On the western side of the Eastern Sea.
A small island that had never had much of a name suddenly grew lively.
Lin Yuan had finally chosen this place for the treasure ransom.
It was not too far from Golden Turtle Island.
And it was far enough from the main battlefield between Shang and Zhou.
If the negotiations really broke down.
They would not drag the mortal armies straight into it.
Kong Xuan arrived first.
He had changed out of his armor as the defending general of Golden Rooster Ridge and wore only a five-colored Daoist robe as he stood on the island, watching the sea.
By the time Lin Yuan, Zhao Gongming, and Holy Mother Huo Ling arrived, three objects had already been laid at his feet.
The Heaven-Flipping Seal.
The Yin-Yang Mirror.
The Immortal Binding Rope.
The three magical treasures lay quietly on the ground.
The sight made Zhao Gongming's eyes shine.
"Have all their owners' imprints been removed?"
Kong Xuan shook his head. "Only suppressed."
"They've refined these treasures for years."
"Forcibly erasing the imprints would take time."
Zhao Gongming crouched in front of the Heaven-Flipping Seal.
He examined it closely for a few moments.
"This thing really is handy for smashing people."
Lin Yuan stood beside him. "Do you like it, martial uncle?"
"I do," Zhao Gongming said.
"Then you can discuss it with Guangchengzi."
"Forget it."
Zhao Gongming immediately stood up.
"I'm only looking."
Seizing treasure from a fellow disciple's opponent and outright taking Guangchengzi's core magical treasure were different matters.
The former was spoils won on the battlefield.
The latter could easily kill off any relationship for good.
Kong Xuan clearly had no intention of actually swallowing up these three treasures, either.
Otherwise, he would not have asked Lin Yuan how to handle them.