Xie Huide's gaze burned with obsessive desire, his rapid breathing audible to your ears.

Yet you casually stored away the Reviving Yang Pill.

Xie Huide froze momentarily: "Young Master He?!"

"Old Xie, there's something I want to mention."

Xie Huide immediately straightened up: "Young Master He, all the conditions I promised earlier still stand! However you want compensation for the Earth Source, I'll agree!"

You nodded: "The conditions are negotiable. I want to discuss something else."

"What is it?"

You looked at him: "Old Xie, I feel our relationship has grown distant!"

"Young Master He, why would you say that?"

"Aren't we sworn brothers? Why do you keep calling me 'Young Master'?"

Xie Huide quickly corrected himself: "Brother, you must have misheard!"

This was your first time witnessing Xie Huide's masterful skill of changing expressions.

You knew Xie Huide would do anything for the Reviving Yang Pill - he might even solve advanced calculus problems if required.

So you shook your head and stopped dwelling on formalities.

"Old Xie, there's serious business to discuss," you said calmly.

Xie Huide looked impatient: "Brother He, I'll do anything!!"

"Old Xie!" Your tone turned uncharacteristically serious, "Put aside your lovesick brain for now, let reason occupy the high ground of intelligence. I'm talking serious matters!"

Xie Huide realized this wasn't about conditions for the Reviving Yang Pill.

He composed himself: "Brother He, speak your mind!"

You went straight to the point: "Did the other four people with that ugly brute know he took the Earth Source?"

Xie Huide jolted in shock, bewildered how you knew about the Eastern Sea Pavilion's five members and that the ugly man had taken the Earth Source.

Xie Huide eyed you suspiciously: "Brother He... have you been lying in ambush at our Danxia Sect all night?"

You waved the Reviving Yang Pill: "Old Xie, just tell me if the other four knew!"

Your words put Xie Huide on guard.

But seeing the pill in your hand, he'd practically sell himself to you right now.

Xie Huide answered directly: "Brother He, the other four didn't know Bao Liyan stole the Earth Source. Moreover, Bao Liyan threatened us not to tell anyone!"

The undisguised loathing in Xie Huide's eyes was palpable.

You nodded: "Good!"

Xie Huide tilted his head slightly: "What do you mean?"

Your expression turned grave: "Old Xie, remember this!"

"Remember what?"

"Whatever it is, just remember first!"

"Alright!"

After a moment's thought, you continued: "Remember - Bao Liyan has completely disappeared. If Eastern Sea Pavilion asks about him, you must say he left afterward without taking the Earth Source!"

Xie Huide looked at you incredulously, fully understanding what "completely disappeared" implied.

He knew you couldn't possibly make an Ultimate Grandmaster vanish on your own - only your family could accomplish that.

In Xie Huide's eyes, you grew even more formidable and mysterious.

Of course, Xie Huide didn't think your family would come to Danxia Sect to seize this Earth Source, since it was meant for you anyway.

Xie Huide's eyes covertly scanned you, searching for clues.

Seeing Xie Huide's wary expression, you said: "Old Xie, no need for alarm. I'm considering Danxia Sect's welfare!"

"Danxia Sect's welfare?"

Xie Huide paused instinctively, but quickly grasped your meaning.

If Eastern Sea Pavilion discovered Bao Liyan never returned, they'd inevitably come questioning Danxia Sect.

If they learned Bao Liyan had stolen Danxia Sect's Earth Source, the sect would be suspected in his disappearance.

Though Danxia Sect lacked the strength itself, they could enlist other Ultimate Grandmasters, making them targets for Eastern Sea Pavilion's retaliation.

Thus, by having Xie Huide claim Bao Liyan never took the Earth Source, Danxia Sect would avoid suspicion.

Moreover, this wasn't just empty talk - your Reviving Yang Pill could awaken Deng Wanshu, proving the Earth Source had been refined into the pill, solidifying the claim that Bao Liyan never stole it.

This way, even Eastern Sea Pavilion would have to believe Bao Liyan accidentally vanished into some dimensional rift.

Xie Huide instantly understood this reasoning. Looking up at you in astonishment, he felt profound guilt.

Just three seconds ago, he'd suspected you of scheming against Danxia Sect.

Now he realized this unlikely brother genuinely cared for the sect, moving him deeply.

You really— he could cry.

"Worthy brother, this elder brother wronged you!!" Xie Huide wholeheartedly accepted this fifty-year age-gap bond of fate.

You smiled brightly, your "super promotion in seniority" plan achieving a milestone victory.

Laughing heartily, you said: "Hahaha, dear brother, please rise... oh, you weren't kneeling."

You'd recalled how sworn brothers in Water Margin would excitedly kneel, but apparently that custom didn't exist here.

Standing up, you said: "Old Xie, let's go see your wife— my sister-in-law now!"

Your words made Xie Huide stiffen.

Faced with this pivotal moment, Xie Huide wasn't as elated as expected.

Fearful of any mishap, he became completely solemn and composed.

Just then, Deng Rusong hurried in.

As he walked, Deng Rusong announced loudly: "Huide! I've contacted nine Ultimate Grandmasters—"

Seeing you, Deng Rusong abruptly stopped, his expression tightening as he asked: "And this is?"

Xie Huide stepped forward and explained everything about you to Deng Rusong.

After listening, Deng Rusong frowned deeply: "Brother He has a Reviving Yang Pill?!"

You produced the pill again for display.

Even the normally composed Deng Rusong lost control of his expression seeing the legendary pill in person.

He grew equally excited: "Brother He! I want to thank your entire family!!"

You wagged a middle finger: "Sect Leader Deng, no cursing!"

Deng Rusong chuckled awkwardly, realizing his poor phrasing: "Brother He, my apologies for the rudeness!"

You then asked: "From what Sect Leader Deng said upon entering, were you gathering reinforcements?"

Deng Rusong calmed down and nodded silently.

You inwardly admired how Deng Rusong was truly a man of action, perfect sect leader material.

After their earlier discussion, Deng Rusong and Xie Huide had immediately decided to summon Ultimate Grandmasters for retaliation.

Deng Rusong had sent messages inviting nine Ultimate Grandmasters to Danxia Sect.

They contacted so many because not all would be available— the sect couldn't expect them to come at a moment's notice.

Realistically, only four or five would arrive.

In your previous simulation, when these Ultimate Grandmasters learned they'd be confronting one of the Five Great Sects' Eastern Sea Pavilion, they'd all backed out immediately.

The matter was ultimately dropped, with Danxia Sect swallowing the bitter pill.

After all, weakness was the original sin.

Fortunately, in this simulation, you'd appeared as their savior.

Not only did you bring the precious Reviving Yang Pill, you'd also eliminated Bao Liyan, giving Xie Huide and Deng Rusong closure.

Though they didn't believe you personally killed Bao Liyan, their gratitude toward your family extended to you.

After all, they didn't know your other family members— or that your "vast family" consisted solely of you.

With a carefree smile, you said: "Old Xie, Sect Leader Deng, let's go. Time to get serious!"