Chapter 928: Chapter 926: The Battle Between the Ex and the Current

In the shop, a faint transparent ripple rose in the air, and a treasure light shot out from the center of the ripple.

Immediately after, a strange-looking three-foot-tall figure appeared before everyone’s eyes.

The figure had a pointed head, with a body that became rounder towards the bottom; at first glance, it could be mistaken for an exquisite pagoda.

“Junior Jian Huanzhen pays respects to Senior Xuanhuang,” he said.

A glint of awe flashed in Jian Huanzhen’s eyes.

As the Sword Master of Dongxuan Sword Sect with a late Nascent Soul Stage cultivation level and a wealth of experience, he instantly recognized the origin of this pagoda-like figure.

It was none other than the founder of the Sea Tower Chamber of Commerce, an artifact spirit of an extremely rare high-rank spatial magical treasure, with a mysterious background.

Though not as powerful as a Great Deity of the Spirit Transformation, dealing with someone at the late Nascent Soul Stage like him was a breeze.

Of course, he had some trump cards of his own, ensuring his self-preservation was not an issue.

“So it’s the lad from Dongxuan Sword Sect. What brings you from so far to rob my Commerce Association of our Guest Elder in the Cloud Void Domain?” the artifact spirit villain quipped as he wobbled over to Lu Xuan, shielding him protectively and spoke with an air of aged authority.

“Senior Xuanhuang, Disciple Lu is originally from a branch of our Dongxuan Sword Sect; he is merely returning to the main sect,” Jian Huanzhen replied.

Behind Jian Huanzhen, his twin swords emitted a cold, harsh gleam as two silver-white Flood Dragons slowly emerged.

“I don’t care about that. Lu Xuan is now a Guest Elder of my Sea Tower Chamber of Commerce and will remain so. Nobody can take him away!” the artifact spirit villain asserted with his pointed head tilted back in a show of dominance.

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“Senior Xuanhuang, although you are stronger than me, reason still needs to prevail,” Jian Huanzhen said, standing firm and unafraid.

The Sea Tower Chamber of Commerce might be the second most powerful force in the Liyang Region, but the Dongxuan Sword Sect was a top-tier presence even among the Whole Sky Realm, so he naturally wasn’t afraid of a high-rank magical treasure instrument spirit.

“I am stronger than you, and that makes me right. When you bring one of your spirit transformation big shots over, we can discuss some other ‘reasons,'” the instrument spirit villain said arrogantly.

Before Lu Xuan had even reached Core Formation, he had already demonstrated his remarkable talents with spirit plants, prompting the spirit, against others’ advice, to choose him as the Commerce Association’s Guest Elder.

His judgment was proved correct.

Over the years, Lu Xuan had solved many big and small issues with spirit plants and spirit beasts for the association and had cultivated many rare spirit plants, creating immense value.

After all, there was still a Nine True Spirit Leaves capable of bearing Path Fruit in Lu Xuan’s care!

How could he possibly let the Dongxuan Sword Sect take him away?

“I won’t argue with you, Senior. It’s better to hear what Disciple Lu has to say,” Jian Huanzhen said, seeing how unreasonable the artifact spirit villain was and deflecting the issue to Lu Xuan.

Having cultivated for many years at the Sky Sword Sect, Lu Xuan had forged many ties. With the Dongxuan Sword Sect’s far superior strength to that of the Sea Tower Chamber of Commerce, Jian Huanzhen believed Lu Xuan would make the right choice.

Caught between the two, Lu Xuan’s face showed his dilemma.

His heart was filled with gratitude towards the Dongxuan Sword Sect.

The years spent in the Sky Sword Sect were the most beautiful time of his cultivation journey, under the sect’s protection; he obtained numerous rare spirit seeds and made many close friends.

It could be said that without the Sky Sword Sect, there would be no him today.

Now, with the rich rewards from his high-rank Sword Grass and the Sword Grass Sword Gourd he had improved with his special abilities, returning to the Dongxuan Sword Sect would allow him to thrive and receive great attention.

He would then have the opportunity to obtain more high-rank Sword Grass Spirit Seeds and the absolute protection of this super great sect.

But there were downsides too; he would no longer enjoy the same freedom as he currently did.

Additionally, cultivating spirit plants would not be as convenient.

Whether it was the incomplete Cave Heaven he used, the various high-rank spirit plants he owned, or those Weird Spiritual Plants in the Abyss Star Cave, none would be easy to reveal publicly.

He was also grateful for the Commerce Association.

Though their relationship was contractual, they had enjoyed a pleasant cooperation over the years. The Commerce Association was always responsive to his needs, whether for spirit seeds or treasure items, always managing to collect them somehow.

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Even after breaking through to the late Golden Core stage, Senior Instrument Spirit honored the promise made before by handing over that incomplete Cave Heaven for me to manage and to cultivate the Nine True Spirit Leaves on my behalf.

Comparing the two, it’s like choosing between an ex and the current partner, each with their own merits, making it difficult for Lu Xuan to decide.

“Only children make choices, I want them all.”

He steeled himself and tentatively asked Jian Huanzhen,

“True Return Uncle-Master, I have received much care from the Sky Sword Sect in the past and I do have thoughts of returning to my original sect.”

“Unfortunately, after being independent for so many years, I fear it would be hard to adapt to a life with restrictions, may I know how much freedom I can expect if I return to the Dongxuan Sword Sect?”

“Does Disciple Lu wish to be unrestrained?”

Jian Huanzhen pondered for a moment, then continued,

“That is not difficult. The Golden Core Real People within the Sword Sect already enjoy a fair degree of freedom, and it is common for them to travel outside; all the more for a rare talent like you, Disciple.”

“With the True Sword Liquid, you can receive a warm welcome from many fellow disciples.”

“With a stable supply of Sword Talismans, you can almost move unhindered within the Sword Sect.”

“If you add to that the Method of Seed Condensation for the Fourth Grade Xiao Dongxuan Sword Gourd and the Thousand Thunder Sword Grass, the Sword Sect can guarantee your safety for a lifetime.”

Jian Huanzhen spoke calmly, his tone filled with absolute confidence in the Dongxuan Sword Sect.

“May I ask if there is a way to have the best of both worlds, to retain my position of Commerce Association Guest Elder?”

Lu Xuan mustered his courage to ask.

“You’re being a bit greedy, Disciple.”

Jian Huanzhen sighed softly.

Just as Lu Xuan felt disappointed, Jian Huanzhen shifted the topic.

“However, who can blame you when you are skilled in cultivating Spiritual Plants, Spirit Brew, and Talisman Making? There’s always a certain favoritism towards geniuses.”

“You can retain your status as a Guest Elder of the Sea Tower Chamber of Commerce and also come and go freely in the Sword Sect.”

“However, there are a few conditions.”

“Firstly, everything must prioritize the Sword Sect. Whether being a Commerce Association Guest Elder or otherwise, all must come second.”

“Furthermore, all matters concerning the Sword Sect, including Cultivation Techniques, Divine Skills, Sword Scriptures, and the like, must not be disclosed to outsiders.”

“Lastly, if you insist on keeping your status as a Guest Elder of the Sea Tower Chamber of Commerce, it will be highly unlikely for you to access the most core secrets of the Sword Sect.”

“Do you have any objections to these three points?”

Jian Huanzhen asked in a deep voice.

“No problems at all.”

After giving it some thought, Lu Xuan nodded in response.

The first two conditions were within expectations, and as for not accessing the Sword Sect’s most core secrets,

he didn’t care much for that to begin with and had already prepared himself mentally.

Moreover, with the omnipotent Light Cluster present, perhaps those most core aspects for him wouldn’t be secrets at all.

“Good. Even if you cannot access the most core secrets, with your capabilities, it is only natural that you receive considerable attention from the Sword Sect’s members.”

“Oh, there’s one last condition.”

Jian Huanzhen paused for a moment in his speech.

“Please continue, Uncle-Master.”

“Once you return to the Sword Sect, you must choose to join the Huanzhen Sword Peak.”

“In doing so, the pressures you face in keeping your Guest Elder status will be borne by me alone.”

Jian Huanzhen coughed lightly, stating this without the slightest change in expression.

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