"Four to six, and not a fraction more," Ju Tianqing said, his face cold. "Although there's an excellent chance I'll advance to the second level of the Emperor Realm after this is done, with access to so many spiritual herbs and rare medicines here, Brother Zu's advancement is also just a matter of time. This split is absolutely fair—you won't lose out!"
Zu Hong pondered for a moment, a flash of decision in his eyes, then nodded. "Very well, I'll go along with Brother Ju's proposal."
If you did the math, a four-to-six split meant Ju Tianqing was getting the lion's share, but he was an Elder of the Brahma Heaven Sacred Ground after all. If he did advance to the second level of the Emperor Realm, his strength would skyrocket. Doing him this favor now would make things easier between them in the future.
Over there, Gao Xueting watched the two men begin dividing the spoils right in front of her, even calculating her into the equation, and she was shaking with suppressed rage. But she didn't even have the strength to defend herself now; her fury was utterly helpless.
"Four to six? That seems a bit inappropriate."
A sudden, unexpected voice rang out. Zu Hong and Ju Tianqing both jolted violently, their eyes filled with horror as they turned toward the source. Zu Hong, who had been tending to his injuries, shot to his feet, the Emperor Treasure, the Myriad Beast Seal, beside him flashing with a dangerous light.
This place was a small pocket world, hidden within a rift in the void. Without the two halves of the beast hide activating the restrictions, it was impossible for anyone to come here. They had only been able to enter because they had triggered the restrictions on those hides.
But now there was another person here.
Even though Zu Hong and Ju Tianqing were Emperor Realm masters, they couldn't help but feel a chill crawl up their scalps.
*Could we have encountered a ghost?* The thought echoed in both their minds.
Meanwhile, Gao Xueting, who had just been a picture of despair, suddenly trembled as she heard that voice. A strange light bloomed in her dull eyes as she strained her gaze to look aside.
At some point, a young man had appeared silently a dozen or so zhang away, a faint smile on his face. If he hadn't spoken, none of the three people here would have sensed him at all.
"Who are you?!" Zu Hong bellowed.
Ju Tianqing also frowned deeply, his divine sense sweeping unceroloignly over Yang Kai. Upon discovering that he was only at the first level of the Emperor Realm, he relaxed slightly.
No matter how this person had gotten in or what his purpose was, as long as his cultivation didn't exceed his own, Ju Tianqing wasn't overly afraid.
"City Lord Zu, Elder Ju." Yang Kai cupped his fists at the two with a smile, as if they were old acquaintances. "It's been a while."
Zu Hong's expression shifted between suspicion and shock as he studied Yang Kai carefully. But the face was utterly unfamiliar; he had never seen the man before. He couldn't help but demand in a low voice, "Who are you?!"
Yang Kai smiled faintly. "Just a humble name, not worth mentioning."
Zu Hong was so angry his head spun, but he knew the other man was unwilling to reveal his name, and pressing further would be useless. His expression tightened as he asked in a low voice, "How did you get in here?"
Earlier, when Ju Tianqing and Gao Xueting had entered together, Ju Tianqing had quietly left a hidden door. It was this secret entrance that had allowed Zu Hong to follow. But how had Yang Kai gotten in? Had he also used that hidden door?
That couldn't be right. The method to bypass that door was known only to Ju Tianqing and himself; no one else could possibly know about it, let alone the fact that several of Ju Tianqing's Personal Disciples were guarding it outside.
For this man to appear here silently meant those outside were likely in grave danger.
At that thought, Zu Hong's heart lurched. He shot a subtle glance at Ju Tianqing, only to see his expression one of utter indifference, with not a trace of concern for his disciples' safety.
"Your abilities are impressive, Friend, to have found your way here. This Seat is full of admiration!" Ju Tianqing looked at Yang Kai coolly. His words were of admiration, but his face held none. He got straight to the point. "Just now, Friend suggested the four-to-six split was inappropriate. I wonder what brilliant insight you have?"
Yang Kai drawled, "I wouldn't dare call it a brilliant insight. Just a small suggestion."
"I'm all ears," Ju Tianqing said, his face dark.
"Everything here. I'll take it all. You two go back where you came from. How about that?" Yang Kai gazed at them, a smile in his eyes.
"You dare!" Zu Hong was enraged. He had assumed this young man wanted a share of the spoils. If that were the case, he might have reluctantly accepted, planning to settle accounts later. But he never expected this fellow's appetite to be so enormous—he wanted it all!
Then what had he gone through all this trouble for, following Ju Tianqing here and even offending an Elder of the Azure Sun Temple? He absolutely could not accept such a proposal. They were all at the first level of the Emperor Realm; if it came to blows, why would he be afraid? And he and Ju Tianqing were on the same side, while Yang Kai was alone.
Ju Tianqing's expression also turned angry. He snorted coldly, "Young friend, your appetite is quite large. Aren't you afraid of looking too greedy?"
Yang Kai's face also cooled, a chill entering his eyes. "Watch your tongue, old thing. If you anger me, don't say I don't know how to respect my elders."