Chapter 006: Extortion
Yun Yang had never seen the real thing, so naturally he felt a bit envious. However, as a modern person, especially one with a background of mixing in the underworld, he certainly would not be easily dismissed. He was contemplating how to extract some benefits from both sides.
Well... Yun Yang stroked his chin, feigning a contemplative expression
Suddenly, he pulled out hundreds of crystal stones from somewhere. These crystal stones are essential items for cultivators; they are a type of energy stone that can be used as a special currency in the cultivation world. Cultivators can absorb the energy within these stones to enhance their cultivation levels more rapidly, rather than relying solely on the spiritual energy from the heavens and the earth. Additionally, crystal stones can be used for array formation, artifact refining, and other purposes. However, crystal stones can only be mined from crystal deposits, and most crystal mines are owned by various powerful factions, making it impossible for loose cultivators to possess them due to their lack of strength. Even if one were to stumble upon a new deposit by sheer luck, it would soon be discovered by those sects, who would then seize it.
Upon hearing Yi Minzi's words, Yun Yang's expression immediately changed, faster than flipping a page. Seeing this, Yi Yangzi knew things were going awry and quickly intervened, giving Yi Minzi a fierce glare. "Since you are unwilling to lower yourself to our sect, then so be it. As long as you can assist us in eliminating this villain and recovering the treasure, we will certainly reward you generously. This mere few hundred crystal stones are not a token of respect; we hope you can lend us a helping hand."
In addition to storage bracelets and storage belts, there are also more advanced storage rings; however, these are generally held by major sects or by individuals with formidable cultivation.
Although the conditions proposed by Yi Yangzi are very tempting for loose cultivators, they are clearly not suitable for Yun Yang's current situation. This is because Yun Yang is currently in the form of a loose immortal, and the reason Yi Yangzi and Su Youming have not detected anything unusual is primarily due to their insufficient cultivation level. Yun Yang has already transcended tribulations, while they have not, which highlights the disparity. Those with lower cultivation levels attempting to discern the secrets of those with higher levels can only succeed if they possess special techniques. Furthermore, both parties are currently severely injured and lack the ability to investigate Yun Yang's cultivation. Naturally, they cannot ascertain if there is anything amiss with Yun Yang; they only know that he is undoubtedly a master. Su Youming, being an old rival, is well aware of this.
The scattered immortals possess an absolute deterrent power over anyone in the cultivation world. Such figures are generally impossible for any sect to possess, and even a small sect like Fengyi Sect is even less likely to have one. Therefore, if it is said that joining Fengyi Sect would benefit Yun Yang, it would be more accurate to say that Fengyi Sect has found a significant backing. If they were to gain Yun Yang's membership, the strength of their sect would undoubtedly rise by at least one level.
However, although Yun Yang thinks this way, it does not mean that Su Youming shares the same view. He is well aware of the immense difficulty that loose cultivators face when attempting to survive the tribulation, with a success rate that is essentially one in a hundred. Once they join a sect, they can leverage the sect's strength to assist in overcoming the tribulation, at the very least obtaining superior magical artifacts. For loose cultivators like him and Yang Tian, especially those nearing the time of tribulation, this is undoubtedly a significant opportunity.
Upon hearing this, Yun Yang roughly understood that the previous Yang Tian was certainly not an easy character. It was likely that he had engaged in various deceitful activities; otherwise, this person with the surname Su would not have spoken in such a manner. Indeed, considering Yang Tian as a loose cultivator, without money, power, or influence, yet managing to reach the tribulation stage through his own efforts, and even acquiring the agate that ordinary sects might struggle to obtain, preparing a fallback for cultivating into a loose immortal, it was certainly not that simple.
Yun Yang would definitely not be so easy on others. Although he is still a novice in cultivation and everything seems trivial to him, who can say he doesn't have a high starting point? Upon his arrival, he had already achieved the status of a loose immortal. Although he still cannot fully comprehend the abilities he possesses, he can certainly walk with confidence. Therefore, given his previous character of taking advantage of every opportunity, how could he possibly let Feng Yimen off so easily?
If you are willing to assist us in retrieving the sect's treasures, we will certainly recommend you to the sect leader as our protector. In this way, you will be able to enjoy the privileges of our sect's protector, which will undoubtedly be greatly beneficial to your cultivation
Su Youming finished speaking and turned to Yun Yang, "Go ahead, what do you want to say"
The person from the Fengyi Sect beside them, upon hearing Su Youming's words, immediately became anxious. If Yang Tian truly took action against them, they would be in grave danger. Therefore, the leader, Yiyangzi, hurriedly said, "Esteemed Brother Yang, as practitioners of the way, we should take it upon ourselves to punish evil and promote good. To consider someone like Su Youming, a petty individual, is truly a disgrace to our cultivation community. You must not be deceived by his slanderous words. I implore you, Brother Yang, to take action and eliminate this scoundrel, and our Fengyi Sect will certainly repay you for your efforts."
This item is indeed a valuable one. Yun Yang previously learned from the jade slip left by Yang Tian that the storage wristbands and storage belts are commonly used in the cultivation world. The space they provide is not large, generally only ranging from one to several cubic meters. However, not everyone possesses them; for loose cultivators like them, it is quite rare to see someone owning such items. Even if they do have them, they would not dare to use them openly, as they fear being robbed.
"Well, how do you plan to get rid of me?" Since Su Youming said this, it is certain that there have been similar situations in the past. It is better to listen to his plans first; for now, it is wise to say less, otherwise, one might inadvertently reveal too much.
"You little scoundrel, it's obvious you want to take this opportunity to extort money. Bah! Don't let me encounter you again, or you'll be in for it!" On the side, Yi Minzi couldn't stand it any longer. This kid was so ungrateful and still wanted to demand an exorbitant price. Wasn't he just a loose cultivator? In the past, he had always looked down on such people, yet now he was begging this person surnamed Yang. Just thinking about it made him furious.
"You are not a good person either," although the people of Feng Yimen thought this, the current situation was such that no one was strong enough to stand up to Yun Yang, and they had no choice but to bow their heads. "Alas, since you are unwilling to lend a helping hand, we will not force you. We kindly ask you not to interfere in our matters; otherwise, Feng Yimen is not so easy to bully," said Yi Yangzi. "However, if you are willing to lend a helping hand, Feng Yimen will certainly reward you handsomely." "Alas, since you are unwilling to lend a helping hand, we will not force you. We kindly ask you not to interfere in our matters; otherwise, Feng Yimen is not so easy to bully," said Yi Yangzi. "However, if you are willing to lend a helping hand, Feng Yimen will certainly reward you handsomely."
Having said that, without waiting for Su Youming to consider, he smiled again at Yiyangzi and said: "I apologize to everyone. Although your conditions are quite tempting, I am accustomed to being carefree and cannot tolerate any constraints. If you want my assistance, I reiterate, present your incentives, and I am the easiest person to negotiate with"
"Damn it, enough of this. Haven't you been coveting my Heavenly Robe for a long time? Now, I will trade you this inferior spiritual artifact in exchange for your help in eliminating those three. The Heavenly Robe will be yours."
"Cut it out, you little brat. Do you think this Yang demon is some kind of good person? He talks about punishing evil, but..."
"Hehe, it seems there is a deal to be made," Yun Yang thought, and then said, "If I help you get rid of that person with the surname Su, what benefits will I receive?" It was clear that he intended to take the opportunity to gain more advantages.
I... what a disgraceful end to my reputation, I am not anyone important. Yun Yang was almost infuriated, "You, surnamed Su, don't provoke me, otherwise, heh heh! I wouldn't mind making a fool of you, but if you want to make a deal, it would be best to have something that satisfies me as a reward"
In addition to crystal stones, traces of celestial stones occasionally appear in the cultivation world. These are higher-level energy stones used in the celestial realm. It is said that a single celestial stone can enable a person to cultivate to the stage of transcending tribulation and becoming an immortal. No wonder that idiot from the Fengyi Sect was so easily deceived by Su Youming; celestial stones are not so easily found.
"Yang, you can speak now. What will it take for you to help me?" Seeing Yang Tian secretly amused, Su Youming beside him realized what this fellow was up to. Although the two were rivals, there was no deep-seated hatred between them; they simply found each other disagreeable at times. Moreover, as fellow loose cultivators from Tianyuan Star, and with their cultivation locations being so close, they had some mutual understanding. Unfortunately, he did not know that this Yang Tian was no longer the same Yang Tian he once knew.
Another benefit of joining a sect is that if you belong to one, you have a backing to support you when conflicts arise with others. Additionally, you will receive resources allocated by the sect for your cultivation, which are highly sought after by solitary cultivators
In fact, Yi Yangzi proposed such conditions precisely because he had identified the weaknesses of loose cultivators. One reason why loose cultivators find it difficult to achieve success in the cultivation world is their lack of quality cultivation methods. Generally, loose cultivators do not possess good techniques for practice; they often rely on common and inferior methods, and the vast majority of these are incomplete. Very few are able to successfully cultivate to the stage of tribulation and ascend. This leads loose cultivators to frequently fight over even slightly better cultivation methods, and many end up joining various sects for this reason. However, most sects are reluctant to accept too many loose cultivators, which makes Yi Yangzi's conditions indeed quite tempting. Very few are able to successfully cultivate to the stage of tribulation and ascend, which leads loose cultivators to frequently fight over even slightly better cultivation methods, and many end up joining various sects for this reason. However, most sects are reluctant to accept too many loose cultivators, which makes Yi Yangzi's conditions indeed quite tempting.
Before Yun Yang could speak, Su Youming interjected, "Yang Demon, I respect you as a man. We are all loose cultivators, and despite the disdain from those sects, you have managed to reach the Tribulation Transcendence stage. Although we have had some conflicts in the past, I believe you would not compromise your integrity at this stage and seek refuge with them. I remember how I watched you being expelled from that sect back in the day."
Seeing Yiyangzi take out so many crystals, Yunyang couldn't help but be taken aback. However, he was not particularly concerned about the crystals themselves, but rather about the item Yiyangzi used to store them. That fellow must have a storage item. As for Yang Tian, he probably doesn't know, or if he does, it might have been struck by lightning and lost. In any case, Yunyang had searched for several days and still hadn't found anything.
However, the Yang Tian of now is no longer the Yang Tian of the past. That Yun Yang is simply a rascal, not someone who can be easily dealt with. Therefore, I did not immediately pay him any mind, but instead turned to the three friends, saying: "Although this Su is not a good person, the offer he proposed does indeed tempt me a bit. I wonder what insights the three of you might have on this matter"
Although I do not know what this so-called Heavenly Net Garment is, since it is a spiritual artifact, it must be a valuable item. It is important to note that ordinary cultivators typically use treasure artifacts, or even just regular magical tools. Artifacts of the spiritual level, like this one, are not something that just anyone can possess; generally, only important figures from certain sects can have them. As for immortal artifacts, only the eight major sects might possess one or two as a means of intimidation. For loose cultivators like Yang Tian, it is generally quite difficult to obtain such items. This fellow Su Youming was also quite lucky; he scavenged one from an ancient battlefield, albeit a damaged one, and spent a considerable amount of resources to repair it. It is not something that just anyone can have, and it has made Yang Tian envious for quite some time, leading to several deadly confrontations over it.