Strongest Replication

Chu Zhongtian was born in Lu City and had lived for 16 years in this place, but he had never once entered the palace in that span.    

This time, because of the Hidden Dragon Pavilion, he had the opportunity to follow Chu Tianyun into this mysterious palace for the first time.    

However, the reality was far from his imaginations. The palace wasn't as luxurious as he had imagined, and even the environment was not as good as the Chu Family's residence. The only praiseworthy thing was the natural pressure that permeated the palace. It made people feel like bowing their heads in submission.    

Walking on the road that was specially paved with jade, Chu Zhongtian sized up the palace buildings as he listened to Chu Tianyun introducing the palace's layout.    

After stepping through a purple door, Chu Zhongtian saw the king of the Qi Country, Qi Heng, and Qi Yiloong waiting in front of the Administration Hall. This scene puzzled Chu Zhongtian.    

Although the royal family's overall strength was nothing special, it still had absolute control over Lu City. Also, despite being considered weak now, they were still as powerful as the Chu Family. Furthermore, the Qi Family was still the true ruler of the Qi Country, and Qi Heng was still the most respected cultivator in the Qi Country.    

With his noble status, how could he stand outside the Administration Hall and wait for Chu Tianyun and the others?    

"We pay our respects to the king!" Seeing Qi Heng lead hundreds of royal family officials to welcome him, Chu Tianyun quickly stepped forward and bowed.    

"Patriarch Chu, no need to be so polite!" When Chu Tianyun and the others bowed, Qi Heng quickly smiled and helped Chu Tianyun up.    

"Patriarch Chu, have you thought about it?" After Chu Tianyun and the others straightened up, Qi Heng asked with a slightly anxious tone.    

"My king, although I agree with you, the Chu Family elders strongly opposed the idea. So, I'm afraid we can't make the deal," Hearing Qi Heng mention the deal, Chu Tianyun shook his head and said with a regretful tone.    

"Patriarch Chu, is it really impossible? I can add some more chips," Qi Heng said anxiously after receiving Chu Tianyun's firm rejection.    

"I'm afraid it still won't work." Chu Tianyun lightly sighed. His expression was full of regret, but his attitude was steadfast.    

Qi Yiloong, who was standing behind Qi Heng, was disappointed when he heard Chu Tianyun refuse his father's deal. However, he still refused to give and looked back and forth between Chu Zhongtian and Chu Yuping.    

After Chu Tianyun rejected their offer, Qi Yiloong suddenly had an idea. He took a step forward and whispered something into Qi Heng's ear. Then, he said to Chu Tianyun, "I pay my respects to Patriarch Chu."    

"You're welcome, Fifth Prince!" Hearing Qi Yiloong's sudden interjection, Chu Tianyun couldn't help but be on guard.    

When it came to schemes and backroom politics, Qi Yiloong was levels above his father.    

Qi Yiloong was very young now, so he had too little experience of the real world. He was immature, inexperienced, and arrogant. However, it was precisely because of this that he had come up with unexpected schemes that had given even the oldest schemers in the country a headache.    

"Patriarch Chu, although you don't agree with this deal, if the owner of the merchandise himself agrees to the deal, I believe you won't stop him, right?" Qi Yiloong's attitude was modest, but his tone was quite forceful.    

Facing Qi Yiloong's coercion, Chu Tianyun immediately had a headache—he had no idea how to reject Qi Yiloong's approach.    

"Patriarch Chu, since this matter is related to our family's younger generation, why don't we oldies sit this one out? Let them discuss it. What say you?" Hearing his son's suggestion, Qi Heng instantly understood his intention.    

Qi Heng knew if it were his son negotiating, not only would they win the deal, but they wouldn't even have to pay a lot. The bargaining chips would be reduced, and even the possibility of success would be higher. However, the prerequisite was that Chu Tianyun had to be far from where the deal was happening. As the patriarch of the Chu Family, Chu Tianyun held quite the sway over the person they wanted to trade with.    

"My king!" Now that Qi Heng and his son were double-teaming him, Chu Tianyun couldn't help but feel a little annoyed. However, this was the palace, so he didn't have the moral high ground and the strength to go against the royal family.    

"Let's go!" Seeing Chu Tianyun's hesitant attitude, Qi Heng feared that the situation might change, so he quickly took a few steps forward and pulled Chu Tianyun away from the scene.    

After Chu Tianyun left, Qi Yiloong walked straight to Chu Yuping. He did not have his usual arrogant attitude: his tone was very amiable as he greeted Chu Yuping.    

When Chu Zhongtian saw Qi Yiloong talking with Chu Yuping in such an amicable way, he finally understood the deal between Chu Tianyun and Qi Heng.    

It seemed like the Qi Family was still unwilling to give up their chance to enter the Hidden Dragon Pavilion, so they wanted to buy Chu Yuping's quota.    

To a cultivator, breaking through levels and increasing potential were paramount. No matter what the price was, one normally wouldn't sell those two things. So, how could the Qi Family even think about buying it?    

However, once Chu Zhongtian thought about it in great detail, he discovered that nothing was really priceless in the world. As long as one could afford the real price, they could buy anything. All Qi Yiloong had to do was play a little game of trial and error. If he kept on adding chips to the table, Chu Yuping was bound to get tempted.    

Chu Zhongtian was a bit worried about this possibility. After all, the Qi Family was the royal family of the Qi Country and had been passed down for more than a thousand years. There must be countless precious treasures in their hands, so it was hard to guarantee that Chu Yuping would not be tempted.    

Thinking of this, Chu Zhongtian hurriedly looked at Chu Yuping. When he saw Chu Yuping's excitement-filled face, the worry in his heart peaked.    

Although he was very worried that Chu Yuping would agree to the exchange, Chu Zhongtian didn't plan on stopping it. Chu Yuping's potential wasn't the only reason he helped Chu Yuping reach the top three. It was actually Chu Yuping's selfless personality that impressed him the most.    

Although Chu Tianyun had only been in power for more than ten years, there was still nearly twenty years until he retired. However, if he became a Qi Transformation Realm expert soon, he would have to gradually retreat behind the scenes. Then, the Chu Family would've to choose an heir ahead of time, which would mean a young patriarch.    

Given the current strength of the Chu Family's younger generation, Chu Zhongtian had the confidence to compete for that position.    

Chu Zhongtian wanted to become the young patriarch not because of the power, but because of the resources it could bring. After becoming the young patriarch, he didn't plan on taking care of the family's affairs. To take care of them, he had to arrange a few trusted subordinates.    

Chu Yuping was one of his current favorites for that position. Chu Zhongtian believed that he could be one of his aides who would help him in the future.    

Loyalty, strength, and ability—these were the three conditions that his trusted aides had to meet.    

If Chu Yuping could reject Qi Yiloong's offer, it would mean that he had the determination to increase his strength and potential. It would also prove that he had absolute loyalty to the Chu Family.    

As for his ability... With more than ten Body Refining Realm elders aiding him, his ability was bound to improve.