When Lei Yuxiao expressed his desire to join the Ascenders group, Lin Heng and the others immediately understood their ulterior motives.
To put it nicely, it's joining; to put it bluntly, isn't it just seeking asylum?
Ling Wushuang did not respond to this, but instead turned her gaze to Lin Heng.
The Ascenders are all under Lin Heng's protection now, so the decision of whether or not to let Lei Yuxiao and the others join naturally rests with Lin Heng.
This put Lin Heng in a difficult position.
Agree or disagree?
"It seems that having you join us is only three more burdens; you serve no other purpose for us."
Lin Heng's words cut straight to the heart of the matter.
The three men, who didn't want to hear Lei Yuxiao, not only weren't embarrassed, but instead exchanged smiles.
Then Lei Yuxiao said with a smile, "Brother Lin Heng, once we reach Heavenly Mountain, the three of us will each present you with a spirit herb that is two hundred million years old, how about that?"
This is quite a generous offer; a spiritual herb that's two hundred million years old is certainly a testament to their sincerity.
However, Lin Heng sensed something different in the other person's words.
The key word is "how".
This clearly shows that there's still room for negotiation.
Given this situation, could Lin Heng still be polite to them?
"Brother Lei, you're risking your life here in the Heavenly Mountain."
"Is this all the price you pay for each of your lives—a single two-hundred-million-year-old spiritual herb?"
Lin Heng smiled slightly.
Even Ling Wushuang and the others were somewhat bewildered this time.
One person, one rare herb, two hundred million years old.
Lei Yuxiao and his two companions already had three plants; were they still not satisfied with these conditions?
Of course, they wouldn't say that out loud.
Lin Heng was able to extract even more benefits from Lei Yuxiao and the other two, which made Ling Wushuang and the others happy.
After Lin Heng finished speaking, Lei Yuxiao remained silent for a few seconds before speaking again, "Brother Lin Heng, how about I add another Second-Class Primordial Chaos Spirit Treasure?"
Lin Heng chuckled inwardly. "You've already asked how things are going, so what do you think I'll do?"
Lin Heng didn't reply to the other party, but just stood there quietly, as if the matter had nothing to do with him.
Seeing this, Lei Yuxiao and the other two became anxious.
They knew Lin Heng was treating them like easy prey, but what could they do?
The three quickly exchanged glances.
Soon, Lei Yuxiao gritted his teeth and made a new proposal. "Two Second-Class Primordial Chaos Spirit Treasure and one First-Class Primordial Chaos Spirit Treasure."
After Lei Yuxiao finished speaking, Lin Heng did not raise the price further and nodded in agreement.
In fact, if Lei Yuxiao hadn't added a "how about it" the first time, Lin Heng would have agreed immediately.
In other words, the three of them didn't know what Lin Heng was thinking. Otherwise, Yan Xishan and the other expert from the Eight Great Imperial Clans might have been so angry that they wanted to kill Lei Yuxiao.
Once the price was agreed upon, Lin Heng agreed to let them join the group.
However, since neither side trusted the other, they naturally wouldn't tie the vines together and would go their separate ways.
Once the two sides combined their numbers, the movement became even slower.
Strangely enough, for the next two days, Lin Heng and his companions did not encounter any more strange beasts.
Just as Lin Heng and his group were getting closer and closer to the summit of Heavenly Mountain, Tian Wu and Rushou were chatting and laughing at the foot of the mountain.
"It seems that Lin Heng is indeed hiding too many secrets. Even with his cultivation sealed, he still has ways to deal with these strange beasts."
" The Heavenly Estate's restrictions only apply to those who possess a fourth-layer Primordial Chaos World. Judging from Lin Heng's performance, he should possess a fifth-layer Primordial Chaos World, just like his master."
"Throughout history, fewer than ten people have possessed five layers of the Primordial Chaos World. It seems Brother Dijiang's judgment is indeed sharp. Given time, young Lin Heng will surely become someone who can inherit the Heavenly Estate and lead us back there."
"Those are still too far off, but what I'm curious about is why the strange beasts on Heavenly Mountain have stopped harassing them."
"Even those bird-men were instantly captured and disappeared by Lin Heng, so how dare the other strange beasts make a move?"
"Are we just going to let them climb to the top of Heavenly Mountain like this?"
"Don't forget Master's instructions: the inheritance is reserved for someone capable of inheriting the Heavenly Estate. The reason Heavenly Mountain is designed as an impossible challenge is precisely to wait for the right successor to appear."
"I overlooked the fact that Lin Heng is that person. In that case, let them pass through smoothly."
After three days and two nights of climbing, Lin Heng and his companions finally reached the summit of Heavenly Mountain.
The moment he left the mountain and reached the summit, his previously sealed cultivation suddenly surged forth again within his body.
Feeling the energy fluctuations emanating from their bodies, Lei Yuxiao and the other two were overjoyed.
They were truly tired of the feeling of being at the mercy of others without any cultivation.
"Alright, we've reached the summit. Now it's your turn to fulfill your promise."
Just as Lei Yuxiao and the other two were laughing, Lin Heng walked over and spread his hands, saying...
But now Lei Yuxiao hesitated.
If we encounter any danger on the road, we'll accept the benefits, but at least we'll have something to think about.
Unfortunately, the journey was uneventful, which made him somewhat unhappy.
Lin Heng did nothing, yet he demanded that the three of them give up three 200 million-year-old spiritual herbs, two Second-Class Primordial Chaos Spirit Treasure, and one First-Class Primordial Chaos Spirit Treasure.
If we gave it to them, wouldn't we be sucking up?
"Are the three of you trying to back out?"
Seeing that Lei Yuxiao did not make a move, Lin Heng's gaze immediately turned cold.
At the same time, Ling Wushuang and the others behind Lin Heng also looked over with hostile gazes.
In this situation, it was impossible to renege on the debt, so Lei Yuxiao had to change his mind.
"Brother Lin Heng, you see, we haven't encountered any trouble along the way."
"I think it would be better if we gave you three two-hundred-million-year-old spiritual herbs as a token of our sincerity."
In Lei Yuxiao's view, he had already been very magnanimous.
Lin Heng, you didn't do anything, and I just gave you three spiritual herbs that are two hundred million years old. You should be content.
"Oh!"
Lin Heng sneered, "So you're trying to cross the river and then discard the bridge, are you?"
Ling Wushuang, standing behind, also said coldly, " Lei Yuxiao, if it weren't for Brother Lin Heng, you might not have made it this far."
Ye Feng chimed in, not to be outdone. "Exactly! Just because nothing happened doesn't mean there's no danger. In my opinion, it was Brother Lin Heng's methods that scared those beasts away, preventing them from showing up again. Otherwise, would the three of you still be standing here haggling?"
Lin Heng's gaze grew increasingly cold as he considered whether he should let his two clones out to have some fun.
Even Lin Heng himself was very curious whether his clone could truly fight against the Heavenly Firmament King Realm. Wasn't this the perfect opportunity to put it into practice?
Lei Yuxiao remained silent, but judging from his expression, he seemed genuinely intending to renege on his debt.
Ling Wushuang didn't waste any words. With a flick of her wrist, she took out a crimson longsword and pointed the tip at Lei Yuxiao.
"If you want to deny it, you'll have to ask the Howling Wind Sword in my hand first!"
A terrifying killing intent erupted from Ling Wushuang, instantly locking onto Lei Yuxiao and the other two.