Lü Shinan's expression tightened, a guarded look creeping into his eyes as he glared at King Shangping. "Does Your Highness have further instructions for me?"
King Shangping smiled bitterly. "Don't worry. I have no interest in you whatsoever."
Lü Shinan spat. "As if I'd have any interest in you!"
King Shangping waved his hand, signaling that they drop the verbal sparring, and said calmly, "Fellow Daoist Lü, you and I are both Imperial Realm powerhouses. In a place like this, a little mutual wariness is perfectly understandable."
Lü Shinan gave a faint hum but said nothing. Clearly, he harbored his own reservations about King Shangping as well.
"If you have something to say, just say it." Lü Shinan frowned.
King Shangping nodded, showing no sign of offense. He paused in thought for a moment before speaking. "I have an extraordinary opportunity here. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Lü might be interested?"
"This wasteland is brimming with opportunities. I really couldn't care less about whatever 'opportunity' you're peddling. For all I know, it's a trap you've dug for me to fall into."
King Shangping's face stiffened with embarrassment. Under normal circumstances, if Lü Shinan had spoken to him that way, he would have struck him dead with a single punch long ago.
But now, upon encountering Lü Shinan, King Shangping had a new scheme taking shape. So rather than retorting to the insolence, he simply said with a grave expression, "I can swear a Heaven and Earth Oath that I bear absolutely no ill intent toward you, Fellow Daoist Lü."
Lü Shinan considered for a moment, then spoke with some reluctance. "What sort of opportunity? Tell me first, and we'll see whether it's genuine."
King Shangping wasted no more time. "Brother Lü, do you remember that cultivator surnamed Huang outside the valley?"
"You mean Fellow Daoist Huang? The one with the female companion?" Lü Shinan asked curiously.
"That's the one." King Shangping nodded. "What did you make of his strength?"
"His strength… probably still Saint Realm. But he should have Imperial Realm combat power. The way he carried himself without a care in the world, he must have some real skill." Lü Shinan offered his assessment.
"Some real skill?" King Shangping laughed bitterly. "That kid's strength is absolutely not beneath yours or mine. He's playing the pig to eat the tiger."
"What do you mean?" Lü Shinan's eyes narrowed.
King Shangping didn't elaborate directly, only saying vaguely, "I had a run-in with him before. I underestimated him and ended up taking a loss."
A mocking smile crept onto Lü Shinan's face. "Don't tell me you want me to go with you to settle a grudge against this kid? If that's the case, forgive me — I have no interest."
Lü Shinan had read that implication right from King Shangping's expression.
King Shangping smiled bitterly. "Was I really that obvious?"
"Save the small talk. If this is about helping you vent your frustrations, I don't have time for such trivial matters."
King Shangping suddenly gave a cold laugh. "Fellow Daoist Lü, what is it that we rogue cultivators risk our lives for, wandering everywhere? In the end, it all comes down to wealth, power, and resources — and at the root of it all, becoming stronger. You agree with that, don't you?"
"Isn't that obvious?" Lü Shinan seemed to have lost patience for listening.
King Shangping said abruptly, "Then let me get straight to the point. This person's background is quite extraordinary. If you help me capture him, I will give you a heaven-defying opportunity."
"Tch! If it were truly heaven-defying, why would you give it away instead of keeping it for yourself?" Lü Shinan still didn't believe it.
"Naturally, there are things I want. But this kid is worth a great deal — far more than you'd expect. Fellow Daoist Lü, do you remember the joint bounty posted by the Immortal Heavenly Capital and the Red Cauldron Central Domain?" King Shangping asked with a half-smile.
Lü Shinan's expression turned grave. "You're talking about the bounty on Jiang Chen, that junior from the Dan Qian Palace?"
"That's right. The bounty has been increased several times over since the original posting. Tell me, Fellow Daoist Lü — with your own aptitude, when do you think you'd ever reach that level on your own?"
Lü Shinan thought about it, then honestly shook his head. "Never."
"What if you could claim that bounty? A chance to rise to the top in one leap — are you interested?" King Shangping asked with a sly grin.
"What are you saying?" Lü Shinan's pupils contracted sharply. "That kid is the Jiang Chen the Immortal Heavenly Capital is hunting?"
"That's right! I'm at least ninety percent certain." King Shangping nodded.
"Hmph. The bounty may be tempting, but splitting it between two people is another matter. I really can't figure out why you'd be willing to share it with me." Lü Shinan was a cautious man by nature.
"It's simple. I alone might not be able to take him down."
"What about your subordinates?" Lü Shinan asked suddenly.
"They're not strong enough to help me." King Shangping naturally didn't mention that his subordinate was already dead.
Lü Shinan deliberated for a moment, then said, "The bounty is tempting, but two people makes it messy. If things escalate down the road, I might not be able to compete with you."
"The bounty is yours," King Shangping said lightly. "I hold some status of my own. I don't particularly need the wealth that would come with such a reward. Founding a territory, establishing a sect — none of that appeals to me."
"Then what do you want?" Lü Shinan was taken aback.