Chapter 41: Clone Stealing Treasure

Not long ago...

The anxious Zhao Wentian had no intention of cultivating at all. Frustrated, he halted his practice, concealed his aura, and sat quietly in his study, waiting for Wang Xuanwu's inevitable arrival.

"Sure enough, she's here."

Zhao Wentian sensed Wang Xuanwu sneaking closer, and black lines appeared on his forehead. He felt like ten thousand wild horses were galloping through his mind—there was no need to guess, Wang Xuanwu was coming to fleece him again.

"Hmph, let's see how you plan to steal from this Sect Leader while I'm sitting right here," Zhao Wentian muttered, his beard bristling with irritation.

He stared intently at the door, expecting it to swing open. Instead, the window creaked open.

Watching this, Zhao Wentian was certain—Wang Xuanwu planned to sneak in and out quietly.

"Wang Xuanwu!"

Zhao Wentian's furious voice echoed from behind, startling Wang Xuanwu. She quickly turned around, patting her chest in exaggerated relief. With a sheepish grin, she said, "Brother, you're here? I didn't even notice you!"

"What do you think?" Zhao Wentian retorted, his eyes narrowing.

"Hee hee, Brother, I didn't expect you to enjoy hide-and-seek. Now that I've found you, you should go hide while I seek!"

"Do you think I'm that stupid, Wang Xuanwu?"

"Ah, no, of course not!" Wang Xuanwu replied with mock innocence, edging closer. "You know I've always been a little slow..."

"Stop right there!"

Zhao Wentian quickly stepped back, raising a hand to keep her at a distance.

"Hey, Brother, no need to be so fierce—I'm scared! You said just the other day that I haven't matured yet, but now you're scaring me. What if I'm traumatized?"

"You don't need to pretend to be a child with me. Just get to the point—what are you here for this time?"

Wang Xuanwu pouted dramatically, sitting on the ground like a distressed damsel. "Brother, you're so mean. I just wanted to prepare a set of Golden Core equipment and weapons for my disciple. Can't you just give them to me?"

"As if I'd believe that! Are you planning to sell them for wine money?"

"Oh?" Wang Xuanwu pretended to consider it, nibbling on her little finger. "Now that you mention it, that's a good idea. Why didn't I think of that?"

"Wang Xuanwu!" Zhao Wentian's aura flared up, making the air around him tremble.

Wang Xuanwu, startled, quickly reassured him, "No, no, you've got it wrong this time!"

"That's exactly what you said last time!" Zhao Wentian's voice grew louder, his aura not diminishing.

Outside the room, Zhao Wentian's disciples felt his terrifying aura and began to shiver.

"Oh no, the Sect Leader's in a rage again!"

"Good grief, I almost wet myself!"

The disciples exchanged terrified glances, knowing that this was becoming all too common.

Back in the study, Wang Xuanwu realized the gravity of the situation and put on a serious expression. "Brother, I swear this time is different—I'm serious."

"You said the same thing last time."

"Uh, did I?" Wang Xuanwu scratched her head.

"Leave before I give in to the urge to beat you," Zhao Wentian roared.

Wang Xuanwu flinched at the volume, waving her hands defensively. "Okay, okay, no need to shout so loud—you'll hurt yourself. But don't worry, if you do, I'll help you recover."

"Just leave!" Zhao Wentian shouted, feeling his patience snapping.

"Alright, Brother, take care!" Wang Xuanwu swiftly exited, disappearing in an instant.

Once she was gone, Zhao Wentian's terrifying aura dissipated. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his frayed nerves.

But something still didn't sit right with him.

"Strange, why was she so obedient this time?" Zhao Wentian mused. Usually, Wang Xuanwu wouldn't back down without getting something out of him, and the aura he had unleashed shouldn't have scared her off—after all, she had faced far worse.

Feeling uneasy, Zhao Wentian expanded his Spiritual Sense to check the surrounding area.

At the same time, on a cliff near Xuantian Peak, another Wang Xuanwu appeared, holding a ring.

"My lord, the task is complete," the clone Wang Xuanwu reported, handing the ring to the real Wang Xuanwu.

"Good job. Let's get out of here," Wang Xuanwu replied, absorbing the clone back into herself before flying off.

Finally, Zhao Wentian realized what had happened.

"Damn it!" He roared, finally understanding. "That was a clone! She had her clone distract me while she stole from me!"

Blowing out a frustrated breath, Zhao Wentian sprang to his feet.

"She said she needed equipment and weapons for her disciple, didn't she? Oh no—the Sect's treasure vault!"

Panicking, Zhao Wentian rushed to the Sect's treasure house, only to find two Elders tied up, gagged, and looking at him with tearful eyes.

"Sect Leader! You're finally here!"

"What did Wang Xuanwu do?" Zhao Wentian asked as he quickly freed them.

The two Elders nodded, confirming his worst fears.

Zhao Wentian's forehead throbbed with stress. "Check the vault—what's missing?"

The Elders, still shaken, entered the vault, only to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Luckily, not much is gone."

"Sect Leader, a set of Golden Core equipment and weapons is missing—the rest seems to be intact."

Zhao Wentian's mouth twitched in frustration. "Thank heavens it's only one set of Golden Core gear."

"No, wait—why am I relieved?" Zhao Wentian suddenly realized, snapping out of his brief moment of calm.

Bursting out of the vault, Zhao Wentian's angry roar echoed through Xuantian Peak: "Wang Xuanwu, you thieving witch! Why do you always come to me? Why not steal from someone else for once?"