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Shen Wuben was slightly older than Qin Fang, about the same age as Song Qingshan, at around thirty years of age. To possess such cultivation at this age among the younger generation definitely made one a first-class expert.

Of course, this was after excluding the inner sect disciples of those ancient sects and then making the comparison… If these ancient sect disciples were included, Shen Wuben and Song Qingshan would be considered only above average at best.

Shaolin Temple is one of the oldest and most powerful sects, with countless experts among its ranks, and Grandmaster Level is the bare minimum cultivation for its disciples…

However, even within the Shaolin Temple, there is a significant difference between inner sect disciples and secular disciples. The more superior resources are inclined towards the inner sect disciples. The elite disciples could even have access to the most resources, while the secular disciples have it much harder; they are just somewhat stronger than those from other sects outside.

Shen Wuben was one of such secular disciples. Hence, even if both were Grandmaster-level Experts, Monk Wukong, who was even younger than him, could almost make Shen Wuben unable to raise his head if the two were to spar…

This had little to do with Qin Fang, but Qin Fang didn't dare to show even the slightest contempt for Shen Wuben because of it; doing so would only put him at a disadvantage.

Especially since Shen Wuben was surrounded by a faint red glow, Qin Fang had to be very cautious towards him, indicating that Shen Wuben harbored considerable hostility towards Qin Fang.

"I am indeed flattered…"

While Qin Fang was sizing up Shen Wuben, Shen Wuben was also paying attention to Qin Fang. Although he had already seen photos of Qin Fang, this was their first meeting in person.

The difference between the person and a photograph was still pretty obvious. At least by looking at the photo, Shen Wuben could not gauge what kind of person Qin Fang was, or the extent of his formidable strength... But now, looking at Qin Fang himself, he could make some guesses.

Very few could discern Qin Fang's cultivation level; at least Shen Wuben couldn't. But Qin Fang's composed demeanor as he sat there had already made Shen Wuben quite vigilant.

The sight of Song Qingshan standing like a standard-bearer behind Qin Fang caused even Shen Wuben, a secular disciple of Shaolin with Grandmaster-level strength, to frown involuntarily.

Especially when the gazes of Shen Wuben and Song Qingshan inadvertently collided, sparks burst forth radiantly between the two of them.

If it weren't for the fact that this was not the place to fight, they might both have wanted to test each other's skills already. For many, the opportunity to spar with a peer of equal expertise was something eagerly sought after.

Of course, compared to the official business at hand, this had to be set aside for the moment.

"Mr. Qin, since you've already arrived, I won't waste words. You must know that I am here for the Buddha Bone Relic, which is a sacred item of our Shaolin Temple and should rightfully be returned..."

Shen Wuben straightened his expression, getting down to business with Qin Fang and not concealing his intentions.

He stated his reasons so self-righteously, as if not returning the relic would seem completely unjustifiable,

"As I understand, the Buddhist Sect emphasizes the law of karma; since the Buddha Bone Relic has come into my possession, it means I am due to be connected with it. If it is already your Shaolin Temple's sacred item, why should I return it and make a fool of myself?"

Qin Fang found Shen Wuben's words to be quite ridiculous. Although Shaolin Temple was powerful and sometimes quite domineering, this kind of bullying seemed a little too much, and understandably, no one would be happy with it, Qin Fang included.

Especially Shen Wuben's arrogant demeanor was quite irksome to Qin Fang; it would be strange if he behaved politely...

"Of course, our Shaolin Temple won't let Mr. Qin suffer this loss for nothing; we naturally would offer Mr. Qin some compensation!"

Shen Wuben didn't mind, knowing that this kind of negotiation involved starting with extravagant demands to then bargain down. From the beginning, he knew that this wouldn't be a matter that could be settled with just a few simple sentences.

Upon hearing Qin Fang's words, Shen Wuben smiled lightly, maintaining a detached expression.

"Oh, some compensation? What a concept... I am indeed curious as to what this 'certain' compensation entails…"

Qin Fang scoffed, his eyes brimming with sarcasm.

Shen Wuben was basically trying to fool him as if he were an idiot. Never mind that Qin Fang wouldn't simply hand over the Buddha Bone Relic to Shen Wuben, even if he did consider giving it back to Shaolin Temple, it surely wouldn't be settled just with some unsubstantial talk.

"This matter would need to be decided by the elders in our sect... However, according to my estimate, it should be possible to exchange for a secret mental method passed down in Shaolin Temple, or a Healing Sacred Medicine like the Great Rejuvenation Pill... These are treasures that many people outside long for but can't obtain!"

Shen Wuben seemed to be well-versed in the art of negotiation, offering one empty promise after another, and he talked about them as if they were real, with convincing details.

"A secret mental method? Could it be the Seventy-two Ultimate Skills of Shaolin? That's actually worth considering... As for the Great Rejuvenation Pill, forget it, I'm still so young, I don't want to die so early..."

In any case, Qin Fang was also just spouting nonsense with his eyes open and started to ramble back, increasingly heavy with sarcasm in his tone.

Shen Wuben wasn't a fool and could certainly hear the meaning behind Qin Fang's words, could he not?

The Seventy-two Ultimate Skills?

The value of the Buddha Bone Relic truly warranted one of the Seventy-two Ultimate Skills, though not for Qin Fang, but for Shen Wuben himself.

As long as he brought this Buddha Bone Relic back to the Shaolin Temple's Inner Gate and offered it to his master, his master could use it as a basis to request the Council of Elders to impart one of Shaolin's Seventy-two Ultimate Skills to Shen Wuben.

Although Shen Wuben's cultivation had already reached the Grandmaster Level, he had not learned any of the Seventy-two Ultimate Skills of Shaolin and had only practiced some more basic cultivation techniques. Though his strength was quite formidable, it was a world apart compared to the Seventy-two Ultimate Skills of Shaolin.

Take Monk Wukong, for instance; his Reed Crossing River Technique was something even Qin Fang coveted, not to mention Shen Wuben, who had seen others perform this movement technique but was not qualified to cultivate it himself...

As for the Great Rejuvenation Pill, it indeed was a Healing Sacred Medicine. Even within Shaolin Temple, they did not have an abundance of it. Primarily, it was controlled by a few of the most powerful elders.

The Shaolin disciples usually carried the Minor Restoration Pill with them, the effects of which were significantly reduced, yet it was still an excellent medicinal remedy for healing... Essentially, every Grandmaster-level Disciple carried one, including Shen Wuben who had one with him.

The Seventy-two Ultimate Skills of Shaolin Temple were the secret skills that upheld Shaolin's dominance over the Martial World. They were not easily revealed to outsiders, and the Great Rejuvenation Pill was even considered one of the best Healing Sacred Medicines. Many Elite Disciples of the Inner Gate didn't have the chance to access it, let alone Shen Wuben.

The Buddha Bone Relic might be worth a Great Rejuvenation Pill, but obviously, Shaolin Temple wouldn't trade a Great Rejuvenation Pill for it...

All things considered, Shen Wuben's words from beginning to end were utter nonsense, not a word of it was reliable.

Since none of it was true, Qin Fang had no intention of speaking the truth either and began to ramble as well, wanting to see who would cave first.

"That's easy to say, as long as Mr. Qin gives me the Buddha Bone Relic to bring back to Shaolin Temple, I will then request the elders to teach Mr. Qin a secret technique from the Seventy-two Ultimate Skills..."

Shen Wuben continued to talk nonsense with his eyes closed, sounding as if it were the truth, yet in reality, he didn't even have the qualification to be granted an audience with the Shaolin elders—he was just a Secular Disciple, whose status was only slightly better than those miscellany servants who chopped wood and carried water.

"I'm afraid that won't do. I think it's better for Mr. Shen to invite the esteemed elders of your temple to bring one of the Seventy-two Ultimate Skills here. It's always better for us to exchange goods for money directly..."

Qin Fang laughed, seemingly disapproving of Shen Wuben's approach, and deliberately suggested a modification. The message was clear—if you want the Buddha Bone Relic, you need someone of significant status from Shaolin Temple to make the trade, otherwise, forget it.

"If Mr. Qin is to put it that way, then it really loses all meaning. You should know that there are rules in the temple. It is not permitted for the monks to arbitrarily leave the mountain, not even the elders are exceptions..."

Even Shen Wuben did not anticipate Qin Fang to be so difficult to deal with, but he quickly turned the situation around with a very compelling reason. This was a fact well known in the Martial World, and for once, he actually spoke a true statement.

"That's not correct. You just said that the Buddha Bone Relic is a sacred object of Shaolin Temple. For such an important event as welcoming back a sacred relic, how could it be considered a casual departure from the mountain? I don't expect all the elders to come together, but having one or two is not a big issue, right..."

When it came to nonsense, Qin Fang didn't necessarily fear Shen Wuben, as shown by the current situation, where neither seemed focused on the actual negotiation, and yet they continued to argue back and forth, seemingly making sense with their points.

"Mr. Qin, now what you are saying truly has no meaning. I have said all I needed to say. The Buddha Bone Relic is in Mr. Qin's hands; the decision is naturally yours. Now I just want to ask—one last time: Will Mr. Qin return the Buddha Bone Relic, or will you refuse to return it..."

Shen Wuben seemed to have lost his patience too, after so much pointless chatter with Qin Fang without any substantial progress, and with Qin Fang revealing no openings, it made Shen Wuben quite helpless.

Being gentle was definitely not working, and at this moment, Shen Wuben's aura began to escalate, the increasing intensity pressing down on Qin Fang, seemingly ready to take a harder stance.

"I'm afraid that will truly disappoint Mr. Shen. I still stand by my words—if you want the Buddha Bone Relic, it's possible, but only if someone very significant from your temple comes, otherwise—let's forget it!"(To be continued. If you like this work, please welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote, your support is my biggest motivation.)

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