"Extortion... no, what’s the right amount to ask for?"

Han Yu was negotiating with that damned artifact spirit in his sea of consciousness. He definitely needed the Inquiry Stones, but he was trying to figure out how many would be reasonable to ask for.

If he asked for too few, it wasn’t worth taking such a big risk.

At least he couldn’t make the same mistake as last time with Su Xiaoxiao, who tempted him with a few Inquiry Stones, convincing him to risk his life. Not only did his entire rear end get chopped off, but he was also almost struck dead by Tribulation Thunder.

Without hesitation, the Artifact Spirit held up two fingers, grinning so wide its jaw couldn’t close, "Two hundred Inquiry Stones."

Han Yu’s stride faltered, nearly causing him to trip. Damn, how dare that mouth say that? He doubted even Wushang Daoist would believe such a number.

Someone like Mu Zili would step in with various excuses to take back two hundred Inquiry Stones; those things were probably scarce over there too.

Just thinking about two hundred makes sense, but actually asking for them would be like asking for nothing at all.

"Better to be more realistic."

Han Yu grumbled.

How does one actually be realistic with these things?

It’s not like it’s silver coins with a set price.

Ask for too few, Han Yu will definitely feel shortchanged; ask for too many, they might not be able to provide them.

"Why don’t you see how many stones Su Xiaoxiao is worth?"

The Artifact Spirit’s eyes suddenly lit up, there was no standard, right? So why not use people for comparison!

This would provide a much better reference.

Last time when he went, excluding the sixteen he "picked up" on his own side gig, Su Xiaoxiao gave one, and Mu Zili gave fifty.

"Fifty-one stones, can’t be one less."

After the Artifact Spirit calculated, it declared firmly.

In Sea Stone City, an old and a young figure stared blankly at each other, making for a rather eerie scene.

Wushang Daoist was lost in thought, Han Yu was in a daze too.

When they snapped back to reality, Wushang Daoist’s face lit up with joy; he bet right, Inquiry Stones were actually useful.

"You’ve finally arrived, let’s hurry."

Having said this, he was already impatiently preparing to break open the Celestial Chasm.

Han Yu quickly pulled him back; they hadn’t settled on a price yet!

"Fifty-one Inquiry Stones. No matter where you want to go, I’ll go with you. How’s that?"

Wushang Daoist’s hand froze in mid-air, wondering if it was because he was too concerned, or had zoned out too long, causing him to mishear.

"How many?"

Han Yu quietly stretched out a hand and after opening it, shook his palm.

"Fifty-one Inquiry Stones."

Alright! Cultivators at this level wouldn’t mishear things.

So Wushang Daoist’s face stiffened suddenly.

"You really dare say that!"

Have to admit, Han Yu’s asking price really startled him. Such conditions were equivalent to what help would mean sacrificing six Enlightenment Towers.

What’s the concept of six Enlightenment Towers? That’s the equivalent of resources used for four to five hundred Divine Platform Initial Realm cultivators breaking through.

He even suspected Han Yu didn’t understand the value of Inquiry Stones, which was why he blindly quoted such a sky-high price.

He knew the price point he had in mind was nowhere near this number.

"Then how many do you think is appropriate?"

Han Yu frowned tightly, question turning into a response.

After some inner conflict, Wushang Daoist slowly extended his hand, holding up three fingers.

"Thirty stones? Bargaining isn’t like that; cutting so many at once."

Han Yu refused without thinking, and as a result, Wushang Daoist’s face remained flushed.

"I’m talking about three stones!"

That was even more impossible. Risking his life for three Inquiry Stones? Han Yu asked himself: not that kind of death. His life wasn’t that cheap.

He was absolutely certain that once he showed up in front of those five, just his face alone would be enough to attract a wave of animosity.

Risking life isn’t just empty talk; Lei Wang and the others would definitely not let him off, and he had no idea about the dangers he faced.

If not for the fifty-one Inquiry Stones, he wouldn’t risk his life.

"Not a single less, fifty-one stones."

Han Yu didn’t even leave room for haggling; it’s either yes or no, either zone out or rest.

"That’s too much."

Wushang Daoist’s face flushed with embarrassment. Such a large number, whether he dared to give them or not, even if he did, he didn’t have the authority to promise such a big amount.

"Not too many. Last time when I helped you enter a smaller world, it was for this many. Mu Zili personally gave them to me."

Han Yu spun lies without blinking an eye, although the quantity Mu Zili handed over was indeed sixty-one stones, that was because of gambling debt.

It just so happened Wushang Daoist didn’t know this, and moreover, Mu Zili wouldn’t be broadcasting it all over the place that his master lost so much to him gambling.

"Are you serious?"

Wushang Daoist hesitated. If it were Mu Zili giving Han Yu so much, he would truly believe it.

Their status alone, not to mention strength, was far beyond his, so it was not surprising they could afford such things.

"Just tell me if Su Xiaoxiao is worth it or not."

Han Yu added fuel to the fire.

This truly stumped Wushang Daoist. It was hard to judge if Su Xiaoxiao was worth that much, but Elder Mu Zili might actually pay that amount for her.

So... perhaps he should agree on Su Xiaoxiao’s behalf.

"If you keep delaying, they’ll all be dead by the time you get there."

Han Yu urged.

That was really hitting Wushang Daoist’s weak spot; the longer they waited, the more dangerous the situation over there could become, and if they delayed any longer, they might as well not go at all.

"Fine! I agree on behalf of Su Xiaoxiao."

Wushang Daoist gritted his teeth and nodded.

"Make sure to keep your word."

Han Yu couldn’t help but remind, lest they go back on their promise.

"Impossible, we immensely value our reputation."

Wushang was absolutely certain about this, even if Su Xiaoxiao regretted it later, it would be an internal issue for them. Han Yu wouldn’t be owed anything.

Especially since he was going over to save the situation, even if Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t pay, wouldn’t Mu Zili be able to?

"Hurry up, before I get distracted."

When Wushang Daoist said this, there was an inexplicable sadness in his voice, an ability that makes one both love and hate it.

After he swiftly cut a Celestial Chasm, he urgently pulled Han Yu to leap into it...

After today, the Southern Border’s Ten Thousand Mountains might need a new definition.

The world was torn apart with violent explosions, various portents appearing one after another.

The blades falling from Blade Mountain carved sheer cliffs, not to mention the energy boiling in Oil Cauldron which could evaporate an entire mountain on a whim.

All of this was aimed at pursuing the four people below.

After Su Xiaoxiao was struck down, the other three weren’t much better off.

The four of the Bridge Old Woman unleashed attacks repeatedly, invading the three with a vast Ghostly Realm, and further suppressing them.

Under relentless force, they fell to the bottom and were even ambushed by Lei Wang.

Under the Slaughter Soul Whip, not only did it damage the physical body, but it also restrained the soul. So, after Su Xiaoxiao fell, the other three soon followed suit.

At this moment, under the incessant bombardment, Su Xiaoxiao and the other three fled like homeless dogs, trying to hide their figures in the mountains and forests, but it was all for naught.

Figures like them could shake the heavens and earth with just a move, and hiding in the mountains was of no use.

Once their aura was locked, their movements in the forest were completely exposed.

Mountains were either shattered under the Slaughter Soul Whip or carved into various shapes by Blade Mountain, or directly obliterated in the Oil Cauldron.

Shang Di even used a Nether River vision to dissolve the area for several miles around.

There was no place to hide!

Su Xiaoxiao’s face was frighteningly pale, half from injury and half from anger.

He had never been so embarrassed, gnashing his teeth in rage. That bastard Lei Wang, daring to show off with a broken whip, and this time he really managed to pull it off.

For people like them, the addition of a Spiritual Treasure was often insignificant, yet not absolute. Special ones like this with targeting effects could be terrifying.

The harm the Slaughter Soul Whip did to the soul was a deadly weapon against cultivators.

This thing in Lei Wang’s hands was a real menace, having already got the better of them several times.

Truly despicable!

If only Wushang Daoist hadn’t been sent away; borrowing his ability, despite Lei Wang’s cultivation and even wielding the Slaughter Soul Whip, he would still be confined to the Walking the Dao stage within the Divine Platform Realm.

The Slaughter Soul Whip he wielded definitely couldn’t break through Wushang Daoist’s abilities.

Lei Wang was in high spirits, swinging the Slaughter Soul Whip furiously, shattering mountains and stones. This thing was really synergistic with his abilities, especially when he transformed into lightning, making the whip even more powerful.

No matter who came, they had to take a blow from him.

But just when he felt at his best, there was always that annoying voice ruining the moment.

And that voice was maddeningly familiar. Before his mind had a chance to recall where he’d heard it, an inexplicable burst of anger flared up.

That damned voice!

Not only him, but the moment the four of the Bridge Old Woman heard the voice, they were all gnashing their teeth.

They reacted slightly faster than Lei Wang and remembered who it was.

It was that damned person, the bastard who drew Tribulation Thunder against them.

"Were you deliberately setting me up..."

Han Yu’s expression at this moment was beyond words.