Chapter 2329: Are You Trying to Get Rid of Me?

They have known each other for so long, Old Lady Huang knows how big the appetite of those old fogies like the Heavenly Family Old Ancestor is.

At such an advanced age, yet their appetite shows no sign of diminishing, and indeed grows greedier with age.

So, according to Ye Zhangqing's idea, Huang Lao secretly sighed, it was almost hopeless.

After all, as Ye Zhangqing thought, that would be merely giving the Heavenly Family and Wushen Palace a few fruits, while the entire Nine Heaven Treasure Tree would still end up in their pockets.

Trying to exchange the entire Nine Heaven Treasure Tree for just a few fruits is obviously impossible.

Therefore, something else must be offered, otherwise the appetites of those old fogies cannot be satisfied.

But for now, we can only talk about it first.

Huang Lao didn't tell Ye Zhangqing about these matters, after all he also didn't know how it would turn out; let's talk first and see.

After leaving Ye Zhangqing's place, Huang Lao returned to the Heavenly Family Old Ancestor's Dong Fu; recently he has been living here.

The two old fellows together just play chess and drink wine, passing their days quite comfortably.

He was sitting in the courtyard drinking tea; this tea is naturally top-grade immortal tea, otherwise it wouldn't catch the Heavenly Family Old Ancestor's eye.

Seeing Huang Lao return, the Heavenly Family Old Ancestor smiled and said.

"What's wrong, rushing over in such a hurry—did something happen to Ye Zhangqing?"

"There is a matter, but it's a good thing."

"Oh, what good thing makes you look like this?"

"Ye Zhangqing has found the Nine Heaven Treasure Tree."

Huh???

Huang Lao also didn't waste words; being an old and crafty person, those crude methods are useless, hiding them would only make him look foolish.

Upon hearing those words, the Heavenly Family Old Ancestor's expression changed for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure, showing no sign of anything unusual.

He slowly lifted his cup and took a sip of tea; the Heavenly Family Old Ancestor grinned and said.

"Then what do you want?"

Since Huang Lao spoke bluntly, he must have already prepared his words, and he certainly knows that such a treasure, now that he knows of it, the Heavenly Family will surely also vie for it.

No need to explain; the two old foxes have already guessed each other's thoughts.

Huang Lao wasn't surprised either; he poured himself a cup of tea and spoke unhurriedly.

"Ye Zhangqing's meaning is, having obtained that Nine Heaven Treasure Tree, he is willing to give Tianlin a share, enough for him to break through to the Immortal Venerable Realm Perfection."

Upon hearing that, the Heavenly Family Old Ancestor said without changing expression.

"Oh, then what is your meaning?"

That statement is obvious; merely that is far from enough.

Even after giving Tianlin a share, the Heavenly Family's younger disciples are not just Tianlin alone.

Furthermore, according to Ye Zhangqing's idea, after giving away those fruits, the remaining entire Nine Heaven Treasure Tree would belong to him—what a good deal that would be!

The Heavenly Family Old Ancestor couldn't be bothered with nonsense and directly asked Huang Lao's opinion.

In response, Huang Lao replied.

"Besides that, I promise you ten top-tier fairy artifacts."

"Not enough."

"I'll decide for Ye Zhangqing and give you ten more chances to order dishes; as long as there are ingredients and time, whatever you order, I'll have Ye Zhangqing make it for you."

Ye Zhangqing's cooking skill—this is what Huang Lao, after much thought, considers the only thing that could somewhat attract the Heavenly Family Old Ancestor.

As for those other treasures, they simply cannot be compared to the Nine Heaven Treasure Tree; moreover, as the number one immortal clan of the Immortal Realm, the Heavenly Family lacks nothing of those.

One can only say having something is better than nothing, but its appeal to the Heavenly Family Old Ancestor is far less.

So, Huang Lao ultimately decided to base it on Ye Zhangqing's cooking skill.

However, upon hearing this, the Heavenly Family Old Ancestor's face darkened, and he snapped angrily.

"Surname Huang, are you trying to send me away like a beggar? Ten chances to order dishes—ha, how dare you say that."

"Then what do you want?"

Upon hearing that, Huang Lao simply asked, but the Heavenly Family Old Ancestor wouldn't take the bait; facing Huang Lao's counterquestion, he put on another smile and laughed slyly.

"Hey, this Nine Heaven Treasure Tree is what you want, so naturally the terms are up to you to set."

"If you can move me, I will willingly give up this Nine Heaven Treasure Tree; moreover, if I later encounter trouble, I might even step in to help you, to deter others."

The Heavenly Family Old Ancestor wore a smile.

Wanting him to set the price? Impossible—this price naturally has to be set by Huang Lao, and he keeps raising it until it moves him.

In response, Huang Lao was furious to the point of gnashing his teeth; sure enough, these old fogies are all crafty, not releasing the hawk until they see the rabbit.

Letting him set the price means completely losing the initiative; only when his offer is satisfactory will the Heavenly Family Old Ancestor nod.

But under these circumstances there's nothing to be done; Huang Lao could only grit his teeth and say.

"Twenty chances to order dishes."

"Surname Huang, do you really think I'm a beggar? If you want to talk, show some sincerity; otherwise we'll compete fairly."

"You.................."

"What 'you you'? Think it over clearly before speaking."

"Phew, alright, I'll guarantee you five years of meals; as long as I have a bite, you can eat."

"Not enough."

"Ten years."

"Not enough."

The Heavenly Family Old Ancestor remained calm and confident, while Huang Lao could only keep raising the price.

Various treasures, elixirs, and Ye Zhangqing's meals.

As for treasures and pills, the Heavenly Family Old Ancestor clearly isn't very interested; just seeing them given is enough.

The main focus is still on Ye Zhangqing's meals.

The Heavenly Family Old Ancestor knows very well how difficult it is to get a bite of Ye Zhangqing's cooking.

Even he is like that.

Just like now, even though Ye Zhangqing is temporarily staying at their Heavenly Family, as the Heavenly Family Old Ancestor he still can't have every meal.

If Ye Zhangqing has something going on, he won't get to eat.

Moreover, even when he does eat, it's basically whatever Ye Zhangqing makes, and more often than not he has to tag along with Huang Lao for a meal.

So now that he has this opportunity, he must definitely settle this matter once and for all.

At least in the future, when he's craving food, he wants to be able to eat a hot bite, instead of just staring helplessly.

Faced with the Heavenly Family Old Ancestor's calm and composed demeanor, Huang Lao was so angry his teeth itched.

This old thing seizes the opportunity to open his mouth wide like a lion, already demanding a hundred-year limit, yet this old thing still refuses to relent.

Huang Lao was furious but had no other recourse; looking at the Heavenly Family Old Ancestor, he finally gritted his teeth and said.

"From now on, as long as you're here, you can eat whatever I have, with three rations of dry food supplied daily—that's my bottom line. If you don't agree, we'll part ways and compete fairly."

Huang Lao had no patience to continue arguing and directly stated the maximum limit he could accept.

Treasures and pills remain unchanged; providing meals is equivalent to supporting the Heavenly Family Old Ancestor for the rest of his life.

Moreover, dry rations are also supplied, calculated at three portions per day.

Seeing Huang Lao grit his teeth, the Heavenly Family Old Ancestor suddenly broke into a grin.

"Deal."

"You old thing................."