Xiao Wei shook his head lightly.
"No need for thanks, Senior. I did what anyone should have done."Xiao Wei said.
Nearby, Old Yang observed the exchange with growing interest. His usually stern face showed a rare glimmer of surprise. The idea that a Martial Apprentice Realm Cultivator had dared to take on five Martial Master Realm Cultivators bordered on madness, yet Shi Man's sincerity made it hard to doubt. Old Yang had lived long enough to recognize honesty when he saw it.
For a moment, Old Yang considered taking Xiao Wei as a disciple. His courage, loyalty, and sharp instincts were the kind that could not be taught. However, the old master quickly dismissed the thought. He had long ago decided not to take another disciple. His journey was nearing its twilight, and he wanted to focus on his current disciples.
Still, he felt compelled to reward Xiao Wei. With a subtle flick of his wrist, Old Yang retrieved a small jade bottle from within his robes and tossed it toward Xiao Wei. The bottle shimmered slightly with a soft golden light.
"Catch it. Inside that bottle is a Tier 4 healing pill. Use it well. It will mend even the deepest wounds and leave no scars in your body"Old Yang said.
Xiao Wei caught the bottle with both hands and bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Senior"Xiao Wei said with a bright smile, genuinely grateful.
Inwardly, Xiao Wei was astonished. He knew healing his sword cuts required a high-tier pill, but he had no idea where to find one. To receive it so unexpectedly, felt like a stroke of divine fortune. He carefully stored the bottle in his Storage Ring, deciding to use it later once he reached Fu City and found a safe place to rest.
As the group began to settle, two more figures emerged from the distant treeline. Chen Xiao and Mo Chen, disciples of Old Yang, had finally returned from the Secret Realm. Their faces were lined with exhaustion and their expressions heavy.
"Master, we found the Secret Realm Core."Chen Xiao said as he approached, lowering his head respectfully.
Old Yang's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Did you succeed in subduing it?"Old Yang asked.
Chen Xiao sighed and shook his head.
"No, Master. We tried, but Qin Nan and Qin Lin from the Qin Clan were also there. They blocked every attempt I made. The tension was too high, and we couldn't risk an all-out battle in the final moments. The Secret Realm closed before any of us could claim it."Chen Xiao explained.
Old Yang didn't scold his disciple. Instead, he gave a small nod.
"Sometimes, retreating wisely is better than dying foolishly. You did well to come back safely."Old Yang said.
Mo Chen stepped forward and added.
"We weren't the only ones, Master. Several others were watching from the shadows, waiting for an opportunity. No one dared to take the risk of subduing the Core and leaving their body defenseless."Mo Chen said.
Old Yang let out a soft sigh.
"You don't have to think about this anymore. Because Secret Realm Core is not easy to subdue, not only it takes strength but luck too"Old Yang said.
With the last of his disciples accounted for, Old Yang turned to his group.
"Let's return to the sect. We have much to discuss."Old Yang said to his disciples.
Shi Feng also gave one last look to Xiao Wei.
"You are welcome to visit the Shi Clan in Fu City. If there is anything you need, we will be happy to assist you."Shi Feng said and was ready to leave with Shi Man.
But as the group prepared to leave the clearing outside the Secret Realm's exit, a powerful voice suddenly echoed from above, halting everyone in their tracks.
"Wait, Senior!"a firm voice rang out.
Everyone turned their gaze toward the sky, where a middle-aged man descended gracefully from the clouds, accompanied by three young men dressed in fine robes, all emanating strong auras. The man landed with a calm dignity, his posture confident but not arrogant.
Immediately, Shadow Ming's voice echoed in Xiao Wei's mind through voice transmission.
'Kid, that man... I think he's in the Ninth Layer of the Martial King Realm. Be cautious.'
The middle-aged man clasped his fists respectfully toward the Old Yang beside Shi Feng.
"Hello, Senior Yang. It's rare and fortunate to see you here."the middle aged man said.
Old Yang's eyes narrowed slightly as he examined the newcomer. His tone was calm but distant.
"Who are you?"Old Yang said.
The man bowed slightly.
"Senior, I am Qin La, First Elder of the Qin Clan from Dong State."Qin La said.
Old Yang's expression remained unreadable.
"And what business does the First Elder of the Qin Clan have with me?"Old Yang said.
Qin La gave a practiced smile, smooth and calculated.
"Nothing that should trouble you, Senior. It's simply that a small misunderstanding occurred inside the Secret Realm between your disciples and my nephews. I thought it proper to come and clarify matters face to face, to prevent future tension."Qin La explained.
Old Yang didn't respond immediately. Instead, he turned to his disciple.
"Mo Chen, tell me what happened inside the Secret Realm."Old Yang asked.
Mo Chen stepped forward, cupping his fists.
"Yes, Master. While we were inside the Secret Realm, we discovered the Secret Realm Core. As we approached, Chen Xiao and I encountered those two over there—Qin Nan and Qin Lin. Qin Nan insisted that the Core belonged to him and would not allow anyone else near it. Tensions rose, but no actual fight broke out. None of us managed to subdue the Core, and when the Secret Realm closed, we were all teleported out."Mo Chen explained slowly.
Old Yang nodded slowly.
"I see. So, what do you propose, Elder Qin?"Old Yang said as he looked at Qin La.
Qin La smiled again, this time with a slight challenge in his tone.
"Nothing too serious, Senior. Why don't we resolve this misunderstanding with a friendly sparring match? A simple 3 versus 3. Our juniors can settle any lingering resentment through martial practice."Qin La said.
Old Yang raised an eyebrow, because he know Qin La only wants to make his nephew and his clan social status high by this match.
"But I only have two disciples here. One of them is an Alchemist and not suited for combat."Old Yang said.
Qin La waved dismissively.
"That's no issue, Senior. We can ask junior Shi Man to join in. He's a talented young Cultivator from Feng City. And that young man over there… he looks capable."Qin La said and pointed his finger toward Xiao Wei.
Xiao Wei blinked, stunned. He had been standing silently behind Shi Man and Shi Feng. Now, all of a sudden, he was being volunteered to fight against disciples from one of the most powerful clans in Dong State.
"But they're not my disciples. And that junior is only at the Martial Apprentice Realm Cultivation. How can he be expected to spar against your nephew, a Martial Master Realm Cultivator?"Old Yang said firmly, glancing at Shi Feng and Xiao Wei.
Qin La has a calm smile, his robe fluttering gently behind him. He looked completely composed, as if this entire situation was a casual chat between old friends.
"Senior Yang, this is merely a friendly exchange between the younger generation. No need to be so tense. No one will be seriously injured—just a light spar to resolve a small misunderstanding between our disciples."Qin La said, bowing slightly.
Old Yang narrowed his eyes slightly. He wasn't one to be easily fooled. His instincts told him this was far more than a simple 'sparring match.' He had seen too many so-called friendly duels turn into life-threatening confrontations. But under the gaze of so many experts and representatives from different clans and sects, outright refusal might seem cowardly.
Meanwhile, Xiao Wei stood to the side, confused and increasingly annoyed.
*Why am I being dragged into this? I didn't even interact with these people inside the Secret Realm… why do I have to fight for them now?*Xiao Wei thought, rubbing his temple.
He glanced at the three figures standing beside Qin La—young boy dressed in fine, embroidered robes, exuding powerful auras. One of them had a saber strapped across his back and a smug grin on his face. That boy was Qin Nan, the one who'd clashed with Old Yang's disciples over the Secret Realm Core.
Xiao Wei's lips twitched in frustration. These people want a show. I'm just a Martial Apprentice Realm Cultivator. It's like asking a rabbit to wrestle a tiger.
Then, suddenly, Shadow Ming's voice echoed in his mind, calm and sharp as always.
'Kid, I've heard about the Qin Clan. They're wealthy—filthy rich, in fact. If they want to drag you into this nonsense, you might as well profit from it. Accept their little challenge… but suggest a bet. Spiritual Stones. We need them for Cultivation.'