As Chen Zhendong and his sister found themselves in a difficult position, unsure of how to choose, a figure strode in amidst the adulation of the many powerful figures from Wanqi Island.
"Brother Chen! Miss Chen! I am Wan Guanning, the Young Island Master of Wanqi Island. Though I am far away on Wanqi Island, I have often heard of your great names. To meet you today, it truly is better than hearing about you. You are both even more outstanding than the rumors suggest, truly heaven-sent prodigies, like dragons among men."
Wan Guanning praised them with a smile.
Chen Zhendong was almost floating on clouds from Wan Guanning's flattery.
One must know that this Young Island Master ranked much higher than himself among the younger generation of the thirty-six islands in the Stormy Sea. His cultivation had already reached the late Golden Core stage, with boundless potential.
These words, coming from Wan Guanning's mouth, were truly a great comfort to Chen Zhendong, making him feel as elated as if he were drunk.
"Not at all, Brother Wan, you flatter me!"
"Brother Chen, please don't be modest. What I say comes from the bottom of my heart, not a single word is false."
Wan Guanning appeared to be speaking with utmost sincerity.
"I have long heard that your sister is as beautiful as a celestial maiden, truly a peerless beauty! Wan greets you." Wan Guanning's gaze swept across Chen Xia's classical, beautiful oval face, a hint of lustful light flashing in the depths of his eyes.
"Thank you for your praise, Young Master Wan. Chen Xia feels unworthy," Chen Xia responded with a graceful bow.
Wan Guanning withdrew his gaze, his face adopting an approachable demeanor, smiling amiably. Inwardly, however, he was plotting how to ensnare the siblings.
Suddenly, an idea struck him.
With immense enthusiasm, he addressed the Chen siblings, "I just heard that your Hongtian Island intends to select some precious treasures as gifts for the Undying Holy City. Since you think highly of our Wanqi Island, I absolutely cannot let you incur expenses!"
"Guards, pack this Sea-Splitting Divine Halberd, this Bright Saint Heavenly Heart Pill, the Sea Shark Blood Crystal Stone, and this jar of Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Heart Marrow Milk. Give them all to Brother Chen and Miss Chen to take back. I also wish to present Miss Chen with a small token of my personal regard: this bottle of Moon Radiance Sacred Visage Pill, a low-grade Earth-tier Golden Core, which can allow women to maintain eternal youth and an unaging appearance. Please, Miss Chen, do not refuse."
"How can this be!"
Chen Zhendong's jaw dropped in surprise, and he quickly waved his hands, saying somewhat nervously, "So many treasures, their combined value far exceeds five million low-grade Profound-tier pills. We cannot accept favors without earning them, how can we possibly take Brother Wan's things! We must pay."
Wan Guanning replied, "If Brother Chen refuses, it means you look down on me! This is merely a small token of my regard, to make friends with Hongtian Island and you siblings. Moreover, our thirty-six immortal islands in the Stormy Sea are of one heart and share deep affection. In the future, when Brother Chen ascends to the leadership of Hongtian Island, we will have many matters to rely on you for. If these items can help me forge a good relationship with Brother Chen, I will be content."
Chen Zhendong was already wavering.
This was like pie falling from the sky; it would be foolish not to accept it!
It meant saving five million low-grade Profound-tier pills, a truly astronomical sum for him.
Furthermore, when he told his father about this, it would bring him great honor!
How valuable was his reputation? Young Island Master Wan was gifting him treasures worth over five million low-grade Profound-tier spirit pills for free.
Chen Xia, however, remained very clear-headed and insisted on paying.
Wan Guanning inwardly sneered. He had set a trap for them; if they didn't fall into it, how could it work?
He feigned anger, saying, "It seems Brother Chen and Miss Chen look down on me, Wan, and dismiss these common trinkets from our Wanqi Island as worthless. If you insist on refusing, they are useless to me, and I shall destroy them all!"
Chen Zhendong's last vestige of resistance crumbled.
He quickly said with a fawning smile, "Young Master Wan, please do not be angry, we will accept them!"
Chen Xia still wanted to object, but Chen Zhendong stopped her with a stern look.
He thought to himself, "My sister is truly stubborn, not knowing how to take advantage of benefits! Judging by Young Master Wan's demeanor, he is clearly interested in my sister. If I had such a generous brother-in-law, I would surely benefit as well!"
Chen Zhendong felt increasingly smug.
Wan Guanning, his wicked plan having succeeded, was beaming with joy and unparalleled enthusiasm, personally escorting the Chen siblings out.
"We still have to rush to Undying City, so please excuse us for not staying longer. We will definitely pay a visit another day, Young Master Wan, please do not see us out!" Chen Zhendong now found Wan Guanning more and more agreeable.
Wan Guanning replied, "Coincidentally, I also have other matters to attend to. I shall not see you off then." Wan Guanning escorted the Chen siblings out of the twelfth floor of the Wanqi Tower.
Upon returning to the first floor of the Wanqi Tower, still immersed in the immense joy of the unexpected windfall, Chen Zhendong couldn't help but smugly say to Chen Xia, "Sister, this is what you call status! Even a prodigy like Wan Guanning is eager to curry favor with me, gifting such valuable treasures with both hands. I doubt even people from the Three Great Holy Lands would fare any better!"
"Hmph, that fellow named Ling, who knows where he popped out from, a country bumpkin, a vulgar person, arrogant and looking down on everyone. Relying on two beasts, he dares to act presumptuously on our Hongtian Island's ship. When I report this matter later, I'm afraid he'll be so envious his eyeballs will fall out. Let him know the astonishing power of our Hongtian Island!"
Chen Zhendong was already contemplating how to humiliate Ling Fan later.
However, at that very moment.
A stern shout boomed through the first floor of the Wanqi Tower.
Four elders of Wanqi Tower suddenly appeared, unleashing four terrifying Quasi-Saint auras, locking onto the siblings Chen Zhendong and Chen Xia.
"Audacious thieves! How dare you steal the treasures of my Wanqi Tower!"
Boom!
The four Quasi-Saint elders of Wanqi Tower descended, surrounding Chen Zhendong and Chen Xia.
This sudden turn of events stunned all the guests on the first floor.
What was going on?
Chen Zhendong's mind was a bit fuzzy; he hadn't yet grasped who dared to steal in the Wanqi Tower.
Hmph.
Young Master Wan was so good to him, he supposed he had to help Wanqi Tower today and catch the thief!
However, he soon realized something was amiss.
Because...
The targets of the four Wanqi Tower elders were precisely them, the siblings.
"Wh-what is the meaning of this!"
Chen Zhendong exclaimed in surprise.
"Hmph, how dare you feign ignorance. Do you not know what you have done?"
One of the Wanqi Tower elders sneered coldly.
"Hand over all the treasures you stole from our Wanqi Tower! Otherwise, this elder will enforce the rules of Wanqi Tower, and even if you are from Hongtian Island, you will be struck down on the spot."
That Wanqi Tower elder berated them sternly, the immense pressure, like towering mountains, bearing down on Chen Zhendong and Chen Xia, making it difficult for them to breathe.
"I... I didn't!"
Chen Zhendong was completely intimidated by the pressure from the four Quasi-Saint powerhouses, his tongue tied, his mind a blank.