Chapter 1051

Chapter 1051: The Contract

A fourth-level beast king, under certain specific conditions, can even surpass Nascent Soul true immortals in combat prowess.

All the Golden Core cultivators present were formidable, yet none dared to claim that their combined strength could slay the Xiaojiao.

In response to their doubts, Huangfu Yongchun smiled mysteriously.

Then, he revealed a blade of green grass.

This grass was only slightly larger than an average person’s thumb, its entire body a vivid green, as if carved from jade. It bore only three leaves, appearing fragile and delicate, as though it could crumble at the slightest touch.

However, one of the Golden Core cultivators seated beside Wang Chen suddenly narrowed his eyes in shock and exclaimed, “Dragon-Calling Grass?”

The room fell into stunned silence.

Dragon-Calling Grass is an exceedingly rare spiritual herb, known to emit a unique fragrance capable of luring Xiaojiao and even true dragons to come and inhale its scent.

Its properties were akin to catnip from Wang Chen’s past life.

A hundred-year-old Dragon-Calling Grass could attract all the Xiaojiao within a hundred-mile radius.

No one had anticipated that Huangfu Yongchun would possess such a spiritual herb.

It was clear that this peak Golden Core cultivator had made extensive preparations for the hunt, including the Seven Ultimate Sword Formation and the Dragon-Calling Grass.

This was a plan born of unwavering resolve!

“This Dragon-Calling Grass is one hundred and thirty years old, sufficient to draw the Xiaojiao into our trap,” Huangfu Yongchun declared in a deep voice. “I have also prepared a Dragon-Binding Formation, capable of restraining it for at least half an hour!”

This plan was indeed feasible!

The cultivators exchanged glances, their expressions shifting.

A fourth-level beast dragon was undoubtedly a treasure trove; even a single material from it would be immensely valuable.

More importantly, this Xiaojiao guarded a spirit stone mine.

Even a small mine could yield millions of spirit stones, a common occurrence!

If they succeeded in slaying the Xiaojiao, the seven of them could each claim a substantial share of spirit stones!

Many of the Golden Core cultivators felt their hearts stir with excitement.

Master Shen cleared his throat twice and asked, “Master Huangfu, if I may, how will the spoils be divided?”

It was wise to address potential conflicts upfront. Throughout history, countless teams had fallen apart due to disputes over unevenly distributed spoils, with betrayals among comrades being all too common.

In an endeavor as significant as slaying the Xiaojiao, no amount of caution was excessive!

Master Shen’s question echoed the thoughts of the other five Golden Core cultivators, including Wang Chen.

“It’s quite simple…”

Huangfu Yongchun chuckled and replied, “I only desire the Xiaojiao’s core. Everything else can be divided equally among the six of you. How does that sound?”

“What?!”

Everyone was momentarily stunned.

It was not that Huangfu Yongchun’s proposal was too harsh; on the contrary, it was exceedingly generous!

Huangfu Yongchun was not only the organizer of the Seven Ultimate Meeting, but his cultivation level was also the highest among the seven. Moreover, he had discovered the fourth-level Xiaojiao and even prepared the highly valuable Dragon-Calling Grass.

After offering so much, to only ask for one Xiaojiao’s core was truly hard to believe!

In fact, everyone had mentally prepared for him to take the lion’s share.

The Xiaojiao’s core was undoubtedly the most precious thing from a Xiaojiao, but compared to the entire Xiaojiao and a vein of spirit stones, it paled in comparison.

“Do not doubt, everyone.”

Huangfu Yongchun smiled and said, “We can establish a magical contract. I desire this Xiaojiao’s core to break through the Golden Core and condense the Yuan Ying, hence my unwavering resolve. As for the other things…”

He shook his head, proudly stating, “As long as I can break through to the Yuan Ying realm, what do these matter?”

Suddenly, everyone understood.

Huangfu Yongchun’s seemingly outrageous behavior made perfect sense when viewed from the perspective of Yuan Ying.

Golden Core cultivators in the Haotian Realm were as numerous as the hairs on a cow, and countless individuals had been stuck at their peak for millennia, unable to break through. The probability of condensing Yuan Ying was far lower than that of achieving Golden Core condensation.

At over two hundred years old, Huangfu Yongchun still had a long life ahead, but everyone knew that the younger one is, the better for breaking the Golden Core, as the difficulties of overcoming the Golden Core barrier only increased with age.

Some believed that three hundred years was the upper age limit for breaking the Golden Core; surpassing that age didn’t mean there was no chance, but it would require great fortune, like obtaining heavenly materials and treasures that assist in breaking through or an explosive surge of potential.

However, such probabilities were exceedingly low; which Golden Core cultivator would want to take that risk?

Huangfu Yongchun believed that the beast king Xiaojiao’s core could help him break through to the Yuan Ying realm. He would believe that even if he lost everything he owned or gave up all his wives and concubines, he would do it without hesitation!

“Fellow travelers…”

Huangfu Yongchun said, “This hunt for the Xiaojiao is our first collective action in the Seven Ultimate Meeting and is mandatory. If anyone is unwilling, please withdraw now. I, Huangfu Yongchun, vow to the Haotian Realm that I will not engage in any harmful actions!”

His vow rang out clearly, making everyone feel a chill in their hearts.

This was a serious vow!

As cultivators, they normally wouldn’t make such a heavy vow as it involved significant karmic consequences.

Huangfu Yongchun couldn’t possibly be unaware of this principle.

His declaration indicated that he had a clear conscience and was upright!

“Your words are serious, fellow traveler!” Master Shen immediately replied, “I am willing to participate.”

“I am willing, too.”

“Me as well.”

With Master Shen leading, the other Golden Core cultivators quickly expressed their willingness.

In fact, no one present was foolish; instead, each had a clever heart and could see that Master Shen was supporting Huangfu Yongchun, harmonizing together to finalize this matter.

However, everyone paid little attention before Huangfu Yongchun’s vow.

What mattered most was the benefits!

With sufficient rewards at stake, everyone was willing to unite and help Huangfu Yongchun take risks for rewards.

Wang Chen was the last one to express his agreement to join.

Of course, he agreed to participate.

There was no way around it; Huangfu Yongchun offered too much.

In the past year, Wang Chen had spent spirit stones that many cultivators could never accumulate in a lifetime. Although he had started a custom weapon refining business, his current income was insufficient for expenses.

Without enough spirit stones, Wang Chen couldn’t energize the Cangqing Ring, nor could he obtain the world’s essence from the lower realm.

Additionally, he had a strong interest in the Seven Ultimate Sword and saw this opportunity to learn more thoroughly.

“Great!”

Huangfu Yongchun, pleased with the response, revealed a shiny golden contracts.

He asked everyone to press their seal one by one.

The contents of this contracts were not complicated; it merely stated the confidentiality, mutual assistance in slaying the Xiaojiao, and the terms of loot division, without any unreasonable details.

All the Golden Core cultivators gladly placed their soul seals.

Once everyone completed their seals, Huangfu Yongchun solemnly put away the contracts and then said, “Fellow travelers, we have one month to prepare. One month from now, we will head out to slay the Xiaojiao!”

And what would they do during this month?

It was simple; they would practice and rehearse the Seven Ultimate Sword Formation together, aiming for perfect coordination.

The higher the level of understanding among them, the greater their success rate in slaying the Xiaojiao would be!