Jian Chen, Wu Qiuyu, Yun Zhongzi, Xing Zuo, and Gu Ming instantly adopted a calm and composed expression.

His face was resolute, his lips tightly pressed together, and he remained motionless like a statue.

Elder Lishan sighed and said, "Gentlemen, don't you need to explain?"

Yun Zhongzi asked with a puzzled look, "What do you mean, Senior Brother?"

Elder Lishan became somewhat angry.

Although I may be a bit shy, you can't treat me like a fool!

"With that 'click-click' sound you're making, do you think we're deaf?"

Yun Zhongzi said with a serious expression, "Senior brother must have misheard. I haven't moved an inch here, not even my mouth. So where did this strange 'crack' sound come from?"

Jian Chen chimed in, "That's right, I can testify."

What kind of certificate are you making!

Uncle-Master, you haven't been idle either!

Elder Lishan looked at Jian Chen and said, "Uncle-Master, just confess like this. We're not fools or deaf. And Junior Sister Qiuyu, I'm right next to you. What's the use of you not moving? Your cheeks are still puffed out!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Qiuyu quickly began to chew.

The clicking sound rang out again.

After swallowing quickly, Wu Qiuyu said directly, "Senior brother, please forgive me. I have confessed that it was Senior Brother Yun Zhongzi who gave it to me."

Jian Chen quickly added, "Alas, I didn't want this either. Yes, it was indeed given to me by Yun Zhongzi."

Xing Zuo and Gu Ming didn't speak, but from their turning to look at Yun Zhongzi, they already understood what the two meant.

Yun Zhongzi couldn't hold back any longer and stood up helplessly, saying, "Well, it's nothing really, just some snacks I borrowed from Junior Brother Ye Feng."

Jian Yi said with dissatisfaction, "I have to criticize you for this too. How can you keep it all to yourself? Hurry up and share it."

Yun Zhongzi took out a deep-fried cicada turtle and held it in his palm, saying, "It's not that I don't want to share, it's just that this thing is too ugly. I'm afraid my fellow disciples will say I'm cheating them. Besides, I didn't really manage to get many of these."

When Jian Yili and the others saw the cicada tortoise, they immediately looked disgusted.

Almost all sword cultivators are germaphobes, so seeing such an ugly thing was indeed unbearable.

"What the hell is this? Forget it, don't share it, I'm not worthy of it."

Yun Zhongzi coughed lightly and said, "It is a bit ugly, but I accidentally chatted with my junior brother and learned about the whole story of this little thing."

"Don't let his ugly appearance fool you, Uncle-Master. He's no ordinary person. He's the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi, the eldest disciple of Buddha in the Western Buddhist Kingdom of the Immortal Realm. Eating him will not only strengthen your body and boost your energy, but also prolong your lifespan. For us sword cultivators, eating him will also enhance our understanding of the earth element, which might come in handy in the future. Besides that..."

Yun Zhongzi glanced around and said in a low voice, "This little thing can improve your cultivation if you eat it. It's comparable to the sea cockroach. However, there are far fewer of these little things compared to the sea cockroach, but they are also much tastier. That's why Junior Brother didn't take them out."

"Oh? If you put it that way, I'm actually quite interested in trying it."

Jian Yi said with a smile.

Everyone present knows what their disciple Ye Feng is like.

If he says it's delicious, then it must be really good.

Although these little things are a bit ugly, it's still okay to eat one or two to taste them.

Upon hearing this, Yun Zhongzi stopped talking and took out a jade slip to distribute to everyone in the council hall.

As the meeting was nearing its end, Yun Zhongzi said directly, "My fellow uncles, senior brothers, and junior brothers, please don't spread this around when you get back. After all, there are only a few of these little things, and I took advantage of my junior brother's inattention to steal them. It wouldn't sound good if word got out."

Jian Yi said, "Don't worry, don't you know our mouths? Even if Mount Tai'a collapses, our mouths won't open."

After saying that, he put away his share and transformed into a rainbow, departing.

The others also left one after another, except for the few who had challenged him to a duel, and all returned to their own cave dwellings.

Jian Yi was in his own cave, holding a deep-fried cicada turtle in his hand.

He opened his mouth several times, then put it down again.

This thing was so ugly that he couldn't bring himself to eat it.

He tried to put it aside, but the "click-clack" sound in the council hall just now was like a demonic chant, constantly echoing in his mind.

He couldn't bear to give it up, but he also couldn't bring himself to eat it.

Ultimately, the willingness to try prevailed.

"Click" "Click"

Elder Jianyi took out the jade slip and directly contacted his disciple.

"My disciple, come to my cave immediately. I have a treasure that can increase your cultivation. If you eat this, you will probably be able to beat that little girl Ningyue."

...

Elder Lishan also returned to his cave.

He's quite good at consuming them; he's already eaten four.

The sounds of "click" and "click" echoed continuously in the cave.

Elder Lishan's eyes lit up as he sensed the sudden increase in his cultivation level.

He picked up the jade slip and immediately contacted his beloved disciple.

"Jing Lei, come to my cave immediately. I have something good to give you. Don't let anyone else know."

After all, Yun Zhongzi said that this item is rare, and it would be somewhat embarrassing if others knew about it but he couldn't give it away.

Upon receiving the telepathic message, Jing Lei dared not delay and immediately flew towards Elder Lishan's cave after putting down what he was doing.

...

Ningyue watched as one disciple after another left, the ones she had originally practiced martial arts with. She looked quite puzzled.

The fact that Qi Ye, Jue Ming, and several others of similar strength glanced at him with fighting spirit as they left only fueled his suspicions.

Suddenly, her communication jade slip lit up, revealing it to be the sect leader, Yun Zhongzi.

"Ningyue, come to the council hall. Your martial uncle has something for you."

Ningyue dared not delay and immediately transformed into a rainbow and flew towards the council hall.

Upon arriving at the council hall, they saw Yun Zhongzi eating alone.

Ningyue looked at Yun Zhongzi and the... insect in his hand with great curiosity.

hiss……

Ningyue shuddered as the terrifying memory of eating sea cockroaches instantly flooded her mind.

She felt a chill in her body.

Yun Zhongzi clapped his hands, stood up, and said, "Before your master ascended to the Immortal Realm, he asked me to take care of his disciples. You should have just seen your fellow disciples leave. They all went to get this from their master."

After demonstrating the cicada nymphs, Yun Zhongzi continued, "Don't be fooled by their ugliness. Like sea cockroaches, they can enhance your cultivation. This is also the work of your junior uncle. Moreover, these creatures are rare, and currently there is only a limited supply. So, despite their appearance, you should still eat them. Of course, I won't force you to eat them; it's entirely voluntary. Just don't come looking for me if those kids catch up to you in a couple of days."