"O-one thousand taels?!"
Liu Qinghong nearly choked at those unexpected words.
One thousand taels!
That was not one thousand copper coins.
And even one thousand copper coins was more than some players could afford.
Let alone one thousand taels.
Uncertain, Liu Qinghong asked again to make sure he had not misheard. "Daoist, I already agreed to help you find a Xiantian Spirit Object. What is this thousand taels for?"
"What do you think of me?"
"Uh, you are naturally a master beyond worldly concerns."
"Then I don't look like a fool, do I?" Daoist Qingxuan pointed at himself and scoffed. "You say you'll help me find a Xiantian Spirit Object, and I'm supposed to just believe you?"
"If you break your word afterward, even cutting you into a thousand pieces won't recover my losses."
"So, a deposit of one thousand taels of silver."
"Once the money is in place, we can discuss anything. Otherwise... heh!"
At the end, Daoist Qingxuan chuckled twice, his mockery plain.
His meaning was clear.
If Liu Qinghong wanted something for nothing, he could forget it.
Liu Qinghong opened his mouth, somewhat at a loss for words.
Indeed.
Just as Daoist Qingxuan had said, it was entirely possible for him to stand the Daoist up afterward and disappear. After all, what player would stay in the Novice Village forever?
More importantly...
Deep down, Liu Qinghong really had been entertaining that idea.
His goal from the start had been to find a way to trick Daoist Qingxuan into taking action.
As for the Daoist's conditions...
He would agree to anything he could fulfill, and even promise what he could not.
As long as he did not have to deliver immediately, there would not be much of a problem.
But—
Daoist Qingxuan had clearly seen through his intentions