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Chapter 7: A Big Treasure Hiding a Bigger Treasure Inside?
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Ye Qinghan thought to herself, Master, you clearly don't even consider her human…

Shangguan Rou was such a tactless fool. Suffering a minor setback made her feel utterly humiliated, clutching her sword like she was ready to kill.

Don't you even assess the situation?

Is Sister even on your level? Your Foundation Establishment is worlds apart from my Qi Cultivation!

Sis wields a先天至宝—an enhanced version at that! She practices the Frost-Piercing Sword Art! Immortal-tier techniques are trash before her! She bathes in spiritual elixir!

What do you even have to compare with me?

That scrawny frame of yours—I'm afraid I'd shatter it to pieces!

Ye Qinghan didn't care much. Perfect opportunity to test the immortal sword in his scabbard!

"Hold on, let me find where I put it."

With that, Ye Qinghan pulled open her collar, turned her back, and burrowed into Su Cheng's embrace, starting to rummage…

【Holy moly, how could you hide another treasure inside the main treasure?】

"Huh? Where did I put it?" Ye Qinghan looked utterly bewildered. She was certain she'd stashed it in her bosom—the Jade Pendant and immortal pills were still there, but where had the sword case vanished to?

Ye Qinghan burrowed deeper into Su Cheng's embrace. Right under his nose, she tugged at her collar with one hand while rummaging with the other…

"Fox spirit! You're asking for death!"

With that, Shangguan Rou lunged forward, sword raised.

In an instant, the sword was at Ye Qinghan's back. She was utterly exasperated!

Couldn't she see she was busy showing her master her treasures?

Her master was staring at Qinghan with eyes wide as saucers. And now you're disrupting us?

Without even glancing at her, Ye Qinghan twisted sideways and delivered a kick. Forgetting to hold back, the force sent Shangguan Rou flying backward, spitting blood!

Shangguan Rou flew backward, caught by Lu Cheng beside her, finally catching her breath.

"Hey! Don't try to make a scene! I didn't use any force!"

With that, Ye Qinghan gave up searching. Stomping her foot on the ground, she commanded, "Damn sword case! Get out here!"

Ye Qinghan had only intended to test it, but to her surprise, the sword case actually obeyed!

With a whoosh, it transformed into a streak of light, shooting out from Ye Qinghan's collar. It grew larger mid-air before crashing heavily at her feet, shattering the pavement beneath…

Ye Qinghan felt it was almost unnecessary to use the immortal sword—simply swinging the sword case around could crush Shangguan Rou flat!

"Since Master has given permission, Qinghan will play along for a bit. But not too long—Qinghan still needs to dine with Master! Consider this a pre-dinner performance for Master!"

Ye Qinghan stamped her foot, instantly unleashing spiritual energy around her. Her crimson lips parted as she murmured softly, "Sword, come!"

【Why does my First Disciple, the moment she steps outside, suddenly feel kinda cool?】

Two sharp clicks echoed from within the sword case, like clasps springing open. The case instantly unfolded, revealing a dozen celestial swords of varying designs lying inside.

Being divine blades, Ye Qinghan could only control them to a limited extent. Four swords shot out instantly, flying straight toward Shangguan Rou!

Shangguan Rou was already consumed by her rage! She intended to deflect the flying swords and take this madman's life outright.

But reality proved she had seriously overestimated herself…

Attempting to deflect the divine blades?

The moment her sword touched the celestial blades, she was forced backward by their overwhelming power…

In an instant, Shangguan Rou snapped back to her senses…

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Ye Qinghan sitting on the sword case, buttoning his collar. She couldn't help but think Ye Qinghan was a monster!

She was at the Foundation Establishment cultivation level! Yet Ye Qinghan was merely at the Qi Cultivation stage—and only at the ninth layer!

Yet she had to muster every ounce of strength just to withstand that fox spirit's attack!

Thoughts raced through her mind, but the relentless onslaught of flying swords left her little time to dwell…

Shangguan Rou shouted while fending them off!

"Second Elder! What are you waiting for? Kill her now!"

The Second Elder wasn't stupid. This was the woman the Sect Leader had set his sights on. How could he kill her himself?

"But…"

"No buts! I'll handle everything! Just do it!" Shangguan Rou was losing her temper. After all, she was a prodigy, the First Disciple of the Celestial Path Pavilion!

What the hell is wrong with you, Second Elder?

You're just standing there watching your own people get beaten?

Ye Qinghan glanced at Su Cheng, who merely smiled without a word.

[Given Cheng Liang's regard for Ye Qinghan, this Second Elder likely wouldn't dare strike fatally. Qinghan should be safe.]

【As long as that bastard isn't targeting me, even if that old fart Lu Cheng dares to harbor murderous intent, I can strike instantly and take him out.】

Su Cheng was supremely confident in the lethality of his skills. Anyone below the Transformation of Spirit realm, he could likely eliminate in an instant.

But that was only if the opponent didn't intend to kill him. Otherwise, without cultivation, he'd be stuck standing there taking blows. And being just a mortal flesh and blood, he definitely wouldn't be able to withstand it…

This wasn't hard to grasp. Ye Qinghan felt she understood her master more and more.

Though immensely powerful, without cultivation, he was incredibly fragile—needing the First Disciple's protection! Heh~

Ye Qinghan wasn't in a hurry. Shangguan Rou was already struggling against two immortal swords. If her master hadn't forbidden her from killing, Shangguan Rou would have been dead long ago.

She simply handed two divine swords to Lu Cheng. While Ye Qinghan chatted with her master, she single-handedly suppressed both opponents…

The moment they clashed, Lu Cheng was stunned!

Master? You claim this thing is at the ninth layer of Qi Cultivation?

If she ever reached Foundation Establishment, ten of me wouldn't be enough to save us!

But he also understood why Cheng Liang coveted Ye Qinghan so fiercely. Such a formidable demoness would naturally be the object of every major sect's desire.

Yet this Ye Qinghan had chosen a worthless废物 and treated him like a precious treasure, calling him "Master" with every breath…

Lu Cheng wielded a bamboo staff—a low-grade Heavenly-tier artifact. With his Nascent Soul cultivation, he could barely hold his ground.

But Shangguan Rou was clearly on the verge of collapse!

Her arms and thighs bore multiple deep gashes! Her clothes were shredded to tatters, giving her an unexpectedly trendy, modern-day torn look.

Seeing this was unsustainable, Lu Cheng went all out. Ye Qinghan froze in surprise. What the hell?

Master is watching! Do you want me to embarrass myself?

Ye Qinghan glanced at his master. The hands that had been behind his back were now brought forward.

Clearly, he hadn't found the item that should have been hanging at his waist.

"You want to fight me, Ye Qinghan? Do you even have the strength?"

Ye Qinghan stomped her foot again. "You want to play games? You don't know when to back down, do you?"

Instantly, two more immortal swords shot straight toward Lu Chengfei. Ye Qinghan had begun to fight seriously. Even she couldn't maintain her lighthearted demeanor with six immortal swords in play—this was the absolute limit of her control.

Any more, and she couldn't maintain precise control…

Lu Cheng was stunned. What kind of monster was this Ye Qinghan?

Ye Qinghan glanced around. The merchants, whom she'd expected to scatter in panic, now maintained a safe distance, silently watching the battle between immortals…

"Qinghan, stop."

Su Cheng narrowed his eyes. As an entry ticket, this was sufficient.

"Is Master hungry?" Ye Qinghan had actually intended to use this Second Elder to test the Ling Frost Sword Technique, but her master had spoken.

"If I hadn't called it off, you might have killed him, wouldn't you?" Su Cheng said, ruffling her hair affectionately, showing not a trace of blame.

Ye Qinghan said nothing, silently sheathing her immortal sword. She narrowed her eyes slightly, glancing at Shangguan Rou.

After returning the sword case to its place, Ye Qinghan stood obediently behind Su Cheng.

"Miss Shangguan, a hero emerges in youth. You truly live up to your name as a prodigy. Su Cheng is deeply impressed."

"On behalf of my disciple, I thank Miss Shangguan for showing mercy. I failed to discipline her properly, and she offended you. I will certainly teach her a lesson when we return!"

"Second Elder, if there's nothing else, I'll take Qinghan to eat now."

Lu Cheng and Shangguan Rou both looked bewildered, though Lu Cheng remained more composed than the hot-headed Shangguan Rou.

"Master Su, you're too kind. Miss Qinghan possesses remarkable talent. Given time, she will surely become a phoenix among men."

"Master Su, I shan't keep you any longer. Please go ahead."

Su Cheng smiled and led Ye Qinghan to a restaurant.

"Qinghan, order whatever you like! You did well today—your master is very pleased!"

"Wow! Thank you, Master!"

Ye Qinghan didn't need food at all. All she wanted was her master's praise and a pat on the head! As long as she could earn her master's compliments, she'd thrive even if she had to photosynthesize!

But considering she didn't know if Master had any money left, Ye Qinghan didn't order every dish on the menu.

She only ordered two of her favorites, plus something her master liked.

[This incident served as a wake-up call—I must equip Qinghan with more magical artifacts!]

【These two opponents were manageable this time, but what about next time? What if the enemy is powerful, or outnumbered us?】

【I myself wouldn't mind, but Qinghan is my direct disciple. I have to take responsibility!】

Ye Qinghan listened quietly. Was this her master's cultivation strategy?

Ye Qinghan blinked her almond-shaped fox eyes, stealing glances while eating. Was her master really planning to shower her with rare treasures and magical artifacts?

【Decision made. Since we can't win in combat, we'll beat them in a treasure battle!】

【I may lack in other areas, but I've got plenty of magical artifacts and gear!】

【Pushed to the limit! I'll get Qinghan a Pangu Axe. Anyone who dares bully my disciple will have their entire clan chopped to pieces!】

Ye Qinghan was stunned. So innate treasures weren't the ultimate weapon after all?

"Qinghan, I have a treasure here. Do you want it?"

Ye Qinghan paused, suddenly feeling less anxious. His master implied these treasures would eventually be his anyway—why rush?

If he needed anything, his master would arrange it without him even asking.

"Master has already given Qinghan more than enough. I desire nothing else but to remain by your side and serve you."

[Huh… switching to the obedient mode now?]

Su Cheng rolled his eyes. At the end of the day, he didn't aspire to be some lofty, untouchable figure.

"You said you wanted it."

"Fine. This disciple wants it."

Ye Qinghan smiled, revealing an expression that clearly said she couldn't help but be exasperated with her master.

"This is my Star River Ruler. If Qinghan can establish a Foundation before the secret realm opens, I'll give it to you. How about it?"

[Hehe, Qinghan's temperament—he definitely won't refuse!]

"Qinghan doesn't want it." Oh? Does Master know Qinghan that well?

Qinghan will show you how appearances can be deceiving~

Ye Qinghan genuinely wasn't that interested. She hadn't even figured out the Six Rites yet! There were so many magical treasures, and she didn't even know how to use them. What good would they do her?

Besides, whatever the Master has is hers anyway. If she fancies something, she could just act cute and trick it out of him anytime. Why bother?

【This doesn't make sense? Has this kid lost interest in magical artifacts?】

"You don't like it? I have other magical treasures. How about the Banana Fan? Something for girls? Or the Fallen Immortal's Zither?"

"Qinghan doesn't like them."

Sigh…

【Is this dish poisoned? Something's off!】

Ye Qinghan flashed a devilish smile and spoke up, "If I succeed, Master, would you grant me a small request?"

"Whatever you ask… your master… will grant…"

After much deliberation, Su Cheng added cautiously, knowing Ye Qinghan's demands required careful consideration.

"Not every request can be granted!"

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