C17 Grand Elder

Zhang Binn managed to make it into Myriad Peace City just as night was falling.

Given that the city fell under the Vast Dragon Empire's control, chaos was not tolerated within its walls.

Early the following morning, Zhang Binn rose with the sun and headed directly for Qingyun Pavilion.

The Qingyun Pavilion, an establishment of the Vast Dragon Empire with its headquarters in the Imperial Capital, was known for trading in spirit herbs, spirit medicines, and various valuable resources.

Upon entering the Qingyun Pavilion, Zhang Binn was promptly greeted by an attendant.

Ultimately, he sold the Devil Beasts he had hunted over the last fortnight for a total of 45 crystals.

Had he been trading within the confines of the Heavenly Rotating Jade Sect, he would have received no more than 20 crystals at best. The comparison left little doubt about the sect's extortionate practices.

With the additional crystals he had collected from those he had slain in the Devil Beast Mountain Range, Zhang Binn now possessed a fortune of over two hundred crystals!

This was no small sum!

Moreover, Zhang Binn had accrued over a thousand experience points!

Naturally, the most significant gain was the enhancement of his combat experience, which had been the primary objective of his journey.

"Now, the next step is to head back to the sect and focus on advancing to the outer sect!"

With his fists clenched in determination, Zhang Binn strode out of Qingyun Pavilion.

However, he hadn't gone far when his path was obstructed by an individual.

A white-haired elder stood before him, a warm smile on his face as he appraised Zhang Binn.

"Not bad at all! You've got impressive talent!" the elder exclaimed in admiration.

Zhang Binn paused, taken aback. What was this about?

The elder nodded approvingly and declared, "Young man, consider yourself fortunate to have crossed paths with me!"

"What do you mean?" Zhang Binn asked, clearly confused by the elder's words.

"Ahem!" The elder cleared his throat before continuing, "As a disciple of the Heavenly Rotating Jade Sect, you must be familiar with Taoist Xianyun, correct?"

"Taoist Xianyun? The Grand Elder of our sect?"

Zhang Binn was indeed aware of him. In addition to the sect's Ten Great Elders, there was also the esteemed Grand Elder.

The old man chuckled, stroking his beard as he announced, "I am none other than Taoist Xianyun!"

Zhang Binn was taken aback upon hearing this revelation. Could this old man truly be the Grand Elder of the Heavenly Rotating Jade Sect?

With a sly grin, the old man added, "I've mentioned your good fortune and commendable talent. Since fate has brought us together today, I shall accept you as my disciple."

The Grand Elder, offering to take him on as a disciple? Zhang Binn's face registered pure astonishment, leaving him momentarily speechless.

The old man went on, "I'm quite laid-back about these things. No need for an elaborate initiation. A hundred crystals will suffice for your discipleship offering."

Zhang Binn's expression solidified at the old man's words.

"What's the matter? Young man, a hundred crystals is a bargain for you!"

The old man's mood soured as he noticed Zhang Binn's hesitation.

Narrowing his eyes, Zhang Binn scrutinized the old man before challenging him, "How can you prove you're truly our Grand Elder?"

The old man shot Zhang Binn a stern look. "What are you implying? Surely you don't think I'd deceive a junior like you?"

Zhang Binn let out a cold laugh. "I haven't detected the presence one would expect from a martial artist in you. How do you explain that?"

The old man, standing with his hands clasped behind his back, responded with measured calm, "I've concealed my aura; it's only natural you wouldn't notice it."

Zhang Binn scoffed at the response. Was this old fraudster really trying to swindle him out of his crystals?

In a flash of insight, Zhang Binn grinned and taunted, "Old swindler, do you realize the trouble you've stirred up?"

The old man glanced at Zhang Binn with a smug air. "Young man, we're in Myriad Peace City. What could you possibly do to me?"

"I might not be able to handle you, but I'm confident others will," Zhang Binn retorted coolly.

Unconcerned, the old man couldn't fathom anyone causing a disturbance in Myriad Peace City.

Zhang Binn smirked and called out to a squad of soldiers nearby, "Guard, my good man!"

At that moment, the old man sensed that the situation was turning against him.

"If I turn you over to the guards here and explain the situation, I'm confident they'll find a way to handle it."

Zhang Binn was about to call out again when the old man, sensing trouble, quickly grabbed his arm and said with a chuckle, "Come now, young man, let's talk this through."

"A hundred crystal stones," Zhang Binn stated flatly.

"What?" The elder was taken aback, not grasping Zhang Binn's implication.

With a smirk, Zhang Binn elaborated, "If you want me to drop the issue, then hand over a hundred crystal stones, and I'll act as if this never happened."

"You... you... you!" The old man's eyes bulged in disbelief, and he leapt to his feet. He had encountered shameless folks before, but this was a new level of audacity!

"What's the matter? Old swindler, you've probably conned your fair share, haven't you? A hundred crystal stones is letting you off easy!" Zhang Binn said, his smile unwavering.

The elder was filled with regret; he had never slipped up before and certainly didn't expect to be outwitted by this youngster today. "Fine!" he conceded, begrudgingly producing a hundred crystal stones.

Once Zhang Binn pocketed the stones, he walked away grinning. The elder called after him, "Hold on, young man, what's your name?"

Unconcerned about the powerless elder seeking vengeance, Zhang Binn replied, "I'm Zhang Binn, and now, I bid you farewell."

The elder watched Zhang Binn's retreating figure with seething anger, muttering through clenched teeth, "Zhang Binn? Excellent! You dare to extort me!"

Meanwhile, the Heavenly Rotating Jade Sect was abuzz with commotion. Servants, outer sect disciples, and even some from the Inner Sect were all discussing the same individual—Zhang Binn.

Yang Yuquan had returned to the sect three days prior, only to learn that his brother, Yang Yuxuan, had been slain by a servant disciple named Zhang Binn. Enraged, he set out to the servants' quarters with the intent to strike down Zhang Binn himself.

However, Zhang Binn's journey to the Devil Beast Mountain Range had fortuitously spared him—for the time being. Yet, it was common knowledge that upon Zhang Binn's return, his fate would be sealed.

Many people had their eyes on Zhang Binn's residence, eagerly awaiting his emergence.

The moment Zhang Binn showed up, they were ready to strike without hesitation.

After all, befriending Yang Yuquan was an opportunity too good to pass up.

Within the outer gates of the Heavenly Rotating Jade Sect, Ye Qianqian and Wang Shi Fei stood side by side.

Thanks to Wang Shi Fei's sleuthing, Ye Qianqian confirmed that the Zhang Binn who had rescued her in the Devil Beast Mountain Range was the same Zhang Binn who had slain Yang Yuxuan.

Yet, within the sect, Zhang Binn appeared to lack any significant backing.

This meant that for Yang Yuquan, eliminating Zhang Binn would be a trivial task.

Wang Shi Fei was initially skeptical. How could Zhang Binn have possibly killed Yang Yuxuan?

She remembered when Zhang Binn had pursued her, he was merely at the first level of the Body Tempering Stage.

But piecing together the information from Ye Qianqian, she was astonished to learn that in just a fortnight, Zhang Binn had soared to the eighth level of the Body Tempering Stage.

She had once dismissed him, but now it was clear she had underestimated him.

However, having crossed Yang Yuquan, Zhang Binn seemed to be on a path with only one grim end.

As dusk fell, Zhang Binn made his appearance.

"There's Zhang Binn!"

A shout cut through the air, and in an instant, over a dozen figures encircled him.

A quick glance revealed their strength – the weakest among them was at the seventh level of the Body Tempering Stage, with the strongest being a ninth-level disciple.

"Ding dong! Hostility +50 from Chu Yuming, hostility +55 from Jiang Feng..."

Zhang Binn's brow furrowed as he surveyed the hostile faces with an icy glare. "So, you've come to kill me?"

"To win over Senior Brother Yang's good graces, your fate is sealed today!" sneered the disciple at the ninth level of Body Tempering Stage.

Radiating an intense will to fight, Zhang Binn drew his Hidden Dragon Sword and declared, "Then let the battle begin!"