At first, everyone had overlooked the basin because they suspected it was the legendary Sea-Calming Immortal Artifact. None of the cultivators of the Three Daos dared covet a treasure of such rank.
The gold-robed youth drew a slight breath. "With your paltry cultivation, you're the first to dare bargain with me."
You merely smiled. "When a dragon swims in shallow water, even shrimp dare mock it."
A trace of disdain crossed the youth's lips. "Do not compare me to those four-legged crawlers."
You slowly withdrew your right hand from the golden basin. "Even a divine artifact can dim its own light, and even a sage can fall on hard times."
The gold-robed youth's gaze flickered. "Fine. I'll let you leave. I won't pursue the matter of any treasures you've obtained on this mountain."
"Though this is an age of declining magic, the Heavenly Way still bears witness. I'm willing to swear an oath by it."
He paused, as though awaiting your answer. "Will that suffice?"
At those words, the expressions of the Three Daos cultivators turned strange. He was actually allowing Chen Xuanzi to leave alone.
Faced with this unknown gold-robed youth, that seemed the best choice.
Yet you slowly shook your head. "I don't know what methods you used to convince the Supreme Grandmasters outside that three treasures lay here and lure them into this trap."
"But I do know that if everyone else dies here and I alone emerge, I'll never be able to explain myself."
"I'm merely a cultivator who has survived the Second Nine Heavenly Tribulation. On what grounds could I alone escape unscathed?"
You raised your eyes to him, your gaze calm. "Do you truly think I'm that easy to fool?"
Before the words had faded, you reached out again, as if to touch the