Chapter 928: Striking A Deal

"Come in," Furi said, staring at the closed door to his room. A moment later, the door opened, and John entered within. The door closed a moment later on its own volition, leaving the two alone in the room.

John scanned the room, which was larger on the inside than it should have been, clearly having been augmented using the spatial Dao. Based on the room's dimensions on the outside, it should have been about twenty yards on each side. Inside, the room was over a hundred yards wide and long, and was furnished with luxurious furniture all over.

He spotted Furi sitting on a sofa nearby. Several other sofa's surrounded a table in the middle. Steam rose from a teapot on the table, two cups placed on either side of the pot.

"Please, have a seat," Furi gestured to the seat opposite him, a warm smile on his face. The cold, skeptical expression he had shown John previously was no more. John nodded and took his seat. He took a deep breath of the tea's aroma, and nodded his head in approval.

"Not bad," he said with modest approval.

"Not bad?" Furi asked, an amused look on his face. "This is some of the finest tea one can obtain, and it's just, 'not bad'?"

John smiled lightly but didn't elaborate. It was too early in his acquaintanceship with this man to show something as heaven defying as his tea leaves, which stirred his entire world into a frenzy, bidding wars started from those desperately trying to obtain a single leaf.

Furi waved his hand, using his Qi to move the teapot to pour a cup for both of them. John's cup rose towards him, which he graciously accepted. He took another deep breath of its fragrant aroma, and then took a sip. His eyes widened with delight a moment later.

"I take it back, this is actually quite good," he said, savoring another sip.

The tea was not as profound as tea made from his tea leaves, and did not give Dao insights to nearly the same level. In fact, it wasn't even close. However, it still provided him with some inspirations, and also tasted quite good. As far as tea went, it was definitely the best tea he had enjoyed other than tea made from his leaves.

Furi smiled and took a sip as well, then placed his cup down before him.

"I'm assuming you've come to me to discuss my previous proposal?" Furi asked.

"I did," John nodded, placing his cup down as well.

"And?" Furi asked, his voice calm, but a tinge of expectancy evident, although it was obvious he was trying to hide it.

"It should be possible for me to achieve," John said, his words modest. He knew it was possible to achieve, but outward bragging was not a good look on anyone, no matter how true the brag was.

Furi raised an eyebrow at John's nonchalant reply.

"My son no doubt gave you all the details of what it takes to become a Tier One Genius," Furi said. "In the history of my sect, we have never produced a Tier Two Genius, let alone a Tier One Genius. It may sound easy, but I assure you it's far harder than you could ever imagine. The geniuses reigning supreme are monsters just as heaven defying as you."

John smiled but said nothing, instead opting for another sip of tea. Furi eyed him carefully, noticing John's nonchalant attitude.

"I have a question about that actually," John asked, changing the subject. "Your sect has never created a Tier Two Genius, yet surely a Tier Three sect should occasionally be able to produce a genius capable of becoming a Tier Two genius? Not often, sure, but never? That seems..."

His voice trailed off as he decided to hold his tongue. His words already vaguely inferred that the man before him, the sect leader of the Light Dao Sect, was unable to produce geniuses of any worth. It was not a very attractive sect to join, at least not for one as talented as John.

Furi understood John's indirect question, and sighed softly.

"You are wise to ask about such a thing, as your words do ring true," Furi said, his voice slightly dejected. "Most Tier Three sects do occasionally produce Tier Two geniuses. Although its quite rare, it does happen. My sect, however, is different."

"Different how?" John asked, taking another sip of tea.

"My son told you about the power tiers, yes?"

"He did," John nodded.

"Well, we are under the the Fire Dao Sect, which is under the Yang Dao Sect. My light Dao Sect is a sect primarily focused on the healing arts, with combat as a distant second. Both the Fire Dao Sect and the Yang Dao Sect require us to produce a certain number of talented healers every few years, which are required to pass healing tests they have created," Furi said, pausing to take a sip of tea.

"Their requirements are quite strict, and if we miss their quotas, we are indirectly punished."

"Indirectly punished?" John asked.

"They withhold aid, withhold resources, don't send reinforcements when a beast wave assaults my sect, etcetera," Furi said, a frown on his face as if recalling a certain event. "As a result of their strict requirements, we are forced to turn our most talented youths into healers first, and fighters a distant third. Against sects that focus on combat prowess alone, we have no chance."

"So that's how it is," John nodded, understanding Furi's dilemma, and his desire to have John join their sect.

"This fact is known to all who wish to join a sect, and so only those who want to become healers join our sect," Furi continued. "Those who are talented in combat join other sects."

"And so now that you've stumbled across me, you wish for me to join your sect and obtain that pill for you," John said calmly.

Furi remained silent for a moment then nodded his head. "That is my wish," he confirmed.

"So now that I know all this, what's stopping me from going directly to the Yang Dao Sect and joining them? Wouldn't that be more beneficial for me?" John asked evenly.

Furi smiled, as if expecting such a question.

"You could do so, and I will not stop you if you wish to do so, but that would not be the wisest decision."

"And why is that?" John asked.

"Because, the Yang Dao Sect, and even the Tier Two sects, only accept disciples on a set schedule each year, with absolutely no exceptions whatsoever. It has been this way for tens of thousands of years as an unbroken tradition, and is one of the things they hold only proudly," Furi explained. "It is a tradition they say proves their unbiased natures, which allows anyone talented enough to join their sects, regardless of status or upbringing. And that entrance test finished a few weeks ago, so you would have to wait another year to join a sect above ours."

John remained silent, studying the man's face. He could tell he wasn't lying.

"You however, would be promoted to our pinnacle combat disciple instantly, which will allow you to register for the Dao Tournament entrance tests. Besides, if you recall my words from before, I said my sect focuses primarily on healing, whereas combat comes a distant third."

John nodded, indicating he recalled Furi saying that.

"Our secondary focus, equally nearly to our healing focus, is information."

"Information? What kinds of information?" John asked curiously.

"Every kind," Furi said smiling. "The information branch of the continent consists of seven sects that focus on gathering all the intel possible over the continent and the world. My Light Dao Sect is part of this information branch. And because we are one of the core information sects, we receive any and all information far before any of the other sects, the Yang Dao Sect included."

Furi fell silent after explaining all this, opting to sip his tea instead as he allowed John to think over everything he had been told. The room remained silent for quite some time before John nodded his head, a small smile on his face.

"All right," he said with a nod, "I'll join your sect and obtain you a Holy Transcendence Pill. But based on everything you told me, it seems as though I hold most of the cards here, so our deal will be something more fluid."

John thought about leaving to join another sect regardless of the troubles presented to him, but decided against it. Not only was it not guaranteed that he would be able to join them anytime soon, he also didn't want to push Furi too far when the proposal he offered was a reasonable one. If he decided to leave, who knew what actions the man would take. While John was almost certain Furi was a relatively decent person and wouldn't take action against him, he couldn't know that for sure. With all that in mind, it was simpler to accept the offer and work with it as best he could.

"Fluid how?" Furi asked.

"As long as I work towards obtaining this pill of yours, I will definitely obtain it. As payment for this effort, you will fulfill any requests I make from here on out, as long as they are deemed to be reasonable."

Furi considered the offer for a moment.

"And who would be the one to deem the request reasonable or not?" Furi asked.

"Me," John said with a small smile, "but I'm sure you've noticed by now that I'm a relatively decent person. I won't take advantage of you too much."

Furi studied John's face for a moment then nodded, sighing slightly. He knew he was the one who needed John more than John needed him, and so accepted the offer, deciding to trust John going forward.

"Deal."