Starting Cultivation in Wasteland

Chapter 1044: Chapter 910: Imperial Storm

Pian Pian sat there gracefully, gazing indifferently at the crowd outside the floor-to-ceiling window, glancing occasionally, quite absent-minded.

When she saw the ordinary man, she merely swept her eyes over him casually.

Then she narrowed her eyes slightly, slowly stood up, and nodded, "Greetings, Lord Xijiesi."

The visitor seemed ordinary, yet he was actually a Supreme.

However, Pian Pian’s attitude was just the basic etiquette. After nodding, she slowly sat back down.

Xijiesi did not mind this. He glanced up and down at her, casually took a seat in a chair, "A cup of tea, please."

After a short while, a maid came over, offering a steaming cup of tea.

Xijiesi did not care about the temperature, picked up the cup and took two sips, then spoke.

"Miss Pian Pian, you are even more charming after these few years. I occasionally hear news about you in the Celestial River."

Pian Pian smiled slightly and glanced around. Upon seeing her gesture, others retreated, leaving only a B-level middle-aged woman.

Only then did she slowly speak, "I hear that Taiping’s acquisition of Ping’an is not going smoothly?"

Xijiesi nodded imperceptibly, "Yes, we have already abandoned that project. Business is like that."

Though his face showed no expression, a hint of displeasure could be detected in his tone.

However, Pian Pian pretended not to notice and continued to ask, "Why not persist?"

Xijiesi replied indifferently, "The other party found strong support, it’s not worth provoking."

"Oh, really?" Pian Pian turned her head to look at him, inquiring with interest, "Admitting someone else’s strength, isn’t it difficult?"

"One must recognize themselves," a trace of annoyance flashed in Xijiesi’s eyes, "Does Miss Pian Pian have anything else to discuss?"

Pian Pian spoke again, "Even if Taiping gives up, can you guarantee Ping’an won’t retaliate?"

Xijiesi was silent, as this was also a question troubling them recently.

The move against Ping’an was led by the Taiping Trading Group, and, of course, involved other forces as well.

Ping’an should be able to verify that Taiping was involved in actions against them, but the specific depth of involvement is hard to say.

Dukas was precisely retaliated against and paid hefty compensation, yet no one else can be blamed, as Kopache provoked them voluntarily.

Ping’an Trading Group has not launched a full retaliation, only slowly reclaiming lost ground.

They haven’t targeted any forces directly, but anyone obstructing their reclamation faces full force assaults.

Ping’an, as expected of a deeply rooted major trading group, is well-versed in business and emits relatively friendly signals externally.

After all, reclaiming one’s own property is always right, isn’t it?

Those with ulterior motives also unanimously conclude that despite Ping’an’s strong support, they are currently focusing mainly on stabilizing their foundation.

But after stabilizing their foundation, what would they do then?

Let’s not forget, even the untimely death of that Supreme from Ping’an might not have been an accident!

Of course, a full retaliation against flawed forces by Ping’an Trading Group is impossible.

These forces involve multiple Supremes and wield influence in various other aspects.

Ping’an would never be crazy enough to launch a full-scale attack—for business’s sake, would they still be able to do business afterward?

However, it’s also unrealistic to expect Ping’an to swallow this resentment.

The Taiping Trading Group is quite troubled by this current situation.

They don’t dare take the initiative, lacking the nerve, even the renown and formidable cleaners have backed down, one of the Thirteen Titans is injured.

Besides, since the cleaners proactively retreated, Taiping certainly won’t dare do anything either.

Taiping is a large trading group spanning several star realms, much larger than Ping’an, and in urgency, they can bring forth seven or eight Supremes.

If they didn’t possess such strength, they wouldn’t have dared to plot against Ping’an initially.

Nonetheless, Ping’an Trading Group is deeply rooted in Celestial River, with extensive influence, and matches Taiping’s overall strength in this star realm.

But now Ping’an has gained strong support, supplementing their high-end combat power shortfalls, even exceeding.

Then, after they stabilize their foundation, what will they do?

Targeted retaliation is highly likely—if only to secure the trading group’s future, they must show their teeth.

Taiping’s predicament lies in this, unable to take initiative, but can they simply wait passively for fate?

Currently, they hold some luck, hoping Ping’an hasn’t figured out that they were the leaders.

This thinking is somewhat wishful, but Taiping has resolved that if Ping’an really confronts them, they’ll deny stubbornly.

If the other side can’t present enough evidence, the likelihood of a major conflict is very low.

No one really wants to cooperate with an aggressive trading organization; shared interests are the essence of business.

Of course, Taiping is prepared to pay some assets and "swallow their pride" to get through this hurdle.

Ultimately, though, these are merely their own thoughts, Ping’an’s actual response remains unpredictable.

Therefore, Xijiesi finds the issue somewhat frustrating and speechless, yet must respond somehow.

"Does Miss Pian Pian ask because you believe we are bound to suffer retaliation?"

Pianta countered with a question, "Do you always demand evidence for what you do?"

"I only know that for Ping’an to make a powerful comeback, they must choose an opponent with considerable weight for revenge."

Xijiesi heard this and smiled indifferently. Whether or not he was truly calm inside, that was hard to say.

"Thank you, Miss Pianta, for your concern. Are you speaking from a personal standpoint?"

If it was just a personal standpoint, then he would take his leave. Just a mere singer, with only an A-level cultivation level.

Such people who prioritize performance and personal image, their true combat power is likely negligible.

But if Pianta represented those behind her with this statement, then he’d have to reconsider.

Indeed, this beautiful singer has powerful figures supporting her.

Pianta replied without hesitation, "Of course, it’s not my personal standpoint, I’m not interested in these matters at all."

"I’m just conveying a message for someone, and these words don’t just represent his intentions... but also the people behind him."

"The people behind him?" Xijiesi pondered for a moment, somewhat uncertain.

But he’s not indecisive, and decisively asked, "Straightforward please, who’s behind this?"

Pianta paused carefully before speaking, "Has the gentleman heard of the ’Imperial Storm’?"

Xijiesi had an inkling, but upon hearing this, his heart couldn’t help but accelerate.

He composed himself before asking, "Is it truly that person’s intention?"

Pianta spread her hands and smiled, "I’m just a small singer, would I dare to take the name of that person?"

"But..." Xijiesi hesitated, then asked again, "But wasn’t that person four hundred years ago..."

Xijiesi’s smile faded as Pianta spoke earnestly.

"Regarding that person’s information, I dare not say a word, and hope you will be cautious."

"This... alright," Xijiesi pondered for a long time, then slowly nodded, "I was reckless."

"Since you’re speaking on his behalf, what should I do?"

When faced with the figure behind Pianta, he’s already insignificant, let alone the ’Imperial Storm.’

That’s the only one in the Supreme circle, officially acknowledged by the Imperial, likely having reached above the supreme realm.

The Imperial stated it’s highly confidential, not providing more concrete evidence, but many acknowledged the Imperial’s certification.

This is also one of the theoretical grounds many Supreme believe in the existence of a realm above Supreme.

Could it be a rumor? Certainly possible, but still more believable than other rumors of ’above Supreme.’

Later rumors arose claiming this person has long passed away, yet no one has publicly refuted it.

But every thirty to fifty years, a couple of Supreme pop up saying they were lucky enough to meet ’Imperial Storm,’ yet vague in details.

Xijiesi knew the legendary figure behind Pianta was reportedly connected to the Imperial Storm.

However, whether this is true or not, he cannot accurately determine.

He’s inclined to believe it’s real, as it aligns with various appearances and matches most Supreme’s mindset.

Anyway, no matter how it’s said, Pianta dared to mention this person, he must believe it.

Because Xijiesi is very certain, Pianta cannot afford the consequences of lying—it would collapse the beliefs of most Supreme.

Moreover, frankly speaking, even if the statement comes from the significant figure behind Pianta, he must take it seriously.

Otherwise, he’d be making a fool of himself, would he really run over eagerly just for an A-level singer’s invitation?

So he can only lower himself further now, to inquire what exactly the other party wants to say.

When Pianta heard his answer, she knew the timing was right, and only then did she smile and say.

"They hope your trading group can now step in and create some chaos for Ping’an."

"Ouch," upon hearing this, Xijiesi clamped his teeth in distress.

Having heard the other party’s words, he had already guessed this possibility; it really is as feared.

He took a deep breath and spoke slowly, "I shouldn’t refuse, but the opponent’s strength is truly formidable..."

"I currently have just one question, why? I hope you can give me a reason."

Pianta replied solemnly, "Because they are launching an investigation into Ping’an’s people... strictly speaking, into the ones behind Ping’an."

Xijiesi pondered before asking, "So we can gain support from high-level combat power?"

If that’s the case, he indeed wouldn’t refuse.

"I’m afraid not," Pianta shook her head, "They want to investigate silently, you’re tasked to distract Ping’an’s attention."

"So it’s... just a decoy?" Xijiesi asked, with a bitter smile once again.

The mighty Taiping Trading Group, when has it ever been so underestimated? Publicly utilized by others, not even afraid to say it openly!

Pianta spread her hands and candidly stated, "No need for Supreme to step in, just cause enough confusion for Ping’an to be too distracted."

"You could control the intensity to meet this request... accomplish this task, and you could gain a lot of friendships."

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