Even simple-minded giants understood a simple truth: if someone gives you money, you have to work for them. It was the way of things.
...
One was a boss who wouldn't give you money, yet you still had to work for him, and he had a rather foul temper.
The other was a boss who offered you a large sum of money, clearly stated his terms, and asked you to work for him. Everyone knew which one to choose.
...
Though the tribal chiefs had never encountered Wu Tao's methods before and couldn't grasp the implications immediately, they felt a vague sense of unease.
Having never experienced a system where actions were controlled by currency, the tribal chiefs couldn't fathom the immense danger of such a system once implemented.
...
Under Wu Tao's persuasion, the tribal chiefs agreed to a "high price" of fifteen hundred Blood Vitality Pills per adult giant per month. In reality, they were still at a disadvantage.
However, they were unaware of their own loss. When both sides believed they had gained an advantage, the feast naturally concluded with everyone in high spirits.
The banquet continued into the night until the stars filled the sky.
After the feast, attendants arranged for the tribal chiefs to reside in the magnificent, expansive dwellings.
It was at this moment that the tribal chiefs suddenly witnessed a commotion in Moonlit City. They exchanged glances and, as if by unspoken agreement, headed towards the source of the noise.
...
Upon arrival, their eyes narrowed slightly, and the lingering effects of alcohol dissipated significantly.
The slight disdain and smugness they had felt due to Wu Tao's deliberate flattery vanished instantly.
...
Their gazes were immediately drawn to the scene unfolding before them.
They saw rows of human cultivators clad in violet-gold battle armor, wielding standardized magical artifacts. Their cultivation levels were all around the Foundation Establishment stage.
These Foundation Establishment cultivators wore battle armor etched with mysterious patterns, appearing quite extraordinary. They carried and wore magical artifacts such as spears, bows, and arrows—standardized war magical artifacts.
If it were only this, it wouldn't have caught the attention of these great shamans, whose combat power rivaled that of Nascent Soul cultivators.
What astonished them wasn't this, but the fact that these human cultivators' auras were subtly connected, clearly indicating they had practiced some secret techniques similar to battle formations or killing formations.
Although it didn't pose a direct threat to them, it should be more than enough to deal with ordinary giants.
Upon realizing this, the tribal chiefs were inwardly alarmed and felt a creeping sense of apprehension.
Their giant race, despite each giant possessing unparalleled combat strength, suffered from a critical weakness: their small numbers.
The human cultivators before them were not only numerous but also divided into small, interconnected squads whose auras flowed together. They exuded a palpable killing intent, clearly indicating a highly trained army that had seen battle.
Looking at the leaders, despite being two young girls, their aura of danger made the giants' scalps tingle, and their eyelids twitched incessantly.
"Truly worthy of being the third wielder of the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow. His subordinates are indeed filled with hidden dragons and crouching tigers."
"Indeed, indeed. We never expected two young girls to pose such a threat to us."
"Interesting, truly interesting."
"..."
The tribal chiefs expressed their astonishment.
Meanwhile, in the center of the arena, an adult giant was confronting these human cultivators.
This adult giant, confident in his formidable combat strength, arrogantly shouted, "What do you want? Do you think you're worthy of threatening me?"
"I tell you, I fear no one, let alone your damned rules."
"What rules? I don't care. Why wouldn't they let me trade several Golden Crow corpses for a saber? I'm not robbing them! I, Wu Guanyi, am not someone to be trifled with!"
His indignant demeanor and readiness to fight were indeed intimidating.
"Within this city, all items and all transactions must be purchased with Blood Vitality Pills. If you have treasures, you can exchange them for Blood Vitality Pills at the Exchange Pavilion."
"Rules are rules, and rules are made to be enforced. You have violated the rules and are causing a disturbance here, thus breaking the laws of our Moonlit City."
"Considering this is your first offense and you acted out of ignorance, your punishment will be light if you surrender now, merely a few days of detention. If you dare to resist, your punishment will be far more severe."
The sisters Nangong Nan and Nangong Xing said sternly, their faces cold.
...
"Hmph, I refuse to abide by your broken rules. What can you do to me? After all, this land you occupy was granted to you by our giant race..."
Wu Guanyi sneered with utmost arrogance, showing no hint of remorse.
...
"Since that is the case, do not blame us for being impolite. Lie down!"
Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Nangong Nan's eyes. Without any hesitation, she swiftly unleashed a palm strike.
...
Seeing this, Wu Guanyi let out a mocking laugh, completely disbelieving that the young girl before him could do anything to him.
In the next second, he was sent crashing to the ground, motionless.
Nangong Nan had not held back this time. Wu Guanyi, after enduring the blow, was left with a bleeding head.
"Take him away!"
Nangong Nan did not hesitate. She waved her hand, ordering the soldiers behind her to escort Wu Guanyi away. While it wasn't fatal, detention was certain.
"Tsk tsk, interesting. Wu Guanyi isn't weak, yet a mere young girl could subdue him with a single palm. Wu Tao's forces are truly full of hidden talents."
Wu Sigong, the chief of the Gonggong tribe, said thoughtfully as he witnessed the scene.
Wu Guanyi was his subordinate. While he was injured and detained, Wu Sigong wasn't in a hurry to retrieve him. Instead, he was greatly intrigued by the true strength of Wu Tao's faction.
Wu Sigong stroked his chin and asked Wu Shixu, the chief of the Zhulong tribe, "Brother, do you find Moonlit City interesting?"
Wu Shixu, upon hearing this, wore a contemplative expression. After a moment of thought, he replied, "It's very lively and prosperous. What's more curious is that some parts of this city seem to be specially built for our giant race."
As he spoke, a strange gleam flashed in the eyes of the Zhulong tribe's chief.
...
"Indeed. At first, I didn't notice anything, but gradually I realized that our Guardian Lord is treating us so well simply to use us as his tool to solve some of his troubles."
Wu Sigong looked around and said.
His words revealed that he had grasped some of Wu Tao's intentions.
...
Hearing this, Wu Shixu, the chief of the Zhulu tribe, lightly shook his head and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Yes, what you said makes some sense."
"Our Guardian Lord has developed weapons and fine wines specifically tailored to our giant race's preferences, all to promote Blood Vitality Pills."
"And the so-called Blood Vitality Pills can only be manufactured by our Guardian Lord."
"To be honest, with the current level of our giant race, we are incapable of such meticulous work."
"Even if they were willing to teach us, we might not be able to learn it, let alone the fact that they won't teach us."
"But I still can't understand why our Guardian Lord is doing all this."
"Is it simply to have us handle some troublesome matters for him?"
It wasn't that the giants were entirely foolish, but Wu Tao's method of controlling and exploiting them through currency was something they had never encountered. Thus, they lacked experience and didn't consider that possibility.
...
"Hmph, what's there to fear? Don't forget that our Guardian Lord signed his name on that book. If he dares to do anything detrimental to our giant race, he will be subject to the backlash of the witch curse, and his life will be in peril."
A chief from the Houtu tribe, who overheard their conversation, interjected.
...
In the Maitreya Heavenly Palace, thick, dense clouds filled the air.
The clouds within the heavenly palace were different from the normal clouds in Yunzhou. The clouds in the sky were denser and would not dissipate for a long time without human intervention.
The Maitreya Heavenly Palace was exquisitely designed, with scenery at every turn, not inferior to any human palace. In fact, its strong exotic flair was quite striking.
The terrain of the Maitreya Heavenly Palace was not an endless plain; it contained many mountains, hills, and even valleys, some of which were intentionally created by the celestial beings.
Beside a clear, azure spiritual lake, a breathtakingly beautiful manor was situated.
Towering green bamboos, colorful mountain flowers, undulating embroidered mountains, and purple maple bell trees swaying in the gentle breeze...
By the lake was a small pavilion, from which melodious flute music continuously emanated.
The flute music carried a sense of ethereal elegance and a longing for freedom.
In the pavilion, Ye Qingyi, dressed in white, with her red lips parted and closed, slowly and rhythmically played the beautiful flute melody.