Chapter 120: Scheming

“What? You say the greatsword in the Steel Giant’s hands is a superior-grade treasure artifact?” Li Zhen ignored the low, beast-like growl from the Steel Giant and couldn’t help but ask in surprise. No matter how you looked at it, Li Zhen considered himself well-informed, yet he had failed to recognize that this ‘massive iron slab’ was the so-called superior-grade treasure.

“What? You actually don’t know that the greatsword is a superior-grade treasure? Then why have you been coveting it?” Che Wuyou’s voice was filled with genuine puzzlement. “No, that can’t be right. It’s normal for others not to recognize a treasure artifact, but with your background, Li Zhen, how could you fail to identify it? You, Li Zhen, are someone whose insight surpasses everyone in the Tower of Ascension, aren’t you?”

“…Oh, I see now. You were afraid others would compete with you for the greatsword, so you pretended…” Che Wuyou’s face suddenly lit up with realization, then he fell silent, as if afraid someone might overhear what he was about to say.

Li Zhen looked at Che Wuyou with suspicion, then at the greatsword in the Steel Giant’s hand. Yet no matter how he examined it, he could not determine the treasure’s true rank. If it were a treasure artifact, it should wield formidable power, but in the Steel Giant’s hands, the sword seemed more like a giant hammer, failing to manifest its true might. If it were a magic tool, Li Zhen, having been in close contact with it, could sense that its quality was definitely beyond that of a mere magic tool.

After a moment’s contemplation, though still unable to discern the sword’s true rank, as the direct heir of the Li family, Li Zhen was unwilling to admit his limited insight before outsiders. With a hint of pride, he said, “You’re quite sharp, knowing my thoughts… Hmm, this superior-grade treasure has been on my mind ever since I first saw the Steel Giant. But at that time, Yang Fengge was present, and I feared he would come to contest it, so I kept a low profile. Now that the only rival capable of challenging me is gone, I have nothing to hold back. Since you say you have a way to seize it for me, then tell me—how exactly would you do it? If your plan proves sound, you can follow me from now on. I don’t treat my subordinates unfairly.”

The Steel Giant, hearing these two insignificant beings discussing how to snatch away his cherished greatsword right before his eyes, growled in fury like a beast. That sword was his lifeline; these two dared to covet it—how dare they! Though he barely regarded their scheme, the Giant instinctively tightened his grip on the sword.

“The greatsword is mine. I spotted it first. None of you have any right to fight me for it.” Yun Fan, overhearing the conversation between Che Wuyou and Li Zhen, felt an itch deep in his heart. By rights, with Yun Fan’s skills, he should have already entered the second level. The only reason he hadn’t was because he sensed a special aura—the aura of a treasure.

Though Yun Fan could feel this aura, he had observed carefully without discovering its source. When the Steel Giant pursued Che Wuyou, Yun Fan’s instincts led his gaze to the greatsword in the Giant’s hands. While not yet certain it was the treasure he sought, he sensed something extraordinary about it.

When Che Wuyou confidently declared the sword’s quality, Yun Fan’s eyes shone brightly. Seeing the Steel Giant clutching the sword tightly only confirmed his suspicions. Unable to contain himself any longer, fearing Che Wuyou and Li Zhen might contest the treasure, Yun Fan rushed forward to assert his claim.

Startled by Yun Fan’s sudden intervention, the Steel Giant’s charging form faltered slightly. He had never expected such a reckless youth to covet his greatsword and boldly block his path. Che Wuyou even glimpsed a sinister smile creep onto the Steel Giant’s stiffened face. The sight of the Giant smiling chilled him to the bone.

At this moment, the parties stood facing one another. Perhaps confident in his ability to kill Che Wuyou, the Steel Giant showed no rush to strike first. Li Zhen, seeing Yun Fan step forward, decided to withdraw. He did not believe Che Wuyou had any real chance of wresting the greatsword from the Steel Giant’s grasp, even if it was a superior-grade treasure and uncontested. The Giant’s overwhelming might rendered any scheme meaningless.

So when Yun Fan took the lead, Li Zhen only frowned slightly and waved a hand: “If you have the ability, I won’t begrudge you taking it.” With that, he stepped aside. Yun Fan’s boldness suited Li Zhen perfectly. If someone dared risk their life, it was a good chance to probe the Steel Giant’s true strength, even if Li Zhen doubted Yun Fan could uncover much—it was better than nothing.

Che Wuyou had long noticed Yun Fan’s strange behavior. Since his spirit power had reached the third grade, he could clearly sense each person’s cultivation level. Yun Fan, a late-stage Return to Origin expert, should have easily entered the second level by now. His hesitation was suspicious. When the Steel Giant chased Che Wuyou, Yun Fan maintained a careful, measured distance, as if his target was not the energy pillar but the Steel Giant himself.

When this thought first crossed Che Wuyou’s mind, he was taken aback. Was Yun Fan really scheming against the Steel Giant? Such a reckless act seemed foolhardy and thankless. Was Yun Fan simply crazy, or did the Steel Giant possess something deeply alluring?

Suddenly, Che Wuyou’s eyes brightened. The greatsword: that silver-white blade, which so far had displayed no remarkable power… Without hesitation, Che Wuyou unleashed his robust and earnest spirit power, quickly enveloping the surrounding area. Quietly, he sensed the greatsword, detecting a faint spiritual pressure emanating from it.

Though the spiritual pressure was subtle, Che Wuyou realized this was indeed a treasure artifact, and a high-grade one at that.

If his suspicions were correct, Yun Fan had come for this superior-grade treasure, which had been forcibly sealed by someone. Yun Fan, uncertain whether this was the exact treasure he sought, kept a careful distance, tracking the Steel Giant without immediate action.

To manipulate Yun Fan, to hasten his move, and to create an opening for himself, Che Wuyou had deliberately spoken those words to Li Zhen. Though the outcome differed from his expectations, Yun Fan had indeed been drawn into the trap.