"Huh...?"
Looking at the ninth-grade spirit sword Ian Song held out, Darren Fang Easton was visibly tempted, but he didn’t reach for it. As a sword cultivator, having another ninth-grade spirit sword would be like adding wings to a tiger—his strength would easily double. Just look at Ethan Chen Yuanshan.
He’s also a late-stage Grandmaster, not much higher than the other Supreme Elders, but with the ninth-grade Emerald Surge Sword in hand, even three martial artists of the same realm working together might not be able to beat him.
"Disciple, you’d better put this sword away!"
Seeing Darren Fang Easton decline, many people secretly felt it was a pity. Of course, they also admired him—after all, not everyone could refuse a ninth-grade spirit sword when offered one.
Seeing his master hesitate, Ian hurriedly said, "Master, you gave me your only eighth-grade spirit sword, the Fang Easton Sword, back then. Now I’m giving you a ninth-grade spirit artifact—what’s the big deal? Besides, I have more than one ninth-grade spirit sword, so please, you have to accept it!"
"This...?" Darren Fang Easton still looked a little hesitant.
Seeing this, Ian quickly took out Purple Thunder. "Master, look—this is also a ninth-grade spirit sword. With my strength, one ninth-grade sword is more than enough. The other one would just gather dust if I kept it, so please, accept it!"
"Alright then!"
Darren Fang Easton nodded and finally reached out to take the ninth-grade spirit sword.
As soon as he got the sword, he couldn’t help but hold it up for a closer look, his eyes burning with excitement.
The other Supreme Elders couldn’t help but look on enviously, secretly thinking, Why don’t I have a disciple like Ian Song?
"Elder Cole Chong Duan."
Suddenly, Ian strolled over to Cole Chong Duan with a big grin.
"What is it, little Ian? Don’t tell me you want to give me a ninth-grade spirit artifact too!" Cole joked.
"Why not?"
With a flick of his wrist, a fiery red long-blade appeared in Ian’s hands. He held it out respectfully with both hands. "Elder Cole, this is a little gift from me. Please accept it!"
Another ninth-grade spirit artifact.
When everyone saw the red long-blade Ian produced, their eyes nearly popped out of their heads.
As for Cole Chong Duan, his gaze was glued to the ninth-grade artifact. After a long moment, he finally tore his eyes away and said awkwardly, "Little Ian, I was just joking—you don’t have to take it seriously! Really!"
Although Cole tried to decline, his face was clearly full of pain at the thought.
Ian replied seriously, "Elder Cole, you might be joking, but I’m not! Besides, I don’t use blades myself. As the saying goes, a treasured blade belongs with a hero—please accept it!"
"Isn’t this a bit much?" Cole looked tempted but still a little embarrassed.
"Stop pretending, old Cole! If you don’t want it, I’ll take it!"
Darren Fang Easton teased, reaching out as he spoke.
"Who said I don’t want it!"
Before Darren’s hand could touch the blade, Cole snatched it up and hugged it tightly to his chest, afraid someone might try to take it from him.
"Elder Darren, Elder Cole—congratulations to both of you!"
Elder Shea said sourly, glancing at Ian as he spoke.
"Elder Shea, may I ask what weapon you use?"
Ian suddenly asked.
Elder Shea was stunned for a moment, then burst with joy inside—could this kid be about to give him a ninth-grade spirit artifact too? Worried Ian might not have a suitable weapon for him, he quickly said, "I’m proficient with all eighteen weapons!"
Hearing this, the others couldn’t help but sneer—this old guy was really shameless.
"Is that so? I happen to have a ninth-grade spirit spear. Elder Shea, would you mind?"
As he spoke, Ian produced a ninth-grade spirit spear and handed it to Elder Shea.
"Haha, why would I mind?" Elder Shea laughed, grabbing the black spear with obvious joy.
Seeing this scene, the other elders nearly popped their eyes out.
How could this kid be so rich? He actually has four ninth-grade spirit artifacts. Has ninth-grade gear become this cheap?
No, this kid just handed out three ninth-grade artifacts without even blinking. He must have plenty more on him.
Thinking of this, many people started looking at Ian with burning eyes.
Elder Shea’s voice rang out again: "By the way, little Ian, you don’t have to call me Elder Shea anymore. That’s too formal. From now on, just call me Grandpa, like Harriet does!"
"Uh...?" Ian looked a little hesitant.
"What’s wrong? Not willing?" Elder Shea’s face darkened.
"No, no—greetings, Grandpa!" Ian quickly bowed and changed his way of addressing him.
"Grandpa, you...!"
Standing to the side, Harriet Gu blushed at the scene.
"Haha, now that’s more like it!" Elder Shea laughed heartily.
"Oh, right!"
Suddenly, Ian produced two more ninth-grade spirit artifacts—one suit of armor and one iron staff. He glanced at Darren Fang Easton and Elder Shea. "Master, Grandpa, I’ll let you two handle these ninth-grade artifacts."
"Wow, he really does have more ninth-grade spirit artifacts!"
When Ian produced two more ninth-grade artifacts, all the Supreme Elders were stunned. Their eyes locked onto the armor and iron staff, itching to rush forward and snatch them.
Darren Fang Easton and Elder Shea exchanged glances.
Then Darren announced, "In the coming days, Pristine Way Sect will definitely clash with the Sea Emperor Sect, Divine Moon Sect, and Sky-Net Gate. Let’s set a one-month time limit: whichever two elders render the greatest service in battle will receive these two artifacts. Of course, Elder Cole, Elder Shea, and I are excluded!"
"Good, I agree!"
"I agree too!"
"Me too!"
……
All the Supreme Elders voiced their support, happy to follow Darren’s arrangements.
"By the way, I have another suggestion!" Darren added.
"Please go ahead, Elder Darren!"
"Please go ahead!"
"If Elder Darren has any suggestions, feel free to share them!"
All the elders smiled ingratiatingly as they spoke.
Darren Fang Easton nodded. "As the saying goes, a nation cannot go a day without its ruler, and our sect cannot go a day without a leader. Now that Master Chen has fled with the ninth-grade artifact and our Pristine Way Sect faces crisis, I suggest we elect an acting sect master to guide us through this hardship. What does everyone think?"
"I disagree! Master Chen hasn’t abdicated, so why should we elect an acting sect master?" Ma Xuanji retorted.
Elder Shea snorted, "Hmph, Chen Yuanshan, as our sect master, has broken his word and now fled with our sect’s treasure. Who knows if he’ll ever return? If we don’t elect an acting sect master, are we supposed to be leaderless? I think Ian is a good choice—I nominate Ian as acting sect master!"
Cole nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Ian’s cultivation may be a bit lacking, but his combat strength is impressive. He’s earned great merit on the Blood River battlefield, and I believe he can lead Pristine Way Sect to victory over the Sea Emperor Sect, Divine Moon Sect, and Sky-Net Gate!"