CHAPTER 31: CHAPTER 31: ONLY GOOD ASSOCIATIONS

After the demonstration, will it all fall apart?

Guo Huaiyuan froze upon hearing these words.

Elder Guo immediately asked, "Mr. Ye, are you saying this magic treasure is a one-time use item?"

"One-time use? You could say that."

Ye Fei placed the ancient sword back into the box with a smile and said, "This ancient sword was clearly an item that had bonded with a Sword Cultivator during their lifetime, a bond of life and death. It is remarkable that it has been preserved until now. However, due to its great age, its spiritual energy has dissipated, and the sword itself is already severely compromised. Therefore, it can only be used once."

Upon hearing these words, both the Guo family members and Master Ma, standing behind Ye Fei, couldn’t help but feel it was a pity.

By now, no one doubted Ye Fei’s words in the slightest.

After all, this ancient sword had been offered by the Guo family as an apology to Ye Fei. He had no reason to lie about it.

Not to mention, given Ye Fei’s abilities, the Guo family was likely not even worthy of such deception!

"Mr. Ye, then this ancient sword..."

Guo Huaiyuan hesitated as he asked.

After all, this was a magic treasure. If they hadn’t known so, it wouldn’t have mattered. However, now that they knew—even if it was a one-time use item—Guo Huaiyuan still felt reluctant to part with it.

Ye Fei noticed his hesitation and smiled, "You may keep it for yourselves. If this item is not activated, it can stabilize your family’s righteousness, ensuring prosperity for at least a hundred years without external troubles. If Elder Guo ever comes across similar leads, feel free to inform me."

With that, Ye Fei slowly rose to his feet.

Since the magic treasure was no longer of interest, he naturally had no desire to stay any longer. After all, his cultivation was a race against time. If not for believing that this trip might lead to clues about a magic treasure, Ye Fei probably wouldn’t have bothered coming at all.

Elder Guo, seeing this, didn’t say anything, but there was a pang of disappointment in his heart.

He, being a man with ample experience and shrewdness, had gifted the ancient sword this time precisely to build a closer relationship with Ye Fei.

Although the Guo family held prominent status in Yuntai, and even across Northern Su, they were not comparable to some of the truly great clans.

And nowadays, which of those great clans didn’t have ties to an Innate Martial King?

If they could align themselves with Ye Fei, the Guo family might one day contend with those great clans.

But now that this ancient sword turned out to be a one-time use item, his plans were naturally dashed.

However, just as Master Ma was escorting Ye Fei to leave, Guo Wenyuan, the eldest of the Guo family, who had been silent all this time, hesitantly said, "Ye... Mr. Ye, I... I might know some clues about a magic treasure."

What?

The Guo family members and Ye Fei immediately turned their attention to Guo Wenyuan.

"Go on," Ye Fei said with a smile.

Encouraged by Ye Fei’s approval, Guo Wenyuan exhaled in slight relief and said, "Mr. Ye, it’s like this. Each year, our Su Province hosts a United Commerce Meeting, and there might be clues about magic treasures there!"

"United Commerce Meeting? Why would there be clues about magic treasures there?" Ye Fei asked, puzzled.

"Master, you might not be aware. The United Commerce Meeting is the most significant annual event that brings together both the legitimate and underground powers of Su Province. Though called a commerce meeting, in reality, it’s a contest of strength between the major players from various cities, an event of both business rivalry and martial competition. But what’s more critical is the display of martial strength!" Master Ma explained with a bow.

"Master Ma is absolutely correct!"

Guo Wenyuan nodded in agreement, "During the United Commerce Meeting, the major players all send their subordinates to engage in duels, and the outcomes of these duels directly determine the standings among the powers. In such a competition, not only can one cement and elevate their status in Su Province, but there’s also the chance to earn rewards, which often consist of items useful to cultivators."

"Though rare, items bearing an aura similar to this ancient sword have appeared at these meetings before. When I was younger, I studied Martial Artist Skills with my father, so I have the ability to discern such things!"

Ye Fei, upon hearing this, showed immediate interest.

However, he smiled faintly and said, "Are you asking me to fight on your behalf in the duels?"

As soon as he said this, Guo Wenyuan’s face changed drastically. He quickly replied, "I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare, Mr. Ye! I’m merely sharing what I know. I..."

"I accept! Just have someone pick me up from the Purple Mist Mountain Villa when the time comes!"

Seeing Guo Wenyuan’s fearful expression, Ye Fei smiled slightly, bid farewell to Elder Guo, and left the Guo family estate.

Guo Wenyuan, watching him leave, finally heaved a sigh of relief and slumped into a chair.

But Elder Guo laughed and said, "Son, you’ve grown up!"

"It’s all thanks to Father’s guidance. I had been blind, but hopefully, it’s not too late to make amends now!" Guo Wenyuan sighed.

On the side, Guo Can, puzzled, asked, "Grandfather, Uncle, while it’s true that Ye Fei’s strength is extraordinary, why do we have to go to such lengths to flatter him?"

"Xiao Can, you still don’t understand!"

Elder Guo chuckled and asked, "What do you think of our Guo family in Yuntai?"

"We’re undeniably the top family, untouchable by anyone!" Guo Can replied proudly.

"And in Su Province?" Elder Guo continued.

"Still an influential power. The Northern Su region has always followed our Guo family’s lead!" Guo Can responded confidently.

"And in all of China?"

"This..."

Seeing Guo Can unable to respond, Elder Guo sighed and said, "The foremost family in China is the Cao Family! Why? Because the Cao Family has someone extraordinary. But if our Guo family binds itself to Ye Fei, we may very well become the next Cao Family!"

He spoke with a look of boundless ambition on his face.

The Cao Family’s extraordinary figure?

Guo Can, hearing this, exclaimed in shock, "Grandfather, could you be mistaken? How could Ye Fei compare to that figure?"

"Maybe not now! But what about ten years from now, twenty years, thirty years? Ye Fei, as you’ve investigated, is only eighteen years old! At such a young age, to already be an Innate Martial King—isn’t that monstrous enough?"

Elder Guo said with a slight shake of his head as he turned and walked back to his room.

Guo Can watched this, still wanting to argue, but her father, Guo Huaiyuan, placed a hand on her shoulder and sighed, "Xiao Can, your uncle and I were blind once and missed the opportunity. We will not make the same mistake again. Ye Fei is a phoenix among men, a true dragon in form. We must befriend him, never make an enemy of him!"

A phoenix among men? A true dragon in form?

Hearing this, Guo Can stood there, dumbfounded, unable to speak for a long time...

Meanwhile, the main hall of Black Tiger Hall was in complete disarray.

The place was strewn with shattered objects and broken chairs. Standing amidst the chaos, Black Tiger Hall’s Hall Master Bai Que was roaring with fury.

"What did you say? A failure? Wasn’t he supposed to be a so-called Gun God? Wasn’t he supposed to have never missed a target? And you’re telling me this university student managed to escape? Scarface, how do you explain this?" Bai Que, his eyes bloodshot, glared at Scarface and bellowed.