Chapter 2, the mine is also not peaceful
Elder brother, what has happened to you? Is it serious?" Erzi also felt a bit anxious
What is wrong with you? Aunt Li looked at her husband with a worried expression
With the strength of Xinyuetang, it can undoubtedly influence the decisions of the Heici Society, which is indeed a significant favor
"Being with you, I increasingly feel that I know nothing at all." Su Mingcheng sighed; this was undoubtedly a heartfelt truth
Xie Xiaoyu glanced at that person, flicked her finger, and a sword talisman shot out.
There were only three people when we left, but there were eight people when we returned, along with a large number of items.
He is nothing like Xie Xiaoyu, who is so shabby, nor would he wield a pickaxe to do manual labor. Instead, he took out a talisman and cast it. The talisman shimmered with golden light, and a section of rock immediately transformed into quicksand. The sand fell away, revealing a growing pit. The pit deepened and widened, with the surrounding walls as smooth as jade.
As soon as these words were spoken, a gasp of cold air echoed through the courtyard
The earth spider, a type of demon beast, is inherently skilled in earth evasion, moving through the soil as effortlessly as a fish in water, with a speed comparable to that of a galloping horse
Since the leader mentioned that he could step into the Xuanmen within five years, Su Mingcheng has lost interest in the position of the helmsman
"There is no need for you to mine; even we merely regard mining as a form of practice." Since becoming a cultivator, Li Guangzong has broadened his horizons significantly and is no longer the country bumpkin who would divide a single coin into eight pieces.
Mountains connect to mountains, and as far as the eye can see, there are large trees resembling the canopies of parasols everywhere, with vines hanging between the trees
Xie Xiaoyu felt somewhat reassured
The "Lishi Jing" is not an advanced martial art, but it is gentle and harmonious. It is a method for physical training, particularly adept at regulating meridians, harmonizing qi and blood, and expelling toxins.
The monks in Puguan Alley engaged in a fierce battle, with both sides fighting to the point of chaos, resulting in the collapse of over ten buildings. The number of casualties inside remains unknown, and it has been several years since such a tragedy occurred in Linhai City. Su Mingcheng replied with a smile. From his expression, it was evident that he was completely indifferent to the number of buildings that had fallen or the lives that had been lost.
"Perhaps it is possible," said Xie Xiaoyu from the side
As a person who has spent decades in Tianbao Prefecture, Su Mingcheng carried with him everything he might need. He hurriedly handed over a jade box shaped like a vanity case.
Returning to the cliff, he greeted his parents and sister before heading towards the mine. Now, Xie Xiaoyu's words carry more weight than those of his father.
"Why do I feel like I've lived my life in vain?" Su Mingcheng said, his face full of frustration. He used to be quite self-assured, but ever since he met Xie Xiaoyu, he has felt increasingly insignificant. Initially, he thought she was just trying to intimidate him, but after the hall master explained, he completely understood that he was merely a toad sitting at the bottom of a well, playing in the mud. That young man only showed him how high the sky is and how vast the earth is; the hall master, on the other hand, revealed to him how dangerous the outside world can be.
Is it possible that someone so formidable is merely an ordinary disciple? Su Ming was taken aback, as this matter had always puzzled him
Sister Xi'er, could you please make me another pair of shoes? There are many stones in the mine, and the soles are thin, which makes them uncomfortable.
Su Mingcheng fell into a daze. He reflected on his earlier performance, and after a long while, his head drooped down
Xie Xiaoyu let out a sound of realization; no wonder these captains did not rebel
The old man saw through his intentions and pointed at his nose, scolding, "You truly have wasted a clever face. What is a petty person? It is one who schemes solely for their own benefit. As a petty person, you should not be trying to curry favor for the organization; you should be making connections for yourself. Moreover, do not engage in any tactics of feigned indifference; it is best to be straightforward and clearly state the price."
"Have you heard the news?" asked Xie Xiaoyu
This is the result after the recent thunder explosions.
He detests ungrateful individuals even more, and he particularly loathes those who are self-righteous and regard others as mere ants, and that scholar embodies both traits.
"There is a presence of supernatural energy; it must be something formidable," Xie Xiaoyu said softly
Li Guangzong and the others have returned
I see. Su Mingcheng looked at his stone chamber with a frown. What troubled him even more was that he had grown accustomed to this room filled with rich spiritual energy, which meant that his previous path had been irreparably wrong, and now it was too late to change it.
The Black Thorn Society belongs to the former, which is fortunate.
Cultivators at the Qi Refinement stage can only draw upon their own strength, so the one whose attacks are more focused and explosive has a greater chance of victory. The sword cultivator's attack power is concentrated in a single line, erupting in an instant. Although the techniques may be monotonous, they possess myriad variations, existing purely for the purpose of killing. In this realm, it is difficult to find an opponent, but when faced with a foe of a higher level, the outcome becomes uncertain.
A quarter of an hour later, a series of dull thunderclaps erupted from the small hill, and the ominous energy surrounding the hill surged upward as if a volcano had erupted. After a moment, accompanied by a series of piercing howls, more than a dozen grotesquely ugly spiders, their bodies covered in a mottled pattern of black and yellow, suddenly emerged from the small hill.
A true person is a title of respect for practitioners who have entered the mystical realm. They are able to communicate with heaven and earth, harnessing the power of the universe, and their actions are exceedingly terrifying
Xie Xiaoyu did not mind the dirt, as she began to rummage through the clumps of soil covered in slurry. As she pried apart the clumps, a fist-sized, translucent egg appeared.
Items imbued with spiritual energy can only be preserved in jade boxes; otherwise, the spiritual energy will gradually dissipate
A sudden cacophony of cracking sounds was heard, and the entire archway collapsed with a thunderous crash, scattering bamboo strips and wooden planks everywhere
"They do not need to be adults; adult earth spiders are merely stronger and have thicker skin, but otherwise they are not much different from their juvenile forms. What I care about is their ability to burrow into the ground and their sensitivity to vibrations." As she explained, Xie Xiaoyu snapped her fingers and cast a sword talisman.
There is nothing to worry about; someone wants to deal with us. That guy didn't show up himself but hired assassins from the Black Thorn Society, yet we took care of them.
Upon witnessing this scene, Xie Xiaoyu couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy. While sword cultivation is commendable, its methods are rather singular. When it comes to the marvelous and the mysterious, it truly pales in comparison to spells, and among spells, none are as varied and transformative as those of the Five Elements lineage
Just as it was about to enter the cave, a very thin white thread suddenly shot out, instantly wrapping around the wooden butterfly and swiftly dragging it back like a flash of lightning.
Do you want to raise a monster? Even if it hatches, it will take at least fifty or sixty years to grow. Su Mingcheng was not very clear about what Xie Xiaoyu intended to do. In Tianbao Prefecture, it is not that no one raises monsters, but the problem is that monsters have long lifespans and lengthy juvenile periods, often lasting a hundred or eighty years.
Only after this group of earth spiders had completely vanished from sight did Su Mingcheng let out a sigh and ask, "Aren't you going to take a look?"
Su Mingcheng has followed along as well; he has now firmly decided to act as Xie Xiaoyu's sycophant
The old man seemed to be provoked by Xie Xiaoyu and also began to take on the role of a teacher.
"Do you have something like a jade box?" Xie Xiaoyu turned her head and asked
Having set up the Spirit Gathering Array, he did not rush to cultivate but instead stepped out and took out five array bases, saying: "Young man, it seems that your Spirit Gathering Array is lacking a bit; why not use mine instead"
"Can you deliver this to those spiders?" Xi Xiaoyu carefully threw a leather bag over.
Once the detoxification elixir is obtained, the fate of these two individuals and the performer will depend on their luck. If fortune smiles upon them, and their vital energy has not been completely obstructed by the miasma, and the poison has not penetrated their very bones, there remains hope
Let’s build three separate rooms. One for you and your spouse, one for the couple of your second son, and one for Sister Xi'er
The Sihui Archway on Huangni Street remains bustling and noisy, with men gathered together boasting and chatting, while women huddle together discussing household matters
This is his heartfelt truth. For a cultivator, the most important thing is the cultivation method; if his cultivation method is inadequate, his entire life of cultivation will be limited to this point, and now it is already too late to change his path. "The True Explanation of Sword Talismans" is merely a fragment, yet it is of the highest level, directly pointing to the Great Dao
No one knows the situation of the Black Thorn Society, but there are certainly real people inside, and their numbers are not small. Sometimes they even hire experts temporarily to assist them in committing murder; as long as the price is right, even if it takes half a year to come from the Central Plains and another half year to return, there will still be people willing to make the trip. Su Mingcheng extinguished Xie Xiaoyu's hopes.
There are two street corners when you go out, and you can see that the lights of a nearby teahouse are still on. A tea doctor stands dazed in the corner, his eyes vacant. Inside, there is a short, plump old man with a red face sitting there; his face is abnormally red, his head slightly balding, with a sparse beard at the corners of his mouth, bulging eyes, and small eyes. He is wearing a yellow-brown linen shirt, resembling both a monk's robe and a long coat, and on his feet are a pair of wooden clogs.
The benefits of this item are similar to those of a talisman, as it imposes no requirements on cultivation level. A novice cultivator, wielding a powerful thunderbolt, can still kill someone with a much higher cultivation level. However, the downside is that it is uncontrollable and can easily be detonated by others, resulting in a higher probability of self-destruction than of defeating the enemy.
"Is it possible to stuff it into the Sutra Repository?" Su Mingcheng suddenly realized.
When I initially purchased those few martial arts techniques in Linhai City, I also acquired a copy of "The Nine Heavens' Daoist Scripture of the Mystical Spirit Treasure." The content of the book is largely a compilation, but it contains several methods for refining thunder.
The Black Thorn Society has lost a member; is there any explanation for this? Before making a decision, Xie Xiaoyu must first ascertain the situation.
So fast! Su Mingcheng suddenly stood up
Three days later, the flying ship slowly descended in the mining area
He can refine elixirs?" Su Mingcheng's eyes widened
"How do you have so many mechanical beasts?" asked Xie Xiaoyu. Now that the demon beasts have been located, they are just waiting for those people to set off. The next phase will be a long wait, during which it is not suitable to cultivate, so he wanted to find some topics to discuss.
Upon hearing that the Black Thorn Society is an assassin organization, Xie Xiaoyu's head immediately felt much heavier.
"It's nothing remarkable, just a few minor characters," Li Guangzong feigned calmness and waved his hand, saying, "A total of three came, and all were taken care of by the young man."
This was originally a transaction; someone paid to buy your life. They took on the deal, but it ultimately failed. Next, they have two options: either refund the money, but since a life was lost after the transaction, according to the rules, they would only return half; or continue to send someone to assassinate you, though this depends on whether the price can be negotiated. The assassins of the Black Spike Society all voluntarily take on tasks, and your task is quite difficult. The reward is relatively low, so it is likely that no one will take it unless the person who paid for your life increases the reward.
You have never stayed in the sect; the sect is full of hypocrites. That person came here not by his own desire, right? Given his status, he associates with a group of commoners. Have you ever thought about why? You went to trouble him, which had already created enmity. Fortunately, you showed some leniency beforehand and did not offend him too deeply. Afterward, you were willing to lower yourself to curry favor, but what benefits did you actually gain? You still haven't grasped that person's character; it's truly a waste of your clever appearance. The old man looked at you with a sense of disappointment.
Su Mingcheng was outside. Because the opening was too small, he could not squeeze in. Initially, he thought he would be of no help, but unexpectedly, there was still an opportunity.
The young man has just arrived here and is not clear about the situation. The Black Thorn Society is not a gang, but rather an assassin organization that entirely operates on taking people's money and eliminating their troubles. The membership of the Black Thorn Society is secretive; its members could be the leaders of certain gangs or officials within the government, but the majority are rogue cultivators. Rogue cultivators do not want to be restricted by gangs, yet they need resources for their cultivation, so joining the Black Thorn Society is the best choice. The three individuals killed today were all rogue cultivators, and they were notorious for their violent deeds, often engaging in murder and robbery, naturally disregarding human life. Su Mingcheng explained the reasons behind this.
The power of Thunder Law ranks among the foremost of various spells. Practitioners of Thunder Law, like sword cultivators and martial cultivators, are all killing machines. Unfortunately, Thunder Law is difficult to cultivate, which has led some to imitate it and develop various forms of thunder.
Only Er Dai was at the top of the cliff. Today it was his turn to watch the house. Upon seeing Li Guangzong and Xie Xiaoyu return, Er Dai ran wildly towards the mine to deliver the news
Now even Li Guangzong no longer cares about the shipping costs
What is this? he asked
Xie Xiaoyu braved great danger to come over, certainly not for these things. He then cast out a quicksand talisman.
Do you mean that I should put in more effort to make friends? Su Mingcheng has already planned to make a trip to the Black Thorn Society with the library.
Sitting across from him, Su Mingcheng was drenched in sweat. Just a moment ago, when the old man mentioned that he could step into the Xuanmen within five years, a trace of disrespectful thought had crossed his mind. However, now he was devoid of any thoughts. If he dared to break away from the Xinyuetang and establish his own faction, he would ultimately be played to death by this cunning old fox.
By the way, I just remembered something. "Xie Xiaoyu does not like to owe favors. Su Mingcheng follows him around, borrowing this and that, and in return, he will definitely have to offer some benefits: 'The miasma in Tianbaozhou is so heavy, there must be many kinds of toxins. Toxins can be divided into those from plants and those from insects and snakes. You can try to find seven kinds of highly toxic plants to refine into the Seven Poisons, and then find seven kinds of highly toxic insects and snakes to refine into the Seven Gu using the method of Gu cultivation. After that, kill the Gu to take their souls, and use the Gu souls to replace the fierce and malevolent souls to refine the sword talisman. Once refined, merge the sword talisman into the Gu corpse, combining the talisman and the Gu. The sword refined this way, the Xuanming Seven Killing Sword... After refining, merge the sword talisman into the Gu corpse, combining the talisman and the Gu. The sword refined this way, the Xuanming Seven Killing Sword... It seems that it can no longer be called by this name.'
"Firefight?" Xie Xiaoyu's expression was strange as she hurriedly asked, "Did those patrolling officers not discover the bodies of the assassins from the Black Thorn Society?"
The earthen mound is not far from here, and Xie Xiaoyu will arrive soon. He immediately cast a quicksand talisman over.
The sword light circled around the archway several times
In just the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, a stone chamber has appeared
The pit is being dug deeper and deeper, and the quicksand piling up at my feet is also increasing.
"When we fought with the Black Thorn Society, we couldn't control the intensity. The aftermath of the battle affected three city blocks, and dozens of buildings were flattened. I don't know how many people died; it is truly tragic," said Xie Xiaoyu淡淡地.
"Do you need help? That person isn't very skilled, but the fan in their hand is quite troublesome," Su Mingcheng approached and asked.
So what?" The old man's head kept leaning in front of Su Mingcheng, his tone making Su Mingcheng feel dizzy: "Does my hall need to be masked by loyalty, righteousness, benevolence, and filial piety? Why is it called the Xinle Hall? Those who trust me will find joy. We are indeed petty people; fanning the flames and sowing discord is the behavior of the petty. Your earlier performance was quite similar to that of the hypocrite from the Loyalty and Righteousness Hall. If I were him, I would definitely keep my distance from you in the future.
It should be so. However, he never speaks of it, feeling quite similar to you. After Su Mingcheng finished speaking, he was also stirred. Previously, they, as leaders, had discussed the identity of the hall master, with all sorts of speculations, but ultimately no conclusion was reached; now, with this comparison, he began to suspect that the hall master, like the person before him, was a disciple who had broken away from a major sect, perhaps even exiled here. They had previously discussed the identity of the hall master, with all sorts of speculations, but ultimately no conclusion was reached; now, with this comparison, he began to suspect that the hall master, like the person before him, was a disciple who had broken away from a major sect, perhaps even exiled here.
Li Guangzong's daughter is quite attractive, a delicate beauty, and in the eyes of these young men, she is like a celestial fairy descending to the mortal realm
"Seven Killers, Seven Stars, Seven Poisons, Seven Worms..." Su Mingcheng murmured to himself. Although the refining had not yet begun, he already felt a chill run down his spine. One can only imagine that once this set of sword talismans is successfully refined, it will undoubtedly astonish the heavens and weep for the spirits.
"Do not speak carelessly; others may want to stay but cannot!" Li Guangzong glared at his wife, stamped his foot on the ground, and said in a low voice, "There is a spiritual vein beneath us. Do you know what a spiritual vein is? Uninformed woman."
The people of Tianbao Prefecture are all aware of the terror of the Black Thorn Society; to them, it is akin to the underworld. The assassins of the Black Thorn Society are like the grim reapers of the netherworld.
Li Guangzong did not know how to respond to this...
"You should have a mechanism beast that can run faster, right?" asked Xie Xiaoyu
There is no need. When I saved them from a pack of demon wolves, it was as if I had never saved them at all. I will find another group of demon beasts to let them get close to on their way back. Xie Xiaoyu is no longer the kind-hearted disciple from the Scripture Pavilion; the experiences of the past year have taught him to repay kindness with kindness.
Su Mingcheng quickly sat down, picked up the teapot beside him, poured himself a cup of tea, and then took a sip.
Li Guangzong's expression changed slightly; he did not know how to explain it.
"One household, one pile; please help to divide it," said Xie Xiaoyu
There was a hint of complaint in her words, and Su Mingcheng was sweating profusely. He had originally thought that Xie Xiaoyu was just speaking casually, but he did not expect there to be depth to it.
If I am not mistaken, he is likely not coming to the Loyalty Hall to purchase elixirs; rather, he is seeking the formula. The old man, with his extensive experience, has already deduced from the reports provided by Su Mingcheng that Xie Xiaoyu is capable of alchemy.
"Don't, don't make a move, it's me." The person repeatedly waved their hands.
"Foolish, truly foolish. You can sell me the things you cannot use! If I have no use for them, you can sell them to other leaders as well. You benefit, and everyone else benefits too." The old man picked up a chopstick and began to tap it randomly on Su Mingcheng's head.
The person who arrived was Su Mingcheng, the helmsman of Xinyue Hall
I will resign from the pharmacy tomorrow. Erzi is quite straightforward in this regard
After feeling somewhat relieved, the old man pointed his chopsticks towards the direction of the Loyalty and Righteousness Hall and said, "Guess how that old fool will act?" After a sinister chuckle, the old man continued, "He will definitely seek out that person named Li Guangzong, trying to build connections and curry favor, subtly asking the other party to refine pills. Then he will return and tell everyone that the Loyalty and Righteousness Hall also has an alchemist, and in the future, it will become the largest gang in Tianbao Prefecture. To show goodwill, the old fool will generously distribute pills, and to prevent the Loyalty and Righteousness Hall from becoming a target, he will also have to offer some pills as favors. As time goes on, his supply of pills will never be enough. What happens when there aren't enough pills? Of course, it means making the alchemist work overtime to produce more pills. But is that kid someone who will obediently act as an alchemist? He certainly learned alchemy only for his own use, and he is a character who would rather break than bend. Just wait and see, it will definitely be a grand spectacle. If you are interested, you can also go up and beat the drums, ring the gongs, and scrape the old fool's face."
He is well aware that concealment is futile. The other party, capable of affording the assassins from the Black Thorn Society, undoubtedly knows his connection to this archway. He does not wish to endanger the people here
That is not a real butterfly, although it appears very lifelike and has a dynamic appearance, its wings have a wooden texture, and a crystal bead is embedded in the center.
This is not a formality
It is very dangerous here; I fear that the members of the Black Thorn Society will cause trouble for you. It would be best for everyone to find another place to stay. Here are some items that were confiscated from the assassins and the * map * book of the Black Thorn Society; everyone should take a share as compensation. Xie Xiaoyu took out two storage bags, pulled over a table, and emptied all the contents onto it.
At this point, the old man seemed to see the leader of the Loyalty and Righteousness Hall in a predicament, and couldn't help but stroke his beard and laugh heartily
This statement was directed at Erzi, but Li Guangzong stood up first. This is certainly not fair; those who receive less will harbor resentment, which Erzi cannot bear, yet he is indifferent to it.
Sister Xi'er, it is wonderful to have you here; our jackets need some mending
"It is a soil spider." Su Mingcheng's expression changed in shock.
This is the benefit of magic
Is this... is this too disappointing for you, Master? Su Mingcheng did not know whether this was the truth or a lie; he feared misunderstanding it could cost him his life
Can we also cultivate?" the actor asked tentatively, a bit excited. Years ago, he had eagerly purchased a cultivation method, practicing it recklessly and without hesitation, which shows how fervent his desire for cultivation was
"As I guessed, they went northeast." Xie Xiaoyu casually extinguished the spark, noting that the other party was still taking the same route as before
There are two types of assassin organizations. One type engages in transactions with the left hand while holding a large number of assassins with the right hand, acting merely as an intermediary, with all assassins recruited from outside. The other type raises its own assassins, mostly training them from a young age, a process that is extremely brutal, involving multiple eliminations, until only a group of elites remains
"Since your stone chamber has been opened, why not simply dig seven more holes, and within them, construct several pools using jade? Then, find a way to gather the seven types of malevolent energy and nurture them with spiritual energy," Xie Xiaoyu advised.
Without saying anything else, if he cannot cross that threshold, he can at most enjoy glory for another fifty or sixty years, and in the last ten years, he will be just like an ordinary old man, spending most of his time in bed. Which cultivator would be willing to accept such an ending? Which cultivator does not desire longevity?
Xie Xiaoyu carefully placed the insect eggs into the box and then continued to search through the soil. By the time he emerged from the hole, the box already contained sixteen insect eggs
Xie Xiaoyu suddenly turned around, her index and middle fingers already pinching a sword talisman, while Li Guangzong similarly held a knife wheel in his hand
Su Mingcheng opened the bag and took a glance inside; it contained a bundle of dirty clothes, a few stinky socks, and besides that, there were several objects the size of walnuts
Su Mingcheng closed his eyes tightly, his right index finger resting on his brow, and everything that the butterfly saw was captured in his eyes
He casually took out a wooden rabbit from the bag of holding
Li Fulü did not linger around his sister; he ran straight to Xie Xiaoyu and whispered, "Elder brother, I have been keeping an eye on the person you asked me to watch. It seems they are about to leave in the next couple of days. I was worried about how to inform you, but unexpectedly, you all returned today."
"It takes a year to travel back and forth to Middle-earth. I want to check on a person? Damn, it's quite a hassle." The old man poured another cup of tea, savoring it as he said, "However, judging by this person's behavior, what he said should be true. Given his eagerness to be a teacher, he probably really did come from the Sutra Repository."
As Xie Xiaoyu was contemplating how to revise the disrupted schedule, she suddenly heard a commotion of footsteps outside, followed by someone leaping in.
I also wish to intrude; I will open a stone cave right next to your dwelling. Su Mingcheng has come along this time, intending to stay for an extended period.
Most of the items on the table are money and silver. These coins are certainly not ordinary copper coins; they are all minted from precious metals, with a value that even exceeds that of equivalent gold. However, Xie Xiaoyu is not interested in distinguishing them one by one. She casually waved her hand a couple of times, dividing these items into dozens of piles
"Please have a seat; the tea here is quite good," the red-faced old man gestured towards the seat opposite.
It is a pity. There were originally supposed to be five or six hundred pieces, but most of them were blown to pieces, "Xie Xiaoyu said regretfully
A phrase can be rephrased in such a way that it feels entirely different; what is clearly a constraint sounds instead like a style
The black mist is as large as a mountain, and it gives an exceptionally heavy feeling. A strong wind blows through, causing the black mist to sway only twice, with some of the areas closer to the periphery being dispersed.
Apart from Li Fulv, everyone else harbored a slight thought in their hearts
Five years? Su Mingcheng was taken aback. He is currently at the eighth level and must surpass two more realms, with an even higher threshold ahead.
All that has collapsed are clods of earth, still covered with a milky-white slurry
The second type is far more dangerous; once offended, it is like a maggot clinging to the bone
This item is made of wooden pieces
"Fortunately, you haven't become completely foolish yet," the old man nodded. "It's not just the Sutra Repository; places like the Alchemy Room and the Equipment Room are also used to nurture geniuses. After all, with such exceptional talent, it doesn't hurt to invest a little attention. The sect can gain another valuable talent, so why not? Moreover, a genius is a genius wherever they go, and they can easily produce master-level figures. Whether it's alchemy, artifact crafting, talisman making, or formation techniques, any master in these fields can bring immense benefits to the sect. In comparison, what use is it to have an invincible expert in the sect? They challenge everyone, offend many, and bring trouble to the sect. Fame belongs to the individual, but the trouble must be borne by the sect. Is it worth it?"
Su Mingcheng does not want to think about anything right now; he will just do as instructed.
These spiders appear briefly, only to vanish immediately, while faintly visible on the ground are slightly raised ridges, which continue to extend forward.
Xie Xiaoyu walked along the way, observing his surroundings. The world seen through his eyes was different from others, filled with a variety of colorful lights. Some of these lights gathered in clusters, while others floated like wisps, resembling drifting fluff or wandering threads
Xie Xiaoyu is now the person in charge here
"Speaking of the Black Thorn Society, I find it quite intriguing. Although cultivators do not place much value on human life, there seem to be few who are as reckless as this. There must be some significance behind it, right?" asked Xie Xiaoyu.
In the distance, a small hill is continuously emitting black smoke
Fortunately, all the attention of those earth spiders was drawn to the frantically running mechanical rabbit ahead, and they pursued that rabbit relentlessly, completely oblivious to the commotion around them
The sword talisman suddenly exploded, and the earth cave that had just been excavated with www.hetushu.com collapsed with a loud bang. After the entire earth mound shook a few times, it also collapsed.
The recent battle has given Xie Xiaoyu a deeper understanding of sword cultivators
Two figures swiftly darted through the jungle
Su Ming immediately understood that his opportunity to make an appearance had arrived
Su Mingcheng walked over with his hands hanging down
A scream erupted from the crowd, and it was not just one person; there were both men and women shouting
"How are you going to lure those earth spiders over?" Su Mingcheng asked
In the Xinyue Hall, there is a leader skilled in mechanical arts. There are rules within the hall that prohibit selling the creations outside, so everyone can only exchange resources among themselves. Su Mingcheng explained that this is not a secret.
He pulled a butterfly out of his sleeve
He couldn't help but ask whether it could be even stronger. Currently, there are only four types; if it could be combined into seven types, it would be perfect
After following for twelve years, you have only regressed further. I heard everything from start to finish when you spoke to that kid. You should have directly told him that the members of the Black Thorn Society were invited by the Loyal and Righteous Hall. The old man slammed the table forcefully, completely resembling an old rogue.
He is busy working hard, and in the distance, a large group of people is running over. Er Dai has led everyone back.
Xie Xiaoyu nodded. Before coming here, Su Mingcheng had already taken a solemn oath, vowing not to disclose anything he saw. He had no wife or children, and it was impossible for him to betray his oath for the sake of any relatives, so he could be completely at ease
"Very good, these are the ones." Trading earth spiders for demon wolves is definitely a good deal. Xie Xiaoyu felt that she was too kind.
"You two should not take it. We originally planned to take Aunt Li and Sister Xi to the mine, but now that this has happened, why don't you both go together?" Xie Xiaoyu had a bit of affection for the two. Erzi was involved because of Li Guangzong; when someone came knocking, the actor invited that Officer Zhang over.
A large expanse of soil transformed into quicksand, spreading in all directions, with many dry corpses and bones mixed within the quicksand, remnants of what the earth spiders had consumed
Isn't Xinyue Hall known for its freedom?" Xie Xiaoyu felt somewhat puzzled
That laughter made Su Ming's hair stand on end, and upon reflecting on the words just spoken, he wished he could slap himself twice more.
Xie Xiaoyu and Su Mingcheng hid in the tree, both holding their breath and trying to slow their heartbeats as much as possible. Although the earth spiders have a row of eyes, they are not much different from the blind; they rely on vibration to sense their surroundings. The mechanical butterfly that just flapped its wings created vibrations in the air, which alerted them.
A person of humble origins, no matter how talented, will not receive much in terms of resources within the sect; everything must be obtained through their own efforts, including elixirs, magical tools, and talismans. Thus, most of the geniuses placed in the Scripture Repository and the Alchemy Room are well-rounded individuals, proficient in various skills. The old man's tone was filled with envy
"Twelve years have passed." Su Mingcheng felt a tremor in his heart, unsure of where he had gone wrong
The old man appeared somewhat desolate at this point
This time there is no need for explanation, Su Mingcheng has already understood Xie Xiaoyu's intentions. Demonic beasts like earth spiders lack intelligence and make decisions purely based on instinct, making them easily lured.
"No problem," Li Fulv said, puffing out his chest
"Don't. What happened tonight is significant, and the news will surely reach your boss's ears soon. If you want to leave, do so first thing tomorrow morning." The actor spoke decisively. He was all alone, unlike Erzi, who had a wife to consider.
I am ready to release the eagle said Su Mingcheng from the side
"How many years have you been following me?" the old man asked
Xie Xiaoyu immediately became spirited. He wanted Li Fulu to keep an eye on that scholar who was always holding a fan.
"Rest assured, little brother." Su Mingcheng glanced at the foot of the mountain. Is it safe there?
Upon deeper reflection, it appears that all the good things are absorbed internally. At first glance, it seems that everyone has suffered significant losses. However, upon closer examination, one realizes that while selling goods may indeed result in a loss, purchasing them brings advantages. In the end, the benefits gained from buying outweigh the losses incurred from selling.
Li Guangzong and Xie Xiaoyu suddenly burst in, causing a stir. The two of them appeared quite disheveled, especially Li Guangzong, who had crashed through walls and rolled on the ground, his body covered in dirt and dust
Unfortunately, the plan was disrupted from the very beginning. He unexpectedly acquired the "Sixfold Method" and changed his path to that of a sword cultivator. Although he no longer needed his original magical artifact, the transformation of his true energy into sword energy forced him to quickly refine a pill for nurturing his meridians. Therefore, the tasks of searching for medicinal ingredients and refining detoxification pills had to be expedited.
Indeed, among the various halls in Tianbao Prefecture, the Xinyue Hall is the most free-spirited, with only one rule—no matter what it is, it can only come in and not go out. At this point, Su Mingcheng couldn't help but recall the hall master's rogue demeanor
"Thunder," replied Xie Xiaoyu
It is better to avoid unnecessary trouble. In Tianbao Prefecture, there are so many cultivators; it would be easy to find two who recently died to pin this charge on, which is certainly preferable to going to the Black Thorn Society to inquire about the case. Su Mingcheng was well aware of the government's approach.
Su Mingcheng has left. He came here solely to deliver a message. In addition to conveying that information to Xie Xiaoyu, he also patted his chest and assured that Xinyetang has already suppressed this matter. The Heici Society must either continue the assassination or refund the money; they will not involve innocent parties.
"You have offended the members of the Black Thorn Society; why should we suffer for it?" A middle-aged man in his forties stood up angrily
"Young man, I am foolish; I thought things should be bought well, but I didn't expect there to be other opinions." Su Mingcheng repeatedly cupped his hands in apology, his face full of regret
In the sect, even the most favored disciple will not initially reside in a high-grade spiritual cave. It is not that it cannot be done, but rather that it is not advisable. Just like raising a child, one can only start with milk; as they grow, they are fed egg custard and minced meat, and later fish and shrimp are added. One cannot begin with lavish meals right away. Indeed, Xie Xiaoyu is as fond of teaching others as the plump old man described.
Before arriving in Tianbaozhou, he had formulated a plan. The first step was to raise chickens and cultivate land, striving for self-sufficiency, without having to worry about the pervasive toxins in Tianbaozhou; the second step was to create a substitute for the previous life-saving artifact; the third step was to travel through Tianbaozhou, seeking the necessary medicinal ingredients to refine a detoxification pill. With the detoxification pill, the abundant medicinal materials in Tianbaozhou could be utilized. The first step was to raise chickens and cultivate land, striving for self-sufficiency, without having to worry about the pervasive toxins in Tianbaozhou; the second step was to create a substitute for the previous life-saving artifact; the third step was to travel through Tianbaozhou, seeking the necessary medicinal ingredients to refine a detoxification pill. With the detoxification pill, the abundant medicinal materials in Tianbaozhou could be utilized
The wooden butterfly flapped its wings and took flight, closely following the treetops as it headed towards the small hill
Is there a real person in the Black Thorn Society?" Xie Xiaoyu wanted to confirm one last thing
Aren't you being too cautious? Su Mingcheng knew this was to eliminate traces. He did not think it was necessary, as the earth spider had no intelligence at all
This is the place where we live! Aunt Li wore a gloomy expression. When she arrived, she had thought that her husband had become a practitioner, and that even if they did not live in a grand estate, it should at least be comparable to that of a mine owner. To her surprise, it was just a large wooden house, and it was a communal sleeping arrangement.
"Be careful, and you won't go wrong," said Xie Xiaoyu, sharing a piece of wisdom. Over the past year, he had to keep one eye open even while sleeping; it was precisely due to his caution and prudence that he has survived to this day
Suddenly, he stood still and gazed into the distance, then leaped onto the treetops.
Aunt Li fell silent; she truly did not know what a spiritual vein was
Su Mingcheng tightened the bag's opening again and took out another eagle from the storage bag, which was also made of wood
Su Mingcheng's head has already drooped to his chest. He now also feels increasingly pitiful as he understands more and more.
We went to the mine, but I fear we won't be able to accomplish much work" the actor turned and said again
Xie Xiaoyu also gasped in shock; this was not comparable to when he had killed those demon wolves before
The stone chamber was excavated, and Su Mingcheng took out a set of seven array bases from his sleeve and placed them into the pre-dug stone cavity. He employed the Seven Stars Convergence Array, which corresponds precisely to the Seven Fiends. Currently, he is cultivating the Xuanming Seven Fiends Sword. If he can absorb the power of the Seven Stars and then seek out the malevolent energy compatible with the Seven Stars, the manifest will be the Seven Fiends, while the latent will be the Seven Stars, significantly enhancing his power by more than double, and providing even greater momentum.
I am afraid it will have the opposite effect. Su Mingcheng felt relieved and quickly explained
As soon as they ascended the mountain, those people immediately began to exclaim in unison: "Aunt, you have come too?"
Su Mingcheng was becoming increasingly restless; he was now more grateful than ever for his initial choice. If he had not bowed his head and humbled himself at that time, and if he had not taken out the "True Explanation of Sword Talismans" to establish a good relationship, how could he have reaped so many benefits
What will happen then? What position will be given? Could it be that the position of the sect leader will be vacated? That is impossible. The sect leader does not necessarily need strength; skill and connections are far more important. The old man looked at Su Mingcheng with a playful expression, wanting to see if this guy was clever enough.
Su Ming nodded repeatedly, fully aware that he was indeed in the wrong
Lack of insight; the major sects are quite deep! What do disciples see first upon entering? It is not talent, but family background! Disciples from good family backgrounds are always given some face. Those with good talent are trained in the battle hall to become enforcers; those with even better talent will quickly stand out in the battle hall, then dominate the world and look down upon all.
At the top of the small hill, there is a small hole, from which he gently controlled the wooden butterfly to descend.
"Certainly. The Demon Sect possesses a technique known as the Seven Emotions Enchantment. If you can acquire it, you may also integrate it. Additionally, there is the Seven Wounds Secret Art, which first harms oneself before harming others. Ultimately, you can refine the sword talisman into the seven orifices. Once mastered, you will be able to kill with a glare and take lives with your breath, reaching an unparalleled level of power... The prerequisite is that you are not afraid of the heavens' prohibitions. It is important to understand that when water is full, it overflows; when the moon is full, it wanes. The number four and seven represents the limits of humanity, five and seven represents the limits of the earth, six and seven represents the limits of the heavens, and seven times seven, forty-nine, represents the ultimate principle of the Dao." Xie Xiaoyu let out a sly laugh.
"You actually survived the hands of the Black Thorn Society," Erzi said incredulously, completely stunned.
The middle-aged man trembled as he sat back down, and the others in the courtyard fell silent one by one. They had originally harbored a sense of resentment, but at the moment the archway collapsed, all feelings of resentment vanished. These two before them could even take down the assassins of the Black Thorn Society; killing them would be as easy as squashing a cockroach.
What took him by surprise was that Xie Xiaoyu actually clasped her hands and said: "Congratulations, you have already glimpsed the edge of the Great Way. The Great Way is boundless; the deeper your understanding of it, the more you realize how little you truly know. My master once said that before he turned forty, he read extensively and believed he knew everything; but after traveling around and experiencing the worldly splendor, when he returned to reading, he discovered that he knew nothing at all"
"You still keep an eye on them for me." Xie Xiaoyu took out a message token and handed it to Li Fulu, saying, "As soon as they leave, you send me a message."
Then... just as Xie Xiaoyu was about to ask again, a spark flew over from a distance
Seeing that Su Mingcheng was about to take action, Xie Xiaoyu added, "Dig the hole a little deeper. This kind of malevolent energy is dangerous; if it leaks out, it could be disastrous"
Beyond the mining area lies a dense forest, and ten miles away is a perilous land. When Tiangong Prefecture was first developed, countless individuals were consumed by these thick woods.
Xie Xiaoyu did not speak, but instead expressed everything through action. He soared towards the small hill.
"Is your leader also a member of the sect?" asked Xie Xiaoyu, as he suspected that all the gangs in Tianbao Prefecture were secretly controlled by various sects from the Central Plains
"Do you know why I am telling you all this?" the old man asked with a smile. Before Su Mingcheng could respond, he already provided the answer: "I do not know the origins of the 'Shifang Daozang', but I know it is an extraordinary classic; the fact that you can receive its teachings indicates that you are a person of great fortune. However, your fortune was lacking in part, and now it has been completed, leading to an unlimited future. Within five years, you will surely be able to reach my level, and becoming a true person is not your endpoint; you can still ascend further, at least further than I have." He had already provided the answer: "I do not know the origins of the 'Shifang Daozang', but I know it is an extraordinary classic; the fact that you can receive its teachings indicates that you are a person of great fortune. However, your fortune was lacking in part, and now it has been completed, leading to an unlimited future. Within five years, you will surely be able to reach my level, and becoming a true person is not your endpoint; you can still ascend further, at least further than I have."
Having received consent, Su Mingcheng happily went to dig a hole
The tea is bitter and astringent, with a hint of grassiness; it is truly difficult to identify any positive aspects.
"There is no need for that," Xie Xiaoyu did not accept. "Having more spiritual energy is not necessarily better. I once mentioned in the city that you could simply buy a low-grade magic array, but you did not take it to heart"
Suddenly, there was a loud crash as the front collapsed
Xie Xiaoyu looked full of longing
"Idiot." Su Mingcheng lightly slapped himself. The leader always called him an idiot, and he didn't believe it; now he is starting to doubt that it might be true