"Gu Zheng pays his respects to the Kao Mountain King."

Cupping his fists in a salute, Gu Zheng then turned to Xu Jianzhu. He clasped his hands and said, "Lord Xu!"

"There’s no need to call me ’Lord’ anymore."

Xu Jianzhu raised a hand and smiled. "Gu Zheng, since you’ve already advanced to the King’s Body, we are now peers. You can just call me Xu."

As he spoke, Xu Jianzhu was filled with emotion.

He hadn’t forgotten the reward he had promised back when Gu Zheng hadn’t even broken through to the Heroic Body Realm.

Afterward, Gu Zheng, along with Huang Dajin, Zhao Danv, Jiang Hao, and the others, came to be known as the "Seven Demon Slayers."

And he certainly hadn’t forgotten giving Gu Zheng pointers on how to break through to the King’s Body not long ago.

At the time, besides seeing Gu Zheng’s potential, Xu Jianzhu had also wanted to build a bond of goodwill.

But he never imagined Gu Zheng would advance to the King’s Body so quickly.

’In Xu Jianzhu’s mind, if Gu Zheng could break through to the King’s Body within thirty years, it would already mark him as a heaven-sent talent.’

And yet, how long had it been?

Gu Zheng had broken through just like that!

"Haha, Old Xu is right! Now that you’re a King, we’re brothers!"

Zhong Zhengqiong cupped his fists and laughed heartily. "Gu, you hail from our Jing Country. Before you joined the Demon Slayer Bureau, you were a Chief Constable. Now that you’ve become a King, I wonder if you would be willing to serve as the Grand Director of the Divine Capture Bureau?"

Before Gu Zheng could respond, Zhong Zhengqiong continued, "Gu, you don’t need to answer me right away; you can take your time to consider it. As for the Grand Director position at the Divine Capture Bureau, I mentioned it to Detective Zhuge and the others before I came. They would all welcome your leadership."

’Detective Zhuge?’

’Zhuge Tianxing!’

’When I was in the Royal Capital of Jing, I lived at Zhuge Tianxia’s home. These connections are easy to trace. Zhong Zhengqiong’s meaning was simple: the Jing royal family thought very highly of me, and besides the top position at the Divine Capture Bureau, there would surely be other benefits.’

"Grand Director of the Divine Capture Bureau? If Gu King is willing, he could immediately become a Prince of my Li Country! A One-Character Equal-Rank King!"

A clear voice rang out as two figures shot across the northern sky at extreme speed.

In the blink of an eye, two tall, stunningly beautiful women with unparalleled auras appeared before Gu Zheng and the others.

"Hua Qianyan? Hua Zhixia?"

Boshan Dongming raised an eyebrow. He looked at the two and chuckled. "You people from Li Country are certainly generous. Gu, this is Hua Qianyan, the Sovereign of Li Country."

Boshan Dongming pointed to the woman with an oval face, dressed in magnificent, bright yellow robes, as he introduced her to Gu Zheng.

Then, he pointed to the other woman, who wore a long, crimson dress. Her long hair was draped casually over her back, her features were striking, and her eyes shone like morning stars.

"And this is the Patriarch of the Hua Family, Hua Zhixia, the Flower King!"

"...So it is Patriarch Hua and the Sovereign of Li Country in person." Gu Zheng cupped his fists in a salute to them both.

The Sovereign of Li Country and the Patriarch of the royal Hua Family had come personally. This was a tremendous show of respect.

Most importantly, Gu Zheng hadn’t sent them a message, yet they had rushed over anyway.

For Gu Zheng, this was undoubtedly good news.

’The original plan was an auction among five nations, and now there’s one more.’

’This is great!’

"Gu is too kind," Hua Qianyan returned the gesture. "What I just said is true. As long as you are willing to come to my Li Country, the title of ’King Xia’ will be yours! You may choose any woman from my Hua Family to marry, myself included. If you choose me, the position of Prince will be yours and yours alone!"

Gu Zheng was speechless.

’This... this was a truly generous gift.’

At the same time, Gu Zheng got a taste of the culture in Li Country: the women were bold and always more forward than the men.

If they fancied someone, they made their move directly.

That included Hua Qianyan, the Sovereign, who was just as direct and forthright.

"Give me a break."

Another voice rang out, this time from the southeast.

It was Yang Sanyue and a man, walking briskly through the air. In a flicker, they arrived in front of Gu Zheng’s group.

Yang Sanyue’s gaze swept over everyone present. She gave Gu Zheng a salute, then looked at Hua Qianyan and snorted, "Do the men in your Li Country even have any status? All the women are in charge, and the men are at your beck and call. Even a Prince would have to obey orders."

"Our Shang Country is different. The women of Shang Country are as gentle as water. They care for their husbands at home and support their families outside. Capable in both scholarly and martial arts, they are the ideal partners."

"If Gu King comes to our Shang Country, you can take your pick of the princesses from my Yang Family!"

"Indeed," the man beside Yang Sanyue said with a smile and a cupped-fist salute. "I am Yang Yiding. Greetings, Gu! Your ascension to the King’s Body has shaken the world. I have long admired you from afar."

"Yang is too kind," Gu Zheng returned the gesture. "Eldest Princess, long time no see!"

"Gu, you know Eldest Princess Sanyue?"

Upon hearing this, Boshan Dongming smiled. "It seems Yang has also come at your invitation?"

"Isn’t everyone here by invitation?" Yang Yiding asked with a smile.

"Haha, for something this good, I would have come even without an invitation."

A hearty laugh echoed from the northern sky as four figures swiftly approached.

SWISH SWISH~

Mu Yunfeng came to a sudden stop and saluted Gu Zheng. "Gu King, long time no see! This is my third uncle from the Mu Family, Mu Congtu."

"And these two are Zheng Weichao and Zheng Weiyang from the Zheng Family!"

"Zheng Family, Zheng Weichao, greets Gu King!" the man with the round face said, saluting Gu Zheng.

"I have heard of Gu’s great name several times. Today, I finally have the pleasure of meeting you. I’ve long admired you!" Zheng Weiyang said with cupped fists.

’A Half-King?’ 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

’And one at the second stage of the King’s Body?’

Gu Zheng met their gazes and returned the salute. "You two are too kind. Thank you both for making the trip."

"And thank you, Mu," Gu Zheng said, thanking Mu Yunfeng before cupping his fists toward Mu Congtu.

"Haha, Gu invited us, and this concerns the ownership of the Ancestral Land and the shell of the fourth-rank Vajra Thunder Demon Turtle. We couldn’t wait to make the trip."

Mu Congtu laughed boisterously and got straight to the point. "I wonder, Gu, how do you plan to trade the shell of the Vajra Thunder Demon Turtle?"

Hearing this, Boshan Dongming, Zhong Zhengqiong, Hua Qianyan, Yang Yiding, and the others all grew serious and turned their gazes to Gu Zheng.

"It depends on the quantity. One portion of Thunder Essence and Fire Soul for one piece of the shell."

Gu Zheng didn’t hold back, gesturing to show the size of one portion.

"Furthermore, for the ownership of the Changsheng Clan’s Ancestral Land, I plan to lease it in one-hundred-year increments. The price is also one portion of Thunder Essence and Fire Soul for one hundred years of usage rights."

"One portion of Thunder Essence and Fire Soul for a hundred years?" Boshan Dongming frowned. "Gu, do you mean the use of the Changsheng Clan’s Ancestral Land will be calculated in hundred-year periods?"

"Correct." Gu Zheng nodded. "You can bid for it, or you can use it consecutively, as long as you have enough Thunder Essence and Fire Soul."

"Alright then. My Li Country offers five portions of Thunder Essence and Fire Soul for the first five hundred years of usage rights," Hua Zhixia immediately called out.

Hm?

Zhong Zhengqiong scoffed, "Patriarch Hua, what a grand gesture, bidding for five hundred years of usage rights in one go. I just wonder if your Hua Family can actually produce five portions of Thunder Essence and Fire Soul. Don’t end up using a few women’s bodies as substitutes in the end."

"How kind of you to worry," Hua Zhixia said calmly, glancing at Zhong Zhengqiong. "We have more than enough Thunder Essence and Fire Soul to pay."

*Cough*~

Zheng Weichao gave a light cough and interjected, "Ahem, our Zheng Family is willing to offer six portions of Thunder Essence and Fire Soul for the first three hundred years of usage rights."

Hm?

Zhong Zhengqiong’s eyelid twitched.

Boshan Dongming couldn’t help but laugh out loud. "Zheng, are you offering double the rate?"

"Didn’t Gu say we could bid?" Zheng Weichao said with a light smile, cupping his fists toward Gu Zheng.

"Yes." Gu Zheng returned the gesture. "Thank you for your support, Zheng!"

Hua Qianyan had offered five portions for five hundred years.

Zheng Weichao offered six portions, but only for three hundred years.

Naturally, Gu Zheng chose Zheng Weichao.

As for Hua Qianyan’s face, which had quickly turned cold, that was none of his concern.

’Wasn’t the whole point of inviting the royal families to gather here to facilitate a bidding war?’

’Speaking of which, the Ying Family from the Wind Kingdom hasn’t arrived yet. Could it be they’ve given up?’

Just as he was thinking this...

"Our Ying Family offers ten portions in exchange for the first two hundred years of the Ancestral Land’s usage rights!"

A loud shout suddenly echoed from the western sky.

WHOOSH WHOOSH~

Amidst the sound of splitting air, several figures flew over at extreme speed.

Meng Ao, Lu Jing, Ying Jiuyue, and Ying Jiuxin arrived together.

WHOOSH!

A strong wind swept through as Ying Jiuxin steadied himself. He cupped his fists in a salute to the crowd and asked, "I wonder, how much is one portion of Thunder Essence and Fire Soul?"

"Ha, Ying, are you here to be a clown?" Boshan Dongming scoffed. "You don’t even know the size of one portion, yet you dare to shout out ten?"

SHWISH!

A ball of light suddenly flashed in Ying Jiuyue’s hand.

When the light dissipated, a massive crystal, over three meters tall, appeared. It was wreathed in electrical arcs and contained a vast amount of Thunder Power within.

"I admit, I don’t know the size of one portion, but I imagine this Thunder Spirit Body should be enough to cover ten portions, wouldn’t you agree?"