The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace-Chapter 434 - 552: Fang Hao’s Plan

Chapter 552: Fang Hao’s Plan

It was worth noting that the branch of the Celestial Commerce Guild Fang Hao chose to infiltrate was located in Hangzhou.

In the past, Hangzhou had been the very heartland of the Mystic Heaven Sacred Sect. Not only Hangzhou itself, but many surrounding continents had once fallen under that sect’s dominion. At its peak, the Mystic Heaven Sacred Sect’s influence had radiated outward like a vast net, controlling resources, trade routes, and countless cultivation forces.

However, after the sect was annihilated by the alliance of twelve hegemonic powers, its once-glorious territory was carved up and divided among the victors.

The Celestial Commerce Guild had originally set its sights on the Fang Family’s Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, intending to swallow it whole. When the Fang Family escaped before that plan could be realized, the Guild was forced to retreat and settle for the next best option—Hangzhou, a land vast, resource-rich, and strategically vital.

As a result, the Celestial Commerce Guild’s branch in Hangzhou was still relatively new.

That, in itself, was one of the primary reasons Fang Hao had chosen this location.

A newly established branch meant a shortage of manpower, looser internal scrutiny, and greater opportunities for rapid advancement. For someone with ambition—and ulterior motives—it was fertile ground.

As one of the top three hegemonic forces in the Tianyuan Realm, the Celestial Commerce Guild naturally attracted countless experts. Many of them, like Fang Hao, had deliberately come to Hangzhou with specific goals in mind, seeking to embed themselves within the Guild as retainers.

There was no shortage of powerful individuals among the Guild’s retainers. Saint King–realm experts were not uncommon. However, the majority of them remained Human-tier retainers, not because they lacked strength, but because their accumulated contributions were insufficient.

Fang Hao, by contrast, had not yet reached the Saint King realm. Even so, his talent was extraordinary, his growth rate terrifying, and his contributions substantial. That combination allowed him to become an Earth-tier retainer at a remarkably young age.

Because of this, even Saint King–realm Human-tier retainers treated him with courtesy and restraint.

To celebrate his promotion—and to expand his network within the Guild—Fang Hao deliberately hosted a banquet. He spared no expense, serving fine spiritual dishes and high-quality wine, and invited fellow retainers along with several mid-level administrators.

Fang Hao sat near the center with a few Earth-tier retainers. Around them, forming an outer circle, were dozens of Human-tier retainers. Their words were filled with praise and flattery.

"Retainer Fang possesses exceptional talent and diligence. Becoming a Heaven-tier retainer is surely only a matter of time." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Indeed. When that day comes, Retainer Fang must remember to lend us a hand."

Fang Hao smiled calmly and replied with measured politeness, "That would only be right. Without everyone’s support, I would not be where I am today."

It was nothing more than courteous rhetoric. In truth, he had only been with the Guild for a few years and shared no deep bonds with these people.

Ordinarily, as fellow Earth-tier retainers, those sitting beside him would not have needed to treat him with such deference. Yet after hearing his words, they reflected carefully—and reached the same conclusion.

To become a Heaven-tier retainer of the Celestial Commerce Guild, one needed either Imperial Realm cultivation or master-level attainment in a specific discipline.

Their own talents were decent, but the path to becoming an Emperor was distant and uncertain.

Fang Hao was different.

His talent was monstrous, rivaling the most elite prodigies of the realm. His luck was astonishing, his growth steady, and his future filled with possibility. Most importantly, he was still young.

The likelihood of Fang Hao reaching the Imperial Realm was far higher than theirs.

If that day truly came, he would become one of the pillars of the Celestial Commerce Guild.

With that realization, their attitudes subtly shifted.

Seated beside Fang Hao was a tall, bald, broad-shouldered man who looked every bit the hardened veteran. He laughed heartily and said, "Brother Fang, I’ve been in Hangzhou for over a hundred years. I know this place like the back of my hand. If you ever need anything, just come to me."

They had only exchanged words a handful of times, yet he had already begun addressing Fang Hao as a sworn brother.

For powerful cultivators, pride was flexible when benefits were involved.

Fang Hao nodded and seized the opportunity. "That works out perfectly. My cultivation is still lacking, and I’m eager to seek ancient ruins or fortuitous encounters to improve myself. If Brother ever discovers something, I hope you won’t forget me."

The bald man burst into laughter. "No problem at all. I recently explored a ruin myself and made a modest gain."

"Oh?" Fang Hao asked casually. "An ancient cultivator’s cave abode?"

"Yes," the man replied. "It belonged to an elder of the Mystic Heaven Sacred Sect."

Hangzhou had once been the sect’s core territory, so many elders and disciples had established private cave abodes outside the main sect. If one stumbled upon such a place—and if the owner’s lifelong accumulation remained intact—it was akin to striking gold.

Another retainer nearby snorted. "Don’t even mention it. The people of Seven Kings City are nothing but bandits. If they hadn’t interfered, we could have gained far more."

Someone else laughed coldly. "Bandits? That’s being polite."

"Seven Kings City?" Fang Hao frowned slightly. "They’ve really extended their reach that far?"

His remark struck a chord.

Fueled by alcohol and shared grievances, several retainers began venting their frustrations.

"Exactly! Last time, if I hadn’t revealed my identity, they would have robbed me outright."

"Wherever the Seven Kings’ people go, they loot everything in sight. When I was still a rogue cultivator, I nearly lost my life to them."

"Calling them locusts is too generous. They’re parasites. One day, they’ll be wiped out entirely!"

Because Seven Kings City and the Celestial Commerce Guild were both ranked among the top three forces in the Tianyuan Realm, conflicts between them rarely ended with easy compromise. Over time, frictions accumulated into deep resentment.

Some of the more aggressive retainers even slammed the table.

"In my opinion, we should just go to war and settle it once and for all! Let’s see who truly deserves to be number one!"

The bald man, clearly a battle fanatic, roared in agreement. "That’s right! Beat them until they submit. Then they’ll behave!"

Fang Hao listened quietly, but inwardly, his heart surged with satisfaction.

His reason for infiltrating the Celestial Commerce Guild had always been revenge.

One of his strategies was to manufacture enemies for the Guild—pushing it into prolonged conflicts that would drain its strength and resources.

Ordinary forces lacked the power to challenge the Guild.

But Seven Kings City was different.

Their strength was comparable, and their nature was fundamentally opposed—one built on ruthless plunder, the other on commerce and order. Friction between them was inevitable.

If Fang Hao could subtly intensify that friction—if he could guide both sides into a full-scale war—then even if neither side was destroyed, the outcome would still be catastrophic for both.

Two enemies of the Fang Family, crippling each other.

A perfect outcome.

Of course, provoking a total war between two hegemonic giants was no easy task. It would require patience, careful manipulation, and long-term planning.

Fortunately, Fang Hao was in no hurry.

He had time.

He could cultivate while laying the groundwork, advancing step by step, waiting for the moment when a single spark would ignite an uncontrollable blaze.

And when that day came, the Celestial Commerce Guild—and Seven Kings City—would both pay dearly.