Chapter Twenty-Four Negotiation

  Yuan Futong arrived at the gathering point, and there were already three people waiting. Feng Tao and Hu Xin, a couple who initiated the gathering, came the earliest. Earlier than Yuan Futong was Han Tianhang, a middle-aged man in his thirties with an ordinary appearance, belonging to the type that can't be recognized when placed among many people. He practiced "Changchun Gong", cultivating Qi for seven layers. This person was also known to Yuan Futong, introduced by Feng Tao, and had once refined a batch of Qingling Dan in his dan medicine shop, used to break through the seventh layer of Qi cultivation. They also had some friendship with Yuan Futong. It seems that he is the candidate for the Wood element.

  Four people chatted for a while, but since not everyone had arrived, they didn't start discussing anything and each closed their eyes to meditate. After waiting for half an hour, a short and stout man wearing yellow clothes rode in on a white flying crane that landed on the mountain cliff where they were gathered. The crane was over 10 feet long, with a completely snow-white body, a bright red crown on its head, and looked very majestic, but with a short and stout man sitting on it, the scene was slightly spoiled.

  "It's really not harmonious, it should be an old man with a fairy-like appearance riding a crane to meet the aesthetic standards. A fat guy riding a crane is really annoying." Yuan Futong thought secretly, but his face didn't show any expression.

  The man in yellow came down from the crane, cupped his hands and said to Feng Tao: "I've prepared some things, I'm a bit late."

  "It doesn't matter." Feng Tao didn't dwell on it. "Now that everyone is here, let me introduce you all first." Pausing for a moment, Feng Tao continued.

  "Everyone knows me and I know everyone. This one is also familiar to everyone, my good friend Hu Xin." Feng Tao introduced Hu Xin briefly, and Hu Xin nodded slightly towards the other three people.

  "Heh heh, you two are familiar with each other, and I'm sure we all understand your relationship. No need to say more." The man in yellow clothes chimed in.

  "Haha, this is Yuan Futong, the genius alchemist from Huixiangfeng Baizhitang." Feng Tao introduced, pointing at Yuan Futong.

  "Feng brother is overpraising." Yuan Futong nodded to a few other people, as a way of greeting.

  "This is Han Tianhang, Brother Han." Feng Tao pointed at Han Tianhang and introduced him. Han Tianhang didn't make a sound, silently nodded his head, and gave a greeting.

  "This is Zhao Yan Zheng, Zhao brother, who is proficient in beast servant. He is a humorous person, and his name doesn't match him at all." Feng Tao pointed to the last yellow-clad man and introduced him, also joking with him.

  "Hehe, hello everyone, today is not about brothers, please forgive me. From now on, we are all friends, take care of each other." Zhao Yanzheng made a courtesy gesture and poured a cup of tea for everyone. The others also bowed their hands in return. Zhao Yanzheng was also at the 8th level of Qi cultivation, same as Feng Tao, Hu Xin, and Yuan Futong, but he was proficient in Beast Taming Techniques, which would play a big role in this expedition.

  "Now that everyone is here, let me reiterate the goal of this trip. I initiated this trip to Yun Huang because I discovered a cave left behind by a senior in the depths of Yun Huang, at least it was left behind by a master who has reached the foundation-building stage. My abilities are not enough, and I couldn't go deeper, so I came back to gather everyone together to try and see if we can make it inside."

  "This message should have been said when it found us, everyone knows, let's talk about the plan." Zhao Yan Zheng said, and the other two nodded.

  "Hehe, last time I went, I broke through the first layer of restriction and gained something. However, due to cultivation reasons, I couldn't break through the second layer of restriction and didn't gain much. This time, I've gathered everyone because I have a method to remove restrictions in my hands, and I need everyone's help."

  "A spell specifically designed to break seals? It seems that Brother Feng, you've invested a lot this time. Are you so certain that it's the legacy of a high-level cultivator from the foundation period?" Zhao Yan Zheng was the one who spoke up, and Han Tian Xing and Yuan Fu Tong also changed their expressions upon hearing the news. A spell specifically designed to break seals is indeed a rare treasure, and there are many places where it can be used. With this spell, they would have an easier time exploring and adventuring in the future, and they would also have more opportunities to obtain treasures. In order to break the seal, Feng Tao must teach them the spell, so at least they would learn a new skill from this expedition, which would make it worthwhile. The fact that Feng Tao is willing to bring out this spell suggests that he has great confidence in what's inside the cave. They will definitely be able to recover their losses from the cave, and their gains from this trip will not be small."

  "Haha, this spell is called the Five Elements Breaking Seal Technique. It requires five cultivators who have practiced their Qi to at least the seventh layer, each using a different elemental force, in order to take effect. I am Gold, Hu Xin is Water, Yuan brothers are Fire, Han brother is Wood, and Zhao brother is Earth. The five of us must use this spell together to break the seal." Feng Tao gave a brief explanation.

  Upon hearing this, Yuan Futong and the others also understood that there was no such good thing. This Five Elements Breaking Seal Technique must be used by five people at the same time to be effective, and even if one learns it alone, it cannot be used. It is necessary to gather manpower. Feng Tao has a wide range of connections in the scattered cultivation world, and he can gather so many people who are roughly the same level of cultivation and belong to the Five Elements. If others have any discoveries that require the use of this Five Elements Breaking Seal Technique, they will inevitably need to ask these two for help. Feng Tao used a relatively useless technique to gain future cooperation opportunities, which is not a bad deal.

  "Oh, so that's how it is. But if this broken spell can't lift the ban, then..." This time it was Han Tianxing who spoke up, and it was also his first time speaking. He started talking about the worst-case scenario right away, looks like he's a cautious person.

  "If the Five Elements Breaking Technique still can't break through the second layer of restriction, then this Five Elements Breaking Technique will be my reward for everyone's hard work this time. It's a way to thank everyone for their help." Feng Tao also thought about these issues and replied directly.

  "Let's not talk about these depressing things, Brother Feng. Why don't you tell us how to distribute the gains instead?" Zhao Yan Zheng had just finished listening to Feng Tao and felt relieved. He hastily added his words.

  "According to the previous harvest when someone entered the predecessor's cave, there must be a law instrument, and some even have spiritual instruments. However, high-level cultivation methods, insights, elixirs, elixir formulas, spiritual medicines, mineral materials, these are not necessarily available, it depends on our luck."

  "If there are cultivation methods, cultivation experiences, and alchemy formulas, everyone can copy a set, and none of them will be wasted." Hu Xin continued from Feng Tao's words.

  "That's good. These things usually have one or two, so everyone will be allocated and won't go in vain." Zhao Yan said with a smile. Yuan Futong and Han Tianxing also nodded in agreement.

  "I and Hu Xin asked to choose the law enforcement equipment first. After we finished choosing, everyone else will distribute them evenly." Feng Tao continued.

  Yuan Futong and the other two nodded in agreement, with Yuan Futong nodding his head to show his consent. Han Tianxing also agreed. Zhao Yan thought for a moment: "If there are sealed spirit beasts, they must be returned to me."

  "Agreed." Feng Tao and Hu Xin exchanged a glance, and Feng Tao responded.

  "If there's a magic pill, it's the same. Hu Xin and I will each take one first, and then divide the rest equally." Feng Tao continued.

  "If it's just one piece of magic equipment and one spiritual elixir, how will they be distributed?" Zhao Yan raised a question.

  "We must first choose one of the magic tools, and if there are many, we will divide them among ourselves. Generally, there are not too few magic tools in a fight, so everyone doesn't need to worry too much. If Zhao brother's situation arises, Hu Xin and I will have priority in choosing one of them, and the rest of you can bid for the remaining ones, with the spirit stones used as compensation."

  "Does anyone have any other requests?" Feng Tao asked further.

  "If there's a dan furnace, I must return to my sect. I can offer spirit stones as compensation to everyone. If there are extra elixirs, I'd like to take one for research purposes and exchange it with my share, hoping that everyone will accommodate me at that time." Yuan Futong put forward his own requirements.

  "We agree, Brother Han and Brother Zhao?"

  "I have no opinion. I hope to exchange some elixirs that can improve my cultivation with the law instrument, and I hope everyone will help." Han Tianxing's cultivation is the lowest among the crowd, and he has no special requirements.

  "I don't have any opinions either, I just hope that the things about the spiritual beasts will be mine. But in the future, Brother Yuan will help me refine some elixirs." Zhao Yan said.

  "No problem." Yuan Futong agreed readily.

  "Since everyone has already discussed it, let's set off now." With that, he stepped onto the flying sword and led the way, heading towards Yun Huang.