Qin Feng felt the torment of the two souls. Although he wasn't experiencing it firsthand, the agony transmitted in that instant was already unbearable for him.
Qin Feng understood that the eye in the sky was conveying information to him. If he couldn't help it break the seal, he would suffer the same torment in the near future. This was a warning, a way to show him what kind of punishment awaited if he failed to uphold the contract.
A moment later, the mouth in the sky spoke again: "We must both strictly adhere to the terms of the contract. These two individuals failed to uphold their end, and thus they are being punished. However, I believe that with your aptitude and potential, you can help me. I sense that you have only been cultivating for a short time, yet your realm is already very high. This sufficiently demonstrates that your strength surpasses theirs. Once you reach the realm of an immortal, you should be able to help me break the seal. At that time, you will not only avoid punishment but also receive my reward."
Hearing this, Qin Feng understood it was a classic "carrot and stick" tactic, designed to control him. He raised his head and said, "If I refuse to sign a contract with you, I won't be able to leave this place, is that right? It seems I have no choice. However, I believe I have the right to die. At worst, I can refuse to leave this area and be killed by you. That would be far better than suffering your torment for being unable to fulfill the contract. Therefore, if you want my help, you must pay a price. You must help me first, and then I can help you. Only then will the contract be fair."
Hearing this, the mouth in the sky spoke again: "No one can bargain with me. If you refuse my terms, I can make you experience the suffering of those two individuals right now. Before me, there are no fair negotiations, only acceptance of my demands."
Hearing this, Qin Feng showed no intention of compromising. He straightened his back, tilted his head to look at the eye in the sky, and said, "Indeed, your power is far beyond anything I can resist. I might suffer endless torment right now, but that's alright. You can torment my soul, but you will lose a powerful assistant who can help you break the seal. Since you can see my potential, you can also see the methods I possess. I am completely different from those you contracted with before. I have the sufficient ability to help you break the seal. If you want me to obey you unconditionally without accepting my conditions, that is simply impossible. You can kill me now, but I cannot accept your unilateral agreement. I want a fair transaction, not to be coerced, no matter who you are."
Qin Feng was essentially gambling with his words. He was betting that the powerful consciousness in the sky had a need for him and would therefore agree to some of his demands. If he lost this gamble, he would die here. However, Qin Feng knew he would likely win. He could infer this from what the other party had said. This being had been sealed here for countless ages, and none of the previous contractors could break his seal. Qin Feng was his only chance.
Or rather, he was one of the more likely chances. To ensure his help, the other party would surely agree to his demands. Otherwise, it would be unknown how many more ages it would take for the next person capable of helping him break the seal to arrive here.
This powerful consciousness had shown him its abilities and the souls it had tormented, all to make him help. Since it could threaten him, it could also use temptation.
He wanted to increase his leverage and maximize his own benefits.
At the same time, Qin Feng understood that safely leaving this area was impossible without this being's consent. He absolutely had to sign a contract, but he couldn't sign one that was disadvantageous to him without receiving anything in return. He wanted the other party to pay an equivalent price in exchange, at the very least to improve his own strength.
He wanted to use the other party to rescue Ye Shen.
Qin Feng pondered, his heart pounding. If the being in the sky refused him, his life would be forfeit immediately.
But if the other party agreed, the benefits he would gain would be immeasurably vast, as this being's power surpassed that of an immortal.
Not long after, the large mouth in the sky spoke.
"You have great courage, and you are correct. Your potential is immense, and you might be able to help me break the seal. If an ordinary person said such things to me, I would immediately make them pay the price and leave them with no place to be buried. However, hearing these words from you, I find them reasonable. I am willing to make an equal exchange with you. As long as you can help me break the seal, I will agree to anything you desire, as long as it is within my capabilities. You may state your demands!"
Hearing this, Qin Feng was overjoyed, but he didn't show it on his face. He thought for a moment and then said, "My request is simple. I want you to help me increase my strength. I have something that I must do, and the stronger I am, the better. It would be even better if you could directly raise my realm to the immortal level. Then, after I complete my task, I can help you break the seal."
Hearing this, the mouth in the sky moved and said, "I cannot directly increase your strength. You cannot withstand my power. However, I can indirectly help you improve. I can sense that you are using the treasures of this space to increase the concentration of spiritual energy around you and enhance your power. I can help you maximize this spiritual energy concentration, allowing you to cultivate at a much faster rate. However, I can only help you increase your strength to the late stage of Void Refining. Further advancement is impossible; it requires opportunities and enlightenment for you to improve. But I believe you possess such opportunities, though you cannot achieve them within this space."
Hearing this, Qin Feng thought that if his strength could be increased to the late stage of Void Refining, it would be sufficient. At the very least, he would have a chance to retrieve Ye Shen's physical body.
So, Qin Feng nodded and continued, "There is a misfortune hanging over my head. If I stagnate and do not face life-or-death trials, the misfortune will erupt, causing bad things to happen around me and endangering my life. I don't believe you want me to die prematurely, do you? Can you help me remove this misfortune from my head so that I can focus on cultivating without any burdens?"
Hearing this, the eyes in the sky moved. They stared intently at Qin Feng's head, and then the mouth spoke, "Your destiny is indeed different from ordinary people. However, I do not consider it a misfortune. On the contrary, it motivates you to improve your strength more quickly. In a way, it is precisely because you possess this destiny that you stand out to me. I will not help you remove this misfortune. If I were to do so, you would be no different from the people who contracted with me before."