Chapter 61: Cooperation Reached
Upon advancing to the Core Formation Realm, Hua Changxi found her body becoming increasingly agile. Returning from the depths of South Mountain to Medicine Valley, she activated Lingbo Microsteps and arrived in just a few minutes.
Not long after returning to Medicine Valley, Guo Yu came looking for her.
“What, Senior Zhuo Fan and Senior Jiang Ye are leaving?”
“Yes, both seniors have matters to attend to. They know your healing medicine is effective and wish to purchase some from you.”
“Healing medicine is no problem. I have some matters to discuss with the seniors as well. Are they not busy right now? I’ll go find them immediately.”
Watching Hua Changxi rush off towards West Mountain in a hurry, Guo Yu followed at a leisurely pace, sighing inwardly, “The older the ginger, the spicier it is.”
Ever since they guessed that Hua Changxi intended to leverage the influence of the Beggar’s Gang, Weiyuan Escort Agency, and the Beggar’s Gang to gather information, her Master and the others had been waiting for her to initiate the conversation.
Who would have thought that during this period, Hua Changxi, apart from treating Senior Yang Chuan’s illness, had no intention of discussing matters with her Master and the others.
Senior Zhuo Fan became somewhat impatient, which led him, her Master, and Senior Jiang to devise this plan, the sole purpose of which was to force Hua Changxi to speak first.
As Hua Changxi entered the stone cave, she saw Zhuo Fan and Jiang Ye bidding farewell to Elder You and Yang Chuan.
Zhuo Fan looked at Yang Chuan, “Yang Chuan, you should recuperate well under You Lin’s care. When Jiang Ye and I are done with our business, we will come to see you again.”
Jiang Ye nodded in agreement, “It’s better to live a humble life than to die. Look at things more optimistically. You still have us.”
Elder You saw Hua Changxi arrive and said proactively, “Changxi, Zhuo Fan and Jiang Ye are leaving. They are both wanderers of the martial world, and injuries are commonplace. They wish to buy more healing medicine from you.”
Hua Changxi smiled, “If Senior Zhuo and Senior Jiang have a need, I will naturally oblige.” As she spoke, she walked towards Yang Chuan, who could already walk, and took his pulse.
“Senior Yang’s injuries have largely healed.”
Yang Chuan managed a weak smile at Hua Changxi, “My life is largely thanks to you, little girl.”
Hua Changxi found a place to sit and shook her head, smiling, “Although I contributed a little, it pales in comparison to how much the three seniors value Senior Yang.”
Upon hearing this, Yang Chuan’s expression moved slightly. He looked at Elder You and the other two with gratitude and relief. Though he said nothing, it felt as though he had conveyed everything.
Elder You and the other two said nothing either, merely smiling back at Yang Chuan.
Watching the silent exchange between the four, Hua Changxi was touched. To have such close friends was indeed a great fortune in life. “I have something I wish to discuss with the four seniors.”
Elder You and the other three quickly exchanged glances and smiled, “What is it?”
Hua Changxi looked at Elder You, “The Great Rift Valley in the depths of South Mountain was found by you, Senior. What do you think of that place?”
Elder You was taken aback. What Hua Changxi was asking about was completely different from what they had anticipated. “I don’t understand what you mean. What do I think of it?”
Hua Changxi took out a Fire Spirit Stone, “This stone is called a Fire Spirit Stone. Do you know what it’s used for?”
Elder You looked at the other three. Even with some speculation, they still shook their heads.
Hua Changxi said, “Martial Artists need to consume pills to stimulate their body’s potential and cultivate Internal Energy and Gang Qi.”
“Cultivators need to absorb Heaven and Earth Power for their own use. The most basic form of Heaven and Earth Power is the Five Elements Power. What are the Five Elements? The four seniors should know, right?”
Zhuo Fan snorted, “Who doesn’t know the Five Elements? Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth.”
Hua Changxi smiled, stood up, and distributed a Fire Spirit Stone to each of Elder You and the other three. Seeing Guo Yu standing nearby, she gave him one as well. “This stone contains the Fire element of the Five Elements Power.”
Upon hearing this, the expressions of Elder You and the other three changed, and their breathing became somewhat rapid.
Before this, they only knew that cultivators absorbed Heaven and Earth Power for their own use, but they were completely clueless about what Heaven and Earth Power was. Now, they finally understood.
Zhuo Fan looked intently at Hua Changxi, “Little girl, what exactly are you trying to say?”
Hua Changxi looked at Elder You again, “Senior, below the Great Rift Valley is a Fire Spirit Mine.”
Elder You still didn’t quite understand what Hua Changxi was getting at. “So?”
Hua Changxi glared, “A Fire Spirit Mine! Aren’t you tempted?”
As soon as she said this, Elder You, Zhuo Fan, Jiang Ye, Yang Chuan, and Guo Yu, who was standing in the background, understood Hua Changxi’s intention and exchanged glances.
Elder You tentatively asked, “You mean…”
Hua Changxi continued, “The appearance of a single Spiritual Fruit caused you all to fight desperately for it. Now, before us lies a Fire Spirit Mine. Don’t you want to possess it?”
Elder You and the others’ eyelids twitched simultaneously. They knew this girl was ambitious, but they didn’t expect her to be this ambitious.
Elder You couldn’t help but remind her, “The Great Rift Valley of South Mountain isn’t far from Medicine Valley.”
The implication was that the Imperial Court would likely discover it. Did Hua Changxi still dare to contend with the Imperial Court for the Fire Spirit Mine?
Hua Changxi understood Elder You’s meaning. “Everything has a first come, first served basis. Moreover, I believe that given the situation at the Great Rift Valley of South Mountain, similar places must exist elsewhere. The Imperial Court cannot and will not be able to monopolize all the benefits, right?”
Elder You looked at his three old friends. Hua Changxi’s objective was clear: she likely wanted to cooperate with them to claim the Fire Spirit Mine.
Fire Spirit Mine…
Knowing that it was a Cultivation Resource needed by cultivators, Elder You and the other three were all tempted.
Zhuo Fan and Elder You exchanged a look and then looked at Hua Changxi, “But we are not cultivators. A Fire Spirit Mine is useless to us.”
Hua Changxi replied, “What if… I can make you cultivators?”
Zhuo Fan ‘whooshed’ and stood up. Elder You, Jiang Ye, Yang Chuan, and Guo Yu all held their breath.
“Is what you’re saying true or false?”
“You’re not lying to us, are you?”
“Can you really make us cultivators?”
Zhuo Fan stared intently at Hua Changxi, not missing a single expression on her face.
Hua Changxi looked at Elder You and the others, who appeared anxious and nervous, and smiled, “I have no reason to lie to you. However, what can you offer in exchange?”
Elder You and the other three immediately exchanged glances.
After a moment of silent communication, Zhuo Fan spoke, “Little girl, stop playing coy. You simply want to cooperate with us to claim that Fire Spirit Mine, right? Tell us, how do you plan to cooperate?”
Hua Changxi stated, “I want sixty percent of the Fire Spirit Mine and the surrounding Spiritual Plants and Spiritual Fruits. I don’t care how you divide the remaining forty percent.”
Zhuo Fan immediately exclaimed, “Little girl, you’re too greedy…”
Hua Changxi directly interrupted him, “For mortals to become cultivators is a heaven-defying opportunity. Senior Zhuo, don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”
Zhuo Fan jumped up and down, “Claiming the Fire Spirit Mine, guarding it, mining it, and driving away any unwelcome intruders will all fall to us. We’re doing all this work, and you want sixty percent? Who exactly is getting the better deal?”
Hua Changxi’s expression was calm, “Senior Zhuo, if you put it that way, it’s not fair. If you couldn’t handle these tasks, why would I seek your cooperation? Because of your bad temper?”
Zhuo Fan was momentarily speechless and began to puff out his beard and glare.
Hua Changxi looked at Elder You and the other two, “Whether I’m taking advantage of you or not, you know in your hearts. I believe I’ve been quite generous.”
Zhuo Fan huffed indignantly, “Generous? Little girl, you’re thick-skinned. Do you think you’re the only one who can make us cultivators?”
Hua Changxi smiled at him, “Seniors are welcome to find others. Like those places you mentioned earlier, Sanqing Palace, Taisu Palace, and so on.”
As she spoke, her smile vanished.
“Seniors, you should think carefully. Going to those places, the price you’ll pay to become cultivators will only be greater. You might even have to sell yourselves.”
Zhuo Fan wanted to retort but couldn’t find a reason, as he knew Hua Changxi was telling the truth. Sanqing Palace and Taisu Palace were not places they could easily approach.
If someone with even a little influence had discovered the Fire Spirit Mine today, they wouldn’t have bothered cooperating with them.
To become cultivators, they would have to sign deeds of sale, guard the Fire Spirit Mine without compensation, and then receive a meager wage for their labor each month.
Zhuo Fan looked at Elder You and the other two, signaling with his eyes for them to take over. He couldn’t fool this shrewd little girl.
Elder You and Jiang Ye looked helpless. Although Hua Changxi wanted to claim the Fire Spirit Mine, they wanted to become cultivators even more. In terms of the intensity of their desire, they were at a disadvantage.
Elder You sighed, “Alright, we agree.”
Hua Changxi suppressed her rising smile. “There’s something I need to tell you in advance. I can help you shape your Spiritual Meridians. With Spiritual Meridians, you will be able to absorb Heaven and Earth Power. However, you will have to find your own Cultivation Methods.”
Zhuo Fan immediately exclaimed again, “Don’t you have Cultivation Methods? Otherwise, how did you cultivate?”
Hua Changxi shook her head, “My Cultivation Method cannot be passed on.”
She had tried to record the Little Bird Breathing and Exhalation Method before, but whenever she had this thought, she would suffer from splitting headaches. After several attempts, she knew that her Cultivation Method could not be casually transmitted.
Zhuo Fan looked unconvinced, “Is that true or false?”
Hua Changxi replied, “I intend to cooperate with you long-term. I won’t do anything to destroy our trust from the start. When you become cultivators in the future, you can verify it yourself.”
“The four seniors are all capable individuals with influence spread across various regions. You even managed to find a Pomegranate. I believe finding Cultivation Methods won’t be difficult for you.”
Jiang Ye suddenly spoke up, “Little girl, can you tell us what that Pomegranate is used for?”
Hua Changxi smiled, “When you seniors become cultivators in the future, you will naturally know.”
She would never tell them that it was a Creation Pomegranate used to refine Creation Pills.
Creation Pills, when consumed by mortals, can shape Spiritual Meridians.
Creation-type Spiritual Fruits are extremely rare and difficult to grow. As soon as they appear, they are targeted by heavenly lightning and annihilated. She never expected Elder You and the other three to encounter one; their luck was truly exceptional.
Zhuo Fan snorted, “Since we are already collaborators, what’s there to hide? Being so secretive is not straightforward at all.”
Hua Changxi turned to him, “Senior Zhuo, how much Silver does Weiyuan Escort Agency earn annually? How many people do they have? How many partners do they have? Would you tell me these things?”
“I may be young, but I’m not foolish. Although we have a partnership, we must each maintain our boundaries. Don’t you agree?”
Zhuo Fan was rendered speechless and huffed, falling silent.
Hua Changxi looked at Elder You and the other two, “Since the four seniors and I have reached a consensus, let’s sign a contract.”
Elder You and the other three found it somewhat amusing, not expecting Hua Changxi to believe in such a thing.
If a contract could bind others, there wouldn’t be so many defaulters in the world.
Amusing as it was, Elder You still glanced at Guo Yu, who immediately went into the stone room to retrieve paper and brush.
Elder You signaled Guo Yu to give the paper and brush to Hua Changxi.
Hua Changxi did not refuse, taking the paper and brush and beginning to write. As she wrote, she said, “Actually, cultivators signing contracts requires taking a Heart Demon Oath, but I cannot. I can only make do with a paper contract for now.”
As she spoke, she smiled and looked at Elder You and the other three.
“Cultivators are most wary of developing Heart Demons. Once troubled by a Heart Demon, at best, their cultivation will stagnate; at worst, they will suffer backlash. The four seniors, having become Grandmasters, should understand the weight of a promise.”
Upon hearing this, the expressions of Elder You and the other three immediately turned serious, putting aside their earlier nonchalance.
Soon, Hua Changxi finished writing five copies of the contract and signed her name along with Elder You and the other three.
Seeing that there was no contract for him, Guo Yu looked anxiously at Hua Changxi, “What about mine?”
Hua Changxi paused, “The four seniors are contributing people and effort. What can you contribute?”
Guo Yu looked to Elder You for help.
Elder You coughed lightly, “Changxi…”
Hua Changxi raised her hand to interrupt him, “There’s no free lunch in this world. I am not a benevolent person and do not engage in unpaid transactions.” As she spoke, she took out four wooden boxes, each about half a palm in size, and handed them to Elder You and the other three.
“These are Fire Element Creation Pills. Take them as soon as possible after opening the boxes.”
The Creation Pomegranate contained dense Five Elements Qi. Hua Changxi had refined the Fire Element Creation Pills using the pomegranate seeds that glowed red.
After Elder You and the other three consumed the Creation Pills, they would be able to shape Fire Element Spiritual Roots.
As Elder You and the other three carefully took the wooden boxes, Hua Changxi, without looking at Guo Yu’s wistful gaze, quickly left the stone cave.
One Creation Pomegranate contained 600 pomegranate seeds, enough to refine six hundred Creation Pills. Giving Guo Yu one wouldn’t be impossible, but she couldn’t set that precedent. She couldn’t let Elder You and the other three think she was easy to deal with.
Everyone has relatives and friends. If she opened this door, she would never have peace.
Moreover, she believed in having principles when doing things. Her principle was fair trade. Free riders were not welcome!
Hua Changxi walked down the mountain. As she neared the entrance of Medicine Valley, a familiar figure flying on a sword appeared in her sight.
Gu Jin Fan!
Hua Changxi’s expression changed drastically. She was surprised that Gu Jin Fan would come here and astonished that she could fly a sword.
Watching Gu Jin Fan land at the entrance of Medicine Valley, she lightly jumped off her Flying Sword. Then, with a wave of her hand, the nearly two-meter-long Flying Sword ‘whooshed’ and disappeared into her body like a stream of light.
Afterward, Gu Jin Fan headed towards West Mountain.
Hua Changxi hid behind a large rock, watching Gu Jin Fan walk up the mountain with a very serious expression.
Gu Jin Fan was a cultivator!
Even though she had obtained the fortune of the Red Stone, she had still embarked on the path of cultivation.
“What is she doing here?”
Hua Changxi cautiously followed her and soon discovered that Gu Jin Fan was heading towards the stone cliff halfway up the mountain.
“Is she here to find Elder You?”
Hua Changxi suddenly thought of the Creation Pomegranate. Creation Fruits were too rare. Anyone who knew their effects would fight to the death for them.
The Hundred Herbs Annotation described the scenes of Creation Fruit appearances as bloody and chaotic.
Was Gu Jin Fan here for the Creation Pomegranate?
“Who’s there?”
Guo Yu warily looked at Gu Jin Fan, who had appeared on the stone cliff without a sound.
Elder You and the other three, who were about to consume Creation Pills in the stone cave, heard the commotion and came out.
Gu Jin Fan saw Yang Chuan alive and well and exclaimed in surprise, “You’re not dead?” She then quickly glanced at Elder You and the other two, finding that they didn’t appear to be seriously injured either.
After Gu Jin Fan uttered the words “You’re not dead,” the expressions of Elder You and the other three turned serious.
“Who are you?”
Gu Jin Fan frowned, suppressing the fact that Yang Chuan was still alive, and got straight to the point, “Did you go to Qingzhou Five Finger Mountain before and snatch a five-colored pomegranate?”
Upon hearing this, Elder You denied it without hesitation, “No, we haven’t been to any Five Finger Mountain.”
Gu Jin Fan continued, “You won’t be able to keep that five-colored pomegranate. Hand over the pomegranate, and I will shield you from the pursuit of the Asura Gate.”
The expressions of Elder You and the other three changed. During the struggle for the pomegranate, their biggest opponent had been the Asura Gate.
Unsure of Gu Jin Fan’s background, Jiang Ye exchanged glances with his three friends and denied it again, “Young Woman, we don’t know what pomegranate you’re talking about.”
Gu Jin Fan’s expression darkened, “If I weren’t certain that you obtained that five-colored pomegranate, why would I have found my way here? Don’t force me to act.”
Hearing this, the faces of Elder You and the other three became grim.
This young woman before them spoke with such arrogance, and she exuded an aura that put them under immense pressure, making them very uneasy.
A cultivator?
Elder You glanced at Guo Yu, signaling him to go down the mountain to find Hua Changxi.
Regardless, that pomegranate had been given to Hua Changxi. Now that a suspected cultivator had come to demand it, that girl shouldn’t stay out of it.
Guo Yu received Elder You’s signal and started to head down the mountain. However, after only a few steps, a green light shot towards him.
“Bang~”
The green light struck Guo Yu, sending him flying.
Fortunately, the direction of the green light’s attack was not towards the cliff, otherwise, Guo Yu would have definitely been knocked off the stone cliff.
Elder You saw Guo Yu spitting blood and collapsing on the ground. His expression changed, and after exchanging glances with Jiang Ye and Zhuo Fan, the three of them simultaneously attacked Gu Jin Fan.
Seeing Elder You and the other two attacking, Gu Jin Fan sneered. Mist condensed beneath her feet, and with a ‘whoosh,’ she floated into mid-air.
“Bang bang bang~”
Three green lights flew out. Elder You and the other two were no match for them and were all struck by the green lights, spitting blood and collapsing.
Yang Chuan saw this and quickly shouted, “The pomegranate has already been taken away.”
Gu Jin Fan’s expression changed, “By whom?”
Yang Chuan hesitated, unsure whether to reveal Hua Changxi’s name.
Gu Jin Fan noticed his hesitation. Green light condensed in her hand, and the next moment, four green lights flew out again, striking Elder You and the other three.
“Pfft~”
Elder You and the other three were once again beaten, spitting blood.
Yang Chuan quickly shouted, “I’ll tell you…”
Just then, the air suddenly became scorching hot, and then, a Fire Lotus shot out, fiercely attacking Gu Jin Fan in mid-air.
Seeing the Fire Lotus, Gu Jin Fan’s expression changed.
How could there be a cultivator here?!
In the brief moment of surprise, the Fire Lotus had already enveloped Gu Jin Fan. Seeing flames engulfing her body, Gu Jin Fan’s heart was filled with immense shock.
She was already a Qi Sea Realm cultivator, yet she couldn’t resist the burning of the Fire Lotus.
Knowing that a cultivator stronger than her was hidden in the shadows, Gu Jin Fan understood that she wouldn’t be able to obtain that Creation Fruit. She could only grit her teeth and use a Teleportation Talisman, flashing away from West Mountain.
