Outside the Dao Field, Hongjun stared at the gates, his gaze sharp.
"If that wretch refuses to show himself even with me standing here in person, he can't blame me for what happens next."
Tongtian had ruined his plans several times in succession, infuriating Hongjun.
By now, Hongjun had decided that if Tongtian still refused to appear, he would take matters into his own hands.
He waited a while, but there was still no sound from within the Dao Field.
Hongjun prepared to strike.
Just then, however, the gates slowly opened.
A figure appeared behind them.
"Dao Ancestor Hongjun, forgive me for failing to welcome you. Please, come in."
The figure was none other than the clone Xu Tong had created through One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones.
A keen gleam flashed through Hongjun's eyes as he studied the clone before him.
The clone felt the sharpness of Hongjun's gaze, as though it could see right through him.
But he did not care. Even if Hongjun saw through him, what could he do? The three bodies created by One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones were all physical entities in their own right.
One could even say that, compared with Xu Tong, he was the real Tongtian now.
Or rather, he was closer to the original Tongtian.
Xu Tong was confident that even Hongjun would discover nothing.
And indeed, things went exactly as he had expected.
After looking Tongtian over and finding nothing unusual, Hongjun could hardly proceed with an attack.
"You are too courteous, fellow Daoist. It was presumptuous of this old Daoist to visit unannounced. I hope you won't take offense."
Hongjun had already been nursing murderous intentions.
After all, his recent divination concerning the nine heavens breathing soil had consumed all the power of the Heavenly Dao he had accumulated.
All his previous savings had been wiped out in a single stroke.
It would have been strange if Hongjun had been willing to let that slide.
Yet the moment he saw this clone, Hongjun changed his mind.
Xu Tong's clone was only a quasi-sage, and he had only just entered the late stage.
He was indeed pursuing Prove Dao by Force, but that no longer mattered.
Hongjun believed that Xu Tong could no longer gain further enlightenment in the Dao.
His cultivation was now stuck at this level.
If he wanted to advance in the future, sooner or later he would have to beg Hongjun for help.
Hongjun naturally disdained quibbling with an ant like him.
Wouldn't that only lower his own standing?
At that thought, half his anger dissipated.
"Dao Ancestor, let's talk inside."
The clone led Hongjun into a side hall of the Dao Field.
Inside the side hall.
The two sat facing each other.
Looking at Hongjun, Xu Tong asked with a smile.
"What brings you here this time, Dao Ancestor?"
Xu Tong could not be bothered to beat around the bush with Hongjun.
The other man's purpose was clear, and Xu Tong likewise needed to negotiate terms with him.
Since that was the case, they might as well get straight to the point.
Seeing how direct Xu Tong was, Hongjun dispensed with pleasantries and spoke plainly.
"This old Daoist has come for a certain item. I hope you will be willing to part with it, Fellow Daoist Tongtian."
"Oh? What might that be, to warrant a personal visit from the Dao Ancestor?"
Xu Tong asked despite knowing the answer.
Hongjun did not mind.
"Nothing else but the nine heavens breathing soil in your possession. This old Daoist has a use for it, so I hope you will let me have it."
Hongjun did not tell Xu Tong that this item was connected to a Sage's attainment of the Dao.
He assumed Xu Tong knew nothing about that.
If he revealed that the nine heavens breathing soil would be used to help a Sage attain the Dao, Xu Tong might open his lion's maw and demand an exorbitant price.
That would make things even harder for him.
Most importantly, he truly did not want Xu Tong to reap any benefits.
After all the trouble the man had caused him, wouldn't it be unbearably humiliating if he now had to bend over backward to please him?
Even someone as powerful as Hongjun, who had already achieved dao integration, still harbored selfish desires.
Hearing Hongjun put it so delicately, Xu Tong sneered inwardly.
You old bastard, you still think I don't know what this stuff is for. Hmph. Since you're playing dumb, don't blame me.
Xu Tong put on a troubled expression.
"Dao Ancestor, it isn't that I'm unwilling to part with it. But this nine heavens breathing soil is a spiritual substance. And to be frank with you, I have some uses for it myself. I cannot do without it, and even what I have isn't enough for my own needs."
"So I'm afraid..."
Xu Tong did not finish, but his meaning was perfectly clear.
Hongjun immediately frowned.
This youngster doesn't know how to play along.
He had thought that trading on his venerable reputation would be enough to obtain the nine heavens breathing soil.
Yet the other man refused to buy it.
After considering his options, Hongjun could only try another approach.
"If you are willing to part with it, this old Daoist would exchange spiritual treasures for it. What do you think?"
"I see that you seem to lack any decent spiritual treasures for protection. This old Daoist happens to have four treasured swords that I could give you."
"Provided you are willing to give me this nine heavens breathing soil."
After saying this, Hongjun could not help congratulating himself on his cleverness.
Although he had already sent the Four Immortal-Slaying Swords to the Treasure Distribution Cliff.
They were his possessions, after all, and he could retrieve them whenever he wished.
If he could trade the Four Immortal-Slaying Swords for the nine heavens breathing soil, he would kill two birds with one stone.
The Four Immortal-Slaying Swords were not so easily accepted. Later, with a casual tug at the strings, he could plunge Tongtian into calamity.
Meanwhile, he would obtain the nine heavens breathing soil, resolve his problem, and owe no favors.
The thought filled Hongjun with secret delight.
At Hongjun's words, Xu Tong inwardly rolled his eyes.
I knew a rotten old bastard like you would be up to no good. Trading the fucking Four Immortal-Slaying Swords for nine heavens breathing soil?
Those Four Immortal-Slaying Swords are nothing but a trap you laid for me.
Even now, you're still trying to scheme against me. If I let you get this nine heavens breathing soil easily, I'll write my name backward from this day on.
Xu Tong thought to himself.
"Dao Ancestor Hongjun, to tell you the truth, I, Tongtian, have no great ambitions. I only wish to cultivate in peace and enjoy a quiet life. I have no plans to leave Kunlun Mountain, either, so treasured swords would be of little use to me."
Xu Tong refused without a moment's hesitation.
"If there is nothing else, Dao Ancestor, please return. I truly cannot part with this nine heavens breathing soil."
As he spoke, Xu Tong stood with a regretful expression, clearly preparing to show his guest out.
Hongjun was dumbfounded.
Damn it, I only just got here, and you're already throwing me out? Are we negotiating or not?
Of course, he could not say that aloud.
But seeing that the other man refused to take the bait no matter what, Hongjun grew anxious.
"Fellow Daoist Tongtian, I advise you to think this over carefully. Keeping certain things in your hands may not be a blessing."
Hongjun actually released a trace of a Sage's oppressive aura.
Clearly, when scheming failed, he resorted directly to threats of force.
Sensing that Sage's pressure, Xu Tong froze for a moment.
He truly had not expected Hongjun to be so shameless.
But he soon laughed again.
Getting desperate? Heh, good. I was only worried you wouldn't. You dare threaten me? Today, I'll make you pay enough to feel the sting.
Before you continue