"Now then, let's discuss compensation." Xi Yue's lips curled upward, a sharp gleam flashing through her eyes.
Since they had set their sights on the Life Stone in her hands, they had to pay a price, even if they had never acted on it. Did they really think she was that magnanimous?
"Compensation?" The sect leaders all froze. Recalling the girl's earlier tone, they had a bad feeling.
"What, is there a problem? Don't tell me you've changed your minds about settling this?" Qing Shuang glanced at them, fanning the flames from the sidelines.
They were startled once more. Those were not words to throw around lightly. They had no desire to be slain here by Xu Tianheng.
With circumstances forcing their hands, they could only hold their noses and accept it. Even if they had complaints, they dared not voice them.
"Very well. How much compensation would you like, young friend?" An old woman sighed, already bracing herself to bleed heavily.
"That depends on how much sincerity you have to offer." The girl blinked and spread her hands.
That was a clever answer, kicking the ball right back into their court.
Their faces fell. This was difficult. Give too much, and their hearts would ache; give too little, and the girl could simply accuse them of lacking sincerity and refusing to settle.
They exchanged glances, speechless.
In the end, the old man spoke first. "Young friend, I am willing to offer a stalk of Divine Medicine as a small token of apology. Please forgive my offense."
With that, he took out a stalk of Divine Medicine shimmering with spiritual light. Closing his eyes, he steeled his heart and handed it over.
Divine Medicine was merely an external possession. Compared with his life and livelihood, it was hardly worth mentioning.
Xi Yue nodded and immediately smiled. "You jest, senior. I never blamed you, so what offense is there to forgive?"
Despite her words, she showed no hesitation whatsoever, snatching the Divine Medicine into her hand.
It was a golden lotus, surging with auspicious radiance and wreathed in wisps of white mist like immortal vapor, its colors shimmering brilliantly.
The old man's mouth twitched. For a moment, he had no idea what to say.
Those words were only meant to be heard. If he actually took them seriously, he would be far too naive.
Then the other sect leaders took out their own Divine Medicine, no longer able to spare a thought for their aching hearts. They only wanted to settle this karmic entanglement as quickly as possible.
Only after all the onlookers had dispersed did the sect leaders roar in fury, beating their chests and stamping their feet.
They had come from afar, and not only had they failed to obtain the Life Stone, they had even thrown away a stalk of Divine Medicine for nothing. What kind of nonsense was this?
Meanwhile, Xi Yue and the others had already left Lintian City. Looking at the stalks of Divine Medicine and the Life Stone in their hands, they could barely contain their delight.
"This trip wasn't wasted. When you tally it all up, we bought a Life Stone for just one stalk of Divine Medicine." Xu Tianheng smiled, in excellent spirits.
His next words, however, made Xi Yue's mouth twitch, souring her mood considerably.
"Little Xi, it's time we headed home."
After traveling for a while, Xi Yue had gradually grown fond of this relaxed, carefree feeling.
Still, improving her strength remained the priority. She could not allow herself to become lost in this life.
At that thought, she patted her head, driving away some of the ideas inside it.
Using teleportation arrays and void passages, they traveled swiftly and returned to the Xu Family in less than a day.
Xu Mingxuan had long since stationed himself at the entrance, with Yao Yue beside him.
The moment they stepped through the Xu Family's gates, Xu Mingxuan caught them red-handed.
In truth, he had known perfectly well that they had slipped away. He simply had not made a fuss, much less stopped them.
After all, with a mighty cultivator like Xu Tianheng accompanying them, there was little need to worry.
Besides, he wanted to see what sort of surprise his younger daughter would bring him.
And she truly did give him an enormous surprise.
At a glance, her aura was steady and profound, deep as the sea, her blood energy vast and surging. Her cultivation had even reached nine heavenly caverns. It really gave him a fright.
At this rate, he would start wondering whether the girl could break into the Spirit Transformation Realm at ten!
Nevertheless, he kept a stern face and feigned displeasure, saying in a low voice, "So you finally remembered to come home?"
Seeing her father's expression, Xi Yue scratched her head and laughed awkwardly. "Hahaha... I'm home."
Then she looked back, only to find that her third granduncle had already vanished without a trace. He had even dragged Qing Shuang away with him before leaving.
"How disloyal." But on second thought, she seemed to have been the one who had persuaded her third granduncle to sneak out with her, and her confidence promptly faltered.
Yao Yue waved at her, then pulled a face, lively and impish.
The sight made Xi Yue's teeth itch. Her sister really was enjoying the spectacle without caring how big a mess it became.
Yet Xu Mingxuan merely gave her a couple of mild scoldings before he could no longer suppress the smile tugging at his lips. He immediately coughed twice to conceal his embarrassment.
"Next time, tell me beforehand. It's not as though I won't let you go out."
Xi Yue was overjoyed. Apparently, her father had no intention of settling accounts with her afterward.
Both annoyed and amused, Xu Mingxuan shook his head, offered a few reminders, and disappeared.
"Not bad. It looks like you found an incredible opportunity on your trip, to have changed so much." Yao Yue looked her over, clicking her tongue in wonder, and even reached out to feel her.
Xi Yue let her do as she pleased. She was already used to it, and as long as her sister did not go too far, she left her alone.
Her figure was now tall and slender, and she was even a little taller than Yao Yue, much to the latter's dissatisfaction. Which of us is the older sister, anyway?
There was nothing Yao Yue could do about it, though, so she began asking about Xi Yue's experiences.
Xi Yue briefly recounted what had happened during her travels, from the desperate battles in the Desolate Abyss to the baptism of laws and her rebirth through nirvana. Then she described the turmoil and encounters in Lintian City.
As Yao Yue listened to all these experiences, her eyes shone, and her heart was far from calm.
"To think such an extraordinary place exists. I'd like to go there and test myself." Yao Yue was brimming with enthusiasm, clearly very interested in that trial ground.
As for where Xi Yue had learned of it, she did not ask. With her intelligence, she could more or less guess a few things, but there was no need to investigate.
Xi Yue did not stop her. Yao Yue's talent was outstanding, placing her among the very best in the Nine Heavens. Even if she could not clear the entire trial, she was more than capable of handling some of the earlier stages.
Still, she reminded her that invincible beings such as the Heavenly Horned Ant and Kun Peng would appear there, and urged her to act within her limits.
"You're underestimating me far too much. I'm your older sister. If you can do it, so can I." Indignant, Yao Yue rewarded her with an eye roll.
Xi Yue shook her head with a laugh and did nothing to discourage her. Having that keen edge was enough.
Since she had come here, she had to
change something.
After obtaining the Kunpeng King's permission, she taught Yao Yue the Kun Peng Precious Technique.
"The legendary Kun Peng Precious Technique of the Ten Fiends!" Yao Yue was shocked again, then immediately broke into a smile. Clinging to Xi Yue's arm, she could barely resist planting a couple of kisses on her.
Xi Yue pushed her away, however, wearing a look of utter distaste.
"Tch, you're no fun. I'm off." Yao Yue pursed her lips and left as well. She was going into seclusion to study the Kun Peng Precious Technique.