"How about this," Luo Shan said, "if you give your consent to the duel, I'll bear all the cost of cultivating your disciple, including the cost of all her resources and fate locks, of course, their grade would depend on her potential."

Seeing no change in Gale's expression, the mayor added, "That is, even if she loses the fight."

"That's very kind of you," Gale said at last, "but do I look like I can't bear cultivating a disciple?"historical

Well, that was probably it. Since never really dressed extravagantly or showed off his vast wealth, he could be mistaken as some common gold ranker. Well, with him working with the occupation of a farmer, even less than a common gold ranker for all that mattered.

"Well, you probably know nothing about my well-being," Gale continued. "Just know, I have more than most Jade-heart experts by myself. As for other revenue and liquid wealth, honestly, I have no idea how much it has grown since I left."

The mayor raised an eyebrow, comprehending the truthfulness of his confession. At last, he decided Gale couldn't just be tempted by wealth.

"Even with wealth, most times you can't get the best fate locks," the mayor said. "In most cases, both wealth and connections are needed."

"Well, you're right about that," Gale said and provided no further input.

"So if you agree with this. . ." the mayor's voice trailed off as he turned to find Gale juggling with four colourful beads in his hand.

The mayor's eyes went wide as he grasped what were those beads.

"Are these. . ."

"Yep," Gale told him.

"All unique grades?"

"Sure," Gale said as the four fate locks disappeared one after another into his void lock as if they were merely an illusion before.

Luo Shan swallowed silently as a thick knit formed in his brows. The Han family was definitely wrong about the depth of this foreigner. They thought of him as a greedy fool who just wanted to scam them of Shitian's unique fate lock. But that certainly wasn't the case.

It seemed like the mayor really needed to play the last card, as there weren't any other options left to tempt the foreigner. Thankfully, he had the exact thing that would make most gold rankers' hearts tremble with passion.

"Well, you do have more wealth than a Jadeheart expert, it seems," Luo Shan said, "so the only thing that I was left to tempt you with is the strength of a Jadeheart expert."

Gale perked an eyebrow, understanding the implication of the words.

"I assume you know about the Universal Law platform?" the mayor said, his voice boring some pain, as if it was really costing him something big. "I can give you a chance to meditate on the platform for an entire month."

Gale said nothing for some time, pondering over his choices.

'Is this the opportunity the Oracle told me about?' he mused. 'No, it can't be. The platform isn't just unique to Tianhui. There were a few others throughout the realm, though nobody would give me the opportunity this easily. Hmm, although breaking into Gemheart gives a transcendental vibe to the soul, it can't cure corruption completely. Not completely, but it does make it easier.'

"Curious," Gale said, "what are the laws the platform is based on?"

Luo Shan was conflicted about finding Gale interested in the platform, even though he was the one who offered the opportunity. Well, it was something huge for gold rankers, and from the look of his expression, it seemed the mayor was offering this of his own, not the Han Family.

"The common five elements, Earth, Fire, Air, Water and Space," the mayor answered with a cough. "Apart from that, there is Light, Shadow, Life, and Chaos."

So a proper law platform.

After considering this for several minutes, Gale let out, "Are you sure about this?"

"No," the mayor said truthfully. "Honestly, my chances of breaking through to jade are slim, but it always leaves a foul taste in my stomach, giving away such an opportunity."

"Well, you have no reason to give it away," Gale said, prying. "the fault is with the Han family to bear, even if it is your place to keep the peace of this town."

"You won't understand, and honestly, I don't want or expect you to understand," Luo Shan said with an aged tone. "Let me just ask you one last question. You can decide not to answer it if you like."

***

It took an hour more to finalise the official papers ready for the duel. Yes, they agreed on the duel exactly one year from now on.

Unfortunately, Gale hadn't managed to get Han Shitian to apologise to the people he condemned, which left an unpleasant taste in his mouth. Well, he couldn't have everything, could he?

Still, Gale got more than he assumed. Apart from the ticket to the Universal Law platform, they agreed the Han family would release the few people under him from their oaths along with a formal apology to Linlin and the other farmer families.

Well, Gale wasn't really in haste to agree with all the terms even though he planned to agree at some point. In the end, it was his disciple who rushed the agreement, after hearing about the Universal Law platform.

Linlin almost became fanatic hearing the mayor offer him that. She agreed on the spot for the duel just so that her master could have the chance to break into a higher rank.

In her defence, her exact words were, "Master, since you came to the town, you have been nothing but kind to me, wasting so much wealth and time on a person who is deemed worthless to most people. I can never repay the hope you brought into my life. However, if there is any way I can help you, even a little, I'll do it within a heartbeat."

Her confession left much for him to contemplate. Perhaps it was about time for him to open up about his wound to her.

Well, definitely not all about it, but showing his ankle leg would suffice for now.