Chapter 399 - Chapter 399: Chapter 99: Coercion (1/2)
chapter 399: chapter 99: coercion
lin jing learned from the testament of ling yin the true sage that to enter the relic site, it was necessary to gather all five five elements command tokens.
and one of those tokens was now in lin jing’s possession.
was this shopkeeper shen planning to reveal the location of that ancient relic?
lin jing couldn’t help but doubt what the real intentions of shopkeeper shen were.
scanning the room, lin jing noticed that the cultivators had different reactions upon hearing about the relic; some were worried, while others were excited.
even more, like lin jing, were skeptical.
besides,
there was one person who seemed wholly uninterested in everything that was happening.
this disinterested individual was the same black-robed cultivator who had wanted to exchange for the nirvana elixir earlier.
at the moment, he was leaning in a corner opposite lin jing, silently observing the crowd, saying nothing.
then, another cultivator familiar with shopkeeper shen eagerly asked:
“shopkeeper shen, by revealing all this, could it be that you intend to lead us to explore that relic site?”
shopkeeper shen nodded before replying:
“yes…”
“i want to take you all to explore the relic site together.”
at this point, shopkeeper shen paused, then continued:
“i’m sure everyone is very curious, since i found out the location of this relic, why not go by myself instead of sharing this information with everyone?”
the crowd also looked up at shopkeeper shen.
they were just as curious, knowing that the fewer people aware of the relic, the better.
yet shopkeeper shen did the opposite, telling everyone present about it directly.
they also wanted to hear shopkeeper shen’s explanation.
scanning the crowd, shopkeeper shen said:
“actually…”
“the reason i’m doing this is that the relic site cannot be opened through the efforts of one person alone. by myself, i simply can’t open it.”
“that’s why i’m inviting all fellow daoists to go together.”
upon hearing shopkeeper shen’s explanation, everyone suddenly came to a realization.
no wonder…
that explained it.
then, shopkeeper shen continued:
“moreover, the relic is extremely dangerous, but if we really manage to open and enter it, i’m sure the rewards will be substantial…”
“the reason i asked you all to stay is to invite you to open the relic with me and equally share the treasures inside.”
“i wonder if all of you are willing…”
having finished speaking, shopkeeper shen surveyed everyone present.
immediately, some people couldn’t hold back and said:
“with a relic emerging, of course, we are willing to take the challenge…”
however, there were also those who thought more deeply.
“shopkeeper shen, are you sure that there are a great number of heavenly materials and earthly treasures inside the relic?”
“and is it really as dangerous as you say it is inside the relic?”
“additionally…”
“the most crucial point is, can we really open the relic?”
after listening, shopkeeper shen responded:
“according to my ancestors’ records, li mingwu didn’t stay long after entering the relic and soon came out.”
“therefore, there must still be many areas inside the relic that have not been explored…”
“the treasures within the relic need no further elaboration.”
pausing for a moment, shopkeeper shen then continued:
“another point…”
“being a relic, it will certainly involve risks; i will explain this beforehand.”
“as to whether we can open the relic, i have no absolute certainty. i can only say the more people we have, the better…”
“based on the clues provided by my ancestors, to open the entrance to the relic, we need a large amount of spiritual power. if that’s not enough, we have to find others to invite them to explore the relic with us.”
upon hearing this, some people were immediately opposed:
“i think just us here are enough; there’s no need to find others.”
“yes…”
“i think so too.”
at this point, shopkeeper shen spoke up again, addressing everyone:
“ladies and gentlemen, you all must know…”
“exploring a relic is likely to result in casualties. if anyone is unwilling to go, we will not force you; you may leave directly.”
no sooner had shopkeeper shen’s words fallen than someone spoke up:
“where does shopkeeper shen get this idea? exploring a relic naturally involves dangers.”
“from the moment we embarked on the path of cultivation, our fate was no longer our own. how can we get heavenly materials and earthly treasures without taking some risks?”
“if i should perish for it, there’s no one to blame.”
“indeed…”
“to seek fortune, one naturally has to take risks.”
“shopkeeper shen, where exactly is the relic located?”
raising his hand to stop everyone’s words, shopkeeper shen then said to the person:
“to prevent anyone from leaking information, i will not disclose the relic’s location for now. once everyone agrees, i will share the location…”
after finishing, shopkeeper shen gave the crowd another look and said:
“everyone, are you all willing to accompany shopkeeper shen to explore that relic?”
many in the crowd began to shout:
“of course…”
“naturally, we all are willing.”
“i’m willing too…”
…
…
for a moment, the crowd was filled with voices of agreement.
next, shopkeeper shen looked down at the audience and said:
“ladies and gentlemen, this trip to the relic is completely voluntary. if anyone is unwilling to go, you may say so openly…”
lin jing’s brows immediately furrowed; he had the illusion of being coerced by the situation…
he glanced at the people in front, realizing that apart from those who were excited, there were also several cultivators with furrowed brows who seemed to have reservations.
just then, an untimely voice came from a corner.
“i’m not going…”
though the voice wasn’t loud, it struck like thunder, quieting the previously noisy crowd.
the crowd turned back, looking in the direction the voice had come from.