NOVPUB
Chapter 399:
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The sun was scorching, its rays shining brightly, next to a medicinal field in a valley.
Qiao Mu and a middle-aged Spiritual Farmer squatting beside the grass in the sun.
This middle-aged Spiritual Farmer, known by others as Old Sun, was the Spiritual Farmer who was almost attacked by the Black Water Winged Snake yesterday.
Qiao Mu also saved his life, so now he was getting along with Old Sun, who naturally wouldn’t refuse.
"The sun is really strong, do we have to wait under the sun?" asked Qiao Mu.
"Of course we have to wait," replied Old Sun, pointing to a small patch of golden buds growing nearby.
"It’s the Burning Sun Flower, said to bloom only once every three years, but its flowers last only a short moment."
"And it only blooms when the midday sun is strong. It looks like the time is almost here."
"If we miss the chance to pick it when it blooms because of laziness, it would be a big mistake," chuckled Old Sun.
"These magical herbs are really precious and difficult to take care of," remarked Qiao Mu.
"Difficult? Just wait and see," chuckled Old Sun.
"As the blooming time approaches, all we need to do is wait under the sun."
"You’re still new here and inexperienced. You don’t know how many difficult magical herbs and plants are in Qingming Valley!"
Old Sun was not young, around fifty years old, with slightly gray hair at the temples, rough and dark skin, looking like an experienced old farmer who had been exposed to sun and rain.
Talking about the various exotic medicines in Qingming Valley, he knew them all well.
"Take the Green Root Grass from the medicine field of the Jiazi, it needs to be watered with dew drops every day, not ordinary water. The Moonlight Fruit from the Bing field should never be exposed to sunlight during the day, but must be placed under moonlight at night to absorb the moon’s essence. It’s quite troublesome, needing light during the day and darkness at night."
"Then there’s the Earth Dragon Herb, you have to capture a demon called the Purple Earth Dragon, feed the seeds into its belly, carefully nurture it for a year until the herb breaks out of its belly to be mature…"
Old Sun kept on listing the cultivation methods for various magical herbs, making Qiao Mu a little overwhelmed.
"Now I understand why the celestial beings above need so many Spiritual Farmers," Qiao Mu sighed.
Cultivators wouldn’t want to stand foolishly under the sun, waiting for a Burning Sun Flower to bloom in three years with so many troublesome tasks.
"Don’t say that," Old Sun gestured to be quiet, looked around and, seeing nobody, relaxed slightly.
"The opportunity to enter Qingming Valley is rare and precious, a great chance for us."
"The situation in Jiu Province is chaotic outside, don’t you know?" asked Old Sun in surprise.
"Entering Qingming Valley, one can avoid the war and have more contact with immortal beings, which can bring some spiritual aura."
"People cultivate outside and also in the valleys, but it’s better to enter the valley, maybe there will be extraordinary happenings."
"Everyone is eager to enter Qingming Valley, why do you suddenly show aversion?"
The two chatted leisurely.
Suddenly, in the small herb field, a golden Burning Sun Flower bloomed, shining brightly like a golden full moon.
"It’s blooming, it’s blooming," exclaimed Old Sun as he quickly stood up, picked up a jade box next to him, and carefully placed the Burning Sun Flower inside. РΆŊȎ฿Ês
Qiao Mu followed suit, imitating him.
This jade box was no ordinary item, despite being under the scorching sun, it felt icy cold like ice, and when the flower was placed inside, a faint halo appeared.
Old Sun picked the Burning Sun Flower and explained, "There’s a certain way to pick this flower."
"Not only does it bloom for a very short time, but it also needs to be put into the hundred-year Cold Jade Box in time…"
Qiao Mu followed behind Old Sun, feeling a bit distracted.
Before, he had a simple chat about Qingming Valley with Wang Songhe.
Two years later, Heyang City was not as bustling as before, with few carriages and horses on the roads. Qiao Mu thought it was due to conflicts, but Wang Songhe said it was related to Qingming Valley. n𝚘𝚟𝚙u𝚋.co𝚖
People worshipped gods and admired immortals, and Qingming Valley in Nan Province was quite famous, especially in the past two years…
"In the past two years, many ordinary people, called Spiritual Farmers, have entered Qingming Valley…" Qiao Mu thought about Wang Songhe, the Medicine Man, and had some guesses in his mind.
"Zhou Xin." Qiao Canxue, disguised as a female Spiritual Farmer, approached at that moment.
Under the disguise spell, she appeared as an ordinary Spiritual Farmer to others, with no peculiarities in her eyes.
"Yesterday, Immortal Yuanyuan said she wants to reward you, and asked you to go to her cave to receive the reward, did you forget?" Qiao Canxue said.
Qiao Mu thought for a moment, glanced at Qiao Canxue, then stood up and left.
He wasn’t really seeking any rewards as a "Qi Refining Stage immortal."
It was just a good reason to take a break from his work as a Spiritual Farmer and have a private meeting with Female Cultivator Yuanyuan.
Qiao Mu and Qiao Canxue gradually moved away from the crowd before they started talking.
"You found the person you were looking for, but she’s just a Qi Refining cultivator. It wouldn’t be wise to just capture her and take her back, as it may alert the Xuantian Sect… Did you consider meeting her in secret instead?" Qiao Mu asked.
"I do have that intention, I hope Senior Qiao can be patient," Qiao Canxue explained softly.
"I know the Qiao family’s reputation in the Jiu Province, but the Xuantian Sect is one of the Nine Heavenly Immortal Gates, not to be underestimated."
"After the great changes in the world, and the decline of spiritual energy, even the current Nine Heavenly Immortal Gates, with the help of incense, can only maintain their cultivation up to the Soul Changing Stage."
"Nevertheless, these great Immortal Gates have been passed down since ancient times, and have produced many True Immortals. Their heritage is extraordinary."
Qiao Mu glanced at her.
"What do you mean by the ‘heritage’ of Immortal Gates?" Qiao Mu asked.
Qiao Mu realized that Qiao Canxue was either afraid of his reckless behavior as a member of the Qiao family, or she was deliberately trying to test him while their master was away.
So, after noticing this, he decided to ask her directly.
Qiao Canxue pondered for a moment.
This question is not easy for most people to answer.
Only the true disciples of the former "Nine Heavens and Ten Earths" sects have a certain understanding of the secrets of these sects.
"The ‘Nine Heavens and Ten Earths’ sects have all produced True Immortals," Qiao Canxue explained.
"The essence of Immortal Gate is a relic left behind by the flourishing era of spiritual energy."
"Such as the treasured treasures of major sects, and the immortal techniques inherited above the Soul Changing Stage…"
…………………………..
The entrance to Female Cultivator Yuanyuan’s cave.
A middle-aged short-bearded cultivator was about to leave when he heard a shout behind him.
"Taoist Friend Shanyin, don’t leave yet, you haven’t told me how to deal with the snake disaster." Female Cultivator Yuanyuan’s voice sounded a bit urgent.
"If you are willing to share your experience in dealing with the snake disaster with me, I am willing to gift you a ‘Fast Moving Talisman’."
Taoist Shanyin didn’t want to get involved with Female Cultivator Yuanyuan.
After all, he really didn’t want to befriend such a naive wandering cultivator.
Upon hearing about the reward for the "Fast Moving Talisman," her feet couldn’t help but stop.
The Fast Moving Talisman is difficult for Qi Refining cultivators to make, especially for someone like him who is just a Qi Refining Stage wanderer in the Xuantian Sect, unable to contribute enough to obtain such a magical item…
"Friend, there’s no need to be so polite, it’s just a small matter." Taoist Shanyin smiled as he tucked the Fast Moving Talisman scroll into his large sleeve and said:
"It’s actually quite simple."
"You just need to use the Message Jade Talisman to inform the stationed Foundation Building Stage deacon, Senior Brother Jinyang, and patiently wait."
Female Cultivator Yuanyuan suddenly choked up.
"Isn’t what you said the same as saying nothing?" she frowned.
"Senior Brother Jinyang is not someone we can casually command, beckoning him as we please. What kind of thing is that?"
"Didn’t I say? The key is to wait patiently," Taoist Shanyin explained.
"Senior Brother Jinyang is stationed here and won’t be too late. But if we’re unlucky and he’s in seclusion, it might take a little while…"
"So you’re saying we should let that monster rampage in the spiritual field until Senior Brother Jinyang arrives?" Female Cultivator Yuanyuan asked in surprise.
Taoist Shanyin shook his head irritably.
"Friend Yuanyuan, I’ll be blunt."
"Human Spiritual Farmers are like an endless resource, always willing to work."
"You can pay ten lower grade spirit stones at the valley entrance, and Deacon Brother will provide a hundred people for you eagerly."
"If you rashly attack and kill the monster snake, polluting the herbal field, the losses will be more than a hundredfold."
"Surely you understand this simple calculation, right?"
Female Cultivator Yuanyuan stood there, at a loss for words.
Taoist Shanyin was originally thinking of leaving, but after considering the Fast Moving Talisman in his sleeve, he had a thought and said:
"I know Taoist Friend Yuanyuan is kind-hearted, but for us cultivators, if we have too many worldly desires and attachments, it can be difficult to progress in our practice."
"Of course, if you are concerned about helping ordinary people, I do have a solution."
"….I’m not particularly concerned about ordinary people," Female Cultivator Yuanyuan sighed.
"I just can’t stand by and watch someone die without helping."
"If you have any good ideas, please share them, friend."
"Taoist Friend Yuanyuan can purchase a batch of Spiritual Taoist Soldiers from Senior Brother Jinyang," Taoist Shanyin said.
"These Spiritual Taoist Soldiers are rare items acquired by Senior Brother Jinyang from the Zhong Province Great Dao Sect, with a wide range of uses."
"From harvesting spiritual herbs to irrigation and cultivation… they can be used for many purposes. One Spiritual Taoist Soldier can do the work of hundreds of Spiritual Farmers, with even higher efficiency."
"I don’t know Senior Brother Jinyang… Taoist Friend Shanyin, can you introduce me?" asked Female Cultivator Yuanyuan.
"No problem," replied Taoist Shanyin with a smile.
"Tonight, Senior Brother Jinyang is organizing a small gathering for us outer disciples to share and exchange items," explained Taoist Shanyin.
"Thank you for your help, Taoist Friend Shanyin," said Female Cultivator Yuanyuan gratefully.
Taoist Shanyin just smiled in response.
Female Cultivator Yuanyuan may not seem powerful, but she occasionally possesses rare magical symbols like the "Fast Moving Talisman," suggesting she has hidden talents.
But that’s okay.
Once inside the gathering, they would have to search thoroughly for any treasures she might be hiding…
………………………………..
In the Southwest Province, at Yunxiao Sect.
"Five days."
"There should be five more days…"
The Leader of Yunxiao Sect struggled to half-open his eyes, staring at his reflection in the mirror.
His reflection in the mirror looked withered, with bloodshot eyes, clearly not in good condition.
This body of his was not made of flesh and blood, but a spiritual body.
The changes in the appearance of his spiritual body were actually a result of his poor condition.
"There is still five days left, already starting to feel confused and disoriented."
The Leader of Yunxiao Sect closed his eyes slightly.
According to his plan, he could force the dharma body to continue for thirty more days.
But plans can’t keep up with changes. The death of the true body had a big impact, and now he was indeed on the edge of the dharma body collapsing and his consciousness completely dissipating.
When Yunxiao Sect Leader closed his eyes and opened them again, he realized that half an hour had passed.
He sighed softly, "I can barely hold on for a few more days…"
Suddenly feeling inspired, he walked out of the main formation-enhanced cave of the sect leader, ready to take another look at the Yunxiao Sect sect.
However, as he looked down at the various peaks of the sect from the main peak, Yunxiao Sect Leader couldn’t help but furrow his brow.
It was too quiet, too eerily quiet.
Even though the Yunxiao Sect was in turmoil now, at its most dangerous moment, there shouldn’t be so few people visible on each peak…
With a thought, the Message Jade Talisman in his hand lit up.
Before long, the Nascent Soul Immortal woman named Yun Hu arrived in a rainbow:
"Senior sect leader, why did you come out of seclusion today?"
"Where have the thousands of disciples in my sect gone?" Yunxiao Sect Leader asked sternly.
Immortal Yun Hu was taken aback and replied,
"They probably knew the situation was urgent and all went back to their caves to focus on cultivation… right?"
She hadn’t thought seriously about this before, just went over it in her mind. Now, being asked directly by the sect leader, she suddenly realized.
"Please don’t worry, sect leader," she advised.
"With the sect facing turmoil, the Life Jade Slip, which guards the disciples, is personally overseen by Yu Shan Taoist Child."
Yu Shan Taoist Child has already reached the Nascent Soul Stage. It’s true that it’s beneath him to look after the Life Jade Slip as a distinguished Taoist Child, but now…
"Come, let’s go take a look."
The leader of Yunxiao Sect frowned, and in a flash of rainbow light, landed on a small mountain peak shortly after.
Just entered the main hall.
The leader of Yunxiao Sect was furious.
Inside the main hall, on the shelves of all sizes, the Life Jade Slips that were stacked layer by layer were mostly filled with dense cracks, obviously shattered.
At a glance, the number of broken jade slips seemed to be close to half…
"Yu Shan! What have you done!" The female cultivator Yun Hu beside her was shocked and angry, questioning the young Taoist Child sitting cross-legged in the main hall.
However, at this moment, the young Taoist Child Yu Shan slowly stood up.
He locked eyes with Yunxiao Sect Leader and said:
"How come the sect leader has the leisure to come inspect the Jade Script Hall today?"
"Please rest assured. Since I started overseeing this hall, there has never been a day of negligence. Everything has been fine so far, so the sect leader need not worry." Taoist Child Yu Shan smiled slightly, revealing forty neatly arranged teeth. His smile grew wider and almost reached his ears.
