Both parties now held what the other wanted, so value became the key metric in their negotiation.This wasn't "price gouging"—it was simply the art of securing the greatest advantage within reasonable bounds. Face meant little in such exchanges. Some losses weren't just unacceptable—they were intolerable.
Tianbao Zhenren took a deep breath. Looking at Yi Tianxing's expression, he knew all too well—someone like him, once he made a decision, would rarely change his mind.
He couldn't help but chuckle bitterly in his heart.
So this is what it feels like to be outmaneuvered.
He was used to being the one calling the shots—calmly reeling in the fish.But now the roles had reversed. The wheel of fortune had turned, and today it was his turn to feel the pinch.
"Then… what terms would you propose?" he asked, exhaling slowly.
"Simple. One item for ten."Yi Tianxing smiled faintly.
"Impossible," Tianbao Zhenren instantly rejected."Every treasure in my pavilion is top-tier. Even if the Ark remnant is precious, it's damaged.It's missing the Eternal Lotus Core, and will require complete reforging. Its value can't possibly justify ten items.The most I'll offer is three."
He was not exaggerating.
Each artifact in the pavilion was worth fighting over.To exchange ten at once? That would be a crippling loss.
"Eight."Yi Tianxing's brow furrowed slightly.
"No! Four. That's my limit."
And so the verbal sparring began.
Back and forth they went—neither side backing down.
Eventually, they struck a deal:
The Ark Remnant in exchange for five treasures from Tianbao Pavilion.
Once the selection was confirmed, neither party could go back on the terms.
Yi Tianxing was satisfied.The Celestial Mechanism Compass was his main goal anyway. The Eternal Heavenly Ark, while valuable, wasn't essential for him—Xuanhuang Immortal City was his true ark, the one most suited to him. He didn't need a second.
"Then please begin your selection. You may choose any five treasures in the pavilion," Tianbao Zhenren said with a deep breath.
This was a painful trade for him. Every item here was a masterpiece.
"The Celestial Mechanism Compass counts as one," Yi Tianxing confirmed, then began browsing the displays.
He didn't rush.Every artifact here was extraordinary—but he knew what mattered was usefulness.He needed items that would bring the greatest benefit to himself or Da Yi.
"What's this one?"
Yi Tianxing pointed to a crystal box.
Inside was an object that caught his eye—it strongly resembled the weather control device from an old game he once knew.
It was crystalline blue, shining like a sculpture of light—a piece of functional art.
"That is the Atmospheric Regulator," Tianbao Zhenren explained, his expression twitching slightly."It can control the weather within a given area… and even cause devastating phenomena."
This was a rare strategic weapon.
The fact that Yi Tianxing instantly picked it out made Tianbao Zhenren's heart ache.
"Excellent. This will be the second."Yi Tianxing smiled.Controlling the weather from thousands of miles away? That was a massive tactical edge.How could he let that go?
"And this one?"Yi Tianxing gestured to another box.
"That is the Life Evolution Device. Once activated, it emits the Light of Life, granting people innate powers.The powers awakened vary greatly—some may get one ability, others two, three, or up to four."
"However," Tianbao Zhenren added,"after using it, the person can never open new life apertures through normal means again.It's a trade-off… but one worth making."
Yi Tianxing's eyes lit up.
"That will be the third."
He had once tried to obtain this item from Magneto in the God-Demon Battlefield—but to no avail.It was too important to the Kingdom of Mutants to ever trade away.
Now that it had resurfaced, there was no way he would let it slip again.
To many, the Life Evolution Device offered a shortcut to awakening.Though risky, it could awaken supreme apertures.In a vast nation like Da Yi, where the population varied widely in talent, this device could help many transcend their limits.
"Da Yi has hundreds of millions of citizens," Yi Tianxing mused."Even if only a fraction benefit from this… the cumulative boost to national strength would be immense."
"Daoist Yi's eye is as sharp as ever," Tianbao Zhenren said with a sigh.
The items he picked weren't just rare—they were crucial assets for a Destiny Dynasty.
"It's not my vision," Yi Tianxing replied humbly."Your treasure stock is just that impressive. Anyone would stumble into something valuable."
Politeness had its place.
Soon, another item caught his attention.
It looked like a furnace—but with futuristic aesthetics:Tubes and spherical chambers connected around it, gleaming with technological beauty.
"That's the Waste Decomposer," said Tianbao Zhenren with a chuckle."It breaks down any kind of waste material.Useless parts are pulverized into fertilizer.Useful elements are extracted, refined, and transformed into natural treasures."
"Put it bluntly—even a pile of dung, fed into this, would become super fertilizer."
It was an embarrassing item to showcase—but one of tremendous potential.
"Excellent. That's the fourth."
Yi Tianxing's eyes gleamed.
Where others saw refuse, he saw limitless potential.
In a nation as massive as Da Yi, daily waste output was astronomical.If discarded improperly, it could cause pollution—especially spiritual waste.
But with this artifact, all of it could be turned into fertile soil and alchemy materials.Even feces from billions of people could be repurposed.
It wasn't glamorous—but it was priceless for the empire's future.
"Daoist Yi has vision beyond vision," Tianbao Zhenren admitted."To see what others cannot… that is the mark of a leader."
"Now, for the final treasure," he said, smiling again.
"This one looks… unusual."Yi Tianxing paused before a new box.
Inside was… a house?
It didn't appear special at first glance.
"That is the Gravity Chamber," Tianbao Zhenren explained."Its internal gravity can be freely adjusted.It can accommodate multiple users.The higher the grade, the more effective it is—perfect for refining the body."
It was an elite training artifact.
"Perfect. This will be the fifth."
Yi Tianxing nodded decisively.It was best to quit while ahead—there were certainly more treasures, but five was the limit.
No need to agonize over what he couldn't have.
"Here is the Ark remnant. I hope it brings you what you seek," he added.
"A pleasure doing business," said Tianbao Zhenren."I believe we'll meet again."
The deal was done.
Yi Tianxing walked away with five extraordinary artifacts, while Tianbao Zhenren acquired the Eternal Ark Remnant.
Both sides were satisfied.
Qian Mian, of course, didn't get a commission—but he didn't mind.Witnessing such a monumental exchange was reward enough.
Suddenly, a cry rang out in the Holy City:
"Everyone look! A new area has opened! The mists have cleared!"
Yi Tianxing looked up.
Indeed—an area once hidden by mist was now fully visible.