Zhou Xuan stepped forward and took out the fragments of this Azure Luan Sword.
"My apologies, everyone. I don't know if it's due to the influence of Min Shu and the gourd, but this Azure Luan Sword actually went mad and self-destructed."
Zhou Xuan's expression was filled with melancholy.
The crowd was so heartbroken they almost beat their chests and stamped their feet.
"How could such a good magical artifact be destroyed?"
Zhou Xuan thought to himself: The magical artifact wasn't destroyed; what was destroyed was everyone's covetous hearts.
Azure Luan was safely in his storage space.
Zhou Xuan, with tears streaming down his face and expressing his deep affection, said, "Min Shu deserves to die. Lingyun Immortal Sect and everyone else should exert all their strength to eliminate the evil heretics."
"These four great magical artifacts would only bring disputes in the world."
"That's right. Now, at least no one can get their hands on anything."
"Alas, I originally thought I could get something good."
"It's truly a wasted trip. If it weren't for that damned Min Shu, the Azure Luan wouldn't have self-destructed."
Someone, enraged, went to stab Min Shu a few more times.
However, no one noticed that a wisp of black mist left Min Shu's body and was silently inhaled into the nasal cavity of a cultivator from a certain sect.
After absorbing it, the cultivator quickly left the venue.
Outside the hall.
A sinister cold smile curved his lips: "Hmph, Zhou Xuan, you're still too naive. You think you can compete with this venerable one?"
He raised his hand, and a small, delicate, and adorable spirit fox appeared in his palm.
"Little demon, come with this seat." The cultivator tossed the spirit fox onto his shoulder and vanished in an instant.
The spirit fox opened its eyes dazedly, looked around, and found itself in the most familiar place, instantly becoming excited.
The spirit fox was called Divine Fox, a spirit beast of the Heavenly Realm, the product of both spirit clan and spirit cultivation bloodlines. It was naturally endowed with formidable physical combat power and speed.
But at the same time, the spirit fox was also an extremely rare variant spirit beast in the Heavenly Realm. It could not only fly in the sky but also transform into human form, making it a pet favored by a very small number of gods and cultivators.
The spirit fox was a very intelligent animal, knowing which people could approach its master and how to satisfy its master.
Having received many benefits from its master, it was extremely loyal.
Min Shu actually obtained such a treasure.
No wonder he could escape the net at this moment.
Zhou Xuan did not expect that Min Shu could still be alive.
He then summoned the Qin family, Lü family, Fang family, and Sun family to hold a meeting.
Zhuge Changfeng and Zhuge Qing had grim expressions.
They had given the Azure Luan to Zhou Xuan as a reward.
No one had expected such an outcome.
"I didn't expect Min Shu to self-detonate the magical artifact in such a manner, even affecting the Azure Luan."
Qin Huaiyu snorted coldly: "If your old brain hadn't gone senile and given this thing to Zhou Xuan, how could he have taken it out to show off?"
"That's right, if he hadn't shown off, there would be no problem!"
Qin Chao chimed in with support.
The Fang family remained silent.
The Sun family had not yet recovered.
After all, the gourd was gone, and Sun Tianyou was so angry his chest felt blocked.
Now, the Lü family had the least presence and dared not speak.
Old Huang and the two elders of Qi Xuan went off to drink tea.
They were old and did not wish to get involved in these matters.
Seeing that there was no profit to be made, the others dispersed one by one.
What was supposed to be a grand treasure appraisal meeting ended with a cold farewell.
Zhou Xuan's heart was set.
Seeing the unhappy expressions of Zhuge Qing and Zhuge Changfeng, he stepped forward to apologize.
"I'm truly sorry. I didn't expect that Min Shu would become so erratic and destroy everything."
"It's alright, how can we blame you? Since it's a magical artifact, it must have been affected by the energy waves."
"Yes. Zhou Xuan, you don't need to worry. Although it's a pity, this matter is not something you could control."
Qin Huaiyu was even more depressed and angry than the Zhuge family.
They had gained nothing and had even lost the lives of two important generals.
These were talents that had been painstakingly cultivated and recruited.
Losing even one was significant, and finding replacements was not easy.
There were only so many talented individuals, and they weren't like pulling radishes, always finding one.
Zhou Xuan still felt very apologetic: "Regardless, I am the person in charge, and I made a mistake by not completing the task. How about this, I invite everyone to the Royal Imperial Kitchen for a meal and a game of polo, my treat, and then we can all go play on a yacht?"
Everyone's eyes lit up at the suggestion.
Qin Huaiyu and Zhuge Qing, the younger generation, immediately agreed.
Besides, they wouldn't have to spend their own money.
The entire process was estimated to cost Zhou Xuan tens of millions.
Such an opportunity, for ordinary people, even if they died once, it would be worth it.
However...
"We two old men will just tag along this time. You young people go!"
The Old Master of the Fang family stood up and said with a chuckle.
"Yes, yes. This old man is getting old and wants to live a few more years. Don't delay you youngsters. You go, go, go!"
The Old Master of the Zhuge family, Zhuge Changfeng, echoed the sentiment.
Qin Zhantian was also unwilling to go.
"I don't want to go either, but who asked these old ancestors of yours not to go?"
"If you don't go, how can we youngsters have the nerve to go and have fun?"
Qin Chao said speechlessly.
He also didn't want to get involved, but there was no other way; they were the ancestors.
"If we don't go, you can go by yourselves. We're old and don't like to join in the fun anymore."
Qin Zhantian and Zhuge Changfeng waved their hands simultaneously.
Currently, the major families maintained a temporary balance, appearing peaceful on the surface.
Zhou Xuan looked at them: "Two gentlemen, this..."
They smiled merrily, not listening at all.
"Forget it, they're old, and we won't force them." Qin Chao waved his hand.
Zhou Xuan could only give up.
The young people were like birds released from a cage, eager to fly to mealtime.
Meanwhile, Su Ming had already rushed back to the sect with his men.
The vast Baili Manor once again returned to quietness.
Only Zhou Xuan looked up at the sky.
He knew he had gained another bargaining chip.
Soon, he would be able to make the Qin family crumble overnight without anyone noticing.
That day would come very soon.
And he, unaware, far away in the mountains, Xu Tianhua counted his fingers and calculated.
He immediately stroked his beard and smiled.
"Good boy, you've got it. The time has come, and it's time for your master to see you."
Zhou Xuan, immersed in joy, was unaware that a storm concerning his master, Xu Tianhua, was brewing once more.
Currently, he was playing golf with a large group of aristocratic scions.
After a hearty meal, the guests had pent-up energy.
Immediately, some with lustful desires came up with a wicked idea.
"We've played enough and are tired. Shouldn't a few of us brothers find some good girls to properly rest?"
Someone proposed.
Zhou Xuan smiled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Qin Qingya frowned as she looked at the young master who had spoken.
Thinking back to her own past, she immediately distanced herself from these people.
Although she wished to return to her past state of playing freely when she wanted to, she was now abstinent.
The after-effects of the Peach Blossom Gu made it impossible for her to be like a woman.
"Be careful not to cause any problems. You guys have forgotten the Qin family's..."