"Hmm...? What are you doing here?" a monk asked, standing guard in front of the outer main hall’s entrance. "Shouldn’t you be locked up?"

"I really didn’t get the memo," Xuan replied with a sigh.

With his chin, he gestured at the tray he held in his hands, which had three cups on it. He had crushed the three pills inside these cups.

"I’m going to deliver this to Head Monk Chen Shun and his soon-to-be guests. You don’t mind, do you?"

The monk grumbled in annoyance, and right as he entered a fighting stance, footsteps rang out from behind, belonging to a familiar figure.

"He’s with me," Huizhen announced. "I told him to brew something up with his talents. Can’t let the guests be left unsatisfied, now can we?"

"Senior..." The monk bowed and moved aside.

Xuan smirked, and alongside Huizhen, the two entered the outer main hall.

"Didn’t expect you to chime in like that," Xuan said.

"Well, I had something to give you, given how it might be the last time we see each other," Huizhen replied, pulling out a dusty notebook from his robe and handing it over to Xuan.

"This is...?"

"It’s the treasure you were going to get after you defeated a Spirit Master without Qi... The plans changed because of what happened with Foyan, and truthfully, I had known since the start that you might be worthy to carry the legacy."

Legacy? Xuan’s ears perked up. "This notebook is a legacy?"

"It’s a technique, but in its essence, it’s a legacy. I wasn’t able to comprehend the technique enough to glimpse upon the legacy, but I believe you might be able to," Huizhen assured, lowering his gaze. "It truly is unfortunate that Foyan had to be the sacrifice... But I feel like you carry his legacy within you as well. For that, I wish that whatever you’re about to do goes well."

With those words, Huizhen vanished from sight, likely heading toward the inner main hall to have a chat with Chen Shun.

On the other hand, Xuan was slightly conflicted.

He knew who he was going up against, but it seemed like Huizhen had already resolved himself to death. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

However, Xuan had a use for Huizhen. He was the perfect insider of the Grand Jade Temple, and he was talented no less. Having someone like him die would be a huge loss.

Also, why is he trying to pour some kind of legacy expectations on me? Much less Foyan’s, how am I supposed to comprehend a technique even a self-proclaimed genius wasn’t able to understand?

Still, he stored the notebook in the inner pocket of his robe and then calmly proceeded toward Chen Shun’s location.

But just as he was mere meters away from the steps leading up to the main hall, Xuan felt a shiver run down his spine as the Qi of two insanely powerful people exploded behind him.

They’ve arrived... Xuan thought, straightening his posture and turning around with a smile.

As expected, there were two individuals in their mid twenties walking toward him.

At a glance, they seemed like bickering delinquents, and when he focused on their conversation, he realized he wasn’t that far off.

"Lin Fei, I’m warning you! We made an agreement, so if you go back on it and steal my talents, you won’t be leaving this pitiful world!" said a black haired man.

Lin Fei’s mouth was agape, almost as if he had been wrongly accused. "Chen Zemin, are you trying to pick a fight?"

"And if I am?"

"Then—Huh? Is that the new guy?"

The gazes of the two powerhouses landed on Xuan.

"He is, isn’t he? Your nephew did mention that the new guy would surprise us. Right off the bat, I can see he isn’t scared of us. Hahaha... Perfect..." Lin Fei trailed off, dashing in front of Xuan.

"What’s your name, boy?"

"Xuan," he answered calmly. "And are you the guests I have been told about?"

Lin Fei grinned, his Qi flaring up again, threatening to crush Xuan’s spirit.

However, Xuan knew that this guy was holding back. After all, he had seen the true extent of the pressure a Spirit Lord could emit.

Unless he’s not a Spirit Lord...? Maybe he’s a high level Spirit Grandmaster?

"That’s enough, Lin Fei," Chen Zemin said sternly and approached. "You’re Xuan, a Ninth Level Spirit Warrior who defeated a Second Level Spirit Grandmaster. It’s unbelievable. Your pill alchemy is formidable too, but answer me this... Where is your proof of loyalty?"

"Ah, in case you don’t know what he’s talking about, it’s this." Lin Fei pulled out a giant crimson centipede out of his pocket, waving it around in front of Xuan. "It’s not very tasty, but it makes us certain you will never betray us."

He brought it closer, as if to mock Xuan.

That was when Xuan used his free hand to slap the centipede away, making it impact a nearby wall and explode.

"You might be higher up in the food chain than me, but I want you to know something," Xuan said slowly. "I am not your dog. When the time comes for me to take that parasite, then I will. Until then, I’d like it if we could meet Chen Shun and get this meeting started. What do you say?"

Following his bold move, silence descended as the air grew thicker.

Xuan knew exactly how reckless he was being, but his reputation—defeating a Spirit Grandmaster as only a Spirit Warrior, and his alchemy talent—kept him untouchable, at least for now.

Therefore...

"Hahaha... I like your spirit, boy." Lin Fei tapped Xuan on the shoulder twice, then leaned in to his ear. "But... You should know that messing with us would make your future in the Grand Jade Temple very grim."

Good thing I’m not planning a future with this cult, then, eh?

"I will have a talk with my nephew about this. Come along now, there is plenty we must discuss," Chen Zemin said and walked ahead.

Lin Fei was up next, and after calming down, Xuan followed after them as well.

They entered the inner main hall and walked down a long hallway until finally reaching Chen Shun.

He was seated behind a fully plated table alongside Huizhen. With a smile, he raised a glass.

"I’m glad you all could make it. Please, sit down."

Coincidentally, there were three free seats left, and so everyone sat down.

Xuan sat beside Huizhen and shamelessly placed the three cups down on the table, earning a chuckle from Chen Shun.

"How very bold of you to bring poison to the dinner table, don’t you think so, Xuan?"