White light surged into Zhang Chulan's forehead. He let out a miserable cry, then fainted pathetically, unable to bear the overwhelming flood of information.
"How do you know that?" Feng Baobao suddenly ignored Zhang Chulan and looked at Lin Xian instead, confusion appearing in her eyes as she asked in puzzlement.
She clearly remembered that she had been the last person to obtain the Old Peasant Skill.
Could it be that Lin Xian had known Zhang Xilin before her?
Why Lin Xian knew Qi-State Origin-Flow was the question in everyone's hearts.
Everyone stared intently at him. Only Xu San suddenly recalled that when Lin Xian had first appeared, he had said he had discussed the Dao with Zhang Xilin. Could Zhang Xilin have given him Qi-State Origin-Flow as well?
That was one of the Eight Extraordinary Skills!
"This technique originated from Zhang Huaiyi. Passing it on to Zhang Huaiyi's grandson can be considered a proper beginning and ending." Lin Xian spoke calmly. He was not lying; as for how they interpreted it, that was entirely up to their imagination.
An image of an expert who had returned to youth, lived for over a century, been acquainted with Zhang Xilin, had ties to the Eight Extraordinary Skills, and possessed the Immortal Secret came vividly to life.
"I never expected Senior's friendship with Senior Zhang Xilin to run so deep." Feng Zhenghao sighed, though speculation arose in his heart. He suspected that Lin Xian was very likely one of the Thirty-Six Thieves from back then.
Lin Xian said nothing. He merely curled his lips slightly. They believed it. They really believed it.
People were admirers and visitors of scenery, but also its creators and pioneers.
Every person was a unique sight. The fate that brought people together was the legendary famous scene.
[System, does an artificially created famous scene count as a famous scene?] [It does.] [Then how grand must an artificial scene be to count as a famous scene?] [It must be recorded in history and sung of for countless generations. When history becomes a story, stories become legends, legends become myths, and myths are etched deep within the River of Time, becoming part of the universe, Dao resonance shall be born.]
The System's ethereal voice echoed by his ears. After receiving confirmation once again, Lin Xian smiled knowingly, turned to Feng Zhenghao, and said, "President Feng, this Causality has now been settled."
"How about we discuss a deal?"
"A deal?" Feng Zhenghao glanced at Zhang Chulan, who had fainted from receiving the technique, then asked solemnly, "What deal does Senior seek?"
"I intend to become one of the Ten Elders, but the positions are already full." Lin Xian said leisurely, "How about President Feng and I join hands to bring the Wang Family down?"
"You two..." Xu San's voice suddenly rang out. He pushed up his glasses and said gravely, "Discussing whether one of the Ten Elders stays or goes on the Company's turf seems inappropriate, doesn't it?"
"It is indeed inappropriate."
Lin Xian looked at Feng Zhenghao and smiled slightly. "Let's discuss it outside."
"It is this junior's honor to accompany Senior." Feng Zhenghao laughed heartily. "I would be delighted."
Looking at Zhang Chulan lying on the ground, Xu Si grinned with a cigarette in his mouth. "Didn't expect you to be such a conservative kid. When you wake up, I'll take you out to get your first taste..."
"Don't say that in front of Baobao!" Xu San mercilessly threw an uppercut, sending Xu Si flying out the door. He immediately followed, punched him several more times, then used qi to write on the ground: "The situation has changed. Go notify the higher-ups."
"You little bastard, abusing your authority for personal revenge." Xu Si glared viciously at Xu San, but he also knew the situation was urgent and not the time to argue. The Inhuman World's structure was about to undergo massive changes. They had to report it.
Walking into a corner, Xu Si took out his phone and dialed a number. "Hello, President Zhao? It's Little Xu. I have an urgent situation to report to you... Yes, yes..."
"The Wang Family, the Wind Family, Spirit Summoning and Dispatching..."
Beside a massive banyan tree, its leaves swayed in the wind with a rustling sound. Feng Zhenghao slowly closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "So this is part of the truth behind the Jia Shen Turmoil. If not for Senior, I fear I would have struggled to learn it."
"How could there be eternal secrets in this world?" Lin Xian laughed freely. "What conceals people's hearts is nothing more than people's hearts. With President Feng's strength, you would have uncovered it sooner or later."
"No, it is different." Feng Zhenghao shook his head, then his expression turned solemn. He cupped his fists in salute. "Great kindness needs no thanks. The Wang Family has always been an enemy of our Wind Family. Helping Senior replace the Wang Family as one of the Ten Elders should not count as part of our transaction. Rather, it would be avenging our Wind Family."
"Our Wind Family has always repaid grudges and returned favors."
"If Senior has any other requests, please name them. Whatever the World Association can provide, we will do our best to fulfill."
"Even Spirit Summoning and Dispatching—I would offer it with both hands if Senior asked."
"President Feng is a true hero as well." Lin Xian praised him. He traded when it was time to trade and let go when it was time to let go. Decisive and ungreedy, he could even abandon one of the Eight Extraordinary Skills. He was hardly like a businessman, nor like an Otherworlder. He was more like a formidable overlord.
The things other Otherworlders regarded as their lifeblood—
"How could I compare with two heroes?" Feng Zhenghao laughed, shaking his head modestly. "Feng merely runs a small business and is nothing more than a merchant. But compared to money, compared to extraordinary techniques, I believe people are worth more. People are more precious!"
Money was created by people, and the Eight Extraordinary Skills had been created by people as well. What was truly valuable was people!
Techniques could not reach the heavens; only people could become immortals.
Money could not connect with gods. There was no such thing as a God of Wealth. Surplus value was created by people.
Profit came from a single source, and all paths returned to the origin. The most fundamental principle behind all things was the same.
"A small business worth over three hundred billion..." Lin Xian smiled and did not dwell on it. He said directly, "I have already passed Qi-State Origin-Flow to Zhang Chulan. Whether you can win this son-in-law depends on your daughter's abilities."
"As for Spirit Summoning and Dispatching, learn it after the Wang Family falls. None of that is the most important matter."
"At present, there is only one urgent matter: I need the World Association to help me collect a massive quantity of medicinal herbs."
Feng Zhenghao paused, then asked in confusion, "Does Senior need to treat an illness, or refine pills? If it is to treat an illness, I..."
"Neither. They are for becoming immortal." Lin Xian's gaze was deep as he patted Feng Zhenghao's shoulder. "The more, the better. I will take any herbs over a year old. The more ten-year spiritual herbs, the better. Hundred-year precious medicines are what I need most. And if there are thousand-year Medicine Kings, I certainly will not refuse."
"Becoming immortal?!" Feng Zhenghao stood frozen, looking at the ethereal and otherworldly young man before him as an absurd feeling arose in his heart.
In the twenty-first century, could someone still become immortal?
"Immortal cultivation with money, boundless mana; breakthroughs through pills, divine powers beyond measure..."
Lin Xian laughed heartily and strolled back leisurely, utterly unconcerned about pill-based cultivation causing an unstable foundation.
Because he did not have such a thing as a foundation to begin with. Sea of Bitterness cultivation relied on Sacred Fruits, Life Spring cultivation meant drinking Divine Spring, and his realm had been built entirely by swallowing things.
Tai Chi divided into Yin-Yang, and all things had two sides. In Lin Xian's view, cultivation was no different.
As Pangu, he opened the Sea of Bitterness, shattered chaos, and thus gave birth to Tai Chi.
Tai Chi gave birth to Two Forms: Yang was realm, while Yin was Dao Heart.
Two Forms gave birth to Four Symbols. Yang divided into Solar Yang and Lesser Yang, while realms divided into the physical body and mana. Yin divided into Lunar Yin and Lesser Yin, while the Dao Heart divided into the Great Dao and the mind.
Four Symbols gave birth to Eight Trigrams, which could be further divided without limit, opening countless branches such as combat techniques, soul and will, cultivation methods, weapon spirituality, spells, divine powers...
But overall, they fell within the two great domains of realm and Dao Heart.
Matters of the Dao Heart had to be carried through nine lifetimes, comprehending different Great Daos across the Myriad Realms. They could not be entrusted to others. He could only work himself to death refining artifacts and comprehending the Dao.
As for realm, it was merely superficial and would eventually be severed away anyway. Just spend money on it!
Qi-State Origin-Flow, Six Vaults Immortal Thief, the World Association's funds, the Company's status among the Ten Elders... He used every method available to him.
All to prepare for his charge into the Divine Bridge realm.
"If even this cannot defeat the Old Celestial Master..."
A sharp light flashed through Lin Xian's infant-pure eyes. He snorted and let out a sinister cackle. Then he could not blame himself for using that move!