Chapter One Hundred Thirteen: The Key

Guihaixin had long since dismissed all unimportant personnel, even going so far as to politely excuse his guest consultant, the "Ever-Burning Golden Lamp" Jintian Zuo. This was a clear testament to the importance of the young Master Shangguan Qing in his eyes. Only Guihai Rong'an remained by his side to attend to them.

Xu Dawu frowned and asked, "Old Master Guihai, who is this young master?" His implication was clear: when discussing such confidential matters, there should be no outsiders present.

Although Guihai Xin’s status and standing were several times higher than this man’s, the guest hailed from the Ink Jade Ridge, so he naturally had to respond with a courteous face. "This is my son. He is one of our own. Rong'an, hurry and pay your respects to Young Master Qing and the Xu brothers."

Guihai Rong'an understood that his father was intentionally grooming him, bringing him into the true inner circle. Only at this moment did he realize the real purpose behind the Guihai City Spirit Rising Tournament. While he could not fully grasp the entire picture, his father’s demeanor was that of a subordinate. If his father was a subordinate, then who was the true master? Rong'an calculated incessantly, and his heart, which had previously turned to ash, began to rekindle at this very moment.

"Rong'an pays his respects to Young Master Qing and the two Xu brothers," he said, bowing immediately.

The lean Erwu chimed in, "Dawu, is this the rare genius of the Guihai family? I don't see anything particularly formidable about his spirit-cultivation foundation."

Dawu shook his head. "Erwen, you truly forget the pain once the wound heals. Have you forgotten what happened on the tournament stage yesterday? That was Guihai Yidao. Even if they look similar, you shouldn't be so easily mistaken."

Erwen suddenly realized his error. "Oh? Is that so? I’ve misjudged again. My apologies, Young Master Rong'an. I wonder where your brother is? His hand-blade technique yesterday was truly miraculous. I would love to spar with him; I wonder if I might have that opportunity?"

Guihai Rong'an replied immediately, "If my brother Yidao could receive guidance from Master Xu, he would certainly benefit greatly. Unfortunately, he had to step out on urgent business. When he returns, I will certainly call for him at once so he can chat with Master Xu."

The constant flattery of "Master Xu" sent Erwen to the clouds; he couldn't stop grinning and kept nodding in agreement.

Guihai Xin immediately clarified, "Judging by the brothers' remarks, Young Master Qing must have arrived quite early. I shall speak plainly—I trust Young Master Qing heard what I said on the stage at the conclusion of the tournament yesterday." The old man was sharp; he wanted to explain his second son's absence before it could be misinterpreted.

Shangguan Qing nodded, and Guihai Xin continued, "While Mo Bai is not exactly crucial, I believe that having one less enemy is better than having one more." Mo Bai was indeed significant, but with the young master from Ink Jade Ridge standing before him, Guihai Xin was not foolish enough to favor Mo Bai and neglect such a guest.

"He is indeed a character. I assume Uncle Guihai has already found the influential family capable of keeping him in check?" Shangguan Qing asked.

Guihai Xin inwardly praised the young master’s keen mind and replied, "Yes. Alas, I am ashamed. With so many people in Guihai City, we only managed to track Wu Luohua at the break of dawn. However, I have already sent Yidao personally, so there should be no issues."

Shangguan Qing nodded. "Uncle Guihai, my uncle places great importance on this Spirit Rising Tournament, and Guihai City is a vital piece of his strategic goal. I hope you will spare no effort. When the day comes that my uncle unifies the Linglong realm, you will naturally be a meritorious hero of the new order." Shangguan Qing delivered a mix of encouragement and warning.

Guihai Xin bowed immediately and gestured toward the north. "I shall certainly do my utmost and serve with total devotion."

Guihai Rong'an, standing to the side, also bowed in that direction. Though he did not know who it was he was bowing to, anyone who could command such reverence from his father must be an extraordinary figure! Could he perhaps find a way to make use of this great man?

Shangguan Qing continued, "Uncle Guihai, I have observed the tournament from yesterday. We have gained some advantage, but to defeat the Yihua Sect completely, we must pick up the pace."

Guihai Xin said, "Yes, I have already issued an ultimatum to True Person Gu Meng. If she does not appear, the Yihua Sect will lose all face. I only wonder if, by that time, we will be marching our armies to their gates?"

Shangguan Qing pondered briefly. "The Guihai family must preserve some of its strength, but those drifters and ruffians who came for the tournament can be put to use. If we drive them toward the Yihua Sect, there will surely be a good show to watch."

Guihai Xin nodded in admiration. "The young master is brilliant."

He intended to butter him up further, but Shangguan Qing’s expression suddenly darkened. He said coldly, "However, nothing is absolute. What if we hold the tournament again and lose?"

Guihai Xin was taken aback. "With you here, young master, we will not lose."

Ignoring the flattery, Shangguan Qing pressed, "If we lose the tournament and the Yihua Sect moves out in full force, will there even be a Guihai clan left in Guihai City?"

Guihai Xin had never considered such a scenario. He stared at the young master and said slowly, "Rest assured, young master. Even if we lose the tournament, Guihai City has the means to defend itself!"

Shangguan Qing uttered a soft "Oh?" and Guihai Xin immediately added, "Young Master Qing visits our city infrequently, so you may not know the foundation upon which our city stands." Only then did the old man exhale, a look of pride crossing his face.

Shangguan Qing did not respond, watching the old man with keen interest.

Guihai Xin’s expression darkened. He chided himself for his usual composure, wondering why he was acting so rashly before this youngster. It seemed this Young Master Qing was deeply calculating. He had to suppress his inner turmoil and said, "Does the young master know of the Ten Thousand Spear Array?"

Only then did Shangguan Qing’s expression shift slightly. "Since you know the power of the Ten Thousand Spear Array, you should not have let Master Yidao leave the house so easily."

Guihai Xin laughed heartily. "Young Master Qing, that is exactly where my brilliance lies. If anyone intends to use the matter of Wu Luohua to sabotage the anchor of my Ten Thousand Spear Array, they are sorely mistaken. Although Dao'er has exceptional spiritual power, he is not the true anchor. Rong'an is. That is why I have kept him by my side."

Shangguan Qing nodded approvingly. "Uncle Guihai is truly cunning; I am relieved."

Guihai Xin felt his heart settle, only to hear Xu Dawu, who had been silent until now, speak up. "Old Master, the Ten Thousand Spear Array is indeed formidable. But to my knowledge, this formation requires thousands of spirit-cultivators to channel their energy simultaneously to manifest spears, then cycle through rests and recovery. It is supposed to be continuous, is it not?"

"Master Xu is truly learned; that is exactly how it works," Guihai Xin replied.

Xu Dawu twirled his folding fan. "That is what I find puzzling. A cultivator's spiritual energy is finite. Even with time to rest, they can never return to their peak initial state. If it cycles repeatedly, the attack should only grow weaker. How could it be so heaven-defying?"

Guihai Xin was stunned. He hadn't expected this man, who looked like a sloppily dressed, effeminate scholar, to have such insight. He hesitated.

Xu Dawu added, "If you do not wish to reveal the secret of Guihai City, that is fine."

Guihai Xin felt a pang of anxiety. He thought to himself, *I cannot afford to offend the people from above.* He said, "Master Xu is correct. The greatest secret of the Ten Thousand Spear Array is that Guihai City possesses a 'Treasury of Ten Thousand Spears'!"

Shangguan Qing raised an eyebrow, thinking, *So you were prepared after all.* He remained silent, watching Guihai Xin with his cold, clear eyes.

Guihai Xin felt a jolt in his heart. Despite decades of cultivation, he found he had no defense against the young man's gaze. He said, "As Master Xu said, once a cultivator releases their energy, it is difficult to return to their peak. The reason the array is so powerful is this treasury. It contains ten thousand spears forged with spiritual medium. These spears can be carried, and when those wielding the array use them, they consume very little of their own energy to maintain a terrifying level of power."

Xu Dawu asked, "Old Master, forgive my prying, but who guards this treasury?"

Guihai Xin was startled. "It was guarded by my head disciple, Bai Yu, but he met with an accident. Now, Dao'er is protecting it temporarily."

"Master Yidao?" Xu Dawu asked suddenly. "Isn't he out of the city capturing Wu Luohua? How could he be in two places at once to guard the treasury?"

Guihai Xin felt as if he had fallen into a massive trap. He stammered, "Could it be... could it be that Master Xu means Wu Luohua was never truly kidnapped, but was abducted intentionally to lure Dao'er away and leave the treasury unguarded so they could destroy it?"

Xu Dawu nodded silently. "It is better to be safe than sorry."

Sweat poured down Guihai Xin’s face. He shouted, "I shall go personally to protect the treasury!" He finally understood the gravity of the situation.

Shangguan Qing offered a faint smile—the first time he had shown one. "No need to rush, Uncle Guihai. We shall accompany you. While I may not be able to perform on the stage, the heavy responsibility of protecting the Treasury of Ten Thousand Spears shall be mine."