C25 The Calm Killing Intent after the Storm

At the Divine Wind Club headquarters, Divine Wind Word was practically seething with rage. He could never have imagined that after painstakingly completing a mission and finally securing a Foundation Building Pill, the first one to break through to the Foundation Stage wouldn't be him. Instead, it was Immortal Sword Shui Jing, a name he didn't even recognize. When did Immortal Sword gain such a prodigy?

What's worse, in the World Channel, the former Divine Wind Sword Immortal, Jian Yipao, was now taunting him. As if he had any right to mock me! Divine Wind Word thought furiously.

Unable to contain his anger, he swiftly logged into the World Channel to hit back.

Divine Wind Word: I might not be the best, but at least I'm better than someone who doesn't even have a club to their name and can't break through the Qi Refining Stage!

Jian Yipao: Hehe.

Divine Wind Word: Pitiful, really. Laugh it up. Just look at my avatar. The Foundation Stage is a realm you'll never reach! And you still have the gall to strut around in the World Channel?

God Jue: It's true, it's quite sad. Listen, Divine Wind, we in the Gods would sell our souls to recruit Mr. Pao, but he's not biting. Isn't that just tragic? We're practically in tears over here.

Dragon Monarch: Agreed, it's a crying shame.

Overlord Crocodile: You'll cry too when you see how much Immortal Sword is raking in!

Immortal Sword Jiulong: Raking it in? Please! We didn't manage to get Mr. Pao on board, and that's a huge loss for Immortal Sword! Mr. Pao, let's negotiate again. How much more do you want than what Divine Wind is offering? Five times more? Hey, hey, hey, don't leave!

God Jue: Damn it! Ouyang Jue, back off! Mr. Pao, we at Gods will offer six times the salary!

Overlord Crocodile: Make that seven times!

Dragon Monarch: I'll do ten times the salary. What do you say? I'm serious; I, the Dragon Monarch, never joke.

Divine Wind Word: Is it really that amusing to speak up for trash?

Immortal Sword Shui Jing: I think you might have a screw loose. You should really get that checked out at the hospital. After all that talk, you want him to check your profile, yet you haven't even glanced at his? What's up with that?

Divine Wind Word: Oh, so you're Immortal Sword Shui Jing? Who gave you the floor? Who do you think you are, Ouyang Jue? Feeling all high and mighty because you were the first to break through? Shouldn't Ouyang Jue be schooling you on the game's unwritten rules?

Immortal Sword Shui Jing: Brother, can Immortal Sword go all out against Divine Wind? I want to use my shares to back it!

Immortal Sword Jiulong: ...

Divine Wind Word: ...

Immortal Sword Jiulong: Trash of the world, will you shut your trap? Go take a long hard look at Mr. Pao's profile before you spout nonsense to my sister! If you're itching for a fight with Immortal Sword, I'm game. But I doubt you call the shots. You've got some nerve bullying my sister. Are you asking for trouble?

Divine Wind Word: Hmph! Since she's your sister, I'll apologize. But as for looking at that loser's profile? Sure, I'll look. It's not like he can do anything about it...

And then, ten minutes went by.

Divine Wind Word vanished from the world channel.

Those in the know nearly died laughing.

They'd never seen such a clown. Looks like the current Divine Wind captain is going to be haunted by this for a while.

The slap to his face was practically audible.

Meanwhile, in Bronzereach, Immortal Sword Jiulong clutched Wang Yipao's hand with fervor, "Mr. Pao, our Immortal Sword has really gone to bat for you. How about joining us?"

"In your dreams." Wang Yipao shook off the hand and wiped it vigorously, as if he might catch something dreadful.

Immortal Sword Jiulong was visibly moved.

With you acting like this, our fun times are over.

"Fine, if there's a chance to team up in the future, I'll consider helping Immortal Sword first. But it's a one-time deal."

Wang Yipao gave a resigned shake of his head.

Immortal Sword Jiulong's eyes sparkled with mischief. "We have an opening right this minute. You see, we're short an alchemist to concoct our potions. How about you join us as Immortal Sword's dedicated alchemist? Hey, hey, Mr. Pao, where are you going? Don't leave... Fine, then make sure you drop by more often, alright?"

Wang Yipao nearly stumbled over his own feet.

It was undeniable—the Immortal Sword's captain could match him in shrewdness. The man was a real piece of work.

At the Divine Wind Club, Wang Yipao's situation had blown wide open. Any gamer could easily spot his profile, which proudly displayed his eighth-grade Qi Refining prowess.

The Divine Wind's general manager cast a cool glance at Divine Wind Word, Han Bai, and the manager of the branch where Wang Yipao had previously worked. "I've been informed by Dark Shadow about the alchemist, the Foundation Building Pill, and that damaged Immortal Artifact we're aware of. You all managed to process his resignation without a peep from our board. Were you trying to sabotage the future growth of Divine Wind on purpose?"

Divine Wind Word gritted his teeth, while Han Bai and the branch manager quivered with dread.

"I'll handle the consequences," Divine Wind Word stated, his complexion ashen, yet resolute.

"And who else would, if not you? You orchestrated this whole affair, so naturally, you'll bear the costs. Now that the issue with Divine Wind and Jian Yipao is public knowledge, they'll be nothing but foes henceforth. How do you propose we recover from this setback?" the general manager of Divine Wind inquired, his tone detached.

"Eliminate him!" Divine Wind Word's fists tightened with resolve.

"Just as long as you understand. You have three days to demote him back to a mere Mortal Stage! Feel free to deploy the Assassination Team at your discretion, but should you fail, brace yourselves for the consequences." The general manager of Divine Wind smirked coldly, yet there was a hint of satisfaction in his response to Divine Wind Word's determination. With those final words, he strode out of the office.

The three men's faces were ashen, but a flicker of resolve was beginning to take hold.

Wang Yipao had no trouble dispatching the little pig with ease. A player, no matter how talented or blessed with Immortal Fate, could still be strangled in the crib without ever setting foot in a club.

"Wang Yipao, have you forgotten that our club can dominate the game with the flick of a wrist?" Divine Wind Word's demeanor had completely shifted, his lips curling into a malevolent grin.

The following day, as Wang Yipao practiced his third sword technique, he gained an unexpected shadow.

It was God Jue from the Gods Club!

"Mr. Pao, listen up, the Divine Wind folks are sure to target you soon, aiming to knock you down a peg. How about joining our Gods Club? Our general manager said that if you're in, we'll go to war with Divine Wind and take out those lowlifes!" God Jue said with a sly twinkle in his eye.

"No thanks. Besides, the Gods Club and Divine Wind have always been at odds. Declaring war or not makes no difference to me—I've had my share of dealings with you all before."

"But Mr. Pao, you're aware our club has an Assassination Team. If they come after you, you won't stand a chance on your own," God Jue persisted.

"Good point. Maybe I'll lay low and log off for a bit."

God Jue: ...

Bro, you can't be serious!

To God Jue's astonishment, Wang Yipao actually did log off.

"Damn, we missed our chance to recruit him again. That Foundation Building Pill..."

Truth be told, the Gods Club was mainly after the additional Foundation Building Pill in Wang Yipao's possession.

Even though the price of the Foundation Building Pill had decreased, with only two at the Foundation Stage, the value remained high.

Plus, Wang Yipao's status as an alchemist justified offering him a hefty base salary.

They hadn't anticipated this move from him.

It was unprecedented.

"Mr. Pao is a tough one to recruit. We've nearly compromised our principles, and he's still not biting. Looks like I need to come up with a new strategy," God Jue muttered, scratching his head in frustration.

Meanwhile, although Wang Yipao had logged off, he wasn't truly offline.

He came up with a daring concept.

Wang Yipao logged into the monster account.