13: Chapter 13: Returning the Item to its Rightful Owner

Xiao Yuan observed Su Ruotong's expression surreptitiously as he spoke.

Seeing the unrestrained ecstasy and excitement burst into her eyes the moment she took the jade talisman treasure, he felt slightly relieved—this was definitely the rightful owner.

What gave him even greater cause for relief was that, although this Senior Sister Su possessed deep cultivation and acted domineeringly, she did not seem to be unreasonable or a bully who picked on the weak.

At least she hadn't suppressed him directly with Spiritual Pressure, nor had she forcibly inspected his Storage Pouch, giving him the chance to hand over the treasure on his own initiative.

Su Ruotong carefully caressed the recovered jade pendant. Once she confirmed it was genuine, the ice on her face melted in an instant, and the gaze she directed at Xiao Yuan softened considerably, even bearing a hint of gratitude.

"It is indeed this object! This pendant is... extremely important to me." Su Ruotong carefully stowed away the jade pendant. Hearing the latter part of Xiao Yuan's words, her eyes turned slightly cold. "Chen Yin? Zhao Mingfang? Hmph, how dare they covet this treasure?"

However, she did not say much more, clearly not intending to pursue the matter right now, or perhaps she had other plans.

Xiao Yuan was not disappointed either. As long as she knew that those two guys had targeted the jade talisman treasure, Su Ruotong would keep them in mind.

One day, Su Ruotong would definitely settle this account with them. Consider it causing some trouble for those two!

At this moment, Su Ruotong looked at Xiao Yuan and flipped her hand, retrieving an item.

"Junior Brother Xiao, I will remember this favor." She handed the items over. "This is a Medium Grade Spiritual Artifact, the 'green scale shield', along with a bottle of ten Medium Grade marrow cleansing pills, as a token of my gratitude."

Xiao Yuan was startled for a moment before hurriedly taking them. "Thank you, Senior Sister Su!"

This was a pleasant surprise!

A defensive Medium Grade Spiritual Artifact Magic Treasure happened to make up for his defensive shortfalls.

Medium Grade marrow cleansing pills had significantly stronger efficacy than Low Grade ones, making them good stuff as well. Her gesture was quite generous, meaning his efforts hadn't been in vain!

Su Ruotong nodded and said no more. Turning around, she pushed open the stone door and floated away, coming and going like the wind.

Xiao Yuan held the shield and Medicinal Pills, standing on the spot, feeling a bit dazed.

And just like that... it was over? The crisis was resolved?

He had originally wanted to pluck up the courage to ask Su Ruotong to "publicly announce that the jade talisman treasure had been recovered" so as to completely extinguish the lingering hopes of Chen Yin and Zhao Mingfang, but he swallowed the words back.

First, in such secret matters, why would she listen to him? Publicly announcing "I lost a treasure and found it again"—wasn't that asking for trouble and making people suspicious?

Second, even if Su Ruotong really did say it, Chen Yin and Zhao Mingfang would likely harbor even greater resentment towards him!

Xiao Yuan shook his head with a bitter smile.

Although the big trouble of the jade talisman treasure was temporarily sent away, the formidable enemies Chen Yin and Zhao Mingfang, who had been provoked because of it, still existed.

They didn't know that the jade talisman treasure had returned to its rightful owner. They would only firmly believe that the item was in Xiao Yuan's hands, or at least connected to him.

"What a disaster out of nowhere!" Xiao Yuan sighed, stowed away the shield and Medicinal Pills, and walked out of the Cultivation Room.

The sunlight was somewhat dazzling.

He narrowed his eyes, sensing the Qi Condensation 5th Layer Spiritual Qi inside his body, and touched the various "belongings" in his Storage Pouch.

Trouble was trouble, but he still had to walk his path.

He took a deep breath, his gaze becoming resolute once more.

If Chen Yin and Zhao Mingfang wanted to kill him, then let's see who dies in the end!

Circulating the Great Turtle Breathing Technique, he disguised his cultivation at roughly Qi Condensation 2nd Layer, then stepped out and walked toward the Scrap Recycling Station.

All along the way as Xiao Yuan returned to the Scrap Recycling Station, the feeling of being secretly watched followed him like a shadow.

A cold sneer curved on the corner of his lips.

He pinched the thick stack of Tier-1 Top Grade Talismans in his sleeve, sneering in his heart.

Now, even if Chen Yin or Zhao Mingfang came to intercept him in person, he would dare to face them head-on!

Hurl out over thirty Talismans—each equivalent to a full-force blow from a Peak of Qi Refining Level 9—as if they cost nothing, and even if those two guys had life-saving trump cards, it would be enough to give them a severe blow!

If he caught them by surprise, he might even be able to scheme them to death.

And if it was just some Qi Condensation Middle Stage small fry that came? Heh, they would purely be delivering loot straight to his door.

Pretending to notice nothing, he returned to his shabby wooden hut as usual, sat cross-legged, and began to "Cultivate".

As soon as he circulated his Cultivation Technique, Xiao Yuan couldn't help but complain in his heart, "This rubbish Spiritual Root... Without Medicinal Pill support, the Cultivation speed is as slow as a crawling turtle!"

Compared to the rich Spiritual Qi in the Cultivation Room, the concentration of Spiritual Qi in the Scrap Yard was like clear broth compared to concentrated bouillon stock!

No wonder the Cultivation Room charged ten Spirit Stones a day; it was expensive for a good reason.

Xiao Yuan sighed.

The small tripod's energy was running on empty, and the perfect Medicinal Pills were all consumed. His Cultivation speed had suddenly dropped, making it really hard to get used to.

He simply set aside the tedious accumulation of Spiritual Qi for the time being and began focusing on honing his Spells and Sword Arts.

The Gale Shadow-Chasing Sword Art paired with the Top Grade Spiritual Artifact sword glittered with cold light, Sword Qi crisscrossing in all directions.

Flame Explosion Spell, Condensed Water Arrow, and Thorny Cage were practiced in turn. Although he had only reached initial mastery, their power was more than a step up from his original low-tier Spells, and his control over them grew increasingly adept.

As he practiced, Xiao Yuan also discovered a sharp sensory ability attached to the Great Turtle Breathing Technique. Although its range was not large, it was exceptionally clear, allowing him to vaguely feel even insects crawling in the grass outside the door.

This perception... was almost reaching the Divine Sense of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, wasn't it?

Xiao Yuan was pleasantly surprised.

If he practiced this Cultivation Technique to Minor Achievement or even higher, wouldn't he possess a 'pseudo-Divine Sense' ahead of time?

What a good thing! Worthy of a Cultivation Technique purified and condensed by the creation cauldron.

And so, he practiced his skills while waiting patiently.

Waiting for the next batch of scrap to arrive, waiting for Chen and Zhao to make their move, and even more, waiting for... a certain "long-term partner" to come to his door.

He believed that as long as Luo Ziyan was definitely unwilling to continue being bullied, and as long as she still harbored the desire to grow stronger, she would definitely come look for him.

After all, an ordinary Qi Condensation Early Stage Disciple would only receive five Low Grade marrow cleansing pills a month from the Sect.

Last time, he casually gave her ten!

This action was enough to give her the illusion that "this Senior Brother doesn't lack resources, he's a reliable backer."

Sure enough!

As dusk fell, Xiao Yuan's sharp perception captured a slender figure pacing hesitantly outside the Scrap Yard.

She came!

The corners of Xiao Yuan's lips curled up slightly. Stopping his Cultivation, he sat there calmly, ready.

However, he also found something slightly strange.

Around the Scrap Yard, there didn't seem to be any lookouts dispatched by Chen Yin or Zhao Mingfang.

Either they were hiding too far away for his sensory range to reach,

or were they holding their forces back for now?

Xiao Yuan shook his head and stopped thinking about these things.

In any case, soldier to block, water to dam—raising his strength was the ultimate way.

At this moment, the faint footsteps outside stopped, as if she had made a great resolution.

The wooden door was pushed open gently.

Luo Ziyan walked in with her head bowed.

She had reapplied that disguise "scar", reverting to her usual timid, reclusive "ugly girl" appearance, but in the depths of her eyes, there was a tinge of determination that hadn't been there before.

Lifting her head, her eyes met Xiao Yuan's pair of eyes, which carried a subtle smile and playful amusement.

Luo Ziyan was visibly stunned.