A Pleasant Trade

After scooping up the Green Lotus Platform and the Green Lotus Core Flame within it, Wu Yong transformed into a Green Light with his pet and left the place.

He had already made his choice and flew straight toward the Magic Beast Mountain Range within the Jia Ma Empire.

Holding an auction would indeed give him a better chance of obtaining what he wanted.

But... who knew what level of old monster a Green Lotus Core Flame might attract?

What if it was a Dou Zun powerhouse? Wouldn't he be screwed then?

In comparison, the risks of trading with Xiao Yan and his master were entirely controllable.

Even including the Young Lady of the Ancient Clan's guard, there would be, at most, the strength of two high-level Dou Emperors.

That little bit of power was completely insignificant in Wu Yong's eyes.

If things took a bad turn, he could simply use a Space Slash to kill that Ancient Clan guard, then slowly wear down that Old Ghost until he died!

That was Wu Yong's principle in handling matters: before anything began, he had to consider the worst possible outcome.

Xiao Yan, who was training beneath the waterfall, suddenly felt as though something was missing and subconsciously raised his head.

Then, he saw a figure—a radiant figure carrying the glow of Heavenly Flames slowly descending from the sky.

"Senior, a Heavenly Flame delivered right to your doorstep is something you can only hope to encounter~"

Splash...

In his daze, Xiao Yan was swept beneath the waterfall.

Just as he was about to swim back up, he saw the Senior he had met before curl a finger at him. Then an invisible force pulled him from the water onto the shore.

Feeling somewhat nervous, Xiao Yan politely thanked him. "Thank you, Senior."

"Junior, this is the Green Lotus Core Flame, ranked nineteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. Do you want it?"

"This..."

Xiao Yan was completely bewildered. His mind was filled with question marks.

Why did this Senior know he was here? Why did this Senior know he wanted a Heavenly Flame? Why did he even know of his teacher's existence? Why...

Countless questions flooded his mind, each more shocking than the last, leaving Xiao Yan unable to recover his senses for a time.

Xiao Yan's reaction was perfectly normal. If someone suddenly appeared before anyone carrying a Heavenly Flame and even asked their secretive teacher to come out and trade with him, who wouldn't be stunned?

Time passed bit by bit. Only the Green Lotus Core Flame, quietly burning atop the lotus platform in the shape of a lotus, occasionally made a faint sound.

The wind around Wu Yong supported the Green Lotus Platform, causing it to gently circle beside him.

Several minutes later, as Xiao Yan's breathing rhythm became disordered, an aged yet somewhat illusory figure drifted out from the black Storage Ring.

"Little friend, your methods truly are unfathomable. It seems this old man really has grown old..."

He had thought he had not revealed any clues, yet he had still been exposed. Yao Chen could not help letting out a long sigh.

Seeing the true party to this transaction appear, Wu Yong slowly descended as well.

The Green Lotus Core Flame descended with him.

"You flatter me, Senior. They are merely insignificant tricks not worth mentioning."

"Hehe..."

Yao Lao gave a bitter smile and shook his head. A useful method was a good method; who cared whether it was respectable or not?

The scene once again fell into silence.

The two looked at each other for a long while. In the end, seeing the determination in the young man's eyes, Yao Lao could not help sighing. "This Heavenly Flame—I'll take it. What do you want, little friend?"

"A Wind Attribute Di-tier Cultivation Method and Dou Technique, as well as a poison-attribute Di-tier Dou Technique."

"Two Di-tier Dou Techniques and one Di-tier Cultivation Method in exchange for a Heavenly Flame that is highly suitable for this Junior—and I even personally delivered the Heavenly Flame here."

"My price isn't expensive, is it, Senior?"

The corners of Wu Yong's lips curled slightly as he glanced at Xiao Yan, who seemed somewhat distressed over his teacher's wealth.

Silly boy, you truly have no idea how wealthy a top Eighth-rank Alchemist is.

And this was after he had lost most of his fortune while being hunted down. If it were Yao Chen's collection at his peak, he could easily buy ten Jia Ma Empires!

"It isn't expensive. Little friend, your price is very reasonable."

Sensing the fluctuations of spatial power from the young man before him, Yao Lao knew that he had to make this deal.

Having touched that level, this boy's strength absolutely could not be measured by the standards of an ordinary Dou Wang.

If they truly fought, Xiao Yan's current body could not withstand all of his power. He likely would not be this boy's opponent.

Since force would not work, he could only trade obediently.

Moreover, just as this boy had said, for a Heavenly Flame suitable for Xiao Yan to refine, this price was already very good.

Two Deep Green Scrolls and one Black-purple Scroll floated out of the black Storage Ring. Yao Lao made a gesture inviting him to inspect them and sent the three scrolls before Wu Yong.

Earth Tier High Grade Cultivation Method: Cangfeng Art

Earth Tier High-Level Dou Technique: Qianfeng Lie

Earth Tier High-Level Dou Technique: Modu Shixin

All three were Earth Tier High Grade. Their rank alone showed that they were treasures among Earth Tier techniques.

Ignoring what others might think, Wu Yong directly controlled the wind to open all three scrolls at once. Only after confirming there were no problems did he put them away.

"As expected of Senior. Your generosity truly earns this junior's admiration. A small token of my appreciation."

Wu Yong had achieved his goal, and even exceeded it, so he no longer cared about such trivial items.

Along with the Green Lotus Core Flame, he sent over three Earth Fire Lotus Seeds.

Upon seeing them, Yao Lao immediately recognized the three lotus seeds containing pure fire-attribute energy. They were indeed good items for Xiao Yan in his current state.

"Hehe, then this old man shall thank you, little friend."

"You're too polite, Senior. After all, I am also his Senior, hehe~"

Wu Yong chuckled softly. His figure instantly appeared at the horizon, transforming into a Green Light and vanishing into the distance in the blink of an eye.

Feeling those completely undisguised spatial fluctuations, a trace of amazement flashed through Yao Lao's eyes. "Good boy. If that fellow learned of this, he would surely kneel on the ground and beg me through tears to accept this disciple for him."

He was only a Dou Wang, yet he had already mastered spatial power to such an extent.

The barrier that existed for ordinary peak Dou Emperor powerhouses no longer existed before him.

He merely needed to cultivate step by step and accumulate energy, and he would be able to cultivate directly to the peak of Dou Zong...

If he had an Alchemist outstanding enough to assist his cultivation, this boy would probably soar to the heavens!

What a pity...

"Silly boy, stop staring. Go train over there. Once you break through to Dou Shi, it will be time for you to refine this Green Lotus Core Flame."

Lowering his head, he found Xiao Yan still looking up at the lingering white trail of clouds in the sky, unable to regain his senses for a long time.

The old man understood. This was the envy the weak felt toward the strong, as well as their pursuit of strength.

But that did not stop him from kicking Xiao Yan beneath the waterfall to snap the boy back to his senses.

"No matter how long you stare, that is still someone else's power. If you want to become stronger, if you want to refine this Heavenly Flame, you must at least break through to Dou Shi."

"Work hard, boy..."