Jiren’s Spirit Garden.
A few hours after the private exchange meeting concluded.
“Thanks for waiting, fellow cultivator Aksai,” Nuya greeted Aksai with a warm smile as she approached.
Aksai saw the reflection of a beautiful and charming young woman on the pond’s water surface and turned to greet Nuya with a slight smile. “It was nothing. May I know what this is about?” Aksai asked curiously.
“Let’s take a walk while I explain some things to you, shall we?” Nuya asked rhetorically, then started walking forward, beckoning Aksai to follow. Aksai silently trailed behind her, waiting for her to speak.
“Fellow cultivator Aksai, do you know about the silent war between the Purple River Sect and Sun Ocean Society?” Nuya asked as she looked ahead.
“I do,” Aksai nodded. Nuya took that as a cue to continue.
“The thing is, I have been contacted by the Purple River Sect to act as its representative in taking over a certain island in the Dadangar Archipelago,” Nuya explained in a serious tone.
“Oh? This… this is certainly a huge opportunity. I wonder what you’re going to do about it?” Aksai asked, surprised by Nuya’s revelation.
After dealing with her for the last 12 years, Aksai knew Nuya had connections with prominent figures in the Rokur kingdom due to her family’s status. However, he never imagined she had such close ties with the Purple River Sect.
“Hehe. Naturally, I wish to take it,” Nuya smiled. But then her expression turned serious.
“But I also understand what it means to accept this proposal.
First of all, taking control over an island and its mortal populace is not as simple as it sounds, even for a Spirit Refining Perfectionist like me.
Secondly, I might get betrayed in the process if I’m not careful. So I… I have to be careful with who I select as my allies.
Plus, there’s already sort of an unofficial owner to this island that I have been tasked to eliminate before taking over the island,” Nuya explained, looking at Aksai intently.
‘Oh. Now I get it. She wants to form a squad,’ Aksai thought to himself. However, he chose to remain silent, prompting Nuya to explain further.
“This unofficial owner is from Isla Kingdom and is connected to the Sun Ocean Society,” Nuya spoke, her tone serious.
“If I want to take control of the island, I’ll need to get rid of this man as well as all his subordinates. I also have a personal grudge against this man. But that is not why I have accepted this proposal. At least that’s not the sole reason.
Anyway, I have been assured by the Purple River Sect that the island will completely belong to me after I successfully take over it. I’ll just need to provide a certain amount of cultivation resources that can be grown on the island annually in exchange.
Of course, I will be provided with fair compensation for offering these resources. However, Purple River Sect will have the first claim over them when I decide to sell them. Basically, I will be the owner of the island with the secret backing of the Purple River Sect,” Nuya explained.
“So you are looking for allies in this operation,” Aksai ventured.
“Indeed,” Nuya nodded, replying promptly.
“Taking down this man and his lackeys isn’t going to be easy. You see, he is also a Spirit Refining Perfectionist like me. So you can imagine the challenge of dealing with him.
Plus, all his subordinates are in the late-stage Spirit Refining stage. I have already talked with four Spirit Refining cultivators for this operation. You are my fifth and final choice,” Nuya said as she looked at Aksai expectantly.
“Miss Nuya, you already know my nature,” Aksai smiled wryly as he responded.
“I’m not someone who likes to fight with other Spirit cultivators over meager resources and wealth. Why risk your life and shed the blood of others as well as yours when you can just cultivate on your farm? I am not interested in this offer,” Aksai conveyed his disagreement with the proposal right away.
Aksai trusted Nuya and her words. But he didn’t trust the words of Purple River Sect that was behind her. No matter how easy the operation sounded to him, he knew that many things could go wrong when it came to applying theories in real life.
“Hehe. I knew you would say something like this,” Nuya chuckled as she looked at Aksai. “However, this is exactly why I can trust you. Yes, there are many risks involved in this operation. But fret not. The risks would be worth the rewards,” she tried to assure him.
“Oh? And what would those rewards be?” Aksai asked curiously.
“Co-ownership of the island,” Nuya responded promptly with a smile on her face.
“Right after we claim the island, we can get the deed of the land made from the neutral state Haan Di. That way, we will have overt protection from Haan Di and covert protection from Purple River Sect.
We’d have to pay annual taxes to Haan Di as a result. But that shouldn’t be a problem considering the amount of cultivation resources we can grow from the island.
The island is too big to be owned by a single Spirit Refining cultivator anyway.
I have offered the same form of co-ownership to the remaining four Spirit Refining cultivators as well who had agreed to become a part of this operation.
After all, my allies will be risking their lives with me on this operation. They deserve to be treated with the apt rewards,” Nuya smiled and said.
Aksai remained silent for a bit. However, just before he was about to speak, Nuya interpreted.
“Fellow cultivator Aksai, I know you are looking for a safe and resource-rich place to settle down. We can’t continue to live like guests in the Purple River Gate, can we?” Nuya spoke as she walked beside Aksai with her graceful steps.
“What could be a better place for you to continue your Spirit farming than an island with a Spirit vein?
Plus, the Dadangar Western Archipelago is relatively calmer than the mainland. It would be an ideal place for a Spirit farmer like you.
To be honest, you wouldn’t have been the first choice for me to get recruited in this operation. But then you revealed to me that you are an exceptional hunter with all the demon beast meat you sold to us over the years.
I… I… um… I also like your nature. So I decided to trust my instincts and ask you. I hope you say yes. Otherwise, I’d be very angry at you for not respecting our friendship,” Nuya spoke with fake bitterness while her eyes reflected playfulness.
“Hahaha,” Aksai laughed as he met Nuya’s eyes. “Fine. Count me in,” he said while running his fingers through his hair for some reason.
Nuya was all smiles when she got Aksai’s answer. She then started explaining the details of her plan to him.
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AN: Nuya was first introduced in chapter 93. Her character art has been uploaded. Do check it out. 🙂