Chapitre 134: Hunter 134: Reaching an Agreement
Unlike Lu Liang, who was easily controlled, Lu Ci's subordinates could not guarantee that they wouldn't tamper when using the Soul Seizing Technique on Ma Xianhong. Just the complex knowledge in Ma Xianhong's mind made it worth it for them to do so.
With Lu Ci's mad dog personality, he wouldn't let go easily without a fight. He's just like many of the lunatics in the Reincarnation Paradise. However, his biggest weakness is very obvious—his family, the Lu Clan.
Lin Jiu didn't need to hear what the arrogant contractor was saying to Lu Ci; he could guess it was nothing more than talking about how they couldn't go down together, that the Lu Clan couldn't survive without him. Other factions might not care, but the Wang Clan would take advantage of the Lu Clan's vulnerability, so he had to stay alive.
Lu Ci, turning into a mad dog when his clan was threatened, proved how important the Lu Clan was to him. Previously, he could hold his ground because he stood at the pinnacle of the world of Outcast. Anyone who had designs on the Lu Clan would avoid confronting him directly.
Those whose strength equaled his had their factions and wouldn't dare provoke him recklessly. Those much stronger than him, like the Old Heavenly Master, still followed the rules.
The two people in front of him, though, seemed to have come out of nowhere, led by that knife-wielding man—strong and crazy. Who else would show interest in the Lu Clan's Soul Seizing Technique and decide to first kill the clan's strongest member? Yet, that's exactly what they did.
Moreover, these two introduced themselves as leaders of a sect. If the sect leader is like this, how proper could the sect be?
In the world of Outcast, Lu Ci had always intimidated others with his madness, but facing someone just as strong, even crazier, and who had nothing to care about, he was at a disadvantage.
Lin Jiu thought, Crazy? Isn't taking out the strongest enemy first just common sense?
The contractor Ao Tian successfully calmed Lu Ci down, and they moved to the negotiation stage. The bottom line, of course, was the research on the Soul Seizing Technique. Lin Jiu was surprised to find that the Lu Clan did have soul crystals.
He had merely speculated that the Lu Clan's abilities, which involved souls, might include something like that. From the way Lu Ci saw the energy Lin Jiu controlled, he mistook him for another soul manipulator and assumed Lin Jiu knew about the soul crystals. Lu Ci's lack of denial confirmed their existence to Lin Jiu.
Lu Ci grumbled internally, Confidential information leaked? I'll have to clean out the pests in the family later!
"This is your demand. The first point is not worth discussing—victory goes to the victor. But I also have a few conditions!"
Lu Ci said to Lin Jiu.
"First, you must not publicize this incident. Second, Lu Liang stays behind and will be handed over to the Lu Clan."
If tonight's events were made public, the reputation of the Lu Clan's Ten Elders would be severely damaged. Those who hadn't fought Lin Jiu and Ma Xianhong wouldn't know how terrifying they were. Outsiders would only hear that the Lu Clan, part of the Ten Elders, had been beaten by two young upstarts, which would greatly impact Lu Ci's standing.
Asking for Lu Liang was merely a formality, a way to save face.
"We don't care about reputation, so don't worry about us spreading the word. As for Lu Liang… we still need him for the Soul Seizing Technique. We won't trust you to handle it, so it's impossible to hand him over."
Lin Jiu's response made Lu Liang, who was on edge, relax. As long as he was valuable, these two wouldn't give him up easily.
Only four people knew what the Soul Seizing Technique was needed for: Lin Jiu, his two companions, and Ao Tian, the contractor.
Is this the world of big shots? Stealing the Soul Seizing Technique to pull Ma Xianhong to their side! Can't imitate this, can't imitate this!
Even though Ao Tian understood the plan, all he could do was watch.
Such a simple, direct move was obvious, but the key was having the strength to pull it off.
"Wouldn't it be possible if external means…"
Lu Zhong began to speak.
"Shut up!"
Lu Ci harshly rebuked him. They had been in power for too long, and the brief negotiation made him forget they were on the losing side.
"Chief Ma, did you hear that?"
Lin Jiu turned to Ma Xianhong.
"Mm!"
Ma Xianhong, eyes sharp, was no fool. Though he was a straightforward man, he wasn't deaf. He could hear the implications. If they waited for Lu Liang to perfect the Soul Seizing Technique, what difference would that make from continuing to modify the Soul Refining Furnace? But now, a turning point has emerged.
Lin Jiu glanced at Lu Zhong, who had spoken out of turn. Something was off about this guy.
"In that case, I must thank Chief Lu for agreeing to help my brother."
Lin Jiu said with a smile.
Sure enough, Lu Ci realized there was no escaping this and asked for Luü Liang.
"Don't misunderstand. I mean, you need to offer more."
Lin Jiu patted Lu Liang's side, making his face turn ashen. There was nowhere to escape from this situation.
Lu Ci, instead of continuing to fight, felt relief. With their ruthless attitude, they would probably retreat for now, then slowly hunt down the Lu Clan's bloodline. Lu Ci wasn't even sure he could survive against such powerful assassins, and by then, the Lu Clan would truly be extinct.
For Lin Jiu, this approach was indeed the safest. But the consequences would be dire. If he dared to wipe out the Lu Clan, other factions might face the same fate. It would turn him into a sworn enemy of the entire world of Outcast.
A confrontation was dangerous, but getting what he wanted to minimize the aftermath. Plus, encountering an unusual contractor in Lu Clan's territory helped Lin Jiu steer events toward his desired outcome.
Ma Xianhong, valuing his companions, stayed quiet. After all, Lu Liang was not his person but a member of Quanxing. Besides, he had been forced here by Lin Jiu and was being used for personal gain.
In the end, both sides reached an agreement: the Lu Clan would provide research records on the Soul Seizing Technique, four small soul crystals, and one chance to use an unknown item with similar effects. In return, Lin Jiu's side agreed not to leak what had happened today, nor the details of the Soul Seizing Technique, and to leave Lu Liang behind.
Although this was a humiliatingly unequal treaty, Lu Ci had no choice. Lu Gong was already glaring at Lu Liang, likely thinking about how to deal with him.
Ao Tian, having witnessed the entire Lu Clan invasion, found it thoroughly enjoyable. The benefits gained were enviable, but he didn't dare think too much.
He had nearly lost his foothold with the Lu Clan, and his potential allies had almost been killed. How could he dare entertain any more thoughts?
"Now that we've reached an agreement, shouldn't the energy affecting my shoulder finally disperse?"
Lu Ci asked. He couldn't break the soul energy binding his Qi, and his entire left arm was numb, severely hindering his combat abilities.
Lin Jiu shrugged, helpless.
"It's because I can't manipulate this energy outside my body that I'm interested in learning your Soul Seizing Technique. Just to learn how to control it."
He added, "Chief Lu, with your strength, I condensed a lot of soul energy. It will disperse automatically after a while. Learning to control it would take longer."
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone