Seeing that Oscar remained unmoved, Xu Kun hesitated for a long time before taking out an embroidered box.
In front of everyone, Xu Kun opened it, revealing a crystal-clear spirit bone.
Even Xue Qingluan couldn't help raising an eyebrow at the sight.
Oscar looked meaningfully at Xu Kun. The two elders beside him had already closed their eyes again to rest, as if they did not care about the spirit bone at all.
Holding the spirit bone, Xu Kun said solemnly to Oscar, "Young Sect Master, you have a discerning eye. This is a fifteen-thousand-year right arm spirit bone. We offer it as a gift to form a marital alliance with the Grand Elder. Consider this spirit bone our dowry for Qingluan. What do you think, Young Sect Master?"
Before Oscar could answer, Xue Qingluan stood up. "What, when threats don't work, you try temptation instead? A ten-thousand-year spirit bone is the foundation of a sect. As far as I know, your sect only has two, doesn't it? And you're just giving one away like this?"
Xu Kun sighed. "Compared to Que'er, what does a single spirit bone matter? As long as he can inherit the position of Sect Master in the future, we'll have more than just this!"
Hearing Xu Kun speak so openly, Xue Qingluan laughed angrily. "Brother-in-law, what's happened to you? For Xu Que, you're willing to give up a spirit bone and still won't leave Bing'er alone?"
"There are countless women in the world. Can't you just buy a slave girl instead?"
Xu Kun froze for a moment, then glared at her. "Qingluan, what are you saying? Don't you know what the sect's secret technique requires? If an ordinary woman would work, would I go to all this trouble? Besides, Que'er said he'll marry no one but Shui Bing'er in this life. I have no choice."
Ignoring Xue Qingluan, Xu Kun turned to Oscar again. "Young Sect Master, as long as you're willing to cooperate, this spirit bone will be yours. And if the future struggle for the position of Sect Master succeeds, the Xuanming Sect will be Sword Sect's eternal ally. What do you say?"
For most people, such an offer would be extremely tempting. But to Oscar, a mere fifteen-thousand-year spirit bone was nothing compared to a genius like Shui Bing'er.
Did they really think Oscar came just for his teacher's wife? Indeed, he came partly for Xue Qingluan, but another reason was Shui Bing'er.
After what had happened, Shui Bing'er could no longer enter the Xuanming Sect. Nor would she remain at the academy.
This was the perfect time to invite her to join their sect,and to promise her safety.
A genius like Shui Bing'er, given proper resources, could one day reach the Title Douluo level.
Investing early in a future Title Douluo was far more valuable than a single spirit bone.
Since Oscar would eventually leave the Douluo Continent, his remaining power needed successors. The heirs of the four single-attribute clans and talents like Shui Bing'er were all potential candidates.
And if any of them showed great talent or received a god's inheritance, Oscar would only nurture them more.
Shui Bing'er's talent and attributes were well-suited for a certain god, but that was a matter for the future.
Facing Xu Kun's proposal, Oscar said nothing. Xue Qingluan grew uneasy,this was exactly what she feared.
Although Gai Yue was the Sword Sect's Grand Elder, he was not the Sect Master. Matters involving alliances and benefits were not his alone to decide.
The value and allure of a spirit bone were self-evident. And the other party even offered their sect as a guarantor.
A hidden sect might sound minor, but once they revealed themselves, they would be a force to reckon with.
Oscar only smiled. "Senior's offer is indeed generous. But have you considered something?"
Xu Kun frowned, not understanding.
Oscar's smile deepened slightly as he stepped forward and took the embroidered box from Xu Kun's hands.
Xu Kun froze. Did this mean Oscar accepted the offer?
Xue Qingluan's face darkened, unsure what to say.
The two elders remained still, like statues, unmoved by anything happening.
Then Oscar's next words made Xu Kun's face turn pale. "What if I take your spirit bone and imprison you both forever? What would your sect do then?"
Both Xu Kun and Xue Qingfeng's faces went grim. Before they could respond, Oscar spoke again, his tone calm.
"I imagine your sect wouldn't risk a full confrontation with my Sword Sect over the two of you. As long as I claim you've returned home, they'll likely just let it go."
"Besides, Senior, you covet the position of Sect Master. You think your current Sect Master doesn't know?"
Oscar spoke slowly and calmly, as if unconcerned that Xu Kun, a Spirit Douluo, might lash out. He closed the box and turned to Xue Qingluan. "What do you think, Teacher's wife?"
Xue Qingluan opened her mouth but couldn't find any words.
She had imagined many outcomes,but not this. She hadn't expected the Young Sect Master to be so ruthless.
Oscar smiled at her. "This way, the two seniors can stay by your side. Once their spirit power is sealed, they won't be able to cause trouble."
Xue Qingfeng couldn't hold back anymore. "You insolent brat! The Sword Sect has such a grand reputation, and yet you'd stoop so low! Aren't you afraid of ruining your name?"
Xu Kun didn't stop her this time. In fact, his anger burned even hotter than hers.
To become a Grand Elder and covet the position of Sect Master,how could such a man be kind?
Oscar smiled faintly. "Who would know? Everyone thinks the Sword Sect came here for a marriage alliance and a betrothal gift. No one knows there's a hidden sect involved."
Xu Kun's hands trembled. As Oscar said, if they were detained today, their Sect Master might never come to rescue them.
After all, they were from a hidden sect. And without him as Grand Elder, his followers might scatter.
His two sons were of mediocre talent. Xu Que was gifted but utterly lacking in character.
Xu Kun didn't dare think further. He forced his anger down and managed a stiff smile. "Young Sect Master jests. Since the Sword Sect looks down on our Xuanming Sect, we won't insist."
"This spirit bone will serve as Qingluan's dowry. As for Shui Bing'er, we won't mention her again. Will that suffice?"
Oscar's smile faded, his tone calm. "You've thought it through?"
Xu Kun forced out the words through clenched teeth. "I have."
Oscar pressed further. "No regrets?"
Xu Kun quickly held back his furious wife. "No regrets."
"Good. Then I must thank you for your generous gift." Oscar turned to Xue Qingluan, handing her the box. "Teacher's wife, you heard them. This is their dowry gift to you. You should keep it safe."
Xue Qingluan looked embarrassed, glancing at Oscar's harmless smile as she reached out and took the box.
"Young Sect Master, isn't this inappropriate?" she asked hesitantly.
Oscar kept smiling. "Teacher's wife, no need to be so formal. Just call me Little Ao."
"As for inappropriate,surely you wouldn't reject your sister and brother-in-law's blessing? They said it themselves. I didn't force them."
Hearing this, Xue Qingluan's expression grew strange. Though they were her sister and brother-in-law, she couldn't bring herself to pity them,in fact, she felt oddly pleased.
As for Xu Kun and Xue Qingfeng, they wanted nothing more than to tear Oscar apart. But with two Title Douluo sitting there silently approving, they dared not act.
If they made a wrong move, they really might end up prisoners today.
For Xue Qingluan's sake, they might live,but life would be miserable.
Xu Kun said nothing more. This was the law of the world,those with power could act as they pleased.
No one would condemn their dominance. People would only say Xu Kun brought it upon himself.
In this world where the weak are prey to the strong, might makes right. Truth lies at the edge of a sword.
Oscar turned to the couple. "Since your gift has been delivered, I won't keep you. Oh, and please tell your Sect Master that if Xuanming Sect ever wishes to come out of seclusion, the Sword Sect will gladly assist."
Xu Kun initially felt relieved, but Oscar's last words reignited his fury.
Not only had he failed to achieve anything, but he had lost a spirit bone for nothing. And now Oscar's offer of 'help' had closed off any chance of retaliation.
What could he tell his Sect Master?
Slander the Sword Sect? Maybe,but once the two sects made contact, today's truth would come out. When the Sword Sect extended goodwill, would his Sect Master believe his story?
Xu Kun's face darkened completely. He swung his sleeve angrily and dragged Xue Qingfeng out.
As they reached the door, Xue Qingfeng turned back to glare at Xue Qingluan. "Since you care nothing for decades of sisterhood, from now on,"
Before she could finish, Xu Kun pulled her away violently, not daring to let her continue.
But Xue Qingluan knew what she meant. Her sister had always been kind-hearted but naive,good, yet easily misled.
Xue Qingluan wanted to explain, but no words came out.
Oscar watched them leave, then crouched beside her. "Teacher's wife, did I do something wrong?"
Xue Qingluan looked at him, then smiled bitterly and shook her head. "You didn't. My sister and brother-in-law didn't either. The one at fault is that brat."
She glanced at the box in her hands. "Still, you shouldn't have taken this spirit bone. I already feel guilty toward my sister, and now you,"
Oscar smiled. "The spirit bone is yours. What you do with it is none of my business."
Xue Qingluan was clever. She understood that Oscar meant he wouldn't claim the spirit bone, and she could return it at any time under her own name.
That gave her a way to ease the tension later.
She was surprised,this was a ten-thousand-year spirit bone, yet this young man showed no greed. From the start, everything he'd done had been for her sake.
She had heard of Oscar before and held great expectations for him. But now, seeing him in person, she realized he seemed far more mature than his years.
If she were in his place, she might not have handled things so perfectly.
Was this really just a seventeen-year-old boy?
So this was what the heir of a great sect looked like. No wonder the Sword Sect had risen to fame across the continent in just a few years.
Thinking of that useless Xu Que and then looking at the composed, handsome youth before her, she couldn't help but sigh.
"Little Ao, thank you," she said softly.
Oscar stood and poured her more tea. "Please don't say that. Before I came, Teacher told me if I didn't handle things well, he'd make me pay for it later."
At that, the two elders' lips twitched in amusement.
Xue Qingluan couldn't help but smile and lightly tapped Oscar on the arm. "I haven't even married into the sect yet, and you dare tease your teacher's wife already?"
Oscar didn't dodge, smiling innocently. "I wouldn't dare again. Just please don't tell Teacher."
She glared playfully. "Didn't you just say you wouldn't dare? The moment they left, you turn mischievous again?"
Oscar grinned. "Alright, no more teasing. Let's talk business."
Xue Qingluan regained her composure, hesitated for a moment, and finally stored the box away in her soul guide.
Oscar had given her both the choice and the way to make amends. She had no reason to refuse.
After all, her sister was her only living relative,she couldn't just sever ties completely.
"Alright, what business?"
Oscar sat back down, took a sip of tea, and said, "Your disciple."
Xue Qingluan's eyebrow twitched. "What, you want to be with Bing'er…"
Before she could finish, Oscar nearly spat out his tea.
"Teacher's wife, please don't misunderstand. I mean, after everything that's happened, isn't it better if she doesn't stay here? The Sword Sect has plenty of resources. One more person won't make a difference."
Seeing Oscar's flustered look, Xue Qingluan couldn't help laughing softly. "I'm teasing you. But do you think I'd just hand over such a talented girl so easily?"
Oscar stared at her in disbelief. Just moments ago she hadn't seemed so shrewd.
Gracefully lifting her teacup, Xue Qingluan said, "I'm no fool. You think you can get something for nothing from me?"
Oscar thought for a moment. "Well, better to keep it in the family. You're my teacher's wife, soon to be the Grand Elder's lady. Isn't it only natural for your disciple to cultivate within the Sword Sect?"
Setting down her cup, Xue Qingluan said, "I'll ask Bing'er myself."
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