Xuantian Mountain Range.
Looking at the old man in front of him, his face a picture of internal conflict.
Chu Yuan was completely baffled.
According to the books he had read in Wu Chang City,
the Cultivation Realm was the most brutal of all.
For the sake of cultivation resources, it was not uncommon for brothers to become enemies and for fathers and sons to slaughter each other.
It was also common for cultivators to kill and plunder others in the Cultivation Realm.
All for the sake of advancing further on their Immortal Path…
Initially, Chu Yuan had believed it and had come to the Xuantian Mountain Range with great enthusiasm, ready to kill and loot.
But now, Chu Yuan didn't buy it any longer.
Looking at the old man's attitude...
The Cultivation Realm was not at all what it seemed to be.
Coming on with a bootlicking approach right from the start.
It was, well, a bit too enthusiastic.
If someone is licking my boots, should I lick back?
As the saying goes, "A favor given should be a favor returned!"
Chu Yuan opened his mouth, just about to say something.
Suddenly, the old man ran over to him.
"Fellow Daoist, take this item, please. You must accept it as compensation for our offense," he said.
The Great Elder smiled as he handed something resembling a key to Chu Yuan.
Chu Yuan took the key.
Upon closer inspection.
The key was full of marks, as if it had been stabbed by swords and hacked by knives, but apart from that, there was nothing special about it, looking extremely plain.
Oh, and there was the character 'Ancient' engraved on it.
Is that all? This is it?
He said he would offer compensation.
And all he gave was this trinket?
You probably couldn't even sell this thing at a street stall.
Indeed, people in the Cultivation Realm are still a bit underhanded and insincere.
Chu Yuan's expression became complex.
Not far away, the Great Elder, seeing the change in the other's expression,
thought he had pleased him and couldn't help feeling a surge of joy.
Others might not know what this key was, but he did.
It was the legendary Key of Opening to the Remnants of the Ancient Sword Venerable!
It was also the most treasured possession he had on him.
Legend said that with this key, if one had the chance to enter the Remnants of the Ancient Sword Venerable, one could receive all the heritage of the Ancient Sword Venerable and could even use it to establish a Cultivation Holy Land!
Only, the Great Elder had never had the opportunity to find the Remnants of the Ancient Sword Venerable.
He was reluctant to hand it over to the Sect,
but now, it was perfect—giving it as a gift to this hidden figure, surely he would remember him.
Yes, yes, yes!
Just look at the changing expressions on this figure's face.
He certainly recognized the origin of this key.
As expected of a peerless powerhouse, he realized it at just a glance.
The Great Elder was inwardly delighted.
At the other side, many Golden Core Disciples, seeing the Great Elder giving a gift, could not hold back anymore.
Giving a gift to this figure.
If they could gain the favor of this existence, did they still need to join the Qiandi Dao Sect?
Give gifts!
They must give gifts!
And so.
Many Golden Core Disciples took all sorts of items from their storage bags and presented them to Chu Yuan.
"Senior, senior, that was the Great Elder's compensation, unrelated to our own. This is our true compensation!"
"Yes, yes, yes, senior, this is my humble offer, please do accept it!"
"Senior! Please accept my gift first!!"
"…"
One after another, rare and treasured items were presented to Chu Yuan.
Most of these items were from the Golden Core Realm.
Chu Yuan's eyes sparked with excitement when he saw these items, and he almost burst out laughing on the spot.
How wonderful, how wonderful.
All these people are so nice!
If anyone ever tells him again that the Cultivation Realm is full of deceit, he could smash their heads in.
Look, just look.
Such a passionate group of cultivators.
Coming right up and bestowing upon him so many treasures.
Chu Yuan was about to go up and collect the treasures.
Before he could even begin to collect them,
suddenly, the Great Elder flipped his palm and a beam of Daoist Magic light came striking over.
All those treasures were shattered by the light.
Chu Yuan stood there dumbfounded.
My treasures...
My treasures...
My treasures...
...
Meanwhile, the Great Elder by the side gave a furious glare to the multitude of disciples and telepathically said.
"What are you all thinking!! How dare you present such garbage from the Golden Core Realm to this individual? Do you want to cause a feud between the Hidden Sect, Wayless Sect, and our Qiandi Dao Sect?"
"If the two sects become enemies, can you bear the consequences? You should know that even treasures from the Divinity Transformation Realm aren't fit to offer to this individual. Where did you pluck up the courage to gift something from the Golden Core Realm?"
He was really angry.
So angry he could thrash these disciples soundly.
Even treasures from his Divinity Transformation Realm weren't fit to give to this individual.
What were Golden Core Realm items then?
To this individual, surely they were just like trash.
Gifting trash was tantamount to defiling this individual's status.
Having heard this, the disciples sobered up, all somewhat frightened and trembling, not daring to speak.
With a thick-faced smile, the Great Elder faced Chu Yuan again and said, "My apologies, Daoist friend. These juniors lack experience and have affronted you. Please forgive their impertinence."
Chu Yuan said nothing, his face stiffening.
This person...
Being unkind and insidious himself was one thing,
but to actually prevent such a warm group of people from offering gifts, and to use Mana to destroy them...
He would not engage in any interaction vaguely related to people!
This hatred was irreconcilable.
Qiandi Dao Sect's Great Elder, huh? Alright then, he took note.
"It's nothing, no problem,"
Chu Yuan said, his face not looking too well.
Cultivators in the Cultivation Realm are indeed enthusiastic, which he could still discern.
It's just that certain old man is particularly scheming. Aside from him, the others were quite nice.
Like these disciples, for instance, each one was very enthusiastic. One shouldn't let one bad apple spoil the whole bunch.
Taking a deep breath to steady his emotions, Chu Yuan looked up at the sky and then turned to Zhang Han to say, "Disciple, it's getting late. Let's rest right here."
To be honest, Zhang Han was quite bewildered by the scene in front of him.
But that didn't stop him from following his Respected Master's orders.
"Yes, Respected Master,"
Zhang Han bowed respectfully.
As he bowed, he also glanced up at the sky.
It was still bright...
Upon hearing this, Chu Yuan nodded slightly, and with a fixed gaze, turned to look at the Great Elder and his followers.
It's time for me to rest, you foul scum. Get lost.
The Great Elder didn't mention leaving. Instead, he came forward saying, "Well, Daoist friend, it looks like it's going to be dark soon. Why don't we all rest here together? Strength in numbers can help guard against the Demonic Beasts in the mountains."
If this were overheard by an outsider, they would probably die of laughter.
A group of Golden Core Disciple and a Divinity Transformation Realm Elder leading the team; this kind of force could dominate some large mountain ranges.
Yet, here they were, in front of a medium-sized mountain range, saying they needed more people to fend off mountain Demonic Beasts.
Hearing the old man's words, Chu Yuan's mouth twitched fiercely.
Couldn't they understand he was trying to send them away?
But the way of the Cultivation Realm is to be enthusiastic.
He couldn't just send them packing directly.
He could only clench his teeth, nodded in agreement, and went along with it...