A man was sitting in a cloud, reading of a tiny letter.
His expression changed a few times as he did so, in the end he could not help but laugh.
"This rascal…He truly is sure of surprises!"
An old woman next to the man raised her eyebrows.
"What are you talking about, Supreme Leader?"
"Take a good look, I am sure you will find this story interesting." Kao Zha Ji threw the letter towards her.
The woman easily caught it, she put a pair of glasses and began to read.
…
…
….
"Oh my." She exclaimed.
"Did he actually defeat Bai Lin Hua all on his own? How?
Oh…" She reached the following part of the letter; her surprise vanishing.
"Even so…The luck of this person is needless to say pretty high, to find such a powerful Gu in his aperture." And yet despite those words, there was no greed in her eyes.
Kao Zha Ji chuckled.
"Indeed. Everyone who's not a Grandmaster or does not Cultivate Wisdom Path, hardly stands a chance against this method."
The old woman looked amused at this.
"Then again, Bai Lin Hua also relied in such things.
I guess, one could say that her defeat was anything but undeserving."
Then, she touched her chin.
"Still, while this Gu may not be useful for you or to me, I admit it has a lot of potential in the lower levels…"
Kao Zha Ji looked uninterested.
"Hah….
That may be the case, for now.
You know how this is.
Gu's whose gimmicks rely on the fact that your opponent does not understand their effect, work at first, but not for long.
Once this Gu becomes 'mainstream', is only a matter of time until one or two Wisdom Path Cultivators devise a counter and begins to sell it in Treasure Yellow Heaven.
By then, this technique will be one of the countless lost in the river of time."
Kao Yun Yun squinted her eyes.
"Do not lecture me, I know such things.
Besides, whilst the potential of this Gu is limited, it will take a while before others develop their own counters.
In the meanwhile, it will generate quite the profit."
Kao Zha Ji tilted his head side to side, seemingly considering the proposal.
"Hah…
While what you say may be true, I do not really care about such petty gains.
Besides, if it becomes known that I prey on the younger generations, where my reputation will lie?
Furthermore.
We still got a transaction to do, before discussing such things.
Speaking of which.
What do you think of his…
'Offer.'
"
Kao Yun Yun chuckled.
"Hah. I'd say that he's an insolent brat."
But then she added.
"Still his conditions are understandable, right now he's on quite desperate straits trying to find ways to get any essence he can find.
That is why he's being so greedy."
Kao Zha Ji sighed.
"While he may be stubborn and greedy, that is not necessarily a bad thing.
With such determination he could have made for an excellent asset for the Clan, what a shame he died so young.
Still, while before I thought that his potential was limited.
His current achievements have proven me wrong, who knows what else he may achieve.
Due to this, I think that…"
"We should give him 2,000 Immortal Essence Stones not one more or less…"
"As for the other points he claimed?
Well, while I am not against giving him the results of our research in Soul Path, that would only be under an Oath that prevents him from spilling this information to anybody.
Then he paused.
Turning his eyes towards Kao Yun Yun he added.
"As for the third point I think I will leave it to your own discretion."
Kao Yun Yun touched her chin as she pondered.
"While I do not mind sharing some of the things I've achieved, isn't he a bit too arrogant by thinking I will give it away for free?
mmm…What about this.
Tell him that if he wants to, I can give him several recipes, Mortal and Immortal Killer moves, plus a guide regarding Wisdom Path.
In exchange however, any research investigation, or discovery he makes regarding Cloud, Sunny and other related Gu's he develops in the future must be shared freely with me for the following century.
Of course, the contract will also state that during this century he must spend a considerable portion of his time pursuing Wisdom Path.
If he's willing to do that, I am willing to share my own results with him."
The Supreme Leader stared at her, before letting out a chuckle.
"I thought you said you were not very interested in the Gu." He stated plainly.
But the woman shrugged.
"While I do not quite believe that the Gu holds too much potential, who knows if he can create a miracle again.
Besides, while he may have become duller after becoming a land spirit, he's still not an idiot, that much was proven because he won his fight.
Thus, under a period of a century I really do not believe he cannot uncover a thing!"
The Supreme Leader nodded.
He wrote her words in the letter.
In the end, the letter was sent towards Kao Yu Hun again who stared with mild shock at the reply.
"They actually agreed to his three terms????" He said somewhat confused, but upon seeing that condition, his expression became normal again.
He threw the letter to Kao Dao Ji, whose expression looked quite pleasant.
"What the hell? They actually agreed to give me 2,000 Immortal Stones???" He thought shocked.
While he had shamelessly asked for 3,000 Immortal Stones, he never thought that they would agree so easily, or at least he would have to give up one of the other two favors for this to happen.
But then, as he kept reading, he understood the why.
His expression became a bit ugly before saying.
"Tell them that I will accept their conditions, however, they also need to add a clause that the Clan will not privately sell this Gu whilst this agreement is set in place plus another ten years."
Kao Yu Hun nodded.
"Alright, I do not think they will deny this condition, but just in case I will ask them for their opinion."
He began to transmit the contents of the letter towards the Supreme Leader again, whilst this happened Kao Dao Ji inwardly calculated.
"Whilst that condition of requiring to give away my research is quite painful, I still made up a nice profit.
After all, even a High Grade Blessed Land produces between 30 to 40 Immortal Beads at first, even if developed the numbers usually do not reach the 50, which is considered the level of the Extreme Physiques.
In other words, by gaining access to 2,000 Immortal Stones I get the equivalent of more than 40 years of secluded Cultivation.
And that is only for usual Cultivators, in absolute numbers my need for essence is not as great, after all, I am able to save hefty amounts of essence by relying on my Heavenly Power.
I also do not tend to get into affairs like huge battles which may exhaust me further.
Hell, under my current terms with Kao Yu Hun he will aid me in dealing with Tribulations, which will decrease my expenditure even further.
With those conditions I can last for over a century with just that Immortal Essence, even without considering external replenishment."
He felt a trace of excitement flash in his eyes, however, there was also some lingering fear.
"Even so…Will it truly be alright? To absorb such huge amount of Immortal Stones?" He frowned.
While most Immortals in this world were unaware of this, he knew that each Immortal Stone had been tampered by Heavenly Court.
Each carrying an small speck of Heaven's Will.
An invisible poison that while it would not damage his body, would slowly affect his mind and corrupt him.
Especially when the doses were so high.
Inwardly he pondered.
"I recall about that Gu 'Self Will' or something, but does this Gu even exists in this period?
Was it invented by Shadow Sect, or did they merely found and used it?
Also, what are its ingredients."
He touched his chin whilst analyzing.
"I guess, that I could ask Kao Yun Yun to teach me the method of refining this Gu.
However, what if she does not know about the Gu? What do I do then?
My Foundation in Wisdom, Refinement and Heaven Path is basically null. To create a recipe like this in my own is basically impossible." He lowered his brows further.
Suddenly his eyes widened, with a certain idea in mind.
"What about the power I gained once I became a Master in Water Path? I could try to dissolve those Immortal Essence Stones into water, then using my methods I could isolate Heaven's Will from the water before taking it for my own use..." He shook his head.
"No, it cannot be this easy.
At the very least I do not think I could do such a thing with my current Water and Wisdom Attainment."
"My current attainment…" He muttered.
For a moment, his expression became deeply envious.
"If only I could get access to a Dream Realm or get some True Meaning like Fang Yuan did, however, even if I know the locations of all those places, how can I get to them?
I am basically stuck in my aperture!"
He sighed.
"I cannot rely on shortcuts, the only way I have is to accumulate inside my own aperture, steadily building my own foundations, by then it may be possible to find a way on my own…"
But then, his eyes brightened.
"Wait. Time.
Whilst I cannot decrease the time I spend on my aperture; I can decrease the time I spend in respect to the rest of the world.
While right now my aperture is synched to the Five Region's time.
Is only because I altered its natural rhythmic by placing it down, once I stop doing this, it will naturally return to its natural cycle of 21 to 1.
To be honest, I could have done this at any time before, however I was trying to acquire some essence by using Kao Yu Hun as my personal bank.
However.
That plan was based in the fact that I was lacking in essence, and I had no way to generate revenue, right now I possess money, and is only a matter of time until I establish my own business in Treasure Yellow Heaven.
Besides, as the current events have shown, this steady strategy will not work.
Sooner or later, somebody will enter into my aperture.
I need to be ready for when that happens."
His expression became firm, however he soon considered.
"Still, there are some concerns, while I have kept my mind stable, as I've been too busy with many things, I do not think keeping myself in solitude for centuries will be good for my mental health.
Which is why…"
He stared at Kao Yu Hun gathering his own thoughts before saying.
"Uncle. Is a bit shameful for me to say this, however, as I cannot leave my aperture, I may have to leave some matters to you."
Kao Yu Hun stared at him with mild surprise.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, my aperture has been developing quite steadily, however I have realized that there's a lot I cannot do on my own, which is why, I desire to bring some people to my aperture.
To develop there."
Kao Yu Hun nodded at those words.
That much was not really surprising, once an Immortal reached a certain point, they indeed found it too difficult to manage their aperture, they tended to leave people to manage it on their own.
Hell, inside his own aperture there were a couple of thousand living Featherman inside.
However.
He lowered his brows and asked.
"But what kind of people do you desire me to bring to you? The kind, who decides to stay on their own, given a salary, and whom can leave at any time they wish to, or…The more permanent ones?"
Kao Dao Ji rapidly said.
"I am not interested in slaves."
Kao Yu Hun nodded.
"Alright, so I will try to find you workers, any preferences?"
Kao Dao Ji said.
"I'm not interested in bringing young geniuses they are too expensive.
Instead, try to bring those whose Cultivation aptitudes and Ranks are moderate, those ranging from Rank 2 to 4.
Try to ensure that they hold some experience in managing fields, clouds and other such things.
And also, if possible, try to bring a few whom are good at Refinement and Wisdom Path."
Kao Yu Hun nodded.
"What about the pay?"
"I am quite generous at that, just say that I will give 10 Primeval Essence Stones monthly for those who are Rank 2, 100 to Rank 3, and a 1,000 to those who are Rank 4." Kao Dao Ji said.
Kao Yu Hun frowned at his words.
Whilst the offer to those Rank 2 and 3 were quite generous, they were too pitifully low for Rank 4 Gu Masters.
"In addition, at the end of every month, I will make a conference called 'Heaven and Earth' meeting.
In which, I will reply to any questions they have regarding Cultivation including tips about ascension, importance of vital Gu matters related to Path and other various things."
Kao Yu Hun stared at him somewhat surprised.
Most Immortals would not give such guidance under such short periods, at most once every year.
Furthermore, their guidance would be centered towards Rank 5 elites or talented youngsters, rarely would they focus on nurturing mediocre people.
Of course, Kao Dao Ji had his own considerations.
If he did not want to drive himself bad, he needed to find somebody, anybody to talk to, which was why this arrangement was quite appropriate.
Still, there were a few other details that needed to be clarified.
"Alright, what about the people who wish to leave? Especially regarding Tribulations, that happens a lot." Kao Yu Hun asked.
"Well…At the end of every year, I will open the walls of my aperture, during this period anybody who desires to leave, or whose performance was too disappointing will leave.
As for those years in which I will suffer from a Tribulation? Like before, those who desire to leave can go.
However, those who stay will have their pay tripled for that year."
Kao Yu Hun nodded, finding those terms acceptable.
The two kept talking for fifteen minutes, discussing every other detail.
At the end, Kao Yu Hun said.
"Alright, I will go open some commissions, however, a man cannot go without bread for a day, and you of all people should know this…"
Kao Dao Ji nodded.
"For your services I will pay you 6 Immortal Essence Stones."
Kao Yu Hun grinned, whilst the pay was low, the risks were zero, furthermore this task was not really difficult, most would be delegated to his diligent subordinates.
He only needed to act as a poster boy, and shout a few things and people would flock on their own, he already looked somewhat excited at that easy money.
However, while Kao Yu Hun was immersed in his happiness, Kao Dao Ji spoke again.
"Also, before I forget, tell the Supreme Leader that I will no longer synch the time of my aperture in respect to the outside world.
It will go to its natural time of 21 to 1."
"WHAT?" Kao Yu Hun shouted with wide eyes.
Whilst normally he would not care much about such things, he did not forget that he was still 'bonded' to that Immortal Gu!
Which meant that he was forced to assist him in every of his Tribulations.
Needless to say, his expression was quite ugly.
However, Kao Dao Ji kept his innocent smile, as if he had not realized his thoughts.