Chapter 308: Chapter 215: Demon Child’s Trial (3)
"Three sections of Millennial Yin Evil Thunderstruck Wood, half a measure of Centennial Corpse Mud, one bottle of Seven Emotions Heartbreak Flower pollen..."
Runes flowed across the Black Stone counter, reflecting the hurried figures of disciples coming and going.
Qin Xuan paced among them, his gaze sweeping over the various Spiritual Materials listed on the Jade Pendant.
He mentally calculated the cost. These were all supplementary materials for refining the Hundred Poison Cold Miasma Banner. Though not top-tier, they would still take a significant chunk out of his current wealth.
Just as he was about to take out his savings to make the exchange, a familiar voice sounded from behind him.
"Qin... Qin Xuan?! You... you’re not dead?!"
Qin Xuan turned to see Jin Wuhai standing not far away. His face was as pale as paper and his clothes were in tatters; he had clearly just returned from a Secret Realm.
At first, his expression was normal.
However, when he saw the deep gold Lifebound Longsword at Qin Xuan’s waist, Jin Wuhai was completely dumbfounded.
A warm smile appeared on Qin Xuan’s face.
"So it’s Senior Brother Jin. It’s been many years. You’re as dashing as ever."
His gaze swept over Jin Wuhai.
With a single glance, he saw through him completely.
His aura was faint, his Demonic Essence was in disarray, and his Realm was still at the Foundation Establishment Ninth Level.
He was covered in injuries from the Great Dao, clearly from a failed attempt to forcibly break through to the Purple Mansion Realm. Not only had his Cultivation failed to advance, but he also seemed even weaker than when he was at Foundation Establishment Perfection back then.
"Where did you get back from, all covered in injuries?"
Qin Xuan asked teasingly.
As he spoke, Qin Xuan deliberately-yet-casually revealed the Power of his Destiny Star, [Big Horn], and his Purple Mansion Realm Cultivation!
"A Star Mansion Realm Altar Master?!"
Jin Wuhai’s eyes widened like saucers. A chill shot up from the bottom of his heart, and cold sweat instantly soaked his back.
Back then, he had conspired with Ruan Fusheng and Jiaang Xiaofeng to offend Qin Xuan to the point of no return.
Later, while in a Secret Realm, he heard that Qin Xuan had accepted a congratulatory birthday mission that was practically a suicide run. He had assumed Qin Xuan had long since turned to dust and had secretly rejoiced for a long time.
He never would have imagined that not only had this person returned alive, but judging by his aura, he had actually succeeded in opening his Purple Mansion, far surpassing him!
Jin Wuhai was regretting it so much his guts were turning green. His lips trembled as he stammered, "Junior... Junior Brother Qin... No, Junior Martial Uncle Qin! Back then, this lowly one was blinded by greed. You are a magnanimous person..."
"Hey," Qin Xuan waved his hand, interrupting him. His smile grew even brighter as he stepped forward and clapped Jin Wuhai cordially on the shoulder.
"Senior Brother Jin, what are you talking about? A little friction between fellow sect members is all in the past. How could I be the type of person to hold a grudge?"
Hearing this, Jin Wuhai didn’t relax at all. Instead, his expression became even more wretched, his heart turning to dead ashes.
’Doesn’t hold a grudge?’
’Do you fucking believe that yourself?’
’A Demon Cultivator in the Holy Sect who doesn’t hold a grudge?!’
Sure enough, Qin Xuan’s tone shifted, and he sighed, "However, as you can see, Senior Brother, your junior brother was lucky enough to break through to the Purple Mansion Realm. I’ve earned the Sect’s favor and have already been assigned to the Huaizhong Altar."
"Alas, my new Cave Mansion has just been established, and there’s so much to be done. It’s a time when I really need people. I see that Senior Brother’s Cultivation is solid and you’re rich in experience. Why don’t you come to my Huaizhong Altar to be a Steward and lend me a hand? It would be a fine way to honor the fellowship between us sect brothers."
Jin Wuhai’s face instantly turned deathly pale. His smile was uglier than a grimace.
’Huaizhong Altar is your territory, Qin Xuan. If I go there...’
’Forget about healing my injuries in this lifetime, I’d be lucky to even keep my current Realm!’
’This isn’t a favor, it’s blatant, premeditated revenge!’
"Junior Martial Uncle Qin, I... my injuries haven’t healed. I’m afraid I’ll hinder your important affairs..." Jin Wuhai was still trying to struggle.
Qin Xuan’s smile didn’t change, but his eyes turned cold. "What? Is Senior Brother Jin looking down on my Huaizhong Altar, or are you looking down on me?"
BOOM!
A heavy pressure unique to the Purple Mansion Realm descended upon him.
The heavily injured Jin Wuhai felt as if he’d been plunged into an icy cavern, and even breathing became difficult.
Jin Wuhai understood instantly. He had no right to refuse.
"N-No, I wouldn’t dare! I am entirely at your disposal, Junior Martial Uncle!"
Jin Wuhai agreed through gritted teeth.
"Excellent," Qin Xuan nodded in satisfaction, then pointed to the counter. "Perfect. Your junior brother needs to purchase some Spiritual Materials, but I’m tied up with trivial matters. I’ll have to trouble Senior Brother Jin to settle the bill for me."
Qin Xuan kept calling him "Senior Brother Jin."
He took the list of items he had already selected, casually added a few more expensive core materials of the Poison Attribute, and stuffed the whole thing into Jin Wuhai’s hands.
Jin Wuhai took the Jade Scroll, scanned it with his Divine Sense, and his vision went black. He nearly fainted.
The amount of Spirit Stones on it... even if he sold himself, he couldn’t afford a fraction of it!
"Junior Martial Uncle Qin! This... this amount is just too..."
"Hm?" Qin Xuan raised an eyebrow. "Is Senior Brother Jin having difficulties?"
Looking at Qin Xuan’s faint, mocking smile, Jin Wuhai swallowed his words and said with a miserable expression, "No, no difficulties."
Jin Wuhai tremblingly took out his shriveled Storage Pouch.
He emptied everything he had, even selling off his few personal Spiritual Artifacts at a discount, but it was still far from enough.
The Golden Core Department Master from the Contribution Hall in charge of assisting Qin Xuan reminded him expressionlessly, "Nephew, you are still short by seventy percent. The Hall can provide a Spirit Stone loan. The interest, according to Sect regulations, is five percent per month."
Jin Wuhai’s vision went dark. ’Five percent monthly interest?’
’With the compounding interest, he wouldn’t be able to pay it back even if he worked for the Contribution Hall for another thousand years. This was simply pushing him to his death...’
"Senior Brother Jin, this is a sign of the Sect’s trust. Such an opportunity is rare."
Qin Xuan "kindly" advised from the side.
Jin Wuhai trembled all over. Finally, under Qin Xuan’s invisible pressure, he shakily pressed his Divine Soul imprint onto the loan contract.
As he watched the rune representing his enormous debt sink into the space between his eyebrows, he felt that his life had become completely bleak. He wanted to cry but had no tears left.
Qin Xuan put away the Storage Pouch filled with Spiritual Materials, patted the ashen-faced Jin Wuhai on the shoulder, and spoke in a lighthearted tone.
"Thank you for your expense, Senior Brother. Report to the Huaizhong Altar tomorrow. Don’t be late."
After speaking, Qin Xuan turned and left with a chuckle.
"PFFT!"
Jin Wuhai’s qi and blood surged to his heart. He tilted his head back to the sky and spat out a large mouthful of fresh blood. His vision went black, and unable to take the blow any longer, he collapsed to the ground in a dead faint.
