Chapter 235: Chapter 234: I Am the Mansion Master

Some sects already had no fondness for the Netherworld Empire, and being forced to present gifts now only filled them with resentment. Yet, no matter how resentful they felt, they had to give something. Otherwise, they would be the only ones to suffer.

After all, the man was a minister of the Netherworld Empire, wielding immense power. He had even made a brutal example of someone right at the start to establish his dominance. The consequence of disobedience was to end up like that other faction—wiped from the face of the Celestial Realm Continent.

"Mansion Master, what should we do... It seems we have very little to offer," the Grand Elder said, mortified. While the Celestial Extreme Mansion wasn’t completely destitute, it truly had few precious items left.

Judging by the gifts others were presenting, each was more impressive than the last. The minimum standard seemed to be a high-grade Soul Artifact; anything less and the official wouldn’t even give it a second glance. The problem was, they didn’t even possess a high-grade Soul Artifact. That was the awkward part. They had a few mid-grade ones, but those weren’t presentable enough.

"Don’t worry. I have a few things stashed away."

’He did, in fact, have high-grade Soul Artifacts. He’d killed plenty of Spirit Pill Stage experts, and they had dropped a few high-grade Soul Artifacts. Some he’d sold, others he hadn’t. He’d kept the best ones, planning to give them to the women of the Merak Sect to use when he returned.’

The Grand Elder and the others were taken aback, which only made them feel more awkward. Even though Yi Tianyun was their Mansion Master, having to rely on him to provide the gift was truly humiliating.

"It fills me with such hatred just thinking about it... Our previous Mansion Master was nearly killed, and now we have to give a gift to the Netherworld Empire... I hate this! I hate how weak and insignificant I am!" The Grand Elder felt as if his heart was bleeding. It was like being slapped across the face multiple times, only to have to smile back. The humiliation was absolutely degrading.

"Don’t worry," Yi Tianyun said with a cold smile as he watched Cheng Fen. "I’ll make him pay a price for this."

"Mansion Master, don’t be reckless!" The Grand Elder was alarmed. He knew Yi Tianyun was daring, but this man was a minister of the Netherworld Empire. If Yi Tianyun actually tried something, the Celestial Extreme Mansion would undoubtedly be annihilated!

"Relax, I’m not that reckless." Yi Tianyun wasn’t a fool; he knew who he was up against. ’If I were alone, I wouldn’t be afraid of stirring up trouble. But with the Celestial Extreme Mansion to consider, I can’t do anything out in the open.’

Just as they were about to say more, Nan Fengyun stepped forward. He presented a Jade Box and said respectfully, "Lord Cheng, this is a high-grade Soul Artifact... furthermore, it is one inscribed with a fifth-grade Divine Rune. I am certain it will be to your satisfaction!"

As he spoke, he opened the Jade Box, revealing a translucent longsword. Cheng Fen’s eyes immediately lit up. He took it out for a look and nodded in satisfaction. "A very fine Soul Artifact. This fifth-grade Divine Rune increases damage, does it not?"

"Correct. It can boost damage output by two tiers. I trust you’ll be satisfied!" Nan Fengyun smiled, but inwardly, his heart ached. This was his personal sword, and now he had to give it to Cheng Fen. How could it not pain him?

It was mainly because this was all so sudden. Who normally keeps a prepared gift on hand? As a result, many ended up offering their personal weapons or the Spirit Medicines they had been planning to use. They were all smiles on the surface, but inwardly, they were fuming.

"Mm, not bad. I’ve long heard that the Divine Rune Mansion’s skill in Engraving Divine Patterns is impressive, and it seems the rumors are true," Cheng Fen said with a smile. "By the way, we have a Spirit Race expert in the Imperial City currently. If you have the time, I could recommend an exchange between you two?"

’A Spirit Race expert...’ Nan Fengyun’s eyes lit up, and he hurriedly bowed. "Many thanks, Lord Cheng!"

Now the gift finally seemed worth it. Many onlookers cast envious glances his way. The one thing the Divine Rune Mansion needed most was Divine Runes, and the Spirit Race possessed profound mastery in this field. If they could have an exchange, they might obtain some very Rare Divine Runes. It would be a massive gain.

Then, Nan Fengyun turned his head, glanced over at Yi Tianyun, and smirked. "It seems it’s the Celestial Extreme Mansion’s turn to present their gift, isn’t it? I wonder what you’ll be offering. I’ve heard the Celestial Extreme Mansion is quite strapped for cash lately. Many disciples have even left because the resources are so poor. Tsk, tsk... You can’t retain loyalty with such meager resources."

’Of course Nan Fengyun wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to mock him.’ Yi Tianyun knew his Sin Value was high enough to easily draw the ire of idiots like this.

Yi Tianyun’s expression remained placid as he stepped forward. All eyes focused on him, wondering why he was personally delivering the gift instead of the Grand Elder. The Mansion Master’s absence was already a grave insult; to have a mere disciple present the gift was even worse. Many people felt that the Celestial Extreme Mansion was done for.

Of course, Cheng Fen knew about the Celestial Extreme Mansion’s situation. Their Mansion Master had been beaten half to death; how could he possibly show up?

"Such audacity from the Celestial Extreme Mansion!" Nan Fengyun sneered when he saw Yi Tianyun approach. "Your Mansion Master’s absence is already disrespectful to Lord Cheng, and now not even an elder is willing to present the gift? What is the meaning of this!"

Nan Fengyun acted like one of Cheng Fen’s lackeys, furiously making accusations on his behalf.

Cheng Fen’s expression darkened as well. He knew the Celestial Extreme Mansion’s circumstances, but seeing Yi Tianyun present the gift still left him deeply displeased.

"There’s no hidden meaning. I am the Mansion Master. Is there a problem?" Yi Tianyun stated calmly, making the public announcement at this grand occasion.

His words stunned everyone, including the Grand Elder and his contingent. They never imagined Yi Tianyun would reveal his identity here.

"What? You’re the Mansion Master?" Nan Fengyun was stunned for a moment before turning to the Grand Elder to demand, "Elder of the Celestial Extreme Mansion, I ask you, is he truly your Mansion Master?!"

"Yes, he is our Mansion Master!" the Grand Elder declared in a firm, resonant voice, feeling no shame whatsoever.

Upon confirmation, the news struck the crowd like a clap of thunder. Everyone was stunned. No wonder the Grand Elder hadn’t stepped forward himself—it turned out the youth before them was the Mansion Master of the Celestial Extreme Mansion!

Nan Fengyun immediately burst into laughter. "Oh, Celestial Extreme Mansion, how far you have fallen! To let a foolish brat act as your Mansion Master... It just goes to show there’s no one of any worth left in your faction!"

"Whether we have capable people or not has nothing to do with you," Yi Tianyun said, completely ignoring Nan Fengyun. This dismissal made Nan Fengyun fume internally. He desperately wanted to attack, but with Cheng Fen right there, he didn’t dare lash out.

He then walked up to Cheng Fen and took out a high-grade Soul Artifact, from which a chilly aura emanated. "This is the Ice Divine Sword, a high-grade Soul Artifact," he explained. "Please accept it, Lord Cheng."

The sword looked quite decent. More importantly, the fact that the Celestial Extreme Mansion could still produce a high-grade Soul Artifact showed that they weren’t as destitute as the rumors claimed.

"Good, good. This weapon is quite fine, not at all inferior to the gift from the Southern Mansion Master. I accept it..." Cheng Fen nodded, his eyes narrowing. "To become a Mansion Master at such a young age... it seems you have a limitless future."

"Thank you for your praise, Lord Cheng!"

Yi Tianyun cupped his fist in a salute and smiled. As he did, he gave a subtle flick of his fingers. A faint glimmer of light flashed for an instant before vanishing into Cheng Fen’s body. No one saw it, not even Cheng Fen himself.

’What he had just flicked was nothing good. It was the Bad Luck Divine Pill he’d obtained a long time ago. He had no idea what it actually did, but now seemed like a good time to find out. He just wondered what kind of effect it would have.’

’The pill didn’t need to be ingested; it just had to be released. It had slipped into Cheng Fen’s body completely undetected. As for when the effects would manifest, he had no idea.’