Chapter 128: The Xuantian Pavilion?!

The man held a flower in his hand—a red rose. He was dressed in a way that screamed wealth, and upon catching sight of the beautiful Lingxuan, he decided he wanted to woo her.

However, when he noticed Qianmo standing beside her, his brow furrowed, and a flicker of disdain, along with a hidden trace of murderous intent, flashed in his eyes.

The man approached Lingxuan with the rose, his gait slow and ostensibly gentlemanly. He gave a slight bow and, ignoring Qianmo, provocatively said to Lingxuan, "Beautiful lady, I am Xuan Yang, Young Master of the Profound Heaven Pavilion. I hope we might become acquainted."

Qianmo and Lingxuan acted as if they hadn't heard him at all, treating Xuan Yang like nothing more than a passing breeze as they continued their sweet conversation.

...

A cold wind seemed to sweep past Xuan Yang, leaving him frozen in place. *Damn it, how humiliating!* They were ignoring him? He was the Young Master of the Profound Heaven Pavilion! A super-genius who had stepped into the realm of a One-Star Dou Zun at only twenty-eight years old! And now, he was being completely disregarded!

Xuan Yang’s face darkened, his expression turning sinister as a wave of fury rose within him. Just as he was about to explode, a young, childish voice piped up: "Hey, weird uncle, why are you standing there? Are you sunbathing?"

Lingxuan immediately reached out to pull the little girl, Ling'er, back. "Darling, don't disturb people while they're sunbathing; that’s not polite behavior!"

"Especially since he’s just standing there drinking the northwest wind," Qianmo added from behind.

"Oh, oh!" Ling'er nodded, her cute face full of innocence.

Xuan Yang heard this and began to question his entire existence. The rage within him was enough to color his face. He gripped the rose so hard that a blue flame erupted in his palm, burning the flower until not even ash remained.

The flame in Xuan Yang’s hand was not a Heavenly Flame; it was merely an ordinary beast fire, far inferior to the real thing. Still, it hinted that he was likely an alchemist.

Qianmo, however, remained unimpressed. A piece of trash—did he really think he could fly? The Profound Heaven Pavilion? A single hand would be enough to wipe them out.

Xuan Yang’s murderous aura finally burst forth. His face was grim, a purple energy radiating from his body as his eyes took on a violet hue. His voice was icy: "You dare to ignore me? Do you think you’ve truly ascended to the heavens? My invitation was a blessing to you. Since you ants won't accept it, then go ahead and die of anger!"

"Profound Heaven Palm!"

Channeling his One-Star Dou Zun strength, Xuan Yang moved with a flicker of his body, appearing before Qianmo in a flash and striking down with his palm. "Keep your dog eyes open in your next life."

Qianmo frowned, his voice flat. "You are being a bit presumptuous."

As he spoke, Qianmo flicked his finger. "Extinguish!"

A wisp of golden light radiated outward. Xuan Yang’s "Profound Heaven Palm" stopped dead in mid-air and then dissipated into nothingness. At the same time, Qianmo cast a spatial seal, cutting off the area from the outside world; he didn't want to ruin such a lively environment because of an ant.

"How is this possible?!"

Seeing his attack dissolved so easily, a thought flashed through Xuan Yang’s mind: *Playing the pig to eat the tiger—this is a master!*

But Xuan Yang refused to believe it. Perhaps the guy just had some powerful artifact on him! If he killed him, that treasure would become his! Instead of fear, a wave of greed surged in his heart. *Once I kill this man, take his artifact, ravage this woman, and slaughter their little girl right in front of them... Haha! That will teach you to ignore me!*

Xuan Yang leaped backward, and a long, oversized azure sword appeared in his hand.

"You blocked it once, but I don't believe you can block everything! Obediently hand over your treasure!" Xuan Yang said with a greedy tone.

Qianmo squinted, sensing something off. *Is this idiot misunderstanding something? Does he think I used some mysterious treasure to break his attack?*

A smile touched the corner of Qianmo's lips. *So that's it! What a fool...*

"Profound Heaven Sword Art!"

At that moment, Xuan Yang raised his sword and swung. Instantly, Dou Qi formed a violent purple ripple around his body, morphing into strands of killing intent that soared toward the heavens. Xuan Yang leaped upward, a massive sword aura attaching itself to the blade to form a chaotic whirlwind, crashing down toward Qianmo.

"Profound Heaven Sword Art, Shatter All Obstacles!"

"Truly courting death. I didn't want to bother with you, but you keep pushing your luck."

Qianmo spoke softly. *Everything was going so well, why did you have to come and make a mess? I ignored you because you weren't even worth the effort of killing, but now you’re getting ahead of yourself.*

"Then I'll show you what true terror is."

Qianmo moved his fingers slightly, and countless void blades tore through the air, each one carrying immense sword intent.

"Void Blade, specifically for slicing idiots!"

"Go!"

In an instant, the countless void blades condensed into a single massive blade, surging toward the heavens to clash with the Profound Heaven Sword Art.

Seeing the blade strike, Xuan Yang’s pupils contracted. *Void-condensed swords? What a terrifying level of sword mastery! What powerful sword intent!*

Yet, Xuan Yang licked his lips, showing no fear. He believed that the stronger the attack, the more powerful the artifact must be. He attributed all this strength to the treasure.

The two sword auras collided in the sky!

*Boom!*

A crashing sound erupted. Xuan Yang, who thought victory was assured, watched as Qianmo's blade easily tore through his attack. The blade even emitted a ringing, mocking sound, as if to say: *A sword this weak dares to challenge me? Ant!*

The blade surged forward, piercing directly through Xuan Yang’s body. Countless strands of sword intent invaded his internal organs before the blade dissipated.

"Ho... how is it possible..." Xuan Yang stood dazed, his body collapsing in mid-air, unable to believe that his sword art had been broken so easily!

Then, a heart-wrenching pain erupted from within his body, and agony flared through his entire frame simultaneously.

"Ahhh!!!"

Xuan Yang screamed in torment, his eyes filling with bloodshot veins. His limp body plummeted to the ground.

*Thump!*

Xuan Yang spat out a mouthful of blood. He felt the cold touch of death creeping into his heart.

Lingxuan saw this and immediately embraced Ling'er; it was better for the child not to see such a bloody scene.

Qianmo stood up, a smile on his face, and walked over slowly. He stopped at a distance of half a meter, hands behind his back, looking down at Xuan Yang, who was lying there like a dead dog.

Seeing Qianmo approach, Xuan Yang’s eyes widened, and uncontrollable fear surged forth. He tried to crawl backward, but any movement triggered intense pain.

"Ah!"

Eventually, Xuan Yang lay motionless on the ground.

"You, don't... don't... come over..." Xuan Yang’s voice trembled with fear as he looked at Qianmo. "You... you devil... don't come over..."

Qianmo found this scene quite familiar. He recalled the times he had robbed others—they, too, had started off arrogant and overconfident, not putting him in their eyes, only to end up begging on the ground like dying dogs. Thinking of this, a sinister, eerie smile appeared on Qianmo's lips.

"Do you know? Many people before you were just like you—overconfident, arrogant, thinking they were something special, not taking me seriously. Their end was the same as yours: begging bitterly, begging in fear. Watching this, I almost find it funny. Why is it that a peaceful man like me always has to be provoked by idiots? It must be because I'm too low-key and look too easy to bully."

"People, if they aren't taught a lesson, they can't see the reality in front of them. Never mind, I'll teach you what reality is now."

Qianmo sighed slightly.

Upon hearing this, Xuan Yang’s eyes bulged, his fear escalating, his words hurried: "You, you, what are you doing! I am the Young Master of the Profound Heaven Pavilion! The Pavilion Master is my father, and he is a Five-Star Dou Sheng! Let me go now and I won't pursue this! If you kill me, my father won't let you go!..."

Terrified, Xuan Yang pulled out his backing, using every threat he could think of.

Qianmo sneered. "Profound Heaven Pavilion? Five-Star Dou Sheng?"

"Hahaha!!!"

Qianmo threw his head back and laughed. Someone was actually using such a low-level ant to threaten him!

"You, what are you laughing at!" Xuan Yang asked, thinking the man had gone insane, though his heart was still filled with dread.

Qianmo lowered his head slightly, his long hair obscuring his eyes, making him look chillingly cold.

"Setting aside your measly Five-Star Dou Sheng—if you annoy me, I wouldn't mind leveling the entire Western Continent! From this day on, there would be no Western Continent left on the Dou Qi Continent!"

Qianmo’s voice was loud and clear, ringing through the barrier for everyone inside to hear!

Lingxuan’s heart pounded; she was completely captivated by Qianmo's charm. *So handsome, so domineering... is this really my husband?* She could hardly believe it.

"You, you, you are truly delusional! Leveling the Western Continent... you're dreaming! With those words, you've offended everyone in the Western Continent!" Upon hearing Qianmo's tone, Xuan Yang, not knowing when to quit, resisted the pain and pointed a trembling finger at Qianmo. He didn't believe for a second that this man could level the Western Continent—the place was vast, filled with countless hidden sects and experts; it wasn't something one person could just trample.

"Offended? And so what? I, Qianmo, fear nothing! If they dare to come, I will ensure they never return!!"

"Haha!!"

Qianmo felt no fear; on the contrary, he was excited!

"Enough, I won't waste any more breath on you. You disrupted my peace, and that is a crime punishable by death!"

Qianmo couldn't be bothered to argue with an ant anymore. He flicked his finger.

"You, what are you doing!"

As Xuan Yang shouted, an irresistible force sent his body flying, slamming him straight into a massive boulder.

*Thump! Thump!*

"Ah!!"

Xuan Yang’s eyes widened, his heart jolting as a large mouthful of blood sprayed from his mouth. Blood covered his lips, dripping onto the ground. He couldn't help but spit out more.

"Do you know you're wrong?" Qianmo asked.

"Get lost, my father will avenge me!" Xuan Yang shouted, refusing to surrender.

"Hmm, not bad, you have spirit!" Qianmo nodded with satisfaction; this was one of the tougher youths he had encountered. However, he wondered how long that spirit would last.

"Then take some more." As Qianmo spoke, he tossed him around like trash into various corners.

*Thump, thump, thump—thump, thump...*

After being tortured so many times, Xuan Yang’s mind had long since collapsed. He had vomited so much blood that his face had lost all color, turning deathly pale. Qianmo used his energy to prevent him from passing out, forcing him to enjoy every moment of this "happiness."

Xuan Yang was cursing the devil in his heart, though he no longer had the strength to even curse out loud.

He was now stuck against a boulder, his eyelids drooping.

"Do you know you're wrong?" Qianmo asked, leisurely lighting a cigarette. To him, Xuan Yang was just a toy. He was having fun, but the boy needed a little more discipline.

"I... I... kn-know... I... was... wrong..." Xuan Yang's voice was incredibly weak, and he was drifting in and out of consciousness, but no matter what, he couldn't pass out. He truly wanted to die! *Just kill me! Stop torturing me, just kill me!* Xuan Yang's mind was completely broken. He cursed himself for trying to act cool and tough!

*Wooooo!*

Qianmo released his hold, and without the support of the energy, Xuan Yang’s body slumped to the ground.

"Ah—"

With a scream, another mouthful of blood spewed out.

"Do you know why you aren't dead yet? Because I don't want you to die. You were so arrogant just a moment ago, weren't you? I refuse to believe I can't break you." Qianmo, cigarette in his mouth, half-squatted down and said.

Xuan Yang’s mind shattered—so it was really him! He was so angry he spat out another mouthful of blood.

"I'm a person who doesn't like killing, because it's too boring. Once they’re dead, the fun is gone. I like to torture people slowly until they die, though I'll provide them with enough energy to keep them from passing on so I can enjoy the process."

"I love robbing people, so I'll give you two choices."

"First, I torture you slowly, then hang you on a pillar outside for everyone to watch."

Xuan Yang’s eyes widened again; this man was a devil!

"Second? Hand over every valuable item on your body. I won't kill you, and I won't torture you, and you can leave."

"Aren't I kind? I feel like a good person even without you saying it. Someone provokes me, and I still give them a way out. Where else in the world can you find such a kind-hearted person?"

Upon hearing this, Xuan Yang was so furious that his vision went black and he vomited more blood. Not killing him? *I'd rather you kill me! Torture is worse than death, I choose to die!*

"Alright, make your choice. You can't speak now, so use your fingers. Raise as many fingers as the option you choose!" Qianmo commanded.

Xuan Yang chose the second, of course. He had to stay alive to get his revenge! He had to endure the pain.

With trembling, weak fingers, Xuan Yang barely managed to raise one finger.

Qianmo feigned shock. "Oh, you have spirit! You chose the first one—preferring death to giving up your treasures. Haha, impressive!"

Xuan Yang’s heart turned cold; he screamed desperately in his mind, *No, that's not it!* Cold sweat drenched him as he frantically raised his second finger. He was truly terrified that this man would kill him!

Just as Qianmo was about to act to scare him further, he saw the second finger rise.

Qianmo expressed great disappointment. "Aiy, I thought you were a man of integrity, preferring death over parting with your treasures. It seems I was mistaken. Then again, who isn't afraid of death? Especially a little young master like you who has so much left to experience."

"Since you chose the second, I won't be polite." Qianmo took the storage ring from his hand.

Xuan Yang watched as the ring that had been with him for years was taken away. His heart felt a sharp pain—it contained all his treasures! Everything of value he possessed! He was heartbroken, but he couldn't win, and he couldn't take it back!

After taking the ring, Qianmo withdrew the energy he had been exerting on Xuan Yang.

Without the support of Qianmo’s power, Xuan Yang’s vision went black and he passed out.

Qianmo scanned the contents of the ring. His expression remained flat, though he was pleased—a young master's possessions were indeed plentiful. He transferred all the treasures into his own storage ring and tossed the empty shell of the original ring onto the ground before turning to walk away.

"Let's go," Qianmo said as he walked over to Lingxuan and hugged her. "The mood was ruined by an ant, but I’ve taught him a small lesson."

Lingxuan glanced back at the death-like Xuan Yang on the ground. *A small lesson?* She was speechless.

"Daddy, what happened to that weird uncle?" Ling'er asked, her small mouth pouting.

Qianmo picked her up, acting indifferent. "That weird uncle was just tired from playing with Daddy and is taking a nap."

"B-but why is he lying on the ground?" The little one tilted her head, full of questions.

"Because that weird uncle likes cool places, and the ground was nice and cool, so he’s sleeping there. Daddy asked him to get up, but he told Daddy to leave him alone, so I did." Qianmo said, using his "fooling a child" tone.

"Hmph, what a bad uncle. Daddy was being nice to him and he didn't listen." The little girl looked indignant.

Lingxuan heard their conversation and couldn't help but burst into laughter. If Xuan Yang had heard that, he would have died of rage—though he was already as good as dead.

Qianmo removed the barrier, and the familiar bustling noise of the world rushed back into their ears.

"My lady, when does that Heaven and Earth Pavilion auction start?" Qianmo asked as they walked.

"This afternoon, in about three hours," Lingxuan replied.

"Then we have plenty of time. Let's keep walking around," Qianmo nodded, hugging the little one as they continued to stroll.

They approached a gemstone stall. Qianmo scanned it and his eyes lit up—there was a purple jade stone that looked quite beautiful. He hadn't given his wives anything in a while, and this stone was large enough to craft several beautiful rings, and it could even serve as a protective charm.

Qianmo made up his mind.

There were very few people at the stall; perhaps they didn't know how to value the goods. Qianmo scanned the stones—the surfaces didn't look like much, but they weren't bad.

The shopkeeper watched him carrying a child and sighed, *Another looker.* He thought, *Why is selling a stone so difficult?*

Just as the shopkeeper sighed, Qianmo picked up one of the stones—the purple jade he had noticed. The exterior didn't show much, but the real treasure was inside. Qianmo knew a bit about this from his previous life: stone gambling!

It was a game of money, but even more, a game of heartbeat and excitement! One wrong move and you went from rich to poor; one right move and a pauper became a tycoon. It was the cycle of the stone gambling world, playing on human desire.

Qianmo picked up the stone and, feigning ignorance, said, "This stone is quite pretty. It would look nice as a decoration at home." He then asked the shopkeeper, "Boss, what's the price for this one?"

The dejected shopkeeper’s eyes lit up. "Sir, this stone is one thousand gold coins." He felt his heart pound as he said the price, wondering if it was too expensive.

Lingxuan was the one who reacted. "What? Boss, you're robbing us! A thousand gold coins for a broken rock! You're a swindler!"

Qianmo’s expression remained flat, as he was currently using his "keen eyes" to observe the internal structure of the stone. It was filled with a deep, vivid purple. Qianmo smiled inwardly. He looked at the other stones—there were red ones and green ones too.

"Young lady, you can't say that! The stone might be expensive, but if you win the gamble, you'll make a fortune!" the shopkeeper argued.

Qianmo put the stone back and, still feigning ignorance, picked up a red one. "This one isn't bad either. Boss, how much for this one?"

"Sir, that one is five hundred gold coins."

Qianmo nodded, put it back, and picked up another. "Oh, this one is also nice. Boss, how much for this?"

"That one is nine hundred gold coins." The shopkeeper spoke cautiously, fearing he’d lose the sale.

"Boss, I'll take all three. Here is three thousand gold coins, keep the change." Qianmo tossed three bags of gold to the shopkeeper and put the stones into his storage ring.

The shopkeeper’s eyes sparkled as he took the bags. "Thank you, sir!"

"Alright, keep your stall open." Qianmo pulled the angry Lingxuan away.

"Hehe, come back soon!" the shopkeeper chuckled to himself. "Tsk tsk, sold three stones in the first transaction! Three thousand gold coins!"

Little did he know, he was the one being played. If he had known the stones contained purple gold, green gold, and red gold, he would have been devastated!

On the other side, Lingxuan was still pouting. "Husband, why did you spend three thousand gold coins on broken rocks? If you like them, I can have people bring you a pile of them. I feel like it was a waste of money!"

Qianmo kissed her cheek. "What kind of man do you think your husband is? I never do anything that makes me lose out. Don't worry, those three stones contain red gold, green gold, and purple gold, and they are quite large. It was worth it."

Lingxuan blushed, embarrassed. "The child is here..." But she was excited by his words. "Husband, r-really??"

"Of course. Come, let's find a place and I'll show you."

They found a secluded spot and set up a barrier to avoid trouble. Qianmo took out the three stones.

Qianmo pressed his hands against the surfaces of the stones and flicked his fingers. The outer layers of dust and grit dissipated, and the purple, green, and red colors slowly revealed themselves.

"Wow, it's r-really there!" Lingxuan was stunned.

"Wow, so green, so purple, so red!" The little one’s eyes sparkled like a budding treasure hunter.