Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 959 - 959 0575 Too Much Risk_2

Chapter 959: Chapter 0575 Too Much Risk_2 Chapter 959: Chapter 0575 Too Much Risk_2 Gao Jinmei didn’t know how to respond to Zhao Ninglu’s words, but just then, Qi Tian sent a message to her, saying, “Agree to it.”

With Qi Tian’s explicit instruction, Gao Jinmei knew what to do. She put on an air of profound mystery, raised her wine cup, and said ambiguously, “Alright, I can check for you, but I can’t guarantee what the result will be.”

Zhao Ninglu was overjoyed, quickly drained the wine in her hand, then stood up, and said eagerly, “Master Gao, please follow me.”

In order to awaken her potential, Zhao Ninglu didn’t even care about Xiang Bo, this newly acquainted brother, and led Gao Jinmei towards a side chamber next to the Flower Hall. She hoped to confirm her condition as soon as possible; the sooner she could awaken her potential, the sooner she could cultivate to the Gold Core Realm and become a true Gold Core Realm powerhouse.

Inside the Flower Hall, only Xiang Bo and Qi Tian were left. Xiang Bo was quite concerned about his new sister Zhao Ninglu and asked Qi Tian, “Master Qi, what do you think will happen to my sister Ninglu? Will she be able to awaken her potential like me?”

Qi Tian just smiled faintly without responding to Xiang Bo’s question. In fact, Qi Tian had already used the Heavenly Dao Engine’s ability to sense Spirit Qi for a comprehensive check on Zhao Ninglu earlier, and the situation was not very optimistic. It would not be smooth for Zhao Ninglu to advance to the Gold Core Realm on her own conditions. However, with some external assistance, there was still a considerable possibility for her to reach the Gold Core Stage. Of course, once she entered the Gold Core Realm, further progress would become quite difficult.

Seeing that Qi Tian did not answer his question, Xiang Bo didn’t mind. He was still in an excited state, not yet freed from the thrill of becoming brother and sister with Zhao Ninglu. He drank his wine and rambled excitingly to Qi Tian about some of the family matters, talking about the changes that might occur to their family now that he and Zhao Ninglu had become siblings; he was extremely agitated.

Gao Jinmei pretended to inspect Zhao Ninglu in the side chamber for half an hour, then walked out of the room silently, with Zhao Ninglu following behind, looking eagerly at Gao Jinmei, hoping for a positive response.

Gao Jinmei didn’t know what to say as she awaited further instructions from Qi Tian. When she returned to the Flower Hall, Qi Tian timely sent her a message, telling her what to say about the examination results to Zhao Ninglu.

Gao Jinmei sat back down next to the banquet, her expression serene, her demeanor inscrutable.

Zhao Ninglu took out a wooden box and placed it on the banquet table, pushing it towards Gao Jinmei. She said, “Master Gao, this is a small token of my regard, please accept it.”

Upon scanning the wooden box with her Divine Sense, Gao Jinmei knew it contained precisely five hundred middle-grade spirit stones. She gave the wooden box a pat and said, “Princess, your condition isn’t very optimistic, but you shouldn’t be too pessimistic either. After my inspection, there’s still some potential within you that can be unearthed. However, it is extremely difficult to do so, and even if we use the secret techniques of my sect, it will cost a great deal. The cost is so significant that I’m afraid the Princess might not be able to bear it.”

Zhao Ninglu had been worried there was no potential to be unearthed within her, so receiving such an answer exceeded her expectations. She said eagerly, “Master Gao, just tell me what I need to pay.”

Gao Jinmei said, “First, I have to make one thing clear. The secret technique I am about to perform is quite special, and I cannot perform it on my own; I must have Master Qi cooperate with me. Only by working together can we possibly succeed. I wonder if the Princess can accept this? If you cannot, then there’s no need for further discussion.”

Zhao Ninglu gave Qi Tian a glance, her expression somewhat hesitant. Among Xiang Bo, Qi Tian, and Gao Jinmei, the person she trusted the most was Xiang Bo, followed by Gao Jinmei, with Qi Tian being the last. To her, Qi Tian was not only a complete stranger but also a man. As a Princess, she had always been particularly cautious in this regard, maintaining her purity and rarely allowing men to come near her.

After some thought, she asked, “Master Gao, I’m not sure if you and Master Qi need me to do anything special when you perform the secret arts together? Like exposing my skin, for instance.”

Gao Jinmei replied with a smile, “Princess, you don’t have to worry. When Master Qi and I perform the secret arts together, we are doing so to unblock your meridians, which can be done through your clothing. There is no need for concern.”

Zhao Ninglu let out a long sigh of relief and said, “I have embarrassed myself before the two of you. If that’s the case, I can accept your first condition.”

Gao Jinmei nodded and continued, “Let’s discuss the second condition. The toll on Master Qi and me from performing the secret arts is substantial. Although you and young master Xiang Bo have formed a sworn siblinghood, and we should not approach you for payment, our sect’s rules dictate that we cannot act without compensation. I hope you understand.”

Zhao Ninglu hurriedly nodded in agreement, saying, “I understand, I understand. The law dictates that such secrets cannot be transmitted lightly. Since you both are assisting me, I should be responsible for any of your losses. Just name your price. I can bear it and am willing to bear it.”

Without any hesitation, Gao Jinmei spread her right hand and waved it in front of Zhao Ninglu’s eyes, saying, “Five hundred thousand middle-grade spirit stones. This is already the lowest price.”

Zhao Ninglu gasped. To her, five hundred thousand middle-grade spirit stones were by no means a small sum. Even for her, it would take a long time to accumulate. But when she thought about the benefits she could gain from unlocking her potential, the hesitation and pain in her expression vanished instantly. Gritting her teeth, she agreed, “Please wait a moment, I’ll go get it for you now.”

Zhao Ninglu turned and left to fetch the spirit stones. While she was away, Qi Tian shared his plan with Gao Jinmei once more.

After learning of Qi Tian’s plan, Gao Jinmei’s eyes flickered as she said, “Master, this is a rare opportunity. Why don’t you take on a bit of trouble? Have Zhao Ninglu, like myself, sign a Servant Pact with you to become your Immortal Slave. If you succeed, it’ll be like planting a stake within the royal family. I believe it will greatly aid your future actions within the Imperial Family Secret Territory.”

Previously forced into a Servant Pact with Qi Tian, Gao Jinmei had been angry at first. But over time, she found that Qi Tian was a rather amiable master. Moreover, she had benefitted greatly from her association with him. As time passed, she had come to accept her situation and was even encouraging Qi Tian to get Zhao Ninglu to sign as well. From her perspective, she believed it would be beneficial for both Qi Tian and Zhao Ninglu, with both parties reaping advantages.

Qi Tian shook his head directly after hearing Gao Jinmei’s suggestion, saying, “No, signing a Servant Pact with Zhao Ninglu involves risks that are simply too great. As a Princess, she must have certain specific prohibitions or defenses to guard against methods like the Servant Pact. If we rashly use such tactics, it will not be to our benefit. Even if we do succeed in binding Zhao Ninglu with a Servant Pact, it could alert the old monsters of the royal family, and we would be in a bad situation. Therefore, this matter should not even be mentioned. If we want to influence Zhao Ninglu, we must use other methods. You must be very careful with this, do not spook the snake and spoil our plans.”

Gao Jinmei hurriedly nodded her head, realizing she had oversimplified matters.

While they spoke, Zhao Ninglu had already returned with a Storage Bag in hand. She placed the Storage Bag in front of her and said, “Master Gao, here are the five hundred thousand middle-grade spirit stones you requested. Please count them.”