Shangguan Lie's breathing gradually grew heavier.
His fists clenched tightly inside his sleeves, his knuckles white from the force.
The ambition suppressed for thousands of years, the desire to lead the Taia Immortal Vein back to its peak—and even beyond it—was utterly ignited at that moment!
He snapped his head up and stared at Zhou Xuan with bloodshot eyes. "Your terms!" he demanded hoarsely. "Name your terms!"
As long as he could achieve all this, he was willing to pay any price!
Those were precisely the words Zhou Xuan had been waiting for.
He raised one finger and spoke with a calm expression.
"First, the Taia Immortal Vein must keep its lips sealed about the divine stone's source. If so much as half a word leaks out, our cooperation ends immediately."
"Second, I want ten percent of the immortal vein-grade ore the Taia Immortal Vein produces each year, along with... some of your advanced cultivation techniques."
"Third, I need to establish a secret trade route within the Taia Immortal Vein's territory, free from anyone's oversight. That route will belong to me alone."
At these three conditions, Qian Zhao and the others sucked in sharp breaths.
Every one of them was a lion opening its maw to demand an outrageous price!
Yet Zhou Xuan had not finished speaking.
Watching Shangguan Lie's shifting expression, he delivered his final—and most lethal—condition.
"Lastly, and most importantly."
"The Meridian-Stabilizing Divine Stone is for rent, not for sale."
"Depending on the sincerity the Taia Immortal Vein demonstrates, I will supply them in batches through 'eligibility.' As for when I supply them, how many I supply, and when I cut off the supply..."
A teasing curve lifted the corner of Zhou Xuan's mouth.
"All of that rests on a single thought of mine."
As his words fell,