Pay-to-Win Cultivation: I Get 10,000x Returns Chapter 114

Zhang Xian’s gaze drifted across the VIP section, settling on a figure who radiated a quiet, dangerous authority. The young man looked humble enough, conversing naturally with Yun Wanqing’s father, Yun He.

His robes were unremarkable, but the aura leaking from him was as deep as an abyss and vast as the sea. Even from across the hall, Zhang Xian could feel the crushing weight of the man’s cultivation.

This was clearly the heavyweight from the Central Continent’s Baoqing Workshop—the puppet master orchestrating Yun Wanqing’s forced marriage.

The second round of the Demon Sweeping Assembly began in the afternoon. Zhang Xian’s opponent was an unknown Golden Core rogue cultivator.

Though the man lacked the raw power of Jian Chan from the previous round, he possessed a dogged, irritating tenacity. He refused to admit defeat even when staring down the barrel of a Spirit Treasure.

Zhang Xian, not wanting to waste expensive high-grade talismans on a nobody, spent several minutes playing a polite game of cat and mouse before having a puppet firmly escort the man off the stage.

As Zhang Xian vaulted down from the platform, he spotted Hu Yanzhi leaning against a stone pillar. The "Rich Second Gen" villain offered a malicious, jagged smile.

"Hmph. Zhang, you certainly haven't disappointed me yet."

Zhang Xian tilted his head, feigning total confusion. "I’m sorry, who are you? Have we met?"

"Don't play dumb with me!" Hu Yanzhi’s eyes flashed with murderous intent. "Tomorrow, I’m going to tear that dog mouth of yours to shreds. I won’t even give you the chance to surrender!"

In response, Zhang Xian silently summoned a puppet. The construct mimicked Hu Yanzhi’s nasally tone perfectly: "Don't play dumb with me! Don't play dumb with me!"

Hu Yanzhi’s face turned a brilliant shade of purple. He glared at the puppet, then at Zhang Xian, before snapping his sleeve and storming off.

"Just wait until you're dead!"

As the day’s matches concluded, the results were predictable. Li Fuxi’s sword light remained peerless, neatly dispatching her opponent with cold efficiency.

The real shock came from Yang Poxiao. His opponent was a legendary prodigy from Cloud Raiment Pavilion, a man famous for over a century. Yet, against Yang Poxiao, he was helpless.

Yang Poxiao’s sword flames engulfed the arena, scorching the veteran cultivator so badly he would have died on the spot if the referee hadn't intervened.

Just as Zhang Xian was headed back to his villa to cultivate, his communication jade slip vibrated. It was a message from Elder Wang Ya: “Zhang Xian, there is a banquet tonight. Accompany me.”

Zhang Xian’s eyes darkened. High-level banquets were for sect representatives like Wang Ya or Zhiyin. For Wang Ya to pull him in could only mean one thing: the marriage trap was being sprung.

When Zhang Xian entered the royal hall, the atmosphere was thick with tension. He took his seat beside Wang Ya and surveyed the room.

The elders of the Spirit Ruins Sword Sect looked like statues of ice. Monk Ming Huai sat with eyes closed, his fingers blurring over his prayer beads.

In the seats of honor sat Hu Yanzhi and his cousin, Hu Yanqing. Directly opposite them were Yun He and a visibly pale Yun Wanqing.

Emperor Xia Xuanyin raised a cup, his voice booming with forced cheer. "The arrival of the Guiyuan Sect’s prodigies is a grand blessing for our Southern Region..."

After the usual rounds of hollow flattery, Hu Yanqing took the floor. His voice was gentle, but every word carried the weight of a mountain.

"Your Majesty is too kind. The Southern Region is indeed a land of hidden dragons."

He played the game of etiquette perfectly until the wine had flowed enough for the killing blow.

"Taking advantage of this gathering," Hu Yanqing continued, "I wish, in the name of the Guiyuan Sect and Baoqing Workshop, to facilitate a union between my younger brother and Miss Yun Wanqing."

The room went silent, though no one was truly surprised. The rumors had already done their work.

"To prove our sincerity, we offer three gifts as a testament to this alliance."

"First: Baoqing Workshop’s Central Continent headquarters will cede thirty percent of our Southern Region business shares to be managed exclusively by Cloud Raiment Pavilion."

"Second: We present an Earth-grade Ephemeral Artifact, the Pent-Earth Divine Sky Shield."

He flicked his finger. A turtle-shell jade pendant, shimmering with a divine seven-colored glow, floated toward Yun He.

"This will ensure Pavilion Master Yun He passes his Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation in total safety."

Yun He’s breathing hitched. The Tribulation was a death sentence he had been dreading; this shield was a literal lease on life.

"Third," Hu Yanqing’s voice turned pitying as he looked at Yun Wanqing. "I know your daughter’s soul is fractured. Three Nascent Soul True Lords from the Guiyuan Sect have agreed to perform the secret technique, [Myriad Phenomena Return to Origin], to reshape her soul and grant her entry into our sect."

"With this, Baoqing Workshop and Cloud Raiment Pavilion shall become one!"

Emperor Xia Xuanyin remained silent, his heart sinking. He saw the trap. If Yun Wanqing married into their line, her brilliant managerial mind would eventually lead to the Baoqing Workshop swallowing the Pavilion whole, weakening the Southern Region’s local power.

But he couldn't openly defy a giant like the Guiyuan Sect. "This... is a family matter for Master Yun to decide."

Yun He stared at the glowing shield, his heart racing. "Wanqing," he said, his voice strained. "Xuanzhou has been gone for two centuries. You must think of the family... and your daughter."

Yun Wanqing’s nails dug into her palms. She felt the walls closing in. Her father, her sect, her daughter's life—everything was being used to crush her.

"I... I have one condition..." she whispered, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

Hu Yanzhi was nearly vibrating with excitement. "Anything! Miss Wanqing, name it!"

He had lusted after the Southern Region’s number one beauty for centuries. Finally, she was within his grasp.

Ding! Yun Wanqing's Destiny Points -10. Current Total: 59.

The system prompt exploded in Zhang Xian’s brain like a cold bucket of water. Damn it! She hasn't even said yes yet and the points are dropping? If she marries this clown, it’s game over!

Zhang Xian couldn't sit still for another second.

"I disagree!" he barked, standing up so abruptly his chair screeched against the floor.

"Who the hell are you?!" Hu Yanzhi roared, slamming his table. "Do you think you have any right to speak here?"

Yun Wanqing looked up, a trace of bitter sorrow crossing her face when she saw Zhang Xian.

Zhang Xian calmly drained his cup of spirit wine. He set it down with a deliberate clack and looked the room in the eye.

"My apologies. But after hearing the 'price' the Guiyuan Sect is offering, I realized that I, too, am qualified to bid. After all..."

He turned his gaze to Yun Wanqing, his expression suddenly, shamelessly sincere.

"My feelings for Pavilion Master Yun are known to heaven and earth. I simply cannot let her settle for less."