Challenge Complete

Li Yuechan and Xu Lanyi emerged from Hell's Grotto without fanfare. There was nobody to greet them and nobody to give them a hard time. They half expected something to happen but everything went according to plan. It was nice when things did so.

"I wonder how the others are doing." Xu Lanyi wondered. "I hope their challenges went as smoothly as ours."

"Yeah… but we have nine more so not all of them will be like this one. Let's go."

"Alright."

They climbed out of the deep valley and returned to the city of Ember Cliffs. It was getting late in the day and the setting sun turned the cliffs into pillars of orange fire. People were out and about, filling the streets and soaking in the sun. There was a strong tinge of flame energy in the air.

They headed straight for the Immortal Association branch office near the city center. The inside was small and modest. There was nobody around except for a single sleepy receptionist.

"Hi, welcome to the Immortal Association office. How may I help you?" The man asked.

Li Yuechan took out her challenge orb, "Li Yuechan of Ten Thousand Flower Valley, here to turn in the challenge of Hell's Grotto."

Xu Lanyi followed suit as well.

"Excellent." The man's eyes brightened, "The challenge of Hell's Grotto was to collect a hundred three-clove Red Reapers. Other grades of Red Reapers can be substituted at differing rates but I'm sure you know this. You can take everything out now."

The sisters both waved their hands across the counter and a piled of freshly picked garlic bulbs appeared. It created a sizable mountain that occupied most of the space available.

The man looked at them with interest. Spatial bags were not that rare in the capital but it was still rare to see more than one for a group of disciples. It served no purpose than to show off excessive wealth. It was obvious that Ten Thousand Flower Valley was quite rich…

The man closely examined the two challenge orbs as well as the two hundred Red Reapers. His spiritual energy permeated everything, verifying the ownership of the orbs as well as the authenticity of each three-clove garlic.

Little Carrot didn't bother going after lower grade or higher grade ones. The third level was the most efficient without drawing too much attention. This was Chen Wentian's style, good enough without causing trouble.

"Everything seems to be in order." The man said with a nod.

He packed up all the Red Reapers into his spatial bag and took out a golden bowl that was intricately carved. He placed the two challenge orbs inside and summoned his spiritual energy.

The bowl began to glow with power. The light became almost blinding and Li Yuechan and Xu Lanyi were forced to look away. By the time they looked back, the two challenge orbs had disappeared and were replaced by two golden feathers.

"That's all, take the feathers."

"Thank you, sir," The sisters said courteously and received their rewards.

The feathers were not made of gold but were real. Each one was filled with a strange power and gave them an unspeakable feeling of strength.

"These feathers are from Sect Master Huang Wuji's familiar, Resolute the Golden Peng. Each feather is a treasure and can be used in a time of need. It will give you a one-level boost in strength within the Spirit Initiate Realm." The man explained. "Of course, you should still save it to exchange for the prizes as they are better."

"Thank you, sir." Li Yuechan answered.

"Sir makes me sound old. My name is Huang Wenshu, why don't you call me brother Huang?"

This time, Li Yuechan didn't bother to reply and neither did Xu Lanyi.

Huang Wenshu laughed lightly to dissipate the suddenly awkward atmosphere. He was rather confident in his looks as well as his status. He was a descendant of Huang Wuji after all.

"Miss Li, Miss Xu. Ember Cliffs is quite exciting after the sun sets. There is an amazing night market with delicious local cuisine as well as shows by talented performers. If you'd like, I can show you around?"

Huang Wenshu flashed them a winning smile. Few maidens could resist his invitations. He wasn't sure about Li Yuechan and Xu Lanyi but he knew of their background. Even a prominent cultivator like him had never experienced a woman from the legendary Glacier Palace. The rumors were indeed true and he saw with his own eyes the special aura that these two women carried.

Li Yuechan wasn't dumb and neither Xu Lanyi. They both recognized what was happening and were highly displeased. An average woman may have fallen prey to Huang Wenshu's proposition but it was impossible for them. The man in front of them was not handsome and noble in their eyes, instead, he was ugly and disgusting as a beast!

Li Yuechan turned away, "Sir Huang, we sisters are still in the midst of a competition. Time is precious so we will have to decline."

Xu Lanyi didn't even bother to reply and directly stomped out of the door.

They both left before Huang Wenshu could get another word in. He stood there dumbly, wondering what had happened and how he was rejected so ruthlessly. His brain finally started working again and he came to the wrong conclusion. He was stubborn and he didn't want to give up. So he vaulted over the counter and chased after them.

"Wait, Miss Li, Miss Xu!"

He found them standing together outside of the building.

"It is indeed getting late. Do you need a place to stay for the night? My Huang Family operates a restaurant and hotel nearby called Yellow Sky Tower. It has a stellar reputation and is much better than the other random places around the city… Or would you like to go back to the Sky District immediately? I can arrange a flying boat to come and shuttle you back safely."

Huang Wenshu was certainly persistent as well as a bit shameless. He continued to pester them even though Li Yuechan and Xu Lanyi had no interest. Showing the cold shoulder and acting like a block of wood did not deter the man at all.

Xu Lanyi got so fed up that she was ready to start a fight. Li Yuechan was having a hard time keeping a straight face. However, before things got any more awkward, their ultimate deterrent arrived.

A familiar spiritual aura surrounded them and they looked up into the sky.

"Master!" They called out in relief.

Huang Wenshu backed away a few steps and bowed slightly, "Junior Huang Wenshu greets Immortal Blue Dragon."

A shameless man was shameless to the end and he pretended as if nothing had happened. He stood straight and proud with an arrogant air as if nothing could touch him.

Chen Wentian landed in front of his disciples and studied this young master closely. He felt a tinge of anger. Huang Wenshu was the type of man he detested and he stumbled into a scene of such a man coming onto his women. Anybody would be angered; it was human nature.

Flaming spiritual energy shot out and wrapped around Huang Wenshu. The man visibly struggled but there was nothing he could do against the power of an immortal with his cultivation. He was forcibly made to kneel and bow until his forehead was firmly into the dirt. He couldn't even complain as his mouth was bound shut.

Chen Wentian sneered. This was more like it!

"Surnamed Huang, I am usually a tolerant person but my disciples are off-limits. You should know that I dared to fight He Zicheng for my disciples so don't bother crying to Huang Wuji. I think I know him better than you, he won't help you anyway." He said, "If I find you harassing my disciples again, I won't be as nice as today, understood?"

Huang Wenshu couldn't reply, only shake slightly from fear.

"Come on," Chen Wentian continued, "You should go home and be kinder to your wives and concubines. Why are you out here trying to find other women? You should work hard to satisfy the women you have first instead of looking for more. Otherwise, they might sleep around with other men, perhaps with your relatives or friends. Haha… anyways, you can listen to my advice or not. Get out of here."

He released the spiritual bindings.

"Thank you, immortal, for your lesson!" Huang Wenshu cried and dashed away without another word.

He disappeared into the association building and did not come out again.

Xu Lanyi snorted, "Master, you were too lenient with him. I would have broken his legs, at least."

Li Yuechan smiled, "Thank you, master. You came at just the right time. Lanyi was about to start a fight."

"No, I wasn't!"

Chen Wentian laughed and hugged them close, "We can argue more when we get back. You can tell me all about the last few days!"

He took them into the air and set off in the direction of the Sky District.

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