Chapter 319: Want to Back Out?

The Cloud Sword Peak Master scoffed, "Who's stopping you from finding patrons? If you're capable, you should find a master like Young Master Jiang to support you! Now, all of you, get back to your caves and reflect on yourselves!" After speaking, she turned to Qin Caihe with a smile. "Come to my secret chamber later; I'll give you some proper guidance on your cultivation."

Qin Caihe was overwhelmed with gratitude. This was a privilege usually reserved for her two senior sisters; as a disciple of average talent, she could only envy them before. "Thank you, Master!" Qin Caihe said joyfully. However, she didn't forget the purpose of their visit. "Master, Junior Brother Jiang came here because he wants to..." She intended to use this momentum to state their request, hoping her master would find it difficult to refuse.

Jiang Fan, however, raised an eyebrow and promptly interrupted her, interjecting, "Actually, I came specifically to visit the Cloud Sword Peak Master." As he spoke, he pulled a small black wooden box from his sleeve. "It's just a small token of my regard, nothing special." The Cloud Sword Peak Master took it, surprised and amused. "A welcome gift, then. Young Master Jiang, there's no need to be so polite. You've surely come to my peak with a request. Tell me what it is first. Given how much you've helped my disciple, I'll assist you if it's within my capabilities." Anyone who could become an elder of a sect was naturally shrewd.

Seeing that she had accepted the gift, Jiang Fan felt it was the right moment to speak. He cupped his hands and said, "I wish to meet your esteemed sect's Grand Elder Zhou Qidan. Could I trouble the Peak Master to convey my request?" The Cloud Sword Peak Master frowned, thought for a moment, and returned the wooden box. "I can't help you with that. Grand Elder Zhou is currently in seclusion, and no one is allowed to disturb her." As a regular elder, she certainly didn't have the courage to anger a Grand Elder.

"Peak Master, perhaps you should first look at what's inside the wooden box," Jiang Fan suggested. The Cloud Sword Peak Master chuckled. What good things hadn't she seen? Was she really going to be swayed by a junior disciple's gift to the point of risking the wrath of a Grand Elder? "No need," she said, tossing the wooden box back into Jiang Fan's arms.

With a regretful expression, Jiang Fan opened the box, revealing a fist-sized orb within, surrounded by swirling gusts of wind. It was precisely the demonic core of the black eagle. Demonic cores from beast kings were always extremely rare on the market. Only recently, with the beast tide, had one occasionally appeared, becoming an object of intense competition once it did. Moreover, black eagles were formidable sky predators, incredibly difficult to kill, making their cores even rarer. Therefore, as soon as the box was opened, the Cloud Sword Peak Master was startled, exclaiming, "A beast king's demonic core? And wind-attributed!" Such demonic cores were top-grade materials for crafting movement talismans and artifacts. They were priceless. If put up for sale, they would instantly be bought at a high price. A rough estimate would be at least tens of thousands of spirit stones. She had actually returned such a valuable gift.

"Young Master Jiang has had quite the harvest on his journey, even obtaining a demonic core like this—what good fortune!" the Cloud Sword Peak Master said with an envious tone, her eyes unable to move away from the core. The more she looked, the more she regretted her decision. Why hadn't she looked first before deciding? For a demonic core like this, enduring a scolding from Grand Elder Zhou Qidan would be worth it!

Jiang Fan observed her expression fully and, smiling, placed the wooden box back into the Peak Master's hand. "That was also thanks to your great fortune, Peak Master. It was only with the cooperation of the elite disciple you trained that I managed to defeat this eagle. This demonic core rightfully belongs to the Peak Master. I merely kept it in safekeeping. Now that it has been returned to its rightful owner, please keep it well." The Cloud Sword Peak Master understood perfectly. Jiang Fan was giving her an elegant way to accept the gift again. His words were so appropriate and tactful that she didn't feel any awkwardness. While pleased, she was also secretly astonished by the young man's mastery of social graces and timing. She gazed deeply at Jiang Fan. She nodded and said, "Though the demonic core itself isn't precious, your intentions are priceless, so this elder will accept it." Having accepted the item, it was time to fulfill her part. She subtly put away the demonic core and said, "You've greatly helped my disciple, earning her a full four hundred merit points. This elder will take you to Grand Elder Zhou's secret chamber. However, I am only responsible for establishing contact; whether she wishes to see you is not something I can control." Jiang Fan breathed a sigh of relief. "Of course!"

Qin Caihe, who had observed the entire exchange, was wide-eyed with astonishment. She naturally saw that her master was extremely reluctant to disturb the Grand Elder. Jiang Fan's help to her had not swayed her master at all. But Jiang Fan was so adept at handling social situations that her master couldn't resist and practically surrendered. This man was not only powerful but also had high emotional intelligence. He was simply invincible!

Soon after, at the rear mountain, in front of a dust-covered secret chamber, the Cloud Sword Peak Master hesitated for a long time at the door, not daring to approach. She even seemed to be having second thoughts. Jiang Fan observed the surroundings of the chamber; the half-foot thick layer of dust made him slightly apprehensive. As a Grand Elder, her doorway should ideally be cleaned by disciples daily. The pervasive dust could only mean that this Grand Elder disliked being disturbed and had specifically forbidden anyone from coming here. This was also why the Cloud Sword Peak Master was hesitant to knock.

Jiang Fan rolled his eyes. "She's already taken the gift; is she trying to back out now?" Without a trace, he patted the little Qilin's head. The sleeping Qilin instantly awoke, letting out a grumbling sound of discontent. Though not loud, the sound was exceptionally clear in front of the silent chamber. Immediately, an old, displeased voice came from within the chamber. "Who's making that racket?"

The Cloud Sword Peak Master was startled. She had no choice but to brace herself and step forward, bowing towards the stone door. "Your junior, the Cloud Sword Peak Master, pays respects to Grand Elder Zhou." Hearing that it was the Cloud Sword Peak Master, the displeased voice from within the chamber softened slightly, yet remained very cold. "Ah, Qiu Shengnan. What is it?"

Qiu Shengnan's heart pounded like a drum. Deep down, she regretted coming even more now. But at this point, she had no choice. Hesitantly, she said, "Reporting to Grand Elder Zhou... Disciple Jiang Fan from Qingyun Peak wishes to meet you, and has thus come to disturb you." BOOM! The words had barely left her lips when the stone door burst open. A murky, foul-smelling gust of air rushed out, nearly making Jiang Fan vomit. He looked closely. Inside the small chamber sat an old woman cross-legged. Her clothes were decaying, and her disheveled white hair covered half her body. Her features were obscured by thick layers of grime, accumulated from a long absence of bathing. A terrible stench emanated from her. Even beggars were cleaner than her. How many years had she been in seclusion? Yet, no one dared to underestimate her! This was because, within the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, her power was second only to Xu Qingyang's, making her a super expert! Her temper was also notoriously fiery. And sure enough, as soon as the door opened, her eyes blazed, and she began to scold them mercilessly: "Qiu Shengnan, you've really grown audacious! Running errands for a junior disciple from another peak? You've completely disgraced Cloud Sword Peak! I'll call your master, Grand Elder Sun, over right now! I want to ask him directly how he disciplines his disciples!"