdrew her look and returned to a state of calm, recalling the advice her younger sister had given her earlier.

Li Xiaobai’s talent cannot be simply described with the word ‘monster’; such a genius figure, as long as he does not die young, will surely soar to the heavens.

Making friends with him is far more meaningful than eliminating a genius.

This is an investment; befriending Li Xiaobai today, betting on his ascending to the heavens later, could bring fortune to the Eastern Sea as well.

Seeing Huahuo withdraw her pressure, Li Xiaobai also felt a sense of relief, having been prepared to exchange for the Thousand-Mile Instantaneous Talisman from the shop and flee immediately, but he hadn’t expected that the Great Family Head would actually be willing to spare him.

Liuren and Master Rong were also smiling faintly at this moment, it seems like their elder sister had come to understand the key point.

As for how the Eastern Sea should treat a heavenly pride like Li Xiaobai, the two of them shared the same idea: they could only befriend him, not antagonize him. However, this truth had to be realized on their own, and that was why they hadn’t spoken out to prevent their elder sister from pressuring him.

But now it seems that the elder sister had made her own decision, and it was the right one.

“Young Master Li’s Huazi is indeed extraordinary. Even I could hardly resist the urge to kill you and search your soul,” Huahuo said with a slight sip of tea, having struggled significantly with herself to let Li Xiaobai go. For the future of the Eastern Sea, she was willing to make a significant bet.

“However, since you’ve come all this way to tell us about these secrets of the Eastern Sea, and have come to discuss a partnership with full sincerity, naturally, the Eastern Sea has no reason to turn away a guest,” she continued.

“Regarding Tangneng First-class and the quality shops, I will lend my full support. How would Young Master Li like to collaborate?”

Li Xiaobai collected his thoughts and said with a smile.

“One-tenth, you say?”

Huahuo pondered, the number was actually not small, but she felt there was room for negotiation.

“To tell the truth, Young Master Li, we can accept one-tenth of the profits. However, if you open a shop now, the space Aolai Country can provide is very limited, and the profits won’t be ideal. But if Young Master Li can help Aolai Country with a small favor, I can guarantee you, Tangneng First-class and the quality shops will spread throughout the Eastern Sea in the future!” Master Rong, who was sitting by, said, tapping on the table.

Huahuo was taken aback, “Little sister, do you mean…”

Suddenly, she thought of the chess piece that Master Rong had mentioned earlier—could it be that her little sister wanted Li Xiaobai to become the piece to disrupt Aolai Country’s noble households?

“The Five-colored Altar, connecting to the Upper Realm, could very likely become a channel between the two realms. If that’s the case, many things may need to be moved up on the agenda,” Master Rong remarked leisurely, sipping her Huazi.

“Little sister means…”

Huahuo’s expression shifted slightly as she inquired.

“Naturally, it’s those family clans’ affairs—with such long-standing history, many have already forgotten they’re living under the Tai Sui’s feet.”

Master Rong said indifferently.

“Could the two seniors please clarify, I am rather dense and always cautious in my actions. If any changes occur within Aolai Country, it wouldn’t be a problem to open a few less shops.”

Li Xiaobai instinctively sensed something amiss in the conversation between the two family heads, feeling as though he had inadvertently been caught in a vast vortex.

Why would the family issues within the Eastern Sea be casually discussed in front of an outsider like himself?

These two must have some ulterior motives—whatever they wanted him to do could only be bad news.

“Hehe, but Young Master Li must understand something; with fewer shops open, your income will decrease, and so will Aolai Country’s profits. At that time, we won’t be taking just ten percent, but three layers. Would Young Master Li be willing?”

Master Rong spoke with a light laugh, knowing Li Xiaobai quite well—he was indifferent to women and power, his only interest being Spirit Stones. He wouldn’t easily let go of even a sesame-sized benefit.

She didn’t believe he could stand watching his Spirit Stone earnings decrease bit by bit.

“This…”

Li Xiaobai frowned slightly. The other party was making a lion’s demand, actually wanting three layers of his income. He knew that whether it was Tangneng First-class or the quality shops, the monthly earnings were quite substantial.

And as long as the shop was open, there would be an overwhelming demand for the first few months. How could he possibly give up three layers of income for nothing?

But on the other hand, Aolai Country wanted him to do something that compared to three layers of income, and that surely wasn’t some trivial matter.

This Elder Tong was really banking on him!

“There’s no harm in Master Rong stating how you need my help first. If it is within my power, I will definitely offer my full support.”

Li Xiaobai stated seriously, deciding to probe the other party’s intentions before making a plan.

“Young Master Li is magnanimous. In reality, it’s not a big deal. Wherever there are great powers, there are bound to be such problems.”

“I believe that as Young Master Li traversed the Immortal Spirit Continent, you must have noticed that within many large sects and powers, there are some deep-rooted old family clans. These forces are stubborn, relying on their profound heritage and connections with these powers, forgetting their own names, indeed causing some headaches.”

“What I want Young Master Li to do is to enter these family forces, stir up the waters, and when the time is ripe, we’ll capture all these family forces in one fell swoop.”

Master Rong sipped her tea, her brows slightly furrowed as she found that after smoking Huazi, the tea tasted somewhat bland.

“So that’s what it’s about.”

Li Xiaobai nodded, understanding that some of the families within Aolai Country had grown too unruly, catching the three family heads’ attention.

Like the previous Situ Household, which probably was among them.

“Among these family forces, are there any cultivators in the Half-step Human Immortal Realm?” Li Xiaobai asked.

“No, the highest is only at the peak of the Great Crossing Realm. We can suppress them easily, so Young Master Li need not worry about safety. If anything happens, we will protect you,” Master Rong replied.

Li Xiaobai pondered for a moment and said, “One last question, since you all are aware of the problems with these families, why not just take action and root them out directly?”