Chapter 2257: Chapter 2259: Ignorant of Life and Death
Yi Jue might prefer staying indoors, but she possesses the innate subtlety of a woman’s mind.
She certainly understands Elder Duan Liang’s intention, so she straightforwardly pointed it out, considering it as assisting the Taixu Sect.
When cultivators discuss matters, it’s better to be direct; why play guessing games?
After glancing at Elder Duan Liang, she looked at Feng Jun with determined eyes: It’s your turn, I won’t say anything further.
Feng Jun raised his hand to rub his eyebrows, and after composing himself, he inquired, "How many disciples does Taixu Sect plan to send into the Void?"
Elder Duan Liang, seeing the directness of the question, couldn’t help but feel embarrassed, although he was a powerful elder, he was usually the one directly asking questions, rarely encountering such direct inquiries.
However, he was ultimately mentally prepared for this and, after some contemplation, responded, "Four, two Nascent Soul and two Golden Core, some are Qianxiu and some are Kunxiu; since it’s for verification... the sample needs to be diversified."
Feng Jun couldn’t resist raising a thumbs-up; he never expected such an unabashed demand, "So, how long do these four plan to stay in the Void?"
"The journey into the Void includes me," Elder Duan Liang shamelessly added, but with reason, "This is under my supervision, so I must personally oversee it; once verified, I can leave, but as for those four..."
He paused before conveying his thoughts, "If they could stay in the Void for some days, what would Mountain Master Feng want in return?"
Feng Jun contemplated briefly before asking, "Are they planning to obtain Void Materials or to heal?"
If it’s for healing, he will quote the agreed price—one thousand upper realm spirit stones per person, without intending to change the rate.
Elder Duan Liang was unaware that healing in the Void was possible, but upon Feng Jun’s mention, he quickly understood, "So that’s the concept... oh, Jing Quan, that disciple of yours—the one you value greatly..."
Master Moli wasn’t prominent enough for the Elder of Cultivation Technique to remember the name, yet Duan Liang knew of Jing Quan’s promising disciple who faced some accidents and due to long healing times, possibly halted his cultivation path.
Jing Quan didn’t publicly disclose taking Moli into the Void, not out of disloyalty to the Sect but for protecting Moli’s opportunity, intending to discuss only after his disciple heals, yet Feng Jun inadvertently revealed it.
Upon hearing, he could only nod, "This opportunity was requested by Immortal Yi Jue for me; I’m not apt to publicize, please pardon me, Elder..."
Elder Duan Liang was too busy considering the newly arisen situation to care about forgiveness.
The logic of void healing had been hypothesized before, a straightforward principle, yet lacked practicality, so none pursued it—common knowledge was cultivators getting injured in the void, but who would heal there?
However, the theory seemed straightforward, like a thin paper, easily pierced.
Since Yi Jue and others effectively contained the news, Elder Duan Liang didn’t fathom how they survived in the Void, but evidently, Feng Jun must have his methods.
The immediate task was understanding how Taixu could benefit more significantly, "So why don’t you two wait a moment while I have a talk with Jing Quan."
They privately conversed for about ten minutes; Elder Duan Liang not only uncovered the mechanism for survival in the Void but also learned what Jing Quan’s people did in the Void.
Thus, when he met Feng Jun again, he candidly asserted, "If healing is possible, it is best, but they also entered the Void to verify the formation of Qi into Gang; could the fees be slightly reduced?"
Feng Jun nodded, "Certainly, a small reduction is permissible, how about a half-off, five hundred upper realm spirit stones per person?"
Five hundred upper realm spirit stones aren’t amounts anyone can produce casually; Duan Liang is well aware, considering Taixu Sect’s purchase of Feng Jun and Yi Jue’s modified Cultivation Technique was only a thousand upper realm spirit stones.
He frowned, directly speaking to Feng Jun seriously, "The price is still somewhat high, couldn’t it be reduced further?"
Feng Jun shook his head, earnestly responding, "With adequate reasons, I’ll naturally lower the price, but bringing people into and out of the Void means I also bear costs; if I don’t charge more, how can I resist others’ requests?"
In the Cultivation World, rare items surely fetch high prices, yet Feng Jun’s open declaration still surprised Elder Duan Liang, "Publicly announcing like this could cause grudges."
"My nature has always been straightforward," Feng Jun replied indifferently, "While in Kunhao, I saved one and killed one, some were very dissatisfied, yet later, they all perished."
His words and expression perfectly illustrated the concept of doing things one’s way through talent and maverick nature.
Elder Duan Liang was somewhat speechless, yet his bargaining was to alleviate Taixu disciples’ burdens, thinking they could collect some materials in the Void, thus not feeling pressured.
However, while he remained silent, Feng Jun spoke again, "Are the four you prepared all intended for healing?"
What kind of talk is that! Elder Duan Liang was a bit unhappy, "My mighty Taixu isn’t so weak as to be full of injuries. I still need to look into how many suitable people there are for recovery."
In fact, with so many cultivators under Taixu, finding four injured individuals who meet the criteria is not very difficult. However, Feng Jun’s words seemed unintentional, yet Elder Duan Liang, who takes great pride in Taixu, found them a bit hurtful.
"Then, are the others there to trade for Void Materials?" Feng Jun asked solemnly.
Elder Duan Liang was startled for a moment, silently nodding, knowing he had to face new conditions.
But at this point, there was no use in avoiding it, so he decided to be transparent, "They can also act as protectors for Master Moli."
Such an operation? Feng Jun was a bit taken aback, "That’s not within my consideration. Although Master Moli is my client, I only provide the environment for him. Whether he can survive in that environment is not my concern."
At this moment, Yi Jue voiced her support, "Exactly, the doctor can only diagnose and provide prescriptions. If the patient doesn’t take care, you can’t blame the doctor."
She was willing to help Taixu secure some benefits when conditions allowed but absolutely wouldn’t let Feng Jun’s interests be harmed.
True Immortal Duan Liang remained silent; Feng Jun’s words indeed made sense.
However, Feng Jun hadn’t finished speaking, "These people entering and exiting the Void also cost five hundred top-level spirit stones, and... I want half of their gains from the Void!"
"What?" Elder Duan Liang instantly became angry, "An entrance fee of five hundred top-level spirit stones, and you want half of the gains from the Void... Mountain Master Feng, it’s too much! Wouldn’t that mean you’re earning more than us? Wrong, we’re becoming your hired workers!"
Feng Jun frowned slightly and calmly replied, "You can refuse!"
"That’s not your logic, is it?" Elder Duan Liang shook his head, caught between laughter and tears, almost amused by anger, "You need to know that the Void isn’t just yours, it belongs to everyone, why charge like this?"
True Immortal Wu Xiu couldn’t help but speak, "Really, there aren’t many who would make such demands on us Taixu. Moreover, those are on others’ territories. Mountain Master Feng, the Void isn’t solely yours."
Yet Feng Jun nodded, "Your logic is correct; the Void indeed isn’t mine. But why can I charge such a high price? Because I can lead people inside and bring them back safely."
"I understand," True Immortal Wu Xiu nodded, "But even hiring a guide doesn’t have such high rates, does it?"
"I’m not just a guide; I’m also a bodyguard!" Feng Jun helplessly glanced at him, "You’ve misunderstood my role."
True Immortal Wu Xiu and Elder Duan Liang exchanged a look of helplessness, listening to a cultivator at the Initial Golden Core Stage claim to be a "bodyguard" in front of them—who has seen such a reckless Golden Core cultivator?
Yet they truly had no courage to refute, for he could indeed bring people into the Void and safely out, having the grounds to be arrogant!
Finally, Elder Duan Liang spoke up, "Does this mean you also want to check the Storage Bags?"
Feng Jun raised a hand to rub his forehead, then solemnly responded, "Although I dislike admitting it, as it might offend your sect, nonetheless... I must do so."
This slightly stilted phrasing made Elder Duan Liang feel something peculiar, always feeling this man spoke awkwardly—perhaps he truly meant some apology?
However, this did not quell his anger, and with a dark expression, he spoke, "No one can insult the disciples of Taixu like this."
Feng Jun helplessly spread his hands, "Then I can only express regret. I’ve wanted to emphasize one point... I also need to check the Storage Bags of those healing cultivators; of course, if you can enter and exit the Void yourselves, there’s no need to pay these."
Pausing for a moment, he asked another question, "I’m actually curious, if you Taixu mastered a method like mine, how would you charge outsiders? Though I suspect it would become Taixu’s internal resource, outsiders might not enjoy such treatment even if they paid."
"So I don’t consider myself greedy. If I’ve truly erred anywhere, my only mistake is being too weak."
Elder Duan Liang was speechless. What Feng Jun said was correct; what was there left to say?
So he could only muster a smile, "You really see yourself clearly, knowing you are weak?"
Are you implying a threat? Feng Jun adjusted his expression, speaking with seriousness, "I’m not as weak as everyone imagines. At least in the Kunhao Realm, those who truly considered me weak... are all dead."
This statement made Elder Duan Liang extremely uncomfortable. He hadn’t encountered such a blatant threat before, yet he wasn’t a cultivator who lacked flexibility. Mulling it over briefly, he lightly coughed.
At this moment, Yi Jue spoke up, "Elder Duan Liang, may I say a word?"
