Chapter 455: The Deal Lending 20 Heaven Fiend Puppets
"Lord Tiance, are all these Heaven Fiend Puppets the result of your recent seclusion?"
At the Sacred Abyss Continent's Great Thousand Palace branch, in the courtyard where Xiao Tiance had been in seclusion, Wan Feng's astonished voice rang out. Behind him, several Great Thousand Palace experts collectively gasped.
The Heaven Fiend Puppets, one of the three great treasures of Bai Yu Jing (White Jade Capital), were legendary. Tales of their power had spread far and wide, capturing the awe of countless people.
The palace's Spirit Array Talismans and high grade elixirs could be purchased with a hefty price, but the Heaven Fiend Puppets were exclusive to Bai Yu Jing's upper echelons. The lowest ranking members to own one were the Twelve Lords of the Capital.
This exclusivity made the puppets even more mysterious. It was said that those who had seen a Heaven Fiend Puppet in action were no longer alive to tell the tale most had been slain before they could spread word of it.
Yet, here, a total of thirty Heaven Fiend Puppets stood before them, their formidable auras radiating across the courtyard. Each puppet emanated the power of at least an early stage Spirit Rank Heaven Sovereign a level that left everyone present speechless.
A Staggering Display
Wan Feng clutched his chest as his heart raced. "Lord Tiance, these puppets... they are incredible. Just standing near them, I feel as though a massive boulder is pressing on my chest. Especially those two puppets though their auras are restrained, they give me an overwhelming sense of dread."
Xiao Tiance chuckled, his eyes brimming with confidence. **"You're sharp, Manager Wan.
These two puppets were refined from the corpses of two Sky Demon Emperors. Not only do they retain the strength they had in life, but their power has also been enhanced. Their current strength is equivalent to a mid stage Saint Rank Heaven Sovereign, and their physical resilience surpasses that of most late stage Saint Rank Heaven Sovereigns."**
With a wave of his hand, Xiao Tiance summoned his twelve original Heaven Fiend Puppets, adding them to the display. The gleaming, golden figures stood in formation, exuding unparalleled might.
"Manager Wan, how about we strike a deal?" Xiao Tiance said with a smile.
Wan Feng's breath quickened as he glanced at the puppets. "A deal? Lord Tiance, are you saying... these Heaven Fiend Puppets are part of the deal?"
The Proposal
Xiao Tiance nodded. **"Exactly. I currently possess forty two Heaven Fiend Puppets:
2 at mid stage Saint Rank Heaven Sovereign.
6 at half step Saint Rank Heaven Sovereign.
11 at early stage Immortal Rank Heaven Sovereign.
23 at early stage Spirit Rank Heaven Sovereign.
I'm prepared to lend twenty Heaven Fiend Puppets to your Great Thousand Palace to help defend the Sacred Abyss Continent. Would your organization be interested?"**
Wan Feng's excitement was palpable. "Of course! Just one Spirit Rank Heaven Sovereign level Heaven Fiend Puppet would greatly bolster our defense efforts. Lending us twenty? That's... that's a tremendous offer!"
However, his enthusiasm was quickly tempered by reality. Deals of this magnitude required approval from higher authorities. Wan Feng might manage the branch, but he lacked the authority to finalize such an agreement.
"Lord Tiance, may I have three days to report this to my superiors? I guarantee they'll provide a favorable response."
Xiao Tiance waved a hand dismissively, his expression calm. "There's no need to trouble anyone higher up. I already have a condition in mind for the deal. If you agree, the transaction is sealed. If not, we can renegotiate. What do you think?"
"Please, tell me your terms, Lord Tiance," Wan Feng said after a brief moment of thought.
A Favorable Offer
Xiao Tiance smirked. **"The rules of the Demon Execution Board state that killing a single Phantom Demon Emperor yields 3,000 Execution Points, correct?
These Heaven Fiend Puppets are more than capable of holding their own against Phantom Demon Emperors. In fact, many could outright kill one. Would you agree?"**
Wan Feng nodded quickly. "Absolutely! The Heaven Fiend Puppets are renowned for their overwhelming strength and indestructible bodies. Unless they face a prodigy or genius from the Outer Realm Demon Clan, even a single puppet could eliminate a Phantom Demon Emperor in a one on one fight."
Xiao Tiance nodded, pleased with the confirmation.
**"Here's my proposal:
For each Phantom Demon Emperor slain by a Heaven Fiend Puppet, I receive 1,500 Execution Points half the reward your Great Thousand Palace would typically earn.
Since I'm lending twenty puppets, their contributions should be easy to track. In return, the points you save can be reinvested into strengthening your forces. This way, both parties benefit."**
Wan Feng's Reaction
Wan Feng's eyes widened in astonishment. "Lord Tiance, are you serious? Such a generous arrangement...!"
From Wan Feng's perspective, Xiao Tiance's offer was too good to be true. By earning half the Execution Points, Xiao Tiance allowed the Great Thousand Palace to keep a substantial share, while providing them with unparalleled combat power.
"Does this arrangement suit your Great Thousand Palace?" Xiao Tiance asked with a smile.
Wan Feng nodded fervently. "I cannot imagine anyone refusing such an offer. I'll have the contract prepared immediately!"
A Mutually Beneficial Partnership
With the deal in place, Xiao Tiance's Heaven Fiend Puppets would serve as a powerful deterrent against the Outer Realm Demon Clan, bolstering the Great Thousand Palace's defenses. Meanwhile, Xiao Tiance would continue accumulating Execution Points, paving the way for even greater advancements in the future.
**"If Manager Wan acknowledges this point, then we're on the same page.
Here's my proposal: I will lend you 20 Heaven Fiend Puppets at the Spirit Rank Heaven Sovereign level. In exchange, the Great Thousand Palace will pay me 2,000 Demon Execution Points per puppet annually, totaling 40,000 points per year. What do you think of these terms?"** Xiao Tiance smiled calmly, presenting his offer.
A Staggering Bargain
As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd erupted not because the price was too high but because it was shockingly low.
To put it in perspective:
Killing one Phantom Demon Emperor earned 3,000 Execution Points. Even if a battle went poorly and the demon escaped, the puppets could easily mow down Demon Generals.
Killing a lower tier Earth Sovereign demon awarded 50 Execution Points, a higher tier Earth Sovereign granted 100 Points, and defeating a peak Earth Sovereign earned 200 Points.
These Heaven Fiend Puppets, at the lowest Spirit Rank Heaven Sovereign, could obliterate Earth Sovereign level demons with a flick of the wrist. Their combat prowess ensured survivability on the battlefield unless faced with Phantom Demon Emperors or Sky Demon Emperors.
Moreover, the Heaven Fiend Puppets required no spiritual power or resources to operate a major advantage. It was well known that Xiao Tiance's Heaven Fiend Puppets were upgradeable, meaning their strength could grow over time.
In other words, 2,000 Execution Points per puppet for a year was a steal a bargain no one could refuse.
Immediate Agreement
Wan Feng noticed the excited gleam in the eyes of his fellow Great Thousand Palace members. Sharing their thoughts, he nodded without hesitation. "Agreed! This deal is more than fair, Lord Tiance. The 40,000 Execution Points for the first year are at your disposal anytime."
Xiao Tiance laughed heartily and waved a hand dismissively. "No rush use them first. If these Heaven Fiend Puppets prove useful, we can discuss further collaboration in the future."
With that, he withdrew 22 of the 42 Heaven Fiend Puppets, leaving behind 20 Spirit Rank Heaven Sovereign level puppets. He also retrieved 20 jade talismans from his storage ring and handed them to Wan Feng.
Mastering the Puppets
"Each talisman corresponds to a specific puppet. To activate one, simply drop your blood onto the talisman to establish control over the corresponding puppet," Xiao Tiance explained.
Wan Feng couldn't wait to test the system. He selected a talisman marked with the same number as one of the puppets, nicked his finger, and dripped blood onto the talisman.
The talisman absorbed the blood instantly, emitting a crimson glow. Simultaneously, the corresponding Heaven Fiend Puppet lit up with the same hue.
The connection was instantaneous. Wan Feng felt a mental link form with the puppet, allowing him to issue commands with just a thought whether to attack, defend, or move. The puppet responded flawlessly, executing his intentions with precision.
Wan Feng's Amazement
"This is incredible! Truly one of the three great treasures of Bai Yu Jing. The Heaven Fiend Puppets are nothing short of divine!" Wan Feng marveled, taking a sharp breath.
Xiao Tiance chuckled. "It seems Manager Wan is satisfied. Excellent. I look forward to our cooperation."
"Likewise!" Wan Feng extended his hand, and the two shook firmly, sealing their deal.
A Bold Inquiry
As Xiao Tiance turned to leave, Wan Feng hesitated, then called out, "Lord Tiance, please wait a moment!"
"Oh? Is there something else, Manager Wan?" Xiao Tiance stopped.
Wan Feng cleared his throat. "If... and this is purely hypothetical if we wanted to borrow the Immortal Rank or even Saint Rank Heaven Sovereign level Heaven Fiend Puppets, how many Execution Points would that cost annually?"
The crowd held their breath. If the Spirit Rank Heaven Sovereign puppets were already so impressive, what would it take to secure even more powerful ones?
Xiao Tiance's Response
Xiao Tiance's lips curled into a faint smile as he looked at Wan Feng. **"Manager Wan, partnerships are best built step by step.
Use these 20 Spirit Rank Heaven Sovereign puppets first. If you're satisfied with their performance, we can discuss renting higher level puppets later. Don't you think it's a bit premature to negotiate over my strongest puppets right now?"**
The subtle humor in his tone made Wan Feng realize he'd been overly eager. With a self deprecating smile, he bowed. "Forgive me, Lord Tiance. I was out of line."
"No offense taken. I understand your enthusiasm, Manager Wan," Xiao Tiance replied graciously. "For now, I'll return to Bai Yu Jing. It's been a while since I last checked on things there. Once we've seen how these puppets perform, we'll have plenty of time to discuss future collaborations."
"Understood. We'll be awaiting your return, Lord Tiance," Wan Feng said, bowing deeply.
With that, Xiao Tiance's figure flickered and disappeared, leaving the Great Thousand Palace members in awe.
A Lasting Impression
As Xiao Tiance departed, Wan Feng sighed in admiration. "Such extraordinary growth... In my ten thousand years of life, I've never encountered anyone like him."
An Immortal Rank Heaven Sovereign expert nearby bowed slightly. "Manager Wan, a few years ago, you mentioned meeting an exceptional individual. I assume it was Lord Tiance?"
The others turned to Wan Feng, curious. He nodded. **"Indeed. About six years ago, I met him for the first time. Back then, he had just broken through to the early stage Spirit Rank Heaven Sovereign. Yet even then, he could hold his ground against the Western Sky Battle Emperor, an expert at the late stage Immortal Rank Heaven Sovereign level.
Every time I've seen him since, his growth has left me speechless. If only we had more prodigies like him, we wouldn't need to worry about the Outer Realm Demon Clan's armies looming over us."**
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