Chapter 797 - 792: Favorability, All Gone!
Bai Pu’s method of "sowing discord" was quite ingenious.
He did not personally intervene, for if an Awakened tried to defame other Awakened in front of the Natives, the effect would be poor.
If Bai Pu’s relationship with Beiming Jihu were as solid as with Dongbo Cheng, then naturally there would be no hesitation, and he could directly act, allowing Beiming Jihu to expel the Star-Picking Tower.
But in reality, Beiming Jihu was more suspicious of this legendary figure who "slayed the Red Emperor" than respectful, and he might even harbor some resentment and hostility.
Because prior to this, Beiming Jihu had always been the number one expert of the Guardian Camp.
Until the Great Wilderness River, where Bai Pu slew the Red Emperor and suddenly became the "number one under heaven" in everyone’s eyes!
In such circumstances, could Beiming Jihu possibly have a favorable impression of Bai Pu?
This resentment was something Bai Pu vaguely sensed the moment they met.
Therefore, having Dongbo Cheng, a Native, speak out and criticize the Star-Picking Tower Awakened would surely be more effective than Bai Pu doing it himself.
Bai Pu had made ample preparations for this. Previously summoning the Winged Tooth Beast King Da Fei to quickly drag the raft to the Broken Island Reef was to let Dongbo Cheng personally witness the unruly behavior of the Star-Picking Tower Awakened.
Sure enough, Dongbo Cheng followed Bai Pu’s lead and said, "Gangxin is right, I have the same concerns... those dozen or so Wild Warriors have a style completely different from our Guardian Camp, especially taking young Black Shark People as hostages and casually slaughtering children, it’s just like the Demons."
Beiming Jihu frowned, "Are you suggesting that..."
Dongbo Cheng: "I suspect they have some connection to the Demons... either they are involved with Fallen Wild Warriors on the Demon side, or they are simply spies for the Demons!"
"Dongbo Cheng, what you said is indeed possible... However, without evidence, I cannot casually expel these Wild Warriors, as they have already earned the Black Tortoise Oath Curse Seal through past merits, and are considered members of the Black Tortoise Oath."
Beiming Jihu, when facing Dongbo Cheng, showed a more honest attitude, "If I were to expel members of the Black Tortoise Oath without evidence, leading to them dying in the Underworld... how would the world perceive our Black Tortoise Oath?"
Bai Pu said with a smile, "We understand your dilemma, Beiming Jihu. Actually, we’re only raising these doubts because we’re worried about the Black Tortoise Oath being betrayed by Demon infiltrators... There’s no need for you to expel them, just be wary of them."
Bai Pu didn’t expect Beiming Jihu to directly expel the Star-Picking Tower group. On the Turtle Ship Deck, Beiming Jihu’s silent attitude had already indicated his handling of the matter couldn’t be easily changed.
Bai Pu was merely planting a seed of suspicion in Beiming Jihu’s heart — a strategic move that cost nothing but could yield significant benefits.
"I understand."
Beiming Jihu nodded with a neutral expression.
...
[For unknown reasons, the Beiming Xuanjing School Master: Beiming Jihu’s Favor Level with you has decreased by 250 points. Current Favor Level: Coldly.]
Upon seeing this notification, the Star-Picking Tower Elder Mount Tai was stunned.
"Lord Dragon King! I gathered the entire team’s strength to increase Beiming Jihu’s Favor by 250 points, and now it’s all gone!" Mount Tai’s face contorted in pained frustration.
Beiming Jihu, as the top figure in the Guardian Camp, was notoriously difficult to gain favor with.
This guy is "heartless," unaffected by any charm attributes, and his Favor Level increases at a painfully slow pace.
Usually, it was Mount Tai who "dealt with" Beiming Jihu because Mount Tai had some foundation in the Heart Demon World, being a disciple who came to learn from the Beiming Xuanjing Style.
Of course, being a disciple who came with some skills isn’t as legitimate as a Direct Disciple.
Mount Tai initially thought Beiming Jihu’s heart was as firm as iron and would not be swayed by Bai Pu’s slander, and even reassured his teammates not to worry.
Unexpectedly, after such a brief meeting between Bai Pu and Beiming Jihu, the hard-earned Favor Level took a devastating hit!
"Dongbo Cheng’s factor plays a role too."
The Dragon King took a deep breath, calming down, "Our foothold on this Turtle Ship will become increasingly limited... We must be careful not to let Gangxin find any leverage against us!"
...
In the room, Beiming Jihu was having tea with Bai Pu and Dongbo Cheng.
"Let’s put the matter of those Wild Warriors aside for now... Why did you come here instead of continuing to clear out Demon forces in the Corruption Forest?" Beiming Jihu asked.
"The Barrier of the Corruption Forest has been broken, and the Emperor Qing’s force suffered a heavy blow. Our next target, naturally, is the Eternal Night Dark Sea." Bai Pu said with a smile.
"The Eternal Night Dark Sea is the operational area for the Black Tortoise Oath Expedition Team. Do you not trust me?" Beiming Jihu asked.
"Of course not. However, it seems the Black Tortoise Oath Expedition Team has been operating in the peripheral waters, only managing to eliminate some insignificant Demons? Perhaps the Black Emperor still doesn’t know that Beiming Jihu has reached his territory." Bai Pu smirked.
"This is a strategic plan, to gradually uproot the Demon’s wings. After all, the Demons are powerful, and rashly attacking critical areas could easily plunge the Expedition Team into being surrounded by several times, even dozens of times, the Demon forces."
Beiming Jihu said calmly, completely unmoved by Bai Pu’s provocation.
For this Beiming Xuanjing School Master, nothing much except for the Sword Dao could stir significant emotions.
Dongbo Cheng nodded in agreement, "Indeed, it’s a prudent decision. I rashly engaged, getting led to the Palace of Roots by the Fallen Wild Warriors’ Illusion Technique. If it weren’t for Gangxin’s appearance, I might not have made it."
For you Natives, it’s a prudent decision.
But for us Awakened, if we don’t stir things up and expedite the world’s progress, how can we reap high rewards?
Bai Pu smiled at the two, "Now that the Black Tortoise Oath and Cyan Dragon Oath’s Expedition Teams have merged, and with the addition of the Wild Warrior team I brought, our strength has increased significantly! Are the two of you interested in delivering a Heavy Strike to the Black Emperor?"
"Let’s hear it," Beiming Jihu knew that Gangxin only needed to persuade him.
As for Dongbo Cheng, from the way he looked at Gangxin, it was filled with trust, and even... admiration!
It’s likely that even if Gangxin sold Dongbo Cheng, Dongbo Cheng would be cheerfully counting money for him.
However, if Gangxin’s proposal is reasonable, Beiming Jihu won’t resist either.
After all, the Guardian Camp and the Demon Camp are sworn enemies, delivering a major blow to the Demon Camp aligns with the interests of the Beiming Xuanjing Style.
"Take a look at the map. My target is here!"
Bai Pu pointed to the middle section of the Eternal Night Dark Sea.
There is a chain of long, narrow islands there, like a series of snakes linked head to tail, stretching hundreds of kilometers, crossing multiple large water chamber regions.
The Black Emperor’s Core Territory, the Shadow Island Chain!