Refusing to Be a Sucker

The next morning.

When Chen Xuan was released from his restraints, Bai Bingyan had already returned to her breathtakingly beautiful state.

She decisively tossed over the Nine Orifices Golden Treasure Pill and said coolly, "It seems sleeping once can only ease the flare-up of my Nine Yin Cold Meridians. I'll need to sleep for several more days! Once it succeeds, this princess will leave on her own!"

Although Bai Bingyan tried her best to hide it.

The peachy blush spreading across her exquisite face betrayed her true feelings!

Chen Xuan hurriedly caught the pill and said with a flattering smile, "Seventh Princess, however many days you want to sleep with me, we'll sleep that many days! We're friends for sure now!"

"Still... you need to make the benefits worth my while too. After all, I've made quite a huge sacrifice here..."

Bai Bingyan frowned slightly and murmured in dissatisfaction, "We already did that... and we're still only friends? Could I already be pregnant?"

Cough, cough, cough!

Hearing this, Chen Xuan coughed repeatedly in embarrassment.

He could only smile bitterly!

This Seventh Princess of the Qingqiu Fox Clan was truly innocent. Did she really think a man and woman stripping naked and hugging each other counted as "sleeping together"?

Still, her string of actions last night had genuinely scared him badly!

"I'll stay in the secret chamber. At night, we'll sleep together!"

After saying that, Bai Bingyan closed her long, beautiful eyes and sat cross-legged to cultivate.

As for Chen Xuan, after leaving the secret chamber, he entered his exclusive Saint Son Bathroom.

Gulp!

Chen Xuan swallowed the Nine Orifices Golden Core Pill in one mouthful, then swiftly leaped into a hot spring.

Before long, contented moans escaped his lips!

Under the pill's potent medicinal power, the hidden injuries throughout Chen Xuan's body rapidly healed, while a vast amount of extraordinary medicinal energy settled within him...

An hour later.

Splash!

Chen Xuan emerged from the hot spring, unable to hide the excited smile on his face.

"Though I self-detonated my Ninth Grade Golden Core, my Nine Yang Battle Body has now returned to its peak! With physical strength alone, I can rival Golden Core Realm cultivators of the fourth or fifth stage! But that is only if my opponent does not excel in soul-based spells..."

A moment later, a Paper Crane Letter flew into Xuan Hall: his master Ji Yaoyue had summoned him!

Inside the Jade Maiden Great Hall.

Ji Yaoyue sat in the seat of honor, with Ji Wushuang standing behind her with a smiling expression.

The four senior sisters stood in ranks on either side, while over twenty outer disciples of Jade Maiden Peak were also present in the hall.

"Greetings, Master!"

Chen Xuan bowed weakly.

Ever since seeing through Ji Yaoyue's true nature, he had found it difficult to hold much respect for her anymore...

Looking down at him, Ji Yaoyue said coldly, "Chen Xuan, the New Saint Son Succession Ceremony will be held in seven days. What are your suggestions?"

"This disciple is a cripple. What suggestions could I possibly have?" Chen Xuan retorted indifferently.

Ji Yaoyue raised a brow and said unhappily, "How could it have nothing to do with you? Such a grand event will naturally be held within the Ancient Evolution Sword Palace. And the Sword Palace Artifact Spirit recognizes only you."

"If we wish for the sword palace to fully activate and welcome guests from all directions... you must give the command!"

These words brought a trace of mockery to Chen Xuan's lips!

Over the years, the continuous operation of the Ancient Evolution Sword Palace had rendered tremendous service to the Vast Sword Sect, while also consuming a massive amount of Spirit Stones.

Chen Xuan had silently maintained this enormous expenditure all along.

He only wished for the entire Vast Sword Sect to grow stronger and more prosperous, so he had not begrudged the cost.

But times had changed!

Now, Chen Xuan no longer wished to be the sucker footing the bill.

"This matter has nothing to do with me," Chen Xuan said flatly.

"Insolence!"

Ji Yaoyue slapped the armrest in fury and abruptly rose to her feet!

Her pair of towering snowy peaks heaved violently with the motion, tracing breathtaking curves.

A thick flash of madness and greed flickered deep in Ji Wushuang's eyes as he watched.

"Chen Xuan, this master may have spoken harshly yesterday. But aren't you being far too narrow-minded and disrespectful toward your master?" Ji Yaoyue barked, her face dark.

If it had been before, Chen Xuan would have already knelt and admitted his mistake.

But now, he merely stood there coldly, like an iron-blooded war god.

"Senior Brother, look how angry you've made Master... You're a cripple now. Without Jade Maiden Peak's protection, how could you continue to scrape out a living? Don't forget that you've slain many Demonic Path Prodigies over the years and made countless enemies..." Ji Wushuang sneered.

There was more beneath his words, and the threat could not have been clearer.

Yet Chen Xuan merely smiled disdainfully!

His expression immediately enraged the four senior sisters, who launched into a barrage of sharp-tongued attacks against Chen Xuan.

In their eyes, their handsome and elegant junior brother was utterly perfect!

And Chen Xuan, destined to become a cripple, still dared to act arrogant?

He was nothing but a lump of stinking dog shit!

Second Senior Sister Shen Qingqing even said gently, "Junior Brother, you must never show too much mercy toward certain crippled villains, or you'll only end up hurting yourself! Using force directly is the best method!"

Boom!...

At those words, Ji Yaoyue directly unleashed terrifying Nascent Soul Pressure, enveloping Chen Xuan.

She shouted sternly, "Wicked disciple, will you agree or not?"

Pfft!...

Caught off guard, even with his Nine Yang Battle Body, Chen Xuan could not withstand it and coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Then, Chen Xuan answered decisively, "I will attend the New Saint Son Succession Ceremony at the Ancient Evolution Sword Palace in seven days! I'll go see the Sword Palace Artifact Spirit now and give it its instructions..."

"Hmph! At least you know what's good for you!"

Ji Yaoyue sneered and withdrew her Nascent Soul Pressure.

She knew Chen Xuan had no choice but to agree!

Because... he had no other option!

"Go!"

Ji Yaoyue flicked her sleeve, only then revealing a satisfied expression.

Some people truly were cheap!

They had to be taught a lesson and threatened with their lives before they understood their own worth?

Watching Chen Xuan's receding back, Ji Wushuang was so thrilled he nearly came on the spot!

This felt incredible!

Wasn't Chen Xuan still so hard yesterday?

Why had he gone soft today?

But... even so, Chen Xuan would still have to shoulder the blame and slander soon to descend upon him, becoming the most despised sect scum of the Vast Sword Sect!

"Chen Xuan, just wait to receive that fragrant, salacious blame and have your reputation utterly ruined!"

Ji Wushuang's lips curled into a sharp Nike swoosh!

Outside the vast sword palace, ancient and majestic, steeped in the sediment of time, Chen Xuan stopped walking.

Before him stood the Ancient Evolution Sword Palace...

"Back then, when I first obtained the Ancient Evolution Sword Palace, how spirited and triumphant was I? And after I gave it to the Vast Sword Sect without asking for anything in return, how much shock and praise did it stir?"

"Unfortunately... things remained, but people had changed!"

Chen Xuan shook his head with a sigh, then stepped forward again and entered the Ancient Evolution Sword Palace.

He smoothly reached the core area of the Ancient Evolution Sword Palace and met the Sword Palace Artifact Spirit, which was as illusory as light and shadow.

Chen Xuan directly instructed it, "At the New Saint Son Succession Ceremony in seven days, once all the guests have gathered, enter a dormant state!"

Then, he turned and left!

"Ji Yaoyue! Ji Wushuang... since you are heartless, don't blame me, Chen Xuan, for being ruthless!"