Chun Xiaobai felt a surge of delight and was just about to reach out and take it.
But Lu Qingshan spoke again.
"There are five million spirit stones in here. Take them. Consider it... this elder's contribution toward your cultivation resources."
Chun Xiaobai's outstretched hand abruptly froze, and his face instantly darkened.
"Are you tossing scraps to a beggar?! The Azure Cloud Sect's reputation is only worth ten million?"
"Only ten million to take the blame for them? Do you think they're idiots?!"
"Uh!!!"
The smile froze on Lu Qingshan's face.
He truly hadn't expected the brat to have such a huge appetite. Five million spirit stones still weren't enough for him?
And that nerve-he actually dared to pound the table right in front of a Golden Core elder?
Still... this brat seemed to have some talent.
After a moment's thought, he spoke again. "Brat, this elder will tell you the truth. The total this time was only fifty million spirit stones!"
"And I'm not the only one taking the blame. Our entire Azure Cloud Sect is taking it!"
"Forty million of that has to be handed over to the sect, or none of us will get past the Sect Master!"
"Giving you these five million is already a favor, since you're one of our own!"
"All right, all right. Don't try to cozy up to this... disciple."
Chun Xiaobai waved impatiently.
He knew his story about the "Image Recording Stone" had thoroughly intimidated the old fellow. Otherwise, the man would definitely have killed him to silence him.
Now the upper hand was in his grasp!
He sneered.
"From what I know of those fellows in the Thousand Sects Alliance, and considering our Azure Cloud Sect isn't some fly-by-night sect, would a measly fifty million spirit stones really be worth