Mysterious Crate

On the fifth day since the huge cauldron was discovered and started to give out great deal of valuables, the last of the treasures flew out.

'Plooof.'

No one among those surrounding the cauldron had actually known that it would be the final treasure. But just like in all cases where an item came out, their eyes were all in excitement.

This time, the tresure did not really flew that far—it simply landed at the center of everyone.

And when the dust cleared, everyone's eyes almost popped out from disbelief. What appeared before them was a small wooden box.

Everyone knew that the box itself was not the treasure itself but what was inside. So none was able to react quick when the crate appeared. No one rushed to pick it up.

Duan Mu finally made a move. He took it and intently observed every corner and side of the box. When it appeared that it would not open easily, he just placed it in his spatial ring.

Little did they know that not far from the scene, Shandian was burning with desire to jump over and wanted to grab the box. The contracted black tiger as well as the two infant wild apes apparently felt a bit of familiarity with the crate.

Qai who was especially connected with Shandian due to their 'soul contract' evidently understood what was going on with his contracted black tiger so he felt that he must have that mysterious crate.

'It must have something to do with demonic beasts,' he thought.

Shu Liang, on the other hand, who was hiding with them and was also observing the scene, obviously figured out from the black tiger's reaction that the box was not ordinary. So she felt that Shandian must have sense something unusual when the mysterious crate appeared.

***************

Few hours later, not a single treasure had come out since the appearance of the box.

"Let's wait for a bit more," Duan Mu suggested.

"We still have a couple of days to spend," Mo Shui explained. "But from the looks of it, I think the treasure have finally ran out,"

Many among those present nodded in agreement. However, Teng Hu could not be denied of the very purpose of the long wait.

"Why don't you guys give us now our fair share while waiting," Teng Hu courageously asked.

Teng Hu could read from Duan Mu that the sect disciples had not the slightest intention of giving away a portion of the treasures.

In all, the treasures that came out of the huge cauldron numbered around a hundred including the dagger that Teng Hu had gotten and the three other treasures in Qai's hands.

None of the Purple Mist Sect disciples were moving to agree to the demand of Teng Hu. Instead, they appeared to be aggressively releasing some heavy Qi aura to pressure Teng Hu and the three Mo Clan disciples.

Mo Shui gave Hao Ren and Lin Qiao an eye contact and the two instantly leapt closer to make a defensive formation.

Teng Hu, on the other hand, was about to activate his 'Poison Haze,' but Duan Mu intervened.

"Alright," Duan Mu overbearingly replied. "The four of you will get five treasures.. that's all we can give you.."

"If I remember correctly..," Duan Mu added, "..you got a dagger already.. in all, your group shall have a total of six treasures.."

"That's bullshit," Teng Hu replied. "By my count, there's almost a hundred of treasures in all."

He paused for a moment to gather his breath from anger.

"Give us a dozen of the treasures of our choice..," Teng Hu demanded, "..and just like that bastard 'nobody' the other day, we shall also take our leave."

He was obviously referring to Qai.

Teng Hu thought that since they were four, with his two Black Shadow companion gone, each of them could get three treasures each.

As he said that, he also looked into the eyes of the Mo Clan members and tried to assess if they were willing to fight with him against the sect should things turn sour. After all, he was quite confident that he alone could take a number of disciples once he released his 'Poison Haze.'

***************

Not too distant from the cauldron however, the Shu siblings, who had been watching as the drama unfolded, were not surprised by such development. In fact, it was what they were actually waiting for.

'It's about time,' Qai thought.

Qai had already readied his Darkwood Composite Bow while Shu Liang and Shandian were already in the attack mode.

From their posture, it was obvious that one wrong spark from the heated gathering and the three would immediately join the action.