"Hey! What are you doing? Didn’t we agree to pull them all out?" The man’s voice barely suppressed his anxiety. "Relax! Help me pull the Sword! Your reward won’t be forgotten!"

"Forget it. It just feels too greedy…" I declared with righteous indignation. "For the peace and harmony of Yader Continent, and to be an upright Adventurer, I’ve decided to reluctantly leave this last Sword for future generations!" Yingning, standing beside me, chuckled quietly and gave me a thumbs-up.

"Don’t! That’s the friendship of the entire Divine Progeny! What you Adventurers call reputation! You might not grasp its value yet. Honestly, among our three rewards, mine may look less tempting—but it’s worth far more! High reputation lets you accept special commissions others can’t! Hold an official post among the Divine Progeny! Even exchange for Divine Artifacts! Aren’t you tempted?"

"I am tempted, but we’ve gained enough already! No, no—one shouldn’t be greedy…" I said firmly. "Senior, let’s leave this last Sword for a future third person. You agree, right? Mas… uh?"

To hide my identity as a pet, I choked back the word "master."

"Of course," Yingning replied, nodding while covering her mouth.

The mysterious voice fell silent, seemingly at a loss for words.

I guessed he was cursing our families inwardly.

"No! This duty is yours alone!" the voice cried, anxiety laced with guilt. "Only you two can pull this last Sword—no one else!"

"Why?" I asked innocently, though every sense snapped to full alert.

"..." After a long pause, the voice hesitated. "Because… this Sword requires both holders of the other two Swords to pull it together… Without them, or with only one, it won’t budge."

Exactly! That’s it!

Heaven never seals all paths—this was the true breakthrough!

Helpless, he’d finally spat out the truth, exposing his greatest weakness!

"But we pulled the Swords, and those two female seniors never kept their promises…" I feigned stupidity, though even a fool would see my meaning now.

Cash on delivery for pulling the Sword.

To him, I seemed merely distrustful over delayed rewards—a greedy, foolish Adventurer. He breathed a sigh of relief.

The next second, his naivety cost him dearly.

"So… the Divine Artifacts and Saint Stage inheritances those seniors owe us? You, Senior, can cover them. Hand over the items first—we’ll pull the Sword immediately." I bowed deeply, radiating solemn Justice from head to tail tip. "We’re not greedy. Keeping one’s word is a basic virtue for Yader Continent citizens. You must keep yours—and so must we, in taking what’s owed. Returning empty-handed would trouble our consciences! Right, Mas… uh?"

"Mhm! Mhm!" Yingning nodded like a chick pecking rice.

"..."

What "keeping one’s word" is this?! Are you insane?! I’d never heard extortion justified so righteously!

"So then… Senior," I said apologetically, bowing deeply to the golden light. "If you refuse, we’ll leave. I’ll call other Saint-Tier Strong Ones from the Jiuhua Alliance to try."

"No! Please don’t!"