361: Chapter 361 Initial Cooperation Reached

Minister Lu Youlin explained, "As for the No. 9 Civilization Ruins, each of the four countries on Blue Star has two entrances."

"One entrance is open year-round, while the other is similar to Civilization Relic No. 1, opening once every so often. However, compared to Civilization Relic No. 1, the opening interval is slightly longer, about eight to ten years, and each opening lasts longer, ranging from one to three months."

"Is there any difference between these two entrances?"

"Yes, and a very big one."

"The entrance that is open year-round is very dangerous—extremely dangerous. Even those in the Eighth Realm have a very high probability of falling there."

"As for the entrance that opens periodically, it is relatively safer, but that is only relative."

"Those in the Sixth Realm basically never return if they enter, and those in the Eighth Realm cannot enter at all."

Xiao Weiqing raised an eyebrow. "So that means only the Seventh Realm is allowed in?"

"Yes." Minister Lu Youlin nodded and then said, "Actually, this Civilization Ruins is meant for those with Seventh Realm strength to enter and work on Constructing a Divine Body."

"Oh?"

"Minister Lu, could you elaborate?"

Xiao Weiqing immediately perked up; it was truly a case of being handed a pillow just as he was getting sleepy.

"It's better if Minister Yin explains. The entrance opening this time is in the Vermilion Bird Empire. The opening times and the conditions inside are different for each of the four countries on Blue Star."

Yin Zong nodded and took over, "On the side of the Vermilion Bird Empire's entrance, there are two mountains: a volcano and an ice mountain."

"It is full of dangers inside. Between the two mountains, there is a specific space. Every time the entrance opens, it produces a treasure called nirvana stone, which can be used for Constructing a Divine Body."

"nirvana stone?"

"What Rank?"

"Currently, the highest is second-grade, but we know there is a first-grade."

Xiao Weiqing was surprised. "What do you mean? Do the nirvana stones themselves have Ranks?"

"Correct."

"Over the past century, our Vermilion Bird Empire has entered nine times. Twice we obtained second-grade nirvana stones, but we discovered something even better than the second-grade ones—it should be a first-grade nirvana stone, but we didn't have the strength to seize it."

Xiao Weiqing became interested and said straightforwardly:

"Old Master Yin, are you telling me all this because you want to cooperate with me?"

Yin Zong didn't expect Xiao Weiqing to be so direct and nodded, "Correct."

"You don't have a Divine Body, and your actual Realm is only the Seventh Realm, yet you have combat power exceeding the Eighth Realm. You couldn't be more suitable."

"Old Master Yin, please tell me, how shall we cooperate?"

Yin Zong said, "You help seize the nirvana stones, and afterward, we'll split them 20-80."

"20-80?"

"Old Master Yin, you're straightforward!"

"Rest assured, I guarantee that even if you only get twenty percent, it will definitely be more than any amount of nirvana stones you've obtained before."

Xiao Weiqing said confidently. The Seventh Realm cultivators from the Vermilion Bird Empire who entered the ruins had obtained second-grade nirvana stones twice, so he would surely be able to get them as well.

This was the absolute minimum.

In the hundred years since the Spiritual Qi recovery on Blue Star, no one at the Seventh Realm had ever possessed Xiao Weiqing's strength.

Yin Zong said with a forced smile, "Dean Xiao really likes to joke."

"Joke? Old Master Yin, what do you mean?"

"The twenty percent is yours."

"?"

Xiao Weiqing frowned, looking puzzled. "Are you sure?"

"Dean Xiao, do you think an old man like me has nothing better to do?"

"Don't you think wanting eighty percent is excessive?"

The other experts were a bit dazed. Was this kid Xiao Weiqing unable to do math? Taking someone else's things on their own territory and demanding eighty percent for himself, leaving only twenty percent for them—how was that any different from robbery?

Even Xie Zhiyuan felt a bit embarrassed and shot a few looks at Xiao Weiqing, telling him to restrain himself. Even if he was going to ask for an exorbitant price, this was too much.

Anyone who didn't know better would think that the No. 9 ruins opening this time belonged to Xiao Weiqing's family.

However.

Xiao Weiqing ignored Xie Zhiyuan.

He continued, "Old Master Yin, I don't think it's excessive at all."

"I want to know, how many nirvana stones can you usually seize each time you enter the ruins?"

"Generally around ten to fifteen tons."

"That many?" Xiao Weiqing was startled. He hadn't expected the people of the Vermilion Bird Empire to be so strong; nirvana stones were measured in tons.

Yin Linna explained, "The texture of nirvana stone is different from ordinary stone. Its density is terrifyingly high; a piece the size of a fist weighs a ton."

"Linna!"

Yin Zong used his eyes to stop Yin Linna.

Yin Linna realized she had said something she shouldn't have, stuck out her tongue, and quickly shut up.

Xiao Weiqing understood the situation upon hearing this.

"Old Master, I still don't think it's excessive. You can calculate which is more: twenty percent of a hundred, or eighty percent of twenty."

Xiao Weiqing's meaning couldn't be clearer. With his strength, he could easily multiply the Vermilion Bird Empire's total harvest several times over. When calculated, twenty percent would still be more than before.

Yin Zong laughed out of anger. "Xiao Weiqing, it doesn't work that way. The entrance is within the borders of my Vermilion Bird Empire. All output belongs to my Vermilion Bird Empire. Allowing you to enter is already an exception."

"If we don't agree, you won't even be able to get through the entrance."

Xiao Weiqing argued, "You came to find me because you value my strength, so why say such things?"

"Furthermore, to put it bluntly, with my current strength, when your entrance opens, who would notice if I slipped in unnoticed?"

"Even if I were discovered, what could you do to me?"

"Weiqing, don't talk nonsense." Xie Zhiyuan glared at Xiao Weiqing.

Xiao Weiqing shrugged.

Minister Lu also tried to smooth things over. "Xiao Weiqing, don't speak out of anger. Great Xia and the Vermilion Bird Empire have been on good terms for a century."

Xiao Weiqing's eyes darted around. "Actually, I don't necessarily need eighty percent. But Great Xia gave birth to me, and Luo Jiang Academy raised me. Now that I'm strong and have a chance to seize treasures, I have to think of them, right?"

Upon hearing this.

Minister Lu's eyes lit up, and he added, "Then again, it's well known that No. 9 Secret Realm is full of dangers. If one isn't careful, serious injury or even death is possible. Giving Xiao Weiqing only twenty percent is indeed unreasonable."

"That makes sense." Xie Zhiyuan agreed with a slight smile.

Yin Zong: "..."

Yin Zong felt that coming to find Xiao Weiqing today was a mistake—no, coming here at all was a mistake. The people here were all birds of a feather, ambitious and unscrupulous; not a single one was good.

"Xiao Weiqing, you're so shameless! You owed me a favor back then and still haven't repaid it. Now you're even thinking of taking advantage of our Vermilion Bird Empire. Why don't we just give you all the nirvana stones?" Yin Linna said indignantly.

"Uh..."

Xiao Weiqing's words faltered. Faced with Yin Linna's sarcasm, he really couldn't refute it; he did indeed owe her a favor.

"This..."

"I will repay your favor. Just say the word, and as long as it's something I can do, I won't refuse."

"Fine. You help us seize the nirvana stones, and the harvest will be distributed according to our terms. Rest assured, we won't let you lose out. As long as you agree, the debt between us is settled," Yin Linna said.

Xiao Weiqing said, "Alright."

"You... you just agreed?" Yin Linna was somewhat taken aback. Xiao Weiqing's attitude was the complete opposite of what it had been just a moment ago. Why?

In an instant.

Yin Linna thought of many things. She met Xiao Weiqing's gaze, then immediately lowered her head, her face flushing slightly.

Xiao Weiqing paid no mind to Yin Linna's unusual behavior.

He simply said seriously, "A man cannot stand without trust!"