Negotiation

At dawn, Fang Huai stood by the lakeside railing, admiring the scenery of the South Marsh.

The rising sun had just begun to shine, all things stirring to life, the water's surface shimmering with scattered golden light.

Fish leaped eagerly from the water, splashing crystalline droplets.

Having not slept all night, his body felt no trace of fatigue; on the contrary, his Dao heart was at ease, and the worries and displeasures of recent days had been cast beyond the nine clouds.

Having come to this world for quite some time, this was the first time he had simply appreciated beautiful scenery, and he couldn't help but be somewhat entranced.

"Senior Brother, what are you thinking about?"

Liu Xiange pushed open the door, her jade feet touching the ground as she landed lightly beside Fang Huai.

She had just woken up, the corners of her eyes slightly swollen, her hair disheveled and fluttering in the wind.

After coiling her hair into a bun, she took out her Spirit Beast Bag, patted it a few times, and the Blood Gu Centipede, Little Red, crawled out.

Trapped in the Spirit Beast Bag all night, Little Red had developed hostility toward Fang Huai, swaying its body and baring its fangs at him.

Liu Xiange soothed it for a long time before it reluctantly crawled onto her head and burrowed into her hair bun.

"This little thing is quite protective of its master," Fang Huai remarked with a smile upon seeing this.

"Maybe the soundproofing of the Spirit Beast Bag is too poor, and it mistakenly thought I was in danger."

"Then it must have had a rough night—probably anxious the whole time!"

With tacit understanding, they exchanged a smile.

"I was thinking, if only I could keep basking in the sunlight and enjoying this beautiful scenery forever," Fang Huai said wistfully.

"If Senior Brother likes it, I'll go ask Senior Brother Lin if we can stay a few more days."

"A few more days?" Fang Huai sighed. "We're enjoying many benefits, but what about the Zheng Family?

To cater to us, they're not only spending their wealth but also making their clan women sacrifice their charms. I can't bear to let them keep forcing themselves."

Liu Xiange fell silent, then said, "Then what do you think—would life be better in the territory of the Mystic Sword Sect?"

Fang Huai shook his head. "Remember Jin Xiaoxiao? She was originally from a wealthy family, living in a mortal town under the Mystic Sword Sect's jurisdiction. But overnight, the entire city's populace was slaughtered by the Mystic Sword Sect."

"How did Senior Brother find out?"

"I heard it by chance..."

"..."

Even though Fang Huai possessed the system and considered himself a chosen one, he still constantly faced danger, living a life of uncertainty.

Whether spending time with Liu Xiange or listening to Jin Xiaoxiao recount her past, what Fang Huai heard was mostly the perilous nature of the cultivation world.

Once you entered the Corpse Sha Sect, your life was no longer your own.

When you would die, how you would die, and even whether your soul could reincarnate—all were unknown.

Under such circumstances, Fang Huai and they both understood without words, engaging only in fleeting encounters.

Each took what they needed, indulging freely, without forming bonds or leaving attachments.

Afterward, Fang Huai and Liu Xiange drank wine and admired the scenery, Wu Sanli wallowed in pleasure, and Lin Qian unscrupulously drained the Zheng Family's blood and qi.

The Zheng Family ultimately couldn't hold out any longer.

That evening after the banquet, Zheng Fengzu dismissed the singing and dancing girls and said:

"Esteemed immortals have come to collect the annual tribute, haven't you? This old man has long prepared it. Why not take a look first?"

Lin Qian nodded. It was already no small feat that the Zheng Family had allowed them to indulge so freely for so long with such a low posture; it was time for him to reveal the true purpose of this visit.

Seeing Lin Qian's agreement, Zheng Shuzu clapped his hands as a signal.

Five youths at the First Layer of Qi Refining pushed open the door and entered.

"These are the Outer Disciples to be handed over to the sect."

Lin Qian swept his gaze over them and said, "Their talent is mediocre, but they barely meet the entry requirements. What about the Spirit Stones?"

Zheng Fengzu then ordered someone to present a pouch and place it before Lin Qian.

Lin Qian opened the pouch, immersed his mind within it, then set it down and said coldly, "Not enough!"

"Not enough?" Zheng Fengzu was slightly stunned. "Immortal Lin, you couldn't have misjudged, could you? The Storage Bag contains a full one thousand and fifty Spirit Stones.

One thousand is the annual tribute, and the remaining fifty is a token of appreciation for the immortals' hard work."

"I said not enough, so it's not enough!"

Lin Qian sneered, and a letter flew toward Zheng Fengzu: "I'm not deliberately making things difficult for the Zheng Family. See for yourself."

Zheng Fengzu read the letter, his face turning pale, his hands trembling uncontrollably: "Two thousand Spirit Stones? Recruiting ten disciples? Isn't this demanding our lives?"

Lin Qian said, "Patriarch Zheng, don't speak recklessly. The sect has its own considerations.

The Corpse Sha Sect has sheltered the Zheng Family for many years. Now that the sect is at a critical moment in its war with the Mystic Sword Sect, it's time for you to repay the sect."

"Don't push us too far!"

The Zheng clan members glared angrily: "To support the Corpse Sha Sect, all our clan members at the mid-to-late Qi Refining stages have already died on the battlefield. Now you're taking advantage of our plight—what is your intention?"

"Don't think the Zheng Family is made of paper. If we can't survive, we might as well fight to the bitter end."

"Fight to the bitter end?" Wu Sanli sneered, his baleful sha aura shooting toward the speaker. "You're not even worthy!"

"Golden Light Talisman!"

Zheng Shuzu's face shifted dramatically as he flashed in front of that clansman, conjuring a spirit barrier to shield them both.

The baleful sha struck the barrier, actually cracking it.

Zheng Fengzu roared in anger: "Immortal Master, this Zheng clansman merely spoke a word of fairness—why would you strike with such venom! If I hadn't reacted swiftly, he would have died on the spot!"

"Sha-Breaking Sword!"

Lin Qian drew his spirit sword and slashed the Golden Light barrier to pieces in one stroke, the blade stopping less than an inch above Zheng Fengzu's head.

Watching the sweat beads on Zheng Fengzu's brow, Lin Qian sneered: "Spouting arrogant nonsense, intent on rebellion! With my fellow disciples as witnesses, wiping out the Zheng Family would be entirely justified!"

Fang Huai said nothing. Though Lin Qian was arrogant, his words were not wrong.

What that Zheng clansman had just said, if scrutinized, could indeed be punished as treason against the sect.

The two sides remained locked in stalemate for a moment. Zheng Fengzu let out a sigh and spoke: "Immortal Master, we can provide ten disciples, but we truly cannot scrape together two thousand Spirit Stones. Might this humble one ask if the Immortal Master has any interest in a Water Spirit Pearl?"

"Oh? What kind of demon beast produced this Water Spirit Pearl?"

"An Azure Wave Jade Carp!"

"A Water Spirit Pearl comes from a late-stage Qi Refining demon beast, a product before its demon core fully forms. It aids disciples with water or ice spirit roots in cultivation and has a calming effect—truly something the Corpse Sha Sect needs. Pricing it at five hundred Spirit Stones is reasonable."

"Five hundred Spirit Stones? This kind of rare item would sell for over a thousand Spirit Stones in the market and still be snatched up!" a Zheng clansman protested indignantly.

Zheng Fengzu raised his hand to silence the clansman: "It is indeed reasonable, but the Immortal Masters will need to slay the demon beast themselves."

"Old fool, are you playing with us?" Wu Sanli cursed angrily. "If we had the strength to kill a late-stage Qi Refining demon beast, would we still be here wasting words with you?"

Lin Qian's face darkened further. Just as he was about to lose his temper, Zheng Fengzu quickly explained:

"The Zheng Family originally lived about two hundred li north of here, protected by a formation left by our ancestors. Ten years ago, that Azure Wave Jade Carp strayed into the family-protecting formation and became trapped there. To prevent the beast from breaking through the formation and harming people, the Zheng Family relocated here entirely. That beast was originally at the eighth layer of Qi Refining, but after more than ten years of attrition within the formation, its strength is far from what it once was."

Seeing that the few of them remained silent, Zheng Fengzu stood up: "If the Immortal Masters are unwilling to take the risk, then this old man will pawn everything he owns. I'll find a way to gather the remaining Spirit Stones so you all can return and report your mission."

Lin Qian seized his wrist, eyes flickering with barely concealed greed: "Family Head Zheng, how can you guarantee that this demon beast definitely has a Water Spirit Pearl?"

Zheng Fengzu said: "Over the past ten years, countless clansmen have seen this beast spit out a spirit pearl, absorbing the essence of sun and moon. If Zheng Fengzu's words prove false, the Immortal Masters may slaughter the entire Zheng Family."