BTTH: Death Letter From The Future

The grand competition was unlike the coming-of-age ceremony, where after the formalities were over, one could sit around chatting and bonding. Moreover, since the sect leader was a woman, the guests were even more reluctant to stay long.

Thus, after the competition concluded, the guests greeted each other and took their leave one by one, returning to their homes.

However, some guests lingered a little longer, like Nalan Su, who was giving heartfelt advice to his daughter. There were also people like Chen Guan and Jia Xingtian who had business to attend to.

"Master Yun, may I have a word with you? I have something I need to discuss," said Jia Xingtian.

Since Jia Xingtian had spoken, Yun Yun naturally wouldn't refuse.

"Please, this way."

Yun Yun led the way to a side hall, and Chen Guan followed closely. But then he noticed Jia Xingtian was still standing in place.

"Haha, you go talk to her yourself. Do what you need to do. I'm not much good at negotiations, and it's been years since I've visited Yunlan Sect. I'll enjoy the scenery while I wait."

Chen Guan thought Jia Xingtian was teasing him because of what was said on the way, so he didn't mind and rolled his eyes before heading into the side hall alone with Yun Yun.

Perhaps out of consideration for his background and the potential he had shown, Yun Yun, despite being the sect leader and a Dou Emperor, didn't look down on him. After inviting him to sit, she ordered fragrant tea to be served, showing him proper courtesy.

Once the tea disciple had retreated, and the door was closed, they exchanged some polite pleasantries before Chen Guan got to the main point.

"You want the Acceptance Soul?"

Chen Guan nodded silently. After all, coming all the way to Yunlan Sect had already revealed his desire; there was no need to pretend he didn't care. She wasn't a fool, and acting indifferent would be unnecessary.

Since he was here, he had mentally prepared himself to pay a price.

Yun Yun didn't immediately respond. She remembered what Gu He had mentioned before: the greatest function of Acceptance Soul was to create a special space within the body that could store unique items, like Heavenly Flames. If it hadn't been for Gu He, she wouldn't have known this obscure detail.

Now, with Chen Guan asking for Acceptance Soul, she couldn't help but wonder if he had the same intentions as Gu He.

"Your information is accurate. Yunlan Sect does indeed possess Acceptance Soul. But since you know about this item, you must also understand how valuable it is—it's no less precious than a sixth-tier pill. What do you plan to offer in exchange?"

"Ten fourth-tier Vital Essence Pills, four fifth-tier Restoration Pills, and one Dragon Strength Pill."

These pills could easily be taken from the royal treasury, and Chen Guan made this initial offer to test the waters.

It wasn't a low offer; after all, while Acceptance Soul was precious, it wasn't something that could be used casually.

But, as expected, Yun Yun shook her head, declining the exchange.

This wasn't surprising. With Gu He around, Yunlan Sect was even more abundant in medicinal pills than the royal family. In other aspects, there wasn't much the royal family could offer that Yunlan Sect didn't already have.

Chen Guan silently weighed his next option. He had many valuable things in his possession—Spirit-Bearing Dust, its formula, earth-level battle techniques, soul cultivation methods, puppet techniques, and more. But these items were all far more valuable than Acceptance Soul, and using them in exchange would be foolish.

While he was willing to take a small loss in this negotiation, he didn't want to be ripped off.

Just as Chen Guan was pondering, Yun Yun spoke.

"I do have an idea, but before that, I'd like to know—what is your true relationship with the royal family?"

This time, it was Chen Guan's turn to shake his head.

They had reached this point, and Chen Guan knew what Yun Yun was about to ask. He had already decided he couldn't sever ties with the royal family, so there was no point in continuing that discussion.

"Master Yun, my second offer is this: I will exchange a puppet with Dou King strength. This is the most valuable item I can offer."

"This puppet was obtained through a stroke of luck, after many life-threatening experiences. Its creator was undoubtedly a genius. Not only can it fully display the strength of a two-star Dou King, but its body is incredibly tough, no less durable than a magical beast's. What's more, after recognizing its master, it becomes quite sentient. Beyond fighting, it can even perform simple tasks, like this."

Chen Guan took out a puppet and, with a flourish, had it serve tea for the two of them.

In negotiations, you always present the best side. Naturally, he didn't mention that the puppet couldn't fly.

"It is indeed a fine item, but a two-star Dou King's strength, and only one..." Yun Yun was already tempted. The value of a two-star Dou King who would absolutely obey was no small matter.

"Master Yun, you're overthinking it. Getting just one of these miraculous puppets is a great fortune. If I hadn't decided to stay out of the capital for the next few years and wouldn't face many dangers, I wouldn't be offering it. It's an absolute trump card for self-defense."

His face was filled with a pained expression, and Yun Yun almost believed him.

"But I distinctly remember that at the adult ceremony for Princess Yao Ye last month, the puppet you used wasn't this one, was it?"

"..."

He had slipped up!

Being caught in a lie was certainly embarrassing.

However, Chen Guan's expression didn't change at all. His face remained calm, and he didn't blush or falter. As long as he didn't feel embarrassed, the awkwardness was on the other person.

"What I mentioned was a puppet at the Dou King level. To be honest, I also risked my life and managed to acquire two Dou Spirit level puppets, both equivalent to three-star Dou Spirit. The one I used at the adult ceremony was one of them."

"If you're still not satisfied, I'm willing to add another Dou Spirit level puppet. This is my final offer. I need one puppet for my own protection, and if I were in Nalan Yanran's shoes, Master Yun, wouldn't you also want your disciple to have some defense?"

Chen Guan stood up as if preparing to leave if she didn't agree. This was a trick he'd learned from haggling at the market with old ladies.

Yun Yun, sitting above, wore an odd expression. Throughout this conversation, her opinion of this young man had changed again and again. From a rare genius, to a shameless liar, and now to a clever trickster with his own twisted logic.

You are you, and Yanran is Yanran. What do you mean by "if you were her"?

Still, she had to admit, his words had their effect. Yun Yun's thoughts were indeed swayed, and she began to understand his desire to keep one puppet for himself as a safeguard.

"Fine. Since you've shown such sincerity, I will grant this favor to the royal family. One Dou King puppet, and one Dou Spirit puppet, in exchange for Acceptance Soul."

Chen Guan looked up, surprised and delighted.

So Acceptance Soul hadn't been given to Gu He yet?

He had expected that Gu He might be involved in this deal, and that he would have to pay an additional price. But to his surprise, it had been easier than expected, and the cost hadn't reached his bottom line.

What Chen Guan didn't know was that while the royal family knew Yunlan Sect had Acceptance Soul, they didn't realize there were two of them.

Not wanting to delay and risk something going wrong, Chen Guan immediately produced the two puppets and removed his soul imprint on them in front of Yun Yun.

Yun Yun wasn't one to dawdle. She asked Chen Guan to wait for a moment and left the side hall. Within minutes, she returned.

One hand for the goods, one hand for the payment.

After guiding Yun Yun through successfully claiming ownership of the Dou King puppet, the deal was completed.

Just as the young man was feeling pleased and about to chat a bit more, a loud voice echoed throughout Yunlan Sect.

"Hahaha! Old man Yunshan, I knew you weren't dead. Have you improved over the years? Come on, let's have a duel!"

In the side hall, Chen Guan's face froze. The promise someone had made at noon still rang in his ears:

"No one understands politeness better than I do!"

(End of Chapter)