Chapter 537: Open the Door, Free Trade (23)

Through Dong Rong's narration, Ren Yidao finally figured out the identities of these people.

Heh.

After all that fuss, it turns out they are just a bunch of beggars!

Ren Yidao sorted things out, blinked, and asked, "So, what you mean is, Zhongzhou is extremely dangerous—not just because of the dangers visible on the surface, but also because there is a risk of having one's Spirit Qi absorbed in the shadows?"

Ren Yidao sensed for a moment and frowned inwardly; he... didn't feel that sensation at all.

Strange.

He asked Cang Lan and received the same result as what Dong Rong and the others had said, which confirmed that it seemed to be his own issue.

Ren Yidao suppressed this discovery and did not reveal it to the couple before him.

"That is exactly so."

Dong Rong nodded and cast a fierce glare at the hunters who had been pulled out of the pits and were lying in rows on the ground. "This group of losers was unwilling to die just like that, so they turned their blades against others. If we hadn't reacted quickly, we would likely have died at their hands... Ptooey!"

Although his wife, Qiu Yuyao, did not react as intensely as he did, a sharp glint flashed in her eyes. She did not understand why Ren Yidao had to save these people from the dirt; it would have been best to just let them die like that!

However, Qiu Yuyao could only think this to herself. These people were Ren Yidao's spoils of war, and how to deal with them was his business; the two of them had no right to interfere.

It was just that, in their hearts, they hoped this group of fellows would die a miserable death.

Ren Yidao could sense the thoughts in these two people's hearts, but he felt no emotional fluctuation.

The feud between them had little to do with him, and he was no saint; there was no need to stick his hand into everything.

"So, the conflict between you is actually just because there aren't enough resources?"

"That is exactly so." Dong Rong felt a bit strange, not knowing why Ren Yidao brought it up again.

"That is to say, as long as there are enough resources, you won't have to fight anymore?" Ren Yidao wore a compassionate expression and sighed, "You won't be killing each other anymore, right?"

"That is so, but that is impossible... Hiss, Senior!? Are you intending to distribute your own resources to them!?"

Dong Rong reacted abruptly and hurriedly tried to dissuade him: "Senior, this must absolutely not be done! Resources are precious here; they must not be wasted!"

Qiu Yuyao also joined in the persuasion. The two of them not only didn't want Ren Yidao to fund their enemies, but they also felt this matter was truly unwise.

They never expected that this Senior, who acted so brutally, would actually be a kind-hearted saint.

It is no exaggeration to say that in this moment, Ren Yidao was truly a saint in their eyes.

Besides a saint, who would give their own resources to others at a time like this?

"Where have your thoughts wandered off to?" Ren Yidao waved his hand, telling the two not to be so agitated, and said in a relaxed tone, "I never said I would distribute my own resources to them."

Even if he wasn't being absorbed by Zhongzhou, Cang Lan still needed them. The resources he carried were not few, but they weren't enough to be distributed to others either.

"Then, Senior, what do you mean..." Dong Rong was a bit bewildered. Since that wasn't the case, what exactly did this Senior mean!

"The resources on me are limited, but the resources outside are infinite." Ren Yidao pointed at the Heaven Gate and chuckled, "Just take them from the outside; what's the big deal?"

"Senior, I just said, there is no way to go back from here." Dong Rong's mouth twitched, feeling somewhat helpless. This Senior didn't have a bad temper, but why was he so hard to communicate with?

"I don't mean for you to go back and get them, but to have outsiders send them in." Ren Yidao also felt this guy was a blockhead; why didn't he know how to be flexible?

"But, there is no way to communicate with the outside world from here..."

Dong Rong still wanted to retort, but Qiu Yuyao reacted, grabbed her husband's hand, and hurriedly said, "Senior! Can you communicate with the outside world?"

"Smart." Ren Yidao nodded approvingly at her and said easily, "Look, you all want resources and are willing to fight to the death for them. That's not good; it's not conducive to the harmony of our Beiming Divine Continent."

"For such a small matter, just have outsiders send you resources, and it'll all be solved."

"In my opinion, you should have just said so for such a small matter; what kind of problem is this?"

Ren Yidao waved his hand casually, not knowing why this group of fellows had gotten themselves into such a sorry state over such a trivial matter.

"Alright, you've all heard my words, don't play dead over there anymore." He looked at the group of dirt-covered radishes who had long since woken up but were still lying on the ground like corpses, and smiled, "What do you think?"

"Cough, cough, Senior, can you really communicate with the outside world?" The thin youth wiped the blood and mud from his face, opened his swollen eyes, and said with difficulty, "We aren't questioning you, it's just... we have already tried every method, and all have failed."

Saying they weren't suspicious, but their words clearly showed a lack of trust.

"That's simple, if you don't believe it, just try it." Ren Yidao was indifferent and said to everyone,

"Which of you has sect members or disciples waiting outside? Say a secret code that only your own people can understand, and I will go find them to confirm."

Before entering the Heaven Gate, Ren Yidao had naturally made preparations. He left a Fox Tail Clone outside, disguised as his own white fox Spirit Pet, and left it in the battle lines for Shi Enguang to help take care of, all for the sake of maintaining contact with the outside world at necessary moments.

Thinking of this, Ren Yidao looked at these people strangely, feeling that they were a group of brainless brutes.

Knowing that it was difficult to communicate between the inside and outside, they didn't even make preparations in advance?

Stupid.

But stupidity has its benefits; they made it convenient for him to make money.

Sure enough, wealth that exceeds one's intelligence will eventually return to where it belongs in various ways.

Huhu is here to set things right!

And just as Ren Yidao received the message and closed his eyes to "perform the ritual" to communicate with the outside world, the others who ascended with him also passed through the Heaven Gate one after another.

"Hmm? Why hasn't Ren Yidao left? What is he doing?"

They looked at Ren Yidao strangely, not understanding why he wanted to stay with a group of ragged fellows who were also heavily wounded.

Could it be that he wanted to help these people?

This group of fellows looked like they had overestimated their own strength, which was why they ended up in such a miserable state.

Everyone looked at the youth sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed with admiration, but they had no intention of following suit.

This heaven-gifted talent, although his strength was astonishing, was still too young and lacked experience; they couldn't help in a situation like this.

After bowing respectfully to Ren Yidao, they left the place one after another and did not linger.

And precisely because of this, they did not know the true danger of Zhongzhou, nor did they witness the scene that followed.

Ren Yidao opened his eyes and spoke several words to the few people in succession, causing their expressions to change drastically. Ignoring their own injuries, they shouted loudly:

"It's true, he really can communicate with the outside world!!!"

"We are saved! We are truly saved!"

"It's actually true!"

These people had originally been in despair, prepared to just die here, but at this moment, the situation had taken a turn for the better, and everything had a new chance.

If there is a way to live, no one wants to die.

"Many thanks, Senior!"

Ren Yidao watched them get excited for a while before slowly speaking: "Everyone, don't be happy too soon, and don't be in such a rush to thank me. I never said I would definitely help you, you know."

!!!

In an instant, all sound vanished, and everyone stared blankly at Ren Yidao.

No, not helping us?

"Senior, are you joking? Haha, you must be..." Dong Rong and his wife were the same; having thought there was finally hope, only to find it was a feint, they asked with difficulty.

"Not at all, not at all." Ren Yidao shook his head and said leisurely: "I have other matters to attend to here; you are not worth me spending too much time on."

I still have to go save my good disciple!

Huhu is currently overflowing with kindness for my disciple, it seems.

"Besides, this Secret Technique is exhausting and laborious. Did you really think I wouldn't have to pay a price?"

Ren Yidao's words made the crowd fall silent, realizing where the real problem lay.

That's right, the price.

Communicating with the outside world while the two realms are isolated must surely cost more than everyone imagined. Didn't you see how weak Daoist Ren was just a moment ago?

"However..." Just as the crowd's spirits sank, Ren Yidao said slowly: "This matter is not impossible to handle, but it might require a little bit of help from your side."

This isn't extortion, you know, just some necessary help.

At this moment, how could the crowd not understand? One by one, they all woke up and scrambled to speak:

"Senior, whatever you need, just say the word!"

"If there is a need in the future, I will not hesitate even if it means death!"

"Just tell us! No matter what resources, I will have my disciples send them to you!"

They scrambled, fearing that if they expressed their stance too late, they would be held a grudge.

"Ahem, don't be in such a rush, my requirements are very simple." Ren Yidao smiled, pressed his hands down, and said softly: "I don't want your resources, I don't want your cultivation techniques; I only need you to do one thing for me after you recover."

His expression turned serious as he handed the portraits of Zhang Mang and the other two, which he had drawn from memory, to the crowd, and said softly: "This is my disciple and a friend. They are currently also in Zhongzhou. I need you to help me inquire about them with everyone you meet later."

A person's energy is limited, and Ren Yidao dared not guarantee that he would definitely be able to find Zhang Mang in Zhongzhou.

After entering Heaven Gate, Ren Yidao discovered that the heavenly secrets here were extremely chaotic; even he could only calculate a rough direction. The efficiency of one person alone might not compare to a blanket search by many.

Ren Yidao's conditions made the crowd fall silent again; they did not speak immediately.

In truth, they did not want to go deeper into Zhongzhou.

Staying here is just waiting for death, but if they enter Zhongzhou again, it is very likely to be a quick death...

"If you are unwilling to enter it again, that is also fine." Ren Yidao knew these people might not be reliable, and continued: "But in that case, I will need the magical treasures on your bodies, and you must send in supplies worth thirty percent of the treasures' value."

Thirty percent!?

That is too ruthless!

"Senior, this, isn't this a bit too..."

Ren Yidao laughed and said nonchalantly: "If you give me the items now, I will arrange for people outside to send them in for you right now. How about that?"

"Rest assured, I, Ren, have always valued my word. It is impossible for me to deceive you; deceiving you brings me no benefit."

"Of course, if you don't trust me, I won't force you. It's a matter of mutual consent, an honest trade; I won't pressure you."

Open the gates, free trade!

"If you still feel unsatisfied, then I will only leave three spots. The highest bidder wins; whoever offers the highest price can obtain a precious spot."

Ren Yidao scanned the crowd who had things to say with a faint gaze and said coldly: "Is this what you want?"

Isn't this just hunger marketing!

I know this all too well.

Especially since this ability of mine is a monopoly business; while supply falls short of demand, it is also a business with no capital and massive profit.

No one knows how to make money better than Huhu, it seems.

"I, Ren, am kind-hearted. Although you attacked me first, I am unwilling to watch you die miserably here. You are all heroes of Beiming. In consideration of this, I am willing to provide some help within my power, but if you are ungrateful, then don't blame me for being heartless."

"Think it over carefully. Prepare what price you are willing to pay. I will give you the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn."