Two Realms Shuttle Gate: Don't Call Me a Demon!

Su Jie ultimately didn't let Ning Xinyue leave, and even had a lavish lunch imposed on him by her.

With Su Jie's return, the news of his emergence spread mouth to mouth, and soon, many in the sect knew about it.

"Young master, there are quite a few people outside seeking an audience."

A servant came to report, informing Su Jie of the situation.

"An audience with me? Why?"

Su Jie was puzzled as he had only a few friends within the sect.

After some thought, Su Jie decided to go out.

At the entrance of his residence, Su Jie saw many distinguished individuals gathered there, some were managers of mines and medicinal gardens, others were responsible for distributing rewards to disciples, and some were related to certain Elders, all influential figures of Ghost Ridge Palace, with power only second to the Elders.

"Mr. Su, ha-ha, congratulations on your emergence. We've recently harvested many spirit plants at Pan'an Valley, and thought you might find them useful. Here are some for you to try."

A portly middle-aged man bowed slightly, his face adorned with a warm smile.

"Manager Ji, you are too kind."

The man in front of Su Jie was familiar, someone responsible for a certain Spirit Medicine Valley plantation at Ghost Ridge Palace, not a realm as secretive as the Secret Realm, but his brother was, which was why he got this lucrative position.

"Mr. Su, this is our Hundred Flower Garden's self-brewed Spiritual Wine, a token for you to taste."

"Mr. Su, my master sends you 10 servants and 10 pounds of Bodhi Iron."

"Mr. Su, my young daughter is 20, the perfect age for marriage..."

A crowd of people eagerly pressed around, continuously flattering and offering gifts.

"Thank you all for your generosity, but why are you giving me so many gifts? Can someone tell me why?"

Su Jie was baffled, not understanding why these people were so enthusiastic, both giving gifts and offering their daughters, why he had become so popular.

"It's... There are rumors that Mr. Su, your recent cultivation retreat was tremendously rewarding, and that you'll soon break through to the Secret Realm."

Someone spoke up, explaining the reason.

Su Jie realized then that these people had heard a distorted rumor; they were eagerly trying to curry favor with him, hoping to get on his good side before his breakthrough to the Secret Realm.

"Who started that rumor? I'm currently at the Ninth level of the Yunling Realm; I'm still a good distance from breaking through. Please, take your gifts back."

Su Jie shook his head, unwilling to take advantage of these offerings.
Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire

"The rumors must be true then."

"Mr. Su was promoted to inner disciple less than half a year ago and has already reached the Ninth Level of the Yunling Realm. Within a year, he shouldn't need to break through to the Secret Realm."

"Please accept these gifts, Mr. Su; let them be early congratulations for our sect having another Elder soon."

"I also have a distant niece, gentle and virtuous, definitely a good match."

"My daughter is exceptionally beautiful, even more suitable."

"Stop it, my Wan'er..."

Contrary to his intentions, Su Jie's words made the influential figures at the door even more eager, warming up more than before.

These people, recognizing Su Jie's progressive stages in prowess, were determined he would someday ascend to the Secret Realm and insisted on currying favor with him.

Su Jie, helpless, faced the enthusiastic crowd, unable to chase them away, and was coerced into accepting the gifts, though he dismissed any thoughts of a marriage alliance.

When everyone had finally left, Su Jie wiped the sweat from his forehead, more worn out than after a great battle.

"Su Jie, with so many wanting to marry their daughters to you, why aren't you interested?"

Ning Xinyue had been peeking from behind the door the whole time and immediately jumped out when she saw everyone leave.

"I really don't want to be tied down in marriage."

Su Jie placed the gift into the storage bag, then turned to Ning Xinyue and said, "You should probably go back now."

"Someone else is coming, I'll go in first."

Ning Xinyue swiftly made an excuse and disappeared back inside, vanishing from sight.

"This girl."

Su Jie turned around to see a man dressed in elegant white approaching.

This person had a handsome and refined appearance, eyebrows as white as snow, eyes bright as stars, and emitted a warm smile, much like a refreshing breeze.

Upon seeing this person, Su Jie's eyes slightly squinted.

This person was not like the previous nobles; he was a genuine disciple, and moreover, he was a recognized master among the disciples.

In Ghost Ridge Palace, there were three inner disciples at the Ten Levels of the Yunling Realm acknowledged as the strongest.

The three were Xiao Fengyuan, Qi Shijian, and Luo Jian, but Su Jie had only previously dealt with Xiao Fengyuan.

And now, the person before him was one of the three, Qi Shijian.

"Mr. Su, I've long admired your renowned name," Qi greeted with a smile before he even spoke, his serene and radiant aura naturally drawing others in, creating a sense of warmth and familiarity.

"In front of Qi, I wouldn't dare mention any renowned name."

Su Jie clasped his hands together; this person was among the older generation of strong disciples, and Su Jie, being newer to gaining renown, was somewhat inferior.

"Hehe, Mr. Su, you are being too modest. Your battle with Du Shaochang tremendously boosted the morale of numerous disciples within the sect, and now everyone in the sect knows your name."

"May I know what brings Brother Qi here this time?"

Su Jie didn't engage in much small talk, as he hadn't previously interacted with this person, and his sudden appearance felt somewhat strange.

"It's like this, during my skirmishes with the Righteous Disciples, I accidentally discovered a vein of Vajra Tribulation Jade Ore, but there are many Green Sea Red Scorpions around, and my power alone is insufficient. Informing the sect would mean limited rewards, so I thought to find someone to collaborate and conquer this ore vein together. I estimate that the site could produce over a hundred pieces of jade, and we could extract everything in about a week, then split the proceeds fifty-fifty afterward."

Qi Shijian explained his intentions, speaking very sincerely.

Vajra Tribulation Jade Ore is an extremely precious mineral, primarily used to forge Mid Grade Magical Artifacts, and a single piece of Vajra Tribulation Jade can sell for over a thousand Blood Marrow Crystals.

If things are as Qi Shijian described, then the hundred pieces of Vajra Tribulation Jade could amount to an astonishing total of one hundred thousand Blood Marrow Crystals. With an equal split, that would be a staggering fifty thousand Blood Marrow Crystals each.

"Is this true?"

Su Jie was astounded; such a fortunate affair seemed rare.

"Absolutely true, this is one piece I mined before."

While speaking, Qi Shijian also took out a piece of Vajra Tribulation Jade, pure and flawless, its surface smooth like a mirror, and under the sunlight, it reflected a dazzling radiance.

Su Jie nodded firmly and said, "If that's the case, what are we waiting for? Qi, you should go find someone else."

"Mr. Su, you aren't willing to collaborate?"

Qi Shijian's facial expression clearly exhibited great surprise at Su Jie's response.

"Indeed, I am not interested in this."

Su Jie responded without a second thought. For pies falling from the sky, Su Jie felt his luck wasn't that good.

"Alright then, I'll look for someone else to collaborate with."

Qi Shijian seemed somewhat regretful but did not persist further.

As he walked away, Qi Shijian's face suddenly darkened.

Su Jie watched Qi Shijian disappear into the distance and muttered to himself, "Considering the nature of a demon cultivator, finding a vein of Vajra Tribulation Jade Ore and kindly looking to share the profits seems highly suspicious."

That was also why Su Jie was unwilling to go. Although unclear about Qi Shijian's intentions, Su Jie was not about to take that risk.