Chapter 312 - 30: Small Daoist Collection

Seeing Tong Hou fall silent, Zhang Deming’s face lit up. ’Looks like I guessed right.’

He chose his words carefully before speaking. "Let’s put it this way: if you can offer something that satisfies me, a complete Extreme Chess Dao Set Bead isn’t out of the question!"

Tong Hou’s expression flickered. He looked at Zhang Deming with a hint of reproach. "Senior, didn’t you say that Yin Yang Chess Dao Recovery Techniques were incredibly hard to find?"

Zhang Deming nodded. "They are. But that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Besides, I was talking about Mastery Level Beads!"

At Zhang Deming’s words, the temptation on Tong Hou’s face grew much more obvious.

After a long moment, he said, "Senior, you really are a... ’straight-to-the-point’ Spirit Nurturing Master, aren’t you!"

Zhang Deming gave an unconcerned smile. "My professional status is what it is, but after dealing with so many people, it’s just better to be direct, don’t you think?"

Tong Hou’s expression twitched. Finally, steeling himself, he went for broke. "As long as you sign this contract, Senior, I can give you a copy of everything I obtained from the Daoist Collection in the Cyan Wood Secret Realm."

As he spoke, he produced a scroll with a flip of his hand and tossed it to Zhang Deming.

Zhang Deming caught the scroll, his brow furrowed slightly. A brief glance was enough to surprise him.

It was actually a Four-Star Contract Daoist Scroll!

Of course, such an item was precious. The only reason Tong Hou could toss it over so recklessly was that the terms on it had already been meticulously set.

Tong Hou had even signed his name in the primary position—’Party A,’ so to speak.

Simply put, it was a fully drafted contract. For Zhang Deming, it held no value for negotiation.

Zhang Deming read the terms for a moment. Tong Hou hadn’t tried to pull any tricks.

The contents were all drafted around the current transaction.

Zhang Deming stared at the contract’s contents, pondering for a long while before saying, "So, you’re carrying everything on you?"

Zhang Deming’s question made Tong Hou instantly tense up again.

"You’ve got some nerve. And there’s nothing wrong with these terms.

But you expect me to sign first and see the goods later?

Do you take me for a fool, or do you think there’s something wrong with my head?" Zhang Deming said, looking coolly at Tong Hou.

Hearing this, Tong Hou looked at Zhang Deming and said, "Then what do you propose, Senior? I’m just an ordinary Apprentice Stage Cultivator facing a Great Cultivator of at least the Duality realm. Even with a Small Shifting Talisman, I wouldn’t dare to just casually take out my things."

"Heh, I don’t see anything ’ordinary’ about you.

To dare act like this at the Apprentice Stage with just a Small Shifting Talisman?

From what I’ve seen of you all day, I didn’t take you for someone so bold," Zhang Deming said with a faint, unreadable smile.

Tong Hou’s expression tensed, and his gaze toward Zhang Deming now carried a hint more wariness.

For a moment, a silence fell between them.

Seeing this, Zhang Deming broke the silence. "Alright, let’s do this. The root of this stalemate is the apparent, vast disparity in our strengths.

We’re already in the Jade Delicacy Tower, and you’re still afraid I’ll make a move...

Since that’s the case, let’s switch rooms.

You’re a disciple of the Celestial Spirit Sect, so you probably know the Jade Delicacy Tower better than I do. Since this ordinary room isn’t working for you...

...how about we move to one of the specialized business rooms? We can talk after activating the Safety Array. What do you think?"

The Jade Delicacy Tower hadn’t reached its current status just by selling Spiritual Food; that was merely its main attraction.

To put it simply, it also functioned as a high-end restaurant, a luxury hotel, and provided services like specialized conference rooms.

After a moment’s thought, Tong Hou nodded. "Alright."

Hearing this, Zhang Deming tossed the scroll back to Tong Hou and activated the array in the room.

At that, Tong Hou’s features shifted back into those of the middle-aged man. However, the transformation wasn’t as seamless as before; anyone with a modicum of skill could tell he was in disguise.

A moment later, a waiter entered and looked at Zhang Deming. "Senior, how may I help you?"

Zhang Deming said, "We’d like to change rooms. To one of the high-level conference rooms."

The waiter smiled. "Of course, Senior. Please wait a moment."

With that, he quickly summoned a Light Screen and began to operate it.

After just a moment, he looked at Zhang Deming again. "It’s all set, Senior. This way, please."

The waiter then led the way. Zhang Deming and Tong Hou followed, one behind the other, keeping their distance as they were shown to a different room.

The layout of this room was completely different from the last. It was decorated in a very modern style, looking exactly like a contemporary conference room with a long table.

After the waiter closed the door and left, Zhang Deming and Tong Hou took seats on opposite sides of the conference table. Tong Hou activated the array on his side, and only then did his guarded expression relax slightly.

Zhang Deming shook his head. "If I weren’t genuinely interested in what you have, I wouldn’t have bothered with all this trouble.

I specifically arranged to meet here because I knew your cultivation level and wanted to ease your concerns. I never expected this. My subordinates told me you were quite bold, yet in person, you’re this timid."

Tong Hou didn’t bother to explain. If this had been a simple trade for a single Cultivation Technique, he wouldn’t have been under so much pressure.

But if he really had to reveal his other treasures, he was still afraid the other party would attack. After all, with so many valuables at stake, the most he could do was guarantee his own escape.

He looked at Zhang Deming and said, "My apologies for my behavior, Senior."

"It’s fine. No more dawdling. Take your things out and let’s have a look," Zhang Deming said. "Let’s see what gives you the confidence to think I would tailor-make a set of Beads for you."