Chapter 233: Diamond Stakes and Marriage Games

"Third Young Master?" The crowd's eyes narrowed.

A Western-looking youth entered with refined grace, his cultivation restrained to the point of seeming an ordinary, courteous noble, exuding a warmth like a spring breeze. Tall and poised, he was a striking Western gentleman.

This was Hai Tam, one of the two sons of the Sea Palace Master, known as the Third Young Master or Third Prince.

"Hai Tam greets Grandfather Ai, Uncle Ai, and the esteemed elders," he said, clasping his hands politely to each.

The Ai Clan nodded in return, finding him far more agreeable than Hai Xiong.

Hai Tam turned to Lan An, smiling with admiration. "Young Master Lan, your youth and prowess are extraordinary. I'm truly impressed."

"You're too kind," Lan An replied, nodding. With such courtesy, he couldn't remain aloof.

At 80 years old, Hai Tam was a Peak Spirit Transformation cultivator, a prodigy with strong potential to soon enter the Golden Ranking.

"How's Junior Sister Ai doing? I heard you broke through to sixth-grade Artificer. Truly admirable," Hai Tam said warmly, his eyes full of appreciation.

"Senior Brother flatters me," Ai Xin replied, echoing Lan An's tone. Hai Tam, a Hundred Spirits Academy student 40 years her senior, deserved the title of senior.

Hai Tam smiled, then turned to Hai Xiong, speaking calmly, "As guests of the Ai Clan, acting aggressively is improper. Fourth Elder, please apologize to Young Master Lan."

Hai Xiong gritted his teeth, his face shifting. He couldn't defy the Young Master's order. Reluctantly, he muttered to Lan An, "My apologies."

Lan An nodded indifferently. Hai Tam's magnanimity prompted him to avoid pettiness, though Hai Xiong's apology lacked sincerity.

"What brings the Third Young Master to our Ai Clan? Merely a courtesy visit like the Fourth Elder and Young Master Chen?" Ai Zhen asked with a faint smile. Hai Tam's reputation loomed large in the Sea Continent.

As a son of a ninth-grade power's leader, his talent was undeniable, wielding dual Spiritual Roots. He'd claimed the top spot on the Hundred Spirits Ranking upon entering the academy. A dream suitor for many Sea Continent maidens, he focused solely on cultivation, never reciprocating their affections. Seven years ago, he was Late Spirit Transformation; now, at Peak, his progress was staggering, advancing a major stage in that time.

Still, compared to Lan An, he fell short. Yet, as a Young Master of a ninth-grade power, none dared underestimate him.

Hai Tam responded unhurriedly, "I emerged from seclusion and learned of Brother Chen Jue's unfortunate conflict with Young Master Lan. I came to mediate and to congratulate Junior Sister Ai on her sixth-grade Artificer breakthrough. Such talent is awe-inspiring."

"Mediate?" Chen Zhi gaped, but before Hai Tam, he held his tongue.

Hai Xiong's eyes narrowed. All of Sea Palace knew the First Elder cherished Chen Jue. With his prized disciple nearly killed, how could mediation be possible? The First Elder, a Mid Fusion Realm powerhouse second only to the Palace Master, wouldn't reconcile with a youth below Void Refinement.

Undeterred, Hai Tam addressed Lan An sincerely, "Young Master Lan, Chen Jue's greed was wrong, but he's paid dearly, nearly dying. Can you let bygones be bygones and befriend Sea Palace? We bear no deep enmity."

"How do we mediate?" Lan An asked, intrigued.

Hai Tam, as if waiting for this, spoke generously, "My father says if you explain Elder Hai He's death and return the Sea-Binding Zither, we'll be friends henceforth."

Lan An nearly laughed. So, after all the posturing, they wanted their sect's treasure back. Befriend him? Did they think him a naive child? Handing over his spoils and explaining Hai He's death would imply he feared Sea Palace, broadcasting his submission across the Sea Continent.

They sought peace without offering gifts, yet demanded his war trophy. Shameless.

Lan An smirked inwardly. Hai Tam was a sly fox, cloaking self-interest in magnanimity, tilting all benefits toward Sea Palace. Who knew if they'd use the Sea-Binding Zither against him again?

The Ai Clan watched with knowing looks. Sea Palace, ever cunning, sent Hai Tam to reclaim the zither, a troublesome weapon in water battles.

Feigning innocence, Lan An gasped, "That day, Hai He cornered me, as all witnessed. How could I harm him or explain his death? And when did he die?"

Hai Tam's eyes narrowed to slits. "Elder Hai He's soul tablet in Sea Palace shattered, confirming his death, timed with your battle."

"Oh? What a coincidence!" Lan An exclaimed, stammering, "Facing that horrific poison, I was busy fleeing. How could I notice if Hai He lived or died? I didn't even think about the Sea-Binding Zither."

The crowd nodded unconsciously. His two Strange Flames might barely ensure survival against such poison, leaving no time to claim the zither.

Before they could ponder further, Lan An continued, "If Hai He died, the poison caused it. I'm no culprit. What does Sea Palace want me to explain?"

Hai Tam's gaze sharpened. This youth wasn't easily trapped, blaming the poison plausibly, leaving little room for rebuttal.

"You're right, but poison kills without destroying bodies. We searched the site and found no trace of Elder Hai He's corpse. Only you remained, Young Master Lan. My father suspects you took the zither and, in anger, destroyed Hai He's body an understandable act," Hai Tam said smoothly.

"Suspect? A ninth-grade power relies on suspicion? Laughable. Show solid proof," Lan An taunted, privately guessing the Poison Person or their pursuers were linked to Hai He's missing corpse.

"Let us inspect your storage rings. If the Sea-Binding Zither isn't there, Sea Palace will leave you be," Hai Tam replied, unfazed.

The crowd's expressions shifted. Inspecting a cultivator's storage ring was deeply disrespectful, housing their secrets. Only the willing allowed such scrutiny.

Sea Palace's demand was a deliberate challenge.

"Senior Brother, you go too far. Everyone saw Hai He ambush Little Nam. Why does Sea Palace paint him as a thief and murderer?" Ai Xin snapped, her voice sharp.

Ai Guo and the Ai Clan nodded, agreeing with her.

"Hmph, he's guilty and不敢 let us check," Hai Xiong interjected.

"I'm not as petty as you. Look if you want, but don't take my things," Lan An said, startling the crowd.

He removed two rings: the Black Tower Ring and the Heavy Ring.

"My apologies," Hai Tam said, clasping his hands. Infusing spiritual energy, he inspected the rings.

His face changed instantly. Mountains of dazzling Top-Grade Spirit Stones blinded him, rivaling a portion of Sea Palace's treasury. Beyond that, only the damaged Blood Iron Battle Armor, Blood Iron Battle Boots, Dragon King Spear, Void Resonance Bell, Big Dipper Bow, and copious amounts of wine.

Seeing Hai Tam's reaction, the crowd itched to peek.

"Well? Nothing, right? With that poison, I was too busy fleeing to grab your zither," Lan An said lightly. Items he wished to hide were safely in the Spirit Realm Pearl.

Inspect his rings? A pipe dream.

"We misunderstood Young Master Lan," Hai Tam said, steadying his racing heart. The wealth alone tempted him to rob Lan An.

"Good to know. If Sea Palace leaves me alone, I won't bother visiting," Lan An said, smiling outwardly while thinking, Not a chance.

"Agreed," Hai Tam replied, his smile masking his thoughts. Turning to Ai Guo, he bowed. "Actually, I have another matter, hoping for Grandfather Ai's approval."

"What? The Third Young Master needs a favor from an old man like me? Hard to believe," Ai Guo said, stroking his beard with a grin.

"Heart Island is rich in resources. Having emerged from seclusion, I wish to craft a weapon and request a Diamond Ore," Hai Tam said.

Lan An's eyes flashed. Diamond Ore was his main goal for visiting the Ai Clan. Was Hai Tam deliberately opposing him?

"Don't worry, no one's stealing it," Ai Xin transmitted, pouting. This guy's already acting like a possessive husband.

Lan An grinned cheekily.

Ai Guo's expression turned odd, glancing at Ai Xin and Lan An before addressing Hai Tam with mock regret, "Unfortunately, the last Diamond Ore is spoken for. You've missed your chance."

Hai Tam, unfazed, smiled confidently, as if he held the upper hand. "Please reconsider, Grandfather Ai. Offer the Diamond Ore and one more condition, and I can help you break through to Mid Fusion Realm."

"What?" Ai Zhen and the elders shot to their feet, stunned by Hai Tam's words.

Each Fusion Realm stage was a vast chasm. If Ai Guo reached Mid Fusion, his lifespan would extend, and the Ai Clan's status would soar, potentially becoming a ninth-grade power within a century. With Ai Guo's age and dwindling lifespan, a breakthrough was critical to avoid death within centuries—a blink for a Fusion Realm cultivator.

Ai Guo's eyes narrowed. He'd be lying if he wasn't tempted, but as a Fusion Realm cultivator, he remained composed. "What's this opportunity you speak of? I'm old, content with a quiet life, not chasing lofty dreams," he said, masking his thoughts.

Even Ai Xin and Lan An leaned in, eager for Hai Tam's response.

Hai Tam scanned the room, speaking deliberately, "All of Sea Continent knows the Ai Clan as a fire-based family, but Grandfather Ai is a rare genius with dual Spiritual Roots—fire and water."

Lan An nodded, noting Ai Guo's red-green hair.

"This makes you stronger than peers, but it's also your weakness," Hai Tam continued. The elders began to ponder.

"I've heard the Ai Clan's strongest fire technique, the Fire Heart Spirit Art, is mid-grade Spirit level, sufficient for fire-rooted clansmen to reach Peak Fusion or even Transcending Tribulation. But with dual roots, you need two matching techniques fire and water. The Ai Clan lacks a high-grade water technique, hindering your breakthrough to Mid Fusion," Hai Tam explained confidently.

The Ai Clan's expressions darkened. He was right. Their top water technique was only mid-grade Heavenly, insufficient for Ai Guo's breakthrough. As a fire-based clan, their water techniques were lacking, and acquiring a Spirit-grade water technique was nearly impossible, as few would sell such treasures. At the Treasure Pavilion's recent auction, Ai Xin had hoped for one, but only Heavenly-grade techniques appeared.

"So, how will you help me break through?" Ai Guo asked, his smile unreadable.

Hai Tam laughed, exuding confidence. "Give me the Diamond Ore and agree to one more condition, and I'll invite you to Sea Palace's Scripture Repository to study our Spirit-grade water techniques, finding your breakthrough opportunity."

"What condition?" the Ai Clan asked, frowning.

Hai Tam's eyes twinkled, glancing at Lan An and Ai Xin. "Permit me to be betrothed to Junior Sister Ai."