Chapter 40: A Serious Negotiation

Shen Xing said this with the intention of bringing the topic to a definitive close. Although the risk of getting beaten up was high, it was the only way to avoid being further entangled.

To his surprise, Ouyang Lin’s reaction was unexpectedly calm; she did not erupt into the rage he had anticipated. She looked at Shen Xing, a glint of shrewdness in her eyes.

"Shen Xing, you are very clever. I know what you are aiming for. You spoke so bluntly on purpose, hoping to anger me so that I would disdain to dwell on this topic any further. But do you know what? It is precisely this reaction of yours that makes me even more certain of the value of this secret. When I spoke to you about it before, I was only half-serious, but now, I am truly intrigued."

Shen Xing’s face turned pale. He cursed to himself, realizing he had made a mistake. His familiarity with Ouyang Lin had caused him to subconsciously underestimate her and overreach. Not only had he failed to scare his opponent away, but he had also exposed his own hand. It could be said that this was the most significant defeat since their confrontation began.

Ouyang Lin thought for a moment before speaking. "I need to confirm a few questions, and you will answer them truthfully. This is very important—it concerns you as much as it concerns me. Do not lie."

"One: Is the help you mentioned a one-time thing or long-term? Is it repeatable?"

"Long-term, and repeatable."

"Two: To what level will my strength be elevated because of this? A Titan? A Heavenly King? A Heavenly God? You only need to answer with the theoretical possibilities."

"Anyone."

"Three: Is this help exclusive? For instance, if you help me, can others no longer enjoy this same benefit?"

"It is exclusive in the sense that it cannot be done for multiple people simultaneously, but the recipient can be changed after a period of time."

"Four: Is this help transferable? If I receive your gift, can I pass a portion of it on to someone else?"

"Yes."

"Five: Will this process cause you any irreversible damage, whether to your health or otherwise?"

"No. Tell me, how many more questions are there? This is making me anxious."

"There is one last one. Six: Do you like me, or do you want to control me?"

"..."

Shen Xing began to sweat and could not answer for a moment.

"Silence is an answer in itself. I already know. Very well, I need some time to deduce the implications. Wait for me for a while; you can do whatever you like, but do not leave the room."

Ten seconds later, Ouyang Lin closed her eyes, seemingly beginning her mental calculations. Seeing this, Shen Xing grew tense. He began to weigh the various possibilities ahead, but his heart hammered against his ribs like a drum, making it impossible for him to calm down. This feeling was exactly like the first time he had confessed his love to a girl he liked in his youth.

Fortunately, this period of suspense did not last long. Ten minutes later, Ouyang Lin opened her eyes. Just as she was about to speak, she glanced at Shen Xing and asked with confusion, "What is wrong with you? Why are you sweating so much?"

"...Nothing. I did a few anaerobic exercises."

"I see. Then I will get straight to the point. I’ll start with my conclusion: you don’t have to tell me your secret. Even with those clues, I wouldn't be able to deduce the specifics on my own. I can remain ignorant of your secret, but I want to enjoy the benefits it can bring me."

"In return, I will pay a price. I will also give you a choice: you can ask for money, all kinds of resources, or... you can have me. If you choose me, I can try to take our relationship seriously, though I cannot guarantee the outcome."

Shen Xing raised an eyebrow. "I understand. You want us both to take a step back. If I don’t let you know the specific secret, the risks I have to bear will be lower. This is indeed a good method, but the conditions you’re offering are insufficient."

Ouyang Lin looked puzzled. "Oh? How so? Do you have something else you want more? You can propose it, and I will see if I can help you obtain it."

Shen Xing shook his head. "I am not interested in money or resources; I will certainly choose you. But the point about not being able to guarantee the outcome must be changed. In this regard, I am not considering myself alone, but acting from the perspective of both of us. Think about it: if our feelings don't warm up after we are together, do you think this kind of exchange can continue? In other words, would I want to find someone else? If you are destined not to become 'one of my own,' why would I bother constantly lifting you to greater heights?"

Ouyang Lin paused, pondering. "That... does make sense. But if I change the condition to 'must be with you,' don't you think that’s strange? With such a forced nature, we might find it difficult to truly touch each other's hearts."

Shen Xing shrugged and said honestly, "To be fair, this is actually a problem you should be worried about. Because you are the one who needs help, and I am the one providing the assistance. In other words, I have many choices. Just as you said, even if you promised to be with me, I would still have to weigh whether you are sincere or merely pretending. It is you who needs to prove your heart."

Ouyang Lin raised an eyebrow. After thinking it over carefully, she was somewhat stunned. It seemed that this was indeed the logic of the situation. She pondered for a while longer, then suddenly asked:

"Can you demonstrate to me what exactly it can bring me? To be honest, I am making a very important decision, and I hope to use this to solidify my resolve."

Shen Xing rubbed his chin. "What resource do you currently lack the most? What is most useful to you but difficult to obtain through normal channels?"

"High-grade Origin Crystals, of course. These are hard currency in the circles of high-level martial artists. Almost everyone lacks them because they are needed for both cultivation and forging weapons, yet the ways to obtain them are very limited, and the drop rate is extremely low."

"What do they look like?"

Ouyang Lin produced a deep blue crystal out of thin air. It was about the size of a longan fruit—translucent, crystalline, and very beautiful.

"Can you sell this one to me?" Shen Xing asked bluntly.

"Although it is just one, you shouldn't be able to afford it right now. I'll give it to you." Ouyang Lin handed him the crystal.

Shen Xing looked at the crystal, then suddenly handed it back. "Such a beautiful stone—it suits you better. It’s yours."

"Huh?" Ouyang Lin took it, bewildered, not knowing what game Shen Xing was playing. "What are you doing? What is the point of passing it back and forth like this?"

"Then how about I give you another one? Does that have a point?" As Shen Xing spoke, another deep blue crystal appeared in his hand, identical to the first.

Ouyang Lin’s eyes widened, and she hurriedly brought them up to compare them closely.

"If two aren't enough, how about three?" Shen Xing tossed another one over.

Ouyang Lin’s eyes lit up instantly. When she looked at Shen Xing again, she looked like a starving wolf.