Chapter 38: The Temptation of Hidden Treasures

‘So I really don’t want to get involved,’ Shi Yang thought, feeling a pang of discomfort.

In the past, he would have immediately vouched for Zhang Xiaoyou without hesitation.

However, after witnessing today’s events, he dared not stake his reputation on him. Zhang Xiaoyou’s performance had been… well, truly indescribable.

Seeing Zhang Xiaoyou’s expectant face, Shi Yang reluctantly spoke.

“Indeed, Elder Zhang’s teaching abilities are absolutely beyond reproach,” he affirmed. “Zhao Ritian and I have both been his students.”

“Right? See?” Zhang Xiaoyou puffed out his chest, emboldened by the support.

“I even used this little Haotian—oh, I mean Xiaoke—as a negative example in my lessons.” “My teaching is truly conscientious; everyone who’s attended my classes praises it!”

‘This old man is quite a character, isn’t he?’ Wang Yu mused, observing the lively elder with a strange expression.

She actually already believed Zhang Xiaoyou’s words. Even if his teaching methods weren’t entirely reliable, his strength couldn’t possibly be fake. He was clearly a formidable backer, and Wang Yu found herself somewhat tempted.

Upon seeing the change in Wang Yu’s expression, Xiaoke cried out, ‘This is bad!’

If Wang Yu were to follow Zhang Xiaoyou back, he would be doomed. He hadn’t just offended Zhang Xiaoyou; if they discovered he no longer had a patron, who knew how they would torment him?

Just Zhang Xiaoyou alone had eighteen sets of tortures in store. ‘My heavens, if I go straight back to the Heavenly Palace Institute, I’ll be subjected to 108 sets!’

“I object to this engagement—ah, no, this apprenticeship!” Xiaoke declared loudly, deciding to fight for his future. “Everyone, please hear me out!”

Xiaoke successfully captured the attention of Wang Yu and the others, as well as Zhang Xiaoyou’s remote control. Xiaoke hurriedly said to Zhang Xiaoyou, “Wait, I just need to speak a few words privately with my master.”

“If Master still insists on taking you as a teacher, I, Xiaoke, will not utter another word and will accept whatever you decide.”

Zhang Xiaoyou scrutinized Xiaoke from head to toe, a cold sneer playing on his lips. ‘I’m so stable now; I refuse to believe you have any way to turn the tide.’

He waved a hand dismissively. “Fine, you two talk.”

Wang Yu curiously asked Xiaoke, “What do you want to say?”

“Wait, I’ll open up some permissions first and pull us into a group chat.” Xiaoke pulled out the book, *All Things Have Spirits*, and began making gestures.

“????” Wang Yu was perplexed. “A group chat? What on earth? Do you have WeChat and QQ functions?”

“Done.” Xiaoke looked triumphant. “Just place your hands on the book.”

Yue Feng and Wang Yu exchanged glances before placing their hands on the book. They felt a sudden dizzying sensation, and then Wang Yu found herself in the Golden Lotus Space, the very place she had first cultivated.

Yue Feng stood beside her, looking equally astonished. He asked dazedly, “What kind of martial art is this?”

“Amazing, isn’t it?” Xiaoke boasted, a proud expression on his face. “This is Master’s divine sense Golden Lotus.”

“Even Master herself hasn’t yet cultivated to the point of free entry and exit. As the administrator of that book, only I have the authority to come in.”

Wang Yu felt a pang of indignation. It was her own possession, yet Xiaoke was more adept with it than she was. It was like buying a house only to find the keys weren’t in her hands.

“Enough, let’s get to the point,” Wang Yu said, her expression displeased. “If your reasons aren’t satisfactory enough, I’ll lend you to that elder for a few days. I think you two get along quite well.”

“Yes!” Xiaoke immediately stood at attention and saluted, responding submissively, “Master, I’m only doing this to prevent your assets from being taken by those vampires from the Heavenly Palace Institute!”

“What do you mean?” Wang Yu asked suspiciously. “What assets do I even have?”

“Your properties! The houses Haotian built all over the world!” Xiaoke proclaimed, hands on his hips. “These houses were secretly constructed by Haotian whenever he wanted a moment of peace.”

“It’s safe to say that apart from me, no one knows where they are. And now that I am your pet, do you understand what that means?”

Wang Yu’s eyes began to sparkle. “This means~”

“This means these houses have become your immovable assets! You are now a property owner, and what’s more, these are high-end vacation villas scattered across the entire continent!” Xiaoke stated with a serious expression.

“And inside, there are things Haotian left behind casually. What is Haotian? He’s a Heavenly Venerable, the strongest person of that era. I don’t need to tell you how precious the things he left behind are, do I?”

Wang Yu swallowed hard, suddenly feeling that a hundred million might indeed be a small goal.

‘No, wait, I can’t let money cloud my judgment. Those are all external possessions, merely external possessions!’

Wang Yu pondered. “Does that conflict with me taking that Elder Zhang as my teacher? Wouldn’t having him as a backer make it easier for me to obtain them?”

“Wrong! Completely wrong!” Xiaoke exclaimed. “Master, you probably don’t know that the Heavenly Palace Institute has a rule: any ruins discovered through the sect’s organization or assistance must first be handed over, then distributed according to merit.”

“Even if we provide the location, if we ask the Heavenly Palace Institute for help, it will become sect property. At most, we’ll just get a slightly larger share when the profits are divided.”

Wang Yu’s eyes widened. She looked at Yue Feng beside her. “Is that true?”

‘Speechless. I’m not a disciple of the Heavenly Palace Institute; how would I know?’ Yue Feng looked at Wang Yu’s expectant gaze, unable to refuse.

“Just wait a moment. I’ll find someone who knows.”

With that, Yue Feng’s divine sense retreated, and amidst everyone’s confusion, he pulled Shi Yang into the space.

As soon as Shi Yang entered, he was immediately surrounded and stared at by Wang Yu and the two others. ‘I…’ Shi Yang felt utterly exhausted today. “Alright, what do you need me to confirm?”

Wang Yu repeated what Xiaoke had just said to Shi Yang. “Is this true, Grandpa?”

To protect her immovable assets, Wang Yu decided to temporarily abandon her dignity, even resorting to acting spoiled. Her petite and beautiful appearance now possessed immense charm.

Indeed, Shi Yang was charmed. After thinking it over, he confirmed that what Xiaoke said was accurate.

“See? I didn’t lie to you, Master, did I?” Xiaoke suddenly perked up. “Those old fogeys are all vampires. Each one of them gets so engrossed in their research that they become completely unhinged.”

“Don’t be fooled by their usual dignified appearance; when it comes to their research topics, they’ll stop at nothing.”

‘No, I didn’t say that,’ Shi Yang thought, watching Xiaoke exaggerate at his side.

“Master, just imagine, with me and Yue Feng helping out, we can go wherever we please. What’s a forbidden zone to others is a playground to me!” Xiaoke painted a magnificent vision for Wang Yu.

Yue Feng paused, ‘Why am I being dragged into this too?’ Suddenly, he heard Xiaoke’s voice in his mind: –Hey, cooperate with me!–

Yue Feng glanced strangely at Xiaoke when Wang Yu wasn’t looking.

Xiaoke was winking at him, and his voice echoed in Yue Feng’s mind again: –This is my private chat mode. Don’t speak; just think, and it’ll transmit to me.–

Yue Feng, maintaining an unchanged expression, thought in his mind: –Why should I cooperate with you?–

–Are you stupid? If Master runs off with that old geezer, do you think you still stand a chance?– Xiaoke said, exasperated.

–You only mentioned the disadvantages of her joining the Heavenly Palace Institute, but I’m well aware of the benefits. I like her, but I don’t want to hold her back.–

–I didn’t say no apprenticeship, just not now. It’s not too late to apprentice after we’ve divided Haotian’s legacy. I know that old geezer inside and out; he won’t let go.–

–Are you sure there won’t be any danger?–

–I’m not certain; I’m just minimizing the danger. Do you think there’s such a thing as a free lunch in this world? Even if the elders from the Heavenly Palace Institute came, the result would be the same.

Unless Haotian himself shows up, no one can curry favor with the defensive system he set up. But I can help you break it. Your abilities are definitely sufficient. In fact, if you can’t handle that, you might as well give up pursuing Master.–

–Are you sure you’re not tricking us again?–

–Absolutely not this time.– –Honestly, given your credibility.–

–Hey, hey, hey, are you looking down on me? Worst case, we can call upon this old man again. He’ll definitely give Master a teleportation jade, the kind made by Haotian, ready to be summoned at any time.–

–Alright, I’ll trust you one more time.–

–Excellent! I’m telling you, this is the perfect opportunity for you to win over Master. Go for the home run, and I’ll give you my full support.–

–Well said, well said. I’ll be relying entirely on you, Xiaoke, then.–

Man and beast exchanged a smile, both looking incredibly sly.

Meanwhile, Wang Yu, deep in thought, shivered, furrowing her adorable brows. ‘Strange, can divine sense also feel cold?’