384: Chapter 384 Give Me Some Face

His confirmation was like a thunderclap, exploding in everyone's ears and instantly freezing all doubts.

Chen Xuan's expression remained calm as his thoughts moved again.

The independent space, one zhang square, suddenly contracted. The peaceful aura that had been lingering around it instantly became incomparably violent. Web-like cracks immediately spread across the spatial barrier, with faint signs of an imminent collapse. A destructive pressure swept out, making all the Cultivators present tighten their hearts and instinctively take a half-step back, their expressions filled with terror.

"This is the One Thought Void-Shattering Art!"

Chen Xuan's voice wasn't loud, but it spread clearly throughout the field: "Trap the enemy with a thought, shatter the void with a thought. Elder Li, Valley Master of Spirit Taming Valley, do you still need to see the true power of this Divine Ability against an enemy with your own eyes?"

As his voice fell, the entire field instantly fell into a dead silence, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop!

The previous mockery, doubt, and greed were all replaced by extreme shock and awe. Many people felt their Faces burning with embarrassment, and those most speechless were naturally Li Xuantong and the Valley Master of Spirit Taming Valley.

Li Xuantong's Face turned the color of pig liver. Facing the collapsing space and the destructive pressure within it, he felt his throat tighten, unable to utter even a single word of defense.

He was now filled with regret; his previous decision had been far too rash.

A God-Tier Divine Ability was incredibly precious. Even if it was just an Incomplete Manual, it was definitely not something he could arbitrarily promise, let alone rare Essence Spirits like wine bamboo.

But backing down now would mean a complete loss of Face. The onlookers today were all prominent figures of Huangji Prefecture, and there were even spies from Heavenly Venerable forces. If he went back on his word, it wouldn't just be his own Face he was losing, but the Face of the Wansheng Dao Court and the Great Love Immortal Venerable as well.

Once this matter reached the Immortal Venerable's ears, his end would only be more miserable.

The Valley Master of Spirit Taming Valley was not doing much better. He instinctively shuffled half a step back, his eyes filled with struggle and bitterness.

Four heaven-rank magic treasures would be a crippling loss even for Yuling Valley. There were already two Grand Elders within the Sect who had always disliked him; if today's matter reached the Sect, one could imagine his future situation.

Han Chen watched with great interest from the side and, not afraid of causing more trouble, called out loudly: "Since Peak Master Chen has already won the bet, why don't you two fulfill your promises?"

As soon as these words were out, gazes instantly focused on Li Xuantong and the Valley Master of Spirit Taming Valley.

"The Dao Seeking Sect really hit the jackpot this time! Four heaven-rank magic treasures, one God-Tier Divine Ability, and several wine bamboo Essence Spirits—such an Opportunity is truly rare!"

"My god... there's even wine bamboo? I'm practically crying with envy for that stuff. I wonder if I can ask Peak Master Chen to buy a section in the future?"

"However, with today's events, the Dao Seeking Sect has completely offended the Wansheng Dao Court and Yuling Valley. I wonder how this Peak Master Chen will handle the aftermath?"

"Offended them? Fellow Daoist, you underestimate the Great Love Immortal Venerable's magnanimity. This was Elder Li being too clever for his own good. Even if the Immortal Venerable blames someone, he will only hold his own subordinate accountable. Why would he vent his anger on the Dao Seeking Sect?"

Discussions rose and fell, and most people looked at Chen Xuan with eyes full of envy.

Li Xuantong forced himself to take a step forward, squeezing out a smile: "Since Fellow Daoist truly possesses such skill, we naturally accept our defeat. I will immediately arrange for people to prepare the Dream-Gathering Butterfly, spirit rune stone tablet, and other items. Why doesn't Fellow Daoist join the banquet to celebrate first? Once the banquet is over, I will immediately deliver the treasures into your hands."

After saying that, he discreetly shot a look at the Valley Master of Spirit Taming Valley.

The latter immediately understood, forcing a stiff smile onto his Face as he echoed, "Yes, Elder Li is absolutely right. I was blind before. During the banquet later, I will certainly punish myself with three drinks to apologize to Fellow Daoist."

Fang Yusheng frowned slightly; she hadn't expected these two to resort to stalling tactics.

If they really waited until the banquet was over, there would probably be another set of excuses.

Chen Xuan waved his hand, and Bai Ze, who was crouching beside Qi Yue, immediately got up and vanished into the Void Realm.

"What you two say makes sense, but it's better to settle the stakes first."

Chen Xuan's tone was flat. "I'm a man of shallow experience. Thinking about those four heaven-rank magic treasures makes me feel like I'm in a dream. I don't mind waiting here for a moment."

As his voice fell, he casually picked up the glazed lamp on the table, tucked it directly into his storage ring, and added: "This item should belong to me now."

Li Xuantong's Face froze. He never expected Chen Xuan to be so disrespectful, leaving him no room at all.

Just as the atmosphere grew increasingly tense and swords were about to be drawn, a gentle voice suddenly rang out, breaking the deadlock:

"Peak Master Chen truly has great skill! What I saw today has truly opened my eyes."

Everyone looked toward the source of the voice and saw a kind-looking old man in a gray robe slowly walking out of the crowd—it was the Second Elder of Biyou Palace!

This Second Elder bowed to Chen Xuan and said sincerely: "The God-Tier Divine Ability Peak Master Chen just displayed was soul-shaking; it's truly a great blessing for today! Elder Li and the Valley Master were also momentarily confused, not intentionally trying to offend you."

"As the saying goes, it is better to resolve an enmity than to keep it. Meeting once is a form of fate."

He paused, and seeing that Chen Xuan's expression hadn't changed, he added, "The path of cultivation should value harmony. The Great Love Immortal Venerable often says that treasures are easy to find, but soulmates are hard to come by."

"Now that you have obtained this Divine Ability, it is a time when your cultivation base is advancing and your Great Dao is promising. Why waste your energy on such trivial matters? Why not give me some Face and let this matter pass? In the future, Elder Li and the Valley Master will owe Peak Master Chen a favor."

Seeing this, Li Xuantong and the other man hurriedly clasped their hands and said, "We were thinking the same thing! Congratulations to Fellow Daoist for obtaining a God-Tier Divine Ability today! In the future, if there is anything you need help with in Huangji Prefecture, feel free to contact us at any time!"

In the crowd, Yu Qingyan's brows were tightly knit. She parted her red lips and said coldly, "This old thing is truly shameless! They were clearly the ones who provoked first, coveting the Dao Seeking Sect's Divine Beast mount. Now that they've lost the bet, they want to rely on their influence to bully the Dao Seeking Sect for being insignificant."

"To earn the gratitude of the Wansheng Dao Court and Yuling Valley, he can even spout such nonsense."

Dongfang Li explained softly, "You see through it quite clearly."

"But this old thing's words are not simple. First, he gave Peak Master Chen plenty of Face, then he subtly brought up the Great Love Immortal Venerable. He's vaguely implying that if he doesn't want to make peace, he might be making an enemy of the Immortal Venerable's forces."

"I wonder how this Peak Master Chen will respond."

Chen Xuan looked at the newcomer and smiled slightly: "And who might you be?"

"I am the Second Elder of Biyou Palace."

The gray-robed old man replied with a bow, his tone carrying a hint of pride.

"Biyou Palace?"

Chen Xuan's eyebrows rose slightly, his tone blunt and leaving no room for negotiation. "Never heard of it. I thought some Heavenly Venerable had arrived in person to dare open their mouth and ask for Face."

As soon as these words were spoken, there was a brief, dead silence, followed by a burst of uproarious laughter!

The old man's Face instantly turned green and white, looking like a palette, extremely unsightly.

As an influential Elder of Biyou Palace, he was a prominent figure in Huangji Prefecture. When had he ever suffered such humiliation?