The person in the green robe was addressing the thin, gaunt man. This caught the thin man completely off guard. A flash of panic crossed his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by an expression of anger.
The others exchanged uneasy glances, unsure what the green-robed man meant by this.
"Fellow Daoist, rest assured — I'm not asking you to give up your spot for nothing. I happen to have two fifth-level demon beast inner cores here. Consider them compensation for yielding your spot. Surely you won't refuse." The green-robed man spoke unhurriedly, then reached into his robes and produced two round, luminous blue orbs from somewhere.
Judging by the spiritual energy they radiated, these were genuine fifth-level demon cores.
"Hmph! You think I'll give up my spot for just two demon cores?" The thin man's eyes lingered on the two orbs, and a glint of greed flickered through them, but he seemed to remember something and let out a cold snort in refusal.
The green-robed man didn't grow angry at this response. Instead, he let out an eerie laugh.
Then his lips trembled silently several times, and he transmitted a voice directly to the thin man right in front of everyone. Whatever he said, only the thin man could hear.
At first the thin man wore a look of unconcern, but after hearing only a few words, his face turned deathly pale.
"That's all I have to say. Surely Fellow Daoist won't refuse my offer now?" The green-robed man looked perfectly at ease. This time he didn't use voice transmission — he spoke aloud for all to hear.
The thin man's expression was taut with tension, and beads of cold sweat actually began forming on his forehead as the green-robed man's words sank in.
"Fine! Since you've put it that way, I'll yield the spot to you!" After staring at the other man for a long, hard moment, the thin man — his expression shifting between shadow and light — gritted his teeth and agreed.
But his words drew an immediate reaction from the other six who had come with him.
"Fellow Zhang, what are you saying? Didn't we agree to stand together? Why are you suddenly—" The broad-shouldered man in brocade robes darkened, fixing the thin man with a cold stare.
"I'm truly sorry, but I'm afraid I'll have to part ways with you all for now. Please, go ahead without me. Perhaps there will be another chance to cooperate in the future." The thin man let out a bitter laugh, his voice full of helplessness.
The brocade-robed man said nothing more. It wasn't just him — even the others could see that Fellow Zhang seemed to have been caught with something compromising and had no choice but to give up his teleportation spot.
If that was the case, there was nothing more to be said.
Fortunately, losing one person wouldn't make a big difference.
"Hmph! Who gave you permission to swap people around?" The bald old man furrowed his brow, suddenly glaring with a chilling severity.
"Senior Gu, I—" The thin man jumped, stammering as he tried to explain, but could think of nothing to say.
Just then, the green-robed man flipped his palm and produced two jade cases. With a flick of his hand, the cases shot toward the bald old man and the refined-looking cultivator.
Both of them instinctively reached out and caught the jade cases, then looked at the green-robed man with composed expressions.
"Inside are two treasures that this junior obtained by chance. Please accept them as gifts for you, Seniors." The green-robed man spoke with a serene demeanor.
The two exchanged a glance, curiosity gleaming in their eyes. They had already checked the jade cases in an instant and confirmed that no traps or tricks had been set on them.
Still, being cautious, they each opened their cases just a crack, and several threads of red light immediately spilled out.
After a brief, casual glance, identical expressions of pleasant surprise appeared on both faces.
"Fellow Daoist Qu, you truly intend to give us these treasures?" The refined-looking cultivator was visibly moved.
"As Seniors are well aware, although these items are precious, they are beyond my current level of cultivation. This junior hopes all the more to reach the Outer Star Sea and continue secluded cultivation in earnest." The green-robed cultivator's lips curled into a faint, knowing smile.
"Ha ha! Very well. Since Fellow Daoist Qu has offered such generous gifts, we are not people who ignore courtesy. You may teleport over with the other six." Elder Gu stared at the contents of his jade case, unable to contain his delight. In his excitement, he agreed without even consulting his companion.
Although the cultivator surnamed Qian showed a flicker of displeasure, the item in his own hands had clearly swayed him as well. He offered no further objections and tacitly accepted the arrangement.
This scene stirred suspicion among the remaining people. Almost all of them were now burning with curiosity to see what was inside those jade cases.
But the bald old man and the refined cultivator quickly shut the lids, and none of them dared probe with their spiritual sense so brazenly. They learned nothing of what was inside.