His interest was immediately piqued. ’I guess I really could wear a Jade Pendant like this.’

After all, this thing ran on Spirit Stones; it wouldn’t consume any of his own Magical Power.

Having an extra defensive measure on hand was always a good thing, even if he never needed it.

"This one looks nice. How many Spirit Stones?"

He picked out a Jade Pendant carved with a Golden Lotus and casually asked the price.

The Host standing by immediately began to praise him. "You have excellent taste, sir. This Golden Lotus model..."

Xiao Chen held up a hand, cutting off the man’s incessant spiel. "You can skip the details. Just tell me two things."

"What Magic does it constantly maintain, and what’s the price?"

The Host was inwardly delighted.

’Customers this direct are usually the easiest to close a sale with.’

He quickly answered, "To answer your questions, sir, this Golden Lotus Jade Pendant constantly maintains three types of Magic: Vajra Indestructible, Water Curtain Lotus Ring, and Huayang Treasure Shield."

"As for the price, the Shopkeeper originally set it at eight thousand Spirit Stones, but with today’s special discount, you can have it for just seventy-five hundred."

Xiao Chen had heard of all three types of Magic.

Vajra Indestructible was the most common Protective Magic, an advanced version of the Golden Light Technique.

Water Curtain Lotus Ring was a type of Water Magic specifically designed to counter Fire Techniques, making it extremely useful in places like Li State and Hezhou.

And Huayang Treasure Shield was one of the signature spells Magic Cultivators used to defend against Flying Swords.

’All things considered, the price really wasn’t too steep.’

So, without wasting any more time, he took out the Spirit Stones and put on the Golden Lotus Jade Pendant.

With the deal concluded, a broad smile spread across the Host’s face.

In fact, it wasn’t just him; a joyous atmosphere filled the entire Xianghe Market.

But one person’s joy is another’s sorrow.

「More than half a month later.」

Far within the territory of the Cyan Cloud Sect, Gu Weiyuan, the Sect Leader of the White Bone Sect, finally received news of Xiang Qirui’s death. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

The moment he heard the news, a sharp pain shot through his chest.

It wasn’t because he cared much for Xiang Qirui. It was because this meant the Holy Bone, which he had painstakingly nurtured for a full twenty-eight years...

...a Holy Bone only two years away from reaching full maturity, had now come to nothing.

Gu Weiyuan was filled with regret. ’If I’d known this would happen, I never should have chosen that place to nurture the Holy Bone.’

’But that place was clearly a remote backwater. I even left two Great Perfection Foundation Establishment guards, so how could something have suddenly gone wrong?’

’That’s right, the guards!’

Gu Weiyuan took a special Jade Token from his Storage Bag and injected a trace of Magical Power into it at a specific frequency.

However, the Jade Token, which contained the sealed Essence Blood of the Lv Brother and Sister, remained completely unresponsive, like an inert object. The Lv Brother and Sister were dead, too.

CRACK!

The Jade Token was shattered.

The corners of Gu Weiyuan’s mouth twitched, as if he wanted to smile, but his eyebrows bristled with fury. "Have you found out who killed the Saint Heir?"

The row of subordinates standing below all lowered their heads.

"No matter. It makes no difference if you can’t find the killer."

A grin spread across Gu Weiyuan’s face. "The Saint Heir died in the Lingyuan Sect’s territory. That means they can’t escape responsibility."

"Regardless of who the killer is, the Lingyuan Sect must pay the price."

He schemed to himself, ’The Saint Heir can’t have died in vain. Someone must accompany him.’

Gu Weiyuan whipped his head around, his eyes fixed on the old man to his right. "The Yellow Springs True Monarch has informed me that the time for your atonement has arrived."

"Qiuping County and Qingyang County... leave no survivors."

The old man’s eyes shone with fanaticism. Hearing a command that was essentially a suicide mission, he replied without a shred of hesitation, "I accept this command. I would die ten thousand deaths for the Holy Sect."

"Excellent!"

Gu Weiyuan offered a word of praise and took a special Elixir from within his robes. "Take this Holy Medicine. If anyone stands in your way, consume it."

He chanted solemnly, "The Yellow Springs True Monarch will be watching you. Death is not the end, but your rebirth."

At the mention of the Yellow Springs True Monarch, the old man’s expression grew even more fanatical.

He reached out, respectfully accepted the "Holy Medicine," and declared loudly, "Death is not the end, but my rebirth!"

The others around him all began to chant along, "Death is not the end, but my rebirth!"

One man even stepped forward voluntarily. "I beg the Sect Leader to grant me a Holy Medicine! I am willing to go through fire and water for the Holy Sect!"

But Gu Weiyuan shook his head. "No. Your time for atonement has not yet come."

Upon hearing this, the subordinate actually showed a look of disappointment.