The Lazy Sovereign

Xu Tian stared at the Guardian of the Snow Vein Orchid, sweat dripping down his face. The creature's glowing green eyes locked onto him, its tail swishing menacingly.

"Alright, big guy," Xu Tian muttered. "We can do this the hard way… or the easy way. Personally, I vote for the easy way."

The Guardian growled, a deep, rumbling sound that sent shivers down Xu Tian's spine.

"Hard way it is," he sighed, glancing over his shoulder at the elder. "Any chance you have a secret technique or a backup plan?"

The elder shook his head. "I'm just an old man with limited strength. You're the hero here!"

Xu Tian scowled. "Great. Thanks for nothing."

Xu Tian took a tentative step forward, raising his hands in what he hoped was a non-threatening gesture. "Hey there, big guy. I know you're doing your job, guarding that flower and all, but how about we strike a deal?"

The Guardian tilted its head, seemingly curious.

"I'll leave a snack for you on the way back," Xu Tian continued. "Maybe a nice, juicy goat? You like goats, right?"

The creature growled softly, its tail flicking.

"Or maybe not goats," Xu Tian added quickly. "How about a fresh deer? Deer are great!"

The elder, watching from a safe distance, whispered, "Is he seriously negotiating with a Tier 2 beast?"

To Xu Tian's surprise, the Guardian lowered its head slightly, as if considering the offer.

Just as Xu Tian was beginning to feel hopeful, a sudden burst of laughter echoed through the pass.

"Negotiating with a beast? How pathetic!"

Xu Tian turned to see a group of three cultivators descending the mountain path. They were dressed in dark robes, their leader carrying a large, curved blade.

"This flower belongs to us," the leader sneered. "Step aside, or we'll cut you down."

Xu Tian groaned. "Why does trouble always arrive in groups?"

The Guardian, sensing the newcomers' hostility, roared and leapt forward. Chaos erupted as the beast lunged at the dark-robed cultivators, who retaliated with flashes of light and the hum of spiritual energy.

"Looks like we're not getting the easy way after all," Xu Tian muttered, dragging the elder behind a boulder.

As the battle raged, Xu Tian's eyes darted toward the orchid, blooming in a crevice on the cliffside.

"Old man," he whispered, "how badly do you want that flower?"

The elder's eyes gleamed. "Desperately."

"Then follow my lead."

While the Guardian and the cultivators were distracted, Xu Tian crept toward the flower, hugging the cliff wall. He could feel the vibrations of the battle behind him, but he kept his focus on the orchid.

"Almost there," he muttered, reaching out carefully.

Just as his fingers brushed the stem, a flash of light illuminated the area. Xu Tian looked up to see the Guardian locked in a fierce struggle with the cultivators, its green eyes blazing with fury.

"Got it!" Xu Tian whispered, plucking the orchid and tucking it into his pouch.

He turned to signal the elder, but the old man was nowhere to be seen.

"What the—"

Before Xu Tian could react, the elder appeared behind him, moving with surprising speed. His cane transformed into a gleaming sword, which he pointed at Xu Tian's chest.

"Thank you, young man," the elder said with a sinister smile. "You've been most helpful."

Xu Tian's jaw dropped. "You've got to be kidding me! You were planning this the whole time?"

"Indeed," the elder replied. "Hand over the orchid, and I might let you leave with your life."

The Guardian, having vanquished two of the cultivators, turned its glowing eyes toward Xu Tian and the elder. It roared, shaking the ground beneath them.

Xu Tian glared at the elder. "You just had to make things complicated, didn't you?"

"Enough talk," the elder snapped. "Give me the orchid!"

Xu Tian sighed, glancing at the angry beast and the armed elder. "Looks like it's time for Plan B."