Su Tao’er’s expression was unsightly.
Her tender little face had turned white with rage. No matter how naive she was, she understood what it meant for this group to cause trouble at a time like this, and she knew Luo Qingping was speaking lewdly to her.
Just as she was about to lash out in anger, Si Yan noticed and stopped her. He took a slow step forward and smiled. “Oh, Protector Feng, you are also looking for the Water-Fire Flower? What a coincidence. Unfortunately, there was only one, and my disciple has already plucked it.”
Feng Shangfang also chuckled. “Indeed, there is only one, but I am determined to have it. Pavilion Master Si, please name a price and transfer it to me.”
Si Yan said frankly, “As for the price, I don’t really care. I have grown accustomed to a wandering life. As long as I have enough silver for my needs, I don’t worry about things like price.”
Feng Shangfang stroked his beard and nodded, seemingly satisfied. “Pavilion Master Si seems to be a man of temperament. However, the Sect Leader ordered me to collect the Water-Fire Flower and also bring several disciples here to gain experience. If Pavilion Master Si is unwilling, it would make things very difficult for me! Besides, the price is already quite high. You should accept it.”
Si Yan paused and asked, “Not low?”
“Not low at all!” Feng Shangfang held up two fingers. “Could sparing the lives of the three of you possibly be cheap? It is not low!”
Feng Shangfang stood above them, quite proud of himself. He had originally thought the Water-Fire Flower would be difficult to find, but he never imagined that by simply following behind Si Yan and the others, they would find it. This saved him a lot of effort and patience.
Si Yan replied thoughtfully, “That price is indeed not low. If I lose my life, what use would I have for the Water-Fire Flower? But, may I ask Protector Feng of the Luoqing Sect, do you really think I will perish here?”
“If you are willing to hand it over, you naturally won’t. Although there are no other people here besides us, I, Feng Shangfang, keep my promises.” He smiled. “Moreover, as long as Pavilion Master Si is willing to surrender the Water-Fire Flower, I have a fine sword that has been with me for many years. I am willing to gift it to you. What do you think?”
As for whether Si Yan would resist, he was not worried at all.
Judging by Si Yan’s appearance and age, he was at most a 200-year-old. How high could his cultivation level be? This Protector, however, was one of the top experts of the Luoqing Sect, a powerhouse of the Xuanyuan Realm!
When Feng Shangfang said this, the young woman behind him — likely seeing her master was about to give away his sword — was naturally unwilling. What kind of people were they to deserve a sword gifted to her master by the Sect Leader?! But just as she was about to step forward, Luo Qingping pulled her back and whispered, “Junior Sister Chen, Uncle Feng is playing along. The Water-Fire Flower is still in their hands. He’s only saying that as an interim measure.”
Junior Sister Chen nodded with a slight smile and stepped back.
As for Si Yan, he chuckled twice and replied, “Protector Feng, stop teasing me. You are only saying that because the Water-Fire Flower is still in my disciple’s hands and you are afraid we will destroy it. I, Si Yan, am a sensible man. Since I cannot escape and my life is at risk while trapped here, you may have it. I only ask that you spare the lives of me and my disciples.”
Su Tao’er was stunned. “Honored Master…”
But Si Yan ignored her, simply making a gesture to Bai Lan to give them the item.
Bai Lan obeyed. Wrapping it in a layer of Stellar Qi, he tossed the Water-Fire Flower over.
Feng Shangfang caught it and laughed loudly toward the sky. “Good! Pavilion Master Si is indeed a straightforward person!”
But even so, after obtaining the Water-Fire Flower, Feng Shangfang’s group did not step aside to make a path.
Si Yan, of course, did not move forward either. Instead, he waited expectantly to see what they would do.
At this time, Luo Qingping stepped forward and said, “Miss Su, what are your intentions? Are you willing to follow me? To be honest, I was deeply impressed by you the first time I saw you. I have never felt such admiration before. Please come with me! I, Luo Qingping, will treat you well and make you a Direct Disciple of my father!”
Su Tao’er snorted coldly. “And what if I refuse?”
Luo Qingping and his group burst into laughter. “Miss Su, do you really think you have a choice? Look at what kind of master you have acknowledged! I am trying to help you! Don’t be ungrateful!”
Junior Sister Chen stepped forward. “It is your good fortune that my Senior Brother has taken a liking to you! You little slut, don’t throw away the respect being shown to you!”
The others also chimed in. “That’s right! It is your luck that our Senior Brother likes you! It is the greatest opportunity of your life!”
Su Tao’er’s face darkened as she said indignantly, “Are all of you so-called members of prestigious and righteous sects nothing but shameless scoundrels?!”
She was both angry and anxious, but she was completely helpless. However, when she looked back, she found that Si Yan and Bai Lan remained as calm as old monks in meditation, as if they were watching a play.
Si Yan finally spoke to her. “Tao’er, you must remember that in the future, there will be times when I am not by your side. Never trust anyone. Even I have a side you don’t understand. The shamelessness of these people is only the beginning. This isn’t the outside world where they would have reservations. This is the Phantom Sea, the Shenlie Valley — a lawless land. It is the place where human nature is most easily dissected and exposed.”
Su Tao’er was dazed for a moment before saying, “Honored Master, I understand. But now we…”
Si Yan interrupted her. “Watching a play is fine as long as you learn from it. I only wanted you to understand the process and the truth. I just gave them a chance, and they didn’t take it. Therefore, they are going to die now.”
“Miss Su, oh Miss Su, just look at these people you call your master and senior brother. Look for yourself!”
Luo Qingping, who was laughing loudly, suddenly pulled out a bundle from behind him. Si Yan regained his focus and looked closely; it was the bundle of clothes he had thrown away for Bai Lan earlier.
“These are the clothes of that masked senior brother of yours, right?” Luo Qingping laughed wildly. “I just opened them and found that there are actually women’s clothes inside!”
Luo Qingping took out a gorgeous garment embroidered with many pink peach blossoms and unfolded it with a roar of laughter.
“Hahaha! It seems your senior brother doesn’t just have the body and voice of a woman, but even his clothes are for a young lady! Miss Su, look, look! These are the master and senior brother you have acknowledged. Now I suspect that your master and senior brother might have the Passion of the Cut Sleeve or the Favor of Longyang. Perhaps the two of them even sleep together when you aren’t looking!”