Demon Sword Sect's Undercover

On the Heavenly Sword Platform, this is the scene that appeared before the cultivators: the Sect Hierarch Hou and the One-eyed exchanged glances, and in the next moment, the Banner moved without wind, its surface rippling like waves, then transformed into black light and entered the Sword Cultivator's hand.

Hou Niao bowed, "Grateful for the opportunity, many thanks to Daoist Lao for the generous gift."

Thousands of cultivators marveled again; the frustration of the past several hours finally found a place to vent. These Daoists deliberately used the best treasures to manipulate and tease them, while they had grievances but no outlet. But now Hou Niao's move undoubtedly vented their anger, and who obtained the treasure was no longer important. What mattered was that someone shattered the myth of the immovable Daoist treasures.

Having consecutively taken away the two most powerful treasures, no one doubted he had the ability to acquire the third and fourth... Given enough time, could he take all the remaining treasures as well?

A single monk began to feel anxious, not because of his four relics, but because of the attitude displayed by the Great Sect Hierarch Hou.

Similarly tense were Taixuan Gu Bai, Huangting Guan Zhi, Guangling Huaiyuan, Da Fang Xiao Yue, Zhouyi Cen Shen, Yunjian Guzhu, and others in the Three Pure Ones System. They knew well that given the Sword Cultivator's demonstrated abilities, having easily taken the Yin Yang Umbrella and the One-eyed Isolation Banner, it was likely not difficult for him to take their treasures too?

Amidst the crowd's speculation, Hou Niao continued to linger in the air, spotting a treasure, and laughed, "This treasure seems to be fated for me!"

A single relieved a sigh, of course, knowing that according to the order of appearance, the next should be his four relics. The Sword Cultivator disregarded the relics not from contempt for the treasure's value, but from an attitude towards the Buddhist Sect.

Some words need not be spoken; since Hou Niao subtly expressed his stance, the Buddhist Sect naturally had to respond in kind. This is the etiquette of the Cultivation World.

The single monk sighed in relief, but there were those who held their breath, like Guangling's Daoist Hui Yuan, who couldn't understand why his Sealing and Refuting Gua was chosen?

It shouldn't be! Although the Sealing and Refuting Gua was indeed one of his best treasures, honestly speaking, if it wasn't matched with the corresponding Daoist Tradition, it was actually of little use. It demanded a specialized alignment.

Furthermore, in terms of value, several other treasures among his Daoist companions were of higher worth than the Sealing and Refuting Gua. Such a choice seemed illogical and confounding.

Did I offend this Sword Cultivator?

Unable to comprehend, yet it didn't hinder Hou Niao from acting, pointing at the Sealing and Refuting Gua,

"Seeking divination all day, returning with good omens. That time since parting, reaching dreams till now... I'm right here, why not divine?"

Within the Sealing and Refuting Gua, beams of light rotated, but stopped after only three spins. Clearly, it could no longer divine!

Only the Sealing and Refuting Gua knew, if forced to divine beyond its means, its abilities might weaken, predicting for the likes of its owner, Daoist Hui Yuan, was possible, but not for this Sword Cultivator, whose future was unpredictable, too lofty to reach, too ominous to describe!

So then, comply?

Without waiting for the Sword Cultivator to speak, it transformed into a beam of gua light, entering the Sword Cultivator's hand in submission!

Daoist Hui Yuan was stunned like a wooden chicken, unable to understand how a treasure that had followed him for over a hundred years suddenly defected, showing no hesitation, seemingly excited, as if pledging allegiance to a new master?

Three treasures, three methods, yet one consistent feature: utterly effortless.

The indigenous cultivators of Jinxiu eagerly hoped he would continue; the envoys from the Upper Realm felt restless. Originally, if these treasures were divided among the Jinxiu people present, it would mean little, but if monopolized by one, what then?

Was the real intention merely to offer congratulations?

But seeing this situation, none knew where the Sect Hierarch's limit was. Would he take a dozen and stop? Or was he planning to take them all, leaving none behind?

Initially, the Daoists offered treasures with grand gestures, but now they've fallen to such an awkward predicament, which nobody anticipated, a testament that in the Cultivation World, power can change everything.

Which treasure to choose next? It was the question everyone cared about, subconsciously hoping the Great Sect Hierarch would take all the treasures.

"He wouldn't really take them all, would he?" Master Xu showed concern, for once stirred, this fellow couldn't be stopped.

Beside him, Master Xiao smiled, "Don't worry, Dao brother, this little fox is clever. Don't underestimate him, he is just pretending to be bold, hum, even deceiving the elders…"

Taking them all is delightful, but the aftermath is disastrous; it would unite all the Upper Realm envoys against him, making the Sword Sect a target of enmity, with no sympathy even secretly.

But if he only took a portion, things would be subtle, some uncomfortable, others amused, causing division, making it hard for them to unite against a single opponent.

So, taking all would be reckless, holding back is wise. It's not a Flying Sword, so what use are so many treasures? No one would use them.

Just as Master Xiao predicted, Hou Niao bowed again, "Things shouldn't exceed three, too many courtesies seem strange. I've had today's joy, receiving gifts from three Dao friends is already overwhelming, hence I dare not snatch everyone's fate. Let the rest wait for another day, until there's affinity again."

He took only three, avoiding the Buddhist Sect, focusing on the Three Pure Ones, while subtly piercing into Guangling.

This move, seen by a few old infants, had infinite depth.

Yet the cultivators below mostly booed, unsatisfied, wanting to see him take all at once.

Hou Niao wouldn't change his mind due to their noise. Humans are like this: those urging now would be the same ones criticizing his greed later. They only care for their entertainment, not your future consequences.

He knew clearly what could and couldn't be done; taking three was fitting, mocking the Daoists without seeming excessive in desire.

"I don't know, if these treasures aren't taken, will they be reclaimed? If so, it's reasonable, as things return to the owner; if not, staying in a public place for a destined person in the future, that's a gesture to Jinxiu. But whether to reclaim or not, let each treasure master decide. I'm not fit to overstep."

This statement was sharp, pressing the so-called Upper Realm envoys to a corner. The majority of cultivators surely wanted them hung somewhere for the future, those whose treasures were taken thought likewise. But the nearly sixty treasures yet unclaimed left the envoys in a dilemma, they were torn between recollecting and leaving them.

Daoist Hui Yuan rose indignantly, "Sect Hierarch speaks boastfully; your Sect, as hosts, offers not a single treasure, yet gains three. I propose if your Sect offers its own treasures here for public choosing, then our treasures will remain here, to be gifted based on fate during future continental law ceremonies!"