I Am Supreme

In that case, given that the man could sustain himself for thirty to forty years without eating, his cultivation base must at least be at the proficient Saint level. He could even be a Royal Saint or higher.

Nonetheless, Yun Yang did not hope for the man’s cultivation base to be any higher. It would not be good for the latter’s cultivation base to be masterly since the higher level he was in, it would mean that his captor’s cultivation base was even higher. Saving him would mean standing in opposition to his captor, thus gaining Yun Yang himself an enemy who was a cultivator the level Royal Saint and above. How could this be a good thing?

“Given the length of time that you have been imprisoned, you must possess a considerable cultivation base. Why didn’t you crush this mountain and dig yourself out?” said Yun Yang, “Are you being restrained in an unusual manner by someone else?”

The voice gave a jaded chortle and answered, “That’s right. Young friend, come in and you’ll know.”

“You must be joking. I only see a mountain wall in front of me, a whole stretch of it. How do I enter?” replied Yun Yang.

The voice paused, like he was calculating, and finally said, “Use your mystical Qi to cut about eighty feet into the wall you face and dig another one hundred and two feet downwards. You’ll connect the center of this mountain to the outside world. A good part of the inside of this mountain is empty.”

Yun Yang considered the suggestion, figuring out the feasibility of it. Eighty feet in and one hundred and twenty feet down – the figures were incredibly precise! How could the fellow calculate so accurately while he was being imprisoned within?

“We make compromises when we have to in the martial world. It doesn’t seem adequate for me to do anything based solely on your verbal promise of repaying me,” Yun Yang said after some thought.

“What do you want then?” The voice sounded rather helpless.

“I’m trapped within the mountain. Other than compensating you after your deed, I really can’t give you any tangible rewards.”

“I’m a very practical person,” said Yun Yang, “I’ll save you and you’ll be my underling, how about that?”

There was a momentary silence. After some time, the voice could be heard suppressing his rage while replying, “I was imprisoned here back then because I didn’t want to be someone’s underling…”

Yun Yang was spontaneous, immediately changing his line of attack, as he said, “I see. I’ve stepped over the line. Still, I will insist on my initial request. We can discuss the period of duty though. As long as you agree to become the Protector of my sect for three years, I shall fulfill your wish and deliver the air of vitality to you and even save you. Is that a deal? If you’re still reluctant, you can think about how much resources you need, according to your value, to become a sect’s Protector for three years. We can make an exchange like this too. Go ahead and pick!”

The voice was still fuming as he said, “Do you know what price it takes for me to become someone’s Protector for a day?”

“The higher the better. I really don’t mind. The higher your value is, the more benefits I reap from it… still, I have yet to meet you, so it’s all mere words for now,” said Yun Yang loftily.

There was another period of silence before the voice muttered, “It’s absolutely impossible for me to be your underling for three years. As for exchanging resources… that’s a no either. If you save me and let me regain freedom, I can promise to do three things for you; kill three people, and help you elevate your cultivation base by one level – as well as provide you sufficient resources until you cultivate to a Royal Saint. What about that?”

“Those are mere nothings,” said Yun Yang, “It’s useless for us to bargain like this. We’re like the aunties in a market. We’re both proficient cultivators – why are we stooping so low?”

“Proficient cultivators?” the voice repeated with a chuckle of disdain.

“What is it? Could you not be considered one?”

“Of course I am one, but you…”

Yun Yang immediately grew angry.

“What do you mean? You still need me to save you, no matter how high your cultivation base; is that not true? How dare you look down on me? I could dust myself off and leave right this instant!”

“I don’t mean it like that!” said the voice, feeling that continuing this topic would only make matters worse. He paused and continued, “Let us talk about your reward. You’re absolutely correct, my young friend. We’re proficient cultivators, it’s indeed a dent in our status to bargain like that.”

Yun Yang snorted, knowing that the person had given in. He had even taken the initiative to say “we’re proficient cultivators”, an obvious tactic to comfort Yun Yang.

Yun Yang huffed.

“I absolutely despise people who can’t make up their mind and are petty. You’re a martial world senior, but you’re so fickle, I don’t feel good about this.”

Still willing to give in, the voice replied, “Make your bid then, I’ll consider it.”

“I’ll give you three choices, you can pick any one of them,” offered Yun Yang.

“Do speak.”

“The first option, be my sect’s Protector for three years.”

“This is simply impossible. Otherwise, I would’ve agreed to it just now!” the voice rejected the option decisively.

“The second choice, provide resources that could replace a three-year term of you being my sect’s Protector.”

“This is out of the question as well!”

Yun Yang retorted angrily, “You can’t do this, you can’t do that either – what can you do?”

The person was rather speechless as well, thinking, ‘Do you know who I am? You don’t even know if I’m on the good or the bad side or if I’m the devil himself – and here you are, asking me to be your Protector. Is this fellow not afraid of burning himself?’

‘This old man is a man of his word. I’m not going to blind my conscience. Otherwise, my state now isn’t my prime back then. I only have to keep my promise on your second option and give you some resources after the deed is done. With your insignificant cultivation base and lack of experience, you won’t even be able to tell if it’s fair! Heaven’s will won’t be able to pick out my mistake either!’

The old man had extensive knowledge and experience, as well as a righteous heart. However, he clearly did not expect Yun Yang to actually be fearless in playing with fire. Whoever the person was, Yun Yang would dare recruit him, as long as he promised to become Residence of Nine Supremes’ Protector – even if he were the Daemon King himself. He would make good use of the person no matter the circumstances.

The voice obviously felt frustrated as he said slowly, “You can add more to the conditions I offered just now. That’d be fine.”

“Why don’t you state your identity openly… Do three things for me, kill three people, help me rise a level in cultivation base, and giving me resources until I reach the level of Royal Saint – these offers are purely awful…” said Yun Yang.

“No really, these offers are divine. Young friend, there aren’t many in the Bound of Universe who could do this. Consider it carefully.”

“Alright, upon consideration, I shall add more, according to your wishes. This will be the third choice.”

There was a sigh of relief in the voice as he replied, “Very well.”

“Then… do a hundred tasks for me, kill a hundred people, help me increase ten levels, and provide me with resources all the way until I reach Supreme Saint!”

“Cough – cough…”

Only a violent storm of coughs could be heard emanating from the wall.