The so-called "Chaos Jade Scroll" was, of course, a complete fabrication by Nie Kong, something he'd invented after stealing it from Kou Xilai and his group. Since Kou Xilai and the others were dead anyway, he could say whatever he pleased.

Sweeping his gaze over the crowd, Nie Kong’s expression suddenly darkened, and he let out a cold sneer. "Frankly, I had a good impression of the Pill Immortal Sect, which is why I agreed to stay on as an elder. But I never expected Taishu Yan to be such a despicable wretch, planning to use me to refine the 'Chaos Heavenly Fire' from the lower scroll before refining me to aid his cultivation of Chaos Divine Power! To think such a person could become the Sect Master of the Pill Immortal Sect—I am truly ashamed for all of you!"

"What?"

Nie Kong's words erupted like a stone into still water, sending massive ripples across the sky high above.

Taishu Yan’s spirit shuddered violently. When he had attempted to absorb the Heavenly Fire in the secret chamber beneath the Thousand Mechanisms Hall today, all the passages were sealed. Not even a Martial Marquis could have known what transpired inside. Yet, this "Tai Shuang" knew exactly what he had muttered under his breath. What was going on?

However, Taishu Yan was no ordinary person. After a momentary blank of less than a second, he snapped back to awareness and scoffed dismissively, "Slander! Tai Shuang, you think you can distract everyone by slandering me? A pipe dream! Hand over the 'Chaos Jade Scroll,' and perhaps my Pill Immortal Sect can spare your life."

"Exactly! This Tai Shuang is clearly trying to confuse the masses!"

"Tai Shuang, obediently surrender both parts of the 'Chaos Jade Scroll,' and we might still spare your life!"

"Dare to be so presumptuous in the Pill Immortal Sect? You won't leave Divine Splendor Peak today!"

"..."

The crowd quickly regained their senses. On one side stood their Sect Master; on the other, a perpetrator running rampant within the Pill Immortal Sect. Who to trust was blindingly clear.

"Hand over the scroll?"

Nie Kong let out a derisive laugh, his eyes locking onto Wu Hou. "Wu Hou, do you think so too? And Zhuang Yu, what is your opinion? Do you also covet the 'Chaos Jade Scroll'?"

Thanks to the diversion, the expressions of Wu Hou and Zhuang Yu had calmed considerably.

But before either of them could speak, Nie Kong burst into laughter. "Since you all desire the 'Chaos Jade Scroll,' why shouldn't I return it to you?" As he spoke, a thin booklet shimmered into existence in his palm, its surface crystalline like jade, flames churning within—it was indeed the "Chaos Jade Scroll."

"Take it!"

Nie Kong flicked his right hand, and the Chaos Jade Scroll flew towards the crowd.

Everyone was momentarily stunned. Though they didn't know by what means this "Tai Shuang" had retrieved the scroll from the treasure vault, he had caused such a massive disturbance precisely to claim it for himself. Yet now, without the slightest hesitation, he was simply giving it back.

Could the scroll be fake?

The crowd immediately dismissed the thought. The aura of Heavenly Fire emanating from the scroll could not possibly be counterfeit.

"Whoosh!"

The "Chaos Jade Scroll" crossed hundreds of meters of space in the blink of an eye, arriving before Taishu Yan.

Taishu Yan's complexion changed drastically. His first thought was not to catch the "Chaos Jade Scroll," but to dodge. The image of the rampaging Heavenly Fire in the passage still haunted him. But he was the Sect Master of the Pill Immortal Sect, with dozens of elders standing behind him. If he dodged now, how could he command respect in the future?

Gritting his teeth, Taishu Yan immediately mobilized nearly all the power of his Dharma Manifestation, condensing it into a giant Fire Vulture that shot towards the scroll like a streak of light.

"Bang!"

To Taishu Yan's utter surprise, the "Chaos Jade Scroll" remained completely inert this time, easily struck by the Fire Vulture. The immense power of the Dharma Manifestation pressed down like monstrous waves, and under the force, the scroll was actually repelled backward at an even greater speed.

"Sect Master, you..."

Seeing this scene, dozens of elders, including Luan Yexin, stared at each other in astonishment. While they knew the might of the "Chaos Heavenly Fire," they hadn't witnessed the events in the passage firsthand. They were greatly confused by Taishu Yan's action—if he didn't want to catch the item returned to him, why blast it away?

"Whoosh!"

The scroll, like a streak of firelight, whistled back to Nie Kong, who snatched it up.

Nie Kong threw back his head and roared with laughter, his eyes brimming with mocking amusement. "Treasures of the world belong only to the virtuous. It seems your Sect Master has realized he is lacking in virtue and capability, unworthy of possessing such a treasure, and has sent the 'Chaos Jade Scroll' back to me. I am truly unworthy."

Shaking his head and sighing dramatically, Nie Kong adopted an air of being perfectly reasonable. "If I took the scroll now, I doubt you would all be convinced. How about this: I will return it one more time. Whoever wishes to catch it may try. If you catch it, it remains the Pill Immortal Sect's property."

With that, Nie Kong tossed the "Chaos Jade Scroll" toward the opposite side again. The hundreds of meters of space vanished in a flash, and the scroll was suddenly less than fifty meters from the crowd.

"I will catch it!"

A robust shout rang out from the crowd, followed by an exceptionally burly man stepping forward. He covered tens of meters in a single stride, his fan-like hand reaching out toward the scroll.

"Come back!"

Wu Hou and Zhuang Yu roared simultaneously. A giant, fiery-red cauldron and a purple longsword shot out from their bodies, arriving faster than the strongman. In an instant, they zipped past him and struck the scroll, which was almost within his grasp. Due to the impact, the scroll shot back lightning-fast once more.

"Martial Uncle Wu, Martial Uncle Zhuang, what are you doing..."

The strongman froze, his hand still outstretched in the motion of grasping. His bell-like eyes were filled with confusion.

It wasn't just him; the dozens of Ninth-Tier experts standing in the void were also utterly perplexed. It was one thing for Taishu Yan not to catch the "Chaos Jade Scroll," but now even Wu Hou and Zhuang Yu were adopting the same stance as the Sect Master. Wu Hou and Zhuang Yu were the strongest figures in the Pill Immortal Sect, holding the highest seniority; the others dared not question them openly. Had it been an ordinary elder, the crowd would surely have shown their fury and hurled curses.

Regarding the crowd's confusion, Wu Hou and Zhuang Yu knew the truth perfectly well. They did wish to retrieve the scroll, but judging by the preceding events, "Tai Shuang" clearly had control over it. If anyone genuinely dared to reach out and take it, the "Chaos Heavenly Fire" would certainly erupt and incinerate them to ash.

"Still no one wants it, I see."

Nie Kong reached out and gently caught the "Chaos Jade Scroll," sounding helpless. "Returned twice, and neither attempt was accepted. This can happen once or twice, but not a third time. Since that is the case, I shall gladly accept it." As he finished speaking, Nie Kong had already stored the "Chaos Jade Scroll" in his pet backpack.

After a pause, Nie Kong clapped his hands and smiled. "Distinguished sirs, the matter of the 'Chaos Jade Scroll' is now perfectly resolved. I have no other grievances with the Pill Immortal Sect. We shall part ways here, but perhaps we'll meet again. If that despicable villain Taishu Yan is gone, I might even return—after all, I am an elder of the Pill Immortal Sect, too."

"You think you can just leave like that?" Taishu Yan’s face contorted, his tone venomous.

"Indeed! Leaving Ascension Dragon City is not so easy!"

"If we let you walk away now, won't our Pill Immortal Sect suffer utter humiliation? How could we ever hold our heads up in the Divine Void Realm again?"

"Everyone, surround him!"

"..."

Nie Kong's casual demeanor infuriated the Ninth-Tier experts of the Pill Immortal Sect. As the second-largest sect in the Divine Void Realm, these elders enjoyed respected status that came with their rank. They had never been treated with such blatant disregard. Righteously indignant, they surged apart, completely encircling Divine Splendor Peak, swords drawn and bows taut.

"Let him go!"

Wu Hou’s face was terrifyingly grim, but he suddenly bellowed the command, his voice like a wisp of cold wind blowing from hell, chilling everyone to the bone.

... ...RO