Samuel Grant paused for a moment, then continued, “However, your timing is rather unfortunate. If you had come half a day earlier, that Saint Blade Token would still be in my possession. But half a day ago, I already gave it to someone else. If you want it, you’ll have to ask its current owner if they’re willing.”

　　“Given it away?

　　Given to whom?

　　I’ll trade him a Saint Blade Token of the same grade.”

　　Master Howard asked anxiously.

　　Samuel Grant smiled, turned to Charles Baker and Susan Grant, and said, “I called you here originally to discuss your entry into Nanli Academy, but I didn’t expect Howard Green to arrive just now. His father and I once went through life and death together. If it’s convenient, please help him out. I’ll give you another Saint Blade Token as well.”

　　“I beg you both, my son and I would be endlessly grateful.”

　　Upon hearing Samuel Grant’s words, Master Howard immediately understood. Regardless of his status, he humbly pleaded with Charles Baker and Susan Grant.

　　“Patriarch, I’m afraid that’s a bit difficult.”

　　Susan Grant said with a bitter smile.

　　That Saint Blade Token of the highest grade had already been used by Charles Baker; there was no way to hand it over now.

　　Samuel Grant frowned slightly. Although he said nothing, he was already somewhat displeased.

　　He had just rewarded Charles Baker with that item, and now Charles Baker and Susan Grant were acting so petty over a single Saint Blade Token. Such behavior would hardly lead to any great achievements in the future.

　　What’s more, Master Howard wasn’t asking for it for free—he was offering a token of equal quality in exchange. For Charles Baker and Susan Grant to refuse even then made Samuel Grant feel he was losing face.

　　“If it weren’t absolutely necessary, I wouldn’t shamelessly make this request. If you’re willing to part with that Saint Blade Token, in addition to the one of equal grade for exchange, I’ll also give you two superior-grade tokens. What do you think?”

　　Master Howard quickly added.

　　Susan Grant looked at Master Howard and said, “Master, may I ask why you must have that particular Saint Blade Token?”

　　Master Howard gritted his teeth, glanced at Samuel Grant, and finally spoke, “There are no outsiders here, so I have nothing to hide. My son Bluefield recently went to Bibo Pond to admire the lotuses and happened to see a golden carp leap from the water. Inspired, he composed a couple of lines praising the carp. My father greatly admired the poem and recalled that you, Elder Grant, have a Saint Blade Token engraved with a golden carp. He thought the poem might be a match for it and could possibly draw out a saint-grade weapon. That’s why I rushed over, hoping to make an exchange with you, Elder Grant.”

　　“So that’s how it is. Bluefield truly has great talent.”

　　Samuel Grant praised.

　　The three of them all looked at Susan Grant and Charles Baker. Seeing that Charles Baker remained silent, Susan Grant had no choice but to speak: “Master, it’s not that we’re unwilling to give you the token, but we really can’t. That Saint Blade Token has already been used.”

　　Samuel Grant and Master Howard were both stunned by Susan Grant’s words. Master Howard, however, was somewhat incredulous: “Didn’t you only receive the token half a day ago? How could you have already…” Though he didn’t finish, the implication was clear: you just got it, how could you have used a saint-grade token so casually?

　　“Su Jun, Howard Green is like a nephew to me, not an outsider. Help him if you can. I owe his father as well. I’ll reward you both further afterward.”

　　Samuel Grant also believed that Susan Grant couldn’t have used a saint-grade token so lightly and thought she was deliberately refusing to give it to Master Howard, which made him rather annoyed.

　　Such behavior from Susan Grant would make Master Howard and the others think that he, Samuel Grant, was jealous of the talented and trying to prevent them from drawing out a saint-grade weapon, thus refusing to hand over the token.

　　“Patriarch, please understand. That Saint Blade Token really has already been used by Charles. We truly can’t hand it over.”

　　Susan Grant was also a bit annoyed. She was not the type to be jealous of the talented, yet she was being suspected as such, which made her very uncomfortable. She shot a fierce glare at the still-silent Charles Baker.

　　“Since it’s already been used, then I can only blame my son Bluefield for his lack of fortune, unable to enjoy such luck. I’d at least like to hear the work Nephew Baker composed for that Saint Blade Token, so this trip won’t have been in vain.”

　　With that, Master Howard turned to his son Bluefield and said, “Bluefield, recite the poem you composed so everyone can judge it.”

　　Master Howard still believed that Susan Grant and the others were deliberately preventing them from drawing out a saint-grade weapon, and he couldn’t swallow his anger. He wanted to use literary talent to assert himself and vent his frustration.

　　Since literary works are bound by the laws of heaven, whoever creates a piece owns it; even if others steal it, it’s useless. Master Howard naturally wasn’t afraid of Charles Baker and the others hearing Bluefield’s poem and then using it on the token.

　　“Yes, Father.”

　　Bluefield responded, then lifted his head proudly and recited, “In the splendid pond, a golden carp is nurtured; with a single leap, it transforms into a cloud-swallowing hawk.”

　　“Indeed, a fine couplet. If that Saint Blade Token were still here, there would be a fifty percent chance of reaching the saint grade with these lines.”

　　Samuel Grant nodded in praise, then looked at Charles Baker and Susan Grant with a displeased expression.

　　Susan Grant, however, remained impassive. Had she heard this line before today, she would have thought it excellent. But she had just recently heard a similar verse, whose artistic conception far surpassed this one, so she felt nothing special about it now.