The two cunning elders

At this moment, Third Elder Third Elder Li Yin’s tone also softened: “I wonder if Siya Little friend came to visit on his own, or if it was Second Elder’s intention?”

Of course, in the eyes of the two Elders, Li Tan’s right to speak as a Junior was not important.

They only cared about the news from Second Elder Li Yong, whose choice would determine the internal structure of the Family.

By then, if the Elder faction had Li Yong’s join in, their status would surely rise, and the benefits they could reap would multiply.

How could Li Tan not know the thoughts in these two old fellows’ hearts? He naturally brought out Li Yong, this great Buddha, to protect himself.

“Senior is joking. How could this Junior disturb you without intention? Naturally, I am here as instructed by my grandfather.”

Li Tan’s tone was neither humble nor arrogant, very modest. At least for now, he had to disguise himself as harmless and approachable.

As these words fell, the two Elders’ eyes gleamed, and their eyeballs rolled around.

Third Elder Li Yin smiled, trying hard to squeeze his face into a kind and amiable expression, but due to unfamiliarity or awkwardness, it looked very unnatural.

“Like a fierce wolf smiling at you, revealing its white fangs glinting with cold light, just one look sent shivers down one’s spine.”

Of course, Third Elder Li Yin was unaware of this scene and continued to try harder to stretch his lips, trying his best to show the young man in front of him the image of a benevolent old grandfather.

Li Tan did not show his thoughts on his face; he just spoke to himself: “Before visiting the two Elders, grandfather gave this Junior a little authority, allowing this Junior to negotiate with the Elders.”

“Therefore, the two Elders do not need to question the authenticity of this Junior; just negotiate.”

As Li Tan spoke sentence after sentence, the two Elders’ expressions grew more excited, and their joy was so great that they could not even suppress the corners of their mouths.

To be safe, Li Rongchang, an old fox, still feigned composure and questioned Li Tan: “Siya Little friend, it’s not that we two old men don’t believe you, but there are truly too many people who send others to bewitch us in order to disrupt the internal situation of our Li Family!”

“I hate those people to the bone! They are simply the worms of the Family! The shame of the Family!”

As Li Rongchang spoke, his fists tightened, and his face showed indignation, as if he were a truly virtuous Elder who cared for the Family and fought for justice.

At this point, Li Rongchang’s tone shifted, and he spoke somewhat fawningly towards Li Tan: “Siya Little friend, do you perhaps have proof? We absolutely cannot allow our carelessness to lead to internal division within the Family!”

Third Elder Third Elder Li Yin immediately understood and quickly chimed in: “Yes, Siya Little friend, quickly take out the proof. If the Family suffers a rift due to our carelessness, then this old man will be a sinner of the Family!”

“This old man will have no face to live! And even after my body enters the earth, I will have no face to meet my ancestors!”

The two Elders sang in harmony, cooperating very skillfully and tacitly, leaving Li Tan speechless.

And Li Tan naturally could not disappoint them. With a thought, he took out a token from his storage ring.

“Elder Token!”

Upon seeing this token, Third Elder Li Yin and Li Rongchang’s excitement could not be concealed.

They hurriedly took Li Tan’s hand in a fawning manner, moving like Family members towards the seats in front, while continuously engaging in small talk.

Li Rongchang held Li Tan’s other exposed hand with both hands, looking kind and amiable, as if Li Tan was his long-lost son or grandson.

Li Rongchang’s mouth was also gushing endlessly.

“Siya Little friend, I see your complexion is rosy, and your fortune is soaring. I’m afraid a great Opportunity will soon befall you!”

“Your martial Dao will flourish, and your future is limitless! Even this old man finds it difficult to fathom; it is probably a premonition of a legendary Golden Core True Person!”

At this moment, Li Tan was like a beautiful jade. Third Elder Li Yin dared not even breathe, and his hands gently guided Li Tan to his seat.

Li Rongchang, who usually disliked flattery the most, was also gushing endlessly, a stream of practiced flattery flowing non-stop.

There is a saying that fits perfectly here.

“Holding it in one’s hands, fearing it might fall; holding it in one’s mouth, fearing it might melt.”

As Li Tan took his seat, the two sides officially began their discussion. At first, their stances were very low, but as time passed or Li Tan’s asking price was too high, they gradually leveled out.

“Siya Little friend, you are asking for too much! A full ten thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones! And you demand three Dao Artifacts at the drop of a hat! Three Cultivation Techniques! And a certain number of Medicinal Pills and Talismans!”

Hearing Li Tan’s offer, Third Elder Li Yin and Li Rongchang were extremely angry.

This young lad, who had seemed so pleasing to the eye before, was now making an outrageous demand!

He had transformed from a docile lamb into a fierce and greedy wolf!

But even if they were angry, they dared not do anything to Li Tan. When one needs something from others, their attitude naturally has to be humble.

Li Rongchang quickly tried to smooth things over.

“Siya Little friend, this is truly too much. I’m afraid the combined wealth of us Elders won’t be enough. Let’s reduce it a bit, after all, friendship is the most important…”

As time passed, Li Tan gradually lowered his demands.

“Ten thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, two Dao Artifacts, two Cultivation Techniques, and a certain number of Talismans and Medicinal Pills.”

Li Tan roared with distorted anger on his face, standing up abruptly and gesticulating wildly.

At this moment, Li Tan no longer had his previous meek image. Now, his face was flushed, and he was shouting loudly, completely like an unreasonable shrew.

With every word, he even sprayed saliva, completely disregarding his own image and the status of the two Elders!

Seeing that Li Tan was impervious to soft approaches, Third Elder Li Yin quickly played the emotional card.

“Siya Little friend, this is truly too much. We old men really can’t gather it all!”

“Most of the Family’s resources still need to be distributed to the disciples. After all, we are a Family! Only when the disciples are strong can our Family grow stronger day by day.”

Li Rongchang instantly understood Third Elder Li Yin’s meaning and immediately complained to Li Tan with a miserable, tearful face.

“Siya Little friend doesn’t know the difficulty of managing a household. This old man has to both nurture his descendants and care for the Li Family disciples. The few Spirit Stones left in my hands are barely enough for my own Cultivation!”

After saying this, Li Rongchang looked troubled, wiping tears from his robes, as if the grievances and unwillingness in his heart had completely erupted at this moment.

Li Tan, of course, held his ground and constantly parried with the two Elders. Inside the guest room, saliva flew, shouts rang out continuously, and from time to time, curses accompanied them….

As time passed….

Li Tan looked at the sky again. Where was the bright sun? There was only the tranquil and soft moonlight.

This war of words officially drew to a close. The bottom lines of both sides were within acceptable limits, and both Li Tan and the two Elders were exhausted at this point.

During their discussion, the thoughts in the minds of both parties were intensely consuming their mental energy.

“Worldly affections are thin, human affections are evil, rain sends off the twilight, flowers easily fall.”

The final negotiation result was: “Five thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones! One Cultivation Technique! Two Dao Artifacts!”

This was the most resources Li Tan could Strive for, even though he had the right to speak, his strength was still a hard limitation.

But overall, the result was good. Five thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones was fifty thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones, one Cultivation Technique, and two Dao Artifacts.

It could be said that the harvest was quite abundant….