If this went through, the Empyrean Sword Sect would benefit greatly. In the end, the Azuresoul Palace hadn’t been generous enough either, for fear of Tianming’s appetite bankrupting them.

“Tianming, what do you think?”

Ore veins, universal manna, the Swordsage’s personal welcome… the conditions offered were fantastic. However, Tianming could only reject it.

“I’m grateful for your good intentions, Senior Shi, and especially the Swordsage’s. However, I’ve already spoken to Auntie Ying and made a promise. I’m thankful for her early favor. It’s now, when the Xuanyuan Dragon Sect is having trouble that I need to stand with it. I believe Senior Shi doesn’t want me to be an ingrate either, right?”

He could abandon benefits when making a choice. Him calling one side ‘Auntie Ying’ and one side ‘Senior Shi’ made Shi Yan’s heart thump. She realized that, in addition to just passively waiting for Jiang Qingliu to die, she...