Chapter 462: Chapter 412: Stabilizing Talisman

Zhao Lin jumped off the sea boat and walked to the mountain gate. He presented his Body Stone to the guard cultivator and stated the purpose of his visit.

After a careful inspection, the guard cultivator escorted him to the Island Master’s Mansion.

"The Island Master will see you now."

The guard cultivator went in to announce his arrival and quickly returned to speak.

Zhao Lin followed the guard into the mansion and met Chu Hongtian in the main hall.

"Young friend Zhao, you’ve finally come!"

Chu Hongtian’s laughter held a note of satisfaction, as if he wasn’t surprised by Zhao Lin’s arrival. Suddenly, he raised an eyebrow and let out a soft, "Oh?"

"Qi Refining Seventh Layer... your cultivation has progressed quite quickly!"

Zhao Lin replied humbly, "You flatter me, Island Master. The only reason I was fortunate enough to break through was thanks to the merit I accumulated from the mission on Red Tail Island two years ago. It’s all thanks to the Island Master’s generous reward."

Upon hearing this, Chu Hongtian couldn’t help but chuckle.

Back then, he had indeed used his authority to apply for some extra merit points for Zhao Lin. Seeing that Zhao Lin still remembered this, he was very pleased.

"Does this mean you’ve accepted my invitation?"

Zhao Lin nodded solemnly. "The Island Master has shown me great favor, and I have no way to repay you. Now that I’ve made some small progress in my cultivation, I’ve hurried here to accept the mission."

At this point, his tone suddenly shifted. "However, I also have a small request."

’Even though I’ve come for various reasons, as far as Chu Hongtian is concerned, I’m here at his invitation. That gives me grounds to negotiate.’

’Since I’m taking a risk, I need to maximize the return!’

Zhao Lin wanted to obtain the exclusive rights to Red Tail Island’s cultivation resources.

In truth, he’d had this idea for a long time, but given his status, it hadn’t been appropriate to mention it.

But this time, Zhao Lin decided to raise the stakes!

"A small request?"

Chu Hongtian said, "Oh," as his smile slowly faded. "Go on, young friend."

Zhao Lin said in a low voice, "As Island Master Chu is surely aware, I have a shop in Dongfu District. Business is passable, but it lacks unique features and doesn’t have any particularly outstanding goods."

"I dare to ask for the exclusive rights to sell the Spirit Grass, minerals, and most importantly, the Spirit Pearls produced on Red Tail Island!"

Chu Hongtian’s expression changed. He then burst out laughing, but there was no mirth in his eyes. "What audacity! Do you have any idea how vast a quantity of resources that is?"

"Let me tell you, seventy percent of these resources must be handed over to the Sect. The remainder is needed to support the several hundred cultivators on this island. I only have control over a very small portion."

Zhao Lin knew that the "very small portion" Chu Hongtian mentioned was still no small amount. His expression remained unchanged as he said, "Then I’ll take the portion that Senior has at his disposal."

Chu Hongtian’s face slowly darkened. He waved his hand dismissively and said flatly, "Have Lu Yuanxiu come and talk to me about this."

The status of a Purple Mansion cultivator came not only from their cultivation level itself, but more so from the power and resources they controlled.

As an Island Master, how could Chu Hongtian possibly discuss the distribution of the island’s resources with a mere Qi Refining Cultivator?

Zhao Lin had already anticipated this. He held up two fingers and said, "Two pearl shoals."

"What?"

Chu Hongtian was stunned. His eyes narrowed. "You mean, you’ll help me take two pearl shoals?"

Zhao Lin nodded slowly and enunciated each word, "Precisely."

Chu Hongtian leaned forward and pressed, "Are you confident?"

Red Tail Island was strategically important. Due to historical reasons, it was currently jointly governed by the Chenghua Sect and the Earth Dark Sect. Without escalating to all-out war, the only area open for contention was Yongdeng Ansha.

Since becoming Island Master, Chu Hongtian had been eager to accomplish something significant. His greatest desire was to reclaim the two pearl shoals that the Earth Dark Sect had seized.

Unfortunately, only cultivators in the Qi Refining Realm could be sent to handle this matter, and they had to be proficient in Water Element Skills. Even a magic prodigy like Miao Kefa had been powerless to help, so this wish had remained unfulfilled.

For Zhao Lin to claim he could take two pearl shoals right from the start was something Chu Hongtian found difficult to believe.

Zhao Lin said in a low voice, "I will do my utmost, but I also ask the Island Master to dispatch a few cultivators skilled in Arrays to accompany me and set up the mechanisms."

Taking the pearl shoals and killing the Earth Dark Sect cultivators was only the first step. They also had to break through the enemy’s traps and mechanisms before setting up their own.

Chu Hongtian stared at Zhao Lin for a moment, then suddenly smiled. "I originally just wanted you to blunt the Earth Dark Sect’s momentum. I never expected you to try and swallow a cow in one gulp."

"Have you thought this through? The Earth Dark Sect has no shortage of experts at the Qi Refining Realm. They suffered a great loss at your hands last time and will definitely be seeking revenge."

"But let me be blunt. If you fail to stop the Earth Dark Sect cultivators and the Array cultivators suffer heavy casualties, not only will I refuse to give you the sales rights, I will also deduct all of your merit points!"

As he spoke, his gaze sharpened. "Do you dare to make this military pledge?"

Arrays were one of the most difficult cultivation arts, and Array Masters were difficult to train. They were treated as treasures everywhere. Chu Hongtian’s demand was not unreasonable.

Zhao Lin understood this. He responded at once without hesitation, "I am willing!"

"Good!"

Chu Hongtian clapped his hands together, his gaze burning as he looked at Zhao Lin. "If you take the pearl shoals, the sales rights can be yours."

"But getting all of the sales rights is impossible. These resources are allocated to multiple prefectures, and many favors are tied up in those arrangements. I can’t just cut them off. I can only give you a one-quarter share."

"However, I can guarantee that in Dongfu District, your shop will be the only one with access. How about it?"

Zhao Lin thought for a moment. This outcome was acceptable. He said, "As you say, Island Master Chu. I will return tomorrow to accept the mission."

"Good. Then it’s settled!"

"It’s settled!"

Chu Hongtian pondered for a moment, then said, "I will reserve four spots for the island’s Array Masters. When the time comes, they will join you on the mission and will be under your command for its entire duration."

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