The Price of Exchanging Information

Inside Pangu Hall, the atmosphere turned subtly delicate.

Six figures stood silent, their thoughts churning as they secretly exchanged rapid messages through primordial spirit transmission.

After a moment, Laozi was still the one to break the silence. Looking at Wu Ming, his voice remained even. "Daoist Friend, name your price. So long as it is within what we can bear, we will do our utmost to satisfy you."

At those words, Wu Ming's thoughts raced.

Setting a price truly was an art.

If he named it too high, these six would certainly be displeased.

After all, this information was important to them now, but once they learned the method of becoming Sages, they would surely feel the price was not worth it. Needlessly offending six future Sages would be no good thing for the Wu Clan.

But if he asked too little, it would make the information seem cheap.

A moment later, Wu Ming had made his decision.

He looked at Laozi and Yuanshi Tianzun and slowly spoke. "Daoist Friend Taiqing, Daoist Friend Yuanshi, my request is not excessive."

"Your Taiji Diagram and Pangu Banner must each be lent to my Wu Clan for use three times."

"As for when they will be used, members of my Wu Clan will notify you both when the time comes. And regardless of the time or circumstances, neither of you may refuse for any reason."

Yuanshi Tianzun's face abruptly darkened, and even the aura around him grew somewhat unstable as he was about to speak in objection.

Yet Laozi nodded slightly before him, his voice still as placid as an ancient well. "Agreed."

"Big Brother!" Yuanshi transmitted, his dissatisfaction unmistakable.

Laozi replied calmly, "Second Brother, the Great Dao comes first. Three rights of use in exchange for an opportunity to become a Sage—it is not a loss."

Yuanshi's chest rose and fell, but in the end he swallowed his words. His expression, however, remained ugly.

Wu Ming turned to Sect Master Tongtian and smiled faintly. "As for Daoist Friend Tongtian, you and my Wu Clan have some prior ties. Over the matter of the Sea Calming Divine Beads last time, you did my Wu Clan a favor. This time, I will give this information to you freely, as a small token of gratitude."

Sect Master Tongtian froze, then waved his hand. "Daoist Friend Wu Ming, one matter is one matter! Last time was a fair exchange, and you even promised that the Wu Clan would owe me a favor. The method of becoming a Sage is of such importance today—if I accepted it for nothing, would I not become some petty man taking advantage of others? How would I ever keep my footing in the Primordial Wilderness afterward?"

Straightforward by nature, he hated owing favors most of all.

"How about this? The favor the Wu Clan owes me shall be wiped clean in one stroke, and count as the price for obtaining this information!"

But Wu Ming shook his head. "Daoist Friend Tongtian, there is no need."

"This information is nothing much to me. Giving it to you can be considered forging a good karmic bond."

"As for the favor my Wu Clan owes you, there will naturally come a day when it is repaid."

Seeing Wu Ming's resolute attitude, Sect Master Tongtian did not dwell on it further.

He laughed heartily and cupped his fists. "Since Daoist Friend Wu Ming puts it that way, then I, Tongtian, will accept without further ceremony!"

"Many thanks, Daoist Friend Wu Ming! I, Tongtian, will remember this favor!"

Wu Ming nodded with a smile, his favorable impression of Tongtian growing by several degrees. This Sect Master of the Jie Sect truly was someone worth befriending.

Then Wu Ming's gaze fell upon Nuwa.

"Daoist Friend Nuwa, you will place the Creation Cauldron as collateral with my Wu Clan. Until you become a Sage, the Creation Cauldron will belong to my Wu Clan and be used by my Wu Clan."

"Only after you become a Sage will this cauldron be returned to you."

The Creation Cauldron?

Nuwa's brows knit slightly as she fell into thought.

After a moment, she nodded solemnly. "All right."

Her voice was quiet, yet it carried a streak of resolve. If she could become a Sage, what did it matter if the Creation Cauldron left her side for a time? If she could not become a Sage, even holding this treasure might not be enough to protect herself.

At last, Wu Ming turned his gaze toward Daoist Jieyin and Daoist Zhunti.

"As for you two Daoist Friends..." Wu Ming paused, making both Jieyin and Zhunti's hearts leap into their throats.

Daoist Jieyin still wore his bitter expression, while Daoist Zhunti stared eagerly at Wu Ming, terrified that he would hear some condition beyond their ability to bear.

Wu Ming slowly said, "After you two Daoist Friends establish your Dao lineage in the future, my Wu Clan will need to take one-third of the Merit gained by your Dao lineage at a certain time. As for when it will be taken, and from which instance of Merit it will be taken, my Wu Clan will decide."

"What?!"

Daoist Jieyin and Daoist Zhunti cried out at the same time.

One-third of the Merit earned by their Dao lineage!

And at some point in the future, no less!

This was practically cutting flesh from their bodies—and choosing to cut when they were at their fattest!

If Wu Ming were demanding some Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures from them now, even if it forced them to empty their homes and fortunes, they could grit their teeth and accept it.

But "one-third of the future Merit of their Dao lineage" carried far too many variables!

Who knew when the Wu Clan would come to collect it?

Who knew how much Merit their Western lands would possess then?

This was simply a bottomless pit!

Inside the hall, the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa's expressions changed drastically as well.

The way they looked at Wu Ming was filled with uncertainty and suspicion.

This Wu Ming had quite the appetite!

And he had actually foreseen that Jieyin and Zhunti would establish their own lineage in the future and gain merit?

Just what did he know?!

"Daoist Friend Wu Ming!" Daoist Jieyin's voice trembled as he hurriedly spoke. "This... this condition is rather too..."

He had wanted to say "harsh," but swallowed the word before it left his mouth.

They were the ones asking for help now.

"Could Daoist Friend... could you change the condition?" Jieyin tried to make his voice sound calmer. "So long as it is something my junior brother and I possess at present, whatever it may be, if Daoist Friend takes a liking to it, we will not utter a single objection!"

Zhunti nodded repeatedly beside him, forcing a smile uglier than tears. "Yes, yes, Daoist Friend Wu Ming. The future holds far too many variables. How about... how about we look at the present instead?"

They were truly afraid.

Things of the future were too illusory—and too easily used to hold them by the throat.

Wu Ming looked at the two of them and said unhurriedly, "Since that is the case... then I will not force you against your will."

"Then, the two Daoist Friends may hand over the Twelve-Grade Merit Golden Lotus to my Wu Clan."

The Twelve-Grade Merit Golden Lotus!

Jieyin and Zhunti's hearts clenched again!

This was the supreme treasure that suppressed the fortune of their Western land!

Though it was not as terrifying as one-third of the merit from their future lineage, it was still flesh being carved from their bodies!

The two exchanged a glance, each seeing the deep reluctance and struggle in the other's eyes.

Zhunti's eyes shifted as he probed, "Daoist Friend Wu Ming, look... the other Daoist Friends have all lent out their treasures, or temporarily used them as collateral."

"Could my senior brother and I... could we also lend this Merit Golden Lotus to Daoist Friend for a time?"

"Once we become Sages, we can reclaim it. How does that sound?"

He was trying to muddle through it, hoping to delay things for as long as he could.

But Wu Ming let out a cold laugh. "Heh. You two Daoist Friends are thinking far too simply."

"There are only these two conditions. Choose one."

The hall fell silent, broken only by Jieyin and Zhunti's heavy breathing.

The two looked at each other, seeing endless bitterness, struggle, and helplessness in the other's eyes.

The Twelve-Grade Merit Golden Lotus was their lifeblood. Without it, they would have a hard time even now.

But the merit of their future lineage was their hope of rising to prominence. With Wu Ming interfering like this, their prospects were uncertain.

After a long while, Daoist Jieyin let out a long sigh, his voice hoarse as grinding stone. "My junior brother and I... choose the first."

A satisfied smile appeared on Wu Ming's face. "Good. The two of you need not feel too distressed. The price the others have paid is no less than yours."

"Since all of you have agreed to the conditions, then please swear your oaths."

"I trust you all know the procedure."

Yuanshi Tianzun frowned and could not help but speak. "Wu Ming! We are all guests of the Purple Heaven Palace, with the Great Dao before us. Why would we break our word for such a petty gain?" His tone carried obvious displeasure.

Wu Ming was unconcerned, meeting Yuanshi's gaze directly. "Daoist Friend Yuanshi, that is not quite right. It is not that I distrust you all. It is simply that, in the future, all of you will be lofty Sages, looking down upon the Primordial Wilderness, your words becoming law. Though my Wu Clan possesses some strength now, compared to Sages, we are no more than ants."

"When that time comes, if we wish to collect on today's promises from you all, I fear we will not even be able to enter the Mountain Gates of your Dao Fields."

"A Heavenly Dao Oath is the fairest method. It is a safeguard for both sides, preventing unnecessary trouble from arising in the future."

His words were blunt and nakedly direct, yet so realistic that no one could refute them.

That all beneath Sages were ants was no empty saying.

Laozi's gaze was profound as he slowly nodded. "Agreed."

With that, he was the first to stir his own aura and swear an oath to the Great Dao, Great God Pangu, and the Heavenly Dao.

Yuanshi Tianzun gave a cold snort. Though unwilling, he understood that Wu Ming's words were true and could only follow suit in swearing the oath.

Afterward, Tongtian, Nuwa, and the ashen-faced Jieyin and Zhunti also swore their oaths in turn.

At the request of our many readers, we are now introducing an ad-free VIP membership feature.

Click to view