Chapter 1312: Madam, You Don't Want That Either

Jiang Fan was sitting casually, legs crossed, at this moment. He accepted the spiritual tea brewed by Venerable Qian Jiao, gently blew on its surface, and asked, "Venerable Qian Jiao, what couldn't be said outside that you had to invite me to the lounge privately?"

Seeing Jiang Fan's expectant look, as if waiting for her to plead, Venerable Qian Jiao gritted her teeth internally. *That scoundrel, he's really putting on an act! Fine, I'll concede for now! Once Xiong Xiong is cured, I'll settle the score with you!*

She smiled gracefully. "I have only one child, Xiong Xiong, and I'm a bit overly protective of him," she said. "If I've offended you in any way, Young Master Jiang, I ask for your understanding." As she spoke, she even performed a respectful curtsy.

Jiang Fan found it amusing internally. She was indeed the Dean's wife, possessing excellent emotional control. Though furious internally, her outward demeanor remained as radiant as a blooming flower.

"Venerable Qian Jiao, you're too kind. It was just a minor misunderstanding, and I haven't taken it to heart." Jiang Fan said. "Let's return to the main topic: how to reverse Xiong Xiong's transformation."

Venerable Qian Jiao's heart lifted. Was Jiang Fan truly this amenable? With a graceful movement, she moved to the grand armchair beside Jiang Fan and sat. As she leaned forward, her burgundy gown outlined her voluptuous figure, making it incredibly alluring. A subtle allure emanated from her every smile and frown, leaving a soft impression on the observer's heart. And a faint floral scent was utterly captivating.

"Young Master Jiang, if you face any difficulties, please feel free to tell me." Venerable Qian Jiao's breath was fragrant as orchids.

Even though Jiang Fan had experienced countless alluring encounters and the beauties around him surpassed her in appearance, he still felt a momentary stir in his heart. He chuckled to himself, *No wonder Great Venerable Xing Yuan is so devoted to his wife. How could he bear to let such a stunning woman suffer any grievance?* Fortunately, Jiang Fan quickly composed himself.

"Difficulties?" he said. "None. To reverse the ancient giant transformation, one needs the mysterious Saintly Crystal Exuviae, and I happen to possess a piece. However, each use causes it to dim. This means that using it on Xiong Xiong will cost the life of one less compatriot saved in Taicang Great State."

Venerable Qian Jiao inwardly scoffed. *You scoundrel, I knew you were trying to extort benefits, to strong-arm me for a profit.*

Her red lips parted slightly. "Perhaps I could compensate you with something," she proposed, "something that would enhance your Taicang Great State's ability to defend itself and reduce casualties. That way, it would make up for the loss of the Saintly Crystal Exuviae's potential."

Jiang Fan smiled. "Venerable Qian Jiao, you are truly so understanding and righteous. What more can I say?"

Venerable Qian Jiao sneered inwardly. *I thought you'd be more troublesome; you were so easily managed. There's no challenge at all!* She smiled, preparing to retrieve a Wishing Paper. This paper, if used properly, was sufficient to save many lives.

However, before she could produce it, Jiang Fan continued, "In that case, I thank you for the generous gift of ten Wishing Papers."

Venerable Qian Jiao's expression froze. She abruptly stood up. "Ten? Are you joking?"

Wishing Papers were forged from the highest-grade materials in Hunyuan State, imbued with righteous qi. Each academy's venerables possessed only a few scattered pieces. Even as the Dean's wife, she only possessed ten. Giving Jiang Fan three would leave her with a mere seven. Jiang Fan was daring to demand three more! He had undertaken a dangerous mission to the Heavenly Realm and received only three. Now, for simply using the Saintly Crystal Exuviae, he wanted ten? This wasn't extortion; he was asking for everything she had.

In the distant ward.

Great Venerable Xing Yuan, observing the scene, chuckled in exasperation. "That brat," he muttered, "he really dares to ask for that much! Ten Wishing Papers! Even if he had a hundred lives, they wouldn't be enough to pay for them all!"

Venerable Zi Xiao asked awkwardly, "Should we intervene now? My lady likely doesn't have ten Wishing Papers on her."

Great Venerable Xing Yuan waved his hand, observing Venerable Qian Jiao's predicament. "No hurry," he said. "It's rare for someone to be able to put that woman in her place. Let her be humbled a bit more!" With that, he settled in to watch leisurely.

Inside the lounge.

Jiang Fan uncrossed and recrossed his legs. "Venerable Qian Jiao, aren't you terribly doting on your son?" he remarked. "You were willing to disregard your husband's lifesaver—me—and threaten to hang and beat me, just to vent a little anger on his behalf. So why do you suddenly seem to care less about your son's life now?"

Venerable Qian Jiao gritted her teeth. *This brat refuses to take any loss! He's finding every way to retaliate against her!*

She pulled out a Wishing Paper and slapped it onto the table. "Take it or leave it!" she snapped.

Jiang Fan cast a glance at it, then unhurriedly took a sip of his tea, saying with a half-smile: "My lady, you wouldn't want your son to remain an ancient giant forever, would you?"

The powerful cultivators from various sects across Hunyuan State exchanged odd looks.

"Why does that sound so strange?""I feel like I've heard that somewhere.""For some reason, I just saw a flash of green light."

Great Venerable Xing Yuan, who had been watching the show, stiffened. He almost spat out a mouthful of old blood. He urgently roared, "You little brat! You dare to say anything at all?!" With a flash, he urgently rushed to prevent the conversation from progressing further. Was this something for all of Hunyuan State to hear?

Hearing this, Venerable Qian Jiao also looked unnatural, asking somewhat flustered, "W-what do you mean?"

Jiang Fan's half-smile widened. "Ten," he said. "Not a single Wishing Paper less!"

*Oh, so that's what he meant?* Venerable Qian Jiao's face flushed with embarrassment. She had thought Jiang Fan was coveting her beauty. Hearing the roars of the little giant outside, she gritted her teeth and pulled out the remaining six sheets as well.

"There, take them all! Enough nonsense!" she snapped.

Seeing the seven Wishing Papers before him, Jiang Fan knew when to stop. Combined with the three he already had, he now possessed a full ten Wishing Papers, enough to last him a considerable time.

"Thank you, my lady." Without another word, Jiang Fan walked out of the lounge, a look of immense satisfaction on his face.

Venerable Qian Jiao also emerged, her cheeks slightly flushed. However, the moment both appeared, they simultaneously froze. For standing outside the lounge, hands clasped behind his back, was none other than Great Venerable Xing Yuan! He gazed at their expressions: one serene and utterly pleased, the other blushing profusely.

He couldn't help but exclaim angrily, "Aren't you two ashamed of yourselves?!" Fortunately, everyone in Hunyuan State could attest to their innocence. Otherwise, given how they looked emerging at that moment, who knew what others might assume!

Jiang Fan paused, a little speechless. *How was he losing face? He skillfully extorted ten Wishing Papers; how was that shameful?*

Venerable Qian Jiao's expression was slightly unnatural, but she quickly recovered and roared, "You useless oaf! Our son turned into an ancient giant, and where were you?! I finally resolved the matter, and you come out with your sarcastic remarks! I'll settle the score with you later! Jiang Fan, now that you have the Wishing Papers, get to work!"

Jiang Fan nodded, approached Xiong Xiong, retrieved the Saintly Crystal Exuviae, and placed it on his body. Under the holy glow, a significant amount of white vapor immediately rose from Xiong Xiong's body. Soon, a chubby little boy tumbled out, leaving behind a colossal ancient giant's skin.

To their surprise, Xiong Xiong showed no signs of weakness; he was still lively and energetic, asking with a bewildered expression: "How did I end up here? Hey? Where's my hammer? Who took my hammer? Mom! Someone took the formation-breaking hammer Uncle gave me!"

*Uncle? A formation-breaking hammer?*

Great Venerable Xing Yuan and Venerable Qian Jiao instantly understood. Both glared at Jiang Fan, their eyes sparking with fury!