Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi

"Another one?!"

Zhang Yao raised his voice slightly:

"Old monk, are you kidding me?"

"For such a world-changing event, you only found one helper besides me?"

The Passing Arhat shook his head and said:

"Those who accomplish big things value quality over quantity."

"Adding one more person increases risk; having two people is sufficient."

After calming down, Zhang Yao thought it over and realized the old monk’s words made some sense.

In the cultivation realm, numbers alone don’t guarantee victory, especially when the price offered by the Passing Arhat is limited. It’s not practical to split it among too many people.

"Who is that person? Could you tell me?"

Zhang Yao asked.

"It’s someone you know; it’s none other than Ancestor Heze, who is currently overseeing the Demon Cave at Panlong Mountain."

The Passing Arhat did not hide it.

"Indeed..."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yao wasn’t particularly surprised.

After all, when the Passing Arhat sought help, he could only choose from the visiting Golden Core Cultivators, and had to adhere to the principle of quality over quantity, severely limiting his options.

Besides himself, among the group of visiting Golden Core Cultivators, the true strong ones were only Ancestor Heze and Lady Baiyu.

"Hmm..."

After pondering for a while, Zhang Yao shook his head cautiously:

"Just the two of us probably won’t be enough to hold back more than twenty Golden Core Cultivators."

More than twenty, if considering the lowest estimate.

Apart from the visiting cultivators and the Arhat overseeing the Demon Cave, there are also several Buddhist Temples near the Mani Temple, which might interfere at the last moment.

If that happens, one or two Golden Core Cultivators joining the fray could be the final straw.

"No."

The Passing Arhat shook his head with a smile, refuting Zhang Yao’s thought:

"Hermit Heze’s strength is far more formidable than you imagine, even I dare not underestimate him."

"What he has shown is merely the tip of the iceberg."

"Oh?"

Zhang Yao’s expression flickered, showing a thoughtful look.

"Speaking of Hermit Qingxu you..."

The Passing Arhat paused, then continued with a smile:

"Having inherited the Five Elements Wanderer’s lineage, you must have refined a First Grade Golden Core."

"It’s been quite a few years since you achieved the Golden Core. Is there no progress after thirty-seven years?"

"Hahaha..."

Zhang Yao laughed loudly and said:

"Old monk, you really have calculated everything."

"Just as you said, thirty-seven years from now, my strength will be far beyond today’s level."

It has been over a decade since the deal with Jiuhua Ancestor and the others.

Using the longest estimation, in twenty or so years the Black Tide should erupt; a shorter estimate suggests it could be within the next few years.

Once he obtains the Endless Yin Earth and refines the Five Elements Divine Wheel, achieving the middle stage Golden Core will come naturally.

Next:

After Zhang Yao asked a series of detailed questions, and the Passing Arhat patiently answered them, he finally reached the most critical issue:

"Lastly, let’s discuss the matter of compensation."

Zhang Yao said solemnly:

"I am still very curious, what price are you offering?"

The Passing Arhat clasped his hands together and said with lowered brows:

"Information, the kind you need most."

"Recorded in the Scripture of All Transformations and True Nature, the Golden Core Stage requires collecting eleven types of Heaven and Earth Treasures or rare Spiritual Objects to refine the supreme Ultimate Skill that unifies the nine Great Divine Techniques and thus opens the Nascent Soul’s door."

"Among these eleven treasures and objects, I personally possess The Precious Luminous Golden Nectar, something that is customary for the one holding the Great Awakening Hall, but I haven’t used it yet, I’ve kept it."

"As for the remaining ten treasures and objects, I have information on eight of them or precise acquisition channels."

"Is this true?!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yao was deeply moved.

This was indeed what he needed most right now, more precious than any treasure.

The number of treasures and spiritual objects he required was vast, and many were extremely valuable; not only was there no way to find acquiring channels, but not even the slightest piece of information was available.

"Of course."

The Passing Arhat said:

"If you need it, I can share this information with you right now."

"..."

Zhang Yao did not speak, forcing himself to calm down before he slowly said:

"From the start to the end, you’ve always been confident, not afraid of me leaking information, and now you’re even willing to pay in advance, it seems you must have a binding method with absolute effectiveness."

"Exactly."

The Passing Arhat’s expression was calm as he said:

"This Mani Jade Pendant is the nexus of Wish Power of All Living Beings and Endless Muddy Qi, it inherently possesses incredible might."

"Oaths made with the Mani Jade Pendant are virtually unbreakable, even if you escape from Mani Kingdom, you will still be cursed from afar by the Wish Power, doomed to a miserable end."

"...It’s truly ruthless."

Zhang Yao’s face twitched slightly, but he was not overly worried.

After all, he had the Earth Divine Embryo, and at worst, he could give up everything for True Spirit rebirth. While the Wish Power of All Living Beings is formidable, it certainly couldn’t track a True Spirit.

"Since I’m on your pirate ship, I have no way out."

Zhang Yao sighed deliberately, indicating:

"Go ahead, I’m all ears."

"Alright."

The Passing Arhat smiled and said:

"Having cultivated thus far, you have certainly acquired several, so I will start with the ones you might know or have already obtained."

"The first one, Fengxi Mountain Copper, can be obtained from Zhiyao Celestial Palace."

"Hermit Heze mentioned he has already pulled you into Zhiyao Celestial Palace. If you don’t have the means, you can ask him for help; he holds a high position in Zhiyao Celestial Palace."