Chapter 53 - 22: A Thousand Peaks Stand Tall, a Hundred Factions Contend

Chapter 53: Chapter 22: A Thousand Peaks Stand Tall, a Hundred Factions Contend

Once branded a loser, his influence within his family would plummet, and his future share of resources would be drastically cut. His expression grew uglier at the thought.

Beside him, Guo Shaoshang saw that Zeng Jun, the man he followed, had already agreed. Despite being extremely reluctant, he didn’t dare say another word.

At this point, he could only pray—pray that Zeng Jun would cover the Spirit Stones he now owed.

「...」

Dong Hao never wasted time thinking about a defeated opponent’s plight, and Jiang Xuan cared even less.

Besides, he soon had other things on his mind—Dong Hao was far too slick.

The moment the bet was settled, he immediately sidled up to Jiang Xuan and whispered, "Brother Jiang, we won these Spirit Stones thanks to you. They should all be yours."

Offending Zeng Jun for no reason would have been a major headache for Jiang Xuan, but if it meant gaining over three hundred Spirit Stones, that was another matter entirely.

But Jiang Xuan had his principles; he never took all the profits for himself.

"No, Brother Dong. Without you fronting the wager, this bet wouldn’t have even happened. Besides, if I were alone, I doubt I could have collected on it."

He was perfectly aware that since the Dong and Zeng were both Cultivation Families, the other party wouldn’t dare renege on the debt. But if it had been him, someone from the Lower Classes, betting against them, the situation would have been vastly different. They wouldn’t have even needed to use any sinister tricks. Just reporting him to the Law Enforcement Hall—accusing him of not focusing on his studies, organizing gambling, and possessing poor moral character at the Daoist School—would have been enough. On that charge alone, not only would the bet be voided, but he would also face a heavy penalty.

Therefore, he wouldn’t take everything. He only planned to take half—after all, he had done his part.

But Dong Hao wasn’t interested in a small profit of Spirit Stones; what he really valued was a spot as an Inner Sect Disciple. He still needed Jiang Xuan’s full support for that, so he insisted on giving all the Spirit Stones to Jiang Xuan, wanting to put him in his debt.

"I’ve already gained more than enough. Being able to use this to put Zeng Jun in his place will greatly increase my standing in my family. That’s a benefit a thousand Spirit Stones couldn’t buy."

After some back and forth, the two finally settled on a two-eight split: Dong Hao would take twenty percent, and Jiang Xuan would take eighty.

But after they had agreed on the distribution of profits, Jiang Xuan announced he wasn’t ready to take the Spirit Stones.

"Brother Dong, you don’t need to give me the Spirit Stones just yet." Before Dong Hao could respond, he continued, "I remember your family runs the Hundred Treasures Tower. You must have Daoist Scriptures and Daoist Collections there, right? I’d like to use my share to purchase a batch of them."

Seeing that Jiang Xuan wasn’t trying to return the money but wanted to make a purchase, Dong Hao immediately puffed out his chest and agreed. "Not a problem at all! After the gathering ends tomorrow, I’ll take you to my family’s Hundred Treasures Tower. You can pick out whatever you like."

Jiang Xuan quickly replied, "Let’s make it the day after tomorrow, after the Spirit Stones have actually been paid..."

"Brother Jiang, now you’re treating me like a stranger," Dong Hao said, pretending to be offended before breaking into a grin. "We’re partners in this. If you see something you like, just take it. If you’re short on Spirit Stones, I’ll advance you the difference."

To secure his spot in the Inner Sect, Dong Hao was being astonishingly generous. Of course, he only dared to make such an offer because he knew Jiang Xuan was a man of principle who hated owing favors. He still remembered clearly how Jiang Xuan had insisted on treating the One Qi Sword Technique he’d offered as a loan, rather than a gift.

That was why he wasn’t afraid of Jiang Xuan making exorbitant demands. On the contrary, he was worried that Jiang Xuan would only take exactly what he was owed, insisting on a purely transactional relationship. That would be detrimental to his future plans.

’When I made that agreement with Su Linyin, no one could have predicted Jiang Xuan’s Talent was this terrifying.’

’Now Su Linyin must be kicking herself and won’t give up so easily... I have to bind Jiang Xuan firmly to my side.’

Su Linyin was regretting "losing" Jiang Xuan, and this put Dong Hao on high alert. He absolutely refused to watch the Inner Sect spot, which was almost in his grasp, simply fly away.

After a moment of thought, he came up with an idea.

"Brother Jiang, while I don’t know why you’re buying the Daoist Scripture and Collection, I grew up in the Hundred Treasures Tower, so I’ve seen a thing or two. Would you be willing to hear a suggestion?"

"Of course, Brother Dong. Please, go ahead."

Dong Hao’s gaze fell on the Bamboo Sword that Jiang Xuan carried with him everywhere. "I can tell you’re a man who loves his sword, Brother Jiang," he said slowly. "But frankly, the Grade of this blade is far too low. I suggest you replace it... no, reforge it."

He was a keen observer. Seeing the flicker of attachment to the Bamboo Sword in Jiang Xuan’s eyes, he immediately changed his word from "replace" to "reforge."

And his suggestion did indeed make Jiang Xuan’s eyes light up.

It wasn’t for combat power or to show off that he wanted a better sword.

Dong Hao’s reminder sparked a crucial realization for Jiang Xuan: he could achieve the Unity of Man and Sword with his Cyan Glaze Sword and even use it to draw in the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.

But the Cyan Glaze Sword was just a plaything Father Jiang had forged for him; it wasn’t a true Magical Artifact.

As it was, he could only use the sword to absorb Wood Qi, and the Cyan Glaze Sword’s ability to draw Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi was merely passable. But if he could reforge the Cyan Glaze Sword and raise its Grade...

’At that point, using the Cyan Glaze Sword as a conduit, wouldn’t my efficiency at absorbing Spiritual Qi double, or even multiply several times over?’

Jiang Xuan’s heart pounded with excitement just thinking of the possibilities.

But he quickly came back to his senses, shaking his head with a wry smile.

Reforging a Flying Sword was easier said than done. Never mind the rare Spiritual Materials required; just finding a reliable Artifact Refiner would cost an astronomical sum of Spirit Stones. The few hundred Spirit Stones he had just acquired were nothing but a drop in the bucket.