Chapter 20: Who is behind the flying wood-type card?
"Mission Four is activated. Find the treasure of Song Ran, the city lord of Chenliu City. The mission reward is half a star and a card upgrade to double SS level. Limited time offer: 15 days."
At the same time, the concentric bracelet on Huali's wrist lit up; it was Lianzhuo.
The Buddhist disciple chased after the rosewood the moment it disappeared, but was blocked by spiritual power and could not get close. The cliff cypress wood in his hand instantly turned into dust.
After a moment of panic, he quickly calmed down, summoned Rongxing who had heard the scream, and used Rongxing's spiritual power to activate the Heart-to-Heart Bracelet to search for them.
Almost as soon as Lian Zhuo stepped into the area where the Soul-Devouring Flower was located, her heart sank. The demonic power in the domain space had not completely disappeared; it was actually Luo Chuan.
Why is the Demon King here?
The Buddhist disciple, who was able to deal with the ancient demonic dragon with great agility, rarely showed any change in expression.
The emotional turmoil triggered the Gu poison to take effect. Lian Zhuo felt as if his internal organs were being squeezed by a giant hand. He paused, reached out and pressed his hand to his chest, forcibly suppressing the metallic taste in his throat.
Before she could even catch her breath, a joyful and energetic voice rang out, "Lian Zhuo! I'm here!"
Lotus leaves rise to the sky.
Huali emerged from the forest, her body and face covered in mud and petal debris, yet her eyes shone brightly like April flower buds.
The Buddhist disciple watched the girl run towards him like a fluttering butterfly with a calm expression, and for a moment he thought of the huge, crimson Bodhi flowers on the Buddhist mountain.
One spring day a hundred years ago, a butterfly did indeed land lightly on his fingertip.
"...Rosewood." The breath that rolled from Lian Zhuo's throat startled the creatures in the mountains, and the fear he had felt after being pressured by the Demon King finally disappeared.
The poison exploded in Lian Zhuo's heart. "It's good that you're alright."
Seeing Lian Zhuo Huali finally breathed a sigh of relief, and she winked triumphantly at Ao Bai.
—Did you see the look on Lian Zhuo's face when he looked at me just now? He was so worried. Looks like all my planning these past few days wasn't for nothing; he clearly considers me a friend.
Ao Bai squinted at the Buddha's disciple, then at his own naive and innocent host, and decided to remain silent.
Meow, whatever you say goes. If you keep flirting like this, you'll probably be surrounded by admirers.
"Huali, are you alright? I just sensed a powerful demonic force." Rongxing, who had just arrived, clutched her stomach, her face pale. "You encountered the Demon King?"
Huali was still shaken by what had just happened. "It wasn't really an encounter, I was just pulled into his Sumeru space. The one who captured me and the one who hurt you was the same half-demon."
“He said he was injured in Chenliu City and tried to steal the demon core from me. In the end, he failed to steal the demon core but instead inflamed the man-eating flowers here. Fortunately, the Demon King intervened in time.” As if she had figured out the key to the matter, Huali stroked her chin. “You should stop thinking about revenge. I suspect this little half-demon has some background.”
Rongxing nodded in agreement. After a long journey, he took out his water pouch and had just taken a sip when he heard Huali continue, "Maybe it's his son."
"puff!"
Rong Xing spat out a mouthful of water, his eyes widening. "What? You saw the Demon King's son? The Demon King actually has a son? The Demon King hasn't even formed a contract yet, how could he have a son? Who did he have with?" A barrage of questions came rushing out of his mouth.
Huali pulled Lianzhuo aside quickly and said irritably, "Good question, I want to know too, why don't you go ask him?"
Rong Xing quickly shrank his neck. Him? He wouldn't even be able to be crushed by one of their fingers.
"Never mind, I'm in a hurry to deliver a message to Chenliu City. We can't afford to waste time here. Let's go quickly."
Huali nodded, but just as she was about to leave, she suddenly remembered something. "Wait a moment."
She returned to the spot where the Soul-Devouring Flower had attacked and crouched down, running her hands through the wreckage. Suddenly, her eyes lit up. "I've got it!"
Lian Zhuo looked at this familiar scene and shook her head.
Hua Li held a red demon core between her fingers.
The Demon King's casual sweep was truly powerful. After ten minutes of searching, Huali had collected a total of twelve level-three Soul-Devouring Flower Demon Pills. Adding these to her previous nine, she had exceeded her mission target.
Rong Xing assumed she wanted to exchange her demon core for spirit stones, so he immediately patted his chest and said, "When we get to Chenliu City, there are many trading markets there. I'll take you there."
*
Chenliu City has a special location, standing in the vast desert, surrounded by Yardang landforms with towering stone walls. It is difficult to see greenery after leaving Lingwu Mountain, but the city has a spiritual energy array, so it is like spring all year round and flowers and plants are in full bloom.
During this time, Lian Zhuo gave Rong Xing three more Life-Giving Pills. With the help of these elixirs, Rong Xing's wounds healed quickly. This also saved the three of them from the hardship of climbing mountains and wading through rivers, allowing Hua Li to experience the joy of flying on a sword once again.
The three arrived outside Chenliu City on the evening of the third day.
As the reward notification sounded upon completing the task, Huali looked up.
The light of the setting sun in the desert refracted into dazzling starlight under the glazed walls of the city, making the entire city look like a pearl held in the mouth of a giant clam, completely out of place in the dilapidated Gobi Desert.
The moment his feet touched the sand, Ao Bai meowed in delight.
This is such a huge litter box! No kitten would refuse it, no kitten would!
It happily dug a hole with its front legs, but before it could bury the dung, it was startled by the exposed camel carcass.
"Huh, why are there bones here?" Huali squatted down.
"It must be from a camel caravan," Rongxing said dismissively. "Let's hurry up and go."
It was probably late, and the city gates were no longer strictly guarded, so Huali and her two companions entered the city without any hindrance.
Almost as soon as she stepped into the city, Huali was drawn to the bustling atmosphere.
Colorful paper lanterns hung in front of every house on both sides of the long street, and the shops on the street did not close even as evening approached, with a continuous stream of various snacks. The aroma was mouthwatering.
"Little girl, would you like to try some freshly made wontons?"
"Mmm-hmm-hmm." Huali nodded frantically, and was about to sit down when Rongxing pulled her up.
"What's so good about this? Come on, come on, didn't we agree to come with me to do some serious business? I'll treat you to a big meal when we get out."
"Hey, really?" Huali kept looking back at the wonton stall, whether it was because she was hungry or something else, she felt that the aroma of the food was so tempting that she wanted to gnaw on the table.
Lian Zhuo glanced at the stall owner behind her, who immediately smiled ingratiatingly and said, "Would you like a bowl, Master? Our vegetarian fillings are also excellent."
Lian Zhuo shook her head and looked away.
*
After Rongxing explained their origins, they were quickly welcomed into the mansion by the gatekeepers.
Song Ran left early this morning and has not yet returned. They were asked to wait in the front hall.
Huali sat in a chair, looking at the blooming crabapple trees in the courtyard in front of the hall. Large swaths of pink and white flowers were blooming in competition, and deep pink buds hung gracefully among the leaves. Occasionally, a gentle breeze would blow by, bringing a sweet fragrance to the room.
A swing hangs under the tree, where several blue-crowned birds are frolicking. The ground beneath the tree is covered with violets, and the moonlight shines down with a warm glow, making it feel like being in a rural mountain forest.
Huali yawned as she slumped in her seat, not knowing why she felt so tired.
She took a sip of tea, stroking Ao Bai as she glanced at Lian Zhuo. The mission was too mentally taxing; she wanted to reward herself by looking at a handsome man.
As Huali looked at him, she noticed that the Buddhist prayer beads on his wrist had been replaced with sandalwood beads.
Just as he was about to ask, the city lord Song Ran returned.
Unlike the city lord Huali had imagined, the man in front of her looked to be no more than twenty years old, with a handsome appearance. He wore a moon-white long robe, but had a bamboo basket hanging on his shoulder.
He was taken aback when he saw the three people in front of the hall. "Have we had guests?"
A doorman stepped forward and whispered a few words in his ear. Song Ran nodded and put down the bamboo basket on his shoulder. The blue-crowned bird on the swing took flight and landed on his shoulder, tilting its head to nuzzle affectionately.
"So you are fellow practitioners from the Astrology Platform. I am truly sorry for your rudeness in coming from afar."
"Not at all, not at all. It's about the matter you asked someone to divine at the astrological observatory the other day. My master said it's of great importance and that I must personally deliver it to the city lord." Rongxing finished speaking and handed over the envelope.
Song Ran reached out and took it, looking down at it for a long time before putting it into his sleeve. "Thank you for your trouble, fellow Daoist. The three of you have had a long journey. Please stay here for a few days."
"This..." Rongxing looked at Huali with some difficulty, "But my friends have other things to do..."
"Is this your first time visiting Chenliu City, young lady?" Song Ran's voice carried the coolness of a mountain spring. "If you don't mind, you can stay here for a few more days. That's all, Master."
Just as Huali was wondering how to sneak in, her eyes lit up.
"Then I'll have to trouble you."
Song Ran smiled and shook his head, "You've all come at the perfect time. In three days it will be the annual God-Celebrating Festival, and the city will be extremely lively."
A festival to celebrate the gods? That sounds like a lot of fun.
Upon seeing this, Song Ran smiled slightly and reminded them, "There are still a few rooms left in the South Garden. If you, Master and Fellow Daoist Rongxing, do not mind, you can settle down and rest there. Miss Huali can stay in the West Garden, where the scenery is even more beautiful. However, it is close to the North Garden, and a barrier has been set up there. Please be careful to avoid it."
"I'll cook for everyone myself in a little while."
Huali followed behind the maid, and almost as soon as she stepped into the courtyard, the wood-type card flew out instantly.
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