Chapter 112 Han Bing's Sister
Upon entering Nongzhitang, one can feel the heavy atmosphere inside.
Li Jinshuang and Xue Mushi were spared from inhaling the surrounding poisonous gas thanks to the Breath-Avoiding Pill, but the heavy pressure from the poisonous gas prevented them from using the Wind Control Technique. They could only move forward quickly and make the most of their time.
Yu Sui helped monitor the surroundings and gave the two directions: "Walk in the light and don't go near the bushes."
Dozens of transparent spider silks hung from the eaves of the corridor they were passing by, and the sticky venom on the silks could be vaguely seen. A large number of black spiders emerged from the shadows and blocked their way.
Li Jinshuang used hand seals to unleash the Eight Trigrams Life-Generating Technique, Zhou Tian Huo, to clear a path with raging fire.
The two people inside were unable to speak due to the poisonous gas, while the black spider in front of them could not be burned by the Zhou Tian Fire. After being burned by the flames, it would only faint and fall to the ground, and then wake up after a while, crawling very fast.
The black spider was spinning silk everywhere, forcing the two to hide and waste time.
Yu Sui relayed the spider's appearance to Wei Ren, who pondered for a moment and then said, "The spider is not afraid of fire, so the Zhou Tian Fire is useless to it. Although its venom is weak, its spider silk is strong and difficult to break with water or fire. If it gets desperate, it may bite you directly. If you are below the sixth realm and do not have protective energy, you can be knocked unconscious by the pain."
Since Nongzhitang is a level three forbidden area, there are no living people patrolling and guarding it, so there are no deadly moves and it won't endanger your life.
Wei Ren offered a solution: "It has a dark blue line on its back; just stab it there."
Li Jinshuang used her sword energy to clear a path, repelling some of the spiders blocking her way before moving forward.
Xue Mushi threw out a copper coin, using the strangulation hexagram to seal off the area. The dense hexagram lines filled the entire space, precisely wrapping around each spider before piercing its back and strangling it.
"Left side," Yu Sui pointed to Li Jinshuang, telling her to go in the right direction.
Xue Mushi cast a divination spell behind Li Jinshuang to clear the way and minimize the time spent delaying her.
Li Jinshuang arrived at the door of the pavilion and was about to push it open when Yu Sui stopped her: "It's poisonous."
Her outstretched hand paused, and instead, she made two sword shadows appear to crash into the door. The moment the door opened, Li Jinshuang dodged the poisoned spider silk that flew out from inside, ignited her protective aura, and rolled into the room on the spot.
After getting up, Li Jinshuang hurried up to the third floor without stopping.
Xue Mushi stayed at the door to help her deal with the spiders that were trying to pursue her.
Li Jinshuang carried the heavy load to the third floor and went to the location Yu Sui had indicated. On the wooden shelves against the wall were many farm treasures and ancient books.
The dust-free material was placed in a black round box. The box was not sealed, and the brown soil inside, about the size of an adult's palm, could be seen at a glance.
The black soil looked quite sticky, lying flat in the box, and to the naked eye, it was no different from ordinary soil outside.
Li Jinshuang tapped the edge of the round box with her finger to ask if it was hers. After receiving an affirmative answer from Yu Sui, she took it and hurried downstairs.
The oppressive atmosphere inside the Agricultural Hall makes it impossible to stay there for long; even just standing still for a while will cause bone pain.
Seeing that Li Jinshuang had successfully obtained the Dustless Soil, Xue Mushi and Li Jinshuang ran out with all their might. After climbing over the wall, they were finally able to use the Wind Control Technique outside. With the help of the gigantic Ghost Armored Sky Spider, leaving was much easier than entering.
After the two retreated to a relatively safe place, Li Jinshuang had the sword spirit retrieve the Ghost Armor Spider, restore it to its original state, and allow it to land on the sword spirit's huge skeleton and retreat to the rear.
Yu Sui and Wei Ren stood outside the reeds and saw two people covered in sweat rush out from the tall reeds.
Xue Mushi, with his hands supporting his knees and slightly bent over, was panting heavily. Under the heavy pressure inside the Agricultural Hall, he had to use the Nine Streams Technique to fight and had been holding his breath. Now that he was out, he began to breathe in the fresh air.
Li Jinshuang stretched out her hand, holding a round box in her palm, to show them the dust-free contents she had taken out.
Wei Ren leaned closer to examine it and said, "I didn't take the wrong one."
Yu Sui stared at the dust-free soil for a while, then pressed the Fusang Pearl into the soil. Xue Mushi and Wei Ren were both surprised: "Hey!"
The once calm brown soil began to move, rolling and pressing itself in the box, finally lying flat and unfolding, spitting out the two hibiscus beads from the soil.
Yu Sui took out the two Fusang beads, reconnected the telepathic communication, and held one of them in his hand, saying, "This one is engraved without dust. It only has the same shape and shell, but no elemental energy."
Dust-free material can only cover the appearance, not the five elements.
Xue Mushi said, "Wouldn't it be easy to find out that it's fake?"
“It’s okay,” Yu Sui said. “They’ll find out sooner or later whether it’s true or false.”
Li Jinshuang suggested, "We can also infuse the replicas with the five elements to prolong their lifespan."
Yu Sui already had an idea in mind. She gestured for Li Jinshuang to give the Dustless Soil to Wei Ren. Wei Ren took the Dustless Soil with some surprise: "Should I take it first?"
"You'll be the one to replicate the fragments then," Yu Sui said.
"Me?" Wei Ren's expression twisted slightly, unable to think of a reason to go for a moment. "I have no connection with Gu Gan and the others, what reason can I give to go?"
The reeds around them were blown by the night wind. Wei Ren raised his hand to wipe his face and heard Yu Sui say, "You have a spider. Go outside and climb in through the window."
Wei Ren: "Is that more than sixty layers?"
Yu Sui looked at him in surprise: "Can't you climb up?"
Wei Ren held the round box in both hands and said coldly, "Why can't I climb up? I can climb all six hundred floors."
Xue Mushi looked up at him, his eyes full of admiration.
After receiving a satisfactory answer, Yu Sui left and took Li Jinshuang to the dining hall for a meal. Wei Ren had no appetite; he returned to his dormitory first. Standing in the peach grove, he looked up at the massive building in front of him, a dormitory about a hundred stories high, part of which was still hidden in the clouds. Just looking at it made him feel uneasy.
Wei Ren called Xue Mushi over as well, and asked him to test whether the spider silk was stronger or his Seven Killings Gua strangulation line was stronger.
It was already late at night, and the prices at the dining hall had doubled, so there were hardly any disciples.
Xue Mushi was called away, leaving only Yu Sui and Li Jinshuang. After ordering the food, Yu Sui had just sat down when Kong Yiyi walked in. She also spotted Yu Sui at a glance.
Kong Yiyi raised an eyebrow slightly, and Yu Sui greeted her first, "Senior Sister Kong."
Li Jinshuang also looked up. This was the senior sister of the Bing family. Since the battle at Xuanwu Terrace of the Bing family, she and Kong Yiyi had become somewhat acquainted.
Kong Yiyi waved to the two of them, ordered food from the people in the dining hall, and then came over to Yu Sui, saying, "You've only recovered for two days, and you're cultivating until so late again?"
"It's all over now." Yu Sui smiled, propping her head up with one hand, and looked at Kong Yiyi sitting next to her. "What did you order, Senior Sister?"
Kong Yiyi said, "Vegetarian stir-fried with pork. We killed all the poultry that Cang Shu raised a while ago, and we've been eating meat and fish every day. We're getting a bit tired of it. Tonight, we'll have something light."
After she finished speaking, she looked past Yu Sui at Li Jinshuang and asked, "I heard that you fought all day at the martial arts arena yesterday, and your fighting spirit was high?"
Li Jinshuang said in a low voice, "Let's practice."
"How's your sword spirit mastery going?" Kong Yiyi asked her. "Want to have a match?"
Li Jinshuang was taken aback: "Now?"
Kong Yiyi shook her head repeatedly: "It's the middle of the night, if you don't come tomorrow?"
Li Jinshuang nodded: "Okay."
The dishes Yu Sui ordered were served first, and Kong Yiyi, sitting next to her, also took a couple of bites. The three of them ate and chatted.
Disciples usually don't enter the dining hall through the main gate late at night; they all rely on their own abilities to steal from the back. So when Qian Ying, Xun Zhiya, and Shu Chujun entered, Yu Sui was somewhat surprised.
Qian Ying initially communicated with the people in the dining hall to order food, while Xun Zhiya was looking down at the Listening Wind Ruler. However, Shu Chujun was the first to notice Yu Sui and the others sitting not far away, and called out with a puzzled look, "Li Jinshuang?"
She still wasn't quite used to Li Jinshuang wearing women's clothes, and always had to look at her several times to confirm it.
This sound also drew the attention of Qian Ying and Xun Zhiya.
Xun Zhiya was somewhat surprised to see Li Jinshuang and Yu Sui together. Qian Ying's focus, however, was on Yu Sui. She hadn't seen Yu Sui since leaving the Mechanical Island that night, and today, upon seeing her again, Yu Sui was no longer the disheveled person she had been on the Mechanical Island.
That night, Yu Sui was covered in blood and was being held in Mei Liangyu's arms. It was clear that her injuries were severe, as if she was on the verge of death, but no one could pinpoint exactly where she was injured.
Mei Liangyu's public statement was that the Golden Crow Red Arrow nearly killed him, in an effort to downplay Yu Sui's existence. Since Wen Yanghui and Sui Tianjun were both dead, no one could expose the truth.
Qian Ying walked to the long table, sat down opposite Yu Sui, and looked up at her with a smile: "Princess, it's been a long time. I wonder how your injury is healing. I didn't even have a chance to see you properly that day on the mechanical island."
Yu Sui held the teacup with both hands, but before she could answer, Qian Ying asked again, "Would you like me to take another look?"
"Sister Yuezhen's medical skills are superb. After so many days of recuperation, the injury has already healed," Yu Sui said honestly.
Kong Yiyi rolled her eyes, looking at the group of people at the table. The previously harmonious atmosphere suddenly became strange. She looked down at Tingfengchi and told Xing Chun and Nian Qiuyan, who were still waiting for dinner at the military residence, that she would be going back later.
“The princess looked frightening that night, I still remember it. I’m still a little worried. If the princess is still feeling unwell, please be sure to tell me.”
Qian Ying spoke very sweetly, as if she genuinely wanted what was best for you.
After taking a sip of tea, Yu Sui said, "That won't do. My third brother won't let me see you."
Qian Ying was stunned, not expecting her to refuse so directly.
Yu Sui continued, "Third Brother said you always poison him, which makes him afraid to go to the clinic."
Qian Ying's smile faded slightly as she explained, "That's because he's always targeting Brother Gu, as you know, Princess."
“Third Brother said that if anyone treats Brother Gu badly in the slightest, you should hate that person.” Yu Sui tapped her teacup lightly with her finger. “Recently, because of Wen Yanghui’s matter, there has been a distance between me and Brother Gu. You are definitely protecting Brother Gu. Since Third Brother said so, I am also a little afraid of you.”
Qian Ying looked at Yu Sui across from her. The girl slightly lifted her eyelids, her moist eyes looking over, obedient and docile.
Yu Sui had a face even more innocent than Qian Ying's, and she said softly, "You've become so amazing."
What was meant to be a compliment made Qian Ying's heart sink.
Qian Ying observed Yu Sui's expression and actions, and said crisply, "Sheng Fei is Sheng Fei, and the princess is the princess. I believe the princess will not do anything to Brother Gu. Wen Yanghui did something wrong. He was out of his mind and actually dragged the princess into it."
“How can I calculate it like that?” Yu Sui shook her head, her eyes clear, and she smiled slightly. “To you, Sheng Fei is Sheng Fei, but to me, Sheng Fei is my third brother, not some other unrelated person.”
Qian Ying paused, looking at Yu Sui, unsure of what to say.
She hadn't seen Yu Sui for many years, only learning of Yu Sui's existence from Gu Gan. But Gu Gan had never said anything bad about Yu Sui, and when he brought up the past, he would say that he was very grateful for Yu Sui's help.
Therefore, Qian Ying felt that Sheng Fei was Sheng Fei because he always caused trouble for Gu Gan, and because of the grudges from their childhood.
Qian Ying initially had no feelings for Yu Sui and thought she was one of Gu Gan's people. But after hearing these words, she became wary of Yu Sui.
Nangong Sui was right. Sheng Fei was her own brother, and she couldn't do what she did and wholeheartedly help Brother Gu.
A hint of coldness flashed in Qian Ying's bright eyes.
Xun Zhiya and Shu Chujun also came over, but did not sit down.
Shu Chujun glared at Li Jinshuang, her eyes darting between her and Yu Sui, before directly questioning, "What are you doing here?"
Li Jinshuang had just put down her chopsticks and hadn't even answered when Yu Sui looked up at her and asked, "I invited her to dinner, can't she accept?"
Shu Chujun: "I was asking about Li Jinshuang."
Yu Sui still held her teacup, sitting upright: "My answer is exactly what Li Jinshuang wanted to say."
Shu Chujun glared at Yu Sui, then looked back at Li Jinshuang, and said firmly, "Li Jinshuang, you tell me yourself!"
Xun Zhiya and Qian Ying both looked at Li Jinshuang, wanting to hear her answer.
Under everyone's gaze, Li Jinshuang said calmly, "She invited me to dinner."
"I only invited Li Jinshuang to dinner, why are you being so mean to her?" Yu Sui looked at Shu Chujun with a deep gaze. "Was it wrong for her to have dinner with me, or was it wrong for me to invite Li Jinshuang to dinner?"
Shu Chujun sneered, her gaze sweeping over Kong Yiyi: "When did you become so good-tempered that you can eat with the person who eliminated you from the Dragon Slayer Cave?"
Suddenly called out, Kong Yiyi looked up, glanced around, and chuckled, "I haven't eaten yet."
Kong Yiyi raised her eyebrows and looked at Shu Chujun: "The Dragon Slaying Cave trial is a trial, and eating is eating. What's there to talk about? Whose disciple are you? How can you be so petty?"
Qian Ying laughed and said, "If it were a proper competition, there would be nothing to say. But it was clearly a premeditated attack in the Dragon Slaying Cave. Any disciple would be displeased."
“I can tell you guys are quite unhappy,” Kong Yiyi shrugged. “I don’t see anything wrong with Li Jinshuang.”
Qian Ying rolled her eyes: "Senior Sister Kong is right, after all, it wasn't you who was eliminated."
Kong Yiyi smiled brightly and said, "I am not the one who needs to improve my skills."
“Yes.” Qian Ying wasn’t annoyed. She stood up with a smile on her face. “Because Senior Sister Kong needs to stick together to win, she doesn’t need to care too much about her personal cultivation.”
Kong Yiyi raised her chin slightly, looking at Qian Ying who had stood up with interest: "Now I finally understand why Yuezhen doesn't like you."
Qian Ying lowered her head slightly and smiled, "Senior Sister Kong, who can be liked by everyone?"
Kong Yiyi nodded and smiled, "It's okay, at least you can make me hate you."
Shu Chujun asked Li Jinshuang, "Are you going to sit here any longer?"
Li Jinshuang looked up at Xun Zhiya but did not reply.
Yu Sui also looked at Xun Zhiya. She had finished her tea and was resting her head on one hand, a posture that made her look somewhat lazy. However, she asked with curiosity, "Is it the Holy Maiden's intention to not let Li Jinshuang play with me?"
Xun Zhiya had been watching quietly from the beginning, without saying a word. When she heard Yu Sui's question, she only glanced at her indifferently.
Shu Chujun instinctively shielded Xun Zhiya behind her and stepped forward to block Yu Sui's gaze: "I'd like to know more why you're protecting her so much. You were the one who made Li Jinshuang change back into women's clothing, weren't you? If you hadn't used sweet words on Li Jinshuang, she wouldn't have gone to all this trouble."
"Sweet talk?" Yu Sui stood up, supporting herself on the table with one hand. "Isn't that a bit redundant?"
When Shu Chujun saw Yu Sui taking a detour to come over, she raised an eyebrow and felt that there was something wrong with the relationship between Li Jinshuang and Yu Sui. Now that she asked, she wanted to see if the two of them dared to answer openly.
Yu Sui walked up to Shu Chujun, smiled at her, and then raised her hand to slap her across the face. The slap was quick and sharp, and the crisp sound of the slap stunned everyone present.
The slap came so suddenly that no one expected it. Shu Chujun took it squarely, and half of her face turned red instantly.
"Nangong Sui?!" Shu Chujun covered her face and turned her head away, feeling both angry and furious.
As soon as Shu Chujun finished speaking, Xun Zhiya and Qian Ying reacted and were about to make a move when Li Jinshuang and Kong Yiyi, who were originally sitting, also stood up instantly. The swords at their waists were drawn an inch from their sheaths, producing a clear and melodious sound.
The four of them were enveloped in golden protective auras, and the battle seemed imminent, but it was broken by the voices of several people who entered the dining hall:
"Isn't this Han Bing's sister?" The man standing next to Gu Gan wore a dark gold robe with a black divine wood talisman hanging from his waist. He had his hands behind his head, looking at Yu Sui, who had hit someone, with a half-smile.
Behind the man in the golden robe stood another man, a man in a green robe with his hair styled in a Taoist Tai Chi bun, which made his face appear even thinner. He had a cold expression and only glanced indifferently at the few people in front of him who were about to start fighting.
Gu Gan frowned slightly as he looked at Yu Sui and the others in front of him. Before he could speak, he caught a glimpse of someone else coming in from behind.
Mei Liangyu and Nian Qiuyan arrived a step later than them.
Nian Qiuyan walked ahead, leading the way for Mei Liangyu, who was playing with the wind-listening ruler with his head down. After entering the dining hall, she first noticed Gu Gan and the other two standing in the middle. So she stopped and raised her elbow to gently nudge Mei Liangyu, who was not looking where he was going and was still walking forward.
Mei Liangyu then looked up.
Apart from Gu Gan, Zhang Xiangyun, a disciple of the Fang family, and Luo Fu, a disciple of the Dao family, all looked at Mei Liangyu and Nian Qiuyan at this moment.
Neither of them seemed happy to see their friend. Luo Fu remained indifferent, while Zhang Xiangyun, who had been resting his hands behind his head, took a step forward and blocked Mei Liangyu's path with his tall frame, giving a half-smile.
Mei Liangyu met his provocative gaze, put away the Wind Listening Ruler, and said calmly, "Bad luck."
Zhang Xiangyun smiled and politely turned to the side, bowing slightly to indicate that it was safe to enter.
As he stepped aside, Mei Liangyu caught sight of Yu Sui and the others ahead.
Gu Gan had already walked towards Yu Sui and the others. Mei Liangyu took a step forward and immediately sensed the heavy pressure generated by the five elements' energy around him. The pressure released by the divination array seemed to be crushing him on the spot.
The divination array had barely begun when Nian Qiuyan, walking behind Mei Liangyu, reached out and grabbed the divine wooden slip Zhang Xiangyun was using for divination from thin air, breaking it in two.
Mei Liangyu glanced at Zhang Xiangyun out of the corner of his eye, and the serpentine golden lightning had already wrapped around his neck from behind, forcing Zhang Xiangyun to withdraw his hands that were behind his head.
The golden lightning wrapped around Zhang Xiangyun's neck flickered, and just as it was about to touch his skin, it was crushed by Luo Fu's outstretched azure lightning hand.
Both sides stopped in their tracks and looked at each other with inscrutable expressions.
Yu Sui tilted her head towards the entrance of the dining hall, somewhat puzzled. She hadn't even started fighting yet, so how come the other side had already taken the lead?
[Author's Note]
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
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