If his subordinates included a Void King Two Layer Realm powerhouse he could command, combined with Zuo De's status as a Void King-level alchemist, that would mean he was supreme throughout the entire star domain!
Zuo De couldn't help but be tempted. Though he suspected this was a trap set by Yang Kai, his confidence in his own alchemy still compelled him to want to agree on the spot.
"Yang Kai!" Xue Yue cried out in alarm, apparently trying to dissuade him, but Yang Kai raised his hand to stop her.
He gazed at Zuo De and said calmly, "I, Yang, am no extraordinary talent, but I currently possess a cultivation at the Void King Two Layer Realm, and I'm still in the prime of my life. Living for several thousand years shouldn't be a problem. Serving as your bodyguard for a thousand years, Master, is more than enough time. The only question is whether you dare accept this wager."
Aoiu was moved, and the numerous alchemists were all moved as well, stunned by Yang Kai's shocking proposal.
Zuo De's expression shifted for a good while before he nodded. "You make a fair point. This proposal truly tempts this old man! But merely serving as a bodyguard is not enough — I want you to obey my every command!"
At these words, Aoiu's expression darkened with displeasure.
Who among Void King realm powerhouses wasn't a lofty figure? Even when tempering their presence before Zuo De, it was out of respect for him. Yang Kai offering to serve as Zuo De's bodyguard for a thousand years was already inconceivable in Aoiu's eyes — something extremely hard to stomach. Had it been him, he would never have agreed under any circumstances.
Yet Zuo De was not only unsatisfied — he actually wanted Yang Kai to obey his every whim.
This was no longer just a bodyguard — it was a servant!
A bodyguard only needed to protect Zuo De's personal safety, but a servant was different. A servant had to carry out all manner of orders from Zuo De, surrendering all dignity.
This was an insult to a Void King realm powerhouse! A contemptuous affront!
Aoiu himself was a Void King realm powerhouse, and like Yang Kai, he was at the Void King Two Layer Realm. He empathized deeply with Yang Kai's current situation, and anger rose within him involuntarily.
Zuo De hadn't expected Yang Kai to agree so readily. He had anticipated that the other party would try to haggle with him. His proposal had been made in hopes of squeezing out as many benefits as possible — he had even quickly devised several backup plans in his mind, such as demanding that Yang Kai follow his orders unconditionally a certain number of times…
He never expected those preparations to be completely useless. For a moment, he was stunned. But soon, he spoke again. "A thousand years isn't enough — two thousand!"
"Done!" Yang Kai agreed again without a moment's hesitation.
"Master Zuo De!" Aoiu suddenly barked. "Isn't this proposal going a bit too far?"
He could no longer contain the anger in his heart. Zuo De's late arrival to Water Sky City was one thing. Using Xue Yue's marriage to pressure him was another. And now the man was making such an outrageous demand, directly doubling the term from one thousand years to two thousand.
Two thousand years of bondage — who could endure that?
Aoiu could not.
No matter what, Yang Kai's proposal to compete against Zuo De in alchemy had been made with Gu Bihu's interests in mind. Though Aoiu didn't know why Yang Kai was doing this, he was deeply grateful to him. Whether this matter succeeded or not, he would owe Yang Kai a favor — an enormous favor.
In all the world, who else among Void King Two Layer Realm powerhouses would willingly trade one or two thousand years of freedom for such a thing?
Only one person!
So he stood up without hesitation, completely reversing his previous attitude, and began to admonish Zuo De.
If he lacked even this much courage and decisiveness, then he was unworthy of being the Chamber of Commerce's president.
Zuo De sneered. "He agreed to it himself — why are you in such a hurry, President Aoiu?"
Yang Kai looked at Aoiu and smiled faintly. "Please don't be anxious, President Aoiu. Though I've agreed to two thousand years, whether Master Zuo De can live that long is an uncertain matter."
This was vaguely cursing Zuo De to die sooner rather than later. Zuo De was a warrior at the third layer of the Return of Void realm, and he had already lived for quite some years. Otherwise he wouldn't have become a Void King-level alchemist. The next two thousand years truly seemed like a long road ahead for him.
Zuo De's expression darkened. He coldly snorted. "Rest assured. For the sake of today's wager, this old man will strive to live past the two-thousand-year mark."
"Let's hope so." Yang Kai smiled faintly.
Aoiu sighed and actually raised his hand to pat Yang Kai's shoulder. "Brother Yang, from today onward, we are brothers. I, Aoiu, will remember today's events."
"Heh…" Yang Kai's mouth twitched. Deep within, his feelings were a complicated mess — like an overturned spice rack, all manner of flavors surging through him at once, and he couldn't tell whether to feel happy or sorrowful.
He quickly changed the topic. "My stake has been decided. What about yours, Master?"
Zuo De's expression was cold as he spoke. "What stake do you think would be appropriate for this old man to set?"
Yang Kai smiled faintly. "I wagered my own personal freedom. For the sake of fairness, shouldn't you do the same, Master?"