Chapter 20: A Rare and Precious Magical Artifact

Lin Hao heard the elder’s words and sneered inwardly, his eyes filled with mockery as he glanced at the elder before putting on an innocent expression and speaking loudly, ensuring that everyone around could hear him. Then, he turned, feigning anger, and tried to leave.

Seeing the situation slipping from his control, the elder hurriedly grabbed Lin Hao’s arm. “Don’t go, Master Lin! Please, hear me out—there’s no need to be hasty. We can talk this out properly.”

Lin Hao, caught by the elder, had no choice but to stay. The crowd around them grew larger, drawn by the commotion. Everyone could hear the conversation between Lin Hao and the elder, and most had already pieced together the story, whispering among themselves with a sense of amusement.

“So it was the elder who tried to scheme against Senior Lin Hao, and now he’s ended up embarrassing himself. Serves him right.”

“Exactly! You don’t know how the elder of the Artifact Pavilion always looks down on others, acting superior. Seeing his face now is incredibly satisfying.”

“That’s right! Someone needed to teach him a lesson—otherwise he’d think he’s the head of the pavilion. The sect leader should strip him of his position, elder or not.”

The crowd began to denounce the elder, strongly supporting Lin Hao’s actions. Some, eager for drama, even called out, “Senior Lin Hao should report this to Senior Qingyun. You’ve suffered such injustice—make him pay the price!”

Others followed suit, agreeing loudly, “Yes!”

For a moment, everyone was in favor of Lin Hao bringing the matter up with Qingyun.

The elder of the Artifact Pavilion looked around at the faces, all gloating and eager for spectacle, and felt a deep sense of regret and anger toward them. Still, the matter at hand was Lin Hao, and he couldn’t let his emotions get in the way. He began to regret agreeing to Elder Zhou’s plan to deal with Lin Hao.

Gritting his teeth and swallowing his frustration, the elder held onto Lin Hao, putting on a forced smile and speaking gently, “Master Lin, truly, it was my own foolishness that caused this. Please, give me another chance, won’t you? I admit my mistake, but please don’t report this to the sect leader. If you have any requests, let’s discuss them inside the Artifact Pavilion, away from the crowd. If things get out of hand, it won’t be good for anyone’s reputation.”

“You’re still threatening me, aren’t you? I think you’re more worried about your own interests than mine. What does it matter to me?” Lin Hao caught the hint of threat in the elder’s words and replied coldly.

“You—what do you really want? I’ve already agreed to exchange the Cloud-Swallowing Sword for you, and I’ll even let you pick a personal artifact from the third floor. How about that?” The elder was so angered by Lin Hao’s tone that he nearly coughed up blood, but forced himself to speak quietly beside Lin Hao.

The third floor of the Artifact Pavilion housed several famous growth-type artifacts, reserved for those who had rendered distinguished service to the Clear Wind Sect. The elder was offering Lin Hao one, hoping to placate him.

Lin Hao didn’t know about the growth-type artifacts on the third floor, but seeing the elder’s pained expression, he could guess they were extraordinary.

He thought for a moment and replied, “That won’t do. You can’t just give and take as you please.”

Lin Hao was tempted, but just as he was about to consider the offer, the system interjected.

“Warning, warning: If the host fails to obtain the Chaos Artifact Fragment, a downgrade penalty will be imposed!”

That single sentence quelled Lin Hao’s restless heart and made him refuse the elder’s offer.

Meanwhile, Lin Hao grumbled inwardly to the system: Why do you always show up at the worst times and set up these strange tasks? Are you here to help me or sabotage me?

The system, as usual, didn’t respond.

The elder had thought Lin Hao would finally accept his proposal, but Lin Hao refused him without mercy.

“You—!” The elder pointed at Lin Hao, too angry to speak.

Seeing the elder so infuriated, Lin Hao felt a twinge of sympathy. Then, a sudden idea struck him, and his eyes brightened as he addressed the elder.

“But…” he began.

The elder, having steeled himself for a drawn-out conflict, was caught off guard by Lin Hao’s change in tone. At once, he perked up, eagerly awaiting Lin Hao’s next words.

“But, Elder, you’re right. It wouldn’t be wise to let this matter escalate. Even though I have a good relationship with Senior Qingyun, I shouldn’t always trouble him. How about this—we’ll go inside the Artifact Pavilion to discuss things. Let’s not disturb our fellow disciples any further.”

Lin Hao took a step back, agreeing to discuss the matter privately and sparing the elder more public humiliation.

Hearing this, the elder knew there was hope for resolution. He nodded quickly, “Yes, yes, Master Lin, you’re absolutely right. Let’s step aside and talk.”

Lin Hao followed the elder into the Artifact Pavilion.

At the entrance, the elder instructed a young attendant, “Go, disperse everyone at the door. The Artifact Pavilion will be closed for half an hour. No one is allowed inside until then.”

“Yes, Elder,” the attendant replied.

As an elder of the Artifact Pavilion, he had the authority to close the place for a time. To avoid further mishaps, he shut the Pavilion for half an hour, allowing only Lin Hao and himself inside for their discussion.

Lin Hao raised his eyebrows at this but said nothing and followed the elder inside.

The elder’s order was announced at the door, and the crowd, though curious about the outcome, knew better than to provoke an elder. They dispersed, leaving only a few who needed to enter the Pavilion waiting nearby.

Once the doors were closed, the elder led Lin Hao to a small room used for his own rest.

Seated, Lin Hao looked at the elder in silence.

The elder waited for Lin Hao to state his terms, but as Lin Hao remained unmoved, the elder finally broke the silence, forcing a smile and asking, “Master Lin, how would you like to resolve this matter? I truly cannot let you bond with the Cloud-Swallowing Sword.”

Lin Hao answered, “That’s fine. I can give up the Cloud-Swallowing Sword, but what artifact do you plan to offer me in exchange?”

“You may follow me to the third floor—there are several growth-type artifacts there. You can choose one as your personal artifact,” the elder said.

“Oh, a growth-type artifact! I get to pick one?” Lin Hao replied in a sarcastic tone.

The elder, seeing Lin Hao’s attitude, gritted his teeth and added, “And to make up for the trouble I caused, I’ll also give you some spirit stones—twenty mid-grade stones.”

“Mid-grade spirit stones! Twenty?” Lin Hao repeated.

A look of pain flashed in the elder’s eyes, as if he were cutting out a piece of himself. He closed his eyes, opened them with resolve, and said, “Fifty. Not one more. I don’t have any more mid-grade stones.”

With that, he waved his hand and took out fifty mid-grade spirit stones from his storage pouch, placing them on the table.

Outwardly, Lin Hao appeared calm and indifferent, but inside he was delighted—he hadn’t expected the old man to be so wealthy, offering fifty mid-grade stones so readily. He felt triumphant. Seeing the elder’s resigned, sacrificial expression, Lin Hao knew this was the limit, so he decided to accept.

Still, he maintained a stern facade, pondering for a while before reluctantly agreeing, “Alright, let’s settle it this way.”

He waved his hand, and the fifty mid-grade spirit stones were instantly stored in the system’s inventory.

Seeing Lin Hao finally accept the terms, the elder, though heartbroken, managed a strained smile and said, “In that case, Master Lin, may I have the Cloud-Swallowing Sword? I’ll take you to the third floor.”

“Take me to the third floor first. I’ll hand over the sword afterward,” Lin Hao countered.

The elder was anxious to reclaim the sword, but he had no choice but to agree to Lin Hao’s conditions.

He led Lin Hao upstairs.

On the third floor, the elder brought Lin Hao to a small chamber at the very back. Upon opening it, the room was filled with abundant spiritual energy and dazzling light.

Lin Hao examined the room and saw five artifacts floating inside.

Each artifact was uniquely shaped, but all emanated powerful spiritual energy and an imposing aura—clearly rare treasures.

Truthfully, Lin Hao’s eyes sparkled when he saw them, but remembering the system’s task, he forced himself to look away, mentally chanting, “I see nothing, I see nothing.”

That was the only way he prevented himself from accepting the exchange.

The elder, observing Lin Hao’s initial bright gaze, thought the matter would be resolved smoothly. But when Lin Hao turned away and resumed his indifferent demeanor, the elder was surprised.

“What’s wrong, Master Lin? These five artifacts are the rarest sacred items in our Pavilion, all of them growth-type. Surely you must like at least one?”

“Uh, no—it’s just that I haven’t decided which to choose yet,” Lin Hao replied with a smile.