The fat man was cautious by nature; it was how he survived.
Therefore, even though
Cao Jin clearly knew Wu Heng well, aware that this fat man wouldn't move a finger without seeing the rabbit. With a faint smile, he said nothing, simply grabbing with his hand. An Earth Grade Spiritual Medicine appeared in his palm.
"Fatty Wu, I, Cao, never like to beat around the bush. I need to go somewhere, but I require your talent with formations. This is the deposit. Take it."
With a casual toss, the Earth Grade Spiritual Medicine landed at Fatty Wu's feet.
Fatty Wu chuckled, but didn't reach out to catch it. His eyes glanced at the spiritual medicine at his feet. After observing it for a moment and confirming there was no danger, he cautiously picked it up.
A slight smile appeared on his fat face, and in his tiny eyes, barely visible, a glint of greed flashed by.
Although he was inwardly shocked by Cao Jin's generosity, he didn't show it on his face.
Tossing the Earth Grade Spiritual Medicine casually in his hand, the fat man laughed lazily, "Senior Brother Cao, why do I feel like this Earth Grade Spiritual Medicine is a bit... hot to handle?"
Cao Jin smiled faintly. "If you feel it's hot, you don't have to take it. Though prodigies with formations are rare in our sect, they aren't non-existent. To put it another way, even if I don't cooperate with our sect's talents, I couldn't care less. I'm looking at you only because I prioritize fellow disciples. It's not as if I don't have alternatives."
Faced with an Earth Grade Spiritual Medicine, it would be a lie for Wu Heng to say he wasn't tempted. Besides, Cao Jin had said this was only a deposit, meaning further rewards would come later.
Moreover, cautious as he was, Wu Heng also didn't wish to offend Cao Jin, one of the Ten True Disciples.
"Senior Brother Cao, since you think so highly of this Fatty, why don't you come to my cave dwelling and discuss it in detail?" After speaking, the fat man's figure flickered, and he slipped into his cave dwelling.
Cao Jin, skilled and daring, felt no fear and followed the fat man inside.
Once inside the cave dwelling, there was no need to worry about others eavesdropping.
"Senior Brother Cao, can you give me some concrete details now?" Fatty Wu chuckled.
"I recently made a trip to the Myriad Phenomena Region and found a rather interesting place. However, that place has formation restrictions; it's difficult to enter casually. I have some understanding of formations myself, but I can't find a way to break through the formation in the short term. Junior Brother Wu, you are a master with formations. This Earth Grade Spiritual Medicine can be considered the fee for accompanying me there. If we find anything after entering, I take sixty percent, you take twenty."
"Then what about the remaining twenty percent?" Fatty Wu's eyes rolled around.
"The remaining twenty percent... I've invited Junior Brother
"Oh? Senior Brother Shi Zhen, that's a Second Rank Pill King. I heard he's about to apply for the Third Rank Pill King assessment," Wu Heng said, slightly surprised.
"Correct. My martial prowess, your talent with formations, and Junior Brother Shi Zhen's talent in alchemy—only by combining our strengths do we stand a chance," Cao Jin replied with a faint smile.
"If it's the effort of three people, why does Senior Brother Cao take sixty percent?" Even as he raised the question, Wu Heng still wore that trademark smile.
"Does that even need to be asked?" Cao Jin furrowed his brow.
"Uh..." Fatty Wu opened his mouth but didn't press further. Instead, he changed the subject. "It sounds promising, but how do I know if that place is worth visiting? Might there be dangers?"
"Just based on the deposit of a single Earth Grade Spiritual Medicine, what do you think?" Cao Jin asked calmly.
"Earth Grade Spiritual Medicine is fine, but you need to be alive to enjoy it," Fatty Wu chuckled to himself. "Senior Brother Cao knows this Fatty is timid and fears death. Without sufficient reward, I absolutely won't take risks that are too great."
Cao Jin nodded faintly. He stared at Fatty Wu for a moment, then suddenly extended his hand. "In that case, return that Earth Grade Spiritual Medicine. Consider me having never come."
Cao Jin stood up abruptly.
This put Fatty Wu on the spot. He hurriedly smiled conciliatorily, "Senior Brother Cao, everything is negotiable! Since you want my help, you have to give me some hints, right?"
"Leaving other things aside, I'll only tell you this: not long ago, a Heaven Grade Spiritual Medicine appeared in that place."
"What?" Fatty Wu jumped up instantly. "Heaven Grade Spiritual Medicine?"
Cao Jin remained expressionless, nodding indifferently.
"This... Alright, I'll go! But if there's real gain, Senior Brother Cao, you take half, and the other half is split equally between Senior Brother Shi Zhen and me."
In the end, it still came down to the division of spoils. Fatty Wu was a man who never stirred without profit.
Cao Jin considered for a moment, then nodded. "Agreed."
"Good, straightforward talk! Worthy of being one of the Ten True Disciples." Fatty Wu laughed heartily, not minding giving Cao Jin a bit of flattery.
"When do we leave?" Wu Heng suddenly became very eager.
A Heaven Grade Spiritual Medicine—it was impossible for Wu Heng not to be tempted. He himself was only an Earth Saint realm powerhouse. Usually, he only used True Saint grade spiritual medicines. He had never even touched an Earth Grade Spiritual Medicine, something only powerhouse at the Royal Realm were qualified to use, let alone a Heaven Grade Spiritual Medicine?