Mu Guangming's usually weathered face reddened for once, but he had no intention of backing down. He smiled and said, "Really, you can hardly blame me. You, Xu Yi, are simply too outstanding, too dazzlingly talented. The Elder Council has praised you highly as well. If I set terms by the standards of ordinary people, it would not only insult my own intelligence, but also underestimate you. Most importantly, I doubt the Elder Council would approve."
"Let's leave it at that. I believe in your strength, and even more in your ability. I'll provide you with a hundred Wind element Spirit Stones up front. Today is the second day of the month; I expect to see twenty Swift Wind Talismans by the second day of next month. The best I can get you is a full year's time. Do your best."
Xu Yi sighed outwardly, but inwardly he was already delighted.
No matter how cunning Mu Guangming was, he could never have guessed that Xu Yi's skill at refining Swift Wind Talismans had already reached perfection. He no longer knew what it meant to fail.
Even setting aside the near-impossibility of failure, out of a hundred Wind element Spirit Stones, he could still save nearly ninety.
So many Wind element Spirit Stones would be just what he needed to study the Raging Wind Talisman.
But since Mu Guangming had dealt him a harsh blow, how could Xu Yi pass up the chance to take a good bite out of him in return?
"Mr. Mu, if this doesn't count as a harsh demand, then I truly don't know what could. Still, since you've asked, I can't refuse you and embarrass you. I have a request of my own. I hope you'll agree to it."
"Go ahead. I'm listening," Mu Guangming said.