C1486 Reward
C1486 Reward
The Million Treasure Pavilion has always maintained a policy of strictly conducting business without meddling in the affairs of other powers. Consequently, the Pavilion seldom felt the repercussions of conflicts between other forces. Despite having weathered a massive war, all branches of the Million Treasure Pavilion, including the one in Fengwu State, remained intact. As Pavilion Master, Zhou Tong suffered no personal harm, though his business did sustain some damage.
Today, however, brought news that would change everything. An Emperor Level Expert had descended, whisking away Bai Ningbing, Wang Xufeng, and Chen Yunyan to join the ranks of Tianyuan Palace. Zhou Tong was well aware of this development. He was also privy to the significant shifts in the power dynamics at the upper echelons of the Dongyuan Continent, thanks to the internal networks of the Million Treasure Pavilion. Rumor had it that the Dongyuan Continent's headquarters had already dispatched senior officials to initiate negotiations and forge alliances.
For a commercial enterprise to thrive in any region, it must possess considerable prowess and cultivate amicable relations with local powers. The adage "even a mighty dragon cannot crush a local serpent" encapsulates this wisdom. Without such alliances, a business may find itself hindered at every turn, with success remaining elusive. That is, unless one possesses overwhelming force to dominate all opposition. But with such power, who would need to engage in trade? One could simply conquer and claim what they desired, a far more straightforward approach.
Yet, in an unexpected turn of events, Zhou Tong soon received a new directive. "Zhou Tong, for your diligent and exceptional service at the Fengwu State branch, you are hereby appointed as Deputy Pavilion Master of the Qingyun State branch pavilion as a reward!" The white jade slip conveyed this message, imbued with a subtle Emperor Level pressure that lent it undeniable authenticity.
The other token, a bronze-colored one, was the Deputy Pavilion Master Token of Qingyun State, signifying one's status and also serving as a King Level Spirit Artifact.
"Being transferred to Qingyun State? That's at the top tier of the Intermediate States, just below the First-class States. Rumor has it that their Pavilion Masters are at least at the Martial King Stage Peak.
A Deputy Pavilion Master is normally expected to be at the Late Martial King Stage. And here I am, an Early Martial King, being put in charge?"
Zhou Tong was initially taken aback when he received the transfer order. But soon after, he was overcome with a mix of elation and disbelief.
He could hardly believe he'd receive such an incredible reward so unexpectedly.
He couldn't help but doubt the authenticity of it all.
Yet, the Emperor Level aura pulsing from the white jade slip and the distinctive red seal of the Million Treasure Pavilion couldn't possibly be counterfeit.
After all, he was merely a warrior at the Early Martial King Stage with no significant background. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been relegated to the remote Fengwu State.
Why would an Emperor Level Expert bother deceiving someone like him?
It simply wasn't worth it—he wasn't of that stature.
"I've been diligent, sure, but where's the merit or distinction in my work to warrant such a lavish reward?"
Zhou Tong whispered to himself, struggling to make sense of it.
His spirits had dampened considerably after his assignment to the distant Fengwu State. He had indeed worked tirelessly, with the sole aim of leaving that place behind as soon as possible.
If he were to remain there, he feared he would be trapped at a bottleneck for life, with no progress in his cultivation.
In Fengwu State, Martial King Stages were exceedingly rare.
For someone like him, who had experienced much of the world, the place was dreadfully lacking.
To say he had made outstanding contributions was a stretch by any measure.
There were many assigned to the fringes who simply gave up, delegating all responsibilities to their subordinates and neglecting their duties entirely.
Yet, there were also quite a few who took their roles seriously, striving for an early transfer, just as he had.
If his contributions were considered exceptional, then surely the Million Treasure Pavilion was filled with many such distinguished individuals.
It was utterly unthinkable for him to receive an exceptional promotion and the lucrative reward of becoming an Intermediate State Pavilion Master.
Why was that?
Holding the bronze token and white jade slip, Zhou Tong couldn't suppress the grin spreading across his face as he mulled over the possibilities.
Before long, a lightning bolt of realization struck him.
"Could it be because of him...?"
Zhou Tong's thoughts immediately turned to Lin Xuan, the individual towering at the zenith of the Dongyuan Continent.
As a Pavilion Master within the Million Treasure Pavilion, he had access to privileged information.
He was well aware of the seismic shifts that had recently rocked the Dongyuan Continent.
Thanks to the resources of the Million Treasure Pavilion, uncovering the identity of the person behind these monumental continental shifts was a manageable task.
He was aware that this person was none other than Lin Xuan.
Moreover, he knew that Bai Ningbing, Chen Yunyan, Wang Xufeng, and the others had caught the eye of Tianyuan Palace thanks to Lin Xuan's influence.
His acquaintance with Lin Xuan wasn't particularly close, but a connection existed nonetheless.
He vividly recalled the time when Lin Xuan had demonstrated exceptional potential.
Murong Xingyue was about to take Lin Xuan and Jian Chen away from Fengwu State to join the Elemental Spirit Sect.
Zhou Tong had approached Lin Xuan then, presenting him with a Tenth Rank Mount Yue Talisman, equivalent to the Void Martial Stage. This defensive talisman could withstand attacks from anyone below King Level up to three times.
To Zhou Tong, this talisman wasn't exceedingly precious.
Yet, for Fengwu State, it was a treasure of the highest order.
At that time, Lin Xuan was merely at the Elemental Sea Stage, two major realms shy of the Void Martial Stage.
This kind of investment wasn't new to Zhou Tong.
In fact, it was a tradition within the Million Treasure Pavilion.
Not everyone was deemed worthy of such an investment, of course.
Lin Xuan, however, had shown such extraordinary prowess that even Zhou Tong felt humbled by his abilities, believing Lin Xuan had the potential to reach the Martial Monarch Stage. That's why he was willing to part with a treasure of the Void Martial Stage caliber.
Looking back, it was clear that his investment had been a wise one.
Lin Xuan turned out to be even more exceptional than he had anticipated. Across the entire Dongyuan Continent, or perhaps even the Tianyuan Continent, there was no one in the younger generation who could hold a candle to him. It's possible that this transfer order came at Lin Xuan's behest. Alternatively, it could have been a strategic move by the upper echelons of the Million Treasure Pavilion to ingratiate themselves with Lin Xuan. For Zhou Tong, the transfer was a significant reward. Yet for the Million Treasure Pavilion's leadership, it was a trifling matter. It was the perfect gesture to win Lin Xuan's favor. Regardless, it seemed to be connected to Lin Xuan in some way.
With this realization, Zhou Tong's smile grew even broader. He had never expected that his initial investment would yield such an abundant return, surpassing his expectations by a hundredfold. He had achieved more than his original goal of transferring out of Fengwu State; he was now headed straight to a top-tier Intermediate State like Qingyun State.