Chapter 529: Chapter 530: Cooperation
The entourage of Situ Renjie was led away by a group of Elders, and from then on, their only job was to clean the latrines.

“Li Xiaobai, the Situ Household will not let you go; you have no chance of leaving Aolai Country alive!”

“In the future, you will face endless assassination attempts!”

“It’s not just the Situ Household; many other families will not let you off easily either!”

Situ Renjie’s features twisted savagely as if he were deranged; he swore to the heavens that given the chance, he would certainly take this man’s life himself and exterminate every last member of the Zong Family!

“Perhaps you think that with your cultivation levels ruined, life holds no hope, but I must tell you that this is not necessarily a misfortune but an opportunity to abandon the false and return to the true, to return to your original heart. I hope you can forge the purest souls in the filthiest of environments, and not disappoint my expectations!”

Li Xiaobai said with a smile, waved his hand, and with a flicker, the Elders instantly took away dozens of people from the scene.

“Young Master Li is truly a divine being. Sister Ya Ya, who is stronger after all, you or Young Master Li?”

The little brat Zong Hu looked up with eyes full of admiration, for the first time questioning the strength of Zong Ya, whom he remembered seemed quite fearful of the Situ Household.

“Of course, it’s me.”

Zong Ya said somewhat sheepishly, stealing a glance at Li Xiaobai and seeing no reaction from him, she patted her chest and breathed a sigh of relief; in front of her little brother, she still had to maintain the dignity of being the big sister.

“Ladies and gentlemen, if you’re looking to discuss business, why not do so over a bath together?”

Li Xiaobai’s gaze shifted as he looked toward the people from the three major families and said with a cheery smile.

“Very well, very well, this old man has always loved bathing!”

Old Man Nangong’s eyes twinkled, and he nodded vigorously like a pecking chicken. He certainly knew what this so-called bathing was all about.

He had already experienced the bathhouse within the Zong Mansion, and his visit today was precisely to pursue the secret formula for the bathhouse.

The others shared similar expressions, with a fleeting flash of excitement in their eyes.

“Please, proceed to the bamboo building.”

Li Xiaobai chuckled inwardly; it seemed the three major families had conducted a thorough investigation into the matter of bathing.

…

Within the bamboo building, steam billowed and cries of astonishment came one after another; cultivators from the three major families soaked in the bathhouse, exclaiming like country folk entering the city for the first time, their eyes never ceasing to show their shock.

Especially the fiery-tempered old Nangong Ritian, who now babbled noisily like a curious baby.

It was clear that several people had already adapted to the state of bathing without any pretense, shedding their robes and plunging into the water without hesitation. Only Nangong Wan was the one sitting in her clothes.

Watching them, Li Xiaobai understood that they must have visited the Zong Mansion and experienced the outdoor bathhouse; otherwise, they couldn’t have been soaking with such familiarity.

Bathing in the Immortal Spirit Continent had not yet reached such a level.

At least, aside from his Tangneng First-class, he had not heard of any other bathhouses.

“So this is the real Tangneng First-class bathhouse, even more effective than the one at the Zong Mansion!”

“Even someone with a cultivation level as high as mine can clearly feel the Spiritual Power within increasing constantly. Such a wondrous invention is unparalleled in my lifetime; it’s simply beyond imagination!”

“If my Aolai Country could possess such a treasure, perhaps our Sect Disciples would flourish even more than now!”

“Indeed, with the assistance of the bathhouse, what concern would we have for the likes of the Situ Household? It’s not just Aolai Country— even the border battlefields could turn into impregnable fortresses. Our hopes of ascending to the Upper Realm would also greatly increase!”

The patriarchs of the three major families conversed with each other, looking as if they were enjoying themselves, seemingly having forgotten the purpose of their visit.

“It’s just a pity that the bathhouse is not in our hands. Even if we want to do our part for the human race’s cultivators, our wishes exceed our abilities!”

Elder Dongfang Bai stroked his beard, sighing with a look of concern, as if he truly regretted the future of the human race.

Li Xiaobai’s forehead was lined with black, thinking these old folks’ sleight of hand was soaring to new heights.

They subtly elevated the value of the bathhouse to a matter concerning all cultivators of the human race, aiming to persuade him to sell them the formula. Their wishful thinking was as clear as the ringing of a bell.

If it were a cultivator with thin skin and little worldly experience, they might actually crack under the pressure and lose face, handing over the formula.

But he was different. Having come through deceptions and experienced the teachings of the Sixth Brother, the old beggar, and a bunch of bosses, his skin had already become as tough as Copper Skin, Iron Bone. No matter how the other party took the moral high ground, he remained unshaken.

“Heh heh heh, indeed, indeed.”

Li Xiaobai smiled along, nodding repeatedly, but he didn’t join the conversation.

“Young Master Li, you are aware of our intentions here. We have come for the Tangneng First-class formula in your possession. Name your price, for the prosperity of our race, we are determined to obtain it today!”

Elder Dongfang Bai spoke earnestly, his expression very serious.

“You overstate the matter, Elder Dongfang. The rise and fall of nations are the responsibility of every man; the prosperity of the human race hinges on us cultivators ourselves. The bathhouse is but an external object. Relying on it too much would instead be detrimental to the human race’s cultivators! Regarding the formula, I must apologize, but I cannot sell it.”

Li Xiaobai responded with a light smile.

“Young Master Li, as the saying goes, ‘With great power comes great responsibility.’ You have profound and inscrutable cultivation, and you hold such a miraculous treasure for cultivation. If you were to contribute it, you would surely be a respected figure in the future, and even erecting a monument in your honor wouldn’t be out of the question!”

Elder Dongfang Bai continued to persuade, with a slight frown forming on his brow. He found today’s business quite challenging.

The rest also shared a similar look, realizing that after witnessing Li Xiaobai’s strength and tactics, the carrot-and-stick approach no longer worked on him. They had no choice but to earnestly appeal to him with kind words.

“Let’s not beat around the bush. I came to Aolai Country to seek fortunes. Opening a shop was originally in the plan. Although the formula cannot be sold, there is still a huge potential for cooperation between us!”

Li Xiaobai spoke bluntly.

“What do you mean by that, Young Master Li?”

Elder Dongfang Bai inquired, showing a questioning look.

“Simple. You provide the location, and I’ll supply the resources. We’ll open Tangneng First-class bathhouses across Aolai Country. From the revenue of Tangneng First-class, I’ll give one-tenth to your families. How does that sound?”

Li Xiaobai said calmly, directly revealing the conditions he had discussed with the three heads of the families.

He would only be responsible for opening the shops and giving up a tenth of the profits; as for who received it, that was none of his concern. Let these family powers squabble with the three heads themselves.

“One-tenth of the revenue?”

Elder Dongfang Bai appeared contemplative, weighing the costs and benefits in his mind.

However, Nangong Wan’s eyes shone. Without hesitation, she immediately spoke up, “Then it’s set at one-tenth of the revenue. My Nangong Family agrees!”