Chapter 35: Making the Best Use of Everything

"Shut up!"

Zidian Xiong did not turn his head. His low shout, heavy with unquestionable majesty and resolve, abruptly cut off whatever Zidian Chen was about to say.

Zidian Chen’s face was etched with shock and bewilderment.

The Zidian Wind-Thunder Valley!

That was the foundation of their Zidian family, a sacred training ground discovered and cultivated by their ancestors through the generations. The convergence of wind and thunder energies within the valley was incredibly violent and difficult to control; yet, if one could draw that power into their body, it offered immeasurable benefits for the cultivation of lightning-attribute spirit masters. Within the family, only the most gifted core disciples with the most significant contributions were qualified to enter the outer perimeter of the valley for brief periods of training, and only under the protection of their elders.

And now, his third uncle was going to hand over such a vital place to an outsider—an outsider who had just humiliated their family?

This was absolute madness!

However, Zidian Xiong ignored his nephew's shock. He remained in his bowed posture, awaiting Bai He’s verdict. His palms were already slick with sweat.

Bai He finally set down his teacup and lifted his gaze. A flash of imperceptible sharpness flickered in his cloudy, aged eyes.

The Zidian Wind-Thunder Valley? He had never heard of it. But judging by the name "Wind-Thunder" and Zidian Chen’s intense reaction, this place was clearly no trivial matter.

He glanced at his granddaughter, who was crouching not far away.

Bai Chenxiang had just absorbed the spirit ring of the Wind-Thunder Demon Wolf; her body was currently in a state of harmonious fusion between wind and thunder, her foundation just beginning to solidify. If she could have a place like that to cultivate, the benefits would be...

Bai He’s heart heated up uncontrollably.

Yet, on the surface, he maintained an indifferent, almost bored expression. He extended his pinky finger, leisurely picked his ear, and blew on it.

"Wind, thunder, whatever. Never heard of it," he said lazily. "I’m old, and I prefer peace and quiet. That valley of yours, just the name sounds noisy—thunder crashing and wind howling—it’s not suitable for an old man’s health."

These words nearly caused Zidian Xiong to choke; his face flushed purple. This old monster had deep schemes! He was clearly playing dumb to drive up the price!

Zidian Xiong cursed inwardly, but he dared not show it on his face. He could only explain with even greater humility:

"Senior, you misunderstand. This Zidian Wind-Thunder Valley is no ordinary place. It is a secret base of the Zidian family. The valley is filled with turbulent wind and thunder year-round, creating a unique cultivation environment."

"To be honest," Zidian Xiong forced a bitter smile, his voice tinged with helplessness, "while the energy in the Wind-Thunder Valley is pure, it is also far too violent. Especially the wind energy, which often conflicts with our clan’s domineering lightning power. When our disciples train there, they can mostly only absorb the lightning, all while constantly guarding against the pervasive wind blades. It is high-risk and yields little reward. Thus, for the Zidian family, this treasure trove has become something of a burden—tasteless to keep, but a pity to discard."

At this, he stole a glance at Bai Chenxiang.

"But for this young lady, it is entirely different!" His voice rose, laced with deliberate flattery. "She is a peerless genius, capable of perfectly blending two diametrically opposed powers—wind and thunder. To us, the Wind-Thunder Valley is a place of peril, but for her, it is a tailor-made sanctuary! If she trains there, she will surely be able to harness that wind-thunder energy entirely, and her strength will increase by leaps and bounds!"

The speech was heartfelt, analyzing his own helplessness and her advantages with perfect logic. It complimented Bai Chenxiang while justifying why he was willing to offer up the treasure, sounding reasonable and sincere.

Bai He stroked his chin. He was already eighty percent convinced, but he remained unmoved, eyeing Zidian Xiong sideways.

"Talk is cheap," he pouted. "Who knows if there are man-eating traps in your valley, waiting for my granddaughter and me to fall into."

"I wouldn't dare! I absolutely wouldn't!" Zidian Xiong shivered and began to swear on his life. "I, Zidian Xiong, am willing to swear upon my martial spirit: if there are any traps in the Wind-Thunder Valley, or if I have spoken even half a lie, may my martial spirit shatter and my cultivation never advance another inch!"

A martial spirit oath was the most solemn vow a spirit master could make. Bai He knew the timing was right. If he pushed any further, it might backfire.

Just as he was about to relent, a crisp voice rang out.

"Has anyone died in that valley?"

It was Bai Chenxiang. She had stood up at some point and walked to Bai He’s side, her clear eyes calmly observing the sweat-drenched Zidian Xiong.

The question was plain, yet it struck like a precision scalpel into the most hidden corner of Zidian Xiong’s heart.

Zidian Xiong’s face turned deathly pale. His heart skipped a beat. How did this young girl know?

Bai He was also taken aback, looking at his granddaughter with a questioning gaze. Bai Chenxiang did not look at him; she simply waited for Zidian Xiong’s answer.

Her "Wind Whisper" had caught a faint, discordant note the moment Zidian Xiong uttered the words "Wind-Thunder Valley." It was a fleeting trace of sorrow and resentment mixed within the fear, resolve, and hope. Such emotions should not exist in a business negotiation. The only explanation was that the valley held a painful, unforgettable memory for him.

Seeing Zidian Xiong’s drained face, Bai He realized his granddaughter had once again hit the nail on the head. He chuckled internally; this old fox was still being dishonest, trying to keep secrets.

Bai He’s expression darkened, and he slammed his teacup onto the stone table.

"Speak!"

The sharp shout rang like thunder in Zidian Xiong’s ears. Zidian Xiong’s body trembled violently, his psychological defenses collapsing completely. He slumped to the ground, his eyes unfocused as if lost in distant memories, his voice raspy and disjointed:

"It was my youngest son. Fifteen years ago, his talent was a once-in-a-century occurrence for our clan, surpassing even young Chen. At eighteen, he was already a level 42 Spirit Ancestor. He wasn't satisfied with only absorbing lightning; he wanted to emulate the ancestors mentioned in ancient texts and try to introduce both wind and thunder into his body simultaneously. I was guarding him, but the storm in the valley suddenly turned ten times more violent, and I couldn't hold onto him. He was swept into the eye of the wind. By the time I found him, he was… he was no longer in human form..."

By the end, this spirit king, who usually acted with such authority, was weeping uncontrollably. Behind him, Zidian Chen also looked grief-stricken. That event was the Zidian family’s eternal pain.

The courtyard fell silent, save for Zidian Xiong’s suppressed sobbing.

Bai He was silent. He hadn't expected such a past behind the offer. Although he acted like a rogue, he was not fundamentally an evil man. Seeing the other’s state, his own sense of triumph and mockery faded.

He looked at Bai Chenxiang to gauge her thoughts.

There was no sympathy on Bai Chenxiang’s face, nor was there any schadenfreude; she remained as calm as ever. She simply said to Zidian Xiong:

"My condolences."

Then, she turned to Bai He: "Grandfather, I want to go see it."

Seeing the resolve in his granddaughter’s eyes, Bai He understood. She was not frightened; instead, her interest had been piqued. It was true—risk and opportunity were two sides of the same coin. The more dangerous a place, the greater the fortune it often concealed.

"Fine." Bai He nodded, agreeing.

He then looked at Zidian Xiong, who was recovering from his grief and staring at them in astonishment, and resumed his composed, elder-like manner.

"Enough, stop crying. You’re a grown man, blubbering like that—what does it look like?" He waved his hand. "My granddaughter and I will begrudgingly visit your valley."

"But let’s get the ugly talk out of the way first." Bai He’s gaze sharpened again. "Within this month, if my granddaughter loses even a single hair in that valley, I don't care about the reason or whether it was an accident—I will hold your Zidian family responsible. And at that point, it won't be as simple as just carrying a wolf carcass."

Zidian Xiong jolted and nodded frantically. "Yes! Yes! Rest assured, Senior! I will guard the valley entrance myself and ensure no one disturbs the young lady’s meditation!"

"Good." Bai He nodded with satisfaction. "Now, you can get lost."

"Thank you, Senior! Thank you, Senior!" Zidian Xiong felt as if he had been granted amnesty. He scrambled to his feet, ignoring the clansmen still sprawled on the ground, bowed deeply to Bai He and Bai Chenxiang once more, and bolted out of the Min Hall without looking back. His retreating figure was as frantic as a rabbit chased by hounds for three days and nights.

Watching the Zidian family flee in such disarray, the courtyard of the Min Hall finally returned to peace.

Bai He looked back at his granddaughter, his expression infinitely complex. "Xiangxiang..."

He opened his mouth to say something but didn't know where to begin. In the end, a thousand words condensed into one sentence, filled with the gratification of seeing his own "cabbage" turn out so capable:

"Had you been planning to peel such a large piece of meat off them all along?"

Bai Chenxiang blinked, a cunning smile flashing in her clear eyes. She did not answer. Instead, she walked to the carcass of the Wind-Thunder Demon Wolf, patted its hard skull, and whispered:

"This is what you call truly making the best use of everything."