The old man was very assertive, and his tone seemed to leave no room for argument.
However, Jiang Ping knew that not only him, but even the Three Great Families of Black River would have to be cautious when dealing with this person.
The Lu Family of Cloud Marsh, Glorious Family with Matchless Martial Saint in existence!
Moreover, that martial saint was not nearing the end of his lifespan, but was at his Peak.
Jiang Ping remained impassive, quickly skimming through the contract, and immediately felt displeased.
This is not a transaction or a promise at all; it's more like a contract of servitude. Once signed, it's like putting a dog leash on him, forcing him to share hardships with the Lu Family, and even become their henchman.
However, the resources offered by the other party were not sincere enough; they did not even provide Six Supreme Qi, only three.
Furthermore, the contract also stipulated that he must write down the complete Recovery Technique.
Jiang Ping's eyes darkened slightly; this was taking advantage of his lack of support.
He said, "I'm sorry, I cannot sign this contract."
"Not enough?" Lu Hai looked up and said, "There's another type of Qi that our clan doesn't have yet, but we'll provide it for you in two years. With your talent, plus the Two Segments of Saint, you'll have no problem breaking through to Martial Saint. That Jiang Saint, who has the same talent as you, successfully became Becoming a Saint with Saint Foundation."
"I apologize, senior. I am always cautious and hope to solidify my foundation. Without the Six Qi, I will not enter the Golden Core realm."
Jiang Ping declined.
Lu Hai pondered for a moment and said, "If you really want to forge the Three Segments of Saint Foundation, my clan can also find a way for you. Once you sign, I will start working on it after I return."
Jiang Ping shook his head firmly.
He hasn't even seen a single Supreme External Qi, let alone Six Qi of qi. How can they expect him to sign a contract like that, or swear an oath? That's utterly absurd.
Moreover, even if all Six Qi were present, the conditions would still be too demanding for him.
Everyone in the world knows that those with Martial Bone Talent have a high probability of Becoming a Saint; there are only two or three recorded instances of failure in history.
Lu Hai looked at him and said, "Young man, you should think this through. You come from humble beginnings and probably don't know the strength of the Saint Clan. With a sage from our clan paving the way for you, your future will be much easier."
"Moreover, even among Martial Saints, there are varying degrees of strength, involving Dao Struggle. If one chooses the wrong path, one will not be facing some Wang Family, but rather the Killing intent of a Saint."
Jiang Ping remained calm and unmoved, offering a tactful refusal.
Lu Hai stared at him, his eyes filled with undisguised coldness. "I think you need to think this over carefully. I'll give you time to consider it. For the sake of your friends and family, without someone to protect you, it's easy for your efforts to fail."
Jiang Ping detected a hint of threat in the other person's words. Just as he was about to respond, the other person added, "The contract is here. Sign it within three days, and I'll come to collect it."
Having said that, Lu Hai got up and left without giving Jiang Ping a chance to refuse.
Jiang Ping glanced at the contract, closed the door, and seemed to show little emotion on the surface.
In the afternoon, Jiang Ping met with Chen Qingyan for lunch as usual.
The girl spoke up, saying, "There's plenty of time in the future."
Jiang Ping glanced sideways. "You heard everything?"
Chen Qingyan nodded and said, "I was practicing my sword next door. Not only did he hear me, but he also asked me my name."
"..." Jiang Ping.
That old bastard is really domineering. We'll see.
Two days later.
Headmaster Qin appeared and brought back news from the Royal Family.
"Two kinds of energy, two promises," Qin Yuanzi stated directly, adding, "I also need you to offer that Recovery Technique."
"Younger generation..."
Jiang Ping remained silent for a while.
Headmaster Qin said, "It's your choice; I won't force you."
"I'm sorry," Jiang Ping immediately refused.
He would consider a promise if it were just a formality, but when it involves Bone Technique, there's no need to hesitate.
This Innate Bone Technique was far more powerful and precious than he had shown; he believed that even six types of qi might not be enough to exchange for it.
Once exposed, he will likely become the target of public criticism again.
"I can't help you grow quickly and solidify your foundation. Since you've rejected the Royal Family's conditions, you'll have to choose among those Imperial City Families in the capital," Headmaster Qin added.
Afternoon.
A group of Martial Dao Golden Core experts arrived together, all from the Imperial City.
Jiang Ping, neither humble nor arrogant, invited them inside for tea to discuss the matter.
Some people were polite, amiable, and friendly, and their conditions were reasonable.
Some people are relatively assertive, even more so than Lu Hai, and are equally anxious.
Jiang Ping learned that all those who were domineering were either powerful martial saints currently existing in their clans, and their Lineage were glorious.
There was also an even more powerful old man, Lu Hai Deng, who immediately made him sign a "Ox-Horse Contract," requiring him to Blood Oath with blood as the bond.
However, his approach to resource cultivation was vague, and it's estimated that he didn't intend to cultivate him with the Six Supreme Qi. Like Lu Hai, he believed that for Martial Bone talent, only four types of the Supreme External Qi were sufficient, and that more would be a waste of resources.
Of course, one of the conditions is that Recovery Technique must be offered.
"I apologize, but I believe that only with a solid foundation in Martial Dao can one enter the Golden Core Realm without mastering the Six Qi."
Jiang Ping tried his best to control his emotions and spoke very tactfully.
"Young man, don't make a mistake. Think it through before you speak. My Zheng Family is no ordinary Saint Clan. Today, we have Two Saints in One Clan. If you don't join, the loss will be immeasurable," Zheng Yaochen said calmly.
"Senior, my junior brother has already explained it very clearly: one must gather the Six Qi." Lusheng couldn't help but speak up from the side.
He was there to back Jiang Ping up, fearing that the other party couldn't handle the situation alone, so he spoke for him on some matters that were difficult to say outright.
"Hmm?" Zheng Yaochen looked over, and Lusheng's eyes changed drastically. His face turned pale, and his mouth opened, but he couldn't say a word.
"Senior!" Jiang Ping spoke up. This man was even more domineering Lu Hai. He had clearly come to him of his own accord, yet he suppressed the senior brother who spoke up for him. Was this the proper way to invite someone?
"Think carefully before you speak." Zheng Yaochen said calmly, sipping the tea that Headmaster Qin had given to Jiang Ping, seemingly trying to intimidate him.
Bang!
The next moment, his teacup shattered, and shards grazed Zheng Yaochen's cheek, leaving deep bloodstains.
Furthermore, his chair exploded, and Jiang Ping vaguely saw Bai Ju on the other side.
"Who?"
Zheng Yaochen's face instantly darkened, and his supreme Golden Core in his abdomen suddenly revived. The terrifying pressure made Jiang Ping and Lusheng feel immense pressure, and their bodies churned.
"Your grandpa, wanna fight?"
The voice came from outside, sounding somewhat aged, yet even more powerful.
Zheng Yaochen looked up, a flash of Killing intent crossing his eyes, but he made no further move, his right hand unconsciously covering his buttocks.
The others looked at the newcomer with some trepidation.
Jiang Ping looked up with difficulty, and couldn't help but swallow hard.
The person approached slowly, leaning on a cane.
"Put away your scraggly Golden Core. If you keep showing it off, I'll destroy it."
He was very strong; his cultivation surpassed that of everyone present.
Moreover, his words and actions were even more domineering than Zheng Yaochen's. He immediately walked to the head seat and stared at Zheng Yaochen: "Before you get out, get a chair for your grandfather. This head seat is not for you to sit in!"
Zheng Yaochen looked at this person with a murderous aura. His Zheng Family was Two Saints in One Clan!
However, noticing the coldness in the other person's eyes, he obediently went to move a chair.
"The two juniors stay here, everyone else get out! Get out! If anyone stays, I'll destroy their Golden Core!"
After the visitor took the seat of honor, he announced that the Clear the field, which was too forceful.