Chapter Fifty-One: The Terms

Page 1

“Whoosh! Whoosh!”

Under the cold moonlight, Xu Shaoguang and Yang Yan moved one behind the other through the forest. Shadows danced among the trees as a chilly wind swept through, making the dead branches and withered leaves rustle noisily, as if countless demons and ghosts were lurking within.

Xu Shaoguang led the way ahead, not moving too quickly. After weaving through the woods for about ten minutes, he finally stopped, abruptly turned around, and fixed his gaze on Yang Yan, a cold gleam flickering in his eyes, a half-smile playing on his lips.

Yang Yan also halted, his senses sharpened and his guard up. They were now in a relatively open area midway up the mountain, where the vegetation was much sparser than before, making it look like a clearing surrounded by dead grass and scattered trees.

“Brother Yang Yan!”

“Ziling!”

Suddenly, a figure darted out from behind a tree ahead. A young maiden, bound by ropes, was shoved forward by two masked men dressed in black—it was Ziling!

When she saw that Yang Yan had come alone, the trace of joy that had just appeared on her delicate face was quickly replaced by worry.

“Brother Yang Yan, don’t worry about me. You’re no match for them by yourself!” Ziling gritted her teeth, her voice trembling slightly, and tears seemed to glisten in her bright, watery eyes.

“Ziling, don’t be afraid. I’ll definitely rescue you and get us both out of here!” Anyone would feel fear after being kidnapped, let alone a young girl, but at this moment, Ziling placed Yang Yan’s safety before her own. A warmth rose in Yang Yan’s heart, and he comforted her in a gentle voice.

“How touching, the bond between siblings. Tsk, tsk!” Xu Shaoguang sneered from the side.

“What is it you want?” Yang Yan’s gaze shifted coldly to Xu Shaoguang, his right fist tightening slightly as a faint glow flickered and vanished in his palm, as if something had just shattered...

The Xu family, Council Hall.

The spacious hall was brightly lit. On the long council table, members of the Xu and Zhang families sat on opposite sides, discussing the transfer of the city market.

Suddenly, Zhang Tai, seated at the head of the Zhang family’s side, turned pale and stood up abruptly, striding for the door without a word.

“Where is Clan Leader Zhang going? The matter isn’t settled yet—why leave in such haste?” Xu Tianlong’s lips curved ever so slightly as he moved his burly frame to block Zhang Tai’s path.

Page 2

“Xu Tianlong, so you invited me here under the pretense of discussing the market handover, while secretly sending people after Yan’er!” Zhang Tai’s face was grim with fury.

Just now, he had sensed the ‘Soul Summoning Talisman’ on Yang Yan’s body shatter—clearly a sign that Yang Yan was in danger. Coupled with Xu Tianlong’s attempt to keep him from leaving, the truth became instantly clear to Zhang Tai.

The so-called ‘Soul Summoning Talisman’ was not a magic treasure, but a charm refined by a Spirit Channeling Realm cultivator, using their own spiritual energy and a sliver of soul. It had no offensive power; its sole purpose was to alert the maker of the talisman’s location when it was broken—a one-use consumable. Though tedious and time-consuming to make, most experts who reached the Spirit Channeling Realm would prepare a few for their children or loved ones, in case they ever needed help.

Ziling also carried one of Zhang Tai’s Soul Summoning Talismans, but she must have been captured before she could use it, or Zhang Tai would have had no mind to remain at the Xu estate.

“What? The young master is in trouble?!” Several elders of the Zhang family turned pale. Yang Yan was no longer the ‘useless young master’ he had once been, but now stood among the most outstanding young cultivators in Jinhuan City—the hope of the Zhang family’s future! If anything happened to him, the clan would lose a pillar of potential strength.

“Clan Leader Zhang, I don’t know what you mean...” Xu Tianlong spread his hands, feigning surprise.

A cold gleam flashed as Zhang Tai, unable to contain his fury, drew his Azure Spirit Sword from his waist and, with a single step, thrust it toward Xu Tianlong.

As Zhang Tai attacked, the Zhang family elders drew their own treasures and charged at the Xu family’s members, faces twisted with anger.

...

“My demands are simple. First, return the sword you bought from our family’s market...” Xu Shaoguang paced back and forth, his tone indifferent.

Outwardly calm, Yang Yan’s heart was filled with shock. Had Xu Shaoguang already recognized that the Moonshadow Frost was the battered sword he’d purchased?

“That sword was nothing special. When I brought it home, I found nothing remarkable about it and simply threw it away,” Yang Yan replied, testing the waters.

“Drop the act, Yang Yan! You think I don’t know? The silver-white sword you used in the clan tournament was the very one you bought from the ‘Treasure Pavilion.’ The sword’s appearance may have changed, but I’d never mistake the crescent mark on the hilt!” Xu Shaoguang’s cheeks quivered with anger as he shouted.

“Since you admit I bought the sword, it belongs to me now. Why should I return it?” Yang Yan replied coolly, seeing no further reason to pretend.

Page 3

“Fine, you win with words, but right now, you’re in no position to bargain with me!” Xu Shaoguang’s rage twisted into a sneer. Suddenly, a cold flash appeared in his hand as he pressed a gleaming dagger against Ziling’s snowy neck. Instantly, a thin red line of blood blossomed.

Ziling’s closed eyes trembled, her lashes fluttering, but she gritted her teeth, making no sound.

“Stop!” A roar exploded in Yang Yan’s heart, fury surging through him and nearly bursting from his chest as he bellowed.

“I’ll stop if you do as I say!” Xu Shaoguang withdrew his dagger, licking the blood from its blade with a greedy tongue.

A cold gleam streaked through the air—Moonshadow Frost emerged, silver light shimmering under the moon, dazzling and flawless like a work of art.

Expressionless, Yang Yan reversed his grip and flung the sword. Like a shooting star, it plunged into the ground not far from Xu Shaoguang, the hilt and half the silver blade quivering in the earth.

Xu Shaoguang hurried forward, pulling the sword free and turning it over in his hands, his eyes burning with greed and desire.

“Now, will you let her go?” Compared to Ziling’s life, a sword was insignificant. Even if it were a treasure greater than Moonshadow Frost, Yang Yan would not hesitate to exchange it.

“Don’t be impatient. That was only my first condition. If you can also agree to and fulfill my second, I’ll let you both go!” Xu Shaoguang toyed with Moonshadow Frost, a cold smile curling his lips.

“Enough games. Say what you want!” Yang Yan said coldly.

“Good, I like your decisiveness! As for the second condition—destroy your own cultivation and spiritual power!”