299: Innate supernatural powers

The Tool Spirit's illusory face squeezed out a smile uglier than a cry.

He looked at Li Heng, his tone carrying a hint of pleading.

"Senior, this old one needs your help to reinforce the Seal of this desolate pagoda."

"Although the evil god in this coffin is suppressed, the erosion of countless ages has long loosened the Seal. Coupled with the current Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi revival, the speed of evil Qi leakage is getting faster and faster."

"If it's not repaired in time, I'm afraid in less than ten years, it will completely break free from the Seal, and by then, the common people will be in danger!"

The Tool Spirit spoke sincerely, adopting an extremely humble posture.

In his opinion, since he had said so much, this Human Race powerhouse in front of him should, out of Dao, lend a hand.

However, Li Heng merely let out an indifferent "Oh."

He walked half a circle around the Tool Spirit, as if appraising a rare antique.

"I can help."

Li Heng stopped, shaking a finger.

"But, what's in it for me?"

"..."

The air instantly froze.

The Tool Spirit's earnest expression on his old face stiffened, unable to react for a moment.

Benefit?

What was he saying?

Didn't he just say it? The common people are in danger! The world will be in chaos!

Was that not enough?

As a top-tier Human Race expert, wasn't it his rightful responsibility to maintain world peace, slay demons, and vanquish devils?

How come when it came to him, he immediately asked for benefits?

"Senior... you... what do you mean by this?"

The Tool Spirit's tone was filled with disbelief.

"Literal meaning."

Li Heng crossed his arms, looking completely justified.

"My Kunlun Academy, opening its doors to education and nurturing talents, which part doesn't cost money? As the Dean, flying thousands of miles from the Dragon Kingdom to this desolate snowy mountain, my appearance fee is very expensive."

The corner of the Tool Spirit's mouth, if he had a physical body, would surely be twitching wildly at this moment.

He had lived for countless millennia, and this was the first time he had encountered such a... fresh and unconventional powerhouse.

"But... but..."

The Tool Spirit still wanted to struggle, trying to awaken Li Heng's sense of responsibility.

"This old one... this old one is merely a Tool Spirit, with nothing to his name. I truly... truly cannot offer anything that could enter Senior's Dharma Eye!"

He spread his illusory hands, indicating he was penniless.

"Nothing?"

Li Heng pouted, a "you think I'm stupid" expression on his face.

"Didn't you say you were a Magic Treasure refined by some ancient Deity? Following your master to battle across the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, suppressing countless great demons and Devil Heads?"

"Yes... yes, I did."

The Tool Spirit subconsciously nodded.

"Well, there you have it."

Li Heng clapped his hands.

"You must have Cultivation Techniques, right? Just give me a hundred or so of your ancient Cultivation Techniques for me to take back as teaching materials for my students to study and reference."

"Then, I'll help you with this matter."

Upon hearing this, the Tool Spirit, no, the entire spirit, was dumbfounded.

He stared blankly at Li Heng, unable to speak for a long time.

After a while, he explained with a wry smile.

"Senior, you may not know this!"

"The ancient era was the age of Innate gods and demons. We were born wielding Laws, possessing the mighty power to move mountains and fill seas, pluck stars and seize the moon. We simply... simply didn't need to cultivate!"

"Therefore, there are no so-called Cultivation Techniques passed down."

Upon hearing this, the expression on Li Heng's face instantly fell.

He picked his ear, looking bored.

"After all that, turns out he's a pauper."

He waved his hand and turned to walk back the way he came.

"Since there's nothing, then forget it."

"You can just wait here for the next fated person. I won't be accompanying you."

"Farewell."

Li Heng left decisively, without the slightest bit of hesitation.

The Tool Spirit truly panicked now.

He watched Li Heng's retreating figure about to disappear into the entrance of the core area, no longer caring about the demeanor of an ancient powerhouse. His figure flickered, and he directly floated in front of Li Heng, spreading his arms to block his path.

"Senior! Senior, please stay!"

The Tool Spirit's voice was on the verge of tears.

"You can't leave! If you leave, and this evil god escapes one day, the entire world will suffer!"

Li Heng stopped, glancing at him sideways.

"So what if it suffers? What does it have to do with me?"

He shrugged, an indifferent posture.

"Besides, when the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up."

"Coincidentally, I am the tallest one."

"A mere bit of evil Qi, I don't even put it in my Dharma Eye. At worst, when it comes out, I'll bring my students to clear a dungeon, and I can even earn some prestige points."

"..."

The Tool Spirit was completely speechless.

He looked at Li Heng's calm, even somewhat expectant face, feeling his worldview being challenged like never before.

He had seen arrogant people, but never one so arrogant.

Yet, this person had the capital to be arrogant.

Even that terrifying evil Qi, in his mouth, became an experience pack for students to "clear dungeons."

How could they negotiate now?

It was impossible to negotiate!

The Tool Spirit's illusory body swayed weakly in mid-air, as if it could dissipate at any moment.

He finally understood.

This man in front of him was impervious to persuasion, neither soft nor hard tactics would work.

To make him act for free was absolutely impossible.

Alas, alas.

A long sigh echoed in the empty stone pagoda, filled with a sense of resigned helplessness.

"Senior, you win."

The Tool Spirit said weakly.

Li Heng raised an eyebrow, stopped, and turned around, watching him at his leisure.

"Oh? Have you come to your senses?"

The Tool Spirit took a deep breath, as if having made a certain decision.

His cloudy eyes stared intently at Li Heng.

"I truly don't have any Cultivation Techniques from the ancient era."

"But..."

His tone shifted, his voice revealing an indescribable ancientness and solemnity.

"This old one here does indeed possess a treasured ..."

"Innate Divine Ability! created personally by my master!"

The moment his words fell, a subtle glint finally flashed across Li Heng's usually unperturbed face.

The fish had taken the bait.