259: Qiao Family in the Capital

“These three people seem to be quite strong.” Qiao Xinghe looked at the three people bound on the ground, his eyes showing a hint of admiration. This level of strength, even in their Qiao Family in Shangjing, was second only to their geniuses and the elders of the clan.

The girl next to him, Qiao Yinyin, was a little curious: “Brother Xinghe, should we ask them where they are from? These three don't look like they randomly teamed up.”

Another handsome young man, Qiao Tiance, said: “Didn't you feel that they seem to have a special bloodline? If not for my special Talent, I would have almost thought they weren't human.”

Qiao Xinghe seemed to have thought of something: “Recently, hasn't there been something called bloodline appearing in the trading zone? These three likely consumed that thing.”

Qiao Yinyin suddenly realized: “I remember now, but I recall that thing is very expensive. Our Qiao Family couldn't even afford it. It requires not only one thousand s-rank experience stones, but also tens of thousands of a-rank and b-rank experience stones. That's enough for our family to cultivate several Level Five Experts. At the time, the family even had a fierce discussion about it, but unfortunately, the family still didn't buy a bloodline.”

She was clearly a little regretful. In her opinion, she naturally wanted to secure a bloodline with all their might, as Talent cannot be inherited.

But some old fellows believed that they had Mystical Art inheritance, and cultivating Mystical Art was far better than this so-called bloodline. In the end, they failed to concentrate resources and acquire a bloodline.

“It's strange, though. These three look old and don't seem to be from any major family. How could they afford a bloodline?” Qiao Tiance was a little intrigued.

“Kid, I'm telling you, you'd better release us quickly, or when our leader arrives, none of you will escape.” The Master of the Dragon Python Society was not afraid at all. The three people looked very strong, but in fact, only the one in front was a bit powerful, but compared to their Qingtian Base leader, he was far inferior.

The Master of Soul Severing Pavilion kicked the Master of the Dragon Python Society: “Keep your voice down. If you really lose three thousand experience points, you'll behave.”

The Master of the Dragon Python Society pouted disdainfully: “What, when did your Soul Severing Pavilion become so poor? It's just three hundred a-rank experience stones. If you can't get it, call me 'Dad', and Dad will give it to you.”

“Get lost!” The Master of Soul Severing Pavilion said irritably.

“Base.” Qiao Xinghe narrowed his eyes. He hadn't expected that three people of such formidable strength would all come from a single base, and they even believed that the base leader was stronger than him. A smile played on his lips: “Heh, ignorant.”

These people, who were just ordinary individuals before the apocalypse, how could they understand the incredibleness of Mystical Art?

“Brother Xinghe, should we kill these three?” Qiao Yinyin drew a finger across her fair neck.

“First, ask them which base they are from and see if we can try to bring them under our control. If so, perhaps we can secure a good base for the family. The competition in Shangjing will be too fierce in the future, and it would be good to leave another retreat for the family,” Qiao Xinghe said after some thought.

“That's a good idea, but these three don't look easy to deal with.” Qiao Tiance stepped forward and spoke to the three: “We are from the Qiao Family of Shangjing. You certainly haven't heard of our Qiao Family's name a few months ago, because as a Mystical Art family, let alone you mortals, even some forces and families with ancient inheritances are not qualified to contact us.”

As he said this, Qiao Tiance's expression was arrogant. Although the apocalypse had brought great changes to the world and many humans had awakened powerful abilities, rising in this chaotic era, they still didn't put these people in their eyes.

“Now I'm giving you an opportunity. As long as you submit to our Qiao Family, I can guarantee that you will control your respective bases! And we will also bestow upon you three a Mystical Art ranked within ten thousand!”

At this moment, the Master of the Dragon Python Society, the Master of Soul Severing Pavilion, and the Master of Tianduan Sect looked at each other, with messages constantly popping up on their panels.

“Control Qingtian Base? This guy must be an idiot.”

“Mystical Art? Is that the thing Old Man Xuanshan often talks about?”

“Right, right, that old fellow, he brags all day that his Mystical Art is within the top thousand and how incredibly powerful it is.”

“Our leader seems to know Mystical Art too. Last time when he fought with that White-Haired Person, that guy was yelling about Evergreen Heaven, within the top hundred, scared out of his wits.”

“Mr. Tang also knows it, and he has several of them. It feels like Mystical Art isn't that valuable after all. This young man acts like we've never seen it before, and 'within ten thousand'—even a dog wouldn't want it.”

“Exactly, treating us like beggars.”

“It's still Mystical Art, though. How about we… like this… like this…”

“How about it? Have you discussed it?” Qiao Tiance folded his arms, waiting for their answer.

“Alright, alright, hehe, young master of Shangjing, we are naturally willing.” The Master of the Dragon Python Society rubbed his hands ingratiatingly. “It's just that the base leader's faction is powerful, suffocating us. Of course, we want to overthrow them and take their place! It's just, it's just that we have the will but not the strength.”

The Master of the Dragon Python Society rubbed his hands hard, as if afraid the young man in front of him wouldn't understand.

Qiao Tiance turned to Qiao Xinghe and whispered: “Brother Xinghe, it seems these guys are indeed not on the same side as the base leader, but these cunning old foxes won't move without seeing results. What do you think, shouldn't we…”

Qiao Xinghe nodded slightly: “Alright, since that's the case, let's give them a little taste first, and let them see the heritage of our Qiao Family. Give them those three mystical art jade tablets, and that Mystical Art inheritance ranked thirteen thousand, give it to them too.”

Qiao Tiance understood, turned to look at the three on the ground, and three white jade tablets appeared in his hand, along with an ancient book: “These are mystical art jade tablets carefully refined by our clan elders. Each contains three powerful Mystical Arts, twice as powerful as the Mystical Art my Brother Xinghe used against you! Use them to fight enemies when you encounter danger. As for this Mystical Art, although it's ranked outside of ten thousand, if you can learn it, it will significantly improve your strength.”

mystical art jade tablet.

The three from the Dragon Python Society exchanged glances, clearly having never heard of this thing. But if activated, it would be twice as powerful as that young man's attack just now. Wouldn't that mean they could directly kill a peer-level existence with a surprise attack!

What a good item!

The three immediately accepted it without ceremony: “Thank you, Young Master Qiao, thank you, Young Master Qiao!”

As soon as the three put them away, the joy on their faces immediately turned into bitterness.

The Master of Tianduan Sect said with a bitter face: “Alas, Young Master Qiao and Young Lady Qiao, you don't know, our base leader is incredibly harsh, insidious, cunning, and greedy. Almost every now and then, all the forces in the base are extorted a large sum of experience stones. Although our three strengths are good, our subordinates are a motley crew, not capable of much.”

“What's this! Isn't it just some experience stones!”

“Take it!” Qiao Tiance waved his hand, and a small mountain of experience stones, all D-rank at minimum and with over a thousand B-rank ones, fell before the three.

“These are just a fraction. When you handle things beautifully, you'll be well rewarded!” Qiao Tiance believed his generosity would lead to the three's worship, and indeed, the three old foxes flattered Qiao Tiance, almost coaxing the child into a fetus.

Actually, on the panel:

Master of the Dragon Python Society: “Damn it, I thought they'd give us a few thousand a-rank experience stones, or tens of thousands of high-level experience stones for each of us. But for the three of us, they only gave this much?”

Master of Tianduan Sect: “What Mystical Art family? I think a 'Mouse-Riding Family' is more accurate. This little bit is meant to fool ghosts.”

Master of Soul Severing Pavilion: “Forget it, forget it. The leader and the others will be here soon. We've gotten some good stuff anyway.”

Master of the Dragon Python Society: “I'm sure the leader and the others will be very interested in this mystical art jade tablet.”

Qiao Xinghe waved his hand, undoing the restraints on the three, his gaze indifferent: “You three, didn't you just say the leader would come? Perfect, I'll let you witness the strength of our Qiao Family first. Three moves, I'll kill your leader three times!”

The three from the Dragon Python Society looked in a certain direction, their expressions strange.

“Oh, little brother, you're not old, but your words are big. I'd like to see how you kill me three times in three moves.”

A green vine suddenly slapped down.