Chapter 543: Chapter 320 – Blackmailing the Heroes_2

“Feng Qing’an, don’t just take care of Su Qingying, look at us too? Is there any way you can let us out?”

Although the atmosphere in the underground palace’s prison was somewhat eerie, the desire for freedom nonetheless overwhelmed all else. The odd yet enchanting ambiance within the palace was disrupted when Xin Fu dared to voice his thoughts.

Once the statement was made, countless gazes converged on Feng Qing’an, no longer paying attention to Su Qingying, who seemed somewhat different from her usual self.

No matter how one looked at it, her condition was gradually improving. Furthermore, considering what she had just been through – threatened by a dreadfully powerful ghost king, nearly losing her life – these unusual changes were quite expected.

In comparison, their bleak future was what they should be most concerned about. After all, the old ghost who had been tormenting them was now out of the picture. The question remained, what were they going to face next? The fury of the ancient ghost immortal?

However, considering Feng Qing’an’s status, maybe they didn’t need to worry too much. Which led them to wonder, could they finally be set free? Despite it being an affront to the ghost immortal’s authority, perhaps Feng Qing’an held considerable favor with the ghost immortal?

“Bullshit, you knew exactly what you were getting yourself into when you entered here. If you hadn’t been caught, that would have been another story. Now you’ve been seized on the spot, jailed for only a short while and you already want out? What do you think this place is?”

Feng Qing’an retorted impatiently. No matter what, he sided with Dong Huang, and if they had been humiliated, he was responsible for restoring their dignity. He couldn’t possibly ignore the face of Dong Huang.

“How long does our great ruler intend to keep us imprisoned?”

Xin Fu quickly followed, an expectant glint in his eye.

Having a set sentence was preferable to an indefinite one that would be given on a whim.

“Well, as far as I know, I believe the length of the sentence depends on individual actions, and thus varies. Some are to be imprisoned for 60 years, others for twice that, and for the most serious offender, I believe there’s almost 600 years imprisonment!”

“600 years?!”

Some unable to withhold their surprise at Feng Qing’an’s revelation.

To these youthful talents, 600 years was an unimaginably long time. Even the oldest among them had yet to reach the age of sixty.

“And there’s one given 60 years.”

“Even 60 years is too much.”

They were cultivators on the brink of core formation, yet the prospect of a 60-year sentence had them all up in arms. It simply felt too long.

“Long as it may be, the sentence can be reduced!”

“Reduced?”

“Yes, serving less time in jail. Once your sentence is over, you’ll naturally be released. By then, all accounts of gratitude and grudges will be settled, and each of you will regain your freedom.”

Feng Qing’an explained earnestly.

Dong Huang had actually tasked him with finding the right opportunity to set these troublemakers free. After all, keeping them confined here could easily invite trouble from the older cultivators in the community. She didn’t wish to confront these old relics, even though she was one of them.

After giving it some thought, Feng Qing’an decided to make the best use of the remaining value these young talents had before releasing them. It would be a shame if he couldn’t squeeze out some benefits from this group landing in his hands.

“So, how can we get our sentences reduced?”

Just like an actor paid by Feng Qing’an to play along, the Floating Life Realm true transmission successor, Xin Fu, couldn’t help but ask instantly.

“Well, quite simple, providing any unused cultivation skills, secret arts, divine powers etc., can all help to reduce your sentences.”

Feng Qing’an felt a touch embarrassed, coughed lightly and then disclosed the clause for sentence reduction.

“Ha, you shameless man. You think you can fool us with these tricks?”

While some were encouraging Feng Qing’an, others were determined to bring him down. It was the young talent who had a crush on Su Qingying. He had a distinctly handsome face, sword-like eyebrows, and eyes bright and clear like stars.

“That old ghost from before, he was also arranged by you, wasn’t he? All this is just a drama orchestrated by you!”

“Hmm, uh-huh, you’re very smart, you’ve guessed it all!”

Seeing this outspokenly arrogant young genius, Feng Qing’an waved his hand nonchalantly, completely devoid of the intention to argue. After all, who in their right mind would argue with a fish on the chopping block?

“Everything that’s befallen you so far has been arranged by me, including your grotesque beatings and your imprisonment. So, do you wish to leave?”

“After being freed by you, am I going to be recaptured by you? Am I to be played by you like a fool?”

The extraordinarily handsome genius smirked cynically, the more he looked at Feng Qing’an, the more he hated him, wishing to smash Feng Qing’an’s half-smiling face into smithereens.

“…”

With these words, silence fell upon the underground palace. Without any effective means to contend with a Ghost Immortal, especially after their trump card of calling their parents failed, they were at a loss.

Even if they each possessed a divine weapon, it would be of no use. The difference in their realms could not be erased by such powerful artifacts, and did they even have any divine weapons? If they did, so did the others.

“Feng Qing’an, any cultivation skill or divine power will do? Who determines their value? And for how long will the sentence be reduced?”

“As long as I find it useful, it’s okay.”

Feng Qing’an no longer put on airs. In any case, whatever he could gain from these young geniuses would eventually end up in his belly, and Dong Huang was not interested in these matters.

“Feng Qing’an, I want to get out. Come, see if these can reduce my sentence.”

It was still Xin Fu, cooperating extremely well with Feng Qing’an as if he had been bribed in advance, even though Feng Qing’an had nearly revealed himself.

“Let me see…”

Feng Qing’an took the stack of jade slates from Xin Fu without reservation, knowing that these young geniuses must have something valuable. Even though most of them had secret cultivation manuals that were restricted to their sects, there were also those they had acquired during their travels, which were not restricted.

These were what Feng Qing’an was interested in, and it could also provide Dong Huang with a glimpse into the evolution of the cultivation world’s secret methods during her slumber.

“By the way, how long is my sentence?”

Only after handing over all the jade slates in his hands did the belatedly enlightened Xin Fu hurriedly inquire.

“What sentence? Given your excellent performance, I declare that you can leave now.”

Creak~

A corrosive metallic sound rang out. Under the stupefied gaze of the real disciples of the Floating Life Realm, the spiritual gold bars in front of him slowly rose with a deafening roar. His path was now unobstructed, and he could step into the corridor and then leave through the close-at-hand exit.

“I can go now?”

Xin Fu looked at Feng Qing’an skeptically, unable to respond immediately due to the suddenness of his happiness. Simultaneously, he felt guiltily towards Feng Qing’an because he hadn’t given all of his best treasures.

“Anytime.”

After saying this, Feng Qing’an no longer cared about him, but wandered to other cages. With this precedent, other true sect disciples also ceased their silence, eagerly crying out Feng Qing’an’s name, wanting to reduce their sentences and be released.

Secret techniques and divine methods were extremely precious to Independent Practitioners, and there was essentially no room for choice; they cultivated whatever they could get. For the geniuses of the major sects, however, this wasn’t the case. Not to mention that they couldn’t even finish cultivating their own sect’s methods, they occasionally obtained some odd treasures that nearly overwhelmed them with choices.

Therefore, even when Feng Qing’an’s demands were so brazen, no one attempted to expose him, but rather cooperatively participated.

“Here.”

When Feng Qing’an arrived at Hua Qingyu’s cage, the True Disciple of the Star Lodging Sect offered a jade slip shining with starlight. Unlike the other geniuses who offered a thick stack, only one was presented to Feng Qing’an.