Pu Yuzi glanced over, stroked his beard, and said, "This scroll is divided into three parts: upper, middle, and lower. If you are asking me for help, I can only interpret one part for you. However, if you can persuade these two to withdraw, for each one you get to step down, I’ll interpret an additional part."
Chen Tong wasn’t surprised, though he frowned unconsciously, thinking to himself, "I got a tip from my mother and knew in advance that this senior Pu Yuzi would be stationed here. I’ve been waiting for ten days for this opportunity, intending to enjoy the benefits alone. Yet, from nowhere, these two nuisances have appeared. I need to find a way to get them to relinquish their chances."
Pu Yuzi ignored him and turned his gaze to Luo Zhenzhen, speaking warmly, "Young girl, what do you seek?"
Luo Zhenzhen straightened up, her beautiful eyes unblinking as she looked at Pu Yuzi, and stated seriously, "Senior, my family is about to move far away. However, I have a cousin who went missing before the new year, her life or death unknown. We have been very close since childhood. I want to ask the senior to predict whether she is alive or dead, and if she is alive, where she might be?"
Saying this, she stood up and gave Pu Yuzi a deep bow.
Pu Yuzi sighed and said, "Young girl, your timing is unfortunate. Three days ago, I lost a bet while dueling someone, and they demanded that I refrain from predicting anything for anyone for three years. Therefore, you can only exchange for something else."
Luo Zhenzhen’s eyes revealed a hint of disappointment. She thought for a moment and then shook her head slightly.
Pu Yuzi asked curiously, "Could it be you don’t have any other requests for me?"
Luo Zhenzhen said, "The matter I wish the senior to handle cannot be done, and I do not wish to ask for anything else he can do."
Hearing her words, Pu Yuzi didn’t take offense and smiled, saying, "As you wish then."
Meanwhile, Chen Tong was overjoyed, tapping the table and saying, "Young lady, since you have no other requests, why not step aside and let me have this opportunity?"
Luo Zhenzhen, being a simple girl, didn’t see much value in keeping the opportunity and was about to agree when Zhang Yan suddenly interjected, saying, "Wait, Luo Daoist, could you let me have this opportunity? I know someone who can predict with tenfold accuracy your cousin’s current whereabouts."
Luo Zhenzhen widened her eyes and asked, "Really?"
Zhang Yan smiled and said, "I wouldn’t deceive a fellow Daoist. If you don’t believe me, we can set up a Dharma contract."
Luo Zhenzhen responded with an "mm", nodding heavily, "I trust you, I’ll give you this opportunity."
To her, the opportunity wasn’t that precious, so upon hearing someone could predict her cousin’s whereabouts, she immediately agreed.
Chen Tong was taken aback, not expecting Zhang Yan to seize the opportunity so easily.
However, predicting a cultivator’s whereabouts isn’t simple. Besides needing special Dharma treasures, it involves sacrificing cultivation and lifespan, something few would do. Pu Yuzi’s earlier refusal was likely just an excuse.
Nevertheless, upon further thought, Chen Tong realized it was beneficial. He originally thought he had to persuade two people, now he only needed to persuade one and didn’t have to deal with that female demon anymore.
What Zhang Yan wanted didn’t seem that significant to him, at worst, he’d give away a few items.
Having made up his mind, he cupped his hands towards Zhang Yan, "Brother, the object you desire is also within my clan’s possession. It’s called the Purple Collection Box, a mystical artifact that can gather all kinds of Essence Qi and spiritual breath under heaven. If you give up your two chances, I’ll give you this item. What do you think?"
Zhang Yan firmly shook his head, "Not enough."
Chen Tong first frowned, then smiled, thinking as long as you are willing to trade, there’s room for negotiation. He said, "I am a disciple of the Dengyang Chen Family. If you agree to withdraw, should you have any troublesome matters in the future, feel free to come to me, and I’ll shield you."
His cultivation was merely at the Ming Qi First Realm, and his achievements were mostly due to the treasure clothes on him and the cloud shoes on his feet, yet his tone was not small.
However, Zhang Yan knew he wasn’t boasting. The Dengyang Chen Family indeed had considerable influence, with many disciples having joined the Mingcang Sect, like Chen Feng, who once defeated disciples of both the Nanhua Sect and the Guangyuan Sect’s Lower Institutes, and he was born into the Dengyang Chen Family.
But he still did not agree, shaking his head, "Merely an empty promise, expecting to take two opportunities from me, brother, you are too shrewd."
Chen Tong was displeased, "You’re just after a Qi-engulfing item, why be so calculative?"
Zhang Yan laughed, "Brother misses the point. My request from the senior is a matter between him and me, unrelated to you. You now wish for me to step down, implying you are asking me to do something. Therefore, only one treasure and a promise is far from enough."
Chen Tong’s expression stiffened. What Zhang Yan said was reasonable, leaving him without a rebuttal.
Luo Zhenzhen, being lively and playful, found Zhang Yan’s words amusing and couldn’t help but chuckle. Her laughter was as captivating as a blossom bloom, even leaving Chen Tong momentarily stunned.
Watching the exchange between Zhang Yan and Chen Tong, Pu Yuzi simply closed his eyes, resting as if he hadn’t heard a thing.
Rubbing his temples, Chen Tong seemed to resolve something in his mind, lifted his head, and said solemnly, "Then, please state clearly what you want for the exchange?"
Zhang Yan smiled and said, "The item I seek is also with you, just worried brother can’t bear to part with it."
Chen Tong was startled at first, his eyes darting before he too started to laugh, his demeanor relaxing a bit, boldly saying, "As long as brother mentions it, as long as I currently possess it, I will agree to it. Even if you want those two beautiful maids behind me, I can give them to you! Just say it!"
Zhang Yan smiled and cupped his hands, saying something that left Chen Tong wide-eyed and open-mouthed, "In that case, please withdraw, brother."
... (To be continued. If you work, you’re welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)