Chapter 1036: Chapter 1036: One sentence, follow me or not! Chapter 1036: Chapter 1036: One sentence, follow me or not! Huang Xiaolong had also figured out Guan Shan’s thoughts. However, Huang Xiaolong, with a smile on his face, did not say much.

In fact, even if Guan Shan took everyone on the island away, Huang Xiaolong did not care. Guan Shan had kept his promise to hand over the island to Huang Xiaolong without any foul play. That was already an act of integrity and honor. Naturally, Huang Xiaolong would not expect him to be completely selfless and righteous to the end.

How could anyone who had managed to get this far in the cutthroat world of overseas cultivators be a pushover?

“Young friend, please wait a moment,” Guan Shan said with a smile.

Huang Xiaolong nodded.

But that Mister Dongfang was observing on the side, sighing in his heart, ‘This young man is really reckless. With his abilities, he is utterly incapable of controlling this island, and who among the island’s various guardians and stewards would follow him? I fear that tonight, the island of Guan Shan will scatter like birds and beasts, leaving empty nests… The young man has not only acquired a shell but also the crime of harboring a jade talisman, and there will be those with ulterior motives who will come to rob…’
Before long, cultivators began to enter the hall and stood in order.

Huang Xiaolong sat down leisurely.

Glancing around, he saw that most of the cultivated who came in were in the Mana realm, with a few in the Divine Skills realm. Among them were four, the highest in cultivation, all in the late stages of the Divine Skills realm. They were all individuals of some importance in the world of overseas cultivators. All four late-stage Divine Skills realm cultivators looked like middle-aged men, with a calm demeanor and a wild arrogance between their brows.

Guan Shan explained from the side, “Young friend, those four are the island’s four great guardians!”

In his words, it was evident that Guan Shan held these four guardians in high regard.

“Island Master, everyone is here,” Miss Zhan walked in and reported.

Huang Xiaolong made a quick estimate. The number of various staff members standing in the hall added up to several hundred people.

“Everyone, please listen to what I have to say,” Guan Shan said loudly.

The whole audience held their breath.

“You must have heard some news, yes, today, this island is going to change hands! From today on, I will hand over all the industries of the island such as markets, auction houses, taverns, inns… and so on, to this young friend to manage. This young friend, replacing my position, will become the new Island Master!” Guan Shan announced publicly.

In an instant, many eyes turned toward Huang Xiaolong.

Among those eyes, there was mockery, jealousy, sarcasm, disdain, and sneers…

Facing so many unfriendly gazes, Huang Xiaolong remained composed and detached.

“Now, it’s up to you to decide for yourselves. Those who wish to stay, I believe this young friend will surely treat you as honored guests. Those who do not wish to stay can follow me to forge a new world elsewhere, and I will not let you down,” Guan Shan said.

After speaking, Guan Shan looked at Huang Xiaolong, “Young friend, now you start persuading these cultivators. To avoid suspicion, I will take my leave first. Good luck!”

After finishing his speech, Guan Shan left the auction house with great strides. “Those who want to follow me, assemble outside the island! Come with me as we evacuate the island!”

While speaking, Guan Shan disappeared like a gust of wind.

Huang Xiaolong sat with his legs wide open, looking amusedly at the several hundred cultivators in the auction hall.

“Wait–” At that moment, the four great guardians, experts in the late stage of the Divine Skills realm, stepped forward simultaneously with a very arrogant demeanor.

“Kid, you don’t need to say much. We know about your situation, you were lucky to get an Elixir of Immortality, which you used to exchange for this island from Island Master Guan. But you are too weak to persuade us to work for you, that’s not going to happen. No matter how many Spirit Stones you offer us, we are not interested. In the world of overseas cultivators, the strong are respected, and you are not strong enough.”

“Indeed, no matter how eloquently you speak, we will not be swayed. We bid you farewell. We hope that in the future, you will be able to maintain firm control over this island.”

“What a pity, a marketplace that was flourishing so well, from now on, is about to dissipate into smoke and clouds.”

“Kid, if I were you, I would have asked Island Master Guan for something more practical instead of whimsically trying to swallow this island whole. Take care of yourself.”

…

After saying their piece, the four guardians turned and left.

“Little Long~~” Ying Aoshan and Song Yuru were both full of worry.

“Let them go,” Huang Xiaolong said slowly as he stood up. “I understand what you’re thinking, so I never even planned on persuading you to stay.”

Huang Xiaolong waved his hand nonchalantly. “Those who want to leave, go ahead. I won’t try to retain you, nor will I intimidate you, and definitely won’t force you. To tell you the truth, keeping a big bunch of you around is also troublesome for me.”

Huang Xiaolong’s attitude of complete indifference and lack of attempt to retain them actually made these cultivators somewhat annoyed, feeling as if they had been humiliated.

“How arrogantly conceited! Without us, the marketplace on the island will immediately go to ruin,” a Divine Skills realm cultivator sneered. “You probably don’t know yet, but the news of you taking over as the Island Master has already spread through the marketplace. Many of the stallholders have already left overnight. By tomorrow! At the latest, by tomorrow, this island that was thriving for a moment will be deserted! It will become an empty island!”

“Stop talking nonsense. Just go,” Huang Xiaolong said, slightly impatient. “I never intended to keep the marketplace. I hate marketplaces the most.”

“Stubborn till the end! Let’s go!” The cultivators left in a huff.

“Little Long, what are you doing?” Ying Aoshan asked puzzledly from the side. “You’re really not going to retain them?”

“Aoshan, my wife, I’m not familiar with these people. Why should I waste my breath trying to keep them? Their loyalty is questionable too. Besides, they are so worthless that if any real power were to invade, they would be completely incapable of defending against it. Moreover, I’m telling the truth; I’m not interested in dealing with a marketplace. This island, I intend to turn it into a sect!”

Turn it into a sect?

A whimsical thought struck Huang Xiaolong.

He thought that maybe one day, he could create a supreme sect that would sweep across the overseas territories!

“Young friend, I take my leave,” Mr. Dongfang stood up as well.

“I wish you all the best,” Miss Zhan said with a polite and amiable smile.

“You two, wait a moment~~” Huang Xiaolong smiled.

“Hm?” Both Mr. Dongfang and Miss Zhan were taken aback.

“Hehe, didn’t you just issue an eviction order?” Miss Zhan shook her head and chuckled.

By this time, everyone had dispersed from the auction hall, leaving only Huang Xiaolong’s two wives, three little demons, six Loose Cultivators, and Mr. Dongfang with Miss Zhan.

Huang Xiaolong promptly cast a blinding spell, ensuring that the inside of the auction hall couldn’t be seen by outsiders.

“Oh? A very clever blinding spell indeed!” Mr. Dongfang exclaimed in amazement.

“How… how is this possible… I can’t even set up such a blinding spell~~ this… you… what exactly is your cultivation?” Miss Zhan was astonished.

There are various degrees of sophistication in blinding spells. Ordinary ones can’t deceive the truly skilled, and the one casually cast by Huang Xiaolong made Miss Zhan almost certain that even someone like Island Master Guan Shan, an early-stage Tribulation realm giant, wouldn’t be able to see through it!

“Hahaha~~ Young friend, I have really misjudged the situation. I’ve appraised countless treasures with few mistakes, but today, I misjudged a person,” Mr. Dongfang shook his head.

Huang Xiaolong said with a smile, “I won’t try to retain others, but I do want to attempt to retain you two. Because I find you quite pleasing to my eye.”

“What kind of reason is that?” Miss Zhan asked, utterly dumbfounded. “Young man, you’re still too naive. While Island Master Guan Shan usually employs some schemes, he indeed has connections, a background, and means in the world of overseas cultivators. There’s a saying, a good bird chooses a tree to nest in. If I have to follow someone, I should choose a good boss, a strong backer… and you, I’m afraid~~~”
“Nonsense, of course I’d choose a strong backer. To tell the truth, today will be the biggest opportunity in your lives, it’s just up to you whether you can seize it,” Huang Xiaolong said, his face showing not the slightest hint of exaggeration or boasting.

Having said this, Huang Xiaolong continued. “Of course, I have to offer you some benefits.”

While speaking, Huang Xiaolong spread his right hand, and two red Immortality Pills rotated in the palm, emanating a strong vitality.

“One word, follow me or not! Just nod your heads, and each one of you will get an Immortality Pill. This is just a little sweetener. In the future, following me, you’ll enjoy the best of everything, living joyfully!” Huang Xiaolong chuckled.

…