Just like the Shaolin Temple back then, they also handed over a large amount of assets to settle the debt. After all, hard cash isn’t always easy to produce on the spot. Exchanging it is a troublesome affair. One misstep could invite fierce attacks from rivals, kicking someone when they’re down, with significant repercussions.
Li Daoqiang didn’t want to push them too hard, nor did he want to insist solely on cash. A little less was fine, as long as it wasn’t too much, he could tolerate it. Besides, assets still had their uses.
With roughly seventy million bandit points credited, Li Daoqiang was in an even better mood. He entertained Zhu Yuyan quite warmly. Unfortunately, she didn’t stay to eat. After discussing the main matters, she left directly with Bian Fuer and the others.
Li Daoqiang watched them go, feeling a surge of satisfaction and anticipation. What excellent tools they were! This time, he was sure to feast richly again.
Glancing at the bandit points, which had reached around three hundred fifty million, ambition swelled within him. The twelfth layer of the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art—the true final layer—required six hundred twenty-five million points. He was already past halfway. Unknowingly, he had accumulated this much. And before long, there would surely be another leap forward. Even if he couldn’t achieve it all at once, he was definitely getting close.
When that time came...
He closed his eyes slightly, a surge of ambition roaring within him.
“Roar~!”
Suddenly, a joyful dragon’s cry echoed inside his body. The essence of the Subduing Dragon seemed affected, advancing a step further. Faintly, it felt as though it was on the verge of transformation and perfection. A corner of his mouth lifted into a satisfied smile.
Beside him, Wanwan, who had reluctantly seen off her master, was startled. She felt an overwhelming, irresistible pressure radiating from the bandit Li, making her feel oppressed. It seemed he had grown even stronger!
This thought struck her with shock and refused to fade. Though she couldn’t be certain due to the vast gap between them, she inexplicably had that feeling. That already impossibly powerful bandit Li had likely grown stronger in the span of a single breath. For someone of his strength to become even stronger so quickly—that was terrifying. Yet, oddly, it also felt normal. Whatever he did, it was normal, wasn’t it?
Her emotions churned for a moment, the more she thought, the more she wanted to understand. Her exquisite, flawless face effortlessly displayed the sweetest, most innocent, and most charming smile, tinged with surprise and admiration.
“Chief, you... just now...?”
Watching this drama queen, who looked like she was about to clasp her hands to her cheeks, Li Daoqiang’s mood improved even more. He laughed heartily, “A big haul, plus having Wanwan accompany me, and sealing a deal that’s sure to be lucrative. Feeling good, I made a small breakthrough.”
Wanwan’s shock deepened. It was true. Then it turned into resentment and defiance. Heaven was unfair. How could such a shameless bastard grow stronger at such a terrifying pace? Damn it!
She grumbled inwardly, but on the surface, she was flawless, showing no cracks. Her starry eyes widened in surprise, her small mouth forming an O of shock. Then, instantly, it became pure delight and admiration. She bounced around like a little girl, cheering, “Chief, you’re amazing!”
“Haha, it’s nothing,” Li Daoqiang said casually with a smile. But his expression practically screamed two words: *Keep going.*
Having ‘clashed’ with him for so long, Wanwan naturally saw through it. She cursed inwardly. This guy was getting more shameless by the day. But she had no choice; the situation wasn’t in her favor. So she cursed in her mind while praising him out loud, her tasks clearly divided without any mix-up. Her skill at multitasking grew more refined and profound.
Li Daoqiang listened with pleasure, casting a satisfied sidelong glance at Wanwan, encouraging her to continue. This drama queen hadn’t wasted the time he’d spent playing along. Aside from everything else, her flattery skills alone had already surpassed Ding Chunqiu’s. After all, an old man versus a sprite-like, stunning young girl—any normal man knew which to choose.
After a while, having heard enough for now, Li Daoqiang said calmly, “Alright, it’s just a small matter. Wanwan, you should focus on your cultivation too. Only by becoming more outstanding can you secure your place by my side.” With that, he turned and left.
Instantly, Wanwan’s sweet, adorable expression shifted. She glared fiercely at Li Daoqiang’s back, her cherry lips parting slightly as she mimed a vomiting gesture. If it came to shamelessness and thick skin, she was increasingly convinced that bandit Li could claim the top spot in the world.
From such close range, Li Daoqiang naturally sensed Wanwan’s little antics, but he paid them no mind. This drama queen was clever, always staying within his tolerance. Those little moves only added to his amusement. Without a doubt, this was their unspoken understanding, and a clever tactic from this drama queen and enchantress. Silently, she was drawing closer to him.
He didn’t dislike it; in fact, he admired it. Truly worthy of being the enchantress of the Yin Kui Sect. He even looked forward to it. If she could actually bewitch him, that would be quite impressive. He smiled wryly, his thoughts shifting to the Yang Gong Treasury.
Of course, the matter of the Yang Gong Treasury couldn’t be rushed. The Yin Kui Sect still had plenty of preparations to make; it wouldn’t happen overnight. Zhu Yuyan had assured him that the treasury would be opened within three months. He had enough patience to wait.
After handling some affairs in the stronghold and reviewing intelligence from various sources, Li Daoqiang returned to the rear stronghold to spend time with his wives. Before long, he would have to leave the stronghold again for a while, so he took the chance to be with them more.
At this time, three wives remained in the Black Dragon Stronghold. The difference was that Huang Xuemei had left, and Gongsun Lü’e had taken her place, becoming one of the little lambs in the flock. The three little ones—tender as water, lively and kind, gentle and obedient—pleased Li Daoqiang greatly. He increasingly felt that it would be wonderful if all the wives staying in the stronghold were little lambs. Of course, he knew that was impossible. Huang Xuemei and He Qinghua had special circumstances, so they weren’t in the stronghold.
Thinking of future additions like Wanwan, Li Daoqiang suddenly felt a bit troubled, yet oddly more intrigued. It would certainly be livelier and more interesting.
He didn’t dwell on it. He focused on spending time with the women, urging them to cultivate diligently. Besides the three little ones, he also made time for Huang Xuemei and He Qinghua. He had promised He Qinghua a cultivation technique, and he gave her the *Eight Desolations and Six Harmonies Supreme Overlord Art*. After much thought, Li Daoqiang decided this technique was the most suitable for her. He also exchanged with Ouyang Feng for the *Nine Yin Scripture*. Using this comprehensive divine art, along with other divine arts he already possessed, he aimed to arm his five wives as much as possible, accelerating and stabilizing their cultivation.
The cultivation of his wives had always been one of Li Daoqiang’s top priorities. In truth, nurturing his wives was the most cost-effective way to earn bandit points.
A few days later, an invitation that surprised him and that he had long awaited suddenly arrived. After reading the invitation personally written by Murong Fu and a letter, Li Daoqiang smiled. Murong Fu was getting married and invited him to Gusu for the wedding banquet. That itself wasn’t unusual—Murong Fu was old enough to marry. What was unusual was that the letter mentioned that the officiant would be one of his clan uncles, who had come from the Ming Kingdom with a clan sister.
(That’s all for today. I need to update another book soon—it’s been on hold too long.)