“Wait a little longer.” Gu Ze softly comforted the already impatient Li Xunmiao.
At the head of the table, Wang Xiao took the initiative to raise his cup.
“It is truly a blessing that young friend is willing to attend the banquet. The incompatibility between Qingquan Immortal Venerable and me is known to everyone in the Xianxia; matters between our two peaks cannot be settled with her. However, if it is you, young friend, then there is something to discuss.”
Wang Xiao Immortal Lord looked young, and when he smiled, it was as warm as a spring breeze, making him seem like a caring older brother.
However, Gu Ze knew well that this man was cold and ruthless, not valuing the lives of Qi Refinement disciples. In his eyes, the two of them were likely no different from materials for refining pills. Except, their value was slightly higher.
Gu Ze stood up to respond, their eyes meeting for a moment, and he felt as if he were being swallowed into the depths of Wang Xiao’s gaze.
This old fox knows I am easier to handle than Qingquan, which is why he invited me, Gu Ze thought privately. If he had dared to invite Qingquan, she would surely feel he was mocking her and might cause another scene at Dan Yin Peak.
“I do not know the details of the past events the Immortal Lord mentioned, so it is hard for me to judge. I did not come today to talk about the past, but only to discuss the future of our two peaks. I wonder if the Immortal Lord is sincere in wanting to restore Biluo Peak’s pill supply?” Gu Ze replied calmly.
Regardless of whether you call me “young friend” or you are just an “old geezer,” let us see what conditions you offer first.
“Restoring the pill supply is easy to discuss; I can even give Biluo Peak an extra bit of compensation. However, it is also a fact that Qingquan Daoist Friend caused widespread destruction at my Dan Yin Peak, throwing people into a panic. I also hope to receive corresponding compensation.”
He tapped the armrest of his seat with his fingertips. Clearly, this so-called “compensation” was Wang Xiao’s true goal.
Gu Ze understood perfectly. Since things had been stated this way, he naturally guessed what compensation Wang Xiao wanted.
“Does the Immortal Lord want the World-burning Heavenly Fire?”
“Correct. I like your directness. However, I do not intend to take your Divine Fire away; I only plan to borrow it for three months and return it in its entirety afterward. How about it?” Wang Xiao nodded slightly and said.
Gu Ze thought Wang Xiao was being quite well-behaved. Considering he and Li Xunmiao were only in Qi Refinement, and they were on his turf without backup, why did he not just take it by force? But he did not. What made him wary… was it Qingquan Immortal Venerable?
No, Gu Ze knew Qingquan’s state best. She was currently trapped in the Tribulation Space, overwhelmed by her own troubles; she could not care about even the biggest changes occurring outside. Besides, Wang Xiao and Qingquan were at odds; why would he be wary of her?
Wang Xiao was wary of what was behind Gu Ze and Li Xunmiao… the Cloudsea Immortal Pavilion!
In other words, Gong Lixing, who had almost nothing to do with this transaction, was the person Wang Xiao feared most. These two seedlings with the potential for the Nascent Soul stage in the future were no longer just simple Direct Transmission disciples of a Peak Lord.
Among Peak Lords, those in the Nascent Soul stage were the minority. Disciples with Nascent Soul potential would generally achieve no less than a Peak Lord in the future.
Gong Lixing, whose Dao was benevolence and who forbade cultivators of the Cloudsea Immortal Pavilion from harming one another, was the person with the most authority in the Xianxia.
Gu Ze thought through all of this and realized he had the Zhangmen backing him, so his expression relaxed significantly.
The corners of his mouth curled up slightly as he spoke, “How can the grievances between you and Qingquan Immortal Venerable be blamed on her disciple? Xunmiao does not owe you anything.”
“I thought you were sincerely trying to restore Biluo Peak’s pill supply, but it turns out you want to use public affairs to fulfill your private desires.”
Having his intentions pointed out so bluntly by Gu Ze, Wang Xiao’s face darkened, his expression clearly becoming unpleasant. “What do you mean, young friend? The two of you came here representing Biluo Peak. As the leaders of Biluo Peak, it is only right to pay some price, is it not?”
As his mood soured, an inexplicable pressure unconsciously emanated from him.
“Xunmiao and I are not leeks to be slaughtered at will. Just because you say a price must be paid, we have to hand over our Treasure? How absurd!”
“Since you want to borrow the Divine Fire for a private matter, why not trade with my Shimei privately? If she agrees, she can lend the Divine Fire to you in her own name without involving Biluo Peak. How about that?” Gu Ze proposed his idea.
By turning “compensation” into a “trade,” Li Xunmiao would not have to lend out the Divine Fire for nothing. If he wanted a Jindan Treasure, he had to trade it for something of equal Golden Core value.
Wang Xiao stroked his chin, looking at everyone seated. Although they had already colluded in advance and everything was decided by him as the Peak Lord, ending the banquet now for a private trade would seem too petty.
“Why trade privately? I want to borrow the Divine Fire. If you have any demands, make them here.” He pressed down on the armrest and said in a deep voice.
“But… we have not finished talking about Biluo Peak’s pill supply.” Gu Ze feigned hesitation, speaking tentatively.
Bringing up the matter Wang Xiao used as a pretext at this moment was clearly intended to wear down Wang Xiao’s patience.
“The supply will be restored on another day,” Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow, resting his chin on his hand as he looked at Gu Ze with interest.
“You have been beating around the bush and keeping me in suspense for so long. I am curious to see what kind of exchange conditions you will propose.”
“It is difficult for others, but for you, Immortal Lord, it is just a small effort. I heard there is a special pill refined using the blood of a True Dragon. After taking it, one can significantly increase bone strength and physical power. I would like to ask for one for my Shimei.”
This Dragon Blood Divine Pill could only be refined by Wang Xiao in the entire Cloudsea Immortal Pavilion. It was widely rumored among disciples and described as legendary.
The blood of a True Dragon was extremely precious.
The blood of a dragon at the Foundation Establishment stage could not be used as a material for refining pills. The True Dragon blood Gu Ze mentioned was known by any Alchemist to mean the blood of a Golden Core True Dragon.
In the several hundred years of the Xianxia, they had only hunted one Golden Core dragon. Previously, when the Cloudsea Immortal Pavilion’s Dimai Hua Long occurred, Gong Lixing had only suppressed it.
A single splash of dragon blood had been of great benefit to Gu Ze and the others. Not to mention a pill refined with real dragon blood and many rare medicinal materials.
As soon as these words were spoken, there was a buzz of discussion among those seated. “These two are simply fooling around. Such a precious thing…”
“Compared to the Jindan Divine Fire, the True Dragon blood is clearly more precious.”
“The success rate for the Chengdan Realm is only thirty percent. Even if the Peak Lord takes action, who knows how much will be wasted…”
Hearing their discussions, Wang Xiao rubbed his temples, clearly finding it somewhat difficult. Biluo Peak’s pill supply was actually a small matter.
Pills eaten by ordinary disciples could generally be mass-produced, and the medicinal herbs needed for refining were grown in large quantities within the Xianxia. But the True Dragon blood he had on hand was also insufficient.
While Wang Xiao was hesitating, an indignant voice came. “Shidi Gu Ze, do you know how precious this True Dragon blood is? A Qi Refinement disciple dreaming of asking for such a divine pill is simply arrogant to the extreme.”
Chen Xin, in the corner, could no longer bear it. She stood up and questioned Gu Ze.
As a fellow disciple, her speaking out now did not make it seem like Dan Yin Peak was bullying the weak. Any disciple knew Gu Ze was asking for an exorbitant price, and it was clear Wang Xiao would find it hard to agree.
“Is Senior Sister not also in Qi Refinement?” Gu Ze glared back, showing no mercy: “My Shimei finally obtained a Jindan Opportunity, and before the Divine Fire could even get warm in her hands, your Shizun wants to borrow it.”
“He says it will be returned in three months, but my Shimei and I only have Qi Refinement cultivation bases. If he does not return it, we will be powerless. Won’t we have suffered a loss then?”
“Your Dan Yin Peak refuses this and complains about that being too expensive. Is a Jindan Opportunity really that easy to obtain? Or are you bullying us on Biluo Peak because we are honest people?”
Chen Xin was rendered speechless by the retort, her face flushing red with anger. “Shizun… Shizun is not someone who breaks his word.”
“Enough.” Wang Xiao rubbed his temples again and waved his hand. “I agree. One Dragon Blood Divine Pill in exchange for three months of the World-burning Heavenly Fire.”
“And Biluo Peak’s pill supply…” Gu Ze did not forget his original purpose.
The two of them established a contract under the gaze of the crowd, and the discussion finally died down. Li Xunmiao did not hesitate either, directly raising the back of her hand to release the Divine Fire and transfer it to Wang Xiao.
Gu Ze was somewhat surprised; logically, the pill and the Divine Fire should have been exchanged at the same time. After Wang Xiao gathered the World-burning Heavenly Fire in his palm and confirmed it was correct, his expression finally softened a bit.
“During the time I am refining pills, the two of you shall remain at Dan Yin Peak to avoid spreading rumors about me again.” Wang Xiao clearly did not feel at ease letting them leave now.
Although, Gu Ze had not planned on leaving anyway. Chen Xin felt a chill down her spine, always feeling like she was a prey being watched.
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