"The Heavenly Destiny born in the Ancient Era was the Throne, but the Heavenly Destiny born in the Remote Ancient Era was the Imperial Seal!"
In an effort to convince Gu Qingfeng that this raw stone from the Remote Ancient Era was worth the price, Ouyang Ye began earnestly spinning her tale. "Do you know what an Imperial Seal is?" she asked. "It's what gives an emperor dominion over a region! Like the Nine Heavens Emperor, the Nine Nethers Emperor, the Underworld Emperor, the World-Honored Emperor, and also the Immortal Emperor, the Demon Emperor, the Monster Emperor, the Evil Emperor, the Spirit Emperor... even the Heavenly Emperor and the Human Emperor—they all emerged from Imperial Seals!"
Seeing Gu Qingfeng remain silent, Ouyang Ye continued her pitch. "Think about it. This Remote Ancient Era Great Nature Origin Stone contains a mysterious power. What if it's a Heavenly Destiny Imperial Seal?"
Since the dawn of heaven and earth, each era has birthed its own Heavenly Destiny. The Modern Era's Heavenly Destiny has yet to appear, but the Ancient Era's was the Throne. As Ouyang Ye said, the Remote Ancient Era's was the Imperial Seal. Further back, the Primordial Era's Heavenly Destiny was the Great Dao, and the Desolate Era's was the Law... It's said that the eras before the Desolate Era gave birth to Origins as their Heavenly Destiny.
"If it really is a Heavenly Destiny Imperial Seal... hey, Lao Jiu, you could become an emperor ruling over a region!"
Beside them, Han Dong stood quietly. Hearing Ouyang Ye's wild claims to Gu Qingfeng filled her with helplessness. It was just too exaggerated and far-fetched.
"I say, Miss Ouyang, is that really necessary?" Gu Qingfeng said, studying the raw stone as if admiring a beautiful night pearl, a playful smile on his lips. "A Heavenly Destiny Imperial Seal? Do you take me for a fool, or do I just look that stupid to you?"
"Hey, Lao Jiu, don't put it like that. No one knows what that mysterious power really is. It's not impossible that it's a Remote Ancient Era Heavenly Destiny Imperial Seal."
"You said it yourself—'not impossible'," Gu Qingfeng replied, picking up a cup of Ice-Fire Heart Dew and taking a small sip. "But what if it's not? Wouldn't I be taking a huge loss?"
"And what if it is? Wouldn't you be making a huge gain?" Ouyang Ye rolled her eyes. "Besides, Lao Jiu, don't forget. That Cloud-Color Sword was something you originally intended to give me."
"That was then, this is now. Back then I tried to give it to you, and you said I was trying to harm you. Since being a good person is so difficult, why should I invite trouble for myself?"
"You!" Ouyang Ye was momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond. After a moment, she exclaimed, "Hey! Lao Jiu! I saved your life! If I hadn't intervened in the cave manor, you'd have been killed by the Hunyuan Sect people. You wouldn't even have gotten the Cloud-Color Sword!"
"Didn't I repay your kindness by giving you all those storage bags? And I was going to give you the Cloud-Color Sword too. You didn't want it then. Can't blame me for that."
Ouyang Ye's pretty face darkened as she put on a stern expression. "Lao Jiu! Is your measly little life only worth a few storage bags and a broken sword? If that's the case, then I must have misjudged you. Put down the raw stone and be on your way. I don't want the Cloud-Color Sword anymore. Consider it as if I never saved you..." With that, she turned her back, refusing to engage further.
Clearly, the little girl was playing a game of playing hard to get. And she was playing it quite convincingly, making it seem like the real deal.
Though that's how it appeared on the surface, deep down Ouyang Ye was incredibly nervous, terrified that Gu Qingfeng might simply walk away.
"Sister Han Dong, what's his reaction? Is he going to leave?" Ouyang Ye sent a secret voice transmission. Han Dong had been watching Gu Qingfeng the whole time.
Reaction? The guy showed no reaction at all. He just sat there with his legs crossed, looking at the raw stone. His expression gave nothing away about what he was thinking or whether he had any intention of making the trade.
Ouyang Ye had wanted to use this tactic to test him. If he really tried to leave, she would have thought of another way. But the guy just sat there, not speaking, showing neither an intention to trade nor a desire to leave.
As time ticked by, not only was Ouyang Ye growing anxious, but even Han Dong was starting to lose her composure. "Young Lord, your sense of gratitude and repayment is truly rare and admirable," Han Dong said. "Ye Ye is still young. Her suspicions toward you in the cave manor were inappropriate. If she offended you, I apologize on her behalf."
With that, Han Dong gave a slight bow of her head in apology, then continued, "I believe you can see how much Ye Ye loves that Cloud-Color Sword. I know a single raw stone is not enough. If you are willing, I have some Spirit Treasures here. If any catch your eye, you may take them."
Although Han Dong had only known Ouyang Ye for a year, Ouyang Ye's passionate nature had deeply moved her. In her heart, she had long regarded Ouyang Ye as a younger sister. Seeing Ouyang Ye's desperate desire for the Cloud-Color Sword, Han Dong naturally wanted to help with all her might. She began taking Spirit Treasures from her storage bag one by one, placing them gently on the table.
Just as she had said earlier, while these Spirit Treasures might not match the value of the raw stone, they were undoubtedly top-tier treasures, each one a rare gem. As she took them out, she began explaining their origins. But halfway through her introductions, the silent Gu Qingfeng finally spoke up and cut her off.
"Alright, enough. Put them away. I have no interest in these Spirit Treasures."
The moment Gu Qingfeng finished speaking, Ouyang Ye flew into a rage. "Hey! Aren't you being a bit too much? The Cloud-Color Sword may be a rare treasure, but my sister's Spirit Treasures aren't bad either! How can you just say..."
Han Dong cut her off, shaking her head to signal her not to lose her temper, then turned back to Gu Qingfeng. "Since you have no interest in these Spirit Treasures, may I ask what it is you do want?"
Gu Qingfeng yawned, stood up, and stretched. "Here's the deal. I'll keep this raw stone, and I can give you the Cloud-Color Sword."
Perhaps not expecting Gu Qingfeng to suddenly say such a thing, Ouyang Ye stood there stunned in shock. Han Dong also stared in disbelief. Both were having trouble believing their ears, wondering if they had misheard. Ouyang Ye asked again, uncertain.
"You... what did you just say?"
"I said I'll take the raw stone, and I can give you the Cloud-Color Sword."
"You... you agree... to the trade?"
"I agree, yes... but a single raw stone isn't nearly enough. There needs to be an additional condition."
A condition? What condition?
Without a second thought, Ouyang Ye said ecstatically, "Tell me quickly! Whatever condition, as long as I can do it, I promise!"
Perhaps having drunk a bit too much Ice-Fire Heart Dew earlier, Gu Qingfeng found his mouth a bit bland. He took out some Peach Blossom Wine and gulped down several mouthfuls. "Well, I'm going to stay here for a while. During that time, you two just need to serve me good food and drink. Bring me all the best delicacies and beverages the Great Northwest Frontier has to offer... If you serve this master well, the Cloud-Color Sword is yours."