The Small Pagoda!
The Spirit Princess was deeply reluctant, for the pagoda was simply too extraordinary!
But she had no choice.
She knew full well that without offering substantial benefits, the Ancient Clan would not protect her. Of course, her true purpose in revealing the pagoda was to provoke a war between the Ancient Clan and the Spirit Realm. Once the pagoda appeared, things would spiral into chaos!
If the other realms learned of the pagoda’s incredible capabilities, would they let it go?
She wasn’t sure, but she knew they’d be tempted!
At that point, Ye Xuan’s enemies might extend beyond just the Ancient Clan.
In short, once the pagoda was revealed, the Six Realms would descend into turmoil!
And the Ancient Clan would never relinquish such a treasure!
Upon seeing the pagoda, the Ancient Clan’s powerhouses all furrowed their brows.
An elder nearby said gravely, “What’s this piece of rubbish?”
The pagoda suddenly snapped, “You’re the rubbish! Are you blind? I’m the number one pagoda in all the heavens and myriad realms!”
The elder’s face darkened. “Speak rudely again, and I’ll shatter your soul!”
The pagoda grew agitated. “Shatter my soul? Do you know whose person I am? Oh, no—whose pagoda I am? I was forged by Sister Destiny! Try touching me—go on, try!”
The elder’s expression turned grim, his right hand slowly clenching. At that moment, Gu Ming suddenly turned to the Spirit Princess. “What’s the use of this pagoda?”
The princess smiled. “Why don’t you all enter the pagoda and find out?”
Gu Ming glanced at her, then led the group inside.
Moments later, they reappeared, their expressions now incredibly solemn. Gradually, that solemnity gave way to excitement and fervor!
Gu Ming abruptly ordered, “Activate all the grand arrays!”
This time, no one in the hall objected!
In the hall, the corners of the Spirit Princess’s lips curled slightly, a glint of ferocity in her eyes. “Damned sword cultivator, let’s see if you survive this!”
…
As the Ancient Clan’s arrays were activated, everyone understood!
The Ancient Clan was going to war with the Spirit Realm!
But the other realms were baffled. Why would the Ancient Clan fight the Spirit Realm?
For a mere Spirit Princess?
That didn’t add up!
Above the Ancient Realm, Ling Tian’s face darkened as she saw the Ancient Clan’s arrays come to life!
Clearly, the Spirit Realm’s threats had failed!
The Ancient Clan was prepared for a decisive battle with the Spirit Realm!
Ling Tian turned to Ye Xuan, whose expression remained calm as he gazed below, lost in thought.
At that moment, Gu Ming, the Ancient Clan leader, appeared before Ye Xuan and Ling Tian. He looked at them with a smile. “What are you two doing? Do you think my Ancient Clan is easily intimidated?”
Ling Tian was about to speak when Ye Xuan suddenly laughed. “It seems the Spirit Princess has given the small pagoda to Clan Leader Gu Ming!”
Ling Tian’s eyes narrowed, but she said nothing.
Ye Xuan continued, “Clan Leader Gu Ming, how about a deal?”
Gu Ming frowned. “A deal?”
Ye Xuan nodded. “You keep the pagoda, and the Spirit Realm only wants the Spirit Princess!”
Gu Ming froze.
“Nonsense!”
The Spirit Princess suddenly appeared, glaring at Ye Xuan. “You think the Ancient Clan would believe your nonsense?”
Ye Xuan grinned. “What do you think?”
The princess turned to Gu Ming, who smiled faintly. “The princess is right! Do you think I’d trust you?”
Ye Xuan laughed. “I’m a sword cultivator—my word is my bond. Hand over the Spirit Princess, and we’ll leave immediately. We won’t fight the Ancient Clan now or in the future. I keep my promises!”
Gu Ming stared at Ye Xuan, silent.
The princess sneered. “You think the Ancient Clan will fall for that? You—”
Ye Xuan suddenly turned to Ling Tian. “Elder Ling Tian, swear by the Spirit Ancestor: if the Ancient Clan hands over the Spirit Princess, we’ll not only forgo the pagoda but also avoid war with the Ancient Clan, retreating immediately. For ten years, the Spirit Realm will steer clear of the Six Realms’ affairs!”
Ling Tian looked at Ye Xuan. “Are you serious?”
Ye Xuan nodded.
Ling Tian was silent for a moment, then turned to Gu Ming. “The Spirit Realm swears by the Spirit Ancestor: if your Ancient Clan hands over—”
Ye Xuan interrupted, “Wait!”
Everyone looked at him.
Ye Xuan smiled faintly. “Let’s amend that. The Ancient Clan must not only hand over the Spirit Princess but deliver her to us crippled!”
The princess glared at Ye Xuan, silent.
Gu Ming suddenly laughed. “And if I refuse?”
Ye Xuan blinked. “That’s simple—let’s fight!”
Gu Ming’s eyes narrowed. “Are you threatening me?”
Ye Xuan laughed heartily. “Threatening you? Clan Leader Gu Ming, since you won’t hand her over, let’s go to war!”
As his words fell, his thumb flicked.
*Swish!*
The Qingxuan Sword shot out!
In the distance, Gu Ming’s eyes narrowed. He reached forward, twisting his hand lightly.
*Boom!*
A terrifying force instantly blocked Ye Xuan’s Qingxuan Sword.
At that moment, Ye Xuan shouted, “Activate the arrays!”
Ling Tian immediately ordered, “Activate the arrays!”
As her command rang out, all the arrays above the Ancient Realm sprang to life, their terrifying auras locking onto the Ancient Realm!
War was imminent!
It was really happening!
Gu Ming glared at Ye Xuan, inwardly exasperated. This guy was a complete hothead! Starting a war between realms without hesitation—what did this fool think a realm war entailed? Did he think it was child’s play?
And besides, Gu Ming hadn’t even refused yet!
Did this fool understand the concept of negotiation?
At that moment, an Ancient Realm elder suddenly appeared before Ye Xuan, hastily saying, “Wait! Wait!”
Ye Xuan looked at the elder. “Wait for what? Aren’t you determined to stand with the Spirit Princess to the end?”
The elder glanced at Ye Xuan. “When did our Ancient Clan say we’d stand with her to the end?”
Ye Xuan frowned, turning to Gu Ming. “Did I misunderstand?”
Gu Ming: “…”
The elder said gravely, “Sir, were you serious earlier? If we hand over the Spirit Princess, you’ll withdraw, and the Spirit Realm will stay out of the Six Realms for ten years?”
Ye Xuan nodded. “Absolutely!”
He looked at the princess. “I tried to help her at first, and she treated me like a fool, using me and mocking me. Can I swallow that? No way—I’m going to kill her. Anyone who helps her is an enemy of me and the Spirit Realm!”
The princess glared at Ye Xuan, her gaze sharper than a sword.
The elder glanced at Ye Xuan. “We’re willing to hand her over!”
Ye Xuan shook his head. “You need to cripple her first, then hand her over!”
The elder’s brows furrowed.
Ye Xuan snarled at him. “Are you choosing to stand with her to the end? Are you? If so, let’s fight to mutual destruction right now!”
The elder stared at Ye Xuan in shock. *What’s wrong with this guy?*
Gu Ming’s brows also furrowed. *Where did this hothead come from?*
The elder hesitated, then said, “We’ll hand her over, and you can deal with her yourselves!”
Ye Xuan stared at the elder, silent, but his thumb was already pressing against the Qingxuan Sword.
Seeing this, the elder’s mouth twitched. He quickly said, “Young sir, our Ancient Clan has already made a significant concession. You—”
Ye Xuan said coolly, “A concession? Elder, you protected her first—that’s a slap in the Spirit Realm’s face. Now, you need to show some sincerity to give us a way to step down. Otherwise, if we just leave like this, how will others view the Spirit Realm?”
The elder replied gravely, “If we help you attack the Spirit Princess, how will others view our Ancient Clan?”
Clearly, it was now a matter of face!
Ye Xuan smiled faintly. “Elder Gu, shall we speak elsewhere?”
The elder froze.
Ye Xuan sent a secret message via mystic energy: “Elder Gu, are you confused? What we lack isn’t face—it’s time!”
*Time!*
The elder’s eyes widened.
The pagoda’s existence couldn’t stay secret forever, and all they could do was use the limited time they had to grow stronger with it! Otherwise, how could they hold onto such a divine artifact?
Realising this, the elder turned to Gu Ming, and the two exchanged secret messages.
Moments later, Gu Ming looked at the Spirit Princess. “No offense!”
As his words fell, Gu Ming and the Ancient Clan’s powerhouses attacked!
In no time, the Spirit Princess’s physical body was shattered, leaving only her soul, which was bound by a powerful force.
The elder brought her before Ye Xuan. “Young Master Ye, the Spirit Princess is yours. Safe travels!”
Ye Xuan smiled faintly. “Very well!”
He looked at the princess, who suddenly burst into laughter. “Ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!”
Ye Xuan grinned. “What’s so ridiculous?”
The princess turned to the Ancient Clan’s powerhouses, sneering. “You fools actually believed this shameless sword cultivator… Just wait—you’ll regret this!”
Gu Ming and the others looked at Ye Xuan, who smiled faintly. “The pagoda is already in the Ancient Clan’s hands, and I know my limits. The Spirit Realm won’t help me reclaim it. Even if we fought, we’re not guaranteed to win. So why not let it go? Besides, keeping the pagoda in my hands—a nobody with no backing or support—would only bring disaster. Letting it go might not be a bad thing!”
The elder glanced at Ye Xuan. “Young Master Ye, your mindset is admirable. I’m impressed!”
Ye Xuan smiled. “We’ll take our leave!”
The princess glared at Ye Xuan, venom in her voice. “Shameless sword cultivator, don’t think I don’t know what you’re—”
Ye Xuan raised his hand and slapped her.
*Slap!*
Her soul trembled violently, becoming faint and translucent!
Ye Xuan glanced at her. “Still trying to stir trouble between us and the Ancient Clan? Truly foolish!”
He turned to the elder, smiling. “Elder, that pagoda has a bit of a temper. Don’t spoil it—if it acts up, give it a good thrashing. Once it’s disciplined, it’ll behave!”
The pagoda: “…”
