71: The ambitious young leader!

“You two are too polite.”

Su Yang also politely cupped his hands.

Since the Pavilion Master of the Merit Pavilion had arrived, Su Yang spoke directly, “I wish to exchange for some Spiritual Plants and Immortal Herbs. I wonder if the Merit Pavilion has such resources?”

Before Xiang Tianwen could speak, Young Pavilion Master Xiang Shaobo said, “The Profound Heaven Dao Sect has its own medicinal garden. What other Sects have, we definitely have. What other Sects don’t have, we also have. If even the Profound Heaven Dao Sect cannot find a Spiritual Plant or Immortal Herb, then other Sects certainly won’t have it.”

“That’s good. Please lead the way.”

Just as Su Yang was about to leave, he saw Jiang Muchen still bowing beside him and said to Xiang Tianwen, “Pavilion Master Xiang, this is my Junior Brother, Jiang Muchen, from the same period. He is the Disciple with the highest Aptitude among the Disciples of our period, apart from me. He may frequently come to the Merit Pavilion to receive missions in the future, so please take good care of him, Pavilion Master Xiang.”

Only then did Xiang Tianwen glance at Jiang Muchen, nodding, “Jiang Muchen, right? I’ve noted that name. Lingxiao Sword Ancestor, this way please.”

“Please.”

Su Yang followed Xiang Tianwen and Xiang Shaobo.

“Farewell, Lingxiao Sword Ancestor!”

“Farewell, Pavilion Master, Young Pavilion Master.”

Jiang Muchen bowed ninety degrees in salute.

The guilt in his eyes was beyond words.

He had often provoked Su Yang in the past, yet he never expected that Su Yang would be willing to help him at this moment.

Even though it was just a single sentence, Jiang Muchen, being from an aristocratic family, understood more clearly than other ordinary Disciples that for Su Yang, the Lingxiao Sword Ancestor, that one sentence was enough to change his future.

At this moment, besides guilt, a profoundly strong sense of loyalty spontaneously arose within Jiang Muchen.

Although he might not often see Su Yang, a desire to dedicate himself to him now surged within him.

However much he had looked down on Su Yang in the past, that was how much he now wished to uphold his authority!

“In the future, whoever dares to slander you, I, Jiang Muchen, will be the first to object!”

“In the future, wherever Jiang Muchen is needed, I will charge forward for you!”

Watching Su Yang’s retreating figure, Jiang Muchen’s eyes gleamed.

To have the opportunity to pledge loyalty to Su Yang, Jiang Muchen desired to become stronger than ever before.

He strode into the mission hall of the Merit Pavilion… Su Yang followed Xiang Tianwen and Xiang Shaobo to the material exchange hall.

The hall was enormous, spanning over eight hundred square meters, with ten service counters inside.

“Isn’t that Lingxiao Sword Ancestor?”

“It really is him.”

“My goodness! Last time he returned from Burial Immortal Valley, he was only at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage, but now he’s already at the Early Golden Core Stage.”

“As expected of a Disciple of the Grand Elders, his progress is astonishingly fast.”

“Greetings, Lingxiao Sword Ancestor!”

The Sect Disciples in the hall, who were processing exchanges and registrations, all bowed in salute. The admiration in their eyes for Su Yang could no longer be described merely as envy.

But neither could it be called jealousy.

The mere identity of master of the divine sword already placed him far beyond their reach.

The jealousy of most people often stems from believing themselves stronger than the other. However, when the other party’s strength far surpasses their own, to the point of being unreachable, it is easier to feel admiration rather than jealousy.

Su Yang nodded as a response.

“This way, please.”

Xiang Shaobo proactively led the way, taking Su Yang directly to the back work area.

How could the Lingxiao Sword Ancestor exchange items at a counter like other ordinary Disciples? Such neglect, if it reached the ears of the Three Grand Elders, could lead to punishment.

In a magnificent reception room.

Xiang Shaobo personally poured tea for Su Yang, so respectful that it seemed like flattery. “Lingxiao Sword Ancestor, please write down whatever Spiritual Plants and Immortal Herbs you desire, and I will have someone prepare them for you immediately.”

Based on the Medicinal Pill formulas he could currently refine from the “Dao Transformation Elixir Art,” Su Yang wrote down all fifteen required herbs, specifying the quantities, and handed the list to Xiang Shaobo.

Xiang Shaobo glanced at it and said, “No problem, I’ll have someone prepare them right away!”

Xiang Shaobo left the room and handed the list to the Merit Pavilion Steward, asking him to personally handle it to avoid any mistakes.

From the moment they entered, this Young Pavilion Master had been busy, so Su Yang asked Xiang Tianwen, “Pavilion Master Xiang, you teach your son well. In the future, the Young Pavilion Master will surely be an indispensable pillar of the Sect.”

Xiang Tianwen replied, “Lingxiao Sword Ancestor, you flatter him. If we speak of pillars, the Lingxiao Sword Ancestor truly is one!”

Xiang Shaobo, who had just returned, happened to hear Su Yang praise him and immediately said, “To receive the appreciation of the Lingxiao Sword Ancestor, Shaobo is truly fortunate. In the future, if Lingxiao Sword Ancestor has any needs, please come find me, and I will surely arrange everything properly for you.”

Su Yang smiled without speaking.

Although this Xiang Shaobo was very respectful and polite, the man gave him a feeling of 'knowing the face but not the heart,' like painting a tiger but failing to capture its spirit. He really disliked this person.

Comparatively, Jiang Muchen was much more likable than him.

The herbs Su Yang requested were quickly retrieved from the medicinal garden.

Xiang Shaobo personally handed them to Su Yang, “Lingxiao Sword Ancestor, please check if there are any discrepancies in the Spiritual Plants and Immortal Herbs you requested.”

Su Yang said, “I trust you won’t make mistakes.”

With that, he put the herbs into his Storage Pouch.

Fifteen types of Spiritual Plants and Immortal Herbs, totaling nearly 500 plants – who would bother counting all that?

Moreover, with his current status, no one below him would dare to make such a basic error.

This was one of the benefits of his elevated status.

Su Yang continued, “I know the Sect has always allowed the exchange of hunted Spirit Beasts for resources. I have quite a few Spirit Beast corpses here. You can take as many as needed to exchange for these Spiritual Plants and Immortal Herbs.”

Walking outside, he waved his hand, summoning the Spirit Beast corpses he had stored in his Storage Pouch.

He wasn't sure how many were needed, so he brought out all the Spirit Beast corpses.

Let them choose for themselves.

The Spirit Beast corpses filled the entire courtyard.

Xiang Tianwen and Xiang Shaobo were both stunned.

They didn't know if Su Yang had slain these himself or if the Three Grand Elders had taken him along to slay them.

Regardless of the situation, being able to slay so many Spirit Beasts was a rather exaggerated feat.

Xiang Shaobo proactively said, “Lingxiao Sword Ancestor is a Disciple of the Grand Elders, with a lofty status. How could you need to exchange things when you come to the Merit Pavilion? If we were to make you do so, it would be neglect on the part of the Merit Pavilion. Absolutely not.”

Su Yang, however, did not wish to owe them anything, and insisted, “Sect rules should not be easily broken. If those with some status could easily receive resources from the Sect for free, wouldn’t the Sect become a private hall? Exchange as per the rules; even the Grand Elders would not say anything if they knew.”

Su Yang’s tone was not feigned politeness. Xiang Shaobo thought for a moment and said, “Lingxiao Sword Ancestor is truly enlightened, a role model for our generation! Since you insist, I will proceed according to Sect rules.”

The Spiritual Plants and Immortal Herbs Su Yang requested seemed numerous, but they were all relatively common herbs, so not too many resources were needed for the exchange.

Xiang Shaobo selected 25 complete Spirit Beast corpses and put them away.

“You can put away the remaining Spirit Beast corpses.”

Xiang Shaobo said.

“Since the transaction is complete, I shall take my leave.”

Su Yang collected the remaining Spirit Beast corpses from the ground, turned, and left.

“Lingxiao Sword Ancestor, won’t you stay for a cup of tea before you go?”

Xiang Shaobo hurried after him.

“No need.”

“Then I will see you out.”

Su Yang did not refuse, knowing that even if he did, Xiang Shaobo would still insist on seeing him out.

After leaving the door, Su Yang flew away without looking back.

He truly disliked Xiang Shaobo.

Excessive flattery always has an ulterior motive, and flattery offered without demands will surely lead to future trouble!

Avoid him if possible!

“Farewell, Lingxiao Sword Ancestor!”

Xiang Shaobo called out loudly, his voice audible to everyone around.

He only straightened up once Su Yang had completely disappeared from sight.

Xiang Tianwen, who had been quiet, had appeared beside Xiang Shaobo at some point, looking at his son with a puzzled expression.

“Shaobo, the Grand Elder gave your childhood sweetheart to Su Yang, and you’re not only not angry but are so respectful to him. What exactly are you thinking?”

Xiang Shaobo looked in the direction Su Yang had departed, his eyes gleaming with intense ambition.

“What is one woman? If he wants to give her away, then so be it.”

“Father, don’t you understand yet? The emergence of this Su Yang is changing the power structure of the Profound Heaven Dao Sect!”

“Are you truly willing to be a Pavilion Master managing a warehouse here for your entire life? Whether you are willing or not, I must find a way for you to become the next Sect Master of the Profound Heaven Dao Sect, so that I will have the opportunity to inherit your mantle and become the Sect Master after that, taking charge of the entire Profound Heaven Dao Sect!”

“I want to first be the Young Sect Master of the Profound Heaven Dao Sect, and then the Sect Master of the Profound Heaven Dao Sect!”

Xiang Tianwen’s brows furrowed tightly.

“Shaobo, what do you mean?”

“Father, you still haven’t understood…”

Xiang Shaobo looked at his father with a pained expression, “Let’s go back, I’ll explain it to you!”