C30 The Officials Said That There Was No Problem

The Immortal Realm's officials have always shrouded themselves in an air of mystery. While players had the option to send feedback through the system, responses from the officials were not guaranteed. This time, however, the major clubs had banded together to submit their feedback, and the officials couldn't simply turn a blind eye. Eventually, they issued a terse response: "The data is correct; the complaint is invalid."

The club members were ready to explode in frustration. Was this even acceptable? Could the officials possibly be any more dismissive of the clubs? They were eager for more information, but the officials cut off all further communication. Some clubs even threatened to lead their members in quitting the game, only to be infuriatingly dismissed by the officials with a nonchalant "as you wish."

On the World Channel, the conversation heated up:

Dragon Monarch: The officials have spoken, so it's likely that Divine Wind Word just accidentally dropped to the Qi Refining Stage and is trying to shift the blame. Things probably aren't as severe as they claim. At most, it's somewhat related to Jian Yipao, but the connection isn't that significant.

Immortal Sword Jiulong: I concur.

God Jue: I concur.

Divine Wind Word: Concur with your brother-in-law, my foot! Everything I said is the truth!

Overlord Crocodile: Did you capture it on video?

Divine Wind Word: No.

Overlord Crocodile: You fool, how can you be so bold without proof? Clearly, it was your own mistake. Mr. Pao would never cheat, right?

Jian Yipao: Nope, I've always enjoyed cheating. Got a problem with that? If you do, I might just bring the Celestial Stone Mountain Man over and wreak havoc on your turf!

Overlord Crocodile: No objections here, Mr. Pao. The Overlord clan has never had any issues with you! Please, don't come over here. Go after Divine Wind instead; we'll cover your back!

Immortal Sword Jiulong: Overlord Crocodile, back off. This is trivial. Mr. Pao, when are you coming to see my sister?

Immortal Sword Shui Jing: Brother, are you asking for trouble?

Immortal Sword Jiulong: Sis, didn't you log off to meet your bestie? Damn, everything you just saw was an illusion—I didn't say a word!

Immortal Sword Shui Jing: Heh, just wait until I get back, you're a goner!

Immortal Sword Jiulong: Sob, Mr. Pao, I've even alienated my sister for you. Come on, join us in Immortal Sword already!

Jian Yipao: In your dreams.

God Jue: Mr. Pao, give it to us straight. What's really happening?

Jian Yipao: Truth is, I did cheat.

Dragon Monarch: Sure, sure, sure. Whatever makes you happy.

God Jue: Mr. Pao, we go way back. You can't keep secrets from us like this.

Immortal Sword Jiulong: Teach me how to control the Foundation Stage bosses already. I'll lead a hundred of them to decimate Divine Wind!

Jian Yipao: Cheating, that's how!

The crowd was left speechless, metaphorically spitting blood.

But upon reflection, if Jian Yipao truly possessed such skill, what significance would their clubs hold?

Clearly, Divine Wind World was trying to deflect blame.

Without a video, there's no truth!

Consequently, clubs that had initially gathered to spectate quickly scattered.

Even those clubs that had considered allying with Divine Wind to confront Jian Yipao shared this sentiment.

Divine Wind World was left feeling unjustly wronged,

and at this moment, Divine Wind's executives were indeed contemplating disciplinary action against Divine Wind World.

"Do you have anything to say for yourself?" asked the general manager of Divine Wind World, his expression chilling.

Perhaps Divine Wind World hadn't lied.

But with the officials ruling out a data issue,

it was possible that the other party, along with the Assassination Team, had intentionally blown things out of proportion to shirk responsibility.

And with repeated incidents, why hadn't they recorded any video evidence?

With proof, would they really fear official denial?

Then, a captain from the Assassination Team spoke up: "Manager, while controlling Foundation Stage bosses might seem far-fetched, their collaboration could be a different story. Jian Yipao's sharp tongue is well-known; if he wasn't such a loner, he wouldn't be ostracized by his own club members. Besides, the Foundation Stage's Celestial Stone Mountain Man is equipped with its own AI..."

"You keep looking for excuses, dodging your responsibilities! Isn't this exactly why you've been demoted time and again? Aren't you grown enough to make your own judgments? What are you, three-year-olds? That's not what we're here to discuss!" A board member cut off the speaker, his voice sharp with rebuke.

"Remember, this is on you! You all claim to know Jian Yipao so well, so how could you let him deceive you? We're not here to debate Jian Yipao's actions; we're here to address how you're going to own up to your responsibilities!" Another board member pounded the table, pointing an accusing finger at the leader of the Assassination Team.

In that moment, the general manager of Divine Wind turned to Divine Wind Word with an icy stare. "World, what's done is done, and I'll spare you the lecture. The club has invested in you, even securing a Foundation Building Pill for you. It's not your fault that you didn't achieve the first breakthrough at the Foundation Stage, but you've still been demoted. Do you really think that's not on you? Are you going to keep making futile attempts to wriggle out of this?"

Divine Wind Word's fists clenched tight, then released. He took a deep breath and said, "I'll take responsibility. Just tell me, what are you planning to do with me?"

He knew all too well that falling back to the Qi Refining Stage might be a factor.

But in this moment, it wasn't the crucial one.

The key issue was Jian Yipao.

Jian Yipao's current performance in Immortal Realm was proving more valuable than his own.

And yet, it was he, Divine Wind Word, who had led the charge in letting Jian Yipao go from Divine Wind.

If only they had delayed processing Jian Yipao's resignation letter, even just following standard procedures, things might have turned out differently.

It was Divine Wind Word who had pulled strings to expedite the resignation.

And that had set off this chain of events.

Including his own demotion back to the Qi Refining Stage, which could also be traced back to this incident.

"Find a way to bring Jian Yipao back to Divine Wind," the general manager stated flatly.

Divine Wind Word's fist clenched once more.

This was the very outcome he had hoped to avoid.

But now, this was the only way to atone for his transgressions.

"Additionally, assign him the role of team captain."

"His base salary will be tripled, and he'll wield the authority of a vice general manager."

"Grant him a minimum of 2% in shares."

"Remember, these are his baseline terms. Relay them to him verbatim—no sleight of hand."

"If he demands you bow down, do it without hesitation. Bring Jian Yipao before us at the very least. That's your duty in rectifying your own blunders."

The board of Divine Wind exchanged smirks, their cold laughter filling the room.

Clearly, they had resolved to abandon Divine Wind World.

Jian Yipao, with his potential as an alchemist, suspected mastery over controlling bosses, and the possession of a Foundation Building Pill, was deemed a more worthwhile investment.

These factors alone justified their decision to forsake Divine Wind World.

What would become of Divine Wind World after Jian Yipao's return?

That was a concern for another day. The fate of Divine Wind World was, to them, now inconsequential.

Divine Wind World was left reeling in shock.

He never anticipated Divine Wind's extreme measures—essentially trading him away to reclaim Jian Yipao.

Divine Wind World's lips were bloodied from the bite of realization.

But what choice did he have?

Failing to comply would mean breaching the lucrative, ironclad contract he had with Divine Wind.

The exorbitant breach penalty was something he simply couldn't shoulder.