Chapter 33: The "Win-Win" Deal

The crowd erupted in astonishment, gazing at the middle-aged man in disbelief.

Fifty thousand spirit stones and ten stalks of Micro-Cavern Grand Medicine were already an astronomical price—yet he dared to offer the Sword Soul Manual, renowned as the treasured artifact of the Sword Soul Pavilion, as part of the exchange. It seemed utterly mad.

Was this a feud with the Sunlight Sect?

True, the commotion caused by the emergence of the bamboo scroll suggested it was likely a remarkable scripture, but it remained unverified—what if it turned out to be mere empty words?

The middle-aged man’s earlier bid of ten thousand spirit stones was already steep, but still acceptable. After all, every sect possessed spiritual veins, and a famed power like Sword Soul Pavilion naturally had no shortage of resources.

Yet now he’d abruptly doubled down, making it clear he had no intention of leaving room for others to bid.

Within the crowd, whispers circulated—

"It seems the Sword Soul Pavilion is truly desperate..."

"Isn’t this just a rivalry with Sunlight Sect?"

"Rivalry? Their sect's flame of fortune nearly extinguished—anyone would be anxious! Now that a scripture has appeared, shining with miraculous light, they’re bound to take a gamble."

"Do they really have that many spirit stones?"

"Fifty thousand is a staggering sum, but the Sword Soul Pavilion is wealthy. If they tighten their belts, they should manage."

The price left Ling Chen, Qiao Zhen, Xue Lei, and others visibly displeased—it felt inflated.

It wasn’t a matter of being unable to keep up, but whether such a price was justified for a scripture of unknown merit.

On the Sunlight Sect’s side, the group conferred quietly. Tang Qingxuan asked a master skilled in reading spiritual omens to take a careful look.

The elder, a man of considerable ability, calmed his mind and observed the bamboo scroll in Qin Yue’s hand with utmost concentration.

After a moment, he murmured quietly to Ling Chen, Tang Qingxuan, and the others, "I cannot discern its depth. I advise against raising the bid further..."

Hearing this advice, Ling Chen—a self-proclaimed leader among the new generation—was clearly unwilling.

Sunlight Sect wasn’t lacking in advanced scriptures, nor was it necessary to hoard them. Everyone knew that greed could lead to indigestion.

Yet for young cultivators, the opportunity to study and comprehend various scriptures was never harmful. It could broaden their horizons, and if they found one truly suited to themselves, it would be like wings for a tiger.

Moreover, he was incensed at being slighted by these people. He had never been so disregarded before.

Did they think him a sick cat simply because the tiger had not shown its claws?

That Feng Qianning was only arrogant and reckless thanks to her demon king artifact.

Ling Chen shot a cold glance at the Sword Soul Pavilion’s middle-aged man. "Falling Leaf Sword Manual—fifty thousand spirit stones, ten stalks of Micro-Cavern Grand Medicine!"

The two elders of Sunlight Sect, together with Xuan Xiao and Tang Qingxuan, were stunned, displaying expressions of helplessness.

The crowd was dumbfounded. It appeared Ling Chen had matched the other’s bid—a scripture plus the same extras.

But the Falling Leaf Sword Manual was far more renowned than the Sword Soul Manual!

If it were merely the Falling Leaf Sword Technique, no one would be impressed, but the Manual was a true, untransmitted secret art.

Even if an inner disciple left to found their own sect, they could only teach the technique—not the Manual, which was strictly forbidden.

Yet the young master had offered this undisclosed art for exchange, showing a fierce determination no less than the Sword Soul Pavilion’s representative.

"Truly worthy of the sect’s young master—so bold!"

"What decisiveness—truly admirable!"

"Young Master Ling is incredibly resolute!"

Some of the itinerant cultivators, eager for spectacle, praised him loudly. Ling Chen’s expression remained unchanged, but he was evidently invigorated.

The world’s foremost sect ought to possess such spirit. Why let Sword Soul Pavilion—whose flame of fortune nearly died—dominate?

---

Some keen observers saw through Ling Chen’s intentions, murmuring, "He’s no fool—he’s confident he’ll recruit Mr. Qin in the future. He’s already promised, so learning in advance is no big deal."

"Indeed, Young Master Ling is playing his cards well."

"But those terms... truly enviable. Why couldn’t the bamboo scroll have landed before me?" sighed one itinerant cultivator.

After Ling Chen spoke, the Sword Soul Pavilion’s middle-aged man was momentarily stunned, half-smiling as he asked, "The Falling Leaf Sword Manual is Sunlight Sect’s untransmitted secret—can you decide to offer it for exchange?"

Ling Chen sneered, "With so many witnesses, if I break my word, it’s the reputation of the entire Sunlight Sect at stake. There’s no need for your concern!"

He was right—if he dared to renege, Sunlight Sect would become a laughingstock.

The middle-aged man paused, sighed, and smiled wryly. "I admit, the Sword Soul Manual isn’t as famous as the Falling Leaf Sword Manual. Young Master Ling is indeed bold. We concede."

Was he toying with him?

Ling Chen instantly felt duped.

He desired the bamboo scroll, but not desperately—much of it was a matter of pride.

Had the middle-aged man raised the bid, Ling Chen would have withdrawn, letting him take the loss.

Unexpectedly, it was Ling Chen himself who was outmaneuvered.

The frustration nearly made him cough blood—he felt he’d suffered a great loss.

The scene fell into an awkward silence; many wanted to laugh but dared not, struggling to maintain their composure.

Qin Yue was pleasantly surprised—he hadn’t expected Ling Chen to follow through so stubbornly in such circumstances.

Yet the Falling Leaf Sword Manual... he wasn’t particularly interested.

He’d already mastered the first six forms; with more cultivation, he could eventually grasp it all. Observing the "True Man" perform them would yield far greater results than self-study.

He looked to Ling Chen. "Young Master Ling, the Falling Leaf Sword Manual is said to be your sect’s untransmitted secret—outsiders might not study it freely. Could it be exchanged for spirit stones or Grand Medicine instead? Weapons, garments, armor—these too."

What a crafty fellow!

Many shared this thought, including Ling Chen, who instantly realized the opportunity.

Sunlight Sect had already promised "Mr. Qin" direct entry to the inner sect; once he agreed, he could learn the Manual anyway.

Exchanging it now for other treasures before joining the sect was a guaranteed profit. It appeared greedy, but was actually quite reasonable.

Cultivators weren’t saints—why not seek more benefits?

Tang Qingxuan, quick-witted as ever, saw this too. She admired the young man’s cunning, though it didn’t offend her.

She glanced at the silent Ling Chen and smiled, "Your suggestion isn’t unreasonable. How about a Micro-Cavern artifact, a set of Micro-Cavern armor, and a weapon suited to you?"

These items weren’t as valuable as a legendary sword manual, but for young cultivators, they were exceptional gear.

Qin Yue bargained, "Could you add a Micro-Cavern robe as well?"

Tang Qingxuan smiled and nodded. "Certainly."

Sunlight Sect lacked nothing in quality items, only in top talent.

Qin Yue looked to Huo Qing and the others; they smiled wryly and shook their heads. Even if the spiritual veins weren’t depleted, they couldn’t authorize such a transaction.

Hu Jiuyan wanted to speak but hesitated, feeling saddened.

Her junior had promised her... but now, it seemed he was considering joining Sunlight Sect.

Why else would he forgo the Falling Leaf Sword Manual for other treasures?

And who could blame him? It was the world’s foremost sect, and people naturally seek to rise.

If Qin Yue joined Sunlight Sect, next time they met, they would be adversaries.

---

Her heart suddenly ached.

"We don’t carry so many spirit stones when traveling. Could we take the bamboo scroll first?" Tang Qingxuan tentatively asked.

Xuan Xiao spoke, "I’m the sect master’s brother. Before everyone here, I guarantee you’ll receive everything promised. When this is over, you may return to Sunlight Sect with us."

Ling Chen added, "You’ll be able to choose your own weapon and artifact, and the armor can be tailored for you!"

To them, Qin Yue’s entry into the sect was only a matter of time. Since he was destined to be one of their own, it didn’t hurt to let him profit.

If a Sunlight Sect disciple acquired such a top scripture, the sect would lavish rewards anyway.

Xuan Xiao even sent a voice transmission, "If you take too many resources, others will target you—it’s not safe!"

Qin Yue agreed—after all, even a pouch of icefield rat treasures had attracted greedy eyes. He needed to visit Sunlight Sect and investigate.

He agreed readily, "Alright, but could you give me some spirit stones for cultivation first?"

Tang Qingxuan smiled, "Of course!"

She took a small cloth pouch from her storage ring—it was brightly colored, embroidered with birds and flowers, clearly a girl’s belonging.

"There should be a little over three thousand inside—let’s say three thousand. The pouch is yours as well."

Qin Yue took it, peered inside, and saw it was indeed a storage bag with a hidden space—not as advanced as a storage ring, but even great sects could not provide one for every member.

He thanked her politely.

Hu Jiuyan, though downcast, spoke up, "Shouldn’t we leave a written record?"

Tang Qingxuan was momentarily surprised, then nodded. "That’s proper."

She took out brush and ink from her storage ring, set up a wind-blocking barrier, and drafted an IOU for Qin Yue.

Qin Yue handed over the bamboo scroll; Tang Qingxuan accepted it, putting it away before everyone’s eyes.

The "win-win" transaction was finally concluded.

Just then someone called out, "Let’s hurry and see if the demon woman was slain by the formation!"

The crowd scattered in a rush, heading for the underground palace—Feng Qianning possessed even more treasures!

Tang Qingxuan looked to Qin Yue, "Would you like to join us?"

Qin Yue shook his head. "It’s too dangerous inside. I’ll wait outside and explore—rumor has it there are many spiritual herbs on Yandang Mountain."

Tang Qingxuan considered, then produced a delicate bronze mirror. "You can activate this instantly with spiritual power—it’s for self-defense. I’ll lend it to you for now."

Hu Jiuyan’s gaze grew dimmer—clearly, Qin Yue was now regarded as one of their own.

When the others departed, only a handful remained—mostly itinerant cultivators.

Hu Jiuyan sent him a message, "You stay here. I’m going to find the saintess. I may not be able to look after you anymore, nor will you need me to. I wish you well!"

Her tone carried a hint of emotion.

Qin Yue glanced at her and smiled, "Alright, you go."

Hu Jiuyan gazed at Qin Yue, her eyes reddening despite herself. "I’ve cherished these days together. I’ll never forget. Take care!"

She spun around and dashed toward the entrance of the underground palace.

Qin Yue grinned and turned to leave.

Entering the underground palace, now that the protective formation was damaged, did not require using the main entrance.