Reaching an Agreement

"Lv Man, this kid's sharp as hell! Stop saying all that and just negotiate terms with him, will you?"

The Eight-winged Black Serpent Emperor at the side was getting impatient as well. It possessed wisdom no less than that of a human expert, but that did not mean it had the corresponding composure and calmness. On the contrary, as a magical beast, it was rather hot-tempered. This happened to give Yan Qingshan a timely assist.

Lv Man glanced at her companion speechlessly, feeling the urge to replace her magical beast when they returned. Yet she also knew full well that magical beasts were simply like this. A different partner might not even coordinate with her as well as the Eight-winged Black Serpent Emperor did.

"What conditions do you want to propose?"

Lv Man looked at Yan Qingshan helplessly, her attitude softening.

Yan Qingshan said in a deep voice, "An alchemist named Gute in Black Rock City possesses a rare treasure, the Ice Spirit Cold Spring. I want you to help me trade for it."

Though Lv Man frowned slightly upon hearing this, her expression did not change much. "I agree to this condition. Do you have any others?"

"Of course I do."

Yan Qingshan held up three fingers. "The Dou Technique you used earlier was Wood Attribute. You should have high-level Wood Attribute cultivation methods and Dou Techniques, shouldn't you?"

Lv Man raised a brow and smiled. "Kid, the cultivation methods of our Heavenly Serpent Mansion are never passed on to outsiders. Still, your talent and courage are quite remarkable, and you are qualified to join Heavenly Serpent Mansion. If you are willing to take me as your master, I can teach you cultivation methods and Dou Techniques."

"Forget it. Next condition!"

Yan Qingshan answered decisively. The thought of joining Heavenly Serpent Mansion had only crossed his mind before he discarded it. Heavenly Serpent Mansion was indeed not bad, and through Qingling, he would certainly receive proper training there. But he had not forgotten why Qingling left Heavenly Serpent Mansion to travel the continent in the original story.

The people of Heavenly Serpent Mansion still wanted to turn Qingling into one of their own. If he joined Heavenly Serpent Mansion, he would inevitably be dragged into its conflicts and troubles, making Qingling's situation even more complicated and difficult. That did not align with Yan Qingshan's interests.

"I want one fifth-tier Blood Lotus Pill, fourth-tier Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pills, Purple Heart Breaking Barrier Pills..."

Like a lion opening its jaws, Yan Qingshan rattled off a long list of pills to aid cultivation in one breath. Lv Man practically stared at him as if he were an idiot. Then, at the very end, he suddenly added, "I've already gathered the ingredients and pill formulas. Within the Jia Ma Empire, the Misty Cloud Sect's honored alchemist Gu He and the Alchemist Guild's president Fa Ma are both alchemists above the fifth tier.

"With the two of them acting, fulfilling my requirements will not be difficult. However, that will require you, a Dou Emperor, to make the trip yourself. Once you have fulfilled this condition and brought back the Ice Spirit Cold Spring, come back and discuss the rest with me!"

As he spoke, Yan Qingshan tossed a Storage Ring to Lv Man, then pointed at the Eight-winged Black Serpent Emperor. "If you are worried that we might take the chance to run, you can have it stay behind to watch us."

"You... very well..."

Lv Man reached out and caught the Storage Ring. After wiping away Yan Qingshan's original imprint, she focused her mind into it. The items Yan Qingshan had mentioned were indeed inside. After remaining silent for a long time, she finally forced out those words.

Having a Dou Emperor run errands for him—Yan Qingshan was not merely bold; he was outrageously capable. Yet Lv Man had very little she could do about it.

"White Fang, keep an eye on these little ones. Don't let a single one escape. I'll be back as soon as possible—within half a month at the earliest, or several months at the latest."

As she spoke, Lv Man spread her azure wings. Her entire body transformed into a green shadow and swiftly vanished into the horizon, soon disappearing completely from Yan Qingshan and the others' sight.

"Kid, stop looking. Lv Man may be somewhat forceful and overbearing, but she is a person who keeps her promises. Since she said so, she will naturally get it done for you."

The Eight-winged Black Serpent Emperor, White Fang, lowered its head and looked at Yan Qingshan, its gaze rather strange. "You're something else, kid! I've known Lv Man for so long, and this is the first time I've seen someone make her suffer a loss."

"As a senior of the serpent race, Lord Eight-winged Black Serpent Emperor must surely be willing to guide the younger generation. Crimson Serpent only advanced to the fifth tier not long ago, and it can only feel its way through many things on its own. I trust that Senior Eight-winged Black Serpent Emperor would not begrudge it some guidance?"

The moment Lv Man left, Yan Qingshan immediately set his sights on the Eight-winged Black Serpent Emperor. Lv Man had said before leaving that she would be gone for no less than half a month and perhaps several months. With such a long stretch of time, leaving this useful snake unused was not Yan Qingshan's style.

"Kid, who do you think I am? I'm the Eight-winged Black Serpent Emperor, not that Lv Man. I'm not falling for your tricks."

The Eight-winged Black Serpent Emperor had no desire whatsoever to become a useful snake. Though the Two-headed Fire Spirit Snake looked rather nice and could be considered a beauty among serpents, it had already seen the greatest beauty among snakes. Now, all it thought about was taking Queen Medusa of the Tagore Desert as its bandit bride.

"Can't talk you around, huh? Qingling, you do it!"

Yan Qingshan was not about to give up just like that. He said he could not talk it through, but a different person would have a different effect. Hearing Yan Qingshan's call, Qingling walked up before White Fang, the Eight-winged Black Serpent Emperor.

"Lord Eight-winged Black Serpent Emperor, Crimson Serpent is truly working very hard. Please help it!"

As the little beauty Qingling spoke, she lifted her head. Jade light flickered in her eyes, and she wore a pitiful, moving expression that made it impossible to bear rejecting her request.

"Ah!!! Kid, don't let this little girl come near me! Lv Man was right—you really are too damn despicable."

Panic flashed through the Eight-winged Black Serpent Emperor's eyes. It hurriedly turned its head away, refusing to look at Qingling. It would not be contracted and controlled by Qingling so easily, but neither did it wish to remain in contact with those eyes for too long. The Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils held a terrifying restraining effect over serpents; even the Ancient Heavenly Serpent could not be completely immune to their influence.

"Lord Eight-winged Black Serpent Emperor, you should think of it this way. Once Qingling arrives at Heavenly Serpent Mansion, she will definitely receive focused training. Then, as someone who has rendered meritorious service, won't your status rise along with hers..."

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Yan Qingshan's mouth. He knew the Eight-winged Black Serpent Emperor could not withstand this move. Moreover, since they had reached an agreement, it could not take the initiative to harm Yan Qingshan and the others.

"Lord Serpent Emperor!"

Qingling called out once more, and the Eight-winged Black Serpent Emperor's resisting body turned back around.

The Eight-winged Black Serpent Emperor lowered its head and called out, "Call me White Fang. That is my name. Eight-winged Black Serpent Emperors are not unique, but Lord White Fang is one of a kind."

"Lord White Fang, you agreed!"

Qingling beamed with delight, while the Eight-winged Black Serpent Emperor wore a helpless expression. The main reason was that it agreed with Yan Qingshan's later words as well. Qingling, who possessed the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, would certainly receive focused training upon reaching Heavenly Serpent Mansion. By then, she might become someone it could no longer afford to approach.

Yan Qingshan's words made sense, and Qingling's Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils had exerted some influence on it as well. In the end, White Fang, the Eight-winged Black Serpent Emperor, gave in and became a useful snake, serving as the Two-headed Fire Spirit Snake's temporary teacher.

The trial recommendation begins today. There will be another chapter after two in the afternoon. I hope everyone will support it more and cast more recommendation votes. New book data is crucial.