Inside the private room.
Facing the two questions Fang Hong had raised.
The three exchanged glances, then Zhou Chengyuan pondered for a moment before replying:
"As for that Great Python's exact strength, we aren't entirely sure either."
"But judging from the casualties it caused when we entered last time, it should have only just entered Bone Refinement, or be around Bone Refinement Minor Success."
"But it definitely hasn't reached Bone Refinement Great Accomplishment."
"Otherwise, we wouldn't have escaped at all last time."
"As for the second point you mentioned," Zhou Chengyuan paused here.
"That depends on what Mister Fang wants."
At that, Fang Hong smiled faintly.
"What do I want?"
"Heavenly treasures, divine weapons, cultivation manuals, all kinds of precious medicines, even gold, silver, and jewels—I want them all. What can you give me?"
Hearing this, the three men all frowned slightly. After exchanging several more glances,
Zhou Chengyuan hardened his expression. "We can give Mister Fang twenty percent of this Water Origin Cave expedition's gains."
"Furthermore, regarding the cultivation manuals and precious medicines Mister Fang mentioned, we can provide you with some as well."
"As for common things such as gold, silver, and jewels, we definitely won't disappoint Mister Fang."
"I wonder what Mister Fang thinks?"
While waiting for Fang Hong that afternoon, the three of them had actually already discussed things.
The three had decided to form an alliance and jointly resist interference from other forces.
They had also discussed in advance the demands Fang Hong might make.
But Fang Hong merely raised a brow and said calmly, "Not enough."
The three men immediately grew tense.
Looking at their tense expressions, the corners of Fang Hong's lips lifted slightly.
"Without me, you can't deal with that Great Python at all."
"And according to what you said, other forces are also coveting Water Origin Cave."
"Without me, you'll likely end up not getting even a single hair."
"So," Fang Hong met their gazes and lightly spoke a sentence.
"I want fifty percent of this Water Origin Cave expedition's gains!"
Though it was only a light sentence, to the three men's ears, it was no different from a heavy hammer blow.
The three were all feeling rather miserable now.
Fang Hong directly asking for fifty percent of the gains was undoubtedly taking a huge bite out of what they had originally expected to receive.
Yet Fang Hong had not completely opened his mouth like a lion, greedy to a degree they could not accept.
Moreover, Fang Hong's reasoning was perfectly sound.
Without Fang Hong leading them, they could not even get past that Great Python.
With other forces interfering as well, they might very well end up not getting even a single hair.
Thus, after the three exchanged looks again for a moment,
Zhou Chengyuan said in a deep voice, "Forty percent."
"We can give you at most forty percent of this expedition's gains, but we can add more cultivation manuals and precious medicines."
"I wonder whether Mister Fang would be satisfied with that."
Hearing this, Fang Hong looked at the pained expressions on their faces and knew that this was perhaps the furthest they could compromise.
After pondering for a moment, Fang Hong finally nodded lightly.
"Then here's to a pleasant cooperation!"
"However, the cultivation manuals and precious medicines must be given to me before we set out."
Hearing that Fang Hong had finally agreed, all three were overjoyed.
"Good, good, good. The cultivation manuals and precious medicines will be delivered to you at once, sir."
"How about we set out tonight?"
"It's not that we mean to make things difficult for you, sir. Time is truly pressing, and we must reach Water Origin Cave before the others."
Zhou Chengyuan said excitedly.
"Fine." Fang Hong nodded.
When they set out made no difference to him.
However, the old man's words about immediately delivering the manuals and precious medicines
did make Fang Hong somewhat expectant.
He wondered how many cultivation manuals he would receive this time, and what level they would be.
Still, the techniques they were willing to give away probably would not be particularly precious.
But it did not matter. As long as they were cultivation techniques, they could strengthen Fang Hong in certain areas to some degree.
Even if he could not cultivate them, they could broaden his horizons and increase his knowledge.
They would lay a foundation for him to create his own cultivation techniques in the future.
"Then we'll take our leave first. We still need to hurry back and gather manpower."
"Mister Fang, see you tonight."
"See you tonight!"
The three then took their leave and departed Xuan Yue Inn.
Once outside Xuan Yue Inn, the three exchanged glances and all revealed faint smiles.
When they had discussed matters that afternoon, they had actually considered the possibility of Fang Hong opening his mouth like a lion.
Although the current outcome pained them somewhat, it was still within their expectations.
"Though we had to give more than we originally discussed, it is fortunate that it remains within expectations. At least we got Mister Fang to agree."
Zhou Chengyuan stroked his long beard and said with a chuckle.
Wu Pengjing nodded. "Yes, and Mister Fang does not seem like the kind of person who would tear down the bridge after crossing the river."
"We can be much more at ease about this operation."
Zhang Wenbin also smiled in agreement. "Indeed. As long as this expedition's gains reach our minimum expectations, we won't be at a loss."
"Alright, gentlemen, let's hurry and gather our manpower."
"Also, have someone quickly deliver the cultivation manuals and precious medicines promised to Mister Fang."
"Mister Fang is still waiting."
At this point, Zhou Chengyuan suddenly looked at the other two and said solemnly:
"Let this old man offer one more reminder. Judging people with the eye I have cultivated over so many years,"
"Although Mister Fang is not the sort to tear down the bridge after crossing the river, he should be someone who clearly distinguishes gratitude from grudges."
"So neither of you must try to play clever tricks."
"I do not demand that you offer up your most precious cultivation techniques, but at the very least, you cannot select nothing but techniques too shabby to be seen in public."
"If you make Mister Fang unhappy and he ends up showing up for work without putting in any effort, then we will truly be throwing away the watermelon to pick up sesame seeds."
Hearing this, the other two both nodded. "Rest assured. We are not so shortsighted."
The three then went their separate ways.
Meanwhile, Fang Hong waited expectantly for his cultivation techniques to arrive.
With the techniques they sent over, he should be able to make up for some of his shortcomings.
Though Fang Hong's current strength could be considered formidable,
it was not without weaknesses.
Long-distance movement techniques, footwork for dodging and shifting within short distances,
weapon techniques, long-range killing methods, body-tempering techniques that enhanced physical strength and defense,
techniques for injuring souls and defending against attacks on the soul, and so on and so forth.
He had none of them!
The more Fang Hong thought about it, the more he felt that he lacked far too much.
He had already transmigrated, and he even possessed a Golden Finger with heaven-defying effects.
Who would not want to become a well-rounded fighter?
At any rate, Fang Hong would not allow himself to have any shortcomings.
He would definitely make up for every one of his weaknesses, step by step!
Because a shortcoming meant a flaw,
and a flaw meant danger!
Before you continue