Xiaotuan trembled all over. Well aware of Madam’s thods, he already felt a chill even before eting her. Xiaotuan silently lanted, "You poor thing, now you can’t run away and need to let Madam have her way with you. This person is wearing a mask, obscuring his face, but to have offended Madam so gravely, it must be him. I wonder what face lies beneath that mask."
Now, about that mysterious courtyard.
Zhou Ping’an had been waiting for two hours and was feeling weary, his waist sore and uncomfortable all over. Mist surrounded the area, gradually growing colder, obscuring his vision, and Xiaotuan’s figure disappeared, leaving him in solitude.
Zhou Ping’an mused, "This is truly strange, no wonder that person..." He could no longer sit still, though the scenery was beautiful, he had grown tired of it. He wandered around, observing other views.
The day gradually drew to a close.
He felt inexplicably frustrated and thought, "Could it be that Madam Wang is deliberately delaying and unwilling to give up the Dew of Dawn? If that’s the case, since she is unwilling, I should just leave."
He said loudly, "Madam Wang, since you do not want to show yourself, then I, Mr. Zhou, will not disturb you. I had expected Madam Wang to be a person of her word. I didn’t expect to be so humiliated as a junior. Hmph."
He flung his sleeves and retraced his steps, yet the more he walked, the more confused he felt, suddenly unable to tell left from right, up from down, and with a "thud," he fell to the ground. His mind was perfectly clear, yet he couldn’t find his way.
Just managing to get up, he took a few more steps only to fall again, embarrassed. Xiaotuan appeared from the side, laughing, "You fool, didn’t I tell you not to run around?"
Zhou Ping’an said, "Ping’an knows he was wrong, Ping’an knows he was wrong. Please, ma’am, quickly help leave. I don’t want the Dew of Dawn anymore."
Xiaotuan laughed, "Madam is still resting at noon, how can you disturb her? Without her instructions, I cannot lead the way." Zhou Ping’an secretly groaned, "May I ask, Madam Wang, when she will wake up?"
Xiaotuan said, "It depends on her mood; she might wake up in a mont or it might take three days and nights. Ah, why should I tell you? You just stay here quietly."
Zhou Ping’an said, "Miss... this... this..." Xiaotuan asked, "What is it?"
Zhou Ping’an weakly got up, felt dizzy again, and heavily fell to the ground. He said, "Ping’an knows he was wrong, he truly doesn’t know how he offended Madam. Please, ma’am, make an exception for , and plead with Madam to see . Even if... even if I am not fated with the Essence Treasure, just... please let leave peacefully..."
Xiaotuan took a step and disappeared into the mist. No matter how Zhou Ping’an called out, there was no response. Xiaotuan, still quite interested, went to report to Madam. But he saw Madam frowning.
Xiaotuan cautiously said, "Madam, you..."
Wen Caishang waved her sleeve and said lightly, "Bring this person to the main hall." With a graceful step, her figure flickered and disappeared.
Xiaotuan complied, bringing Zhou Ping’an to the main hall. Wen Caishang sat in the main seat and said lightly, "Young hero, please sit."
Zhou Ping’an was greatly relieved and said with cupped hands, "So Madam Wang was testing ." He quickly sat in the wooden chair.
Wen Caishang said, "Let see the Snow Mountain Spirit Fox." Zhou Ping’an untied the shrinking at pouch and presented the Snow Mountain Spirit Fox. Wen Caishang took it, observed it, nodded slightly, and said, "It is indeed the Snow Mountain Spirit Fox, and shot with a single arrow, your archery is indeed dignified."
Wen Caishang then asked, "How old is the young hero?" Zhou Ping’an said, "I am just eighteen. If Madam doesn’t believe, she can asure my bones to verify my age." Wen Caishang said, "Okay, I believe you. Xiaotuan, bring out the Human Yellow Essence Treasure and Dew of Dawn."
The Dew of Dawn was locked in the "Heaven and Earth Box." When the box was opened, a yellow-red light swirled around. It looked like a mist, yet also like a halo. It was truly miraculous.
Zhou Ping’an was extrely pleased and said, "Madam Wang truly keeps her promises. Such a model for people like us."
Wen Caishang gently raised her hand and smiled, "If Young Hero Zhou ets the conditions, this treasure should be given to you. But there’s one more condition. I’m not sure if the young hero ets it."
Zhou Ping’an laughed, "Madam must be referring to appearance, haha, rest assured, I, Mr. Zhou, have never lost in this regard."
Wen Caishang smiled, "What a spirit! Please remove your mask so I can have a look." Zhou Ping’an removed his mask, revealing a fair and indeed handso face.
Wen Caishang’s lips curled into a cold smile, thinking, "As expected... a cunning boy!"
However, the face beneath the mask was not Li Xian. It was the renowned handso gentleman "Lei Qingzhi" from the Li Mountain Sword Sect.
It turned out that in the tavern that day, Li Xian suddenly had a brilliant idea.
"That’s it... Since my concerns are difficult to dismiss, why don’t I find soone to help? First, I’ll exchange for the Dew of Dawn, and then trade it with the Yellow Nine Ginseng. This way, I can eliminate doubts and stay hidden. Avoiding others’ covetousness."
"I have already consud the Yellow Nine Ginseng, and it is of no use to . Sacrificing small profits for safety. However, this still carries risks. If that person wants to take all the benefits, I will lose everything. The pros and cons require careful consideration. Madam Wang may not be an issue, perhaps I am overthinking things."
He deeply analyzed the situation. Perhaps due to the divine sense of the Yin Yang Immortal Lovers Sword, the ominous and dangerous aura lingered around, refusing to disperse. But it was too vague to make Li Xian give up, which would be unreasonable.
Li Xian decided to carry out the plan. That day around noon, he went to the Snow Dragon Mountain range. He wasn’t hunting but observing the young talents in archery. Secretly selecting a suitable person.
Along the way, he saw several people wearing white masks and holding red lacquered bows. He couldn’t help but find it amusing. Li Xian observed for half a day, finally discovering Lei Qingzhi’s hunting figure. He noticed that his face was handso, his physique was upright, and although his archery was average, he was suitable for a partnership.
Li Xian had his own considerations:
"If I seek help from soone else, there’s a great chance they might turn their back after getting the Essence Treasure. But if I seek help from a disciple of the Five Great Sword Sects, I don’t have that worry. I can falsely claim to be a disciple of the Five Great Sword Sects as well, and he wouldn’t dare to take advantage, and betray ."
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