30 Bargain (1/2)
”Just because of your fears, you are going to forgo such an opportunity?”
”Don't you know that in danger lies great reward?”
”I didn't peg you for the spineless type.”
Verena admonished with a disappointed tone.
However, Konrad was unmoved.
”Your majesty, may I ask you at what age did you become a Saint?”
”At the age of four-hundred.”
She replied without blinking.
”Four-hundred…at what age did the emperor achieve sanctification?”
”Six-hundred.”
”The Holy Consort?”
”Two-hundred.”
”Good…very good.”
Konrad murmured while restraining the abundance of curses within his throat.
”Even the country's number one talent took two centuries to achieve sanctification. That being the case, what makes you think you can help me achieve it in…less than thirty?”
Konrad slowly spoke to prevent himself from flying into rage. Was she openly making fun of him?
When even she took four-hundred years, she had the nerves of claiming she could help him reach that altitude before he turned thirty?
What a joke!
But naturally, Verena was prepared.
”You can't do it with traditional cultivation, but if we combine your talent with an appropriate dual cultivation method, you still have a chance.”
”Usually, no matter how gifted, and regardless of their method's level, dual cultivators cannot go beyond the Transcendent Rank. That's because the holy path requires ”purity.”
Dual Cultivation is fast but mixes the spiritual energies of its practitioners thus creating imperfections and a gradual lack of purity that forever blocks them at the peak of the Transcendent Rank.”
”The answer to that is for the partners to practice the same method from the cradle while regularly going through Spiritual Harmony Rituals.”
Just like Konrad's Hundred Flowers Scripture, Spiritual Harmony Rituals allowed the participants to establish and perfect a spiritual connection.
”Not many people are willing or able to expend the resources required to train a pair in such a way, but I can. If you now submit to me, I can give you a high-grade Holy Rank Dual Cultivation Method and provide you with the perfect partner. We will waste some time to have you retrain from scratch, but before long, you will return to your current level.”
That Holy Rank Dual Cultivation Method was one of Verena's secrets and a gift from a formidable high-ranking member of the Celestial Church. Thus, although she had never used it, she was well aware of its might.
But while this was all very pleasant to the ears, Konrad was unmoved. As a pureblooded incubus, the problems of dual cultivation didn't apply to him.
”That is only the first issue. The second issue is, you obviously want me to play a certain role in your contest with the Holy Consort. A harmful role.”
Offering a dual cultivation method meant that she was already aware of him not being a eunuch. At this point, there was no need to pretend otherwise.
”I do not have the boldness required to stand between the Holy Emperor's most beloved women. That is, at best, suicidal.”
”And forgive my frankness but although you're still the most favored, the future doesn't seem to be holding anything good for you.”
Those last words caused a frown to appear on Verena's face.
”What makes you think I'm the most favored?”
To the outside world, it was common knowledge that Else was the Holy Emperor's favorite consort. Why then was that ”eunuch” claiming otherwise.
”Honestly, it's obvious to anyone that dares ponder the question. The Holy Consort's background is not inferior to yours, but it is well known that she surpasses you in terms of beauty. That her cultivation talent is leagues above yours, and that her influence stretches far beyond your reach. That being the case, with the Holy Consort's vast ambitions, why do you still bear the Empress' crown?”
”Because the Dowager is your aunt? No, the Dowager has long since stopped caring about matters of the court. The answer is that your majesty is the Holy Emperor's most beloved. Thus, he's unwilling to demote you.”
Konrad confidently analyzed, causing Verena's interest in him to rise.
”Not bad. Wood that can be carved.”
She clapped with amusement.
”Since you know that…”
”But that is only for the time being.”
Konrad dryly cut.
”No matter how resilient, the tree will ultimately be dislodged by the unrelenting storm. Your majesty is the tree and the Holy Consort the storm.