Transaction

Ning Fengzhi's smile stiffened slightly.

He gave Lan Aotian a deep look, a hint of unfathomable meaning flashing through his eyes.

An ordinary person could never have known about these three things.

Jadeite Ganoderma, Earth Vein Blood Ginseng, and Ghost Vine Crystal over 300 years old—each was a legendary treasure of heaven and earth. An ordinary Soul Master had never seen them, and might not even have heard of them.

Even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had only a scant supply.

Yet this man before him had asked for all three as soon as he opened his mouth.

"Brother Lin certainly has a big appetite." Ning Fengzhi's smile returned, his tone still gentle. "These three things are no ordinary treasures. May I ask what you need them for?"

Lan Aotian's expression remained unchanged. "Alchemy."

"Alchemy?" Ning Fengzhi's eyes shifted slightly. "What kind of pill requires such precious ingredients?"

Lan Aotian looked at him and said calmly, "Sect Master Ning, you're asking too much."

Ning Fengzhi froze slightly, then smiled and cupped his hands. "I was being presumptuous."

He paused, then continued, "Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect does have some stock of these three ingredients. But they're worth a fortune and won't be sold lightly."

Lan Aotian nodded. "I know. That's why I'm not asking for them for free. I'm offering an exchange."

"What will you exchange for them?"

Lan Aotian did not answer immediately. Instead, he took a small jade bottle from his Storage Ring.

The jade bottle was about the size of a thumb, crystal clear all over. Within it, a jade green liquid could faintly be seen flowing.

He pulled out the stopper.

An aura of life so dense it seemed to have reached its limit instantly spread through the air!

That aura was incomparably pure, as though it contained the spirits of plants and the essence of heaven and earth. Just taking in a single breath refreshed the mind, while the fatigue and hidden injuries in one's body seemed to be soothed somewhat!

Ning Fengzhi's pupils contracted slightly!

As the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he had seen countless rare treasures, yet he had never encountered such pure life essence!

"This is..." His voice carried a trace of shock.

"Blue Silver Emperor Life Essence." Lan Aotian's tone was calm. "A single drop can heal any nonfatal internal or external injury, extend one's lifespan by ten years, and help plant-type martial spirits awaken and evolve."

He had not lied.

This was indeed life essence refined from his Blue Silver Emperor Origin. Every drop contained several hundred years of his cultivation and was incomparably precious.

Of course, given his current age and strength, refining a drop like this was not too difficult. But to the outside world, it was a priceless treasure.

Ning Fengzhi took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart.

The way he looked at Lan Aotian had completely changed.

Anyone capable of producing something like this could never be an unknown nobody.

Blue Silver Emperor... Those three words reminded him of an old incident that had shocked the continent many years ago.

"Brother Lin... what is your relationship with the Blue Silver Emperor, Ah Yin?" he asked tentatively.

Lan Aotian looked at him, the corners of his lips lifting slightly. "Sect Master Ning, you're asking about something you shouldn't."

Ning Fengzhi smiled bitterly and cupped his hands. "I misspoke."

He pondered for a moment, then said seriously, "Brother Lin, this life essence of yours is indeed incomparably precious. But I'm afraid a single drop won't be enough to exchange for those three ingredients."

Lan Aotian nodded. "I know. That's why this is only a deposit."

He paused, then looked straight at Ning Fengzhi. "I'll do one thing for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Anything. Once it's done, I'll pay three more drops in exchange for those three ingredients."

A sharp glint flashed through Ning Fengzhi's eyes.

Anything?

That promise was too great.

So great that even he, the sect master of a sect, had to consider it carefully.

The man before him possessed unfathomable strength. Even Uncle Jian had said he was not certain of victory.

If they could obtain his help with one matter... its value would be immeasurable.

But he also understood what lay behind this promise.

It meant owing someone a favor.

A major favor.

Although the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was the richest sect under heaven, it never lightly owed anyone a favor.

Especially not to someone of unknown origin whose strength was unfathomable.

Ning Fengzhi was silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Brother Lin's proposal is indeed tempting. But there is one thing Fengzhi does not understand."

"Go on."

"With Brother Lin's strength, if you truly wanted those three ingredients, you could search for them yourself, or... use other means."

Ning Fengzhi looked straight at Lan Aotian. "Why insist on making this deal with my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

Lan Aotian looked at him and suddenly smiled.

The smile was faint, yet carried an indescribable meaning.

"Because you have them, and I don't."

"Because you are the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, while I am not part of any faction for the time being."

"Because I need allies, not enemies."

He paused, his gaze deepening. "Sect Master Ning, do you think that reason is enough?"

Ning Fengzhi was stunned.

He had not expected the man before him to be so direct.

So direct that it was almost frank.

There was no false politeness or deliberate mystery. He had simply placed his needs on the table.

He needed an ally.

An ally with resources, connections, and influence.

And the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect happened to meet all those conditions.

Ning Fengzhi remained silent for a long time before suddenly smiling.

This time, his smile was far more sincere.

"Brother Lin is refreshingly straightforward. It seems Fengzhi was judging a gentleman with a petty man's heart."

He extended his hand and said solemnly, "My Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect accepts this deal."

Lan Aotian reached out and shook his hand.

"Three drops of life essence. The deposit has been paid. Once the matter is done, I'll pay three more." He took out the small jade bottle and handed it over.

Ning Fengzhi accepted it and carefully put it away. He said seriously, "Rest assured, Brother Lin. Fengzhi will have people retrieve those three ingredients from the sect's stores as soon as possible. They can be handed over once we arrive at Spirit City."

Lan Aotian nodded. "There's no rush. The things I want aren't urgent. The matter I need to handle isn't urgent either."

He paused, then looked at Ning Fengzhi. "Sect Master Ning, if I need your help with something, how should I contact you?"

Ning Fengzhi took out a palm-sized Glazed Tile Token and handed it over.

The token was crystal clear all over. A seven-story pagoda was engraved on the front, while the character "Ning" was carved on the back.

"This is the Guest Elder Token of my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Although it carries no real authority, it can be used to enter and leave any branch of our sect. It can also be used to contact Fengzhi directly."

Lan Aotian accepted the token and put it into his Storage Ring.

"Thank you."

Ning Fengzhi smiled, then glanced at him again, seeming to want to say something but stopping himself.

In the end, he could not hold back and asked, "Is Brother Lin traveling to Spirit City this time?"

Lan Aotian nodded. "I'm escorting this shipment of supplies."

Ning Fengzhi's eyes shifted slightly. "Does Brother Lin have any interest in the Spirit Hall Finals?"

Lan Aotian looked at him, the corners of his lips lifting slightly. "What is Sect Master Ning trying to say?"

Ning Fengzhi smiled. "The continent's various factions will gather at the Finals. Although our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will not participate in the fighting, we do have seats to watch the matches. If Brother Lin is interested, you can sit with us. It would also be convenient for us to look after one another."

Lan Aotian pondered briefly.

Traveling with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would indeed save him a great deal of trouble.

Moreover, observing the various factions up close would greatly benefit his understanding of this world's power structure.

"That works."

Ning Fengzhi said happily, "Then it's settled. We'll set off together tomorrow morning."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Ning Fengzhi took his leave.

Lan Aotian watched him return to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's camp before turning around and going back to his tent.