Chapter 87: Forcibly Probing
In the world of martial arts, spatial storage devices are intensely private possessions; allowing others to inspect them is a grave insult.
“Why should I?”
Xia Jiuxuan lifted his head, his gaze growing cold, a hint of murderous intent glimmering beneath.
“You look as if I’m bullying you, don’t you?”
The middle-aged man swept his sleeve, then announced, “All of you here are geniuses, you’ve witnessed Xia Jiuxuan’s attitude. Don’t say I’m abusing my authority; today, I must examine Xia Jiuxuan’s spatial storage device. If anyone objects, speak now!”
“Of course, those who break rules must be checked!”
“We must find out the truth and punish him severely!”
“What does he take us for, fools? Playing tricks—he deserves it!”
…
Almost everyone supported the middle-aged man’s decision to inspect Xia Jiuxuan’s spatial storage device.
“You heard them. I am not oppressing you without cause, so hand over your spatial storage device, or don’t blame me for being harsh!” The middle-aged man thought privately: if it weren’t for the restriction against violence in this mortal martial region, I’d have crushed this brat with a single palm already.
Xia Jiuxuan’s expression was icy, and he remained silent.
Standing beside him, Mu Feng rose and said, “Sir, you repeatedly claim that Senior Xia has hidden the spirit crystals. If, after your inspection, you find nothing concealed—what then?”
Mu Feng knew Xia Jiuxuan’s character well enough to be certain he would never resort to such tricks. He chose to believe in Xia Jiuxuan, and so, when everyone else was casting doubt, he stepped forward to speak.
“How could he not be hiding something? That kid’s in league with Xia Jiuxuan, still stubbornly defending him.”
“It’s not just him; even my brother couldn’t refine ten spirit crystals in an instant. What does this guy think he’s capable of?”
“Exactly! Let’s see how he explains himself soon.”
…
None of the six hundred or so geniuses were willing to believe Xia Jiuxuan.
“Answer me! If Senior Xia hasn’t hidden any spirit crystals, what will you do for forcibly inspecting his spatial storage device?”
Seeing the middle-aged man silent, Duanmu Wan also stepped forward to demand an answer.
The middle-aged man’s chest heaved with anger. He spoke in a deep voice, “If, after inspection, no marked spirit crystal is found, I will apologize to Xia Jiuxuan in front of everyone. But if he has hidden any, then he has maliciously disrupted the competition’s order—I will break his meridians and expel him!”
“Forcibly inspecting someone’s spatial storage device and then just apologizing? How arrogant, your sect truly acts high-handedly!” Duanmu Wan said coldly.
“You! Little girl, you’d best not stir up trouble!” The middle-aged man was furious, barely restraining himself from lashing out.
“Enough!”
At that moment, Xia Jiuxuan shouted.
“Fine, I’ll let you inspect it. But if I haven’t hidden any spirit crystals, you must kneel and apologize to me.”
The middle-aged man sneered, “A dead pig fears no scalding water. You think I’ll back down because of that? I agree! Hand it over!”
He had already locked onto Xia Jiuxuan with his spiritual sense, so he wasn’t worried about the possibility of him secretly sending away spirit crystals from the storage device.
“Inspect it! Go ahead and inspect it!”
“Arguing after wrongdoing—once it’s discovered, he should be punished harshly!”
“I want to see if he’s a true prodigy or just a common chicken. Sir, please inspect him quickly!”
Everyone clamored, waiting to witness Xia Jiuxuan’s miserable fate.
Xia Jiuxuan regained his composure and summoned his spatial storage device, which hovered before him. With a thought, he removed its restrictions, allowing any spiritual sense or intent to probe its contents. In that moment, not only the middle-aged man but all the other geniuses unleashed their intent to inspect the device.
“Wow, this guy is rich! Over a thousand top-grade spirit crystals!”
“So many precious herbs—he’s really wealthy!”
“What’s that? Looks like the corpse of some demon beast, probably worth a fortune too.”
Xia Jiuxuan’s spatial storage device was laid bare, every item scrutinized by intent and spiritual sense. Yet, there was no trace of the purple spirit crystal.
“This… how can this be?”
After finishing the inspection, the middle-aged man stepped back in disbelief.
Standing nearby, Duanmu Wan and Mu Feng, out of respect, had refrained from probing Xia Jiuxuan’s storage device. Observing the middle-aged man’s change in demeanor, they guessed the result.
“Well? Where’s the purple spirit crystal? Did he hide it?” Duanmu Wan demanded coldly.
“There’s something strange here… How could it be missing?” The middle-aged man’s face was filled with confusion, his anger all but vanished.
“I asked you a question!” Duanmu Wan drew her sword and strode forward. “You kept claiming Senior Xia was up to tricks. Where’s your evidence? His spatial storage device has been inspected by everyone—did any of you find the spirit crystal?”
Confronted by Duanmu Wan’s questioning, the middle-aged man was speechless, unable to argue. The others exchanged uncertain glances as well.
Why hadn’t the spirit crystal been found?
Could it really have been refined instantly by that young man? Impossible.
Mu Feng leapt onto the platform of spiritual tools and shouted, “And you lot! Weren’t you yelling to inspect Senior Xia’s storage device just now? Why are you all silent now? Speak up, damn it! A bunch of losers! Just because you couldn’t do it, does that mean my Senior Xia couldn’t? Ridiculous!”
“You—!”
The hundreds of geniuses, called useless by Mu Feng, were furious, but they had no grounds for rebuttal.
“What are you so smug about, damn it? That kid must have used some trick. If you’re not convinced, come and spar later!”
“Yeah! What are you so arrogant for, you clown? The real competition hasn’t started yet. Soon you’ll be on your knees calling me grandfather!”
“Let’s settle it with real strength! Just wait, you’ll soon know who’s boss!”
Unable to accept their defeat, the geniuses began to threaten to prove themselves with force.
“Useless, all of you—we’ll be waiting!”
Mu Feng jumped down from the platform.
The middle-aged man also turned, preparing to return to the stage.
“Stop.”
Xia Jiuxuan spoke, his tone calm.
The middle-aged man paused, turned back, his face awkward. “There was a misunderstanding earlier. My apologies.”
He was convinced Xia Jiuxuan must have used some trick, but with no evidence, he could only offer a forced apology.
Having said that, he was about to leave.
“That’s it? I don’t accept such an apology. Kneel and apologize immediately.”
Xia Jiuxuan’s voice was cold.
The middle-aged man’s brows furrowed, his tone icy. “Boy, don’t press your advantage!”
Xia Jiuxuan sneered, “So you admit I had reason? When you were inspecting my spatial ring, you certainly didn’t show mercy! If you won’t kneel, I’ll treat your apology as nothing but foul air and let you off this once.”
Humiliation!
As an outer elder of a major sect, the middle-aged man had never suffered such an insult—especially at the hands of a mere youth from the mortal world.
Now, the other geniuses started jeering again:
“Enough, kid! Don’t think you can be arrogant just because there’s no evidence. Stop embarrassing yourself here.”
“With such status, you expect that elder to kneel before you? Are you worthy?”
“You clown, get lost before we make you call us father!”
…
The jeers and curses echoed in Xia Jiuxuan’s ears.
His eyes narrowed. He soared skyward, standing above them all.
“You useless lot, what are you shouting for? If you’ve got the guts, challenge me—come! Life or death, it doesn’t matter!”
Xia Jiuxuan’s cold voice thundered through the crowd.
Suddenly, the entire arena fell silent.
“What’s the matter? Are you all cowards? Worthless wretches—do you think your lives are precious, so you dare not accept?”
Infuriated!
Everyone was incensed!
Immediately, dozens flew up, weapons drawn.
“Damn you, courting death! I, Liu Feiyun, challenge you—I’ll take your head!”
Xia Jiuxuan’s lips curled in a cold smile. “Excellent.”
Whoosh!
His figure became a streak of black light, flashing before his challenger.
Slash!
A burst of sword light exploded, terrifying sword intent unleashed at full force, slicing his opponent into fragments.
Sensing the dreadful killing intent, the crowd recoiled in shock.
“Enough! Stop at once!”
At that moment, a thunderous shout resounded from the sky.
A great figure intervened, his palm pressing down from the heavens like a divine force.