Chapter 2173: Where are you going to scrape together that much?

Hehe, junior apprentice brother, senior apprentice brother wants to discuss something with you.

Seeing Xu Jie's mean-looking appearance, Ye Zhangqing knew what he was thinking without him saying a word.

Senior apprentice brother, do you want to exchange this batch of dry rations?

Yes yes yes, those who gave me life are my parents, those who know me are my junior apprentice brother—indeed, junior apprentice brother, we are of one heart.

Hearing this, Xu Jie nodded repeatedly.

He hadn't even thought of taking this batch of improved dry rations for free, after all, this batch of dry rations is useful.

Exchanging old dry rations for new dry rations is still doable, completely fine.

Seeing the light in Xu Jie's eyes that he couldn't hide, Ye Zhangqing said indifferently.

It's possible, but senior apprentice brother, do you have that much dry rations on you?

Old dry rations and new dry rations make little difference to Ye Zhangqing.

Just by my estimate, although Xu Jie might have some supplies on him, it's absolutely not enough for one hundred thousand units, far short.

At most, the two of us plus Zhao Zhengping could scrape together ten thousand units, which is already impressive.

This is still Xu Jie, who usually has no scruples, having gathered it through various trickery and plunder.

Seeing Ye Zhangqing nod, Xu Jie grinned, patting his chest as he promised.

I have my own way, junior apprentice brother, you don't need to worry; keep those one hundred thousand units of new dry rations for me, and later today I will definitely gather one hundred thousand units of old dry rations.

Seeing Xu Jie speak with such confidence, Ye Zhangqing nodded slightly, thus agreeing.

Anyway, the appointed time is tomorrow; as long as Xu Jie can settle this before the offerings arrive, Ye Zhangqing has no problem.

Seeing this, Xu Jie was so happy he could hardly keep his mouth shut.

Hehe, junior apprentice brother, rest assured, don't you know how I handle things? It's already settled; senior apprentice brother is now going to gather the dry rations.

Reluctantly glancing again at this batch of new dry rations, Xu Jie, with Zhao Zhengping, strode away.

This batch of new dry rations is indeed good, but it's all Xu Lao San's now.

Leaving the canteen, following beside Xu Jie, Zhao Zhengping frowned and said.

Old Three, we need one hundred thousand units of dry rations, but the two of us together don't even have ten thousand; we're short by over ninety thousand—where are you going to get that much?

We don't have it, but others do.

Can they produce it for you?

Zhao Zhengping naturally knows others have it—toward the Sect Master, the Shīzūn, other uncles and aunts of the master, they all have dry rations stored.

Also Liu Shuang, Lu Youyou and these fellow apprentice brothers and sisters have them too.

According to Zhao Zhengping's estimate, if we gather everyone's dry rations together, we should barely manage to reach one hundred thousand units.

Just thinking about it seems impossible.

Spirit stones, immortal crystals, even if it's some treasure, perhaps everyone could bear to part with them—this needs no doubt.

But once it involves food, it's like brothers settling accounts clearly—basically there's no chance.

However, Xu Jie is full of confidence, a smile playing on his face.

Senior apprentice brother, just rest assured; later you don't need to speak, leave everything to me, act according to my eye signals.

Oh.

Hearing that, Zhao Zhengping nodded doubtfully, then walked a bit more and asked.

Old Three, where are we going now?

That's definitely to first go find the Shīzūn.

You want to start with the Shīzūn?

Otherwise, we'd definitely pick the soft persimmons first.

Huh???

That sounds weird; if the Shīzūn hears it, there's no avoiding a scolding.

Bringing Zhao Zhengping, the two of them all the way came to Hong Zun's dong fu; inside the dong fu, they saw Hong Zun, who had just finished cultivation and was drinking fine wine.

Disciple pays respects to the Shīzūn.

How did you come?

Seeing the two approach, Hong Zun suspiciously asked, 'These two little rascals, usually at this time you can't even see people, let alone them coming of their own accord.'

Something's off; these two kids have a problem—when things go awry, there must be a demon.

As the saying goes, 'Knowing a son is not as good as knowing his father; knowing a disciple is not as good as knowing his teacher.' Upon seeing Xu Jie and Zhao Zhengping, Hong Zun knew there was a problem; these two kids surely harbor no good intentions.

Anything up?

He asked calmly, and Xu Jie grinned, plopping down beside Hong Zun.

Their master-disciple relationship lacks much ceremony, and Hong Zun doesn't care about those either, so in private they get along quite casually.

Looking at Xu Jie's smile, Hong Zun's smile was skin-deep.

What mischief are you brewing, kid?

Shīzūn, you're wronging your disciple; today I came to tell you some good news.

Good news?

Yes, a tremendous opportunity.

A tremendous opportunity?

Seeing Xu Jie act mysterious and speak of a tremendous opportunity, Hong Zun couldn't help but become curious—what benefit has this kid gained this time, speaking so exaggeratedly?

Looking at Xu Jie with a curious expression, sensing the change in Hong Zun's gaze, Xu Jie inwardly knew it was settled.

The Shīzūn has already taken the bait; next is to slowly draw the net—high-end hunters often capture their prey without realizing it.

And he, Xu Lao San, is exactly such a high-end hunter.

Under Hong Zun's curious and wary gaze, Xu Jie mysteriously whispered into Hong Zun's ear.

"Master, I just went to the canteen."

"Just went, that's all."

"There's a big discovery."

"Oh, what discovery?"

"Junior Brother Changqing improved the rations; I just smelled it and the fragrance was out of this world, and Junior Brother Changqing said that after this improvement, the rations are fifty to sixty percent better than the old rations."

"Really?"

"Absolutely true, so I immediately thought of bringing it over; after all, such a treasure naturally should be enjoyed first by us master and disciple."

"You have such a good heart?"

Hearing Xu Jie's words, Hong Zun couldn't help swallowing his saliva, but he still narrowed his eyes and gave Xu Jie a few up-and-down glances. Could this rebellious disciple really have such a good heart? If he doesn't hog this good thing for himself, that's already good enough.

Facing Hong Zun's scrutinizing gaze, Xu Jie gave an embarrassed smile.

"Hehe, Master still understands me."

"Cut the nonsense, just say it straight."

"This is how it is, Master; I just told Junior Brother Changqing about this, but Junior Brother Changqing said these rations are newly developed, not yet released externally, and the quantity is also small, so he's unwilling to let us try them."

"But how could I just give up like that? In the end, I gave Junior Brother Changqing many treasures, and he agreed that we could exchange our old rations for this batch of upgraded new rations."

"However, since this is upgraded rations and the quantity is still limited, exchanging with old rations requires ten portions for one."

"With such a good thing, I naturally thought of Master first; Master treats me like a son, how could I forget such a favor? So this new ration, I must let Master be the first to taste it, which is why I brought Senior Brother along."