Chapter 246: Chapter 245: Wound of Divine Thought
"And what have I done wrong?"
Though his voice was not loud, it held a power that could not be questioned. Qin Ya stood before the Ancient King, his eyes sharp as swords and radiating a piercing aura. He stared directly at the King without a hint of fear. The crowd was stunned by his words.
’This boy... he actually dares to talk back to a King!’
"Good, good, good! You’re quite the character, Qin Ya!"
He didn’t fly into the rage everyone expected. On the contrary, the Ancient King laughed heartily. "Since this Spiritual Artifact and I are not fated to be, I won’t force it. Take it," he said. "However..." Here, his tone shifted as he glanced at the many Extraordinary Martial Artists in the crowd. "Whether or not you can keep it is up to you!"
’What? He’s just letting him take the Spiritual Artifact?’
The Ancient King’s words struck them like a bolt of lightning, ringing in their minds. What had they just heard? The Ancient King was actually giving this Spiritual Artifact to a boy he’d just met.
At this thought, the looks everyone gave Qin Ya were no longer merely greedy. They looked as if they wanted to eat him alive—a chilling stare, a hundred times more terrifying than a starving wolf eyeing a lamb.
If this Spiritual Artifact were in the Ancient King’s hands, they wouldn’t dare to try anything. His power, after all, was there for all to see. But Qin Ya was a different story. A mere Sky-Controlling Martial Artist... The gap between him and the Ancient King was more than just worlds apart...
’How did that guy manage to win the favor of a Spiritual Artifact? Damn it! He’s just a puny Sky-Controlling Martial Artist! What right does he have to be so lucky? What right?!’
’What the hell? Has the Sword Spirit gone blind?’
"Hmph. His treasure will be his doom. He has a Spiritual Artifact but lacks the Ancient King’s power. I guarantee that the moment he steps off Liubo Island, he’ll die. Absolutely!"
’That boy’s name is Qin Ya, isn’t it? I’ll remember it!’
If even the Extraordinary Martial Artists were reacting this way, it went without saying for the younger ones. Their eyes were all bloodshot as they stared at Qin Ya, wishing they could kick him aside and take his place.
"Heh, Brother Qin Ya, you certainly have some good fortune, some incredible luck." At that moment, Cangshu stepped forward, giving Qin Ya a slight smile. His attitude was so gentle, it was as if he were treating a long-lost friend, leaving the crowd completely baffled.
’Didn’t he just have a conflict with Qin Ya a moment ago?’
’Could it be that he’s seen Qin Ya’s incredible talent and now his Spiritual Artifact, and wants to befriend him? Befriend him, my ass! It would be a miracle if a petty, narrow-minded man like Cangshu wanted to befriend a Martial Artist who made him lose face.’
"Not everyone gets this lucky,"
Qin Ya said coolly. He then walked slowly to the Ting Xiao Sword and pulled it from the ground, all while internally cursing Ting Xiao, the Sword Spirit. ’I don’t have the Ancient King’s strength. Facing this pack of Extraordinary Martial Artists, all blinded by greed and eager to swallow me whole, is a serious headache.’
"Brother Qin Ya is right,"
A cold glint flashed in Cangshu’s eyes, but he smiled and said, "You must be the biggest winner at this feast. Not only did you obtain a million Primordial Stones, but also a Spiritual Artifact. Oh, and I see you have quite a few High-Level Elixirs on you, too. If I had brought more Primordial Stones with me, I would definitely buy a few from you to have on hand."
A million Primordial Stones, plenty of High-Level Elixirs, and a Spiritual Artifact!
Holy shit! With Cangshu’s reminder, the crowd realized that this kid didn’t just have a Spiritual Artifact. He also had a million Primordial Stones and an unknown quantity of High-Level Elixirs! In fact, it was more than that—he was a walking Treasure Vault!
A Treasure Vault so tempting it was impossible to resist.
Putting everything else aside, the million Primordial Stones alone was a fortune greater than what ninety-nine percent of the Extraordinary Martial Artists present possessed. It was a level of wealth that even those in the Celestial Human Realm might not have.
’Heh, so that was his plan all along.’
Qin Ya gave a cool smile, filled with contempt for Cangshu’s scheme.
Facing the gazes of the Martial Artists, which threatened to strip him bare and pick his bones clean, Qin Ya’s expression remained calm. He turned to the Ancient King and said, "I have received the million Primordial Stones, and I have given you the antidote. Our business should be concluded. However, you went to great lengths to acquire the Ting Xiao Sword. Although it was Ting Xiao’s own choice to come with me, I still owe you a favor. So, how about this: I’ll stay here for a few days."
Although the Ting Xiao Sword had chosen Qin Ya, if the Ancient King had stubbornly refused to let it go, Qin Ya would have been powerless to take it. After all, his strength was far inferior to the Ancient King’s.
Even though he possessed a Spiritual Artifact, his Cultivation was insufficient to wield its full power.
"A favor? Stay for a few days?"
Yur Piaoyun sneered upon hearing this. He dusted off his robes and said, "I’d say you’re just scared you’ll be carved up the second you leave Liubo Island. Why make it sound so noble? Aren’t you just trying to use Liubo Island as a sanctuary?"
Having their intentions laid bare so bluntly by Yur Piaoyun, some of the Martial Artists looked a bit awkward. But they were all seasoned veterans who had weathered great storms, and their expressions quickly returned to normal.
Qin Ya smiled. ’A sanctuary?’
To be honest, part of the reason he had suggested staying on Liubo Island was indeed due to the current predatory atmosphere. If it were just a few Sky-Controlling Extraordinary Martial Artists, it wouldn’t have been a problem. With Scenic Landscapes in his possession, he was confident he could escape with his life, even if he couldn’t win a fight.
However, this crowd included not only Sky-Controlling Martial Artists but also Celestial Human Realm Martial Artists—and more than just one or two. If he were to just walk out openly right now, he might really end up getting carved up by them, just as Yur Piaoyun had said.
But aside from that reason, repaying the Ancient King’s favor was also a genuine part of his consideration.
Seeing Qin Ya’s proposition shot down, many of the Extraordinary Martial Artists were gloating. ’He wanted to use Liubo Island as a sanctuary? I bet he didn’t expect to be rejected so bluntly!’
"Heh heh, that kid Qin Ya is a dead man now. This crowd of Extraordinary Martial Artists sees him as a fat sheep for the slaughtering. He couldn’t escape even if he had ten lives."
"Exactly. Li Fei and his partner couldn’t kill him, but against this many Extraordinary Martial Artists, including some from the Celestial Human Realm? Even the most monstrous genius can’t escape death."
"Heh, what a shame. A prodigy of his generation, about to fall just like this."
"To die at the hands of so many Extraordinary Martial Artists—you could say he’s going out with a bang. Besides, is there any shortage of monstrous geniuses who die young in this world?"
"He wants to stay on Liubo Island? He took a million of the man’s Primordial Stones and the Spiritual Artifact he worked so hard to obtain. The fact that the Ancient King hasn’t already killed him shows the utmost tolerance. To expect shelter from him now? Heh, what a joke."
...
In the distance, many of the younger Martial Artists whispered amongst themselves.
"No. You’ll let me stay," Qin Ya said with a confident smile.
No one knew the source of his confidence.
"Oh? Then give me a reason!"
The Ancient King spoke coolly. Just as everyone had thought, this young man had injured his subordinate and taken his Spiritual Artifact. And although there were reasons for all of it, it had ultimately caused him to lose face. He felt no hatred for Qin Ya, but he was certainly not willing to help him.
Qin Ya slowly walked up to the Ancient King and stared into his eyes.
Then, he said calmly, "Divine Thought. I have a solution."
The many Martial Artists who heard this looked baffled. Divine Thought? I have a solution? What did that mean? The answer was completely nonsensical.
But when Yur Piaoyun and the Ancient King heard his words, their expressions changed dramatically.
’An injury to the Divine Thought... How could this boy possibly know?’
