The blade in Ou Peng's hand was like black lightning, carrying the five-colored radiance of the Misty Divine Art as it shot toward one corner of the mysterious little box.
Unfortunately, this lightning had not truly descended from the heavens. "Water Severer" struck the corner of the little box, yet just as before, there was not the slightest sound. This time, however, something was different. A layer of light, unnoticed by everyone present, actually rippled over the box. With the faintest overflow, the blade in Ou Peng's hand rebounded—and like before, it flashed like lightning toward Ou Peng's face.
Seeing the back of "Water Severer" about to slash into Ou Peng's face, he had no doubt that although it was not the blade edge, if it struck him, his fine head would surely be cleaved in two.
Ou Peng was indeed worthy of being one of the renowned masters of the martial world, the Sect Leader of the Misty Sect. At that hair-raising instant, his feet shifted, and the Misty Sect's supreme inherited art, the "Misty Steps," unfolded at the command of his heart. The black lightning, faintly tinged with five colors, flashed past Ou Peng's forehead. "Water Severer" flew from his hand and shot into a stone pillar standing within the Council Hall. There was no great crash, only a pfft. "Water Severer" sank deep into it as though piercing a block of tofu.
From Ou Peng raising his blade to it leaving his hand and embedding itself in the stone pillar, only a few breaths had passed. It all happened in a blaze of lightning and sparks. The others seemed not to have reacted in time. Looking at "Water Severer" lodged in the pillar, they all shared one thought: What a fast blade!
Unfortunately, Ou Peng was not thinking that at all. He stared at the few strands of long hair drifting down before him, severed from his forehead by "Water Severer" just moments ago, and broke out in a cold sweat. He had roamed the martial world for so many years and had encountered no shortage of dangerous situations, but none had ever been this perilous. Thank the Misty Sect's founding patriarch, thank his master, thank these Misty Steps. Without them, he would not be standing here now.
By the time the others came to their senses and looked again at their sect leader, the ashen pallor on Ou Peng's face had somewhat regained its color. Still shaken, he looked at the box on the ground, an utterly ordinary-looking box, and said to Zhang Chengyue, "Chengyue, put this little box away. Later, place it in the Library Pavilion as well. Since we cannot open it, let it wait for someone destined for it."
Then he waved a hand, signaling Zhang Chengyue to pick the little box up from the ground.
This Ou Peng truly was a famed formidable figure in the martial world. He possessed a breadth of heart and strategic vision beyond the reach of ordinary people. Had it been someone else, they might not have placed the box within the sect at all. They would surely have stored it in a Secret Chamber, studied it in secret, and swallowed the treasure inside whole. Yet once he saw that nothing could be done, he immediately let it go, even giving the opportunity to the others in the sect. Such conduct instantly won everyone's admiration. In truth, it was precisely this bearing—or perhaps these methods—that had allowed him to stand out among six fellow disciples, earn his master's full support for the position of sect leader, and win the respect of his martial brothers.
In fact, everyone present knew perfectly well that they themselves had no way to open this box. Perhaps even the thousands of people in the sect would be unable to do so. Yet their sect leader's conduct was truly open and aboveboard. If they went back and pondered it carefully, perhaps—just perhaps—there might be hope.
Afterward, Ou Peng discussed Hermit Yanming's mention of the next gathering with everyone. They unanimously agreed that having gained such enormous benefits, the next gathering certainly would not be as simple as the first. They should wait until Eldest Brother and Second Brother returned to the sect before discussing it together. Ou Peng considered this and agreed. Since all matters had been settled, he waved everyone away, leaving only Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing behind.
The others filed out one after another. As they passed the two, they looked at them with satisfaction and nodded. They knew their sect leader had kept them behind to reward them. With gains this great, it seemed these two juniors would receive excellent rewards as well.
After everyone left the Council Hall, Zhang Chengyue and Fourth Brother went together to the Library Pavilion. The sword manual naturally went onto the shelf, but Zhang Chengyue found himself troubled over where to put the little box. There was no doubt that this box was precious, but setting up an altar for such tasteless chicken ribs might not fulfill the sect leader's intent. At last, Fourth Brother pointed to the square table beside the shelves and said, "Nephew, why not put it there for now? Later, you can ask your master for instructions." Zhang Chengyue felt that was the only option for the moment, so he casually placed it on the table. Everything entering and leaving the Library Pavilion was recorded anyway, so there was no fear of it being lost. Taking a step back, even if it were lost, in this vast world, how many people could open it?
Zhang Chengyue and Fourth Brother left without worry. The mysterious little box thus made its home in the Misty Sect's Library Pavilion, quietly waiting for the one destined for it.
Inside the Council Hall, Ou Peng waited until everyone had left before speaking. By then, his face had resumed its usual genial smile when dealing with outsiders. "A Hai, Qing'er, you two have done exceptionally well this time. What reward do you want?"
Wen Wenhai stepped forward and said, "Master, there are still two matters we have not reported. This disciple will tell you now."
Ou Peng nodded his permission.
Wen Wenhai then told Ou Peng about what Hermit Yanming had said in the Secret Realm: "The treasures obtained by disciples carrying out the mission belong to each of them according to fate." After hearing this, Ou Peng's expression did not change. Smiling, he asked, "Then what treasures did you obtain?"
Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing stepped forward and laid the three medicinal herbs each had obtained from the Secret Realm before Ou Peng. "We did not find any pills or Weapons. Hermit Yanming only allowed each of us to pick three medicinal herbs from the herb garden to keep."
Ou Peng smiled. "This Hermit Yanming is quite an interesting man. Wanting to scoop up more treasures for himself, he actually came up with this method and gave quite a few benefits to our disciples. How could we object?"
Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing froze, then hurriedly asked, "There was no such agreement? Then these medicinal herbs...?"
Ou Peng said, "No matter. Since Hermit Yanming said so and has already given you the benefits, I, as your master, cannot refuse to do him a favor along the current. Keep these things without concern. There are still plenty of such things in the Secret Realm. You merely took the first step ahead."
Only then did Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing relax. Though there were many medicinal herbs in the Secret Realm, how many could be allocated to disciples like them? Moreover, they immediately understood Hermit Yanming's intentions. Although the treasures in the Secret Realm had supposedly been divided beforehand, if other treasures were left to the disciples' own fated opportunities, then with Hermit Yanming's martial arts and experience, would his opportunities not far surpass those of the disciples from the various sects?
Ou Peng continued, "Take these medicinal herbs to the Medicine Hall and have Hall Master Bai and the others refine more pills for you. That is better than consuming these medicinal herbs directly. Otherwise, if something goes wrong, would you not waste a fine opportunity for nothing?"
Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing nodded and agreed.
Ou Peng was very fond of these two disciples and added, "You brought such tremendous gains back to the sect this time. It would not do not to reward you. Tell me, what reward do you want?"
Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing exchanged a glance. In truth, they had never expected this mission to be so dangerous or so richly rewarding. They had simply treated it as an ordinary mission and completed it, without ever considering rewards beforehand. Not only them—even Ou Peng had not anticipated how unexpected this mission would become. Thus, he could not think of a suitable reward for the moment, which was why he had asked his disciples twice.
Xue Qing said, "Master, we did not think that far ahead. This mission was completed successfully entirely due to Master's plans made within the command tent. Besides, we have already gained quite a few benefits, so there is no need for rewards from the sect."
Ou Peng looked at his two disciples with satisfaction. "Very good. Then let us record this reward for now. When either I or you come up with a good idea, it will not be too late to grant it."
Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing both agreed with beaming smiles.
Ou Peng asked again, "And the other matter?"
Xue Qing stepped forward and knelt. "Master, it is like this." She then explained how she had left the sect's token with Zhang Cai's family.
Ou Peng said, "You two handled this very well. When carrying a sword through the martial world, one must naturally eliminate violence and preserve peace. You considered ordinary people so thoroughly; as your master, I should praise you. For Zhang Cai's family to step forward from the crowd in a moment of danger shows their good nature. There is no need to worry that the token will be used for other purposes. I greatly approve of Qing'er's actions; they are connected to what she suffered in childhood. Why would I punish you? Rise, Qing'er."
Only then did Xue Qing stand.
Then Ou Peng said, "A Hai, Qing'er, you are tired as well. Go back and rest properly. Prepare for the Advancement Competition in a few days. If you encounter any problems in your training, come ask me promptly."
Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing saluted and withdrew.
When they reached the entrance of the Council Hall, Ou Peng suddenly called after them and asked, "Situ Ping of the Fierce Tiger Gang also entered the Secret Realm. Did she, like you, take three medicinal herbs?"
Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing exchanged glances and replied, "Yes, but we left first, so we do not know how they handled it."
Ou Peng nodded without saying anything, his face filled with thought.
Situ Ping of the Fierce Tiger Gang was in no mood as good as Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing's at the moment. She was sitting in Wan Jian Peak's Council Hall, staring in disbelief at Wan Chengjiu, the sword master of Wan Jian Peak, as she asked unwillingly once more, "There really was no such agreement?"
Wan Chengjiu of Wan Jian Peak was a dark-faced, short but sturdy man. With a smile that did not reach his eyes, he said, "Gang Leader Situ, do I need to lie to you about this? Xiangyang, hand the medicinal herbs you picked in the Secret Realm to your Martial Uncle Cheng as well. Have him refine them into medicine, just like the previous batch."
Ma Xiangyang lowered his eyes obediently. "Yes, Master."
Wan Chengjiu continued, "Gang Leader Situ, the medicinal herbs you picked must also be handed over to Wan Jian Peak for refinement. Once they become medicine, I will give priority to providing you with the corresponding pills."
Situ Ping had absolutely no desire to hand over the medicinal herbs, but circumstances were stronger than people. After pondering for a long while, she still gritted her teeth and handed her share of medicinal herbs to Ma Xiangyang beside her. She truly had no interest in Wan Chengjiu's promise. How could sharing pills with others compare to keeping them all for herself? Ma Xiangyang was Wan Chengjiu's disciple. Who knew whether the medicinal herbs he turned in would be retrieved by him later? Forget it, forget it. Situ Ping shook her head, forcefully driving the thoughts she should not be having from her mind.
At this moment, Wan Chengjiu said again, "Gang Leader Situ, you have done such a great service for our sect, and our sect should offer something in return. What do you think of the strength of my Wan Jian Peak?"