My Crazy Upgrade Sys Chapter 177 - 176: Patriarch Zhu

Chapter 177: Chapter 176: Patriarch Zhu

Yi Tianyun was taken aback by what the two sisters said, but he could tell they were sincere. This was reflected in their Favorability scores. Even though he hadn’t done much, their scores had already shot past two hundred, with Zhu Yuwei’s even exceeding three hundred!

This meant that completing the quest would just be the icing on the cake.

"That’s... really not necessary. I never had any such intentions," Yi Tianyun said with an awkward smile, feeling rather abashed.

"This is our own decision. You’ve already become our benefactor just by helping us get this far. Giving us a chance at freedom is the greatest blessing of all." They said, their eyes filled with gratitude, "We believe that following Elder Yi will lead us to a most glorious future!"

Their words left Yi Tianyun feeling even more abashed. ’Isn’t this a bit of an exaggeration?’

"Ahem, alright. There’s no need to say any more. Let’s wait until the competition results are out before we discuss this further," Yi Tianyun said with a smile.

"I believe that since Elder Yi has said it, there will surely be no problem." Zhu Yuwei smiled. She knew Yi Tianyun’s temperament; he would never agree to something he wasn’t confident about.

Yi Tianyun simply shook his head, not refuting her point.

All that was left was to wait for the competition to begin. It wasn’t a long wait—it would start in a week at the latest, which was why everyone was in such a hurry.

After a private suite was arranged for him, all that was left was the Star Pavilion’s internal branch competition for Divine Runes. In the meantime, Yi Tianyun requested some materials to practice with. Since he was here to improve his Divine Rune Mastery anyway, he figured he might as well get some practice materials and not waste any time.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

A knock came at the door, signaling it was time to leave for the internal Divine Rune competition.

Yi Tianyun opened the door and stepped out to find the two sisters waiting for him.

"Elder Yi, it’s time to depart for the Star Pavilion’s Main Pavilion. Is there anything else you need to prepare?" Zhu Yuwei asked.

"No, I’m all set. We can leave now," Yi Tianyun said.

Zhu Yuwei nodded and led him to the entrance, where several Feather Vehicles were waiting. Steward Huang and the others were already there. After everyone boarded the Feather Vehicles, they departed for the Star Pavilion’s Main Pavilion.

The competition venue was the Star Pavilion’s Main Pavilion itself. It was open only to the branch families of the Star Pavilion work; outsiders were strictly forbidden from watching unless they had a personal referral.

The journey wasn’t particularly long, and thanks to the Feather Vehicles, they arrived at the Star Pavilion’s Main Pavilion after about half a day. However, the competition wasn’t being held inside the Main Pavilion, but in a spacious square outside.

When Yi Tianyun stepped out of the Feather Vehicle, he saw that the venue was not specially decorated; it was just an open space enclosed by stone walls. Anyone who wanted to watch from the outside would either have to fly or look down from a tall building in the distance.

When they arrived, the area was already a sea of people. A huge crowd of onlookers had gathered. They weren’t allowed inside, but they all wanted to see what kind of contestants were participating. Here, the families’ Feather Vehicles seemed to be a way of showing off; almost all of them were luxurious and extravagant, creating a dazzling display.

Just as they landed, they spotted a Feather Vehicle with the word "Zhu" engraved on it, proof that the Zhu Family was already here.

A middle-aged man with an extraordinary bearing stepped out of the vehicle, exuding the powerful aura of an expert. His cultivation was formidable, having reached the Seventh Layer of the Spirit Pill Stage. The moment he alighted, he looked over in their direction, his gaze locking directly onto Yi Tianyun.

"So this is the Fourth-Grade Divine Rune Master you found. He’s certainly young," Zhu Tianhong said, looking Yi Tianyun up and down. "If you hadn’t told me he was a Fourth-Grade Divine Rune Master, I wouldn’t have believed it. My name is Zhu Tianhong, Patriarch of the Zhu Family. I’ve invited you here for one reason: to win this competition for the Zhu Family. I won’t say much more. What is owed to you will be yours, but if you don’t achieve the result we desire, then I’m afraid things will get unpleasant."

’Straight to business, just as you’d expect from the patriarch of a great family.’

"Rest assured, I do what I say I will. I won’t let you down," Yi Tianyun replied nonchalantly.

"Let’s hope so." Zhu Tianhong nodded. "Also, there are some things you may not like, but such are the choices one must make in desperate times. You can call me heartless, but the Zhu Family sometimes requires sacrifices, or the entire family is doomed... It is cruel for them, I know, but if it weren’t for our Zhu Family, those two sisters wouldn’t be alive today. However, if you place in the top three, everything will be as you desire. They can go with you—I won’t stand in the way in the slightest. I’ll even give you a greater reward and severely punish that witless Steward Liu and his lackeys!"

Zhu Tianhong was being completely frank with Yi Tianyun, holding nothing back and not beating around the bush. His tone was even sincere, and he adopted a humble posture, devoid of any airs.

’It’s just that I don’t like his methods,’ Yi Tianyun thought. ’But I also know that’s how large families operate. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices like this, or everyone is finished. Sacrifice one or two people, or let everyone be destroyed? The choice is clear when you think about it.’

"I understand that. For you to say it so directly, Patriarch Zhu, is far better than those who beat around the bush just to stab you in the back," Yi Tianyun said with a faint smile.

"I, Zhu Tianhong, am a man of my word. You don’t have to like my methods, but this is my way of survival. I won’t stab you in the back; I only care about the benefits you can provide me," Zhu Tianhong said coolly. "There are only permanent interests, never permanent friends. As long as you can help me, I can give you what you want. If you can’t offer me any benefit, then I simply won’t cooperate with you. It wouldn’t go so far as to create bad blood between us, and I certainly wouldn’t stab you in the back."

"After all, just because we don’t cooperate this time doesn’t mean we can’t in the future. I don’t like to provoke others wantonly; I’m just a bit direct at times and dislike beating around the bush."

’What a blunt and brutish answer. Not exactly likable, but he laid it all out there regardless.’ It was clear this was simply his personality; whether you liked it or not, this was how he operated.

"Excellent. I like the sound of that." Yi Tianyun had no intention of befriending him anyway; this was purely a transaction.

’For a person like Zhu Tianhong, it’s best to stick to business. Trying to become his friend would be suicidal. The moment you can’t provide him with enough benefits, he won’t lift a finger to help you. That’s not a friend by any definition, merely a partner in a cooperative relationship.’