The Elders' Courtyard, located in the heart of the peach blossom grove, features winding corridors, small bridges, and flowing water, exuding a rustic and elegant charm.
In the elegant study, items were scattered on the shelves, and behind the desk, priceless ancient books were covered in dust.
“Master, something is definitely amiss. Tao Ban didn’t resist and left obediently. I think he must have a backup plan. We must be on guard,” Tao Qian said solemnly.
Tao Hong stood upright with her hands behind her back, her silver hair pinned up on her head with a peach wood hairpin. Her back was to Tao Qian, her face gloomy, and her brows slightly furrowed.
“Tao Ban has been expelled from Peach Blossom Spring. If he enters Peach Blossom Spring without being summoned, you need not show mercy. Just follow the rules set by our ancestors.”
"Yes, disciple obeys."
Tao Qian's lips curled up, and her fierce eyes radiated an arrogant and smug look.
Follow the rules?
The meaning of "peach blossom" can be summed up in one word: kill.
"You may leave now," Tao Hong said.
"Yes, disciple takes his leave." Tao Qian respectfully left the study.
That night, silence reigned, and not a single ray of silver light could be seen.
A fierce wind swept through the peach orchard, causing pink petals to flutter down. The fragrant peach blossoms gathered in droplets, gradually becoming stronger and more pungent.
"Watch out, there's a patrol team on the left, get out of the way!"
With Ji Xiaoxiao's cheating tool, Liao Kongmin successfully infiltrated the Elders' Council.
The Elders' Council was heavily guarded, with guards stationed almost every five steps and sentries every ten steps.
"I never expected this, I never expected this." In the consciousness space, Ji Xiaoxiao teased, "Kongmin, you're doing really badly. Those old fogies live in paradise on earth, how come you're so unambitious, holed up in that lifeless high-class courtyard?"
Liao Kongmin paused, nearly falling.
“Little one, how can you let your own people boost the enemy’s morale and diminish your own?”
The Tao family has a history of over a thousand years. Although the main residence of the Tao family is magnificent, as Ji Xiaoxiao said, countless innocent souls have died tragically due to conspiracies and schemes over the long years. The deep courtyard has accumulated countless amounts of death energy and resentment, which is detrimental to people's cultivation and health.
Liao Kongmin glanced around the Elders' Courtyard. The scenery was beautiful, with clear waters, birdsong, and fragrant flowers. It was a blessed place, but no outstanding people. How could this place not be his?
"Forget it, I'm not going to say anything more." The more she thought about it, the angrier she got.
Ji Xiaoxiao chuckled softly.
The two chatted and laughed for a while before sneaking into Elder Tao Hong's study.
"The thyme is hidden here by that old hag, but I'm not sure of its exact location because of the interference from the formation. Kongmin, you might need to use your hands and your brain from now on." The old hag's cultivation was profound, and the formation she set up was incredibly strange, even able to withstand the transmission of high-tech information, which was truly impressive.
Liao Kongmin nodded, his feet firmly planted on the peach wood base, yet he didn't make a single sound.
There's no display shelf.
There is no table.
There is no bookshelf.
No secret room or secret chamber.
Liao Kongmin was sweating profusely from searching and almost wanted to go on a rampage and dig three feet into the ground.
"Think about it again. When people hide things, they usually follow their own habits," Ji Xiaoxiao reminded her. "Kongmin, what habits does that old hag have?"
“Why would I pay attention to that kind of old woman? What are her habits…” Liao Kongmin suddenly changed his mind, “Wait, I remember a rumor about an old witch.”
"Mmm-hmm-hmm."
Ji Xiaoxiao couldn't wait to hear the gossip.
"Legend has it that before the old hag learned the art of ascension to immortality, she was an ugly monster," Liao Kongmin murmured.
Saying only half a sentence and leaving the other half unsaid, Liao Kongmin walked towards the dressing table in the study.
"Dressing table?" Ji Xiaoxiao asked, puzzled.
There are such girly things in the study?
"The old hag is ugly, but she loves to comb her hair by the window and apply makeup in front of the mirror."
"Isn't she afraid of making herself feel uncomfortable?"
Yesterday, Ji Xiaoxiao caught a fleeting glimpse of the aged-looking First Elder. Her silver-white hair, like spiderwebs, was tangled into a massive predatory net. Her face was deeply lined with age spots, making her look extremely frightening. Especially her half-open eyes, murky and sinister, were like bottomless black holes that sucked away souls.
"Kongmin, is the Grand Elder nearing the end of his life, or is he experiencing the five signs of decay?"
The greatest benefit of cultivating immortality is the ability to maintain youth and eternal youth. But look at Elder Tao Hong's intimidating appearance—is that the demeanor of the number one expert in Peach Blossom Spring?
"You figured it out," Liao Kongmin said gloatingly. "Qi cultivation has a lifespan of a hundred years, while Foundation Establishment has a lifespan of two hundred. Tao Hong is already one hundred and eighty-nine years old."
“She only has eleven years left,” Ji Xiaoxiao said anxiously. “Kongmin, hurry, find Bailixiang immediately, we need to leave right away.”
A cornered dog will jump over a wall, a desperate rabbit will bite; Tao Hong's time is running out, and her anxiety and fear are unimaginable. If someone tries to take advantage of her, Tao Hong is capable of anything.
"Okay." Everyone here is a smart person; there's no need for further explanation, they understand each other perfectly.
Liao Kongmin searched high and low, almost dismantling the dressing table, but still couldn't find any trace of thyme.
"No," Liao Kongmin gritted his teeth and said angrily.
Tense and excited, Liao Kongmin was drenched in sweat, a drop of sweat landing on the mirror.
Ripples broke the calm surface of the lake.
"Will there be ripples on the mirror?" Ji Xiaoxiao exclaimed. "Kongmin, the old hag might have hidden thyme in the mirror."
Liao Kongmin curled his five fingers slightly and reached out to touch the mirror.
"No." I poked it; it still felt hard and stiff like a mirror.
"Wrap your hands in spiritual energy, but be careful. The old hag can't possibly be unprepared."
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