In front of a magnificent palace at the Starfield Martial Sect, a group of people had gathered.
At the head of the group was a middle-aged man with a square face, dressed in a loose purple martial robe embroidered with star patterns.
The man radiated an imposing aura; every casual movement exuded the dignity of a peerless powerhouse. He was none other than the current sect master of the Starfield Martial Sect, Shane Xiao.
Shane Xiao was also a Law-Phase Realm martial artist, and his strength far surpassed that of Wei Yuan. On the Heavenly Dragon Ranking of the Mystic Sun Domain, he was ranked seventh.
The Heavenly Dragon Ranking only included Law-Phase Realm powerhouses.
Below the Heavenly Dragon Ranking was the Earth Ranking, and beneath that, the Soaring Dragon Ranking.
Normally, given Shane Xiao's status, he could've just waited for Ian Song inside the palace. But he thought highly of Ian—mostly because of his youth.
Not yet twenty years old, and already stronger than most Law-Phase martial artists—he might even have a chance to become a Demigod in the future.
The group standing behind Shane Xiao were all high-ranking members of the Starfield Martial Sect.
Half a quarter-hour later.
Ian Song’s figure finally appeared in Shane Xiao and the others’ line of sight.
"Haha, Young Master Chu, you’ve finally arrived! Please, come in!"
Shane Xiao greeted him with great enthusiasm, nothing like their first meeting.
"Young Master Chu greets Sect Master Xiao."
Ian hurriedly returned the greeting, his tone very polite.
"No need for such formality, Young Master Chu. If you don’t mind, just call me Brother Xiao!" Shane Xiao grew even more enthusiastic.
"Alright then—greetings, Brother Xiao!"
After a round of greetings, Shane Xiao introduced the elders behind him to Ian Song, then cordially led him into the palace.
Inside the palace, the banquet had already been set. Before Ian could say anything, Shane Xiao had him sit right by his side—a clear sign of high regard.
Next came a period of casual conversation.
This process lasted a full hour.
After an hour, Ian Song and Shane Xiao moved to a more elegant tea room. The girl brewing tea was Shane Xiao’s youngest disciple, and her tea skills were truly exceptional.
After the banquet and tea, it was time to get down to business.
But Shane Xiao was a sly old fox—he wouldn’t bring it up, waiting for Ian Song to speak first.
"Brother Xiao, I mainly came here today to ask a favor!"
Ian spoke slowly.
"Oh? Go ahead, Brother—I’ll do whatever I can!" Shane Xiao practically thumped his chest as he spoke, sounding genuinely sincere.
"I’d like to trade for the Starfield Martial Sect’s Imperial-Grade technique."
The moment Ian said this, Shane Xiao’s expression changed dramatically—his warmth vanished, replaced by a hint of coldness. He waved his disciple away, signaling her to leave.
Only then did he fix his gaze on Ian and say, "Young Master Chu, you must know how important a technique is to a sect?"
Shane Xiao’s way of addressing Ian changed from “Brother” to “Young Master Chu”—clearly, he was displeased, and not just a little.
Ian nodded, saying, "Of course I know. But Sect Master, why not hear my offer first?"
Shane Xiao kept his face stern and said nothing, waiting for Ian to continue.
Ian placed two books on the table and said, "Both of these are Imperial-Grade techniques—one is the top-tier Solar God Canon that I practice, and the other is an Imperial-Grade technique I got from Wei Yuan. If you agree to the exchange, I’ll trade both for one of yours!"
"Two Imperial-Grade techniques?"
Shane Xiao was genuinely surprised, even a little stunned.
A single Imperial-Grade technique was enough to establish a superpower, which showed just how precious they were. In all the Mystic Sun Domain, there were no more than three forces with two Imperial-Grade techniques.
And the Starfield Martial Sect wasn’t one of them.
If they agreed to Chu Fan’s terms, wouldn’t the Starfield Martial Sect instantly have three Imperial-Grade techniques?
But with more Imperial-Grade techniques, the sect’s own method would lose its uniqueness. If word got out, it could bring some negative consequences for the Starfield Martial Sect.
But when it came to refusing, Shane Xiao couldn’t bring himself to say it.
In the end, he said he needed to discuss it with the elders—after all, this was no small matter.
Ian understood.
Afterward, Shane Xiao and the Starfield Martial Sect’s leadership spent two full hours discussing before reappearing.
Shane Xiao said, "Brother, after discussing with the elders, we can agree to the exchange—but there’s one condition!"
"Please, go ahead."
Shane Xiao continued, "The Imperial-Grade technique we give you—apart from yourself, you must not reveal it to anyone else."
"Isn’t that a bit unfair?" Ian asked with a smile.
"Sigh!"
Shane Xiao sighed deeply. "Brother, you have to understand our sect’s predicament. An Imperial-Grade technique is our foundation. If only you practice it, that’s fine. But if it gets to our enemies and they find a weakness, it could cause us tremendous harm."
"That does make sense!" Ian nodded. "But I can’t agree. Once we exchange, what I receive is mine—how I use it is my business. However, I can offer your sect some compensation!"
"Oh? What kind of compensation?" Shane Xiao was curious.
"Brother, have you heard of the Marrow-Cleansing Pill?" Ian asked.
Shane Xiao nodded. "It’s an excellent pill."
"I can provide your sect with three thousand Marrow-Cleansing Pills, and one hundred Frost-Soul Pills!"
"What kind of pill is the Frost-Soul Pill, and what does it do?" Shane Xiao asked, frowning slightly.
"The Frost-Soul Pill can enhance a martial artist’s potential and even strengthen the soul. One pill can boost a person’s talent by at least a grade, and there’s no restriction on the user’s cultivation level."
"What!"
Hearing Ian’s explanation, Shane Xiao was so stunned he shot to his feet. "Is there really such a miraculous pill?"
Ian turned his palm over, revealing a crystal-clear pill that radiated a faint chill. "Brother, why don’t you try it yourself?"
"Alright!"
Shane Xiao wasn’t worried about poison. At his cultivation level, even if he swallowed poison directly, he could easily neutralize it.
After taking the Frost-Soul Pill, it took Shane Xiao nearly half an hour to fully absorb it.
When he opened his eyes again, they were brighter than ever, and even his whole demeanor had changed.
"Brother, this Frost-Soul Pill is truly miraculous! I’ll trade the technique!"
He’d been stuck at the middle stage of the Law Manifestation Realm for more than twenty years, unable to break through for two reasons: his cultivation method was lagging behind, and he’d nearly exhausted his potential.
But after taking the Frost-Soul Pill, not only did his soul grow much stronger, his foundation skyrocketed—more than doubling. He even felt that within a year, he could break through to the late stage of the Law Manifestation Realm. Before, he’d thought this was his life’s limit, but now, with a few more Frost-Soul Pills, he might even reach the Saint Sea Realm.
After obtaining the Starfield Martial Sect’s Imperial-Grade technique, Ian politely declined Shane Xiao’s invitation to stay and left for another superpower—the Jade Sovereign Sect.