NOVPUB
Chapter 450: 446
"You? A turning point?"
Lan Yuhua looked at Gu Jinlai, frowning slightly, seemingly puzzled, "What do you mean?"
Gu Jinlai did not answer directly, but said, "I have learned about the ways you and Lan Yuxian compete: one follows the Demon Slayer path, accumulating Contribution Value by slaying Devils, while the other captures Out-of-Control and Demonic Cultists. Whoever ultimately achieves the higher Contribution Value will be the winner of the Taiao Cave Heaven cultivation spot."
As he spoke, he added, "In this competition, both parties can use their own abilities, call upon favors, or hire anyone willing to accept your invitation to help you slay Devils or hunt Out-of-Control. Just like Lan Yuxian somehow obtained Wu Tianya’s favor to become the captain of the Sweeper Team, and you..."
He glanced in the direction from which Lan Yuhua’s recent companions had departed, "A Peak Martial King, and a Top Martial King... neither of these people is from your Lan Family, are they?"
"Indeed, they are not."
Lan Yuhua nodded, slightly guessing what was coming next, "You wouldn’t be suggesting that you’re willing to accept my hire, to help me slay Devils and thus overcome Lan Yuxian’s Contribution Value, would you?"
"Why wouldn’t I, if the price is right?"
Gu Jinlai said with a light smile, "You should know, before I perfected the Thunder Sword Divine Skill, Lan Yuxian... was very arrogant. Today’s pursuit in Lei Jie was my duty, and I had to make a move, yet in the end, she became the biggest winner among your Lan Family’s competitors for the Taiao Cave Heaven cultivation spot... which is somewhat upsetting to me. So, for the sake of venting, I am completely motivated to proactively help you, am I not?"
Lan Yuhua’s eyes lit up at Gu Jinlai’s words.
He had also heard of the conflict between Gu Jinlai and Lan Yuxian.
Given Lan Yuxian’s temper, no one of ability could stand her.
Pan Dali’s departure from the Southeast Team was the best example.
The battle at Thunder Origin Sect, coupled with his encounter with Lei Jie today, all prove that Gu Jinlai indeed possesses a combat power comparable to that of Peak Heavenly Beings.
Peak Heavenly Beings.
In the entire Wind and Rain City, aside from the Four Great Saints and the nine Martial Saints, such high-level beings could be counted on fewer than two hands.
Each of these figures has an extraordinary identity and would not easily intervene in the competition incited by the two Devas of the Lan Family over a single Taiao Cave Heaven cultivation spot.
After all, their identities make it impossible for them to rashly make certain decisions, for fear of being misunderstood about their stance and attitude.
Another critical point is the risk of not worth the reward.
Even if they helped one of them become the ultimate winner, what they could offer in return was quite limited.
If they helped and that person still didn’t win, they would have indirectly offended someone who could at least become a Peak Heavenly Being and even had the potential to break through to become a Saint in the future.
In such circumstances, naturally, they would not take on huge risks for some trivial benefits.
Remaining unchanged in the face of myriad changes is the proper choice.
But as for Gu Jinlai...
He was entirely free from the concerns that those major figures faced.
"Are you truly willing to help me?"
Lan Yuhua was somewhat overjoyed.
"Being willing is one thing, but whether I actually help depends on your sincerity,"
Gu Jinlai looked at Lan Yuhua," Although some of Lan Yuxian’s actions have upset me, we are all adults. We cannot simply take risks and offend a Heavenly Person who may even have the potential to become a Saint someday, without any benefit in it for us. Do you understand what I mean?"
"I understand."
Lan Yuhua quickly calmed down, "What do you want?"
"That depends on what you’re willing to offer for that coveted Taiao Cave Heaven cultivation spot,"
said Gu Jinlai.
For Lan Yuhua, the Taiao Cave Heaven cultivation spot signified a future of boundless prospects. He was willing to pay any price for it.
After a moment of contemplation, he made up his mind and extended his hand, revealing an octagonal crystal pearl.
"This is the Eight Cloud Crystal, a Quasi-Dao Artifact-level Supreme Treasure, bestowed upon me by my family after I became a Heavenly Person."
Lan Yuhua was resolute, "You should know that the value of a defensive Quasi-Dao Artifact is much higher than that of an offensive one. If you truly can help me reclaim the spot to go to Taiao Cave Heaven for cultivation, I am willing to give you this treasure as compensation."
"Eight Cloud Crystal."
Gu Jinlai examined the Quasi-Dao Artifact.
It was one of the Lan Family’s renowned protective Dao Artifacts. 𝚗𝚘v𝚙𝚞b.𝚌𝚘m
As Lan Yuhua said, the value of defensive Quasi-Dao Artifacts was indeed much higher than offensive ones.
The price of this Quasi-Dao Artifact was probably no less than five billion.
Equivalent to half of a true Dao Artifact.
If he were to sell this defensive Quasi-Dao Artifact, not to mention buying the seven hundred units of Thunder Magnetic Elemental Gold required for the next phase of his Chaotic Star Light Body cultivation, even purchasing eight hundred units wouldn’t be difficult.
"This is something owned by your Lan Family, giving it to me could bring you considerable trouble,"
said Gu Jinlai slowly.
"If we want to surpass Lan Yuxian’s Contribution Value, we will inevitably have to take action against the Demon King. I can claim to the family that this Quasi-Dao Artifact was destroyed in battle against the Demon King. Besides, the importance of a Quasi-Dao Artifact ultimately doesn’t compare to that of a true Dao Artifact. By the time I have successfully secured the spot for Taiao Cave Heaven cultivation, my standing in the family will have changed significantly; it’s unlikely the family would pursue the matter relentlessly. You’ll just need to make sure not to sell it in Wind and Rain City or surrounding cities,"
suggested Lan Yuhua.
"That means I will not only have to take on risks, but also face quite a bit of trouble,"
said Gu Jinlai.
Lan Yuhua heard Gu Jinlai’s words and seemed still somewhat unsatisfied. Gritting her teeth, she said, "I’ve heard that when you were at the Martial Saint Institute, you had exchanged for a Heavenly Person’s Divine Power, seemingly to use it to comprehend your Martial Arts Divine Power? I can also take a Divine Power from my family to give to you!"
As she spoke, she lowered her voice, "It’s a Top Divine Power!"
"Top Divine Power!?"
Gu Jinlai was startled.
The value of an ordinary Divine Power already starts in the billions, equivalent to a Supreme Grade Spirit Artifact.
The value of a top-grade Divine Power, although not as exaggerated as the gap between a Supreme Grade Spirit Artifact and a Quasi-Dao Artifact, is still monopolized by the upper echelons. An average cultivator wanting to purchase a top-grade Divine Power would have to spend seven to eight billion in Contribution Value.
It’s the same with Top Divine Powers.
Without status or background, one would need at least fifty billion to exchange for a Top Divine Power, and that’s if someone is even willing to sell such a Divine Power.
Now Lan Yuhua was actually willing to offer such a thing for a slot to advance in the Taiao Cave Heaven...
Gu Jinlai’s thoughts surged for a moment before he asked, "This Top Divine Power comes from Taiao Cave Heaven, right?"
"Indeed, once cultivated by those not the true inheritors of Taiao Cave Heaven, they will certainly be hunted by top powerhouses of Taiao Cave Heaven. But as a Martial King, you won’t be able to cultivate the Top Divine Power, and if it’s merely for reference, naturally you don’t need to worry about this problem."
Lan Yuhua spoke, pausing slightly, "You won’t go around bragging that you have a Top Divine Power inheritance from Taiao Cave Heaven, will you?"
"Of course not."
Gu Jinlai said, and without insisting further, happily agreed, "The Eight Cloud Crystal and that Top Divine Power, I accept."
"That’s wonderful."
Lan Yuhua’s spirit lifted, "Among the Demon King information I’ve obtained, in addition to that ordinary Demon King, there’s also a powerful Demon King with a Perfect Demon Body. If we could hunt it, the contribution we get could nearly reach ten billion."
At this, she added, "If the Ancient Martial King hadn’t come, I was ready to spend a fortune to gather friends and take a desperate gamble. Now that the Ancient Martial King is willing to take action, capturing this Demon King should be within easy reach."
"A Demon King with a Perfect Demon Body? Nearly ten billion in Contribution Value..."
Gu Jinlai pondered briefly.
The battle power of a Demon King with a Perfect Demon Body is comparable to Top Devas, and some with great talent could even be comparable to Peak Heavenly Beings. He would face a certain risk to contend with them.
However...
He glanced at Lan Yuhua.
If even she, who did not possess the battle power of a high-level Deva, had the courage to gather a group to fight with this Demon King, then why wouldn’t he?
In case of real danger, he wouldn’t need to defeat the Demon King, he would only need to run faster than Lan Yuhua and the Martial Kings she had gathered.
And he believed that Lan Yuhua, despite her desperation for an advancement slot in Taiao Cave Heaven, would definitely not joke around with her own life.
"Agreed."
Gu Jinlai said, "However, I have one condition, you have to give me the Eight Cloud Crystal and that Top Divine Power first."
"Give it first..."
Lan Yuhua’s face changed slightly, with some hesitation.
"Time waits for no one. This may be your only chance to get that slot to advance in Taiao Cave Heaven."
Gu Jinlai said.
Upon hearing Gu Jinlai’s words, Lan Yuhua made a decisive choice, "I’ll give it, but you must make a vow with your Martial Arts Will."
"Agreed."
Gu Jinlai nodded.
Making a vow with the Martial Arts Will is similar to the Heavenly Dao vow of cultivators.
It’s a kind of constraint from an idealistic force.
But how much binding force it really has...
That depends on who you ask.
"We’ll gather and set out after dark at the North City Gate. I’ll give you the Eight Cloud Crystal and that Divine Power then," Lan Yuhua declared resolutely.
"Alright."
Gu Jinlai nodded.
With their conversation settled, Lan Yuhua left quickly.
Watching her departing figure, Gu Jinlai’s expression did not show much turbulence.
Lan Yuhua was willing to give everything for her slot to advance in Taiao Cave Heaven; her coming to him now couldn’t be more fitting.
After watching for a moment, Gu Jinlai’s gaze also turned toward the courtyard being used as the Sweeper Team’s base but was actually the private residence of Lan Yuxian, the Heavenly Person.
At this time, the courtyard was bustling with constant coming and going, a hive of activity.
It wasn’t just the Lan Family members paying visits en masse; some people outside the Lan Family, realizing that Lan Yuxian was about to become the ultimate winner, with a meteoric rise imminent, were also sending envoys with gifts to secure a good relationship in advance.
In his mind, he conjured up the few times he had seen Lan Yuxian, proud as a swan.
"I wonder if you can maintain such pride after three days, when Lan Yuxue arrives, and the advancement slot in Taiao Cave Heaven is no longer yours."
