Desolate Devouring Art-Chapter 1016 - Cooperation

The two manors had clashed for generations, and even Steward He could only try to mediate. Their hatred ran too deep for even him to resolve.

For now, Steward He focused on settling today's dispute peacefully. They would handle whatever came next later.

"Ten blacksmithing workshops? That's outrageous. I can only give up five, at most," Yin Qiong snapped. These workshops were the lifeblood of both manors and losing ten would devastate their income.

"If ten workshops are too much, then hand over the Supreme Harmony Sword!" said Miao Feiyu with a cold smile.

Ten blacksmithing workshops held more value than the Supreme Harmony Sword, which the Renowned Sword Manor desperately needed.

Yin Qiong snorted. "The Renowned Sword Manor lost its swordsmithing techniques long ago. Giving you even five would be a waste."

Although the First Sword Manor had lost in the duel, its swordsmithing legacy still dominated Northern City's reputation.

Their forged swords always attracted high demand. In contrast, the Renowned Sword Manor's weapons rarely drew attention.

The harsh environment in Northern City hindered efforts to build blacksmithing workshops, and only a few sites in Northern City supported blacksmithing chambers.

Even after a thousand years, the First Sword Manor had managed to build only thirty chambers.

"On this special occasion, the Renowned Sword Manor has an announcement to make!" Miao Feiyu declared, casting a deep glance at Yin Qiong.

With so many experts present, the Renowned Sword Manor seized the rare chance to make their announcement.

"Manor Lord Miao, what's the announcement?" someone called out, wondering if the Renowned Sword Manor had made a major breakthrough.

"Just a few days ago, we forged a fine new sword. Starting tomorrow, we'll begin taking orders," Miao Feiyu announced, raising a sword above his head.

"It looks pretty plain," someone muttered.

The sword sat in its sheath, and nothing about it caught the eye at first glance.

"Isn't that just an ordinary sword? Everyone knows the Renowned Sword Manor for forging mediocre weapons!" came a wave of jeers. Many present openly supported the First Sword Manor—more than half wielded weapons they had crafted.

"Manor Lord Miao, may I take a look at this sword?" Master Shi asked as he stepped forward.

"Please," Miao Feiyu said, offering him the sword.

As Master Shi Ling drew the sword, a cold glint surged outward in all directions.

"What an incredible sword!" the crowd cried out, captivated by the blade in Master Shi Ling's hand.

Though it hadn't reached earth-spirit level, the sword was clearly a peak dao artifact—equal to the pinnacle of the Spirit Profound Realm.

"Manor Lord Miao, did your Renowned Sword Manor really forge this?" the crowd voiced their doubts, questioning aloud as tension thickened.

After all, years had passed since the Renowned Sword Manor had forged a sword of this quality. So, how could such a masterpiece appear out of nowhere?

Some even claimed the Renowned Sword Manor had bought the sword elsewhere and pretended it was their own.

"It's genuine. If I'm lying, I'll disband the Renowned Sword Manor and never forge another sword again," Miao Feiyu vowed. He lived for the Renowned Sword Manor, and swordsmithing was the core of his soul. To swear on such an oath meant there could be no falsehood in his words.

"Master Shi, how would you rate this sword?" asked a middle-aged man with a distinguished identity.

"This is the finest dao technique I've seen in my life, and it was forged less than five days ago," Master Shi said.

Master Shi, a grandmaster blacksmith known throughout Northern City, dispelled all remaining doubt with his words.

There was no way the Renowned Sword Manor could've bought a sword forged just five days ago. It had to be their own work.

"Let me take a look at it!"

The middle-aged man took the sword from Master Shi and flicked it with his index finger. A sharp, resonant ring echoed across the Divine Sword Platform.

"Truly remarkable! Even with ordinary materials, they still forged a weapon of this quality!" the middle-aged man exclaimed, his praise flowing freely.

"Thank you for your praise, Patriarch Lao," Miao Feiyu said with a humble nod.

"Manor Lord Miao, I'll order a thousand swords like this. Set the delivery date as you see fit," Master Lao said, handing the sword to the next person. He placed the first order and gave the Renowned Sword Manor full control over the delivery schedule.

"Thank you, Master Lao. I will personally deliver the swords to you in one month," Miao Feiyu replied. With ten new blacksmithing workshops from the First Sword Manor, the Renowned Sword Manor could forge a thousand swords within a month.

Patriarch Lao drew out an interspatial ring and placed it in Miao Feiyu's hand. "Excellent! Here's ten thousand spirit-stones as a deposit!"

Guests lined up to place their orders one after another, and the waiting list stretched to six months, and yet, none of them minded the wait. Even factions once loyal to the First Sword Manor abandoned their pre-existing orders and rallied behind the Renowned Sword Manor.

"Manor Lord Yin, I'll be back tomorrow to claim those ten blacksmithing workshops. Have them cleared out by then," Miao Feiyu said before leaving with everyone from the Renowned Sword Manor.

The Renowned Sword Manor walked away with both prestige and profit, thanks entirely to Liu Wuxie.

With that, the Renowned Sword Manor brought the duel to an official close.

When they returned to the Renowned Sword Manor, the group buzzed with excitement.

"Young Master Liu, you saved us. Everything we achieved today is thanks to you," Miao Feiyu said, clasping Liu Wuxie's shoulder with heartfelt gratitude.

The other elders nodded in agreement as the final match had stunned them. Without Liu Wuxie, they would have faced a certain disaster.

"You're too kind, Manor Lord Miao," Liu Wuxie replied with a calm smile. If they knew what he had done in the Central Plains, they wouldn't be this easily impressed.

After all, he had personally slain several Earth Profound Realm experts in the Central Plains.

"Young Master Liu, you taught us forging techniques and helped us win ten blacksmithing workshops. I've decided to give you a share of profits from eight," Miao Feiyu declared.

"This..." Liu Wuxie hesitated. He didn't plan to remain in Northern City for much longer, and even if he accepted the offer, he couldn't take the profits with him immediately, as they wouldn't come in overnight.

"Is something wrong?" Miao Feiyu asked, thinking Liu Wuxie had found the offer too small. He was ready to increase it.

"Manor Lord Miao, you've misunderstood. I came here only to search for my family, and I'll leave once I find them," Liu Wuxie said. "But if you truly want to repay me, I have a proposal that benefits us both."

Since he couldn't take the profits, he planned to leave them with the Renowned Sword Manor and turn this favor into leverage for something greater.

"Please, speak freely, Young Master Liu. If it's within our power, we'll honor it," Miao Feiyu assured, his eyes shining with anticipation.

"I want the Renowned Sword Manor to expand its business into the Central Plains," Liu Wuxie said.

Among the Four Great Clans, the Yuan Clan controlled the blacksmithing market with their forging technique, and Liu Wuxie intended to help the Renowned Sword Manor seize that market share.

The Heavenly Dao Society alone couldn't shake the Yuan Clan's foundation, but things would change if he joined forces with the Renowned Sword Manor.

As for the Wang Clan, Liu Wuxie wasn't too concerned. He had subdued Wang Chen, and the Wang Clan's secrets were already flowing steadily into the Heavenly Dao Society. With their inner workings exposed, Liu Wuxie could dismantle the Wang Clan with ease.

Only the Liao Clan and the Black Plume Pavilion still posed a threat to Liu Wuxie. Though the Golden Cauldron Pavilion remained mysterious, it had never threatened him.

"The Central Plains?" The entire hall went silent in shock. Everyone knew the Central Plains was the most prosperous region on the True Martial Continent.

Though respected in Northern City, the Renowned Sword Manor didn't even qualify as a second-tier force in the Central Plains. If they rushed into the Central Plains unprepared, they could bring ruin upon themselves.

"That's right. The Central Plains," Liu Wuxie repeated firmly.

"Young Master Liu, how do you plan to do business with us?"

Without him, the Renowned Sword Manor would've been destroyed, and Miao Feiyu was certain Liu Wuxie had a strategy in mind.

Establishing a foothold in the Central Plains would catapult them forward. After all, they still operated under the City Lord's authority in Northern City. Though no one dared voice objections, none of them liked being treated as subordinates.

Their earlier attempts to enter the Central Plains had failed, and the Yuan Clan had killed every man they had sent.

Many factions had already begun expanding, hoping to escape Bei Ming's control. What happened today had set a clear example; even a mere steward wielded so much authority that none dared offend him.

Next came the negotiation. Liu Wuxie proposed an alliance between the Renowned Sword Manor and the Heavenly Dao Society.

The Heavenly Dao Society had advanced blacksmithing techniques, but the Central Plains was vast and diverse. Their output alone couldn't satisfy its massive demand.

However, the Renowned Sword Manor could bridge the gap and help challenge the Yuan Clan's dominance.

As talks progressed, Miao Feiyu and the others grew more impressed with Liu Wuxie and quickly reached an agreement.

Miao Feiyu assumed his duties as the new manor lord.

The next day, Miao Jianying led a large group out from the manor, with Ji Qiu and Tang Hong by his side, to search for Xu Lingxue and Murong Yi.

"We'll split into three groups and stay in touch at all times," Miao Jianying instructed.

The team planned to spread out in a radial formation from the manor. It was only a matter of time before they uncovered traces of Murong Yi and Xu Lingxue.

Had Liu Wuxie searched alone, he might've come up empty even after a whole year.

The Renowned Sword Manor mobilized nearby allies and offered a generous reward to anyone who provided a lead.

This chapt𝙚r is updated by fr(e)ew𝒆bnov(e)l.com