Support me at patreon for 30+ advanced chapters :
patreon.com/YaoIk
**
"For example?" Yao Lao straightened his posture slightly, his expression becoming solemn, already preparing for a round of bargaining.
"For example…" Wei Yang looked directly at Yao Lao and said, "A Heaven Grade fire-element cultivation method!"
"What?!"
Yao Lao's reaction was quite dramatic. His hand trembled, nearly pulling out a few strands of his beard. His eyes widened as he shouted in exasperation, "Brat, have you lost your mind? What makes you think I would have a Heaven Grade cultivation method? And a fire-element one at that? You might as well go rob someone!"
"That's a Heaven Grade cultivation method! Do you think it's as common as cabbages?! And you want a fire-element one?!"
However, Wei Yang only smiled. He had already figured it out—Yao Lao was indeed frustrated, but… he wasn't outright denying having one.
Heh.
Old fox!
"Senior, there's no need to act like this." Wei Yang relaxed, appearing completely at ease. He raised his hand, extending a slender and fair palm from the wide sleeves of his robe. Under the moonlight, he studied it carefully, as if examining something intricate.
"Although I have never left the Jia Ma Empire, that doesn't mean I'm an ignorant country bumpkin."
"Given my background, do you really think I could have come this far without any fortuitous encounters?"
"So, Senior, don't assume I lack knowledge."
"Heavenly Flames, rare treasures of the world, fully matured… do you truly believe they aren't worth a mere Heaven Grade cultivation method? Even if it's only low Heaven Grade?" Wei Yang said casually.
He had directly laid out his bottom line: Low-Level Heaven Grade!
Yao Lao's expression gradually calmed. Stroking his white beard, he stared at Wei Yang, lost in thought.
Wei Yang simply smiled, meeting his gaze without hesitation.
A moment later, Yao Lao finally spoke: "Heh, Brat Wei, you're quite cunning. But don't try to fool me. It's true that in my homeland, a Heavenly Flame is indeed worth a Low-Level Heaven Grade cultivation method, but… heh, this is not my homeland!"
"Senior's homeland… must be Central Plains, correct?" Wei Yang chuckled.
"Oh? You even know about Central Plains?" Yao Lao was slightly surprised. "It seems the fortuitous encounters you've obtained are quite extraordinary."
"My opportunities might have seemed impressive in the past, but now, they are no longer enough." Wei Yang smiled and admitted frankly, "A High-Level Xuan-Grade fire-element cultivation method, along with corresponding Dou Techniques, is all I currently have."
Yao Lao stroked his beard and nodded. "A High-Level Xuan-Grade fire-element cultivation method with matching Dou Techniques… not bad. At the very least, it's a legacy left behind by a Dou Wang."
He swept his gaze over Wei Yang and chuckled. "Given your age and talent, with your current foundation, reaching Dou Huang Peak within five years shouldn't be too difficult… If you persist, stepping into Dou Zong within ten years isn't impossible either. Are you still not satisfied?"
"Haha." Wei Yang laughed freely. "Naturally, one should always strive for greater heights. Although I have yet to turn nineteen, in ten years, I will be close to thirty. Dou Zong?"
Wei Yang shook his head. "Even if, by then, I risked my life to devour Green Lotus Core Flame, I would at most become a Mid Dou Zong."
"These ten years are the prime years for my growth, yet after struggling all this time, I'd only end up as a Mid Dou Zong? Senior, don't you think that's a bit of a waste?"
"It is indeed a pity," Yao Lao admitted with a nod. "With your talent and your exceptional soul power, you shouldn't be trapped within this small Jia Ma Empire."
"That's why I must make a choice. One cannot have both the fish and the bear's paw." Wei Yang stated firmly. "Should I choose my future, or the Heavenly Flame?"
"Of course, I choose the future! There is more than one Heavenly Flame in this world, but my future? I only have one!"
Wei Yang stared at Yao Lao. "Low-Level Heaven Grade fire-element cultivation method—this is my bottom line! If Senior cannot match this price, then I have no problem making a trip to Central Plains myself."
"With your foreign background, and as a mere Dou Wang, stepping into Central Plains won't be easy," Yao Lao warned, his tone carrying a hint of intimidation. "What's more, if you reveal that you possess a Heavenly Flame, you may not be able to keep it."
"I am not only a Dou Wang, but also an alchemist," Wei Yang countered. "In a short time, I am confident I can reach Tier 5. Within half a year, I will be at Peak Tier 5. In a year… I have hopes of stepping into Tier 6! A Tier 6 Alchemist—surely, even in Central Plains, I wouldn't be just another cabbage in the market, right?"
Yao Lao was momentarily speechless.
Given his former status as the continent's most renowned alchemist, he personally did not think much of a Tier 6 Alchemist.
However, that didn't mean that Tier 6 Alchemists were not valuable. Even in Central Plains, they were far from common.
In the Pill Tower, one could gain recognition and protection.
Even top-tier factions with Dou Zun experts wouldn't dare to neglect them.
As for factions led by Mid-to-High Dou Zong experts? They would treat them as honored guests.
…
The two exchanged glances.
"Old fox!"
"Little fox!"
Both secretly cursed each other in their hearts.
That earlier exchange? It was nothing more than bargaining.
Negotiations were meant to be taken slowly.
Of course, if the disparity in strength was too great, one could always resort to real bargaining—through force.
Now that they had gone back and forth, both sides had a vague understanding of each other's bottom lines.
So—
Yao Lao gently stroked the black, ancient-looking ring on his finger, then pondered aloud, "I won't hide it from you. I do have a Low-Level Heaven Grade cultivation method… but it isn't fire-elemental."
Upon hearing this, Wei Yang flipped his hand.
In an instant, a three-foot-wide green lotus appeared in his palm.
Yao Lao's eyes lit up the moment he saw it. His breathing noticeably quickened for a brief moment.
The green lotus had eight petals, each resembling the finest jade carving—flawlessly crafted by nature itself. It exuded an aura of absolute perfection.
At the very center of the lotus was a small hollow, within which a palm-sized green flame danced quietly.
With the emergence of this green lotus, the temperature at the mountaintop gradually increased. Yet strangely, there was also a faint coolness in the air.
From the surrounding space, fire-element energy surged in waves, continuously pouring into the lotus seat.
Meanwhile, around the lotus, several layers of transparent soul power barriers prevented any energy fluctuations from escaping.
Within Yao Lao's eyes, a flicker of ashen-white flame briefly surfaced—only to be quickly suppressed once more.
Wei Yang held the green lotus in his hand, looking at Yao Lao with a smile.
"How about it?"
A flash of desire flickered through Yao Lao's eyes before he swiftly masked it. Stroking his long beard, he nodded slowly and said:
"Green Lotus Core Flame—ranked nineteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. Born deep within the earth, it undergoes countless temperings, fusions, compressions, and refinements by the earth's fire…"
"It takes ten years to form a spirit, a hundred years to take shape, and a thousand years to bloom into a lotus. Upon maturity, its color turns green, and at its core, a flame blossoms—Green Lotus Fire, also known as Green Lotus Core Flame!"
Wei Yang smoothly picked up where he left off:
"Its power is immeasurable. Near volcanic regions, it can even trigger volcanic eruptions—unleashing the catastrophic force of nature itself!"
Yao Lao glanced at Wei Yang, nodding slightly.
Clearly, Wei Yang's knowledge of the Green Lotus Core Flame was not much inferior to his own.
So—this kid had clearly read the Heavenly Flame Ranking.
He wasn't some ignorant prodigy from a backwater region.
Yao Lao took a deep breath. With a flick of his mind, two scrolls—one red-gold and one dark-red—floated out from the ring on his hand.
Instantly, a mysterious yet scorching aura filled the air.
Wei Yang's eyes flickered. He stared intently at the two scrolls.
Yao Lao studied the scrolls hovering in front of him, then turned to Wei Yang and said:
"Brat Wei, let's not waste words or play guessing games."
"These are two cultivation methods. One is a Low-Level Heaven Grade fire-element cultivation method. The other is a Quasi-Heaven Grade fire-yang cultivation method, but it comes with matching Quasi-Heaven Grade Dou Techniques. You choose."
Yao Lao first pointed to the dark-red scroll—this was the Low-Level Heaven Grade fire-element cultivation method.
Then, he pointed to the red-gold scroll—this was the Quasi-Heaven Grade fire-yang cultivation method, which also included Quasi-Heaven Grade Dou Techniques.
--------------------------------------------------------
Support me at patreon for 30+ advanced chapters :
patreon.com/YaoIk