Inside Pangu Hall, the atmosphere was somewhat subtle for a moment.
The six figures remained silent, their thoughts flowing, communicating rapidly through Primordial Spirit transmission.
A moment later, it was still Laozi who broke the silence. He looked at Wu Ming and said in a steady voice, "Fellow Daoist, name your price. As long as it is within our acceptable range, we will do our best to satisfy you, Fellow Daoist."
Upon hearing this, Wu Ming's thoughts raced.
This price was indeed a matter of skill.
If he asked for too much, these six would definitely be unhappy.
After all, this news was important to them now, but once they knew the method of becoming a Saint, they would definitely feel that the price was not worth it. Offending six future Saints for no reason would definitely not be a good thing for the Wu Clan.
But if the price was too low, it would make the news seem worthless.
A moment later, Wu Ming had made his decision.
He looked at Laozi and Yuanshi Tianzun and slowly said, "Fellow Daoist Taiqing, Fellow Daoist Yuanshi, my request is not high."
"Your Taiji Diagram and Pangu Banner need to be lent to my Wu Clan for use three times."
"When exactly they will be used, my Wu Clan will inform you two. And no matter when or under what circumstances, you two must not refuse for any reason."
Yuanshi Tianzun's face suddenly sank, and his aura became somewhat unstable. He was about to retort.
Laozi, however, nodded slightly first, his voice still calm as an ancient well: "Agreed."
"Senior Brother!" Yuanshi transmitted, with obvious dissatisfaction.
Laozi calmly replied, "Second Brother, the Great Dao is important. Three usage rights in exchange for the opportunity to become a Saint is not a loss."
Yuanshi's chest heaved, but he finally swallowed his words back, though his face remained grim.
Wu Ming then turned to Grandmaster of Heaven, smiling slightly: "As for Fellow Daoist Tongtian, you and my Wu Clan have some old ties. Regarding the sea stabilizing divine pearl matter last time, you made my Wu Clan owe you a favor. This time, I will give this news to you for free, as a token of my gratitude."
Grandmaster of Heaven was stunned, then waved his hand and said, "Fellow Daoist Wu Ming, one thing is one thing! Last time was a fair exchange, and you even promised that the Wu Clan owed me a favor. How important is this method of becoming a Saint today? If I get it for nothing, wouldn't I become a petty person who takes advantage? How will I be able to stand in the Great Desolation in the future?"
He was straightforward by nature and disliked owing favors the most.
"How about this? The favor the Wu Clan owes me will be canceled, and it will serve as the price for obtaining this news!"
Wu Ming, however, shook his head: "Fellow Daoist Tongtian, there's no need for that."
"This news is not much to me. Giving it to you, Fellow Daoist, is just to forge a good connection."
"As for the favor my Wu Clan owes you, Fellow Daoist, there will be a time to repay it in the future."
Seeing Wu Ming's firm attitude, Grandmaster of Heaven no longer dwelled on it.
He laughed heartily, cupped his fists, and said, "Since Fellow Daoist Wu Ming has said so, then I, Tongtian, will accept it without being rude!"
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Wu Ming! I, Tongtian, will remember this kindness!"
Wu Ming smiled and nodded, his good impression of Tongtian increasing by a few points. This leader of the Jie Sect was indeed someone worth befriending.
Then, Wu Ming's gaze fell on Nuwa.
"Fellow Daoist Nuwa, you will mortgage the creation cauldron to my Wu Clan. Before you become a Saint, the creation cauldron will belong to my Wu Clan and be used by my Wu Clan."
"After you become a Saint, this cauldron can be returned to you."
creation cauldron?
Nuwa frowned slightly, falling into deep thought.
A moment later, she nodded solemnly: "Good."
Her voice was not loud, but it carried a sense of determination. If she could become a Saint, what did it matter if the creation cauldron was temporarily out of her possession? If she could not become a Saint, even with this treasure in hand, it might not be able to protect her.
Finally, Wu Ming's gaze turned to Jieyin and Zhunti.
"As for the two Fellow Daoists..." Wu Ming's tone paused, making Jieyin and Zhunti's hearts jump to their throats.
Daoist Jieyin's face still held a bitter expression, while Daoist Zhunti looked at Wu Ming eagerly, afraid to hear any unbearable conditions from his mouth.
Wu Ming slowly said, "When the two Fellow Daoists establish your Dao traditions in the future, my Wu Clan will need to take one-third of the Karma obtained by your Dao traditions at a certain moment. As for when to take it and which Karma to take, it will all be decided by my Wu Clan."
"What?"
Jieyin and Zhunti exclaimed simultaneously.
One-third of the Karma obtained by their Dao traditions!
And it was at a certain moment in the future!
This was simply cutting flesh from their bodies, and choosing to cut it when they were fattest!
If Wu Ming asked them for some Heaven And Earth Treasure now, even if it meant bankrupting them, they would grit their teeth and accept it.
But this "one-third of the future Dao tradition Karma" had too many variables!
Who knew when the Wu Clan would come to take it?
Who knew how much Karma their Western region would have at that time?
This was simply a bottomless pit!
Inside the hall, the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa also showed drastic changes in expression.
Their gazes towards Wu Ming were filled with uncertainty and surprise.
This Wu Ming, what a huge appetite!
Moreover, he could even foresee that Jieyin and Zhunti would establish Dao traditions and obtain Karma in the future?
What exactly did he know?
"Fellow Daoist Wu Ming!" Daoist Jieyin's voice trembled slightly as he quickly spoke, "This... this condition, isn't it too..."
He wanted to say "harsh," but he swallowed the word back.
Now they were the ones asking for something.
"Fellow Daoist, can you... can you change the condition?" Jieyin tried to make his voice sound calmer, "As long as it's something my Senior Brother and I possess now, no matter what it is, as long as Fellow Daoist fancies it, we will not hesitate!"
Zhunti also nodded repeatedly from the side, forcing out a smile uglier than a cry: "Yes, yes, Fellow Daoist Wu Ming, future matters have too many variables, why not... why not just look at the present?"
They were truly afraid.
Future things were too ethereal and too easy to be manipulated.
Wu Ming looked at the two and said unhurriedly, "Since that's the case... then I won't force anyone."
"Two Fellow Daoists, just hand over that twelve-petal golden lotus of merit to my Wu Clan."
twelve-petal golden lotus of merit!
Jieyin and Zhunti's hearts twitched again!
This was their Western region's supreme treasure for suppressing Luck!
Although it wasn't as terrifying as one-third of the future Dao tradition Karma, this was also cutting off their flesh!
The two exchanged glances, both seeing deep reluctance and struggle in each other's eyes.
Zhunti's eyes darted, and he tentatively asked, "Fellow Daoist Wu Ming, you see... the other Fellow Daoists are borrowing treasures or temporarily mortgaging them."
"Can my Senior Brother and I... can we also temporarily lend this Golden Lotus of Merit to you for a period of time?"
"How about we retrieve it after we become Saints?"
He was trying to play dumb, hoping to stall for time.
Upon hearing this, Wu Ming sneered: "Heh. Two Fellow Daoists, you think too simply."
"Just these two conditions, choose one."
The hall was silent, only the heavy breathing of Jieyin and Zhunti could be heard.
The two exchanged glances, both seeing endless bitterness, struggle, and helplessness in each other's eyes.
The twelve-petal golden lotus of merit was their lifeblood; without it, they would suffer now.
But the future Dao tradition Karma was their hope for rise, and with Wu Ming's interference, their future was uncertain.
After a long while, Daoist Jieyin let out a long sigh, his voice hoarse like a grinding stone: "My Senior Brother and I... choose the first one."
Wu Ming's face showed a satisfied smile: "Good. Don't feel sad, two Fellow Daoists, the price they paid is no less than yours."
"Since all of you have agreed to the conditions, then please make your vows."
"I'm sure everyone is familiar with the process."
Yuanshi Tianzun frowned and couldn't help but speak, "Wu Ming! We are all guests of Purple Cloud Palace, and the Great Dao is promising in the future. How could we go back on our word for such a small price?" His tone carried obvious displeasure.
Wu Ming, however, was unfazed and looked directly at Yuanshi: "Fellow Daoist Yuanshi is mistaken. It's not that I don't trust you all, but rather, you will all be high and mighty Saints in the future, looking down upon the Great Desolation, and your words will become law. Although my Wu Clan has some strength now, compared to Saints, we are but ants."
"At that time, if we want to ask you to fulfill today's promise, I'm afraid we won't even be able to enter your Daoist temple gates."
"Making a vow is the most fair. It is a guarantee for both you and me, to avoid unnecessary trouble in the future."
His words were blunt and explicit, yet so realistic that no one could refute them.
Below Saint, all are ants, was not an empty statement.
Laozi's gaze was profound, and he slowly nodded: "Good."
With that, he was the first to activate his own Qi, making a vow to the Dao, Great God Pangu, and Heavenly Dao.
Yuanshi Tianzun snorted coldly. Although unwilling, he understood that what Wu Ming said was true, and he could only follow suit and make a vow.
Subsequently, Tongtian, Nuwa, and the ashen-faced Jieyin and Zhunti also successively made their vows.