"There's no need for thanks. Zhuying has told me much about your ties to the Xuanji Sect.
"If you hadn't given her those top-grade Spirit Crystals, I couldn't have broken free of the seal so quickly, much less averted this disaster.
"Besides, with your abilities, you could surely have saved yourself if you'd wanted to.
"Yet you stayed where you were, even at the cost of exposing the precious treasure in your hands. You truly are a man who values loyalty and bonds.
"For that alone, on behalf of the Xuanji Sect, I count you as a friend!"
Jiutian Xuanye smiled and nodded to Su Shi'er.
"You honor me too much, Senior. I'm not worthy of it!" Su Shi'er replied modestly.
Even as he spoke, relief filled his heart.
Not long ago, when Tang Zhuying had asked to trade for top-grade Spirit Crystals, he had generously brought out a vast quantity.
But to say he hadn't hesitated at all would have been a lie.
Even after handing them over, the loss had still made his heart ache.
Now, though... it had clearly been worth it.
The affairs of the world truly followed their own course, down to every sip and every bite.
If he had hesitated then, or acted on some other thought, even if he had escaped alive, everyone in the Xuanji Sect—including little Feng Fei—would likely have died at Venerable Tianyu's hands.
For that alone, those thousand-odd top-grade Spirit Crystals had been put to the best possible use. They had been worth every last one.
As the thought crossed his mind, Su Shi'er felt another surge of relief.
Lost Spirit Crystals could be found again. Lost lives could never be recovered.
"When you activated the precious treasure in your hands, its aura leaked out. I fear it will