Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 907 - 907 0549 What Are You Willing to Pay_2

Chapter 907: Chapter 0549 What Are You Willing to Pay_2 Chapter 907: Chapter 0549 What Are You Willing to Pay_2 Gao Jinmei, however, completely ignored the longing and plea evident in their eyes. As a Gold Core Realm powerhouse, she didn’t need to concern herself with the emotions of several Foundation Establishment cultivators. She was only interacting with them to avoid trouble and enter the Eastern Capital City smoothly; otherwise, she would not have been sitting at the same table with a group of Foundation Establishment cultivators—she wouldn’t have even spared them an extra word, lest she lower her own status.

Gao Jinmei said, “Sir, you have now achieved a breakthrough. For the sake of safety, you should return to the Quiet Room and rest and solidify your cultivation for a couple of days. Once you stabilize your realm, we can then hold a feast to celebrate. What do you think?”

Xiang Bo now had immense trust in Gao Jinmei, especially since it was her help that had facilitated his smooth breakthrough. He readily agreed, saying, “Alright, I will follow Master Gao’s advice. I will go and consolidate my cultivation realm. Everyone, I will take my leave first; those who wish to continue drinking may do so. I’ll ask them to keep supplying you with food and drinks.”

After saying that, Xiang Bo left the Flower Hall with a confident stride.

No sooner had Xiang Bo stepped out of the Flower Hall than Lin Zhenzhao was the first to stand up and approach Qi Tian, saying, “Qi, I must sincerely apologize to you. Previously, my misunderstanding of you led to some unpleasantness. I am deeply sorry for that. Now, in front of everyone, I offer my apology, hoping that you, sir, will not hold a grudge and can forgive me.”

Before Qi Tian could say anything, Gao Jinmei spoke up: “Since you know you have offended Qi Tian and want to offer a formal apology, then you should show some sincerity. Merely moving your lips—what kind of gesture is that? There’s no sincerity at all.”

Lin Zhenzhao’s face reddened immediately. If it had been anyone else speaking, he might have pretended not to hear, but these words came from Gao Jinmei herself, and he was hoping to gain an opportunity for a breakthrough from her. How could he possibly go against her wishes now? If Gao Jinmei asked him to do something and he refused, it was almost certain that she would not bestow upon him any opportunity.

Realizing this, Lin Zhenzhao gritted his teeth, took a wooden box out of his Storage Bag, and placed it in front of Qi Tian, saying, “These are the Middle-grade Spirit Stones that I’ve gathered over the years with much effort, over thirty in total. I am now offering them all to you, Qi, as an apology.”

Qi Tian knew Lin Zhenzhao wasn’t telling the truth. With the sensing function of the Heavenly Dao Engine for Spirit Qi, he could clearly see exactly how many cultivation resources Lin Zhenzhao had, down to the last one. Besides these thirty or so stones, Lin Zhenzhao actually had around two hundred more, just shy of three hundred. However, Qi Tian did not expose Lin Zhenzhao; such a quantity of Middle-grade Spirit Stones wouldn’t even catch his eye.

Qi Tian extended a finger and pushed the wooden box back, saying, “Is there a misunderstanding between us? I don’t think so, Lin Zhenzhao. Take these Middle-grade Spirit Stones back, will you? You’re injured now and in need of Spirit Stones. Keep them for yourself.”

Lin Zhenzhao was desperate; he knew Qi Tian found his offering of Spirit Stones too measly. Biting his lip, he took out another wooden box and said, “I’ve just remembered, I have a few more Middle-grade Spirit Stones. I might as well give them all to you, Qi.”

This time, the wooden box contained fifty Middle-grade Spirit Stones. Lin Zhenzhao stacked the two boxes together and pushed them towards Qi Tian.

Qi Tian shook his head again, one hundred middle-grade spirit stones still weren’t enough. It was as if they were trying to buy him off. Was his face, Qi Tian’s face, really so cheap?

Lin Zhenzhao found that he had underestimated Qi Tian’s greediness. He clenched his teeth in secret frustration, but with no other options available. Qi Tian and Gao Jinmei were extremely close, and if he couldn’t win over Qi Tian, once he approached Gao Jinmei seeking an opportunity, Qi Tian would only need to sneer to turn his wishes to dust. To prevent this, he was prepared to pay any price to earn Qi Tian’s forgiveness.

After some thought, Lin Zhenzhao took out another wooden box, bigger than the previous two. This box contained exactly one hundred middle-grade spirit stones. In total, he had brought out over one hundred and fifty middle-grade spirit stones, essentially half of his entire supply.

Qi Tian knew when to stop while he was ahead. Although he wasn’t short on various spirit stones, most he carried were brought from the Imperial Family Secret Territory. The spirit stones from the Secret Territory were subtly different from those outside, much like water, which, though universally the same, tasted distinctly different from place to place. If Qi Tian used the external spirit stones in the Secret Territory, it could bring about unnecessary trouble. Therefore, if possible, he preferred to have spirit stones from the Secret Territory. Now that Lin Zhenzhao was willingly giving him spirit stones, Qi Tian saw no reason to refuse. With a sweep of his hand, he collected all three boxes along with the middle-grade spirit stones inside, saying, “Master Lin, considering the sincerity you’ve shown, I’ll accept your apology and, with some reluctance, accept your gift as well.”

Seeing Qi Tian accepting the middle-grade spirit stones, Lin Zhenzhao heaved a long sigh of relief. Thank heavens, the obstacle that was Qi Tian had been dealt with, and he could now seek Gao Jinmei’s help with peace of mind.

Lin Zhenzhao walked up to Gao Jinmei with an obsequious smile, his expression one of ingratiation, and said, “Master Gao, may I have a word? There’s something I would like to discuss with you.”

Gao Jinmei had not intended to use Lin Zhenzhao, but Qi Tian had already sent her a message, suggesting she find a way to lead him on while not actually fulfilling his request.

After receiving instructions from Qi Tian, Gao Jinmei had no choice but to comply. Suppressing the discomfort in her heart, she said, “Whatever you have to say, you can say it here.”

Lin Zhenzhao, slightly embarrassed, knew that a cultivation opportunity was not common as cabbage. He wanted it for himself and had no intention of sharing with the other guest officials. Seeing it was unlikely Gao Jinmei would leave with him, he had no choice but to convey his wishes to her in the Flower Hall with a whispered transmission, “Master Gao, the technique you used to help the young master make a breakthrough was a work of immortals, utterly breathtaking. As a fellow cultivator, I too have been trapped at my current stage for many years. I’m now hoping that you can perform the same technique on me. No matter what conditions you propose, I’m ready to accept them. Truly, my words are earnest, without the slightest hint of falsehood.”

Lin Zhenzhao wanted to communicate privately for fear that the other guest officials would become privy to his true intentions. But how could Gao Jinmei let things go his way? She spoke up, “Oh, so you, Lin Zhenzhao, wish to breakthrough your current cultivation base just like the young master? Alright then, why don’t you tell me what kind of price you’re willing to pay?”

Gao Jinmei’s direct approach startled Lin Zhenzhao. He wanted to interject but it was already too late. The other guest officials, having seen how Qi Tian had beaten Lin Zhenzhao to a pulp, began to suspect the purpose behind Lin Zhenzhao’s offering of the spirit stones. They hadn’t forgotten that behind closed doors, Lin Zhenzhao had once declared irreconcilable enmity with Qi Tian, speaking with such unwavering decisiveness. With this context, they had suppressed their speculation. However, now they realized they were too naive and too trusting. What deep grudge did Lin Zhenzhao bear against Qi Tian that he was now willing to pay such a steep price just to keep Qi Tian from interfering? And why were they, like fools, just standing there doing nothing?