After subduing Xu Cuo, Zhang Yan took away the sleeve bag on his body and carefully inspected its contents.
Just as he had previously anticipated, this man carried quite a bit of Ren Kui Water Essence, enough to fill a small vial. With a rough estimate, it contained at least a hundred drops, which left Zhang Yan elated.
He thought to himself, "Xu Cuo is merely an outer relative disciple of the Xu Clan, yet he possesses so much Water Essence. Shen Minggu, being more renowned and a direct relative of the Shen Clan, likely carries far more than Xu Cuo does."
Although he had originally planned to visit the Immortal Market aboard a flying boat to purchase Water Essence, he truthfully held little hope in his heart.
It must be understood that this substance is used by Chongyue True Temple as a borrowed medium for deploying their Leaving Origin Yin-Yang Flying Saber. Even if it were available for sale, it would be an insignificant amount relative to what he required—little more than a drop in the ocean—and likely not worth the effort compared to directly looting it from the Shen and Xu clans’ close relatives.
Once Zhang Yan gathered sufficient Ren Kui Water Essence Qi, he could proceed with cultivating the Water Element True Light portion of the Supreme Mysterious True Light technique. Though he was uncertain of its actual power, considering the Supreme Mysterious Sect was an Ancient Xuanmen Great Sect, this method was undoubtedly extraordinary.
As Zhang Yan pondered this, Xu Cuo slowly regained consciousness. He had been severely injured by Zhang Yan’s sword strike, but fortunately for him, he was a Xuan Guang Practitioner. As long as the Spiritual Energy within his chest remained undispersed and his Essence Qi intact, he could recover completely after applying Spiritual Medicine and resting for a while.
However, Zhang Yan had sealed his Qi Veins with talismans, rendering him unable to move. He could only lie there, forced to speak weakly, "This fellow Daoist, judging by your Dharma technique, you don’t seem to follow Tao Zhenhong’s path. Why make things difficult for me? If you are willing to let me go, I can offer you some benefits."
Zhang Yan, seated upright on the bed, heard his words and dropped his gaze, smiling faintly. "What benefits can you offer me?"
Xu Cuo, having just killed Dai Huan, feared that Zhang Yan might seek to take his life in retribution. Upon sensing an opening for negotiation in Zhang Yan’s tone, he hurriedly replied, "As for the rare treasures, immortal beasts, spirit beasts, cultivation techniques and elixir pills scattered across the outer sea, as long as you name your price, I will think of a way to procure them for you."
Seeing Xu Cuo speak so boldly, Zhang Yan raised his brows slightly and mocked, "What if I were to ask for a thousand drops of Ren Kui Water Essence from your clan? Would you dare part with them?"
Xu Cuo froze momentarily, then replied with great bravado, shouting, "What’s a thousand drops of Water Essence Qi? If you let me go, I’ll offer you three thousand drops of Essence Water!"
These words took Zhang Yan by genuine surprise. He glanced at Xu Cuo, noting that he didn’t appear to be joking. His eyes narrowed slightly as he said, "Very well. Write a letter, and I’ll have someone send it to Chongyue True Temple to secure your ransom with three thousand drops of Water Essence. What do you think?"
Xu Cuo had been inwardly anxious but became visibly relieved upon hearing this. Fearing that Zhang Yan might go back on his word, he quickly agreed. He then added, wearing a pained expression, "Fellow Daoist, I also request your mercy in helping me treat my wounds."
Zhang Yan smiled faintly, raised his hand, and withdrew the talisman sealing Xu Cuo’s right arm. Turning his palm over, he helped him into a half-sitting position.
He retrieved ink and paper from his sleeve and handed them to Xu Cuo. Then he produced a vial of elixir pills, saying, "These are external-use medicine pills. Apply them to your wounds yourself."
Though Xu Cuo now had one arm free, allowing him to potentially remove the Top Sect Talisman, he knew better than to make any unnecessary moves under Zhang Yan’s watchful gaze. He cautiously applied the medicine to his wounds.
A cool sensation swept over his injuries, immediately alleviating the pain. The wounds began to scab over and heal rapidly.
Noting the remarkable efficacy of the elixir pills Zhang Yan had handed him, Xu Cuo realized that if Zhang Yan intended to kill him, such powerful medicine wouldn’t be necessary. Feeling slightly reassured, he took the ink and paper and wrote a letter. Before long, he had finished drafting a communiqué.
Xu Cuo held up the letter and said, "Fellow Daoist, take this letter to a nearby island, and shortly after, someone will bring Ren Kui Water Essence here to exchange for my release."
Yet inwardly, he thought, "Once I escape, I’ll make sure to settle accounts thoroughly with them later. Whatever I give away now, I can always reclaim later!"
Zhang Yan accepted the letter and read through it carefully. The text was brief and succinct, containing only a few sentences, leaving little room for any hidden schemes. He glanced at Xu Cuo and mused, "What a pity. If this man hadn’t killed Dai Huan, I could have negotiated an exchange for him. But under these circumstances, I cannot proceed with such a plan. Otherwise, how could I explain myself before True Master Tao and justify myself to Lu and Jing, those two fellow Daoists? However, with Xu Cuo in hand, once this letter is delivered, I can lure Shen Minggu here and capture him as well. This should suffice to obtain the Water Essence I need."
As for any retaliation from Chongyue True Temple, Zhang Yan felt no concern. With True Master Tao’s senior disciple and those younger generations present, and considering this matter was ostensibly done to avenge them, True Master Tao would certainly not stand idly by.