"Manager."
Mo Jiao stood respectfully behind the desk, holding a lacquered wooden tray with both hands. On it rested two tightly sealed gift boxes, their surfaces engraved with simple but solemn patterns.
"Han Feng has been executed," Mo Jiao reported evenly. "The Douluo Alliance has placed his head in this box as a congratulatory gift for your appointment."
Even as he spoke, Mo Jiao could not completely hide the subtle stiffness in his expression.
Sending a severed head as a congratulatory gift…
No matter how one looked at it, it was unsettling.
Yao Chen did not respond immediately.
His gaze settled on the first gift box, unmoving. It was as if his eyes pierced straight through the wooden casing, seeing clearly the familiar yet alien face sealed within.
For a brief instant, memories surged—
a young disciple kneeling respectfully,
an eager gaze filled with admiration,
years of guidance, trust, and painstaking instruction.
Then those images shattered, replaced by betrayal, greed, and blood.
A long silence followed.
"I will accept the head," Yao Chen finally said, his voice low and steady, carrying a faint trace of weariness that only Mo Jiao could perceive.
"Find a quiet place. Bury him properly."
This single sentence settled everything.
Han Feng's crimes were unforgivable—but in death, Yao Chen still granted him one final dignity as a former disciple.
Mo Jiao bowed deeply. "Understood."
Yao Chen then turned his gaze to the second gift box.
"And this?" he asked calmly.
Mo Jiao straightened. "Elder Su Qian of Canaan Academy has presented the Sea Heart Flame to congratulate you on your appointment."
At these words, even Mo Jiao subconsciously held his breath.
A Heavenly Flame.
A treasure that could shake entire empires.
Yet Yao Chen did not hesitate for even a moment.
"Return it to its original owner," he said plainly.
Mo Jiao's pupils contracted.
Accepting a head—but returning a Heavenly Flame?
For a moment, he almost doubted his own hearing.
Yao Chen continued evenly, as if discussing a trivial matter.
"Convey my thanks to the Douluo Alliance as well. Tell them that I understand and appreciate the sentiment behind this special congratulatory gift."
The emphasis on special was unmistakable.
Mo Jiao immediately understood.
The head was not payment, nor tribute—it was closure.
Accepting it settled old karma.
The Sea Heart Flame, however, was far too heavy. Accepting it would bind the Sacrificial Shop to external forces and blur its neutral stance.
Ning Fengzhi had gambled correctly.
The head was the gift that would be accepted.
The flame was the one that would be returned.
Mo Jiao felt a deep admiration for both men.
"As for the next matter," Yao Chen continued, his tone sharpening slightly, "it is time for the Sacrificial Shop to expand."
Mo Jiao immediately focused.
"Prepare to open branch stores," Yao Chen said.
"You will personally select a group of loyal, capable individuals to serve as the core staff of these branches."
"And Sacrifice City?" Mo Jiao asked.
"Use this inauguration period to recruit," Yao Chen replied. "Fill all vacancies."
Yao Chen's finger moved across a detailed map laid out on the desk. It traced past deserts and mountains before finally stopping—firmly—on a familiar territory.
"The first branch," he said, "will be established in the Gama Empire."
Mo Jiao bowed deeply. "I will make the arrangements at once."
When Mo Jiao delivered the message, the reaction was immediate.
"The Manager accepted the gift?" Ning Fengzhi's eyes lit up with barely concealed excitement.
Medusa, Gu Yuena, and the others gathered at once.
"The first branch will either be in the Tagor Desert or the Gama Empire," Ning Fengzhi declared with certainty. "We must act immediately."
The prosperity of Sacrifice City was still fresh in everyone's minds—
the overwhelming crowds,
the surging wealth,
the way an entire region revolved around a single marketplace.
"If we secure the surrounding markets early," Ning Fengzhi continued, "our influence will multiply."
One of the Snake-People Elders frowned slightly. "Why are you so sure it will be here?"
Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly.
"First," he said, "the Manager accepted our special gift. That means he owes the Douluo Alliance a favor—and he will want to repay it cleanly, without entanglement."
"Second," his eyes narrowed thoughtfully, "he still has sentiments. Not for Han Feng—but for his current disciple."
At this point, realization dawned.
"Xiao Yan," Ning Fengzhi said calmly.
"His family is in Wutan City, Gama Empire. And he has a three-year agreement with the Yunlan Sect."
"A branch in Gama," Yue Mei murmured, "repays the favor and offers indirect protection…"
"Exactly," Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Two birds with one stone."
Orders were issued immediately.
Resources moved.
Personnel redeployed.
Preparations began at full speed.
When Medusa raised the question of subtle maneuvering, Gu Yuena dismissed it coldly, and Ning Fengzhi issued a stern warning.
"Do not test the Sacrificial Shop's bottom line," he said gravely.
"The rules exist because they allow it. Break them, and Boss Li will not hesitate to rewrite them—with us as the example."
The room fell silent.
No one dared argue.
Time passed swiftly.
Outside Xun'er's Artifact Refiner courtyard, Xiao Yan stood quietly, his breathing slow and controlled. After a long moment, he pushed open the gate.
Inside, Xiao Er was bent over a worktable, carefully arranging materials. When she heard the door, she looked up in surprise.
"Xiao Yan Gege?"
"I'm leaving," Xiao Yan said softly. "For the Yunlan Sect."
The air seemed to still.
Xiao Er did not argue. She simply walked over and began taking items out of her storage ring—one after another.
A jade-white third-tier Spiritual Rhinoceros Ring was slipped onto his finger.
A pair of wind-treading boots pressed into his arms.
A flowing cloud necklace, a spirit-controlling belt, and finally a set of cool, flexible inner armor.
"Put them on," she said firmly.
Only then did Xiao Yan understand.
All the failed refinements.
All the obsessive material requests.
All the sleepless nights.
They were never for herself.
They were for him.
His throat tightened.
"Xun'er… thank you."
Fully armed, Xiao Yan felt the resonance of the artifacts stabilize his body and spirit. Strength flowed smoothly, harmonized by the ring at the center.
Xiao Er stepped closer, carefully straightening his collar, adjusting the necklace—her touch gentle, reverent.
"Go," she said softly. "Win."
"I will," Xiao Yan replied, unwavering.
Their gazes met.
No words were needed.
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