Chapter 81: Who Is Spreading the Rumor About the Jade Thumb Ring?

Listening to Ye Binglan’s explanation, no one thought much of it; they simply assumed Long Tianjiao had returned home to visit her family.

Afterward, thanks to the spiritual energy gathered by the Spirit Gathering Array, Chu Tian and his senior sisters all went back to their rooms to cultivate.

Two weeks later, outside the Yunhe Villa.

“Greetings, Master!”

Wang Jiulong appeared once again, his entire aura greatly transformed—he had already reached the peak of Internal Energy.

“The technique I taught you must not be divulged without my permission. If you do, I will punish you severely,” Chu Tian said, his tone heavy with warning.

“Yes, Master,” Wang Jiulong quickly nodded.

The technique Chu Tian had imparted to Wang Jiulong was not an immortal art, but it was still a formidable martial skill. If Wang Jiulong cultivated diligently, reaching the pinnacle of martial arts would be no difficult feat. However, should he leak this martial technique, it would inevitably incite countless contenders. Not only would this be of no benefit to Wang Jiulong, it might also implicate the Wei family—something Chu Tian absolutely did not wish to see.

“Heavenly Demon Fist!”

Suddenly, Chu Tian launched a punch, the energy forming a fist shadow that shot straight toward a distant tree.

Wang Jiulong’s pupils contracted. He recognized the technique—it was the very martial art Chu Tian had just taught him.

Boom!

The fist shadow struck the trunk, shattering the thick tree instantly. Yet, after piercing through, its force remained undiminished, hitting the figure hiding behind the tree.

The hidden figure flew backward like a kite with a broken string, coughing up blood as he landed.

“Someone was hiding behind the tree?” Wang Jiulong exclaimed.

“Let’s go take a look,” said Chu Tian, taking the lead. Wang Jiulong followed closely.

They found a middle-aged man, blood smeared across his lips, lying on the ground groaning in pain. To withstand a blow from the Heavenly Demon Fist and survive, he had to be a martial artist, though likely not very advanced—at most, an Internal Energy expert.

One glance was enough for Wang Jiulong to draw his conclusion. For a mere Internal Energy martial artist to dare monitor Chu Tian’s residence was nothing short of courting death.

Wang Jiulong felt a certain disdain. Since becoming Chu Tian’s apprentice, his outlook had changed dramatically. In the past, Wang Jiulong’s greatest ambition was to reach the peak of Internal Energy. If any Internal Energy expert appeared before him, he would treat them as a formidable adversary.

But now, in Wang Jiulong’s eyes, Internal Energy experts were nothing!

“Energy released externally—are you a Grandmaster of the Transformative Realm?” the middle-aged man asked, stunned, ignoring his own injuries.

“Who sent you?” Chu Tian’s brows furrowed as he coldly questioned.

“No… no one sent me,” the man replied, gritting his teeth and shaking his head.

“Still lying?” Chu Tian snapped his fingers, sending a burst of energy shooting out, piercing through the man’s left knee.

“Ah!” The man screamed like a slaughtered pig, clutching his leg and rolling on the ground.

“I’ll ask one last time: who sent you?”

“No… no one sent me. I only heard that the Jade Thumb Ring was in your possession and came to investigate,” the man managed through the pain.

“The Jade Thumb Ring?”

“What Jade Thumb Ring?” Chu Tian’s expression changed as he questioned him.

“Of course, the Jade Thumb Ring of the Shadow Sanctuary! According to legend, whoever possesses it can command the Shadow Sanctuary and wield its power,” the man replied, face full of terror. Now, he truly regretted ever seeking trouble with Chu Tian. He knew the Jade Thumb Ring was never meant for ordinary people, yet he coveted it, which was why he had provoked such an extraordinary figure.

But regret was useless now. Whether he survived the day was entirely uncertain.

“Who told you the Jade Thumb Ring was in my possession?” Chu Tian’s tone grew heavier, his expression grave.

“I heard it from an elder—a stranger, actually. This elder seems to be spreading the news everywhere,” the man gasped, blood still seeping from his wound.

“How many people know about this?” Chu Tian asked.

“Quite a few,” the man nodded, eager to prove his innocence.

At this, Chu Tian fell silent.

The Jade Thumb Ring was the token of authority for the Shadow Sanctuary. In this world, only two people knew he possessed it: the late Wu Xingyan and Han Bao.

Wu Xingyan was already dead; outsiders didn’t even know Chu Tian had killed him. Even his seven senior sisters were unaware of the connection between Wu Xingyan and the Shadow Sanctuary.

Could Han Bao have leaked news of the Jade Thumb Ring? Chu Tian shook his head inwardly—he didn’t believe Han Bao would betray him, nor did he believe Han Bao had the courage to reveal the identity of the Shadow Sanctuary’s master.

But if not Han Bao, then who?

In his mind, the image of Wu Xingyan surfaced once more. That old villain—his ghost just wouldn’t rest! Dead and gone, yet he kept appearing in Chu Tian’s memories.

“Master, it’s all a misunderstanding. Please, spare me,” the middle-aged man pleaded, struggling to his feet.

Facing such a formidable figure, he no longer hoped to take the Jade Thumb Ring—his only wish was to survive.

“The Jade Thumb Ring isn’t on me. Now get out of my sight. If I ever see you at Yunhe Villa again, I won’t let you off so easily,” Chu Tian said with a wave, surprisingly letting him go.

“Thank you for sparing my life!” The man knocked his head to the ground in gratitude, then limped away.

“Master, why didn’t you kill him?” Wang Jiulong asked, confused.

“He’s just an opportunist—he thought the Jade Thumb Ring was in my possession, so he came here. Now that everyone believes I have it, trouble is sure to follow. Letting him go is my way of spreading word that the ring is held by an extraordinary expert. Those with little strength will be deterred, saving me a lot of trouble,” Chu Tian explained.

He wasn’t afraid of people coming after him—he only feared they might target those close to him. Better to reveal some of his strength and intimidate would-be troublemakers.

“Master, what is the Jade Thumb Ring?” Wang Jiulong asked, his prior cultivation too weak to know of such things.

“That’s not something you need to ask about,” Chu Tian replied, his gaze deep and enigmatic.