Chapter 1497: Dividing Merits and Virtues

Jiang Fan and the little Qilin stared at the true form of Grand Venerable Iceheart, which gradually appeared in the icy mist.

Both the man and the spirit pet were petrified.

The little Qilin stuck out its tongue, then plunged into the Void Mirror, saying sheepishly, "Um... I'm sleepy. Good night, Master."

*Zzzzzzzz*

Jiang Fan's scalp tingled.

*You* made the boast, and now you want *me*, your Master, to pay the price? Fine, fine, so you've learned to trick your Master, have you? When we get back, I'm definitely going to give that disobedient little brat a good thrashing; it must have taught you!

Jiang Fan's mouth felt bitter as he looked at Grand Venerable Iceheart, who wore a frosty expression. He finally understood why Grand Venerable Iceheart had suddenly become angry after learning he possessed the fishing rod artifact. It turned out the bodice incident had come to light.

He said awkwardly, "Senior, please hear my sophistry... no, no, hear my explanation. The thing is this: My fishing rod randomly retrieves spiritual items from the vicinity. It just so happened that I cast a line, and you happened to be nearby. So, a misunderstanding just happened to occur."

Grand Venerable Iceheart continued to stare intently at Jiang Fan. In truth, she understood inwardly that Jiang Fan hadn't done it on purpose. Jiang Fan, who was struggling to protect himself in the void, had the mind to steal her bodice? Even if he had the intention, he wouldn't have the courage. However, even if it was a misunderstanding, such a matter was unacceptable to her! What's more, Jiang Fan's spirit pet had spread rumors about their relationship! Consequently, her expression did not soften; instead, it grew colder. She said in a frosty tone, "Are you returning it or not?"

Jiang Fan coughed dryly, "I... I gave it away."

Gave it away? Grand Venerable Iceheart became even angrier. How could he give away such a private item of hers? Could it be that Jiang Fan kept it himself? Goosebumps appeared on her skin, and she demanded, "Hand it over! Now! Immediately!"

Jiang Fan spread his hands, saying, "I truly gave it away." Grand Venerable Iceheart's face darkened. She raised a finger and pointed it at Jiang Fan from a distance. Fortunately, Jiang Fan was prepared and escaped with a spatial teleportation. However, as soon as he landed, a fragrant breeze wafted from behind him. He turned his head and his face turned green. He saw the Telepathic Bracelet on Grand Venerable Iceheart's wrist glowing with purple light, teleporting them together!

Grand Venerable Iceheart smiled faintly, "Didn't you like me wearing the Telepathic Bracelet? Do you still like it now?"

Jiang Fan immediately felt like he had shot himself in the foot. Escaping was now utterly impossible for him.

Seizing the moment before Grand Venerable Iceheart could act, Jiang Fan quickly said, "Wait! I can compensate you." As early as when he dealt with the bodice, he had considered finding a way to compensate Grand Venerable Iceheart. He would never take her things for free.

Grand Venerable Iceheart scoffed, "Who needs your compensation..." She was a Grand Venerable of the Five Decays of Heaven and Man, the ruler of Saint Spirit Province. Would she care for something from a Nascent Soul realm cultivator? However, just as she finished speaking, she froze. She stared disbelievingly at the item in Jiang Fan's hand. It was a golden spherical bead, the size of a little fingertip, emitting a sacred golden light, very similar to the Buddha's light in Buddhism. But it was even more divine.

"Merit...?" Grand Venerable Iceheart said in disbelief, "Who gave you this merit?"

Merit required a Grand Venerable of the Five Decays of Heaven and Man to bear. For Jiang Fan, a Nascent Soul realm cultivator, the merit could only have come from someone else.

"An ancient senior entrusted me with this, across a thousand years, to give to a trustworthy person. You, Grand Venerable Star Abyss, and Venerable Compassionate Mirror were all candidates I considered."

Grand Venerable Iceheart suddenly understood! When Jiang Fan had invited her to Taicang Great Province last time, he was actually assessing her character. And she had mistakenly thought Jiang Fan had other intentions and directly refused! Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. All this time, she had been overthinking things. And she had also missed an opportunity to be assessed for the merit. She said a little awkwardly, "Are you... going to compensate me with this merit?"

Jiang Fan shook his head and said, "No. The merit belongs to Grand Venerable Wutong. I am merely delivering it on his behalf to a suitable person. I have no right to treat it as my private property to atone for my mistakes. This portion of merit is a gift to you. For compensation, I have something else prepared."

He raised his hand and tossed the merit over.

There was one more thing he didn't say: this was only ten percent of Grand Venerable Wutong's merit. He did not intend to give the remaining ninety percent to Grand Venerable Iceheart. From their interactions, Grand Venerable Iceheart was pure and kind, and he believed she would be a good sage if she became one in the future. However, she was still too young and a female venerable. Compared to Grand Venerable Star Abyss's selfless devotion to the common people, she still fell short. Therefore, he could only give her ten percent.

Grand Venerable Iceheart quickly caught it. She immediately sensed that this portion of merit was only a small fraction. Her lips moved, but she ultimately did not open her mouth. A hint of regret welled up in her heart: had she acted too rudely, making Jiang Fan dissatisfied? As if seeing through her thoughts, Jiang Fan said, "Grand Venerable, there's no need to worry. Public matters are public, and private matters are private. My distribution of merit is based on how well each of you three has performed for the Central Land, and it has nothing to do with today's conflict."

Grand Venerable Iceheart held the divine merit bead, her emotions complex. She said, "Thank you." Given how complicated their relationship had become, Jiang Fan was still willing to give her a share of merit. This was truly unexpected.

Jiang Fan said calmly, "No need. Your character deserves it." As he spoke, he took out a hundred particles of snow-white dust. "This is the compensation I'm giving you."

Grand Venerable Iceheart seemed to sense something. She looked up, her pupils contracting again: "Spatial-Temporal Dust? So much of it?" Her voice became slightly sharper due to her extreme surprise. This level of astonishment surpassed even her reaction to seeing the merit. While merit was rare, one could still find some in the Central Land if they searched. But Spatial-Temporal Dust was a divine item that couldn't be found even if one searched. How many Venerables of the Soul Transformation realm, entering the Five Decays of Heaven and Man with little life left, would bankrupt themselves trying to obtain even one, only to fail? Yet Jiang Fan just pulled out a handful?

Jiang Fan said, "Is it okay to exchange these Spatial-Temporal Dust particles for your bodice?"

Grand Venerable Iceheart's beautiful face flushed slightly, and she glared at Jiang Fan. The way he asked made it sound as if she were materialistic and would trade her intimate bodice for things!

"No need!" Grand Venerable Iceheart scoffed. "I just need to know if you truly gave it away or kept it for yourself."

Jiang Fan was stunned, almost spitting out a mouthful of old blood. He retorted exasperatedly, "Why would I keep your bodice? What kind of person do you take me for? I gave your bodice to my female companion."

Grand Venerable Iceheart watched Jiang Fan's expression, and only after confirming he wasn't lying did she feel slightly relieved. Although she still felt a little uncomfortable, given Jiang Fan's generosity in sharing the merit with her, she didn't bother to pursue the matter further.

"Forget it, let's just end things here. We'll part ways now." Grand Venerable Iceheart accepted the merit, gave Jiang Fan a complicated look, and bid farewell.

But just as she was about to leave, the teleportation array at White Horse Temple emitted spatial fluctuations. A figure in a black dress instantly appeared between the two of them. It was none other than Venerable Compassionate Mirror. She suspiciously surveyed Jiang Fan and Grand Venerable Iceheart, wondering why these two were together. One was the supreme being of Saint Spirit Province, and the other was a Nascent Soul realm cultivator from Taicang Great Province. It wasn't until she noticed a purple bracelet on the wrists of both Jiang Fan and Grand Venerable Iceheart that she gasped in surprise, covering her red lips: "You two... have become cultivation partners?"