Top Grade Pure Beauty CEO

"Master?"

"He called that pretty boy what? Master?"

"This doesn't make sense, isn't Li Xiaoyao the bodyguard's master?"

Speculation was rife, but no one knew exactly what was going on.

The most surprised was Zhu Xiaoyue; others might be in the dark, but she knew the truth.

The master of Jiuyin was only one person, and that was Li Xiaoyao.

But now, he was calling this man, whom she had never seen before, master. What exactly was happening?

Unbeknownst to them, this farce had already been going on for over an hour.

At precisely 11:50 AM, Monk Gui Hai walked out of his cultivation room.

When he arrived at the banquet hall and saw it in complete disarray, with blood and corpses everywhere, his long eyebrows involuntarily lifted.

"What has happened?" Monk Gui Hai said, a trace of anger in his voice.

Someone immediately recounted the event, and Monk Gui Hai's gaze turned icy as he glanced at Li Xiaoyao, then said, "Today is an internal exchange meeting initiated by me. If you have personal grievances, settle them privately. I will not hold you accountable for what happened earlier, but if you continue to make a fuss, don't blame me for not giving you face."

Conflicts among cultivators were common, even within the Eight Great Sects of the Xuan Country; not all could be stopped.

Gui Hai had never intended to stop them; his goal was to announce to the world that this botanical garden belonged to him. As for whether other people lived or died, it really had nothing to do with him. Of course, as long as they didn't make trouble on his territory.

Seeing Monk Gui Hai seemingly angry, everyone shut their mouths, not daring to utter another word.

Li Xiaoyao, however, watched the monk with great interest, curious to see what kind of game he was playing.

Monk Gui Hai, dressed in a simple monk's robe, stood at the forefront. Seeing everyone looking at him, he enjoyed the attention. The discomfort he initially felt due to the commotion was now somewhat alleviated.

"Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to come. The main reason I have invited you here today," he paused, "is to make an announcement. This botanical garden was originally owned by Daoist Li Xiaoyao, but unfortunately, Li Xiaoyao perished while cultivating in the Human Realm. I am deeply saddened by the death of Daoist Li."

As he spoke, Gui Hai sighed and shook his head, with a face full of sorrow, as if Li Xiaoyao's death was deeply personal to him.

The crowd below was taken aback by the news.

"Li Xiaoyao is dead?"

"It is said that Li Xiaoyao had reached the Spirit Cultivation Realm. Such a powerful person, dead?"

"Nonsense, didn't you hear what Monk Gui Hai said? He died while cultivating in the Human Realm; that's the Human Realm we're talking about."

"If he died in the Human Realm, it's not strange. After all, those who can cultivate in the Human Realm are one in a million."

"It's such a pity, Li Xiaoyao had just become the top figure in Ling City, and then he died in the Human Realm. It's really regrettable."

Some people felt sorry for Li Xiaoyao's demise, while others saw an opportunity for profit.

With Li Xiaoyao dead, his possessions were unprotected. This was the time when it was easiest to take advantage of the situation.

Not to mention anything else, just Li Xiaoyao's women, every one of them was said to be as beautiful as a flower. While Li Xiaoyao was alive, no one dared to covet them, but now that he was dead, who would stand up for these women?

After expressing sadness, Gui Hai continued, "Before Li Daoist took his last breath, he entrusted the monastery to take over the botanical garden. I initially refused, but in the end, I couldn't reject his request and had to agree."

Hearing these words and seeing Gui Hai's heartfelt expression of sorrow, everyone simply felt that this old monk was extremely nauseating.

What possible connection could Li Xiaoyao have with your Da Lin Temple? They're not even remotely related; claiming he entrusted it to you on his deathbed is nothing but bullshit.

Although everyone knew what the truth was, they dared not speak it.

Gui Hai's methods were at least mild, not outright seizing it while Li Xiaoyao was alive, and the fact that he could stand here and say these words meant that he was recognized by those above.

"Starting today, the friends of Li Daoist are my friends. If anyone disrespects his friends, I will certainly not let them off," Gui Hai's words sent a chill through everyone's hearts; not only did he want the botanical garden, but he was also trying to take control of Li Xiaoyao's wealth and women—his ambition was indeed grand.

Though the crowd felt disgruntled, there was nothing they could do. He was from the Eight Great Sects of Xuan Country, and they were just nobodies; how could they possibly fight him?

"If there's nothing else, you may all disperse," Gui Hai said with a wave of his hand, as his goal had been achieved and keeping these people around was pointless.

Li Xiaoyao shook his head, having thought this old monk had some commendable techniques, only to find he too resorted to such despicable methods.

"Da Lin Temple is full of trash," Li Xiaoyao said indifferently, yet his words spread to everyone's ears.

Everyone was shocked, looking in the direction of the voice to find that the arrogant pretty boy had spoken.

The crowd was secretly pleased, as this pretty boy's actions were tantamount to courting death, daring to speak such arrogant words in front of Monk Gui Hai.

"Truly arrogant," Wen Ping said, shaking his head.

Qin Qing asked quietly, "Is that monk very powerful?"

Wen Ping replied, "That master is an elder from the Eight Great Sects of Xuan Country, an existence above mere mortals. And your boyfriend's friend, while he is a martial artist, is seeking death by speaking so insolently to the master."

Hearing this, Qin Qing felt relieved, glad that she had decisively broken ties with Tang Youde.

Gui Hai slowly stopped, turned around, and looked at Li Xiaoyao, a layer of frost covering his face.

"What did you say?"

Li Xiaoyao's tone was still nonchalant, "You claim that Li Xiaoyao is dead? That the botanical garden was entrusted to you by Li Xiaoyao before he died?"

Gui Hai looked at him coldly and said word by word, "Indeed, it is so."

"Hahahaha!" Li Xiaoyao, seeing Gui Hai admit it without blushing or skipping a beat, burst into laughter and said, "Ridiculous, truly ridiculous! They say that monks do not speak lies, yet you, old monk, are spouting one lie after another, treating people like fools."

"Young friend, you can eat anything carelessly, but you must not speak carelessly. If you claim I am lying, then please present the evidence," Gui Hai replied. Had there not been so many people present, he would have slapped him to death by now. Daring to question his integrity in public was the utmost disrespect to him.

"You want evidence?" Li Xiaoyao's smile was eerie, as if he was looking at an idiot.

"I am the evidence," Li Xiaoyao stepped forward and asked, "Do you know who I am?"

"Who you are is of no concern to me," Gui Hai retorted.

Li Xiaoyao shook his head and sighed, "You, old monk, keep saying that I died in the Human Realm and left the botanical garden in your care. And yet, now I stand before you, but you fail to recognize me."

As these words were spoken, everyone in the place was shocked.

In the silent banquet hall, a trembling voice rose, "You are Li Xiaoyao!"