Chapter 399: Chapter 399: 99: Coercion

Lin Jing learned from the testament of Ling Yin the True Sage that to enter the relic site, it was necessary to gather all five Five Elements Command Tokens.

And one of those tokens was now in Lin Jing’s possession.

Was this Shopkeeper Shen planning to reveal the location of that ancient relic?

Lin Jing couldn’t help but doubt what the real intentions of Shopkeeper Shen were.

Scanning the room, Lin Jing noticed that the cultivators had different reactions upon hearing about the relic; some were worried, while others were excited.

Even more, like Lin Jing, were skeptical.

Besides,

there was one person who seemed wholly uninterested in everything that was happening.

This disinterested individual was the same black-robed cultivator who had wanted to exchange for the Nirvana Elixir earlier.

At the moment, he was leaning in a corner opposite Lin Jing, silently observing the crowd, saying nothing.

Then, another cultivator familiar with Shopkeeper Shen eagerly asked:

“Shopkeeper Shen, by revealing all this, could it be that you intend to lead us to explore that relic site?”

Shopkeeper Shen nodded before replying:

“Yes…”

“I want to take you all to explore the relic site together.”

At this point, Shopkeeper Shen paused, then continued:

“I’m sure everyone is very curious, since I found out the location of this relic, why not go by myself instead of sharing this information with everyone?”

The crowd also looked up at Shopkeeper Shen.

They were just as curious, knowing that the fewer people aware of the relic, the better.

Yet Shopkeeper Shen did the opposite, telling everyone present about it directly.

They also wanted to hear Shopkeeper Shen’s explanation.

Scanning the crowd, Shopkeeper Shen said:

“Actually…”

“The reason I’m doing this is that the relic site cannot be opened through the efforts of one person alone. By myself, I simply can’t open it.”

“That’s why I’m inviting all fellow Daoists to go together.”

Upon hearing Shopkeeper Shen’s explanation, everyone suddenly came to a realization.

No wonder…

That explained it.

Then, Shopkeeper Shen continued:

“Moreover, the relic is extremely dangerous, but if we really manage to open and enter it, I’m sure the rewards will be substantial…”

“The reason I asked you all to stay is to invite you to open the relic with me and equally share the treasures inside.”

“I wonder if all of you are willing…”

Having finished speaking, Shopkeeper Shen surveyed everyone present.

Immediately, some people couldn’t hold back and said:

“With a relic emerging, of course, we are willing to take the challenge…”

However, there were also those who thought more deeply.

“Shopkeeper Shen, are you sure that there are a great number of heavenly materials and earthly treasures inside the relic?”

“And is it really as dangerous as you say it is inside the relic?”

“Additionally…”

“The most crucial point is, can we really open the relic?”

After listening, Shopkeeper Shen responded:

“According to my ancestors’ records, Li Mingwu didn’t stay long after entering the relic and soon came out.”

“Therefore, there must still be many areas inside the relic that have not been explored…”

“The treasures within the relic need no further elaboration.”

Pausing for a moment, Shopkeeper Shen then continued:

“Another point…”

“Being a relic, it will certainly involve risks; I will explain this beforehand.”

“As to whether we can open the relic, I have no absolute certainty. I can only say the more people we have, the better…”

“Based on the clues provided by my ancestors, to open the entrance to the relic, we need a large amount of spiritual power. If that’s not enough, we have to find others to invite them to explore the relic with us.”

Upon hearing this, some people were immediately opposed:

“I think just us here are enough; there’s no need to find others.”

“Yes…”

“I think so too.”

At this point, Shopkeeper Shen spoke up again, addressing everyone:

“Ladies and gentlemen, you all must know…”

“Exploring a relic is likely to result in casualties. If anyone is unwilling to go, we will not force you; you may leave directly.”

No sooner had Shopkeeper Shen’s words fallen than someone spoke up:

“Where does Shopkeeper Shen get this idea? Exploring a relic naturally involves dangers.”

“From the moment we embarked on the path of cultivation, our fate was no longer our own. How can we get heavenly materials and earthly treasures without taking some risks?”

“If I should perish for it, there’s no one to blame.”

“Indeed…”

“To seek fortune, one naturally has to take risks.”

“Shopkeeper Shen, where exactly is the relic located?”

Raising his hand to stop everyone’s words, Shopkeeper Shen then said to the person:

“To prevent anyone from leaking information, I will not disclose the relic’s location for now. Once everyone agrees, I will share the location…”

After finishing, Shopkeeper Shen gave the crowd another look and said:

“Everyone, are you all willing to accompany Shopkeeper Shen to explore that relic?”

Many in the crowd began to shout:

“Of course…”

“Naturally, we all are willing.”

“I’m willing too…”

…

…

For a moment, the crowd was filled with voices of agreement.

Next, Shopkeeper Shen looked down at the audience and said:

“Ladies and gentlemen, this trip to the relic is completely voluntary. If anyone is unwilling to go, you may say so openly…”

Lin Jing’s brows immediately furrowed; he had the illusion of being coerced by the situation…

He glanced at the people in front, realizing that apart from those who were excited, there were also several cultivators with furrowed brows who seemed to have reservations.

Just then, an untimely voice came from a corner.

“I’m not going…”

Though the voice wasn’t loud, it struck like thunder, quieting the previously noisy crowd.

The crowd turned back, looking in the direction the voice had come from.

Lin Jing did the same, turning his head toward the source of the voice…

In the corner, the man in black who wanted to purchase the Nirvana Elixir was staring coldly at Shopkeeper Shen on the platform.

Seeing him, the others immediately calmed down, because this person possessed Cultivation at the Golden Core Peak, which was higher than all of theirs, and they didn’t dare say anything rashly for the moment.

Just as everyone was hesitating, another voice came from a different corner.

“I’m not going either…”

This time, the one who shouted this was Lin Jing.

Seeing the man in black taking the lead, Lin Jing naturally took this opportunity to express his opinion.

However.

Just as Lin Jing’s words fell, another person spoke up, saying:

“Then, I won’t go either…”

The one who said this was the young Cultivator who had traded the Flying Sword with Lin Jing, and it was also his first time participating in the trade conference.

At this point, unrest began to spread among the crowd.

By now, discontent had also started to arise:

“We had already agreed, why aren’t they going…”

“Exactly…”

“That’s an ancient relic, there could be many precious treasures inside, and it’s not impossible for another Reversal Fruit to appear.”

“Do they really not feel tempted?”

As the discontented voices grew louder, the crowd began to ostracize the three of them…

“Gentlemen, quiet…”

It was at this moment that Shopkeeper Shen spoke up.

Hearing Shopkeeper Shen’s words, everyone fell silent.

Shopkeeper Shen then looked at Lin Jing and the other two:

“I wonder if the three of you have any concerns about not wanting to go to the relic?”

And the man in black directly spoke out:

“There’s nothing I need inside that relic, going in would just be a waste of time.”

The crowd immediately understood that this person must be close to advancing to Nascent Soul, lacking only the Nirvana Elixir, which was certainly not going to be found inside the relic.

That’s why the man in black said that going into the relic would only be a waste of time.

After hearing this, Shopkeeper Shen nodded his head.

Then, he turned to look at Lin Jing.

The crowd followed Shopkeeper Shen’s gaze, looking at Lin Jing, waiting for his explanation.

Lin Jing then spoke bluntly:

“I am an Alchemist, I don’t need to explore relics to obtain the Cultivation resources I want.”

As Lin Jing’s words fell, the crowd began to stir once again.

“Alchemists can’t just say they don’t lack Cultivation resources…”

Another person retorted:

“That’s not necessarily true, some Alchemists really don’t need to go out and find resources themselves, like those from the Longyun Elixir Pavilion…”

“If you mention Longyun Elixir Pavilion, I believe it…”

“But, can he compare to them?”

…

“You two stop arguing, at this level, anyone who dares to call themselves an Alchemist definitely has some extraordinary Alchemy Dao Cultivation, indicating he is at least a Third Rank Alchemist.”

“And Fourth Rank Alchemist is not out of the question…”

“Don’t forget, he just took out two Pure Essence Pills just now, the rewards they get from a single round of Alchemy are worth what we strive for a long time, you all don’t need to bother.”

“That makes sense…”

The other two nodded and then fell silent.

Next, Shopkeeper Shen spoke, smiling as he said to Lin Jing:

“Fellow Daoist, I had no idea you were an Alchemist…”

“That was rather disrespectful of me.”

“Since that’s the case, as an Alchemist, you indeed don’t need to risk your life going there.”

After finishing, everyone turned to the last person who refused, that is, the young Cultivator.

“Fellow Daoist, not sure why you want to give up such a good opportunity, could it be that you are also an Alchemist?”

Shopkeeper Shen asked the young Cultivator.

The young Cultivator shook his head and said:

“I just advanced to Golden Core not long ago, and I feel that my strength is insufficient. I will not be participating in this relic expedition.”

As soon as the young man’s words fell, the crowd immediately started to murmur again.

Right then, someone scornfully said:

“A Cultivator who is so afraid of death, how can they achieve anything great?”

“Really, I don’t know how he managed to cultivate to his current level…”

“So timid…”

“Back in the day, just for Cultivation resources, I don’t know how many times I’ve risked my life to achieve my current Cultivation.”

“I can only say, he is really lucky…”

The crowd was talking at once, full of mockery.

And the young man, probably having never encountered such things before, was blushing with ears red.

But he kept his head down, not retorting a word.

It was in this moment that Shopkeeper Shen stopped several people’s words, then looked at the young man and asked:

“Are you sure you want to give up entering the relic?”

The young Cultivator lifted his head, his eyes resolute, and said:

“I am sure.”

Seeing how firm he was, no one said anything further…

Afterwards, Shopkeeper Shen nodded, then said:

“If you do not wish to go to the relic, you are naturally free to leave.”

Yet at this moment, others started to show their dissatisfaction.

“They can’t be allowed to leave; what if they leak the news?”

“Exactly, they can’t be let go. If the information really gets out, we can’t afford that.”

“Actually…”

“Let them leave if they must, but let them swear an oath with their Soul Spirits, ensuring they won’t leak this news.”

“Indeed…”

Then someone began to shout:

“Shopkeeper Shen, make them swear an oath with their Soul Spirits, to keep the relic’s secrets, before letting them go.”

“Yes, yes…”

…

…

Afterward.

All the Cultivators agreed and began to pressure the three of them.