603 Negotiations
"You make it seem like I'm desperate and have no choice. I have options," rebutted Feng Heng.
"You do," nodded Wang Wei. "The best option is to use the Commerce Hub and gain access to different World Communities. However, do you think that these people will so readily give you access to their resources? Or do you think these World Communities will not resist the invasion of a new force–especially one as powerful as a united Buddhism?"
Before their destruction, Buddhism existed across the Endless Void, but each World Communities had separate but different factions. The only interconnection they had was the existence of Maitreya and other Buddha Lords in the upper dimension.
But now, once Feng Heng spreads the religion, for the first time since the dawn of the Eternal Ascension World, all the Buddhist factions of the Lower Dimensions will be connected; they will be one faction with one leader–Feng Heng.
Once people figured this out, they would never allow such a powerful faction to exist or spread in their respective worlds. And as someone who plans to control the Endless Void, Wang Wei would never allow Buddhism to prosper without him being at least the second voice of power in the faction.
He needed to be able to restrain Feng Heng's power without using force while also taking advantage of this opportunity to grow exponentially.
"And do you have a solution to this problem?" asked Feng Heng.
"Yes. I can sneak into these worlds without being detected."
Feng Heng pondered for a moment, analyzing the information. With the Dao Opening Sect being such an old faction, he would not be surprised if they had pawns scatted in some other World Communities.
"In that case, I can give you 20% of the merit and incense."
"I want 90%."
Feng Heng calmly sneered. "You seem to have overvalued yourself. The Absolute Beginning Magic still exists, so any form of Buddhism cannot be spread except for my Tao-Buddhism. And even then, some special care is needed to remain undetected.
"Isn't this why you're asking me to share the profit instead of going over my head?"
"That may be true," replied Wang Wei, still drinking the tea. "But I can create a way to break the Absolute Beginning Magic. You're not that important."
"I'm sure you can. But no matter how amazing you are, it's impossible to do so before proving the Dao."
Shi Fuyu spent many years planning and only succeeded due to being at the correct place and time and because of the secret help of Maitreya.
"And don't forget you would also need to completely convert to Buddhism before you could succeed. So, are you willing?"
Wang Wei did not answer as he knew the monk was correct. The position of the Lower Dimension Buddhist Leader seemed unique to Maitreya, and it is not something an outsider like himself could hold without properly converting.
"Be that as it may. I have access to way more World Communities than you. I will be doing most of the work and taking on the greatest danger. And while I do all this, you will be stuck in a quagmire of political nonsense. I think it's fair."
"You also have a point. I raise my offer to 40%; that's the highest I can go."
"80% and I'm not going any lower."
The two haggled back and forth, negotiating the correct percentage. However, Wang Wei did not budge on his bottom line of 80%, and Feng Heng could only offer 50% as his highest price.
"Nevermind," said Wang Wei, tired of this back and forth. "I'll change tactic. I'll make it my mission that you can't spread Buddhism before the Heaven Will Battle.
"And after I take the throne, it will be easier to control you and get what I want. By then, you will be lucky if you get 1 to 2% of the profit."
Feng Heng's face changed, and his body released a wrathful aura. However, before he could do something stupid, he received a communication talisman and one that seemed crucial.
He used his Divine Sense to check and instantly lost more of his self-control. He finally received the news that Heavenly Dao granted the Era Son Title to Wang Wei. It gave everything to him–not given anyone else a chance.
A part of Feng Heng's plan revolved around the destiny of the upcoming New Era. He planned to gather as much as possible so that Buddhism would lead the new era–or at the very least, they would be the ones who started it.
And now, the only way to achieve his goal was to kill this monster. If Heavenly Dao had divided the New Era's destiny into parts, people could acquire more if they had defeated or schemed against the others. But now, their only chance was to kill this monster.
However, as someone with such high destiny, can anyone kill him? No, his pure luck was enough to ensure his survival–not to mention his strength.
After learning this news, Feng Heng's thought process changed as he now had many other things to consider. Having a Son of an Era spread Buddhism was the perfect method to reduce the Absolute Beginning Magic's counter.
Feng Heng closed his eyes, reminiscing about that infamous day countless millennia ago when he helplessly watched the Absolute Beginning Emperor massacre his fellow brothers and sisters.
'I've lost my way. My objective was to bring Buddhism back to the world. However, I've lost my original intention at the sight of worldly desires and benefits. My mind became impure, driven by greed and selfishness.
'So what if I do not have most of the profit? All that matters is the revival of Buddhism.'
"Amithaba," muttered Feng Heng as his aura changed, becoming more peaceful and in tune with nature. With this enlightenment, his state of mind sublimated, making his future path of Tao-Buddhism smoother.
"Sect Master Wang Wei, I agree with your proposition. You can have 80% of the merit and incense–as long as you spread Buddism as far and wide as possible."
'This is the second monk who became enlightened because of my words or actions. Do I secretly have the power of the Bodhi Tree?' thought Wang Wei, secretly speechless.
"I'm glad you've come around. Let's discuss the finer prints and sign a binding contract."
The two then negotiated on the specifics before signing a Grand Dao Contract. Finally, Feng Heng gave Wang Wei a space ring with thousands of seeds.
"What are those?"
"The Luck Condensing Treasure of Tao-Buddhism is the Buddha World, and these seeds can grow unique small worlds that can block the power of the Absolute Beginning Magic. This is the only way to spread Buddhism without any problems."
"I see. Could you give me the method to condense these seeds since they might not be enough?"
"I'm sorry, but only the main treasure can condense them. If you want, you'll have to ask me."
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Wang Wei frowned as he realized this would require him to depend much more on Feng Heng for this mission. However, after pondering for a moment, he realized it did not matter since the latter might have a way of knowing which world he spread the seeds. As the leader, Feng Heng should have this essential ability.
'I should monitor these worlds closely to prevent Feng Heng from taking advantage of their resources.'
Wang Wei asked him for a few hundred thousand, but Feng Heng told him he was unprepared for such a large number. As of now, he could only give him 40,000, and Wang Wei accepted.
After getting what he wanted, Wang Wei left the mansion to see his first business partner, Mu Lei. He talked briefly with him before visiting Shi Lanxian–the Divine Race and co-inventor of the Soul Path. He even visited the Barbaran siblings, who appeared to have secretly converted to Buddhism.
From his observation, Wang Wei knew a few Feng Heng secretly convinced a few individuals in this trial to convert. He guessed the latter planned to use these people as missionaries. However, Wang Wei believed spreading Buddhism in any Heaven Will World so early was a mistake–especially through these Heaven Chosens that many factions spent countless years and resources cultivating.
After returning to his mansion, Wang Wei immediately entered a semi-cultivation retreat. He closed his eyes for a few seconds before opening them.
"It's still not working," he muttered. He tried to access the Eternal Ascension World through his Soul Network Ability by secretly accessing the Soul Imprint of Ao Tianyi and Xiao Tiandi.
Wang Wei shook his head as he decided to try again after he proved the Dao. Then, he used the Soul Imprints he had just acquired from Mu Lei, Shi Lanxian, and the Barbarian Siblings.
He had no problem accessing the other's worlds but ran into trouble regarding Shi Lanxian. The world he saw was entirely blocked, and he could not enter no matter what he tried.
'Forget it. Let's try the others.'