Reaching the pinnacle from Doupo

Chapter 551 Negotiation, The Scheme of the Heavenly Tomb

Xiao Yan and Yao Lao had discussed Lin Yuan, and more than once, so they had some understanding of the reasons for the latter's rapid rise.

Among the many reasons, besides his strong talent, two points stand out.

First, they are ruthless and willing to take risks.

The fact that he dared to swallow the Life-Devouring Pill when he was just a student at Canaan Academy and a minor Great Battle Master did indeed become a huge boost to his rise.

For the sake of what he wanted, which was only a matter of becoming a Dou Huang, he dared to take the initiative to attack the protector of the Soul Palace.

Secondly, they are willing and good at trading, and adept at integrating resources.

Lin Yuan possesses exceptional strength in the border regions, clearly having used the fragmented Pure Lotus Demon Flame Diagram as leverage to exchange with Yao Lao for the Heavenly Capital Fire Manual and the Three Lights Seal Technique.

The fact that someone would trade away a fragment of the Demon Flame Map is astonishing.

Putting myself in his shoes, if I had the fragment of the map in my possession, I certainly wouldn't have released it. Even if I never needed it, or even in my entire life, I wouldn't have traded it for some low-level cultivation techniques or fighting skills...

After all, even the slightest chance of subduing the Pure Lotus Demon Flame is enough to drive alchemists and fire-type cultivators mad.

However, it turned out that the other party made the right choice.

Using the temporarily useless Demon Flame Fragment Map, trade it for the scarce resources you need, then rely on those resources to rise rapidly, and finally take back the Demon Flame Fragment Map!
After reviewing the play, the master and apprentice were speechless at Lin Yuan's actions, but they couldn't find any objections.

After all, in the back-and-forth transactions, the master and disciple did not suffer any losses. Although it was a transactional relationship, Lin Yuan did help them in many matters, such as the Xiao family, the Yunlan Sect, the resurrection of Yao Lao, and the Thunder Realm.

This visit, and Lin Yuan's proposal regarding an agent, is yet another matter that will benefit both sides, and even countless people in the border regions...

This gave Xiao Yan some inspiration: why not take advantage of this and go with the flow?

If, after five years, one is unable to successfully enter the Heavenly Tomb and meet the ancestor Xiao Xuan on the third level of the Heavenly Tomb, then the anticipated Xiao clan bloodline and Xiao clan inheritance will all be nothing but a dream.

In that case, we should seize the opportunity and do our utmost to ensure that we can enter the Heavenly Tomb.

Xun'er said that Lin Yuan had cooperated with many people from the ancient tribe.

If Lin Yuan could be persuaded with enough benefits to exert some influence, it would be a huge help if, while Xun'er was securing a spot in the Heavenly Tomb for herself, some of the higher-ups of the ancient clans, even if they didn't explicitly support her or create obstacles for her, did so.

As long as the trip to the Heavenly Tomb goes smoothly, Xiao Yan can produce things worth five times their value, or even ten or twenty times their value!
Seeing his disciple's sharp and outstanding performance, the old doctor smiled, his face showing undisguised satisfaction.

This little guy has grown up!
On the other side, Lin Yuan heard Xiao Yan's bold words and a look of surprise flashed in his eyes, then a playful smile appeared on his lips.

"Oh? Brother Xiao, you certainly have a grand vision, but how do you intend to pay?"

"Of the three Heavenly Rank combat techniques, excluding the one used in the trade for the Nine Yin Yellow Spring Pill, there are two left. If you also want a Heavenly Rank cultivation technique, then you'll get another one. Two Heavenly Rank combat techniques and one Heavenly Rank cultivation technique, five times that, would be fifteen Heavenly Rank inheritances..."

"Even within our Pill Tower, there are very few items of this value!"

At this point, he picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked Xiao Yan up and down with a perfectly measured expression of suspicion on his face.

Lin Yuan naturally knew what Xiao Yan wanted to use to repay the debt.

But he still had to ask, because the extent to which the other party could share information revealed their determination and sincerity in the transaction.

"I can answer that question," Xiao Yan said slowly, taking a deep breath.

"I believe Brother Lin is already aware that I am a member of the Xiao clan, and of the wonders of the Heavenly Tomb! To be honest, Brother Lin, one of my clan's ancestors—the peak powerhouse Xiao Xuan from a thousand years ago—is still guarding the Xiao clan's heritage within the Heavenly Tomb, awaiting the arrival of future generations of the Xiao clan..."

"The Xiao clan was once one of the eight clans, a powerful force no less than the ancient clans. I believe its inheritance of cultivation techniques and fighting skills is no less than that of the ancient clans!"

“Xun’er has already entered the Heavenly Tomb. Our ancestors passed down instructions for me to go to the Heavenly Tomb to retrieve the Xiao Clan’s legacy.”

"If I successfully enter the Heavenly Tomb in five years and obtain the Xiao Clan's legacy preserved by our ancestors, I will surely be able to repay Brother Lin with something of equal value."

"Whether I can successfully enter the Heavenly Tomb is also the risk of this transaction!"

Hoping to leverage Lin Yuan's power, Xiao Yan, apart from the matter of the Xiao Clan's Dou Di bloodline inheritance, told Lin Yuan everything else without reservation.

"Well, Brother Lin, this time, are you willing to take on this huge gamble?" Xiao Yan asked, staring intently at Lin Yuan.

"Hehe, Brother Xiao, you have quite the scheme!" Lin Yuan casually toyed with the teacup in his hand and chuckled, "If I agree to this deal you proposed, in order to get a reward, I will have to find a way to help you enter the Heavenly Tomb and meet Senior Xiao Xuan..."

Xiao Yan shrugged and said with a smile, "There are naturally corresponding risks to obtaining excessive profits."

"Of course, it may require more effort."

"However, Brother Lin doesn't need to invest too much. Just do me a small favor: when Xun'er is trying to secure a spot for me, ask some elders from the ancient clans to support... well, just don't object!"

"With Brother Lin's connections, I believe it won't be difficult for him to do these things."

Beside him, Elder Yao also felt somewhat helpless—due to his status as an outcast of the Yao clan, although he had extensive connections in the outside world, he had little influence among the ancient races.

"That's true. The bigger the waves, the more expensive the fish. The more you invest, the greater the return... This is common sense in the world, and it's a principle I agree with."

Lin Yuan did not object to Xiao Yan's statement.

"So, Brother Lin agrees to this deal?!" Xiao Yan's eyes lit up with joy, and his voice was filled with excitement.

"Brother Xiao's proposed conditions are quite good, very attractive! But..." Lin Yuan's lips curled slightly, a hint of mischievousness flashing in his eyes, and he said, "I refuse. I, Lin Yuan, love to say no to those self-righteous people!"

"Haha, just kidding!" Seeing the astonished look on the faces of the master and his apprentice sitting opposite him, which quickly turned dark, he waved his hand and changed the subject.

"However, there are indeed some things that need to be changed in this deal."

"Brother Lin, stop joking when we're talking serious!" Xiao Yan rubbed his forehead and said helplessly, "Tell me, which part of the deal do you want to change?"

"What I want to change is the compensation." Lin Yuan stopped joking and lightly tapped his fingertips on the table twice, his voice becoming serious. "I can give you cultivation techniques and combat skills, and I can also do my best to help you enter the Heavenly Tomb."

"But the reward I need is not Heaven-rank cultivation techniques and combat skills! For Brother Xiao, Heaven-rank cultivation techniques and combat skills are very useful, but for me, let alone low-level Heaven-rank, even mid-level Heaven-rank wouldn't be of much use..."

"As for the inheritance of the high-level Heaven Rank, hehe, even in an ancient clan like the Xiao Clan, it is a core inheritance and cannot be easily passed on to outsiders."

"The essence of a transaction lies not in the equality of value, but in getting what you need and achieving mutual benefit!"

"Therefore, I don't need you to return any Heavenly Rank inheritance to me. I just need you to persuade Senior Xiao Xuan to assist me in some research experiments after you enter the Heavenly Tomb..."

"You can rest assured that this matter will not cause any harm to you or Senior Xiao Xuan. I just want to study the Heavenly Tomb—this other dimension with many wonders. With Senior Xiao Xuan, the overlord of the Heavenly Tomb, assisting me, the research will go much more smoothly."

"I will discuss the more specific matters with Senior Xiao Xuan. You can help me out by doing your part and memorizing the texts as needed."

Amidst the astonished gazes of Yao Lao and Xiao Yan, Lin Yuan laid out his conditions.

For Lin Yuan now, he has already formed his own path and his own system. He is not lacking in low- to mid-level Heaven-rank cultivation techniques and combat skills. Any more would only enrich his inventory.

On the contrary, it was the Heavenly Tomb itself that aroused Lin Yuan's interest more.

Whether it's the mechanism by which it forms an energy body, its ability to alter the flow of time, or most importantly, the soul of the Heavenly Tomb, there are many interesting things to consider.

Upon hearing Lin Yuan's offer, Xiao Yan fell into deep thought, quickly weighing the options in his mind.

However, before Xiao Yan could speak, Yao Lao asked in confusion, "Young Lin, are you able to enter the Heavenly Tomb?"

"Regardless of whether you can obtain a spot to enter the Heavenly Tomb, even if you do, you probably won't be able to get in! As far as I know, the Heavenly Tomb opens its doors once every twenty years, and that's for the younger generation of each clan to gain experience..."

"Even if your cultivation stagnates from now on, you will still be a half-saint five years from now. The ancient clans will never let you in!"

Lin Yuan entered the Heavenly Tomb with the cultivation of a half-saint, completely overwhelming the younger generation from various races who entered. He could decide their life and death at will, and the ancient races would not allow such a thing to happen.

It has nothing to do with character; the mere possibility of it is simply not allowed!

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan snapped out of his daze and looked at Lin Yuan with a puzzled expression, waiting for the latter's explanation.

“As you say, senior, but it doesn’t matter!” Facing the two’s questioning gazes, Lin Yuan waved his hand and said meaningfully, “Because it’s not me who will be going in, but my disciple… She will act as my agent to complete my research in the Heavenly Tomb.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan secretly breathed a sigh of relief—if Lin Yuan didn't enter the Heavenly Tomb within three years, he was confident that he could greatly narrow the gap between himself and the latter.

"Is your disciple Miss Xinlan or Miss Danchen?"

The identity of Yaojun's disciple has never been deliberately concealed, and Xiao Yan naturally knows it, since they even went to the Thunder Realm together several years ago.

Lin Yuan made no attempt to hide anything: "It's Dan Chen!"

"It's her!" Upon hearing this name, Xiao Yan immediately recalled the delicate girl who resembled a 'little white rabbit,' and his eyes unconsciously relaxed a bit.

"Don't underestimate her, my disciple is very strong!"

Hearing Xiao Yan's more composed voice, Lin Yuan could vaguely guess his thoughts. After filling everyone's teapots with tea, he said meaningfully.

As someone who had long harbored ambitions for the Heavenly Tomb, how could he not have been prepared for what Yao Lao had said?!
Sending Dan Chen into the Heavenly Tomb as his proxy was something he had already decided on long ago.

Therefore, when asking the Gu Zhen lineage for help, they said 'arrange for someone who is not from one of the eight clans to enter the Heavenly Tomb,' not 'arrange for me to enter the Heavenly Tomb.'

Lin Yuan has never been afraid of dangerous situations, but he also avoids unnecessary dangers. Even if he does encounter danger, he will make preparations in advance!

Even if the ancient clans were willing to let Lin Yuan enter personally, he wouldn't go in easily... After all, the Heavenly Tomb is a closed space, Xiao Xuan's territory. How could he rashly barge in without being confident or without mutual trust?
Planting a soul seed in Dan Chen's soul was a backup plan he had prepared for long ago.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan tried to be more serious, but when he thought of Dan Chen's gentle and weak appearance, he couldn't help but look down on her a little.

People with overly gentle personalities are unlikely to pose a threat.

If Dan Chen were to enter the Heavenly Tomb, even if he intended to cause trouble, it wouldn't be destructive!
Therefore, Xiao Yan readily agreed to Lin Yuan's request: "If this is what Brother Lin is asking for, I can agree and help make the connection."

"In that case, this cooperation is settled!" Lin Yuan nodded slightly, picked up the teacup on the table, and raised it to Yao Lao and Xiao Yan: "Gentlemen, let's drink tea instead of wine and wish this cooperation a successful completion..."

Yao Lao and Xiao Yan exchanged a glance, picked up their teacups, and gently clinked them together with Lin Yuan. The crisp sound echoed in the quiet valley, heralding another collaboration.

Lin Yuan tilted his head back and drank the tea in one gulp. He then put down the teacup, took out a fiery red scroll from his storage ring, and handed it to Xiao Yan.

"Here you go, this is a low-level Heaven-rank cultivation technique, the Heavenly Flame Saint Technique!"

"Senior Yao's Fire Saint Yuan Mirror is a specialized technique for breaking through to the Dou Sheng realm. Its combat power is far inferior to ordinary Heaven-rank techniques..."

"And this Heavenly Flame Saint Technique is also a top-tier technique among low-level Heavenly Rank techniques, with a greater boost to combat power than other techniques of the same rank."

"After Senior Yao breaks through to Dou Sheng, you might as well switch to cultivating this technique, which can improve your combat power!" Looking at Xiao Yan's burning eyes, Lin Yuan pondered for a moment and said, "As for Brother Xiao, although the Heavenly Flame Saint Technique is powerful, the cultivation requirements are not low. It is best to switch to cultivating it after breaking through to Dou Zun."

"Thank you for your generosity, Brother Lin!" Xiao Yan nodded slightly, took the scroll, stroked it with affection, and his eyes revealed a strong fighting spirit.

With these techniques and combat skills, he could be considered to be on par with his peers from the ancient races.

While they may possess the bloodline of a Dou Di, they have the best teachers in the world and the resources provided by the Starfall Pavilion. In the cultivation of the Dou Zun stage, the outcome is still uncertain!

With Lin Yuan as a precedent, coupled with his rapid progress over the past year, Xiao Yan is full of confidence in himself!

Thinking of this, he took a deep breath, put the "Shocking God Finger" into his storage ring, and handed the "Heavenly Flame Saint Technique", "Myriad Transformations Heavenly Flame Palm" and "Great Heavenly Creation Palm" to Yao Lao.

The old doctor took the scroll, and after his gaze lingered on the "Myriad Transformations Heavenly Flame Palm" for a moment, a hint of excitement flashed in his eyes.

For someone like him who can dominate the world with his "Flaming Hand" move, the "Myriad Transformations Heavenly Flame Palm"—a Heavenly Rank combat skill that extremely tests fire control ability—is almost the most suitable Heavenly Rank combat skill for him. Once he masters it, it will greatly enhance his combat power.

(End of this chapter)