Chapter 21: Mysterious

The knife in Ou Peng's hand, like a black bolt of lightning, carried the five colors of the Ethereal Art, shooting towards a corner of the mysterious small box. Unfortunately, this bolt of lightning was not from the true sky of the divine night. "Water Breaker" landed on the corner of the small box, just as before, without any sound. However, this time was different. The box itself emitted a layer of light that no one had noticed before. As it spread slightly, the knife in Ou Peng's hand actually rebounded, shooting towards his face like lightning.

Seeing the back of the "Water Breaker" about to strike his face, although it was not the blade, Ou Peng had no doubt that if it hit, his head would be split in two.

Ou Peng, indeed, was one of the few great masters in the martial world, the leader of the Ethereal Sect. At the critical moment, he shifted his feet, and the sect's signature skill, the "Ethereal Step," immediately came to mind. The black bolt of lightning, tinged with a hint of five colors, flashed past his forehead. "Water Breaker" flew out of his hand and embedded itself deeply into a stone pillar in the meeting hall, making a soft "thud" sound, as if it had pierced through tofu.

From the moment Ou Peng raised his knife to the moment it was embedded in the stone pillar, it all happened in a flash. The onlookers seemed to be in a daze, looking at the "Water Breaker" embedded in the stone pillar, all thinking, "What a fast knife."

Unfortunately, Ou Peng did not think so at this moment. He looked at the few strands of hair that had fallen from his forehead, cut by the "Water Breaker," and broke out in a cold sweat. Having roamed the martial world for so many years, he had encountered dangerous situations before, but none as perilous as this. He thanked the founder of the Ethereal Sect, his master, and the "Ethereal Step." Without them, he would not be standing here now.

When the others finally came to their senses and looked at their leader, Ou Peng's ashen face had already regained some color. He looked at the box on the ground with lingering fear and said to Zhang Chengyue, "Chengyue, put this small box away. Later, place it in the library. Since we can't open it, let it wait for someone with the right destiny."

Then, he waved his hand, and Zhang Chengyue picked up the small box from the ground.

Ou Peng was indeed a renowned hero in the martial world, a man with a broad mind and strategic vision. If it were someone else, they would not have placed the box in the sect but would have kept it in a secret room, pondering and monopolizing the treasures inside. However, seeing that the situation was hopeless, he immediately let go and gave this opportunity to others in the sect. This act immediately won the admiration of everyone. It was this kind of demeanor or skill that made him stand out among his six fellow disciples, earning him the position of leader and the respect of his peers.

In fact, everyone in the room knew that they could not open the box, and perhaps the thousands of people in the sect could not either. However, the leader's actions were very noble. They could go back and ponder it, and perhaps there would be hope.

After that, Ou Peng discussed the next gathering with the others, as mentioned by Yan Ming Jushi. Everyone agreed that with such great benefits, the next gathering would not be as simple as the first. They should wait for the leader and the second-in-command to return to the sect before discussing it. Ou Peng thought about it and agreed. Since everything was settled, he waved his hand, dismissing everyone, leaving only Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing.

The others filed out, passing by the two, nodding at them with satisfaction, knowing that the leader had kept them behind to reward them. With such a great harvest, the two juniors would surely receive good rewards.

After the others left the meeting hall, Zhang Chengyue and the fourth elder went to the library. The sword manual was placed on the bookshelf, but the small box posed a dilemma for Zhang Chengyue. This box was undoubtedly precious, but placing it as a mere decoration might not fulfill the leader's intentions. Finally, the fourth elder pointed to a square table beside the bookshelf and said, "Nephew, why not put it there for now, and ask your master later?" Zhang Chengyue felt this was the best temporary solution, so he placed it on the square table. Since everything in the library was recorded, there was no fear of it being lost. Even if it were lost, how many people in the world could open it?

Zhang Chengyue and the fourth elder left with peace of mind, and the mysterious small box found its home in the Ethereal Sect's library, waiting for the right person.

In the meeting hall, after everyone had left, Ou Peng finally spoke, his face now wearing the usual gentle smile he used outside: "Ah Hai, Qing'er, you did an excellent job this time. What rewards do you want?"

Wen Wenhai stepped forward and said, "Master, there are two more things I haven't reported. I will tell you now."

Ou Peng nodded in agreement.

Then, Wen Wenhai recounted what Yan Ming Jushi had said in the secret place: "The disciples who carry out the mission can keep the treasures they obtain by chance." After listening, Ou Peng's expression did not change, and he smiled and asked, "What treasures did you obtain?"

Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing stepped forward and placed the three herbs they had obtained from the secret place in front of Ou Peng, saying, "We didn't find any pills or weapons. Yan Ming Jushi let us each pick three herbs from the herb garden."

Ou Peng smiled and said, "Yan Ming Jushi is indeed a wise person. Wanting to gain more treasures, he came up with this method, giving many benefits to our disciples. How could we oppose it?"

Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing were taken aback and quickly asked, "Was there no such agreement? Then, what about these herbs?"

Ou Peng said, "No problem. Since Yan Ming Jushi said so and gave you the benefits, I, as your master, cannot refuse to do a favor. You can keep these things. There are still many treasures in the secret place, and you have just taken the first step."

Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing were relieved. Although there were many herbs in the secret place, how many could be allocated to disciples like them? Moreover, they soon understood Yan Ming Jushi's intentions. Although the treasures in the secret place had already been allocated, if other treasures were left to the disciples' luck, Yan Ming Jushi, with his martial arts and experience, would have far more opportunities than the disciples of other sects.

Then, Ou Peng said, "Take these herbs to the pharmacy and have Hall Master Bai and the others refine more pills for you. It's better than just taking the herbs. Otherwise, it would be a waste of a good opportunity."

Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing nodded in agreement.

Ou Peng, who cared deeply for his disciples, said, "You have brought such great benefits to the sect. Not rewarding you is not right. What rewards do you want?"

Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing exchanged glances. They had never thought that this mission would be so dangerous and rewarding. They had treated it as a routine task and had not considered any rewards. Even Ou Peng, who had not anticipated the unexpected nature of the mission, had not thought of good rewards, which was why he asked twice.

Xue Qing said, "Master, we didn't think much about it. The successful completion of this mission was all thanks to your strategic planning. Besides, we have already gained a lot, so we don't need the sect's rewards."

Ou Peng looked at his two disciples with satisfaction and said, "Very well. Let's record this reward for now. When I or you have a good idea, we can reward you then."

Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing smiled and agreed.

Ou Peng then asked, "Is there another matter?"

Xue Qing knelt down and said, "Master, it's like this." Then he recounted how he had left the sect's token with the Zhang family.

Ou Peng said, "You two did well. Wielding swords in the martial world means upholding justice. Considering the common people so thoroughly is commendable. The Zhang family stood out in a crisis, showing their good nature. There's no need to worry about the token being misused. I agree with your actions, Qing'er. Get up, Qing'er."

Xue Qing stood up.

Then, Ou Peng said, "Ah Hai, Qing'er, you must be tired. Go back and rest well. Prepare for the upcoming advancement trials. If you have any questions about your training, come to me."

Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing bowed and left.

As they reached the door of the meeting hall, Ou Peng suddenly called them back and asked, "Did Situ Ping from the Evil Tiger Sect also enter the secret place? Did she also take three herbs?"

Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing exchanged glances and replied, "Yes, but we left first, so we don't know how they handled it."

Ou Peng nodded, deep in thought.

At this moment, Situ Ping was not as content as Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing. She was sitting in the meeting hall of the Ten Thousand Sword Peak, looking at the sword master, Wan Chengjiu, with disbelief, and asked again, "There really was no such agreement?"

Wan Chengjiu, a short and stocky man with a dark complexion, said with a forced smile, "Situ Leader, do I have any reason to deceive you? Xiangyang, hand over the herbs you collected from the secret place to your Master Cheng, and let him refine them into medicine."

Ma Xiangyang lowered his head and said, "Yes, Master."

Then, Wan Chengjiu continued, "Situ Leader, the herbs you collected must also be handed over to the Ten Thousand Sword Peak for refinement. After the pills are made, I will give you the corresponding pills first."

Situ Ping did not want to hand over the herbs at all, but the situation was beyond her control. After much thought, she gritted her teeth and handed her share of the herbs to Ma Xiangyang. She was not interested in Wan Chengjiu's promise. Sharing the pills was not as good as keeping them all to herself. Ma Xiangyang was Wan Chengjiu's disciple; who knew if he would take the herbs back later? She shook her head, trying to drive away the unwanted thoughts.

Then, Wan Chengjiu said, "Situ Leader, you have done so much for our sect. We should also give you something in return. What do you think of the power of the Ten Thousand Sword Peak?"