The typically aloof Tang Chen set his book down, nudged his sunglasses down with a finger to reveal his cyan eyes, and gave Han Xiao a thoughtful look before pushing the glasses back up.
'Hmm, the energy from this guy spiked the moment he slapped that other kid. That's really strange for someone at the 7th Level of the Pulse Condensation Realm.' He thought for a bit, then his eyes widened. 'Damn! This kid is practicing Body Cultivation too. This batch of Outer Court disciples is full of surprises—Song Ke also uses a bizarre cloning technique with all attributes. Anyway, thank goodness I spotted this kid today. I'll keep an eye on him and see if he's worth investing in.'
Picking up his book, Tang Chen resumed his usual aloof demeanor.
The elders were equally taken aback by how Han Xiao had slapped a Level 8 Pulse Condensation Realm disciple despite being at a lower level himself. They didn't recognize Han Xiao's face, but they were familiar with the story of the Han King abandoning his son here. This son had a poor reputation in cultivation, failing to reach even Level 3 of the Pulse Condensation Realm after three years of training. Recently, the elders had even discussed expelling him due to his poor performance and considered sending him to the Willow Trees Forest as punishment.
Elder Gao briskly interjected, "Alright, enough with the trouble. This is the Bounty Hall of the Tianfu Sword Palace. Song Ke, show some respect. If a Third Tiger of the Outer Court acts this way, it will make us a laughingstock, understood?"
"Eh, Elder Gao, I didn't do anything. It's my friend here slapping away a noisy fly," Song Ke retorted, his tone casual and unconcerned, true to his nature. He draped his right arm around Han Xiao's shoulder, utterly indifferent to Han Xiao's untidiness and unpleasant smell.
The three elders sighed in unison, exchanging weary glances. Shaking his head, Elder Gao turned to Han Xiao and said, "This is your last warning. No fighting inside the Bounty Hall."
Cupping his palm, Han Xiao responded with an honest smile, "This junior has disgraced the three elders and Senior Brother. I understand. Something like this will never happen here again. I give you my word."
The three elders didn't expect such a calm and polite reaction from this untidy youth. Despite his current appearance, he seemed honest and respectful, knowing how to act appropriately in the situation. They were easily pleased.
Elder Gao smiled and inquired, "Good lad! You can submit your mission token."
Han Xiao pulled a large sack made from fox hide off his back, reached into it, and took out a wooden token with the number 15565 etched on it. He placed it on the desk before the elder.
Elder Gao picked up the token, examined it, and searched for the corresponding number in the record book. Within moments, he found the mission.
"It's a group mission for four to hunt a Star One Soldier Rank beast each. Where's your team?" Elder Gao asked.
"They're dead," Han Xiao replied calmly.
"All of them?" Elder Gao's eyes widened in surprise.
"All of them," Han Xiao confirmed.
"What happened?" The elder's voice dropped to a hushed tone.
The entire hall fell silent, everyone's attention fixed on the exchange. Most had already guessed that Han Xiao's team missing and dead had something to do with him, but no one was foolish enough to openly accuse him. Even Song Ke, despite his usual brashness, stayed quiet, his expression serious.
"It happened in Willow Tree Forest. Accidents happen," Han Xiao said, his voice tinged with anxiety. "They died fighting a Star Three Soldier Rank Saber Wolf while I was handling its pack. What could I do? I'm just a weak cultivator," he added, his expression fitting the narrative perfectly. "It's all my fault because I'm too weak."
The crowd's faces twisted in disbelief. If he's weak, then what are we? And that excuse, why does it sound so suspicious?
"Alright, moving on. Where are the bounties?" Elder Gao interrupted, bringing the conversation back to the task at hand.
Han Xiao untied the sack made from wolf hide and flipped it upside down, spilling its contents onto the desk.
A small mountain of beast cores, all from Star 1 and Star 2 Soldier Rank beasts, tumbled out, leaving everyone in stunned silence.
"What the hell?!" The crowd cursed inwardly, astonished by the sheer number of bounties he produced. "Did he sweep the entire Willow Tree Forest?"
Ding!
+397 Curse Points! Everyone is cussing at you.
Total Curse Points: 7468!
"Hmm, thanks for the free points, everyone," Han Xiao murmured. He rummaged through the pile of beast cores, picking out four belonging to Star One of the Ordinary Rank, which he placed on the desk. "Will these do for the task, Elder Gao?"
Without waiting for an answer, he quickly gathered the remaining beast stones, stuffed them back into the sack, closed the flap, and slung it over his shoulder.
The elders didn't know how to react to the youth's actions from the moment he stepped inside the hall. Internally, they telepathically communicated about buying the pile of beast stones from him at a low price, but their plans were foiled by the lazy youth idling beside them.
"Hey, Han Xiao, what about this? Name a number in Han dollars and I'll exchange it for your nice-looking animal hide," Tang Chen said, slapping the book on the desk.
"Sorry, senior brother, this is not for sale," Han Xiao replied bluntly.
"Fine! Ten thousand Han dollars," Tang Chen insisted.
Knowing the number was too high considering the bounties and the beast's hide, Han Xiao agreed, "Okay, I'll be polite to senior brother," and abruptly placed the sack on the desk.
Tang Chen waved his hand and the sack disappeared, replacing it with a purple card that he tossed to Han Xiao, who accepted it happily.
Stowing away the purple card, Han Xiao glanced at Elder Gao, who stamped the mission tag with the signature of the Bounty Collection Hall and declared, "Passed! You've completed the mission. You both can leave now."