Chapter Thirty-Seven: Returned to Its Original Owner Once Again

A short while later.

Once Ouyang Ke was certain the poisonous gas had fully dissipated, he began gathering the treasures. Feeling the lingering spiritual resonance on his hands, his eyes gleamed with a sharp light. A secret desire to keep part of the spoils rose in his heart. However, if he were to stash anything away, it certainly wouldn’t be now; at the very least, he would need to ensure no one was watching him in secret.

Just then, Ouyang Ke’s keen senses caught movement from the rear hall. His heart leapt—without any hesitation, he pulled out his last Starfall Thunder and held it tightly. Clearly, someone was lying in wait to ambush him. At this moment, the intruder was poised to strike.

Ouyang Ke steadied his breath, approached quietly, and seized the right moment to hurl the Starfall Thunder, already primed in his hand. He didn’t get too close; if his opponent realized what was happening, he could easily be killed instead. Though he felt a pang of regret for using his last Starfall Thunder, he had no other choice. He was, after all, only at the first level of Qi Refinement—no match for his adversary.

In the next instant, another eruption of spiritual energy echoed, and all was silent once more.

Ouyang Ke paid no heed to the rear hall for now, taking advantage of the dissipated poison to continue collecting treasures. In truth, the treasures of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion were not as plentiful as he had imagined; it wasn’t long before he had swept the place clean.

He then moved to the rear hall, where his opponent lay dead beyond any hope of revival. Unfortunately, the spiritual explosion had been too close, and Ouyang Ke discovered that all three storage rings had been destroyed.

He searched the pavilion once again, but gained only a modest haul. This place was not safe to linger—the two spiritual explosions earlier had caused enough commotion to draw attention. Should other cultivators arrive, his life would be forfeit.

...

As Ouyang Ke left the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, Su Ji’an quietly followed him.

Only when they reached a safe spot did Su Ji’an flicker into view behind Ouyang Ke.

A chill ran down Ouyang Ke’s spine—he scarcely dared to breathe.

Su Ji’an chuckled, “It seems our young master truly has an eye for talent. He was right about you.”

Ouyang Ke let out a relieved breath and forced a smile, “So it’s you, senior. I didn’t disappoint our young master this time—I’ve accomplished the task.”

He briefly recounted the events, then handed over the storage ring.

Though he was loath to part with it, he had no other choice.

Su Ji’an regarded him with suspicion. “You didn’t stash anything away, did you? Our young master might let it slide, but I won’t be so easily fooled.”

Ouyang Ke quickly denied it. “If you don’t believe me, senior, you’re welcome to search me.”

Su Ji’an’s doubts faded, and he smiled. “No need to be so nervous. I was just asking. Since we’ll all be working under the young master from now on, you’d best learn from me. Otherwise, you won’t even know how you died when the time comes.”

With those words, Su Ji’an cast a surreptitious glance at the storage ring Ouyang Ke handed over.

There were no spiritual weapons, though plenty of worthless magical artifacts. Among them were the ten protective talismans he had sold not long ago—returned to their original owner.

Still, Su Ji’an had no intention of gifting these talismans to Ouyang Ke. The man was already a seasoned player; he ought to learn to fend for himself. Even if these items were worthless in Su Ji’an’s eyes.

Su Ji’an said no more. With nothing else to do, he vanished in an instant. He would contact Ouyang Ke again if needed—that was the proper way to treat a tool.

Watching Su Ji’an disappear so abruptly, Ouyang Ke clenched his teeth in frustration. He was merely a pawn—once used, discarded without a second thought.

...

On his way back to the inn, Su Ji’an first took an antidote pill. His appearance returned to normal. The previous identity could no longer be used—if the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion traced him, he would be in trouble.

In some ways, the pavilion was even more troublesome than the righteous alliance. The Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion was everywhere in the world, present in any city. Their strength lay not in martial power, but in intelligence.

Su Ji’an sighed, “It’s best to pick the softest fruit—otherwise, you’ll break your teeth.”

Were there any other option, he wouldn’t have targeted the pavilion so lightly this time.

He then took a Morphing Pill and his looks shifted again—perhaps a touch more handsome than before.

Finding a secluded spot, Su Ji’an sat down. The first task after acquiring the storage ring was to dispose of the stolen goods; otherwise, there was still a risk of being tracked. The powers of great cultivators could not be underestimated.

Things like tracking over thousands of miles, communicating with spirits, and probing fate were commonplace.

Su Ji’an converted everything in the ring that could be converted without hesitation.

[Current remaining spiritual energy: 143,540.]

He felt instantly at ease. Since the system had awakened, he’d never been so wealthy. But this wouldn’t last; a few unlocks or summoning players, and it would all be spent.

Next, Su Ji’an cast a Fire Spell, burning the ten protective talismans in his hand. Though they were made by him, who knew if they could become a liability? He could always make more.

In the end, he didn’t keep even the storage ring, though it had once been handed to Ouyang Ke by himself. This was true thoroughness—leaving no trace.

He did not rush to use the newly acquired spiritual energy; it was best saved for critical moments.

When he returned to the inn, Zhao Qianxue was still awake.

A warm feeling rose in Su Ji’an’s heart—it was clear she was waiting for him.

Zhao Qianxue breathed a sigh of relief and leaned close, sniffing at Su Ji’an.

He said, bewildered, “Master’s wife, I recall you’re not a dog.”

She tilted her head, eyes curious. “Little Ji’an, are you reluctant to leave this city’s pleasures? Is that why you linger?”

She remembered that Su Henli, before his death, had said, “I never thought you’d be such a philanderer...”

She’d kept the matter in her heart for a long time, but never had the chance to ask.

Su Henli was not one to speak baselessly—so there could only be one truth!

Su Ji’an cast her a glance. “I didn’t expect you to possess the gift of prophecy, Master’s wife.”

He would not argue with fools.

Zhao Qianxue snorted, “But you don’t have any strange scent about you. This time you’ve behaved, but don’t go again.”

Su Ji’an was speechless. “You know and you still ask... Besides, don’t you know that one can dispel traces by using spiritual power? And you, a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, don’t even understand such basics.”

Suddenly Zhao Qianxue seemed a little aggrieved.

Su Ji’an waved his hand. “Enough, don’t fret over these trivialities. Let’s talk about more important matters now.”