Chapter 209: Dual Support of Gold and Wood, Selling Green Bean

In the blink of an eye, the day of the Flying Sea Pavilion’s final competition arrived. Lian Mu quietly slipped out of the Azure Profound Sect with Green Bean.

Just as Bai Su had predicted, since her battle with Gong Yu, no one dared to challenge her. Even the top five, who were usually competitive, remained silent.

As the top contender in the Beast Fighting Arena, Lian Mu was the first to ascend the champion’s stage. While preparing backstage, she encountered Bai Su, who had come to watch.

“Young friend, this is your champion’s token,” Bai Su said, handing over an intricately carved jade plaque, adorned with a small ice-blue five-petaled flower. “Once you’re on the champion’s stage, place this token on it, and a drop of blood will seal it.”

Lian Mu took the jade plaque, weighing it in her hand. It looked quite valuable. She cleared her throat and asked, “What happened to those people you captured?”

“They… abandoned their bodies and fled,” Bai Su replied calmly, as if she had anticipated this outcome. “The people from the Heavenly Secret Pavilion are skilled in avatar techniques, nurturing avatars with their own flesh and blood. They weren’t truly there, so abandoning them wasn’t a loss. However, they did suffer quite a bit during their time here.”

Bai Su’s ruthless methods were well-known within the Flying Sea Pavilion. Those two might not have died, but they certainly suffered greatly.

Lian Mu wasn’t surprised; she had been prepared for this. She had chosen to return to her sect recently to avoid being targeted by them again.

“And what about Linghu Meng?” Lian Mu probed with a smile. “Did he pay another ransom to roam free?”

Bai Su’s smile stiffened slightly. “Not quite. There’s a limit to everything. After causing so much trouble, if the Flying Sea Pavilion let him go again, it would be unacceptable. However, considering he’s just a mortal, they didn’t kill him. They cut off his limbs and threw him out.”

Lian Mu nodded. Although it seemed cruel for a mortal, it was fitting for his actions. If she had brought the naive Xu Xianxing that day, things might have turned out differently.

“I heard you had a deal with Silver Crane about General Bean, right?” Bai Su asked.

Lian Mu replied, “Yes.”

Bai Su sighed. “He’s obsessed with beasts. He always claims he’s not interested, but once he sees a beast, he can’t resist. Letting him touch General Bean would probably make him so happy he wouldn’t leave his house for two months. No wonder he couldn’t be persuaded to come today, despite the significance.”

“Is Pavilion Master Bai blaming me for letting him see General Bean?” Lian Mu asked.

Bai Su shook her head. “Not at all. General Bean is still your Spirit Pet, so I can’t interfere with your decisions. It’s just that certain things are not suitable for Silver Crane to know.”

Lian Mu sensed there was more to her words but didn’t understand: What was unsuitable?

“I’ve prepared the ten million Spirit Stones you requested,” Bai Su said, summoning two Silver-masked Persons carrying boxes. “Young friend, it’s time to fulfill your promise, isn’t it?”

The Silver-masked Persons opened the boxes, revealing three hundred high-grade purple Spirit Stones, worth ten million.

Seeing Bai Su’s prompt payment, Lian Mu agreed immediately. “Alright.”

“Rest assured, young friend. Selling it to me now won’t affect your ability to claim prizes later. Until you redeem your prize, General Bean will still be yours in name,” Bai Su said, handing her a contract. “Sign the contract first.”

Without hesitation, Lian Mu signed her name and pressed her fingerprint on it.

Bai Su then handed her a sharp blade. “Extract blood to dissolve the contract.”

Green Bean, perched on Lian Mu’s shoulder, instinctively recoiled at the sight of the knife. Lian Mu grabbed it and handed it to the Silver-masked Person.

Green Bean struggled, clinging to her fingers and refusing to let go, its tail poised to sting the Silver-masked Person.

Lian Mu flicked its shell and tied it up with a string. “Stay still.”

Green Bean squeaked pitifully as Lian Mu quickly dissolved the beast contract. “Give me the money.”

Bai Su, smiling broadly, caged Green Bean and handed over the payment. “Even without it, you can still participate in the next promotion tournament with other Spirit Pets. With your strength, I’m sure you can surpass Gong Yu’s consecutive victories.”

Lian Mu waved dismissively. “No need, I’m quite busy. I’ll visit the Pavilion Master when I have time, but I’ll pass on the beast fights.”

After some polite exchanges, Lian Mu followed the Silver-masked Person to the champion’s stage.

As she stepped out, the top ten Beast Masters around the stage stole glances at her.

“General Bean is mighty!”

“General Bean is invincible!”

“Modified Demonic Beasts are the strongest!”

At that moment, the crowd’s cheers reached a fever pitch. Even those who once supported Gong Yu had joined in.

The followers of the Beast Fighting Arena were a fickle bunch. They never truly supported Gong Yu, but rather the pride of following a constant champion. Once Gong Yu lost his position, they quickly switched allegiances.

Amidst the crowd, Lian Mu spotted a familiar figure.

“General Bean!”

The shout was loud, like thunder, drowning out the others.

Hearing the familiar voice, the crowd turned to look, seeing Gong Yu in the center, his head held high, locking eyes with the General Bean Beast Master.

Gong Yu looked much older, as if he had aged ten years. Though his features were frail and sickly, his gaze remained steadfast. Limping, he stepped forward and declared, “General Bean is not a Modified Demonic Beast.”

The crowd was in an uproar.

If General Bean wasn’t a Modified Demonic Beast, then what was it?

Hundreds of eyes turned to the General Bean Beast Master, but Lian Mu remained calm. “It’s indeed not a Modified Demonic Beast. It is…”

Before Lian Mu could finish, Bai Su interrupted, “The announcement ends here. Beast Masters, please follow me to the Treasure Pavilion to claim your prizes.”

Gong Yu was dragged away by the Silver-masked Persons, still proclaiming, “Modified Demonic Beasts can never surpass original demonic beasts!”

The crowd fell silent.

Lian Mu sighed inwardly. Such persistence.

Bai Su smiled and announced, “This promotion tournament has concluded. The Flying Sea Pavilion invites all Beast Masters to eagerly sign up for the next competition. Those who didn’t place this time shouldn’t be discouraged. Opportunities always exist, and the Flying Sea Pavilion’s Beast Fighting Arena guarantees fairness.”

The crowd’s brief doubts were quelled. Since Bai Su had spoken, General Bean must be legitimate.

As the Pavilion Master, she would profit no matter who won, so she had no reason to favor one side over the other.

Moreover, the outcome was clear. Even if Gong Yu had another chance, he couldn’t defeat General Bean.

With the announcement over, the group proceeded to the Flying Sea Treasure Pavilion.

As the largest rogue cultivator faction in the Vermilion Bird South, the Flying Sea Pavilion’s opulence rivals that of the Four Great Sects. The Treasure Pavilion sits at the very center of the Flying Sea’s cluster of buildings. Once the concealed barrier is lifted, its splendor is revealed, grand and imposing.

Even the grand doors of the Treasure Pavilion are inlaid with hundreds of rare gemstones. The golden and jade door rings are intricately carved with a design of dragons and phoenixes in flight, their eyes set with precious jewels, exuding an aura of majesty.

No wonder Bai Su could spend ten million without batting an eye.

Lian Mu couldn’t help but sigh: Indeed, among sword cultivators, she’s the only one who is perpetually broke.

When selecting a prize, one naturally starts from the top. Lian Mu was led to a row of dusty raw stones, all potentially containing high-grade Refined Jade.

“Young friend, you may keep opening these raw stones until you’re satisfied,” Bai Su said. “However, if you finish with one stone and choose another, you will have no claim to the previous one.”

Lian Mu understood. Although she could choose freely, she could ultimately take only one. This method was quite shrewd; being too greedy could mean missing out on what she could have had. Each stone opened was a gamble.

After some thought, Lian Mu picked the largest stone to try her luck. “Let’s start with this one.”

The Silver-masked Person lifted the raw stone onto the cutting device, but unfortunately, despite its size, the stone’s shell was too thick. Inside was only a fist-sized piece of Refined Jade, around the second grade.

Lian Mu abandoned it without hesitation and moved to another area to select again. This time, she began using her spiritual power to probe, and neither Bai Su nor the Silver-masked Person stopped her.

Bai Su remarked, “It seems the young friend is quite the expert.”

Lian Mu’s fingers brushed over each raw stone, pausing in front of one that was half her height.

“Let’s try this one.”

The grade was high, but the quantity was too little.

“This one.”

The main essence was water, not a match.

“Try that one.”

After several rounds of cutting, she finally opened a piece of flawless first-grade Refined Jade, with a fire essence, perfectly suited for Lian Mu, and just the right size.

“I think this jade is quite good. What do you think, young friend?” Bai Su asked.

Lian Mu caressed the jade, its texture smooth and warm, emanating a heat unique to the fire essence vein. Although it lacked auxiliary veins, it was just right, as her other two Spiritual Roots were sealed, making the sole fire vein the best choice.

Lian Mu hesitated for a moment, glancing at the next raw stone, indecisive.

Bai Su said, “Thinking of opening the next one? Once you do, this Refined Jade can’t be chosen again. There’s risk in advancing or retreating, so choose wisely, young friend.”

“…Open it,” Lian Mu decided. “I want that one.”

Those nearby couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: How foolish!

This piece of Refined Jade was already top-tier among top-tiers. She was quite lucky to have opened such a treasure. Why not take what she had and be content?

Even if she couldn’t use it herself, selling it while it was still fresh would fetch a sky-high price.

Bai Su hadn’t expected her to give it up, but smiled, “Very well. Continue.”

With that, she gestured for someone to bring over a treasure box. This box, called the Stone Storage Gold Bank, could mimic the effect of a raw stone’s shell, preserving the spiritual energy within the jade. A first-grade Stone Storage Gold Bank was expensive, but highly effective, allowing Refined Jade, which doesn’t store well, to be kept for several days.

This top-grade Refined Jade now belonged to the Flying Sea Pavilion and would soon be auctioned for a fortune.

Thinking of this, the other Beast Masters who had come for the Refined Jade looked at her with a hint of resentment.

Lian Mu ignored them, feeling no regret. When the raw stone she had chosen was opened, their lips twitched slightly.

This piece of Refined Jade, though similar in size and grade to the previous one, was much duller in color and lacked the previous one’s warmth, instead exuding a lifeless aura.

This was a lesser type of first-grade Refined Jade; while still first-grade, it wasn’t as good as the brighter, more vibrant ones.

The color of Refined Jade indicates its spiritual energy content, with bright colors always being preferable.

“Are you sure you want this one?” Bai Su asked.

Lian Mu turned the Refined Jade over, revealing two lines within the dark red jade, one green and one gold.

“Is it a dual auxiliary vein of gold and wood?” Bai Su was somewhat surprised. “So the young friend wanted jade with auxiliary veins…”

The other Beast Masters: “…”

Giving up a top-grade piece for two auxiliary veins and choosing a lesser one?

No matter how you think about it, it seems like a loss.

Lian Mu said, “This one.”

Bai Su smiled slightly, satisfied with the outcome. Lian Mu’s luck had been good; the jade she had opened earlier included many top-grade pieces of its level. Once she gave them up, they belonged to the Flying Sea Pavilion.

The Flying Sea Pavilion was generous, immediately gifting Lian Mu a Stone Storage Gold Bank for her Refined Jade.

After collecting the Refined Jade, Lian Mu left calmly, ignoring the strange looks from the crowd.

“Could I borrow the Flying Sea Pavilion’s Artifact Forging room?”

Bai Su paused, “You…”

Then she understood, “Please, young friend, go ahead.”

…

Returning to Flying Sea Street, on the way to the Artifact Forging room, Lian Mu spotted a familiar figure.

Gong Yu, battered and bruised, was carrying a bundle on his back, heading toward the end of Flying Sea Street. Without the spiritual power of his flame beast, he couldn’t even use a spatial pouch and was forced to bear the weight.

Seeing her halfway, Gong Yu said nothing, passing her by.

Lian Mu spoke, “You guessed it, General Bean is indeed not a Modified Demonic Beast.”

Gong Yu paused, “…It’s different from Silver Crane’s Spirit Pet.”

“When did you realize?” Lian Mu asked.

“When it controlled me,” Gong Yu explained patiently, now that there was no longer any need for hostility between them. “I felt that long thing, it was the same as General Bean. But it’s a jiao, a type of Spirit Beast, so General Bean is also a Spirit Beast.”

Lian Mu nodded, “That’s right, Spirit Beasts naturally counter demonic beasts, which is why your Spirit Pet lost.”

“I know,” Gong Yu replied, “but don’t you think you were cheating?”

Lian Mu smiled slightly, “If I could bring it into the Beast Fighting Arena, it was naturally within the rules. Every rule of the Beast Fighting Arena is clearly written, and there’s never been a restriction on the type of Spirit Pet. Just because you haven’t seen it doesn’t mean others can’t use it.”

Gong Yu fell silent, “…”

Lian Mu continued, “If you have any objections, take them up with Bai Su, not me.”

Gong Yu pressed his lips together, ultimately choosing not to argue further, and continued on his way.

“I lost, I admit it.”

“But one day, I’ll come back, with a more powerful demonic beast, and defeat you.”

He left those words behind.

Lian Mu glanced sideways, this was the first time she looked at him directly since the end of their battle. She replied, “Alright.”

Gong Yu’s silhouette grew more distant, his limping gait making him look like an old man struggling along.

He was severely injured, finding even walking difficult. Once surrounded by supporters, now he left with no one to see him off, his lonely shadow stretching longer in the sunlight.

Whether he would return to the Flying Sea Pavilion one day, or never come back, remained unknown.

“This is the path he chose for himself, reaching this point, he can blame no one.”

Silver Crane’s voice came from beside her, carrying a hint of amusement.

“Ever since he brought back that flame beast, I knew this day would come. If he didn’t lose to you, someone else would have defeated him. His beast-taming skills are strong, but ultimately not sustainable. There’s no need for you to feel guilty about it.”

Lian Mu replied, “Which eye of yours saw me feeling guilty?”

“Isn’t it true?” Silver Crane asked. “From your expression earlier, it seemed like you had something on your mind.”

Lian Mu said, “I do have something on my mind. Just thinking about how he gave you all those precious Spirit Materials makes me uneasy.”

“It was a fair trade. I’m not someone who can be ordered around by just anyone,” Silver Crane responded. “Did you get the Refined Jade the Pavilion Master promised you?”

Lian Mu nodded, “Yes.”

Silver Crane continued, “I’m quite curious to see what you’ll make of that green sword.”

“Three million, and you can watch from the sidelines,” Lian Mu said.

Silver Crane’s mouth twitched. “I’ll pass on that.”

Lian Mu added, “By the way, Bai Su seemed a bit upset when she found out you were dealing with General Bean.”

“Really? The Pavilion Master is concerned about me,” he said. “You’ve already sold General Bean to the Pavilion Master, right?”

Lian Mu asked, “Why, do you want it too? If you add more money, I might consider a temporary transfer.”

Silver Crane laughed, “I don’t want it. But while I’ve been in seclusion researching, I’ve realized it’s actually quite suitable to stay with the Pavilion Master. My young friend, whatever plans you have in mind, as a half-friend, let me advise you: stop thinking about getting it back. It’s not good for you or your future.”

Lian Mu assumed he was just delivering a message from Bai Su and replied nonchalantly, “Got it.”