Trading a Lump of Iron for the Empire's Greatest Treasure

"No, I won't teach you. Even if you gave me half the Heaven Dou Empire, I still wouldn't." Qian Xunling shook his head, refusing Xue Ye's request for the method of making the lump of iron he had just thrown.

It was a Soul Tool Qian Xunling had painstakingly devised.

It had enormous potential and could even change the course of an era. He hadn't even told Spirit Hall about it, so why would he tell Xue Ye?

Bitterness crossed Xue Ye's old face. His imperial air was completely gone as he looked pleadingly at Qian Xunling. "Immortal, is there really no room for negotiation?"

At that moment, Qian Xunling and Xue Ye were alone in the hall's rear courtyard. Xue Ye had even insisted that Ning Fengzhi wait outside.

Qian Xunling looked at Xue Ye. The old bastard really had a sharp eye. With a single glance, he had determined that the lump of iron Qian Xunling threw was no ordinary object, but a product that didn't belong to this era.

In fact, Soul Tools were products of the previous era. Their history had simply been abruptly severed on Douluo Continent, leaving its people unaware of them. Over on the neighboring Sun Moon Continent, people still knew about and even used Soul Tools.

Seeing Qian Xunling's impatient expression, Xue Ye gritted his teeth and said bitterly, "Immortal, there's something you don't know. Our Heaven Dou Empire is truly a castle in the air now. It has vast territories and a large army, but in truth, problems with its finances and internal affairs emerged long ago. Even our imperial family's control over the nobles beneath us is in jeopardy.

"If nothing unexpected happens, I'm afraid the Heaven Dou Imperial Family will be reshuffled in no more than thirty years. It's even hard to say whether there will still be a Heaven Dou Imperial Family."

"You see things pretty clearly." Qian Xunling had never been this surprised by someone before. The old fellow could actually see that far ahead.

The timing worked out to thirty years, too. First, Spirit Hall infiltrated the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. Later came the Battle of the Two Gods. If not for Tang San, Qian Renxue's palace coup might have succeeded.

Surprise showed on Xue Ye's old face, but he said with delight, "Immortal, you think so too? Wait, where did you get your information?"

Qian Xunling pushed his hand away. "Never mind where I got it. What the hell does your Heaven Dou Empire have to do with me? I devised the Soul Tool I have myself, and I have the right to choose whether or not to give it to you."

Neither the mountains of gold and silver he had just promised nor his appeal for sympathy had moved the young man before him. Xue Ye seemed to age another ten years.

But then he remembered that the young man had already reached the Soul Emperor level at such a young age. He was certain to become a Titled Douluo in the future, and might even become a Limit Douluo.

After hesitating again and again, Xue Ye sighed. "Immortal, name your price. What would it take for you to tell me how to make that thing?"

Qian Xunling was about to say it was impossible, but the words paused on his lips. Looking at Xue Ye, he realized the Heaven Dou Empire did have something worth trading for.

And it was a divine-level Soul Tool. Researching Soul Tools himself took far too much time. If he had something to study, it would greatly shorten the process. It was worth it.

Qian Xunling thought for a moment, then said, "If Your Majesty is willing to give me the empire's greatest treasure, perhaps we can talk."

"What!?" Xue Ye was stunned by Qian Xunling.

Qian Xunling waved a hand. "Since you're unwilling, there's nothing to discuss. I'm leaving."

With that, Qian Xunling made for the door.

In the original story, Xue Ye had dared to give Tang San the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud because he had bet that Tang San could activate it, while using the treasure to bind Tang San to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family.

As it turned out, the old fellow Xue Ye had bet right.

He had even won big.

But the main reason Xue Ye had dared give the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud to Tang San was that he didn't know what it actually did.

Just as Qian Xunling was about to leave, Xue Ye called out, "Wait, Immortal."

Qian Xunling stopped.

Panting like an ox, Xue Ye raised his head and asked, "Immortal, can you tell me which faction you belong to?"

Qian Xunling replied, "No. But I can tell you that the faction I belong to currently bears the Heaven Dou Empire no ill will."

Xue Ye was now making an extremely difficult decision, one that even went against his ancestors. Clenching his fists, he said, "Immortal, if you can grant me one request, I'm willing to give you the empire's greatest treasure, and I guarantee I can do so."

Qian Xunling looked back at Xue Ye and listened carefully.

Xue Ye raised his head to look at Qian Xunling and asked, "If the Heaven Dou Imperial Family ever faces disaster, could I ask you to lend some assistance? At least prevent the family from being wiped out and preserve its bloodline?"

"Why not preserve the Heaven Dou Empire?" Qian Xunling asked curiously.

Xue Ye chuckled. "I can see the Heaven Dou Empire's current state perfectly clearly. If things really reach that point, it will have brought it upon itself."

"All right, I agree," Qian Xunling said decisively.

"Really?" Xue Ye was surprised.

Qian Xunling replied, "I don't like dragging things out. Once you give me the empire's greatest treasure, I'll give you the lump of iron I have and tell you the entire process for making it. Trust me, you'll be satisfied with this purchase."

Qian Xunling waved a hand behind him and walked toward the hall. "Xue Ye, your Soul Power is pretty lousy, old bastard, but your judgment and character aren't bad. You're the fellow I've had the best impression of so far."

"Heh, thank you for the compliment." The corner of Xue Ye's mouth twitched.

He was His Majesty Xue Ye, yet he had been called an old bastard.

What an ill-mannered brat.

Even so, Xue Ye relaxed without realizing it. He couldn't help feeling he had made a very good bargain.

When Qian Xunling reached the hall, Bibi Dong immediately rushed over and wrapped both arms tightly around one of his legs. She said nothing, keeping her head lowered in silence.

Qian Xunling asked, "You only saw a dead person. Did it have to frighten you this badly? You're already six years old. Why are you still so childish?"

Bibi Dong still said nothing.

Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong chuckled.

Was that any way to educate a child?

"Let go if you don't want me to kick you away. I still need to walk," Qian Xunling said sternly. Bibi Dong released him and asked, "Martial Uncle, will you make me kill people in the future too? Little Spider doesn't want to kill."

Qian Xunling was somewhat surprised by the hint of wisdom that had appeared in Bibi Dong's eyes. Could it be that every time she saw something twisted, she became a little smarter?

"Who knows? If you don't want to, I'll send you back." Qian Xunling looked away and walked out of the hall. Bibi Dong grew anxious and immediately followed him. "I don't want that! I want to stay with you, Martial Uncle."

Ning Fengzhi spoke up then. "Immortal, where are you going?"

Qian Xunling said, "Out for a stroll. Oh, and don't follow me. You don't need to worry about those dogs from the Clear Sky Sect catching me, either. They don't have what it takes."

Ning Fengzhi was still worried, but he knew Qian Xunling's temperament and turned to look at Gu Rong. Gu Rong opened his mouth, but Qian Xunling glanced at him. "Old fellow, you've just become a Titled Douluo. Find somewhere to stabilize your Soul Power first. You still have a long road ahead of you."

"I'm leaving. Don't follow me." Qian Xunling took Bibi Dong and walked out of the hall.

In the end, Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong didn't follow them.

But Ning Fengzhi said, "We still need to send someone to keep an eye on the Clear Sky Sect's movements. Otherwise, if the worst happens, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will probably be next. We need to prepare early."

Gu Rong nodded.

Just then, Xue Ye came out, and the three exchanged concerned greetings.

After leaving the hall, Bibi Dong asked curiously, "Martial Uncle, you're not planning to run away, are you?"

Qian Xunling flicked Bibi Dong's forehead. She clutched it, tears welling up from the pain. He rolled his eyes and said, "Is your martial uncle that kind of person? Besides, what the hell is the Clear Sky Sect? If Tang Chen doesn't show up, who can catch me? If he does, I'll head straight back to Spirit Hall."

"What about me, Martial Uncle?" Bibi Dong's little face looked aggrieved.

"You'll stay here as a hostage and wait for your martial uncle to fight his way back." Qian Xunling grinned.

Bibi Dong grabbed his trousers. "No! Little Spider doesn't want that. Wherever Martial Uncle goes, I'm going too."

Qian Xunling opened a wormhole. If Xue Ye hadn't brought up the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, he would almost have forgotten that the Immortal Herbs, something one had to get after transmigrating to Douluo, were still lying safe and sound in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

He had to get them.