Persuading Lin Dong

Wu Yun's words made Lin Dong believe him a little more.

But the Stone Talisman was far too important to Lin Dong.

Although Wu Yun had left a good impression on him, he still did not dare trust him so easily.

After all, they had only known each other for a day! Hesitation appeared on Lin Dong's face.

Seeing this, Wu Yun knew there was hope.

At this point, the Heavenly Demon Mink within Lin Dong's Stone Talisman had yet to awaken. With no one to advise him, and with Lin Dong being inexperienced in the ways of the world, this was the best opportunity to persuade him.

"I wonder what Brother Wu Yun has?"

Lin Dong asked in return.

Both sides were now probing each other.

"There's something inside my body!"

Wu Yun pointed to himself.

"I can't really explain what it is. It's incredibly miraculous. I've already obtained a cultivation manual from it, and I feel this is only the beginning. In the future, it may give me even more, and even more powerful treasures from time to time."

Wu Yun intended to use the Heavenly Mystery Skill to coax Lin Dong into revealing and sharing the Stone Talisman. As for the rewards he obtained through future sign-ins, he could share some with Lin Dong depending on the circumstances. Naturally, he could not share everything with Lin Dong—that was unnecessary. He bore Lin Dong no ill will and could give him suitable benefits according to his needs. Lin Dong would not lose out anyway, while Wu Yun would make a huge profit.

"You know about cultivation manuals, right?"

Lin Dong said somewhat awkwardly, "I don't know about that yet."

Wu Yun sighed. The current Lin Dong was only at the Body Tempering Seventh Level. He had always kept his head down and trained, so he knew far too little.

Wu Yun first deliberately glanced around cautiously, then pulled Lin Dong closer and spoke solemnly in a low voice by his ear.

"Lin Dong, you cannot tell anyone about our conversation today, including your father. This is my greatest secret. If I hadn't sensed today that you had something similar, I would never have said it. Now, you are the only person who knows my secret."

Lin Dong nodded seriously, trusting Wu Yun a little more. "Rest assured, Brother Wu Yun. Lin Dong understands the importance of this. I haven't told anyone about mine either."

Under the grave atmosphere Wu Yun had deliberately created, Lin Dong finally admitted with certainty that he possessed something as well.

"Good, then I'll tell you! Cultivation manuals generally begin to be practiced only upon reaching the Earth Yuan Stage. They are more mysterious and powerful than martial arts. Whenever one appears, it is bound to spark bloody struggles among the major powers.

Martial arts are divided into ranks one through nine, while manuals are divided into first-class, second-class, and third-class, from highest to lowest! A third-class manual can open at most ten meridians, a second-class one at most thirty, and a first-class one at most fifty!

As far as I know, your Lin Family's Qingyang Skill is a third-class manual, and it can only open four meridians.

The manuals possessed by the Lei Family, the Xie Family, and our Mad Blade Martial Arts School are likewise third-class manuals.

Just imagine it: a mere third-class manual has already created the four great powers of Qingyang Town.

If someone obtained a second-class, or even a first-class manual, given enough time, they would surely be able to establish a force stronger than Qingyang Town's four great powers."

After explaining the strength and importance of cultivation manuals to Lin Dong, Wu Yun paused to give him time to process it.

"Then, Brother Wu Yun, what class is the cultivation manual you obtained?" As expected, Lin Dong immediately played along.

Wu Yun's buildup had completely stirred up his anticipation.

Wu Yun remained unhurried, an arrogant smile curling his lips. "Take a guess?"

"Could it be a first-class manual?" Lin Dong blurted out, his heart racing.

A first-class manual would be enough to sweep through Qingyang Town.

However, Wu Yun shook his head!

Lin Dong was puzzled. "It isn't?"

Wu Yun looked proud as he replied with certainty, "Of course not. Why would a first-class manual be worth such caution from me?

Above first-class manuals, there are actually even more miraculous and powerful manuals. Some can even open all the meridians in the body, directly forming endlessly circulating vortices within the skin and flesh. At that point, even when you aren't cultivating, those vortices will continuously draw Primal Force from heaven and earth, tempering your body and filling your Dantian."

"Gasp!"

Lin Dong sucked in a breath. "Could it be...?"

Wu Yun said, "That's right. What I obtained is a manual that stands above even first-class manuals, one even more miraculous and powerful. Not only that, it also contains martial arts meant to complement the cultivation method. Their rank isn't stated, but I can guarantee they are above rank three, perhaps even beyond rank nine!"

Although he had yet to begin cultivating it, Wu Yun had already gained a rough understanding of the Heavenly Treasure Record. Its core, the Heavenly Mystery Skill, could open all the meridians in the body and cultivate into the flesh and skin. The inner force it produced would be inexhaustible and unending.

Wu Yun was not sure what rank the Heavenly Mystery Skill could reach in this world, but he believed it was definitely above these so-called first-class manuals.

And even if it was not, he had to say it was for now. Before that shrewd yet foolish mink in the Stone Talisman awakened, he needed to fool Lin Dong first.

Besides, martial arts like the Mysterious Jade Hand, Purple Demon Eye, Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, and Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon were quite formidable too! At the very least, they could intimidate the current Lin Dong! "Such a powerful cultivation method must be among the finest even in the Great Yan Dynasty!" Lin Dong exclaimed instinctively.

"I've decided to share this cultivation method with you!" Wu Yun reminded him again. "So you must keep it secret. A third person cannot learn of this, or both of us will be in danger."

Lin Dong was somewhat moved. "Such an important cultivation method, and Brother Wu Yun is actually willing to share it with me!"

"Of course, but not for free. I also want to know the use and value of the thing you obtained!"

"Then we can share each other's secrets!"

Wu Yun spoke seriously. Since he wanted to make use of Lin Dong's Stone Talisman, he naturally had to show sufficient sincerity. Lin Dong was no fool. In the original story, he had never voluntarily told a second person his secret from beginning to end, not even his parents.

Lin Dong said, "Brother Wu Yun's manual is so precious. Aren't you afraid of losing out? Perhaps my secret isn't even worth a third-class manual!"

"I trust my instincts. If it can trigger a reaction from the thing inside my body, then your treasure cannot be anything ordinary!" Wu Yun said firmly.

Then he looked earnestly at Lin Dong and waited for his decision.

Lin Dong hesitated greatly. The Stone Talisman was too important to him, but Wu Yun's words had also tempted him greatly.

"Don't you trust me?" Wu Yun frowned.

"No, of course not. If I didn't trust Brother Wu Yun, I wouldn't have taken the initiative to invite you to stay," Lin Dong hurriedly explained.

The Stone Talisman's reaction would not deceive him.

It was just that Wu Yun was stronger than him. Lin Dong was worried that after he revealed it, Wu Yun might simply seize his Stone Talisman.

"Please forgive me, Brother Wu Yun. What I have is rather special, so it is inconvenient to reveal it directly. If Brother Wu Yun truly trusts Lin Dong, could you let Lin Dong see the manual you mentioned first?"

As he spoke, Lin Dong added, "Lin Dong is not as strong as Brother Wu Yun. I would absolutely not dare deceive you, Brother."

So you're worried I'll rob you... Only then did Wu Yun understand Lin Dong's concern.

Lin Dong saw things clearly. So-called sharing and cooperation had to be built upon equal strength, otherwise there could be no fairness.

Wu Yun was stronger than Lin Dong now, so he naturally held more power in their discussion. After all, in this world, strength was reason.

"I didn't think it through, but you are cautious enough. This is your Lin Family. Even if I truly meant you harm, I wouldn't be able to leave."

"But as I said, this is your Lin Family. What if I give you the cultivation method and you refuse to let me go?"

Wu Yun laid it all out plainly.

"How could that be? I, Lin Dong, am not that kind of person. Besides, Brother Wu Yun has the Mad Blade Martial Arts School behind you. Our Lin Family would not dare touch you," Lin Dong hurriedly explained.

Wu Yun naturally knew Lin Dong's character. He said it deliberately, intending to completely dispel all of Lin Dong's concerns.

He waved his hand at Lin Dong, signaling for him to listen. "Lin Dong, I know we have only just met. It is difficult for us to reveal our secrets to each other so suddenly. I watched your match and came to understand you somewhat. I believe you are not a hypocritical and treacherous person.

"But I was actually taking a gamble too. When you invited me to stay, I hesitated. I wasn't sure whether you would have the Lin Family attack me directly and seize my opportunity.

"I gambled that you weren't that kind of person, so I stayed. Only until just now did I dare make the decision to reveal my secret first."

Wu Yun appealed to both emotion and reason.

Lin Dong felt deeply ashamed upon hearing this. After all, he had been the one to invite Wu Yun, and while he worried that Wu Yun might attack him, the other party had also been worried that his family might attack him.

For Wu Yun to come this far already showed immense trust in him.

Seeing Lin Dong's reaction, Wu Yun felt that this was practically settled.

Of course, Wu Yun could be so frank because he had foreknowledge. He had read the original story and knew Lin Dong's character.

Wu Yun struck while the iron was hot and continued stirring his emotions. "I believe that, like me, you were excited when you learned the other person possessed something similar, and wanted to understand it as soon as possible."

"Our secrets are both immense, but since we are going to cooperate, we must be sincere. We cannot keep our guard up against each other."

"Don't you agree?"

Lin Dong's eyes were already misty with tears.

"Lin Dong is ashamed. I nearly betrayed Brother Wu Yun's trust."