Published: March 9, 2025
The three people had no doubt about what the elder said. Considering their own capabilities, they figured that even if they practiced for another thirty or fifty thousand years, they wouldn’t be able to reach that level of skill. Why would someone of that caliber waste time boasting and deceiving them?
Not to mention that they had such a compelling excuse. Even if there was no excuse, just the fact that the elder didn’t like them was a good enough reason, wasn’t it?
“Uh... that... elder...” Thunder Mad Blade stammered, “About this matter... we really didn’t expect it, you see...”
Upon hearing “retired for tens of thousands of years,” they knew for sure he was an elder, perhaps even a predecessor among predecessors…
“Didn’t expect... Forget it, everything has its fate... Haha... Perhaps ignorance isn’t to be blamed; if it’s ruined, then it’s ruined,” the person's voice echoed in the void, and the three felt as though he was whispering right beside their ears, even feeling the warm breath escaping his mouth…
But they could see nothing at all, which left them shivering in fear, nearly losing their minds from fright.
Even if their bodies were intact, they probably wouldn’t dare to move at this moment…
However, the three felt a bit relieved. An elder was indeed an elder; he hadn’t directly exploded them, showcasing his demeanor. Otherwise, how could he be considered an elder? Perhaps there was still room for negotiation!
“Not blaming you is one thing, but you’ve still damaged my forest. There has to be some explanation, right?” the voice stated.
“Absolutely, absolutely! Compensation is a must!” The three rejoiced, compensation? This shouldn’t be too difficult!
“Well, since you’re willing to compensate, let’s talk about it. Those spiritual medicines can be forgone; although they are ten-thousand-year-old medicines, they aren’t worth much. However, this forest has accompanied me for several hundred years, and I’m rather reluctant to part with it. Since it was an unintentional mistake on your part, I won’t make it hard for you. You three should stay here for now and help me replant the trees. Just nurture them to the same size as this forest; it won’t take too long – five hundred years will pass in the blink of an eye.” The old voice said lightly, “During this time, my mood is fair... so I won’t kill your entire family.”
Replanting trees for five hundred years?
The three exchanged glances.
It seemed they only chopped down a few trees; how did it come to making three saint level pinnacle swordsmen serve as laborers for five hundred years? This... this price was too steep, wasn’t it?
Moreover, if they were to plant trees here for five hundred years... then, all their plans would be ruined... they still had their own matters to attend to.
“Elder... please be a bit more lenient...” the three pleaded together.
“Hmm...” the old voice replied, “Since I’m a reasonable elder, if I want to be lenient... that’s also possible, but I’m afraid you wouldn’t want to.”
The three nodded vigorously: “Willing, willing, definitely willing! As long as it’s not planting trees, we can discuss anything!”
“Well, in that case, help me with another matter,” the old voice continued, and suddenly a jade bottle fell from thin air with a “clatter.”
“There are three elixirs in this jade bottle, which can heal your injuries! Take them...” the old voice instructed.
The three looked at each other, staring at the jade bottle so close yet none dared to reach for it.
The old voice sighed: “Just look at your useless appearances; in the state you’re in now... do I need to poison you to kill you? With just a breath, I could obliterate you. Does it matter to me if you’re injured or not?”
The three shuddered!
That was indeed true!
If he wanted to kill them, he probably wouldn’t even need to lift a finger; just a breath would suffice... why bother with poison?
Thunder Mad Blade was the first to pick up the jade bottle and opened it forcefully, causing the three to twitch their noses, making sizzling sounds.