Qi Xiu didn’t imdiately answer Cheng Yang but first turned to glance at Daoist Yunxiong behind him.
Feeling the inquiry in his disciple’s gaze, Daoist Yunxiong, calm and composed, said,
"The Cheng Family is wealthy, well-known throughout Dianchuan.
"Xiuer, if you happen to know the whereabouts of the Magic Artifact that Young Master Cheng ntioned, it wouldn’t hurt to oblige."
Qi Xiu’s gaze t his master’s for an instant. He instantly understood Daoist Yunxiong’s aning.
A fat sheep! Slaughter it rcilessly!
Understanding dawned, and Qi Xiu’s deanor beca notably more composed. His lips curled up, revealing a slight smile.
"Seeing how earnest Young Master Cheng is, I, Qi Xiu, am also willing to make your acquaintance. Indeed, I did encounter your elder brother back then. He was being hunted by a Devil Head and was grievously wounded. Although I fearlessly repelled that Devil Head, I sadly couldn’t save your brother’s life. He did have a Magic Artifact on him at the ti, a fan-shaped one, right?"
His eyes brightened, and Cheng Yang nodded repeatedly, "Yes, that’s correct."
"After your brother passed away, I buried both his remains and that Magic Artifact."
"Where did you bury them?" Cheng Yang asked subconsciously.
"That place is very secluded, impossible for outsiders to find. However, so many years have passed; I can’t quite recall at the mont." Smiling, Qi Xiu looked at Cheng Yang, subtly rubbing his fingers together as he thought,
Little friend, trying to get sothing for nothing?
Coming to his senses, Cheng Yang said with a smile, "I’d hate to trouble Daoist Qi, but please, state any demands you have."
Seeing Cheng Yang so cooperative, Qi Xiu was about to speak when a flash of Spiritual Light occurred to him, and he rembered sothing.
"Your surna is Cheng, correct?"
Not understanding why Qi Xiu suddenly asked this, Cheng Yang hesitated and then nodded, "Yes, that’s right."
"May I ask, how is Cheng Junie related to you?" Qi Xiu asked, voicing a na.
"He is my fifth paternal uncle. Does Daoist Qi know my uncle?"
Cheng Yang was sowhat surprised by Qi Xiu’s ntion of Cheng Junie’s na. This fifth uncle of his kept a very low profile, rarely showing his face even within the family.
How could this Shenxiao Sect cultivator know him?
"I’ve heard a few things. It’s said that Senior Cheng possesses a Magic Artifact, and I would like to borrow it to admire for a while. If Young Master Cheng could agree to this, then tomorrow I could bring you the Magic Artifact that you seek."
"Magic Artifact? Which one?" Cheng Yang felt a sudden chill as he gazed at Qi Xiu’s smiling face. Could he possibly be asking for...
"The Wonderful dicine Pot!"
Hearing these three words, Cheng Yang’s heart skipped a beat, and an unsightly expression involuntarily appeared on his previously smiling face.
"How does Daoist Qi know that my uncle has the Wonderful dicine Pot?"
Cheng Yang’s gaze grew serious. The Wonderful dicine Pot was the signature Magic Artifact of the Food Demon Sect of the Ancient Demon Sect. By a fortunate opportunity, it had fallen into the hands of the Cheng Family and was given to Cheng Junie. This matter was known almost exclusively within the Cheng Family.
How could this Shenxiao Sect cultivator know of it?
"Heard through the grapevine, just through the grapevine." Qi Xiu chuckled, casually brushing it off.
In fact, he had overheard the mysterious Daoist Qingya inadvertently ntion once that the Wonderful dicine Pot was in Cheng Junie’s possession. Because the Spirit Pill Pouch and Wonderful dicine Pot were a set, he had quietly taken note when he heard about it. Never did he expect it to co in handy today.
"The Wonderful dicine Pot is my uncle’s Magic Artifact; I can’t make the decision on this matter. Could Daoist Qi consider an alternative? I could prepare so Dao coins for you, or find so Thunder Dao Artifacts."
Without agreeing to Qi Xiu’s terms, Cheng Yang proposed other options.
"What, does Young Master Cheng think my disciple here is so poor that he lacks even Dao coins and Magic Artifacts?"
Before Qi Xiu could refuse, Daoist Yunxiong, who was beside him, interjected.
"No, no, no, this junior definitely did not an that."
With a Dao Expert like Daoist Yunxiong speaking up, Cheng Yang hurriedly waved his hands in explanation, so flustered that sweat beaded on his forehead.
"Princess Qingyue, could you possibly help with this..."
Seeing Qi Xiu demanding a king’s ransom, Cheng Yang turned to his companion, Gao Qingyue, for assistance, hoping she could diate.
"Don’t look at . I’m here solely representing my sister to retrieve the Five-Colored Treasure Fan. I will not ddle in any other matters. Since they have already made their demands, just comply. Why bother diating?"
Gao Qingyue cast a casual glance at Cheng Yang, showing him no courtesy at all. Or rather, given her status, she simply didn’t need to.
"This..."
Cheng Yang wore a troubled expression. Gao Qingyue was no help, and the master and disciple opposite him were clearly in cahoots.
"This matter is of great importance. I need to consult the elders of my family to make a decision. I’m afraid it will take a few days. We will co to find Daoist Qi again later."
After a brief silence, Cheng Yang could only leave with Gao Qingyue for the ti being. After all, Qi Xiu had made his point clear: if they wanted Cheng Hua’s Magic Artifact, fine. Exchange it for the Wonderful dicine Pot. Their Shenxiao Sect was large and influential; they lacked nothing. This was their only request. If they could fulfill it, do so. If not, then goodbye.
Watching Cheng Yang and Gao Qingyue depart, Daoist Yunxiong stroked his beard and chuckled lightly.
"Xiuer, how did you know that Cheng Junie had the Wonderful dicine Pot?"
"I truly heard it by chance from an expert, Master. Do you think the Cheng Family will exchange the Wonderful dicine Pot for the item they seek?" Qi Xiu asked curiously.
"They probably will. If it were just Cheng Yang coming, there might have been room for manoeuvre. But with Gao Qingyue accompanying him, it shows that the Gao Family’s stance is already very firm. If the Cheng Family doesn’t want to be suppressed and sanctioned by the Gao Family, then they’ll have to obediently return the Five-Colored Treasure Fan.
"However, Cheng Junie is a tough nut to crack. Born into a prominent family of techniques like the Cheng Family, he sohow learned a deadly Sword Path of Carnage despite their specialty. But this man keeps a low profile and doesn’t show off. This ti, since you’ve taken his Wonderful dicine Pot, I’m afraid he’ll bear a grudge against you."
"Let him. Unless he dares to co to the Shenxiao Sect to find ." Qi Xiu rolled up his sleeves and exchanged a smile with Daoist Yunxiong, their eyes shining with the sa brilliance.
Co to the Shenxiao Sect to cause trouble? Would he dare?
「Half a month later.」
A distraught Cheng Yang and Gao Qingyue found Qi Xiu. This ti, accompanying them was a wondrous gourd—round, smooth, and pitch-black, adorned with a bright red silk ribbon. Its surface faintly revealed innurable patterns of birds, beasts, and all forms of life. This was the Wonderful dicine Pot, the signature Magic Artifact of the Food Demon Sect, designed to be paired with the Spirit Pill Pouch.
"I’ve brought the Wonderful dicine Pot. Has Daoist Qi found my brother’s Magic Artifact?"
As Cheng Yang held the Wonderful dicine Pot, his heart ached as if bleeding. This Wonderful dicine Pot was a rare Middle Ancient Magic Artifact with infinite uses, capable of concocting "Wonderful dicine," a scarce redy that could heal the soul. For cultivators in the Blood-Stained Realm, it was practically an essential dicine. The Cheng Family had amassed untold wealth by trading the Wonderful dicine concocted with this pot. And now, this Money Tree was about to be handed over to soone else. The entire Cheng Family, from top to bottom, was heartbroken.
"Of course."
Qi Xiu flipped his palm and produced the Five-Colored Treasure Fan he had previously taken from Cheng Hua and Lin Man’er.
"May I take a look at it?"
Seeing the Five-Colored Treasure Fan in Qi Xiu’s hand, Cheng Yang’s excitent almost made him stand up.
Heaven knows, it’s because of this Magic Artifact that the Cheng Family has been extorted by Gao Qingyuan for six long years! Six years! Do you know how the Cheng Family has survived these six years? Interest compounding on interest! That Gao Qingyuan is a greedy Fierce Ghost who devours people whole, leaving no bones behind! If we can’t recover the Five-Colored Treasure Fan, the entire Cheng Family will be swallowed by Gao Qingyuan and beco part of the Gao Family!
Qi Xiu handed over the Five-Colored Treasure Fan, not at all worried that Cheng Yang would dare to try anything.
Where is this? The Shenxiao Sect! Dare to play tricks in front of a Dao Expert like Daoist Yunxiong? You’d leave not only the Wonderful dicine Pot but yourself and all your belongings behind. Want to go back? Then bring sothing new for ransom!
"Princess Qingyue, does this look correct to you?"
Cheng Yang took the Five-Colored Treasure Fan, then turned and presented it to Gao Qingyue. Since it was a Gao Family Magic Artifact, she would naturally recognize it.
Gao Qingyue took the two Five-Colored Treasure Fans, glanced down at them, nodded, and then produced a contract scroll.
"This is the lease agreent. We’re even now."
"Phew... Really... What a relief."
With the item returned to its rightful owner and the six-year debt settled, Cheng Yang’s hands trembled as he received the contract.
"Ahem, Young Master Cheng, since everything is in order, the Wonderful dicine Pot..."
Seeing Cheng Yang clutching the contract, overwrought with emotion, Qi Xiu had to give a slight cough to remind him.
"Oh, oh, my apologies. I lost my composure, I lost my composure."
Apologizing, Cheng Yang reluctantly handed the Wonderful dicine Pot to Qi Xiu, saying, "I hope Daoist Qi will treat it well."
Qi Xiu took the Wonderful dicine Pot from Cheng Yang’s hand—whose knuckles had turned white from his tight, reluctant grip—and smiled gently, saying, "Young Master Cheng, rest assured. Such a fine item will certainly be treasured by , Qi Xiu, and it will never fall into others’ hands."
Feeling a sudden twinge in his heart, Cheng Yang hastily stood up and bid farewell to Daoist Yunxiong and Qi Xiu. Then he left with Gao Qingyue.
"You lad, you strike straight at the heart, ruthlessly enough," whispered Daoist Yunxiong, standing beside Qi Xiu.
"We’re destined to be enemies anyway. Since we’ve already offended him, why show any rcy?"
Lifting the Wonderful dicine Pot, Qi Xiu shook it lightly. A sound of liquid sloshing ca from inside. He said, "Master, our Yunti Peak has another source of wealth."
The Wonderful dicine Pot could produce "Wonderful dicine" capable of healing the soul. Such an effect was sowhat useful even for Dao Body Realm experts, let alone Blood-Stained Realm cultivators for whom it was perfectly suited. Yunti Peak previously only had the Yunti Spirit Fruit as a source of inco. Now with this Wonderful dicine Pot, they could produce and sell Wonderful dicine. Good tis were clearly on the horizon.
"Trying to be clever with your master, are you? If you want my help refining this Wonderful dicine Pot, just say so," Daoist Yunxiong said, seeing right through Qi Xiu’s subtle intentions.
Although the Spirit Pill Pouch and the Wonderful dicine Pot could produce Miraculous Elixirs and dicines, these things didn’t materialize out of thin air. Now, within the Shenxiao Sect, Qi Xiu hadn’t used his Spirit Pill Pouch for a long ti, so he certainly lacked the materials to activate the Wonderful dicine Pot and produce Wonderful dicine. Moreover, he was still in the Dao-Entering Realm, so the Wonderful dicine was of no use to him. Rather than letting it gather dust in his possession, it was better to lend it to Daoist Yunxiong for the ti being.
"Master, you truly misunderstand . I am also a mber of Yunti Peak; naturally, I consider what’s best for our lineage. Your words wound my heart."
With a hint of sadness, Qi Xiu shook his head and sighed lightly, a forlorn expression on his face.
"Ohh~ if that’s the case, then Master truly has misunderstood you."
Daoist Yunxiong drawled out the syllables, a grin spreading across his lips as he continued, "Since that’s so, regarding the profits from selling the Wonderful dicine, how about we split it seventy-thirty?"
"No way! At least fifty-fifty!"
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