Chapter 313 So-called Anger
"Who! Who did this?!"
Old Ancestor Jiao almost roared, his anger unleashing a terrifying aura that surged forth in an instant, sending everyone kneeling before him flying.
Many people felt a metallic taste in their throats and involuntarily spat out a mouthful of blood.
Fortunately, Old Ancestor Jiao was a powerful cultivator who had practiced for many years. After venting his anger, he managed to regain some of his rationality and asked again in a hateful voice, "Who did this? Why didn't anyone protect him? Where are the defensive treasures I gave him?"
At this moment, Old Master Jiao was full of questions.
His Ye'er not only had Jiao Liu, a master of the Fusion Realm, protecting her closely, but also carried a mid-grade sixth-level defensive treasure. Moreover, she usually only played around this city. How could she have been killed?
Among the powerful figures in the vicinity, who didn't recognize Jiao Xin, and who didn't know that Ye'er was Jiao Xin's beloved grandson? Even if Ye'er accidentally offended him, they would still have to give Jiao Xin some face.
Besides, Ye'er isn't oblivious to people's feelings; she would never rashly offend someone who's difficult to deal with...
How exactly was he murdered?
·
The seventh elder of the Jiao family, who was the strongest present and barely managed not to vomit blood, had already investigated the whole story and dared not hesitate for a moment before explaining.
"Some time ago, when the ancestor went into seclusion, Ye'er went to play in the street and happened to meet two women in the Enlightenment Realm. She wanted to take them as concubines. However, the two women were ungrateful and dared to refuse. Ye'er was very indignant. After having someone investigate, they found that the two women's origins were mysterious and they probably had ill intentions. So after learning about their whereabouts, she led people to the mountains to look for them."
That's a euphemistic way of putting it, but how many cultivators who travel abroad would openly proclaim their origins? They're almost all a mystery.
It's nothing more than finding an excuse to spy on the whereabouts of a beautiful woman, and then forcibly taking her away.
Elder Jiao Qi continued, "Originally, this would have been a piece of cake, but unexpectedly, only a few hours after Ye'er went into the mountains, the soul tablet in the side hall of the ancestral temple was broken. The guards discovered it and immediately reported it. Our Jiao family has also sent people into the mountains to search for it, and with the help of the tracking array, we found... the body."
At this point, Elder Jiao Qi looked quite embarrassed.
Old Master Jiao's eyes widened: "Where is the corpse?"
Elder Jiao Qi remained silent, then said in a low voice, "His appearance wasn't very good, and he has already been buried."
Old Master Jiao suddenly closed his eyes.
In other words, when the Jiao family found the body, it was probably just a skeleton, and some wild beasts might have even dug out the flesh and blood from the clothes and shoes and gnawed on it... That would certainly be a very unsightly sight.
His heart was bleeding; he never imagined that just one period of seclusion would lead to their eternal separation.
Moreover, even his beloved grandson's body couldn't be preserved—
At this moment, whenever Old Ancestor Jiao thought of Jiao Ye's mutilated corpse, it was as if he could see his own death, and his hatred grew even stronger.
...It's better to bury him early.
It's good that he didn't see the body with his own eyes.
·
Seeing that Old Master Jiao's expression gradually calmed down, although it was still dark and gloomy as if a storm was about to break, the rage was no longer visible.
Elder Jiao Qi respectfully continued, "Jiao Liu and several other followers also died, all perishing in the jaws of beasts."
In other words, because they failed to protect their master, their bodies were not salvaged.
"We only found out through investigation that Ye'er's defensive treasure had been lent to Fairy Huayue and was not on him, which is why he was powerless to resist." Elder Jiao Qi paused, "However, judging from the visible injuries, the one who killed him was a sixth-order rare beast."
"As for that defensive treasure..."
"Fairy Huayue has already returned it and expressed her deepest apologies."
Old Master Jiao sneered, "Who is that little bitch? How dare she borrow Ye'er's life-saving item for nothing!"
Elder Jiao Qi hurriedly explained, "It's the future wife that Ye'er has chosen and has been pursuing. Fairy Hua Yue is a disciple of the Immortal Water Sect's sect leader. She is a rare young genius who has already condensed her Yuan Soul at a young age. In terms of social standing, she and Ye'er are well-matched. The reason she borrowed that defensive treasure is because the Immortal Water Sect's sect leader is currently in seclusion, and she is going to a rather dangerous secret realm. Therefore, she cannot borrow treasures from her master..."
·
This was still an extremely tactful way of putting it.
Indeed, this Fairy Huayue was as outstanding as Elder Jiao Qi had described, and her beauty was among the best in the surrounding cities and forces. However, she was currently undergoing the sect leader's test and had not yet become a personal disciple, so naturally she had not yet received any treasures bestowed by the sect leader.
When Fairy Huayue was anxious to find treasure, Jiao Ye took the initiative to visit her. Given that the opportunity was fleeting, she had no choice but to accept Jiao Ye's kindness, but she also planned to give Jiao Ye a generous reward to repay this favor.
Immortal Water Sect is a level seven power, but it only has one sect leader who is a Spirit Transformation cultivator.
Everyone around knows how shameless and mediocre Jiao Ye is. In terms of status, they are indeed a good match, but if you include Jiao Ye himself, he is not even as good as one of Fairy Hua Yue's fingers.
Fairy Huayue had no desire to have much contact with Jiao Ye. This time, she accepted Jiao Ye's help only once, and she was somewhat hoping for the best.
But this stroke of luck was not enough; as a result, although she successfully seized the opportunity and gained a chance, she returned to find that Jiao Ye was dead.
Although she learned that the person who made the move was extremely powerful, and even if Jiao Ye had kept her defensive treasures, she might not have been able to escape, she had to bear the blame for the fact that she had indeed borrowed the treasures.
Fairy Huayue quickly returned the treasure and apologized, but even now, she can only wait anxiously.
The Jiao family is not a family that values reason.
Especially that Old Master Jiao—if you go against her, she probably won't have a good life anymore.
·
Old Master Jiao's eyes darkened.
He didn't care whether Jiao Ye had eagerly lent the treasure or not; all he knew was that this matter was inextricably linked to that little bitch!
Old Master Jiao immediately ordered, "Go and cause some trouble for that little slut, cut off her right arm, and make her take a memorial tablet for Ye'er and kneel down day and night to apologize."
He didn't mention a word about how long he had to kneel.
By not taking that bitch's life, Old Ancestor Jiao felt he had given face to the sect leader of the Immortal Water Sect, who was of similar strength to him.
Elder Jiao Qi agreed first, then said in a low voice, "Fairy Hua Yue is the only daughter of Qin Leying of the Qin family. Her real name is Qin Hua Yue. Qin Leying is at the peak of the Palace Building stage, so there may be hope that she can advance further in the future..."
Old Master Jiao knew this Qin Leying. Hearing this, he paused for a moment before saying, "Let's drop the kneeling and cut off her left arm. That will settle our grudges."
Elder Jiao Qi agreed and quickly took the order and left.
He secretly waved his hand, taking away the followers and other tribesmen who were too terrified to utter a sound.
If they stay, they might become the target of this old man's venting, and their lives would be in danger...
·
Before long, the place became quiet again.
With a slight sway, Old Master Jiao vanished.
In his hand, he held a token-like object, and upon closer inspection, a broken soul tablet was embedded in the groove within it.
There is a red line on the token as a guide.
The direction it pointed to was still in those mountains.
Old Master Jiao's face was gloomy.
Very well, he killed Ye'er, yet he still lives.
He was just about to go and take a look!
·
Deep within the mountains, in the heart of the grottoes.
Zhong Cai, Wu Shaogan, and the two sisters were all standing in front of the pool.
The fragrance I had smelled earlier all came from this pool. Upon closer inspection, the surface of the pool was actually covered with a layer of palm-sized leaves that looked like lotus leaves, but upon closer inspection, they were not lotus leaves.
The group moved closer together.
Among the countless small leaves, there are many lotus-shaped things that have already unfolded, each only the size of a palm.
However, what grows from the cluster of petals is not a lotus seedpod, but a "lotus seed".
In the center of each small lotus flower is a lotus seed.
·
This feature is really obvious.
Zhong Cai glanced at it, and after a brief moment's thought, she remembered the description of this resource.
After examining them carefully, the Liu sisters seemed to recognize them as well, and hesitantly began to speak:
"Resembling a lotus but not a lotus, a sixth-grade rare medicine? Could it be the Pure Water Lotus?"
"However, we still need to confirm. If it is indeed a water lily, its leaves will be connected after it grows, but there will be no lotus root at the base..."
Zhong Cai smiled, and said with a slightly weak voice, "You two ladies go and check it out. We'll keep an eye on things, and nothing will go wrong."
The Liu sisters thanked them again.
Although this is the Liu family's treasure trove, and there should be no other dangers in the pool, countless years have passed, and who knows if things might have changed?
Therefore, they were extremely grateful and completely relieved that these two seniors were willing to "protect the Dharma".
The next moment, the two sisters walked to the edge of the pool. One of them stood guard while the other carefully scooped up a small lotus leaf and lifted it upwards.
Sure enough, this small lotus leaf was connected to many extremely thin vines, which brought up a string of the same leaves, and between the leaves, there were still many small lotus flowers hanging.
Indeed, they are connected.
Liu Jinlan was holding the vine, and instead of putting it down, she kept pulling it upwards, gradually revealing the delicate roots beneath.
It is snow-white and smooth, like silk.
Liu Jinlan's movements remained unchanged.
After a short while, the entire root system suddenly seemed to be weighed down by something very heavy, requiring Liu Jinlan to expend considerable effort.
Liu Jinlan increased her strength and speed.
Liu Jinmian stared at that spot without moving.
As Liu Jinlan's arm suddenly tensed, she instantly exerted her maximum strength!
She pulled the root right out!
But it was at this moment that a fierce killing intent suddenly appeared!
A gaping maw was lunging straight at Liu Jinlan's face, ready to devour her!
Liu Jinmian reacted quickly, hurriedly drawing her sword to slash.
"Clang—"
However, all that was heard was the clang of metal against metal. Even though Liu Jinmian successfully struck the object, it did not harm it in the slightest.
Liu Jinmian didn't even have time to carefully observe what it was before quickly drawing her sword again.
Liu Jinlan immediately released her grip and also drew her longsword.
The two sisters acted swiftly, but after only one or two rounds, it was clear that even they combined were no match for each other.
This thing, which pounced like a dark shadow, was at least at the fourth or fifth level!
From the moment they "fished" for the creature to the moment the two sisters engaged it in battle, it took only a breath.
The next moment, a sharp beam of light rushed over.
Those were arrows brimming with power!
The arrow struck the afterimage of the creature, causing it to howl and suddenly flip backward. It was supposed to devour the Liu sisters, but it "drifted away" before even touching them.
However, the arrow still failed to harm the creature.
Liu Jinmian subconsciously looked in the direction of the arrow and saw the frail young benefactor holding a large bow, his lips pale, clearly having just used a lot of Xuan power to draw the bow and save them.
Immediately afterwards, she saw the gentle Senior Wu take the large bow from Senior Zhong's hand and casually draw it.
It's the same as shooting an arrow.
But the power of this arrow was too terrifying; it left almost no trace as it flew through the air—she didn't even have time to react before she heard an even more shrill scream.
Liu Jinmian turned around sharply and saw that the black shadow that was originally flipping over had been pierced by an arrow and was pulled to the side by a terrifying force, landing on the ground in front of the pool. Its tail kept jumping and tumbling.
It turned out to be a large fish about three feet long.
The fish's body is snow-white, its color exactly the same as the roots of the small lotus leaves. If you are at the bottom of the densely interwoven pool water, you will not be able to see it at all.
At first glance, the fish's body looks like it's carved from jade, truly beautiful.
But if you look more closely, you'll find that the fish's head takes up a third of its body length, and its lower jaw seems to have a rather unusual structure, as it can open and close at will, and can also swallow food at will.
Even as it continued to scream in agony, the Liu sisters could clearly see the dozens of rows of ferocious and terrifying sharp teeth.
Liu Jinlan murmured, "This fish..."
At that moment, Wu Shaogan helped Zhong Cai walk over.
Zhong Cai said softly, "It is indeed a Pure Water Lotus. This Lotus White Fish often lives alongside the Pure Water Lotus, feeding on the fallen leaves and petals. Whenever it breaks through, as long as it devours a 'lotus seed,' it has a high chance of success..."
He spoke slowly and deliberately, his voice still bright and cheerful, but his tone was gentle and soothing, like a spring breeze.
The presentation was finished in no time.
·
The white hibiscus fish provides strong protection for the water hibiscus, and any fish that attempt to return to pick them will be attacked by them.
Because the white hibiscus fish eats things related to the water hibiscus from a young age, it absorbs a lot of the medicinal properties of the water hibiscus. When it is nourished to a high level, its medicinal value is actually stronger than that of water hibiscus of the same level.
This one is now at the fifth level. It must have been deliberately placed here when the Liu family patriarch planted the Pure Water Lotus. Or perhaps it wasn't deliberately placed here, but rather the Pure Water Lotus itself carried these fish eggs, which hatched and grew over the years.
The water lily has many benefits.
One is to calm the mind and concentrate the spirit.
If one has many distracting thoughts, consuming flower petals can help maintain a clear mind—while this cannot enhance a cultivator's comprehension, it can improve their concentration, allowing them to cultivate more diligently.
The second is to temper one's physique.
Consuming lotus leaves can have a mild body-refining effect.
However, this effect is not very strong. Compared to tempering the physical body, what is more important is that the tempering process improves the resilience of the meridians, allowing cultivators to more easily transport and contain the flow of the energy of heaven and earth.
Its most important function, and also its greatest medicinal value, is...
It is precisely to clean out impurities.
It cleanses impurities from blood, flesh, and even the primordial spirit—of course, its effects are limited, and it is most suitable for cultivators who have reached the Palace Building stage.
Consuming just one lotus seed can simultaneously cleanse both the body and the primordial spirit.
The most important impurity to remove is, of course, erysipelas.
As long as the cultivator who took the pills did not only take the top-grade pills, there would be pill poison in their body.
Simply consuming one or several lotus seeds can eventually remove up to 50% of erysipelas.
At the same time, lotus seeds are also a key ingredient in a traditional Chinese medicine formula for clearing impurities.
If a skilled sixth-level alchemist were to carefully refine it, the resulting Lotus Pill could be refined to 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% purity depending on its quality.
For any level six alchemist whose skills aren't too bad and who can only refine low-grade pills, using lotus seeds to refine pills is always profitable.
·
The patriarch of the Liu family planted this precious medicinal herb, of course, for the sake of the family.
Throughout the vast Liu family, everyone who cultivates takes pills, and almost everyone who takes pills is poisonous.
If there is too much poison in the body, it will have a certain impact on the breakthrough of cultivation realm. In particular, if the Liu family wants to move up, then cultivators with high cultivation realms are very important. Therefore, the Liu family patriarch's idea is that at least when some outstanding clansmen cultivate to the Palace Building realm, they should take more medicine to clear the poison, so as not to affect their advancement to the Spirit Transformation realm and become powerful people with a certain voice.
In this world, without a powerful background or connections with a level nine power, an ordinary cultivator would need to be at least at the Spirit Transformation stage to gain a certain status.
The patriarch of the Liu family truly went to great lengths.
Over the years, even though there were only one or two water lilies in the pond back then, the pond is now completely covered.
And the treasures in this pool will surely become a great help to the Liu family in the future.
·
Zhong Cai spoke softly, and the Liu sisters listened to everything without realizing it. Every word was etched into their minds, corresponding to the various resource treasures and classics of the Liu family that they had browsed.
The two sisters suddenly took a deep breath, and when they looked at each other, their faces lit up with ecstasy.
It turns out that the treasure trove they found was one of the few smaller treasure troves that had been marked as having the richest resources!
Such a small treasure trove may not have very high resource levels, but it will play a crucial role in the development of the entire family.
·
Looking at the two sisters' expressions, Zhong Cai smiled and said, "There's no time to lose, you should carefully pick all these precious herbs." His tone was also very calm, "If there are any lotus white fish, there's no need to worry either."
The white lotus fish is extremely good at hiding. Its scent is indistinguishable from that of the lotus itself. If it does not attack, it is almost impossible for people outside the pool to detect it.
Therefore, we can only pay more attention.
The Liu sisters nodded and cautiously walked to the edge of the pond, picking the berries quickly and carefully.
They were very quick, and unsurprisingly, they were ambushed by the white hibiscus fish again during the harvest.
The Zhong couple fulfilled Zhong Cai's promise. Whenever a lotus white fish appeared, either Zhong Cai or Wu Shaogan would take action, easily slaughtering the lotus white fish and causing their corpses to fall to the ground.
Because both of them had restrained some of their strength—especially Wu Shaogan who hadn't used much Xuan power—the lotus white fish didn't die immediately. Instead, they struggled for a while after dehydration before losing their breath.
It's not that we have to torture them, but only in this way can the medicinal effects of the dead whitefish be kept fresher.
Since its attack failed to kill the Liu sisters, it could only become a resource itself.
·
After about half an hour, the Liu sisters finally finished picking all the lotus flowers and put away the white fish carcasses.
However, the two sisters did not immediately open the door behind the pool. Instead, they separated some of the lotus flowers and collected all the lotus and white fish carcasses in the same mustard seed bag, which they then presented to Mr. and Mrs. Zhong.
Zhong Cai raised an eyebrow.
Liu Jinlan said, "The lotus and white fish were all killed by the two seniors. My sister and I are too grateful to take away the resources that you killed. Please put them away."
Liu Jinmian also said, "The two seniors helped my sister and me pick so many lotus flowers, so we should give some to them for their enjoyment."
—If it were just a single plant, the two sisters would have to go back and apply, as they couldn't make the decision themselves. But this whole pond of water lilies should, of course, be shared with everyone who sees them, and some should also be given to the elders.
Seeing that the two sisters were indeed quite sincere, Zhong Cai did not refuse and accepted them both.
He was indeed quite interested in the lotus flowers, which saved him the trouble of exchanging other resources.
Upon seeing this, the two sisters smiled, and their mood relaxed considerably.
Next, Liu Jinlan took out the familiar compass again, quickly went to the front of the door, and embedded the entire compass into it.
At the same time, Liu Jinmian walked over, cut her palm, letting the blood smear it, and slapped a scarlet handprint on the spot where the compass and the door met.
Liu Jinlan also cut her palm and pasted a palm print on it.
It turns out that opening this door requires multiple verifications, among which the Liu family bloodline is a very important one.
If it's just Liu Jinmian's handprint, the door can be opened, but there will inevitably be other dangers involved, which need to be further verified.
But now that the two sisters are verifying it together, many of the troubles can be eliminated.
·
As the bloodstains on the palm print were continuously absorbed, the door began to separate to both sides.
The two sisters were very cautious, but this time, no other powerful force erupted. Instead, only a gentle aura swirled around the Liu sisters for a while before dissipating.
Liu Jinlan immediately greeted them, "Please come over here, seniors."
With Zhong Cai on his back, Wu Shaogan flashed across the pool and arrived directly outside the door.
The two sisters led the way.
The Zhong and Wu couple also went inside.
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