"Young friend Hong Yu, would you like to kill them for you?"
Although Xue Butong was smiling, his words sent a chill down the spine of everyone present.
Mo Yun was a distinguished Tier One Spiritual Craftsman. Even after losing his position as Hall Master of the Earth Spirit Hall, he was still an esteed master whom the great families vied to recruit. Wang Ze, furthermore, was from the Wang Family's direct lineage. Both were prominent figures in Shishui City. Who wouldn't normally treat them as honored guests?
Besides, Wang Ze and his master had just promised Xue Butong incredible benefits!
Nearly everyone believed Xue Butong would be unable to resist the temptation and would make a move against Hong Yu.
But now…
Xue Butong gave Mo Yun and his disciple the cold shoulder, yet he treated Hong Yu with imnse respect and valued him greatly. He even offered to take care of the pair for him. This was truly thought-provoking!
Few people in the room were idiots, and Xue Butong, who had managed to build the Spirit Pill Pavilion into such a success, was certainly no idiot either.
There had to be a reason for his choice.
The value of this young man, Hong Yu, had to be greater than that of Mo Yun and Wang Ze, making him more worthy of being courted and won over. Otherwise, Xue Butong would never have done such a thing.
In an instant, all eyes were fixed on Hong Yu.
Why would this plainly dressed youth command such high regard from Xue Butong, a man with one foot in the door of becoming a Tier Two Spiritual Craftsman? What could he have possibly done to earn Xue Butong's respect?
No one could figure it out.
But that didn't stop Mo Yun and Wang Ze from sinking into terror and despair.
The two exchanged a glance, each seeing the unease and panic in the other's eyes. They spoke in a rush, "Master Xue, you must be joking, right? W-we're your partners! We don't want any of the rewards. Just help us kill this boy, and all the benefits and profits will be yours."
Mo Yun, both of his hands crippled, nodded frantically. "Master Xue, I'm a Spiritual Craftsman too. You should be well aware of my abilities. Just help kill this little bastard, and I'll work for you in the Spirit Pill Pavilion like a slave. I'll handle your alchemy, teach the younger generation, and assist you with all my heart..."
In the face of possible death, this master and disciple had long since tossed aside all thoughts of face and dignity.
Xue Butong shot the pair a sardonic glance, shook his head, and sighed softly. "Master Mo, normally I would welco you to my Spirit Pill Pavilion with open arms. Unfortunately… this ti, you've offended soone you can't afford to cross. I'm truly sorry. I can't help you!"
"N-No, that's impossible! Master Xue, you must be joking."
Mo Yun said quickly, "That little bastard is just from a side branch of the Hong Family, with no power or influence. Even Hong Tiande can't wait to get him killed. His future is bleak! But my disciple and I are different. My disciple Wang Ze is a genius destined to beco a Spiritual Craftsman. If we help you, your Spirit Pill Pavilion is guaranteed to rise to the next level."
Wang Ze nodded vigorously. "Master Xue—"
Xue Butong sighed, looking at the two with pity. "I didn't want to crush your spirits completely, but since you so overestimate yourselves, I'll have to be blunt. Even ten Mo Yuns and a hundred Wang Zes aren't worth a damn in front of young friend Hong Yu."
Ever since the day Hong Yu gave him pointers on refining the Breaking Forbidden Spirit Pill, Xue Butong had spent half a month engrossed in research. As a result, his understanding of the pill recipe had reached a whole new level.
In fact, the only thing standing between him and a finished Breaking Forbidden Spirit Pill was a few rare ingredients.
To Xue Butong, the Spirit Pill Pavilion was rely a tool for making money. His own power was what he truly cared about. As long as he could successfully refine the Breaking Forbidden Spirit Pill, he would be able to break through to the Celestial Soul Realm and logically advance to a Tier Two Spiritual Craftsman. Once he beca a Tier Two Spiritual Craftsman, what couldn't he have?
Never mind five hundred million a year; he could easily earn a billion.
Moreover, the thods Hong Yu had revealed that day had left Xue Butong in awe, and the mory was still fresh in his mind. He had a faint feeling that Hong Yu was hiding many things. This feeling had only grown stronger the more he studied the Breaking Forbidden Spirit Pill.
This was exactly why Xue Butong had sided with Hong Yu without a mont's hesitation.
He shook his head and turned to Hong Yu. "Young friend Hong Yu, what should I do with these two?"
Hong Yu waved a hand dismissively. "I don't want to see them ever again." With that, he headed straight for the second floor.
Xue Butong paused for a second, then the smile on the so-called "Laughing Maitreya's" face deepened. As Mo Yun and Wang Ze stared in terror, he flicked a finger. Two sharp rays of light shot out and pierced their foreheads. With looks of utter disbelief still frozen on their faces, they collapsed to the ground, dead.
Xue Butong waved a hand at a dumbstruck attendant. "Clean this up!"
Then, ignoring the equally stunned crowd in the hall, he hurried upstairs.
Hong Yu was already upstairs, having brewed so tea and started chugging it. Xue Butong sat down next to him, personally peeled an orange, and handed it over. Squinting with a smile, he said, "Young friend Hong Yu, I heard you beca one of the Ten Great Celestial Prodigies and left for the final tournant. What brings you to my humble abode?"
"The tournant is over," Hong Yu said. "I ca by because there's sothing I need your help with."
Xue Butong was puzzled. "The tournant is over? Then you..."
Hong Yu smiled. "I was lucky enough to secure a spot."
"Hahaha! I knew you were extraordinarily talented, young friend. I was certain one of the Cyan Nether Sword Sect's four spots would be yours. I'm just curious, what place did you get?" Xue Butong asked, pouring himself a cup of tea.
Eating his orange, Hong Yu replied nonchalantly, "First place, I think."
"Oh, first place. Well, that's pretty—PFFT!"
It took a mont for the words to register, and then Xue Butong spat out a mouthful of tea. He stared at Hong Yu in shock. "Y-You said what? F-First?"
Hong Yu nodded.
"Holy crap, you... you..." Xue Butong stamred, at a loss for words. Finally, he managed to squeeze out three: "You're a monster..."
Hong Yu was speechless.
After swallowing the last slice of orange, Hong Yu got down to business. "Master Xue, I'll be leaving Shishui City for the Cyan Nether Sword Sect soon. You've probably heard that Hong Tiande and I have an irreconcilable feud. I'm worried he'll try to harm Yaoyao after I'm gone."
"You want to look after your sister?" Xue Butong asked.
Hong Yu nodded.
Xue Butong nodded readily. "Done. I'm quite fond of that little girl myself. Just bring her to when you leave. As long as I'm alive, I will never let anyone hurt her!"
"Thank you," Hong Yu said solemnly.
Xue Butong just shook his head and chuckled lightly.
The two spoke a little longer, settling the specific arrangents for Yun ngyao, after which Hong Yu left the Spirit Pill Pavilion.
Although the bodies of Mo Yun and Wang Ze had already been removed, many people were still in the main hall. When they saw Hong Yu coming downstairs, their gazes held a new weight of gravity and awe. After offending him, the once-renowned Mo Yun and Wang Ze had been eliminated by soone else on his behalf. He hadn't even had to lift a finger.
This alone was enough to make them fear Hong Yu.
Hong Yu naturally sensed the shift in their gazes, and a wave of emotion washed over him. 'There was a ti when a Spiritual Craftsman was an existence I could only look up to. But things have changed. Now, I can even contend with an Earth Soul Realm expert head-on.'
'Strength doesn't just bring status and power; it also brings a sense of urgency.'
'The path of a Martial Artist is like sailing against the current!'
'Only by constantly breaking through to higher realms and mastering greater power can I drive those enemies plotting against in the shadows to complete despair, so much so that they wouldn't even dare to envy . Without sufficient strength, I'm destined to be surpassed and trampled underfoot.'
'Ti to head back,'
Hong Yu exhaled softly and started toward the Hong Mansion.
The streets were bustling with people, but one persistent thought echoed in his mind: 'Power. I need more power!'
'Power to cure Yun ngyao's illness. Power to one day fulfill my promise and take her with to find the parents I can barely rember!'
...
「The Hong Family Estate」
Hong Yu had just returned to the mansion. Before he could even make his way to the Rain Listening Pavilion, he was stopped by two Direct Lineage Disciples. They looked vaguely familiar; he recalled them mocking him back at the Martial Arts Hall. Now, a few months later, their respective positions had been turned completely upside down.
The once high-and-mighty Direct Lineage Disciples had no choice but to lower their proud heads and say respectfully, "Ninth Young Master, the Third Elder requests your presence at the Scripture Pavilion."
"Oh? I've been summoned to the Scripture Pavilion already?" Hong Yu asked, surprised.
The disciple replied, "We are not privy to the details."
"Then lead the way."
Hong Yu followed the two Direct Lineage Disciples through the vast Hong Mansion, arriving outside the Scripture Pavilion.
As they gazed at the magnificent structure, a look of envy filled the two disciples' eyes. This was the hallowed ground where the Hong Family had stored its treasured Martial Skills and access to its Secret Technique Realms for centuries. It was an ivory tower in the heart of every family disciple, a place they all longed to enter. Reluctantly, they withdrew their gazes and said respectfully, "Ninth Young Master, you must proceed on your own from here."
"Understood."
Hong Yu smiled and flicked his finger, sending two jade bottles flying toward them. "There are three Nourishing Essence Pills in each of these. Thanks for showing the way."
To the current Hong Yu, these Nourishing Essence Pills were a re drop in the bucket.
The two disciples froze.
They watched Hong Yu enter the grounds of the Scripture Pavilion and then glanced at each other, their faces a mixture of embarrassnt and sha. "Now that's a true genius—not arrogant or impatient, without a hint of haughtiness."
"Yeah. We used to mock him, but he doesn't hold it against us at all. He's so much better than people like Hong Luàn and Hong Hu."
Both were overco with emotion.
As for Hong Yu…
He stepped into the Scripture Pavilion's grounds and gazed at the enormous building before him, which was shrouded in a four-colored light. A keen glint flashed in his eyes. 'They say the Scripture Pavilion is protected by the Four Symbols Spirit Capturing Array, and that not even a Celestial Soul Realm expert could damage it. Looks like the rumors are true.'
"Hong Yu, you're here!"
The Third Elder said with a broad smile as he walked out of the Scripture Pavilion.
Hong Yu paused and looked toward the entrance.
The Third and Seventh Elders were both present. The Seventh Elder was squinting, his face full of satisfaction and relief, while the Third Elder, Hong Tiande, wore a sullen expression. Seeing Hong Yu look his way, Hong Tiande snorted coldly and said indifferently, "This is the Scripture Pavilion. You can go in now. But rember, you are only permitted on the First Layer. If you try to force your way to the second, the Four Symbols Spirit Capturing Array will obliterate you."
Hong Yu looked toward the Third Elder.
Hong Tianduan gave a bitter smile. "The family's upper echelons believe you haven't yet reached the Earth Soul Realm, so you can only choose a Secret Manual from the First Layer." As he spoke, his eyes darted toward Hong Tiande.
Hong Yu understood imdiately and cursed inwardly, 'This old dog. It must have been his doing!'
Though furious, Hong Yu couldn't act on it. After all, Hong Tiande had only promised to let him into the Scripture Pavilion, never specifying which floor. It was a loophole in the agreent. Hong Yu could only swallow his anger, committing the grudge to mory as he walked into the Scripture Pavilion with a grim face.
Just as his figure disappeared inside, he could still hear Hong Tiande's triumphant sneer from the entrance. "The best Secret Manuals on the First Layer are only Middle Level. Let's see what treasure you manage to find in there, heh heh heh..."
'Dammit,' Hong Yu thought, 'if I'd known, I would've just killed that old dog myself...'
Hong Yu was furious.
'With my current strength, what damn use is a Middle Level Secret Manual?'
Dejected, Hong Yu had decided to just grab a random manual and leave. But the mont he stepped onto the First Layer of the Scripture Pavilion, the Profound Celestial Tower within his body suddenly began to hum. Clear waves of emotion flooded his mind, sweeping away his frustration and replacing it with an indescribable excitent…
"No way... Little One, are you for real?"
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