Chapter 688 689: Reaching an Agreement

Xiao Wuji gave a wry smile. Instead of asking Su Xiuyi and the others to leave again, he said directly, "Young Master Ye, this Antitoxic Pill may not have taken long to refine, but its medicinal aroma is incredibly dense. I suspect it's a Seventh-Grade Pill, isn't it? To refine a Seventh-Grade Pill in under an hour... such talent is rare even in the Profound Domain. What's more, you are also a Seventh-Grade Soul Refiner."

"Only the Profound Domain could nurture such a genius. Logically speaking, someone of your caliber wouldn't give a place like Celestial Capital Prefecture a second thought. Yet, I see you seem intent on expanding the Profound Light Pavilion and establishing roots here. Could it be that Young Master Ye has enemies in the Profound Domain?"

Ye Xuan's pupils contracted, and his gaze instantly grew sharp.

'I've been keeping a low profile precisely to avoid arousing suspicion, but the strength I've displayed these past few days has been a bit excessive.'

'Coupled with the change in Zuo Yuan's attitude before and after our conversation, anyone observant could easily guess that I'm from the Profound Domain or the Divine Capital.'

'Geniuses from the Profound Domain and Divine Capital typically look down on a second-rate power like Celestial Capital Prefecture, yet I seem determined to put down roots here. It's inevitable that this would arouse suspicion and lead people to wonder if I have enemies and am here to lie low.'

Xiao Wuji was startled by his glare and quickly said, "Young Master Ye, please don't misunderstand. I am not curious about your origins. However, if you are indeed from one of those places, you must be vastly knowledgeable. I actually have a matter I'd like to discuss with you."

Ye Xuan realized he had misjudged the situation and said calmly, "What is it? Patriarch Xiao, please speak freely."

Only then did Xiao Wuji explain, "Young Master Ye, you already know about my kinsman Xiao Ping being killed by the Yuchi family. The truth is, Yuchi Jie killed him because they had discovered a mysterious place over a hundred thousand li outside Liuxian City. Our reconnaissance suggests it is likely a treasure ground from ancient times."

"Upon learning this, I immediately dispatched my family's experts to explore. But that mysterious place is fraught with danger. Despite our caution, we have repeatedly encountered crises."

Ye Xuan immediately understood the crux of the matter. "It seems the Three Incenses Miasma you were poisoned with, Patriarch Xiao, came from that place," he said, realization dawning on him. "In other words, you want me to accompany the Xiao family on your exploration, eliminate dangers, and lend you a hand?"

With his motive laid bare, Xiao Wuji said, "Young Master Ye, you are as perceptive as they say. That is exactly what I mean. I can see that despite your youth, your knowledge is extraordinary, and your skills in both Alchemy and Soul Refining are astonishing. With your assistance, the Xiao family will undoubtedly suffer far fewer casualties during the exploration."

"Of course, the Xiao family won't ask you to help for nothing. The place is filled with treasures. Even in the areas we've already explored, we've found many rare and precious items. As long as you are willing to help, and can truly make a difference, we will give you ten percent of everything we acquire."

"Ten percent? That's a little low, don't you think?" Ye Xuan shook his head.

A look of displeasure crossed Xiao Wuji's face. "Then how much do you want, Young Master Ye? Our reconnaissance suggests that mysterious place is likely an ancient battlefield or the resting place of a mighty expert. The treasures found there are absolutely heaven-defying."

'Ye Xuan's cultivation is weak,' he thought. 'He'll only be needed for crises like the Three Incenses Miasma. A ten percent share just for that is more than enough.'

Ye Xuan offered a faint smile. "Does Patriarch Xiao think I'm asking for too much? If I'm not mistaken, the Yuchi family also knows this secret, and their exploration efforts are probably far ahead of yours, correct? In fact, it's not just the Yuchi family. It's highly likely that other powers have learned this secret as well. Am I wrong?"

'So many members of the Xiao family were poisoned this time. How could an incident of this scale be kept hidden from all the other powers?'

'And since Xiao Wuji said the mysterious place is outside Liuxian City, the local powers there must know about it. After all, Liuxian City is a second-rate power, no weaker than Celestial Capital Prefecture.'

Called out by Ye Xuan, Xiao Wuji looked awkward. It was true that many powers knew about the mysterious site, and the Xiao family's progress was hardly the fastest.

If the Xiao family were truly the only ones who knew of this place, they would never have shared it with anyone, no matter how dangerous the exploration.

"Then what are you proposing, Young Master Ye?" Xiao Wuji asked tentatively.

"I can help your family with the exploration, but on two conditions. First, I get thirty percent of everything the Xiao family acquires. Second, anything I find on my own in that mysterious place belongs to me and does not need to be shared with your family. If you agree, Patriarch Xiao, we have a deal. If not, you are free to leave."

"Thirty percent? That's far too much!"

Xiao Wuji exclaimed, his face flush with anger. Ye Xuan's demand was too greedy.

Ye Xuan smiled faintly. "Believe me, Patriarch Xiao, my price is low. The dangers of exploring an ancient site are far more complex than you can imagine. A single misstep could lead to the annihilation of your entire party. But with me there, you won't have to worry about crises like the Three Incenses Miasma. Averting just one such disaster will make this a profitable deal for the Xiao family."

A flicker of hesitation crossed Xiao Wuji's face.

'What Ye Xuan said isn't unreasonable.'

"Fine. I agree."

He mulled it over for a moment before gritting his teeth and speaking with resolve.

Ye Xuan nodded. "In that case, I'll accompany you. Just let me know when it's time, Patriarch Xiao."

Xiao Wuji nodded. "We will rest and reorganize briefly after this trip, then set out again. We will depart in five days. I will come for you then."

Ye Xuan replied, "Excellent."

With that, Xiao Wuji quickly departed.

As soon as Xiao Wuji left, Su Xiuyi and the others gathered around.

"Young Master Ye, no wonder the major powers in Celestial Capital Prefecture have been so restless lately, sending out their people. So it's because they discovered this mysterious place."

"Young Master Ye, isn't it too dangerous to agree to their terms? Why don't we go with you? If you go alone, who knows what tricks the Xiao family might try to pull."

Su Xiuyi and the others voiced their concerns.

Ye Xuan shook his head. "If all the major powers are truly involved, it would be too dangerous for you to come along. I'll actually be safer on my own. I doubt the Xiao family would dare to double-cross me."

'Right now, the strongest members of the Profound Light Pavilion are only Peak of Second Layer Martial Emperors like Yang Xiu and Qiu Wushuang. They would be hard-pressed to gain any advantage against the major families.'

After returning, Xiao Wuji immediately saved the five elders. When the members of the Xiao family learned of his agreement with Ye Xuan, they were all stunned. They felt Ye Xuan was being outrageously greedy and were secretly displeased.

However, since Xiao Wuji had already finalized the terms of their cooperation, they couldn't say much.

After Xiao Wuji's departure, Ye Xuan immediately entered his cultivation chamber again.

'Exploring an ancient site is bound to be dangerous. I must increase my strength as quickly as possible.'

HUFF!

After thirty-six Circulations, he brought his condition to its absolute peak. Then, a purple Spirit Grass appeared in his hand.

The moment the Spirit Grass appeared, it began to sway gently, emitting specks of purple starlight. It was resplendently beautiful.

This Spirit Medicine was the very same Tier Nine herb Xiao Wuji had traded for the Black Shining Vine: the Celestial Sage Purple Iris.

"I originally planned to take this Celestial Sage Purple Iris after I broke through to Tier Seven Third Layer," he murmured. "But it seems I can't wait. That ancient site is bound to be fraught with danger and crawling with experts. I won't be at ease until I've improved my means of survival."

'To improve my chances of survival, personal strength is the most critical factor, more so than any external item. But with my current cultivation, it will be difficult to make any significant breakthroughs in just five days. I'll have to find another way, perhaps through a different Cultivation Technique.'

'And so, I've set my sights on the Nine Transformations Sacred Body.'

'My Nine Transformations Sacred Body has already reached the Fifth Transformation. At this level, my physical body is comparable to that of a Tier Eight Martial Emperor.'

'And now, I'm going to push my Nine Transformations Sacred Body from the Fifth Transformation to the Sixth.'

'Once I reach the Sixth Transformation, my body's Defense Power will be at least at the level of Tier Eight Third Layer, perhaps even more formidable than that of a Tier Eight Third Layer Martial Emperor.'

'That will dramatically increase my chances of survival in the mysterious site.'

'Generally speaking, the difficulty of advancing the Nine Transformations Sacred Body increases significantly with each transformation. At my current pace, it would take a very long time to reach the next level.'

'Fortunately, however, I have the Celestial Sage Purple Iris.'

'Back when the Xiao and Yuchi families were bidding against each other, the reason I chose the Celestial Sage Purple Iris over the Emperor Essence Crystal was because this herb is an incredibly potent Spirit Medicine for Body Refining.'

'The medicinal effects of the Celestial Sage Purple Iris are extremely volatile. It is one of the main ingredients for refining the Tier Nine Celestial Pill, a pill capable of unconditionally raising even a Tier Nine Martial Emperor's physical body by a full level.'

'Of course, with my current cultivation, I can't refine a Celestial Pill. However, the Celestial Sage Purple Iris has a unique property: it also provides a Body Refining effect when consumed directly.'

'The only drawback is that its medicinal effects are even more volatile when consumed raw, making it easy to damage one's own body.'

'But that very volatility is exactly what I need for cultivating the Nine Transformations Sacred Body.'

That was why Ye Xuan had made his decision.

After bringing his body to its peak condition, Ye Xuan didn't hesitate. He stuffed the entire Celestial Sage Purple Iris into his mouth.

CRUNCH, CRUNCH!

The moment it entered his mouth, the Celestial Sage Purple Iris was not soft as it had appeared, but surprisingly crisp. With a few chews, it broke into tiny fragments and went down Ye Xuan's throat.

Before the fragments even reached his stomach, they had already dissolved into droplets of purple liquid. They gathered together, creating a cool sensation that was surprisingly pleasant.