Chapter 121: All for One Word—Handsomeness!

"However, the spiritual energy here is so dense, isn't it just perfect for letting more spirit bamboo flourish?"

Jiang Yan grabbed the Pig Demon Chieftain by his thick, fleshy ears, a playful and cynical smirk curling at the corners of his mouth. "Chieftain Zhu, wouldn't you agree?"

"Ouch, Immortal, easy... take it easy!"

The Pig Demon Chieftain grimaced in pain, hastily forcing a flattering smile. "You are absolutely right. A treasure land with such abundant spiritual energy should naturally be lent to the Mysterious Bamboo Clan to cultivate their spirit bamboo."

He cursed inwardly, wondering how he had managed to provoke this smiling devil. He had thought the woman in black was formidable, but bah! She had fled in such a cowardly manner... And now, this grinning menace had arrived and tied him up.

Jiang Yan did not loosen his grip; instead, he increased the pressure, his voice calm. "No, not lent. You are to gift this treasure land to the Mysterious Bamboo Clan. Furthermore, you must personally send men to meticulously tend to the growth of this bamboo. After all, when one steals the fortune of a mountain range, there must be some form of compensation, must there not?"

Hearing this, the Pig Demon Chieftain’s expression grew even more bitter, his heart feeling as if it were being sliced by a knife. Yet, he could only nod in helpless agreement, forcing a smile that looked worse than crying.

"Yes, yes, Immortal. This treasure land is now a gift to the Mysterious Bamboo Clan."

After speaking, he cast a furtive glance at Jiang Yan and tested him cautiously. "Can... can you give me this month’s antidote now?"

"Open your mouth."

Jiang Yan retrieved a small porcelain bottle from his sleeve and poured out a crystal-clear pill. Watching the Pig Demon Chieftain obediently open his massive, cavernous maw, Jiang Yan couldn't help but twitch his mouth slightly. Did he really need to open his mouth that wide for such a small pill?

Jiang Yan flicked the pill into the chieftain's gaping mouth. The Pig Demon immediately clamped his jaws shut and gulped, swallowing the medicine.

Li Dabao, watching from the side, was stunned. This Pig Demon Chieftain was a total disgrace to the demon race! He scoffed inwardly, but then, a flicker of surprise crossed his heart. Could it be that this treasure land, rich in spiritual energy, would truly belong to their Mysterious Bamboo Clan? This news was simply wonderful!

"Immortal, thank you!" Li Dabao’s face beamed with a grateful smile as he bowed deeply to Jiang Yan.

"Don't mention it! This compensation I secured for you took quite a bit of persuasion. By the way, could we have two jars of that spirit wine?"

"Immortal, of course! You can come back with me right now to get them." Li Dabao patted his chest, promising generously. Although their clan’s fortune had yet to recover, having this patch of spirit bamboo meant they would no longer go hungry. Two jars of spirit wine were a small matter to him.

Hearing Jiang Yan mention the wine, Lin Qi’s eyes lit up. His good disciple was not one to suffer a loss easily, unless he chose to. It seemed that this spirit wine must have something special about it.

"Very well, let's go now," Jiang Yan said to Li Dabao.

Following Li Dabao’s lead, the group set off on the return journey to the Mysterious Bamboo Clan’s territory, leaving the tightly bound Pig Demon Chieftain struggling on the ground alone. The chieftain watched their receding figures with longing, unable to stop himself from shouting, "Immortal! Did you forget to untie me?"

"Brother Yan, that big pig head is calling you." Yunyun looked back and made a playful face at the chieftain.

"Mm, I heard."

Jiang Yan didn't look back; he simply snapped his fingers casually. As if an invisible force rippled through the air, the ropes on the Pig Demon Chieftain fell away. Heh, he had practiced this gesture in private—all for the sake of one thing: looking cool! Excellent, he was now channeling the true aura of a peerless protagonist!

Yunyun noticed the faint, imperceptible curve at the corner of Jiang Yan’s mouth and beamed at him, her deep dimples making her look especially adorable on her fair cheeks. As the group disappeared into the distance, the Pig Demon Chieftain finally dared to let out a long sigh, his heart filled with helplessness and bitterness.

"Sigh, what kind of karma have I incurred?"

***

Xuanling Sect.

Lin Ruyan rushed back to her private chambers and immediately cast a barrier. Her hands trembled uncontrollably as she carefully took out the Spirit Pearl and placed it on the table.

"Spirit Pearl, why won't my hands stop shaking?" she asked, her voice tinged with confusion.

The Spirit Pearl emitted a faint glow, as if in thought, before speaking slowly: "This is the backlash from stealing fortune. Do not worry; with me here, you will be fine."

Lin Ruyan furrowed her brow and asked skeptically, "In the past, I have stolen countless amounts of fortune, yet I have never suffered a backlash. Why today..."

"That is because the person of significance tied to your fortune is gone. This means that the disasters he once shielded you from must now be borne by you alone."

Indeed, the "person" the Spirit Pearl referred to was the unfortunate sucker, Sword Venerable Lingxiao.

Upon hearing this, a wave of anxiety washed over Lin Ruyan. "Is... is there a way to alleviate this backlash?"

"The backlash you are currently feeling is already the result of mitigation. Fear not; opportunities will find you automatically, and you will know what to do when the time comes."

The Spirit Pearl's words caused a glimmer of hope to flash in Lin Ruyan’s eyes. She whispered to herself, "Could it be that the heavens are truly favoring me?"

But at the thought of the troublesome Jiang Yan, her heart felt as if it had been bitten by a snake, and a sense of irritation spread silently.

"Spirit Pearl, Jiang Yan already knows you are with me. How should we handle this?"

The Spirit Pearl did not answer directly but instead posed a question: "The Sect Grand Competition is a fight to the death, is it not?"

Lin Ruyan pondered for a moment before speaking slowly, "Although the competition is intense, I have never heard of it being a fight to the death. However, injuries are inevitable during such bouts, and if someone were to be unfortunately killed..."

The Spirit Pearl interrupted her: "Remember, only the dead can keep secrets forever. What you must do now is cultivate diligently and get closer to the children of fortune to absorb their luck. I believe that during the Grand Competition, you will be able to crush Jiang Yan, seize his Golden Core, and leave him permanently incapacitated and unable to ever open his mouth again."

Lin Ruyan’s eyes narrowed slightly, considering the plan. It was indeed a brilliant strategy. However, her brow furrowed again.

"But Jiang Yan possesses an extraordinary sword..."

Before she could finish, Lin Ruyan suddenly felt her barrier being subjected to a violent impact.

"Who is it?" She became instantly alert.

The Spirit Pearl flashed, saying calmly, "Go, open the door. Your opportunity is right outside."

A flash of curiosity passed through Lin Ruyan’s eyes as she quickly walked to the door and opened it. The moment it swung wide, a silver sword streaked like lightning across her palm.

"Hiss..."

Lin Ruyan gasped in pain. She focused her gaze and saw a long, slender silver sword hovering before her, the blade seeming to emanate a chilling aura.

"Greetings, Master. I am Jueying."