226: Four people break through

After the Grand Elder exited the main hall, he conveyed the Holy Lord's conditions—three Saint Weapons in exchange for the Netherworld Hall dispatching a true Saint for assassination—through that dark jade Talisman.

The message was like a stone sinking into the sea; this time, the silence lasted much longer than before.

The atmosphere became oppressive, and the Elders exchanged glances, seeing the unease in each other's eyes.

Time passed bit by bit, and just as the Grand Elder was almost certain that the Netherworld Hall intended to completely renege on their agreement and was about to report to the Holy Lord, the jade Talisman finally lit up faintly again.

What came through was still a cold spiritual fluctuation, but its content instantly changed the expressions of all the Elders present.

"Three Saint Weapons, acceptable."

"Additionally, add one King-Grade Spiritual Vein and ten Heaven-Grade Spiritual Veins, to be sent to the old location."

"If agreed, the Saint will arrive within seven days. Otherwise, no deal."

There was no explanation, no room for bargaining, as if it was merely stating a predetermined fact.

This was no longer cooperation; it was more like condescending extortion!

"This is going too far!"

An Elder with a fiery temper slammed his hand on the table, rising to his feet.

"A King-Grade Spiritual Vein! Ten Heaven-Grade ones! They are trying to dig up the Foundation of our Holy Land!"

The Grand Elder's face was ashen, his heart bleeding.

The Holy Land's Spiritual Veins were its lifeblood; each one was critically important.

However, the Holy Lord attached great importance to this matter, and in order not to disrupt the Holy Lord's plans, they could only endure this humiliation for now!

He suppressed his anger, took a deep breath, and sent back a spiritual thought through the jade Talisman with a hint of negotiation.

"The Saint Weapons can be provided as agreed, but the number of Spiritual Veins is truly too burdensome. Could it... be reduced to one King-Grade and three Heaven-Grade? This is the limit our Holy Land can bear; we hope your hall understands."

After sending this message, the Grand Elder and the other Elders held their breath, awaiting the other party's reaction, mentally prepared for a stern refusal or even a complete fallout.

However, to everyone's surprise, the jade Talisman lit up almost immediately, and the reply was so decisive it was astonishing.

"Agreed. Deal."

The Elders fell into a strange silence.

They agreed?

They just agreed like that? Without even a hint of hesitation?

The Grand Elder was stunned at first, then an indescribable regret instantly surged into his heart!

They agreed too quickly! What did that mean? It meant that the other party's original quote was an exorbitant demand, and their own counter-offer was too conservative!

Perhaps if they had only added one Heaven-Grade Spiritual Vein, the other party would have agreed!

The thought that his momentary soft-heartedness might have cost the Holy Land two extra Heaven-Grade Spiritual Veins made the Grand Elder feel a rush of Qi and blood, and his chest felt tight.

Those were not ordinary Spirit Stones, but Spiritual Veins that could bless a region and continuously produce Spiritual Qi!

His face alternated between red and white, finally culminating in a sigh full of helplessness and heartache: "Alas... prepare it. Three Saint Weapons, one King-Grade Spiritual Vein, three Heaven-Grade Spiritual Veins... immediately seal and send them to the old location."

The Elders also exchanged glances, their expressions complex.

Although they saved seven Heaven-Grade Spiritual Veins compared to the initial quote, this expenditure still severely depleted the Holy Land's Origin Qi.

Everyone departed dejectedly to carry out the order, beginning to prepare this heartbreaking compensation... Meanwhile, deep within the Netherworld Hall's Eastern Domain branch.

Shadow looked at the final confirmation message from the jade Talisman in his hand, and the corners of his mouth, on his face shrouded in shadow, uncontrollably curved upwards, finally turning into a low chuckle.

"Heh... I didn't expect them to actually give one King-Grade Spiritual Vein plus three Heaven-Grade Spiritual Veins..."

His original quote was made with a "nothing ventured, nothing gained" mentality, an outrageous demand.

One King-Grade Spiritual Vein plus ten Heaven-Grade Spiritual Veins was an extortionate price, like sucking marrow from bones; he never expected the Glass Holy Lord to accept it all. He would have been very satisfied if they could bargain it down to one King-Grade Spiritual Vein.

"Glass Holy Land... it seems their apprehension towards those four youngsters far exceeds my estimation. Or perhaps, the Glass Holy Lord's determination to eliminate the hidden danger is so firm it's almost reckless, or is there a deeper plan?"

Shadow's fingertips lightly tapped the armrest of his throne, his thoughts racing.

One King-Grade Spiritual Vein was enough to boost the Foundation of his branch hall by a few points, and with three more Heaven-Grade Spiritual Veins, he could now train more elite assassins.

His gaze fell on his slender fingers; a drop of dark golden blood was slowly seeping from his fingertip, containing vast Saint King essence and a trace of undying killing intent.

"Forget it."

Shadow chuckled softly, his tone carrying a hint of condescension.

"Seeing as they are so 'generous' as to offer one King-Grade Spiritual Vein and three Heaven-Grade ones, this Hall Master will 'lose' another drop of Saint blood."

With a thought, the dark golden blood drop detached from his fingertip, hovering in the air, emitting a heart-palpitating fluctuation.

Shadow formed hand seals, and streaks of Netherworld runes flew into the blood drop.

The blood drop began to violently squirm and expand, quickly outlining a humanoid silhouette.

In just a moment, a figure formed, seven parts similar in appearance to Shadow's main body, but with a significantly weaker aura.

The pressure emanating from him was clearly stable at the Early Stage of the Saint Realm.

"Elementary Saint... enough to deal with the Glass Holy Land."

Shadow examined this Incarnation, nodding with satisfaction.

"As for the timing of the attack..."

The corner of Shadow's mouth curved into a meaningful smile.

"No rush. Let the Glass Holy Land side worry for a while. And let those four juniors... grow a few more days."

Inside a cave, Xiao Ruobai and Fang Hanyu opened their eyes almost simultaneously, their gazes sharp and bright, their auras smooth and vast, having firmly stepped into the Late Stage of the Heavenly Human Realm!

After successive bloody battles, especially the life-and-death struggle with four top assassins who comprehended Saint intent, their cultivation had been tempered even more profoundly, and their Breakthrough was a matter of course.

On the other side, Ling Xi also slowly exhaled a turbid breath, her green robe gently fluttering, her aura deeper and more restrained than before, having successfully advanced to the Middle Stage of the Heavenly Human Realm.

Her previous life's Foundation was profound, and each Breakthrough meant the Fusion of more memories and power, her strength growing far beyond her superficial Realm.

Xiao Ruobai's gaze turned to Wang Xiaopang, who was busy nearby.

The Little Fatty was covered in sweat, his chubby fingers moving across the Talisman paper at an astonishing speed, and amidst the flashing spiritual light, Talismans with extraordinary auras quickly took shape.

His expression was focused, even with a hint of nervousness, clearly preparing desperately for the unknown risks ahead.

"Little Fatty's Talisman talent is truly remarkable."

Xiao Ruobai praised him inwardly.

But looking at his Early Stage Cave Heaven Realm cultivation, Xiao Ruobai shook his head slightly; although his cultivation already surpassed many of his peers.

However, the opponents they faced now were old monsters nearing the end of their Lifespan, and his cultivation was ultimately a bit low, which also limited the full Play of his Talisman Dao's power.

After a brief moment of thought, Xiao Ruobai flipped his hand and took out a piece of enlightenment tea, and immediately, an indescribable clear fragrance permeated the air, instantly clearing one's mind.

"Little Fatty, come here," Xiao Ruobai called out.