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"You're already so powerful—why would you need my Daoist techniques? They're not necessarily a good thing, and I'm not interested in the Ton
"You're already so powerful—why would you need my Daoist techniques? They're not necessarily a good thing, and I'm not interested in the Tongtian Talisman either."
Without hesitation, Wang Ye pushed the Tongtian Talisman back toward him.
A hint of surprise appeared on George's face. With his psychic abilities, he could tell Wang Ye was telling the absolute truth.
Wang Ye genuinely believed that his Fenghou Qimen was not a good thing, and he truly had no interest in the Tongtian Talisman, one of the Eight Miraculous Skills.
Was there something wrong with the Fenghou Qimen? Or did he think possessing one of the Eight Miraculous Skills would attract wolves circling in hunger, and he didn't want George to be burdened by that?
It was probably the first reason. The second might apply to others, but not to George.
If Wang Ye feared the dangers that came with owning one of the Eight Miraculous Skills, then having the Tongtian Talisman would already be enough to attract such danger. Besides, Wang Ye should know by now that with George's strength, he had no reason to fear those threats.
"The purpose of cultivation—what is it if not to explore more of the unknown, to advance step by step? I want to go farther than anyone else.
That's why I need to study the Daoist techniques of many schools, drawing on the strengths of all to aid my cultivation.
If your technique has flaws, don't worry—I'll take the essence and discard the dross."
Seeing that Wang Ye truly had no interest in the Tongtian Talisman, George temporarily put it away.
"To draw on the strengths of all schools—now that's bold!"
The three members of the Zhuge family were even more impressed with George. They themselves were still far from fully mastering their own family's techniques.
Beside them, Zhuge Qing, wearing his usual sly expression, narrowed his eyes and thought to himself:
"To draw on the strengths of all—this Jin Baobao clearly has no small ambition. The future of the Inhuman world will likely be far from peaceful."
What did "drawing on the strengths of all schools" mean? It meant that Jin Baobao would need to study the Daoist arts of various sects and families—and how likely was it that they would willingly hand them over?
And judging by Jin Baobao's conduct, he didn't seem the type to strictly follow upright, orthodox ways.
People said that the Wang family had coveted Jin Baobao's Tongtian Talisman and tried to seize it, and that Jin Baobao had killed them in self-defense.
But now, it seemed that wasn't the whole story.
Looking at his condition, George clearly hadn't been injured, which meant that in the battle against the Wang family, he had held an absolute advantage.
This suggested that if he'd wanted, he could have crippled the Wang family and handed them over to the other Ten Elders and the Anywhere Organization for judgment.
But instead, he had chosen to kill them outright to eliminate future trouble.
Of course, Zhuge Qing didn't think that was wrong—if he were in George's place, he would have done the same. It was the most advantageous approach: to cut the grass and pull out the roots.
However, from the perspective of the entire Inhuman world, that wasn't the best course of action.
If it had been the Old Heavenly Master, Zhuge Qing believed he would never have wiped them out entirely, but instead chosen a method more beneficial to maintaining peace in the Inhuman world.
And what did that show? It showed that in Jin Baobao's eyes, the stability of the Inhuman world was clearly less important than his own interests.
So if he encountered obstacles in his quest to draw on the strengths of all schools, he would undoubtedly find ways to eliminate them—which would inevitably bring storms of bloodshed.
"I see you seem to be dealing with trouble similar to mine.
Since you're not interested in the Tongtian Talisman, how about this—I'll take care of your problem for you, and I promise it will be handled thoroughly. All I ask in return is that you exchange your Daoist technique for it."
George's eyes gleamed as he once again proposed a deal.
Wang Ye's troubles were trivial to him. With the Wang family's downfall as a precedent, all he had to do was publicly side with Wang Ye, and no one in the Inhuman world would dare bother him—unless they wanted to end up like the Wang family, erased from existence.
"Forget it. I can handle my own matters. As for the Daoist technique, I truly cannot give it to you. I hope you can understand."
Wang Ye thought for a moment and ultimately refused George's offer.
He believed George could indeed resolve his most pressing problem, but Fenghou Qimen was something that would drive anyone who saw it to madness—except for himself.
He didn't want to harm the younger brother of his childhood friend.
Moreover, Fenghou Qimen had been passed down from the senior Wu Dang. Even though his grandmaster hadn't set strict rules, Wang Ye felt he had no right to give it away at will.
"Think about it. If you change your mind, contact me anytime—here's my number."
George jotted down his phone number and handed it to Wang Ye. Then, after a moment's thought, he turned and once again took out the Tongtian Talisman, placing it in front of Zhuge Qing.
"Zhuge Qing, how about exchanging your family's Wuhou Qimen for the Tongtian Talisman?"
Since he couldn't get Fenghou Qimen for now, acquiring the Wuhou Sect's Wuhou Qimen wasn't a bad alternative. He could learn the basics first, then study Fenghou Qimen more thoroughly when he obtained it later.
The Wuhou Qimen was also among the top Daoist arts in this world, said to have been created by the greatest Inhuman in history—Zhuge Liang, Chancellor of Shu Han—who had been just one step away from immortality.
Moreover, from the memories of those who had tried to steal the Tongtian Talisman, George had learned that the Wuhou Sect possessed another peerless technique: the Samadhi True Fire, capable of burning the souls of all things in existence.
It could consume not only living beings but also inanimate objects.
For example, a truly breathtaking piece of art—after being burned by the Samadhi True Fire—might look unchanged to most, but anyone viewing it would feel it had become utterly bland and unremarkable.
So, trading the Tongtian Talisman for the Wuhou Sect's Daoist techniques would hardly be a loss.
"Uh…"
Zhuge Qing, who had been watching from the sidelines, froze when the Tongtian Talisman was suddenly offered to him. He stammered, unsure of how to respond.
It wasn't that he didn't want it—of course he did. The Tongtian Talisman was one of the Eight Miraculous Skills, allowing its user to perform all sorts of Daoist arts without opening an altar, performing rituals, or drawing talismans in cinnabar.
Although the Wuhou Sect didn't specialize in this area, possessing the talisman would greatly increase their strength.
The Wuhou Sect excelled in Qimen, divine stratagems, divination, and Bajiquan. If they obtained the Tongtian Talisman, they would gain the talisman arts as well. How could he not be tempted?
However, such a matter was far beyond his authority. Even his father would need to consult the clan elders before making a decision.
"Ahem… Mr. Jin, you've caught me a bit off guard. I can't give you an answer right now. How about this—tonight I'll call my father and get back to you."
"No problem. If your father is interested, he can contact me."
George nodded. He hadn't expected Zhuge Qing to give him a direct answer anyway.
"Mr. Jin, your Tongtian Talisman…"
Reluctantly, Zhuge Qing picked up the talisman and handed it back to George.
George smiled and said, "It's fine—keep it for now. I believe your father will definitely agree."
Zhuge Qing froze for a moment, the talisman in his hand unmoving. His expression shifted through various emotions before revealing a look of struggle.
But after a brief hesitation, he ultimately placed the Tongtian Talisman back in front of George.
"Better to wait until my father agrees first."
From his knowledge of his father and the clan elders, Zhuge Qing was certain this deal would go through. Even if he took the talisman now and started studying it tonight, it wouldn't be a problem.
That was what he kept telling himself.
But in the end, reason prevailed. The Tongtian Talisman was something he absolutely could not take now, nor could he secretly study it.
If the negotiations fell through, that would give Jin Baobao a perfect excuse to target the Wuhou Sect.
(End of Chapter)