Why was it that the Chrysanthemum Douluo and Dugu Bo always seemed ready to tear into each other the moment they met? What history lay between them?
The tangled web of their rivalry had long been a favorite topic of gossip among high-ranking members of major factions.
But today, that drama wasn't the priority. As curious as they were about the pair's feud, everyone present remembered their true purpose here.
"Greetings, Mr. Wu Tong…"
"Brother Wu Tong, a day without you feels like three years!"
"Young friend Wu Tong, it's been too long since we last met a year ago."
"Your reputation precedes you, Mr. Wu Tong."
...
As Wu Tong emerged, the crowd hurried forward to welcome him.
"Haha, no need for formalities, everyone."
"Brother Xue, Sect Master Ning, Sword Douluo—it has indeed been a while. How have you been?"
Wu Tong responded with a smile to each greeting from the faction representatives.
"Can't complain," Xue Qinghe said cheerfully. "Though I doubt any of us expected you'd outdo us all by catching a god's favor on a mere trip abroad."
As Wu Tong's close friend, Xue Qinghe had always treated him with casual familiarity—a dynamic that hadn't changed even after Wu Tong became a Chosen of the Gods. He trusted that Wu Tong remained the same person at heart.
Wu Tong didn't disappoint. At Xue Qinghe's words, he scratched his cheek sheepishly.
"Ah, just luck, really. One careless moment, and suddenly I'm a god's candidate."
But the glint of pride in his eyes betrayed the act.
'Humblebragging.'
Though the term didn't exist in the Douluo Continent, everyone present instinctively recognized the behavior—and found it hilariously fitting.
"Young friend Wu Tong," Ning Fengzhi interjected, "as much as I'd love to catch up, you might want to intervene before Poison Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo start brawling."
Wu Tong glanced around and saw Dugu Bo had somehow advanced to glare nose-to-nose at the Chrysanthemum Douluo, who returned the stare with equal intensity.
Wu Tong nearly facepalmed.
Are you children? How old are you, playing these games?
"Ahem! You've all been waiting awhile," he said hastily, stepping between the two. "Shall we continue this inside?"
The crowd recognized the blatant subject change, but as seasoned players of politics, no one called him out.
"An excellent suggestion. The journey here was… taxing."
"Indeed."
"Quite."
"Absolutely."
...
With unanimous agreement, Wu Tong hoisted Dugu Bo by the collar and marched toward Wutong Courtyard's main hall, the delegation trailing behind.
As they walked, the representatives studied Wu Tong's back, eyes gleaming.
That strength… and the speed earlier, nearly invisible to the eye…
Truly, a Chosen of the Gods is blessed beyond measure.
Their envy was palpable.
——
Wutong Courtyard, Reception Pavilion.
After depositing Dugu Bo onto a side chair, Wu Tong turned to address his guests.
"Make yourselves at home."
"Xiao Yun, tea for our guests."
The maid bowed and hurried out.
The delegates, already briefed on Wu Tong's disdain for pomp, took their seats without ceremony.
Once settled, Wu Tong cut straight to the chase.
"So. What brings you all to my humble abode?"
The crowd exchanged glances. Just as intel suggested—no beating around the bush.
"Mr. Wu Tong," a flame-haired man in crimson robes spoke first, "Poison Douluo mentioned you'd exchange divine boons for resources. Is this true?"
Wu Tong noted the emblem on his chest—a representative of Blazing Academy.
Typical fire-attributed cultivator traits: impulsive, blunt, charging ahead without hesitation…
"It is," Wu Tong confirmed. "Have you brought sufficient materials for trade?"
"Beyond revival items," Tang Yuehua interjected, "what else might one obtain? A detailed list would be appreciated."
Her tone carried a hopeful edge—clearly seeking a solution to her mutated martial soul.
"Certainly."
Wu Tong produced a stack of parchment, distributing copies to each guest.
The exchange list Wisdom King compiled en route.
The moment the papers touched their hands, the room fell silent save for the rustle of flipping pages.
Then, as one, the delegates' eyes burned with avarice.
[Revival Token – Revival Coin][Advanced Spirit Power Cultivation Manuals][Countless Original Spirit Techniques][High-Powered Spirit Tools & Firearms][Mental Fortification Methods][Physique Enhancement Regimens][Martial Soul Evolution Treasures][Custom-Year Spirit Rings & Spirit Bones…]
The catalog of treasures stretched endlessly.
"Mr. Wu Tong," an elder whispered hoarsely, "is this… real? These can truly be acquired?"
Decades of arduous cultivation hadn't yielded what this list promised for mere resources. It felt surreal.
Wu Tong savored their stunned expressions.
"Absolutely. Provided you meet both the resource quotas and"—he tapped a footnote—"the special conditions."
The crowd hastily scanned the fine print. Certain items, like spirit rings, required additional prerequisites—such as unrestricted-year corpses of matching spirit beast species.
...
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