Aksai pondered many things at once as Haitin laid everything out.
The man’s logic was undeniable. He wasn’t operating out of fear—he was operating from sheer pragmatism.
Aksai couldn’t help but be impressed by how carefully Haitin thought things through. He wasn’t just a powerful cultivator; he was a strategist.
“Instead of risking conflict,” Haitin continued, his voice smooth again, “I’d rather forge a connection. If we cooperate, I stand to gain the Heretic Talismanic Inheritance without spilling a drop of blood, without creating an enemy. Isn’t that a better option for both of us? Why take something by force when we can exchange and both benefit?”
Haitin leaned back in his chair, smiling once more. “Now tell me, brother Aksai, which option would you choose in my position?”
Despite his polite exterior, Haitin was calculating every move, considering every possibility. Yet, his decision to cooperate rather than dominate showed a rare kind of wisdom, uncommon among demonic cultivators.
Aksai nodded, acknowledging the logic. “You’ve thought things through.”
He didn’t give any sign to confirm Haitin’s guess. Aksai did have a way out, but staying silent was more beneficial than giving any hint about his cheat-like ability.
Haitin chuckled softly. “It seems my guess was right. Your silence says everything I needed to know.”
Aksai decided to shift the conversation, praising Haitin. “No wonder they call you the Dark Star of the demonic faction. You’ve certainly earned your reputation.”
Haitin grinned, pleased with the compliment. “Well… I simply try to do my best.”
There was no need to delay the exchange any further.
From his storage ring, Aksai took out the jade slip containing Mao’s inheritance—the Heretic Talismanic Dao—and handed it to Haitin without hesitation.
Haitin’s eyes sparkled with delight and anticipation as the jade slip materialized in Aksai’s hand. He had been waiting for this moment.
“Brother Aksai, I hope you don’t mind if I check the contents first,” he said smoothly, raising his hand.
Aksai said nothing, allowing the jade slip to float directly into Haitin’s palm. With a confident grip, Haitin closed his eyes, sending his Spirit Sense into the jade slip. For a brief moment, his expression remained neutral, but it was clear he was fully immersed in the wealth of knowledge flooding his mind.
Inside the jade slip, there was an astonishing volume of information. Texts detailing talismanic theories, vivid audiovisual lessons, practical applications of the Heretic Talismanic Dao—it was all there.
The core concepts flowed freely into Haitin’s consciousness, a balance of theory and hands-on guidance. It didn’t take long for Haitin to confirm what he already knew: Aksai had given him the real thing. There were no missing pieces or tampered sections. Everything was genuine.
Haitin opened his eyes and smiled, pleased. “Impressive, brother Aksai. It’s just as I’d hoped.”
Without wasting a moment, Haitin reached into his own storage and produced two jade slips. “And here is my end of the bargain,” he said, handing them over to Aksai.
The Heretic Alchemy Inheritance and Heretic Array Formation Inheritance!
Aksai, without hesitation, took the jade slips and scanned them with his Spirit Sense. His eyes widened as he dove into the contents. The sheer volume of information was overwhelming, far more than he had anticipated.
The slips didn’t just hold the Heretic Alchemy and Array Formation Inheritances—they also contained insights, experimental results, and annotations from generations of demonic cultivators. These weren’t just raw techniques; they were layered with the accumulated knowledge and breakthroughs of past practitioners.
As Aksai delved deeper, he noticed something that set Haitin’s inheritances apart. The jade slips were rich with practical modifications and refinements that made the techniques more complete.
There were records of failed experiments, breakthroughs, and even alternative methods for tricky steps in cultivation, showcasing the flexibility and adaptability of the Heretic Dao.
‘He really didn’t hold anything back. No matter how I look at it, I seem to have gained more from this exchange than him,’ Aksai thought to himself.
He looked up at Haitin, impressed. “This… this is more than I expected,” he admitted. The completeness of the inheritance, combined with the collective knowledge from countless practitioners, made Haitin’s offering invaluable.
Haitin chuckled, clearly satisfied with Aksai’s reaction. “I don’t believe in half measures, brother Aksai. If we’re doing this exchange, I want both of us to get the full benefit. I’m sure you’ll find plenty in there to expand your horizons.”
Aksai nodded, still absorbing the enormity of what he had just received. “Why fight when we can cooperate?”
Haitin leaned back, folding his arms. “Exactly. But let me guess– you seem to be doubting yourself as well as me because the deal is too good to be true right? Hehehe. I would have done the same if I was in your possession knowing what you know.”
Haitin could see the flicker of surprise in Aksai’s eyes as he processed the exchange. A small chuckle escaped Haitin’s lips, and he leaned forward slightly, his voice calm but filled with intention.
“Brother Aksai, there’s no need to worry too much,” Haitin began. “I know this deal seems a bit… generous on my part. But let me clarify something.” He glanced down at the jade slips that Aksai now held.
“There’s a reason I’m giving you the complete alchemy and array formation inheritances related to the Heretic Dao.”
Aksai raised an eyebrow, curious. Haitin continued with a casual air, but his words were laced with understanding.
“You might not have had the time to dive deeply into the Heretic Dao yet, but trust me—it’s not simple. Even the geniuses of my sect, those who’ve spent years studying these techniques, can only scratch the surface of its true potential. Progress comes slow, and it’s not guaranteed.
The Heretic Dao…. hmm… how should I say this? It’s a bit different from the mainstream school of thought. It is indeed heretic. And those who walk a stable path might not be able to master it in their lifetimes.
To be honest, if given a choice, I will not dare to practice this Dao myself because there are too many variables involved in it. The reason I want to peek into Mao’s insights is because I have been stuck at a problem and only the Heretic Dao can provide me with a chance to crack it.
Anyway, let’s just say that the Heretic Dao is not meant for everyone. It not only affects one cultivation’s speed but also affects one’s temperament.
Why do you think Mao was so crazy in his heyday? It was because of the Heretic Dao. I dont know how you killed him with your current cultivation base. But let me tell you, he was more dangerous than you might give him credit for. As far as I know, the only reason you managed to kill him was because he was already on the brink of death.
That being said, Mao was not really talented in the Heretic Dao. he worked hard and made some progress in it. But as far as Heretic Dao is concerned, he was way worse than average.
That being said, every demonic… or should I say experimental technique contains this kind of risk. It can affect one’s temperament and make them have issues with their personality. This was why a large number of demonic cultivators seem to be crazy.
The demonic cultivators don’t practice crazy demonic techniques. In most cases, it is because of those techniques that their practitioners turn crazy and end up being labeled as demons. This is the price of walking on the demonic path.
This is not to say that the Heretic Dao is demonic in nature. However, it is not righteous either.”
Haitin leaned back, his smile widening.
“Since that’s the case, it would be foolish of me to withhold anything. The Heretic Dao is not just some random technique—it’s complex, dangerous, and unpredictable.
If you lack the talent or insight, these jade slips won’t benefit you much in the long run. In fact, they could even become your roadblocks, leading you down paths that might do more harm than good.”
Aksai’s eyes narrowed slightly as he considered Haitin’s words. The man wasn’t wrong. He knew the risks involved with delving into techniques like these, where progress wasn’t guaranteed and failure could be deadly.
But he also recognized the opportunity—a chance to complete his understanding of the Heretic Dao and push his cultivation to new heights.
Haitin wasn’t finished, though. He chuckled again before speaking, this time with a more serious tone.
“On the other hand, if these inheritances do help you… and if you do manage to make real progress with them, I’ll be the one asking for something in return.” He grinned, but there was no malice in his expression—just practicality.
“I hope you’ll provide me with your insights into the Heretic Dao. Share your progress with me. Maybe help me with something when I ask in return for some worthy compensation? That’s the only condition I have for giving you these jade slips.”
Aksai sat in silence for a moment, processing everything Haitin had just said. It was an interesting proposition.
If the techniques worked, he would owe Haitin nothing more than guidance in return.
But if they didn’t… well, Aksai wouldn’t lose much, except for time and effort.