Chen Ku's sudden expression of gratitude left Yaochi utterly astonished!
If it had been anyone else, after obtaining more than a dozen spiritual treasures, they would likely have been beside themselves with pride. How could they still remember Yaochi's so-called guidance?
What was more, Haotian and Yaochi, as Dao Ancestor Hongjun's attendants, had never received anyone's attention.
Today, Chen Ku was the first to thank her with such solemn sincerity.
For a moment, Yaochi stood frozen on the spot, somewhat at a loss.
"Th-this... Fellow Daoist, you are too courteous!"
"Your gains were also the result of your own fortune."
Yaochi replied with great politeness.
As she spoke, a rosy blush unknowingly rose to her cheeks, making her appear even more bashful and beautiful.
At that moment, Haotian beside her suddenly snorted coldly and shot Chen Ku a hostile glare.
Clearly, he was somewhat indignant over Chen Ku's astonishing gains.
At the same time, he secretly blamed Yaochi as well.
If you hadn't pointed Chen Ku in that direction, how could he have gained so much?!
Though he did not turn around, Chen Ku already understood Haotian's reaction perfectly well.
However, he paid it no heed and simply ignored him.
He had deliberately stayed behind for more than a weightless verbal expression of thanks.
With a flip of his palm, two divine gleams immediately appeared.
"One of these spiritual treasures is a Top-Grade Acquired Spiritual Treasure, the Golden Hairpin of Chaos!"
"Once unleashed, its offensive power is unmatched. It can pierce through all things with unstoppable force."
"The other is the Top-Grade Acquired Spiritual Treasure, the Nine-Colored Rainbow Dress. Its defensive power is astonishing, impervious to all techniques."
"I ask that Sister Yaochi accept these two spiritual treasures as my token of gratitude."
Chen Ku spoke thus.
Having become Jie Yin's disciple, he naturally referred to himself as "this poor Daoist," just as Jie Yin and Zhun Ti did.
Yet as he spoke, a faint smile hung on his face, giving Haotian the impression that he was some frivolous rogue, making him dislike Chen Ku even more.
At the same time, the Golden Hairpin of Chaos and the Nine-Colored Rainbow Dress had already revealed their true forms.
The former was incomparably sharp, its cold gleam dazzling, as though it possessed the fierce power to pierce through all things.
The Nine-Colored Rainbow Dress, on the other hand, shimmered with brilliant colors and radiant divine light, breathtakingly beautiful.
Great swathes of Dao-rhyme divine patterns flowed and surged across it, further displaying the treasure's peerless defensive power.
As for Yaochi—
Seeing Chen Ku directly produce two spiritual treasures, both at the top-grade innate level, her heart suddenly stirred violently.
As a woman, Yaochi naturally possessed some love for beauty.
Setting aside how astonishing the power of these two treasures was, if they fell into Yaochi's hands, they would surely make her even more gorgeous and extraordinary!
Coupled with their foremost offensive and defensive capabilities, their value rose to an even greater level.
It could be said that any woman would find it difficult to resist such temptation.
However, Yaochi soon came back to her senses.
"Th-this is far too much!"
"Fellow Daoist, these two treasures are too precious. Yaochi does not dare accept them!"
Yaochi repeatedly waved her hands in refusal, looking thoroughly flattered and overwhelmed.
When she had pointed Chen Ku in the right direction earlier, it had merely been out of a small kindness in her heart. She had never expected such an astonishing reward from him.
Moreover, though she had never traveled the primordial world, she still knew that top-grade innate spiritual treasures were exceedingly precious.
Placed in the world, they would be enough to provoke contention among countless great experts, even quasi-saints.
Thus, although Yaochi was deeply tempted, she retained the clarity and reason she should have, immediately declining the offer.
Chen Ku's gesture of gratitude made her feel wholly undeserving!
But Chen Ku had already made up his mind despite Yaochi's refusal.
"Haha, Sister Yaochi, there is no need to refuse so firmly!"
"These two spiritual treasures are meant for women to use. In this poor Daoist's hands, they would not be of much use."
"Besides, repaying kindness has always been this poor Daoist's principle."
As he spoke, Chen Ku deliberately put on a rather smug expression.
Chen Ku was not deliberately trying to be some overly generous good man, much less did he think he had too many spiritual treasures.
He merely wished to form a good karmic bond.
Yaochi was often at Dao Ancestor Hongjun's side, and after the Demon Race was destroyed, she would become the Queen Mother of the Celestial Court.
Forming a good karmic bond with Yaochi could never be a mistake.
Besides, as Chen Ku had said, the Golden Hairpin of Chaos and the Nine-Colored Rainbow Dress were better suited for a woman to wield.
For Chen Ku to take them and give them to Yaochi was merely a convenient gesture.
Seeing Chen Ku's expression, Yaochi could not help but let out a charming laugh, her body trembling like a flower in the wind.
With matters having reached this point, she naturally could not refuse again, so she could only accept the two spiritual treasures Chen Ku offered.
"Then, thank you, Fellow Daoist!"
At this moment, Yaochi's gaze toward Chen Ku grew ever gentler.
The fact that she had pointed him in the right direction earlier already showed that Yaochi had some favorable impression of him.
Receiving two spiritual treasures as a "token of gratitude" deepened that favorable impression even further.
More importantly, when Chen Ku had offered the treasures before, Yaochi had thought he was merely being polite and putting on a show.
After all, Yaochi had previously seen that, in order to obtain opportunities, Chen Ku had not hesitated to become enemies with the Celestial Court.
Yet now, Chen Ku, who seemed to value treasures as dearly as life itself, was being so generous that he had handed over two Innate Spiritual Treasures at once.
Such an astonishing contrast caused countless thoughts to stir in Yaochi's heart, strange lights flowing through her beautiful eyes.
This scene also made Haotian's eyes brighten.
After all, he and Yaochi were both stationed beneath the Treasure Distribution Rock.
Now that Chen Ku had given treasures to Yaochi, might he receive the same treatment?
At that thought, Haotian could not help but look at Chen Ku with a hint of anticipation.
Who would have thought that, after doing all this, Chen Ku merely smiled at Yaochi and said:
"With all matters settled, this poor Daoist shall return to the Purple Cloud Palace first!"
Then, without even sparing Haotian a glance, Chen Ku strode away and returned to the Purple Cloud Palace.
Leaving behind only Haotian, whose expression was a complete mess.
When he recovered, he looked at Chen Ku's departing back and felt jealousy blaze within him.
"Hmph, Sister Yaochi truly has good fortune."
Haotian spoke in a strange, sarcastic tone.
Hearing this, Yaochi paused before replying:
"Didn't Brother Haotian blame me earlier for helping Fellow Daoist Chen Ku?!"
"Hehe, good causes naturally bear good fruits!"
Those words instantly left Haotian speechless.
A stab straight to the heart!
A naked, heart-piercing humiliation!
Haotian's earlier "lecture" to Yaochi was like a slap landing viciously across his own face.
In truth, how could he not know that it was precisely because he had ignored Chen Ku earlier and had not offered any help—
That Chen Ku had returned his indifference in kind.
For a time, Haotian was filled with boundless regret.
This brat truly did not play by the rules.
After all, in the primordial world, Haotian had long seen that all living beings put "benefit first."
So-called promises, trust, and the like were all worthless things in the primordial world.
Furthermore, Yaochi had merely pointed out a direction earlier. If it had been any other great expert, they certainly would not have taken it to heart.
Much less would they have gifted two Top-Grade Acquired Spiritual Treasures.
Who could have known that Chen Ku would be so loyal and righteous?
It could be said that although he was thick-skinned, he was absolutely not hypocritical.
Damn it... If Haotian had known earlier that Chen Ku repaid every kindness and was so lavish in his generosity—
Why would he have stuck to those so-called rules?!
Elsewhere!
Chen Ku had already returned to the Purple Cloud Palace.
And at this moment, a familiar scene was unfolding.
Before you continue