Chapter 127

Chapter 127

The golden dragon was left speechless once more. After stammering for a long while, it finally came up with an excuse.

"Ha! That’s because... I wanted to test your honesty! In truth, I already knew the moment your axe fell. The other two axes were meant as your reward."

Qin Han replied, "I seek no unearned gains. I only want my own axe. Return it, and I’ll be on my way."

The golden dragon hesitated. "…You really don’t want them?"

Qin Han’s gaze suddenly turned cold. "In broad daylight, in these desolate mountains, a monster suddenly appears offering you two treasures—would you take them? Bold demon, I saw through your deceit at a glance! Speak! Have you been preying on travelers here?"

Seeing Qin Han’s righteous aura surge, the golden dragon’s form began to shrink. It tucked its head in, as if preparing to flee!

"Thinking of running? Not a chance!"

"Soul Control Art!"

With a thunderous boom, the High Priest and several other Bosses made their grand entrance. The moment they spotted the golden dragon, they lunged at it in a frenzy.

Before long, a golden, four-legged serpent no thicker than a thumb lay trembling at Qin Han’s feet. Beside it were three axes. The tiny snake cowered, shivering in fear.

"Don’t kill me! Don’t kill me! I was only sent by the sect to test you—I truly meant no harm!"

Qin Han narrowed his eyes.

This serpent was known as the Desire Serpent, an exceedingly rare creature even across the Myriad Heavens. It fed on human greed—the stronger the desire it encountered, the more powerful it grew. Conversely, when faced with someone of unwavering integrity, it would shrink and weaken.

In short, it was a special Monster Beast that thrived on human vice, growing stronger with wickedness and weaker with virtue. At its weakest, even an ordinary person could subdue it, but at its peak, it could rival the mightiest experts of the Myriad Heavens.

Judging by its appearance, this serpent hadn’t yet reached maturity. If allowed to grow to its full form and used to exploit the weaknesses of powerful figures, it could prove invaluable at critical moments.

However, this serpent clearly belonged to the Tai Xu Sect. Trying to claim it now might lower his evaluation.

After a moment’s thought, Qin Han said, "Fine. Go back. Take the axes with you."

With that, he turned and left without a shred of hesitation.

Meanwhile, within the Tai Xu Sect...

Elder Bai stroked his beard repeatedly, his aged face brimming with satisfaction.

"Excellent! Truly eye-opening! To find someone who embodies caution, decisiveness, insight, and integrity all at once—such a rare seedling is hard to come by even in ten thousand years!"

"Outstanding! Top marks! He must receive the highest evaluation!"

Elsewhere...

Chen Chaoxi found himself in a desperate struggle. He hadn’t expected this seemingly insignificant golden dragon to be so troublesome. From the first exchange, he was at a disadvantage, and as the fight dragged on, he was gradually overpowered.

Forced to feign an opening and take a wound as the price, he barely managed to escape in disarray.

Fortunately, after traveling several kilometers, the golden dragon didn’t pursue him further.

Just as he took some medicine and continued forward at a slow pace, a carriage suddenly appeared ahead. But the moment it reached him, one of its wheels fell off.

A young man dressed in Tai Xu Sect disciple robes stepped down and quickly approached Chen Chaoxi.

"Are you here to participate in the sect’s entrance examination?"

Chen Chaoxi gave the other person a cautious glance before finally replying, "Yes."

The young disciple said, "That’s excellent! Since you’ve made it this far, you’re practically a disciple of our sect already. As you can see, the carriage wheel has broken off, and it’s carrying sect supplies."

"How about this—I’ll go back and fetch someone to repair it, and you keep watch here for me. Is that alright?"

Chen Chaoxi: "..."

"Fine."

The young disciple: "You’re a good one! Once you join the sect, I’ll look out for you."

With that, the young man quickly departed.

Chen Chaoxi sat on the ground, feeling somewhat uneasy.

Damn it, is something else about to go wrong again?

Haven’t I run into enough trouble along the way already?

No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than a cry suddenly rang out from the woods.

"Is there a Tai Xu Sect disciple here? I am an inner sect senior sister, under attack by bandits! Save me quickly!"

"Save me quickly!"

A rough voice sneered, "Little lady, even if you scream your lungs out, no one’s coming to save you. Better surrender quietly!"