Chapter 169: The Land Abandoned by Humans

Like the Dragon Immortal Emperor, the butt is good, and the roundest one is the best.

Although Ji You was not interested in this, as a man, he would not find it disgusting.

But if it was like normal, he would only admire it, but he would never think about it all the time. But if there was a tail, it would be different...

How to connect, whether there are holes in the clothes, whether it can be used as easily as an arm.

Curiosity is the noblest quality of all things in the world. Curiosity has been driving the human race forward. Some people have found the way to immortality because of it, and some have created magic because of it. It is not shameful.

After the demon tribe started trading with Jiuzhou, although this alien race was no longer rare, those who came to do business were basically men, and there were very few women.

Moreover, after they entered the country, they basically imitated the way humans dressed. No one knows whether this really happened or not.

Different geographical environments often have different customs and clothing habits.

Ji You had heard before that in the ancient times of a certain ethnic group, women's clothing did not cover their chests, and they were proud of it from generation to generation.

This is the flourishing of national culture.

However, there is no record of this incident in "The Snowy Plains", and it seems that the knight did not have the courage to go deep into the demon tribe alone.

Kuang Cheng flipped through the book and said, "I only found a few irrelevant words. It seems that this part of the blank needs to be filled by Brother Ji."

Ji You felt a great sense of responsibility: "I will do my best."

"I always feel like Brother Ji didn't go there just for Fengzhou..."

"I'm investigating for Brother Rulong."

Kuang Cheng came back to his senses at this time and said: "The matter of the tail is unclear for the time being, but Brother Ji must remember that the demons can be transformed into beasts, and the barbarians can also be transformed into barbarians. Their strength will increase greatly, and their bodies are extremely strong. Don't take it lightly."

Ji You raised his head at this time: "After transformation, there will be a tail?"

"It will be very strong after transformation."

"?"

"This is what I saw in the case files of the Sixian Bureau. The barbarians have been confronting our Great Xia for many years, and they have been able to survive despite hundreds of attacks. One of the reasons is that they have this barbaric ability, which allows them to survive in desperate situations and are very difficult to deal with."

Among all the races in the world of Qingyun, the human race has the weakest body, but correspondingly, the human race is also the closest to the way of heaven. This is the balance in nature.

It is impossible for one ethnic group to possess all the power. If that were the case, all the ethnic groups in the world would perish.

Just like in the ancient times, the ancient descendants with the most perfect bodies eventually became a scourge.

Ji You came back to his senses: "It's okay. If something really happens during this trip, I will frown and protect everyone in front of me. If the sky is about to fall, there must always be someone taller to hold it up."

Kuang Cheng opened his mouth and said, "What a great quality."

"By the way, do you have a map of the Northern Plains and the Snow Region? I'd like to familiarize myself with the route and surroundings first."

"Yes, I copied a copy from the Sixianjian, but it's very old and may not be consistent with the current version, but it's still fine as a reference."

After saying this, Kuang Cheng turned around and picked up a stack of documents from the small red-painted cabinet behind him, among which were maps of Beiyuan and Snow Region.

However, when Ji You heard the word "long time ago", he couldn't help but think of the story of Scholar Kuang who went to Beijing to take the imperial examination. According to the map of Shengjing eight years ago, he finally succeeded in getting himself admitted opposite the brothel.

This, can't go into the barbarian's lair? Forget it, it's better than nothing.

It is said that the demons and barbarians do not attach great importance to fortifications, and there is no rumor of large-scale construction. Although there are changes in the world, the difference should not be very big.

Moreover, when we set out, the Zhenbei Army will definitely send us a map.

He obtained this copy from Kuang Cheng in advance just to familiarize himself with it.

Ji You put the map away and continued to look at the records about the environment outside Kyushu in the book: "It seems that the terrain outside the extreme north is quite complicated, especially when entering the snowy area, it is extremely cold. I don't know how the monsters survive. I should buy some warm clothes before leaving."

"Don't immortal cultivators have spiritual energy to control their bodies?"

"A cultivator cannot always rely on spiritual energy to control his body, especially in an unknown environment. He must always keep his body full. The strongmen performing on the streets are said to be extremely powerful, but they don't go shirtless all day long."

Ji You raised his head and said, "Besides, the most important thing for this trip is to conceal our presence. If we really fly carelessly, we will become a sitting duck."

Kuang Cheng nodded after hearing this: "We really have to move forward in secret."

"Well, I need to buy a few more spirit swords, and there is also a magic weapon I had my eyes on before. It is said that it can withstand a full-strength attack from a Yingtian Realm master, but I didn't buy it because it was too expensive."

"Oh, and there is also the communication platform. This is the most important. If anything happens, I will immediately send a message to the city to avoid delaying the opportunity."

"This trip is long, so we need to prepare some tea. I love drinking tea lately."

"Cao Jinsong's birthday is coming soon. I need to pick out something for him. It's better to give him something expensive. We can't save money..."

As Kuang Cheng listened, he couldn't help but look up, with a trace of confusion in his eyes.

He knew that Tianshuyuan gave Ji You money, but he didn't believe that he would spend the money for the mission. This was not reasonable.

Especially tea and birthday gifts, which have nothing to do with escorting the diplomatic mission.

"Brother Ji."

"Um?"

"Who are you planning to rob again?"

Ji You was thinking about the things in his mind and looked at Kuang Cheng when he heard the voice.

In the evening, the fiery red sky spread across Shengjing City.

The servant of Qionghua Pavilion came out of the door, holding a long bill, and went to Tianshuyuan alone.

This is actually against the rules, because according to the regulations of Qionghua Pavilion, unless the customer can show the seal of the Immortal Sect, the consumption amount cannot be calculated on the head of the Immortal Sect.

But the visitor said something terrible, saying that the demons and barbarians were going to attack, and he was here to deal with this matter. If anyone failed to deal with it because of the lack of magic weapons, no one would survive.

The shopkeeper seemed to know this, so he agreed, let him take the things, and sent himself to deliver the bill.

At this moment, in the Director's Office, Director Qin was holding the bill with Ji You's name on it, and his eyelids twitched slightly.

Spirit swords, defensive spiritual weapons, defensive outer garments woven from spiritual vines, and protective spiritual mirrors, these are all understandable.

But what he couldn't understand was why there were magical melons and fruits, candied fruits, tea leaves, as well as longevity peaches carved from magical stones, hairpins, bellybands and other items.

In fact, ten thousand taels of gold and three thousand Snow Demon Stones are already a considerable sum of money. After all, many noble families were afraid that Ji You would not go, so they offered an extremely tempting high price at the beginning.

But in the minds of those children of wealthy families who have lived a life of luxury since childhood, these are all mundane things, not as valuable as power and status.

But I didn't expect that Ji You would even extort money after taking it...

The next morning, the light was shining everywhere.

Cao Jinsong and others stared at the longevity peaches carved from spiritual stones in front of them.

After the Snow Demon Stone was brought into Jiuzhou by the demon tribe through trade, it became very popular due to its extremely high quality and reasonable price. The relatively inferior Zhongzhou Stone depreciated the fastest, so the number of hand-held figurines and ornaments made of Zhongzhou Stone increased day by day.

But a longevity peach carved from such a large piece of Zhongzhou stone must be worth a lot of money, because it is a spiritual stone after all.

"Junior brother said that he was originally going to the Northern Territory. When he went to the Director's Office, he was afraid that he might maliciously raise the price and make the other party change their mind, so he wanted to take the silver first."

"After he got it, he wanted to prepare some magical instruments, but found that he was not willing to spend them, so he put it on the account of Tianshuyuan."

"He said that since so many people wanted him to go, they wouldn't change their minds just because of a bill, so he simply asked for more, thinking they wouldn't be able to refuse."

"He also said that even if I refuse, the money I received previously will not be returned. This is his way."

Ban Yangshu repeated Ji You's words, and the corners of his mouth twitched.

At this moment, Cao Jinsong held up the huge spiritual stone longevity peach and took a deep breath: "This child of mine is extraordinary."

At this time, Wen Zhengxin picked up a bellyband, looked at it for a long time, and couldn't help but spit with a red face, but in the end he found that it was actually a magical weapon to protect the heart.

At the same time, Bai Rulong received a large purse, bigger than the one he had before.

Strange, why do you want to give me a purse? The money in my purse is already in your purse, why do I need a purse?

"Junior Brother Ji said that this purse is also made of spiritual vines and is extremely sturdy."

"What is the purpose?"

"He didn't say, but I think it's probably so that it won't be torn no matter how hard you tear it in the future."

"?"

Bai Rulong turned his head and glanced at Ban Yangshu, then fell into silence.

Wen Zhengxin, holding his bellyband, looked over when he heard the voice: "Rulong, can't you be more diligent? You also entered Tongxuan in one breath. Next time you are robbed, fight him hard for a few rounds."

"Practicing is so tiring, and Brother Ji is a nice guy..."

Ban Yangshu couldn't help but reply, "Yes, he told me to tell you that there might really be women with round buttocks and long tails in the demon tribe, but your cultivation is too low, so he can only go and see them by himself and can't take you."

"ah?!"

Bai Rulong threw the purse on the table, turned around and walked out: "This is too much!"

Ban Yangshu was startled: "What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to practice diligently!"

“…”

At the same time, all the staff of the Sixianjian were busy preparing for the mission to the Snow Region.

As the chief of the Reception Office, Kuang Cheng, who had previously handled the trade affairs with the demon tribe, also joined in.

They collected information about the various barbarian tribes from the Zhenbei Army and compiled it into a manual. They also redrawn the maps of the Northern Plains and the Snow Region.

The part about Beiyuan in the map was provided by the secret agents of Zhenbei Army, while the part about Snow Region was provided by the demon tribe in charge of trade.

In fact, this period of time should have been the time for the seven major immortal sects to take away offerings from Daxia, and the Sixianjian was originally busy with this matter, but because of the diplomatic mission to the Snow Region, the matter was temporarily shelved.

千百年来，收缴税奉一直都是大事，这个制度保证了修仙者可以无欲无求地追求仙道。

毕竟无论什么都可以从供奉之中取得，劳累的不过是在他们眼中如同蝼蚁的凡人，他们坐享其成，又何需再生出别的欲望。

但连这件事都被推迟，足见得人族对此事的重视。

毕竟蛮族使臣已经去了雪域数日，万一真的达成了什么协议，人族再去便也来不及了。

在此期间，各州郡官府也被调动了起来，对于那些来九州行商的妖族开始严密管控，无论出城入城或者是跨境，但凡是妖族人士，便都要进行登记。

毕竟此行出使若是不利，境内妖族趁机作乱的几率并不小，需要防备。

与此同时，季忧正在打点行囊，将一应物品收入自己的储物葫芦，其中还有一只药匣。

这药匣是元采薇和元辰今日晨间寄来的，里面放了无数灵药。

其中夹带了一封信，洋洋洒洒整篇。

大概内容是季忧先前去丰州建立世家，事出突然，他们是在事情发生后才得知消息的，未能帮上什么。

于是这一次得知他要去妖族，特地准备了很多能用得上的丹药，以备他不时之需。

元辰在信中还说，这些丹药并不是丹宗常备的，家中并没有库存。

这是他和阿姐按照药方的记载，炉火不停，连续熬了数个日夜所炼制，愿他能够平安归来。

最⊥新⊥小⊥说⊥在⊥六⊥9⊥⊥书⊥⊥吧⊥⊥首⊥发！

元辰这小子，对姐夫一事贼心不死，但确实没说假话。

他们确实是熬了无数个大夜，累到面色虚白才凑齐了所有丹药，直到炉火停歇的那一刻，两人的玄玉丹手都已经麻木。

这，大概就是红颜祸水的好处……

季忧伸手翻药匣之中的手册，皆是关于丹药的功效介绍。

嗯，很实用。

整个青云天下都知道自己很穷了，也都听说了自己修行至今没吃过什么好丹药，元家姐弟这是怕自己不知道怎么用。

不过他现在没时间翻看了，因为这些丹药大部分是用以疗伤或者补充的，但最好选择还是不受伤。

季忧将药匣收入储物葫芦，随后盘膝坐在了床上。

他要继续第十五次微照，引灵火煅烧肉身，争取在离京之前完成。

世人都知蛮族与妖族生来便肉身强悍，但除了镇北军之中的兵将之外，这份强悍究竟是何程度谁也说不清。

所以，更高强度的锻体对于这出使雪域一行便尤为重要。

肉身强度会限制神念与天道的感应不假，但考虑这件事之前，活命才是最主要的。

两日之后，季忧的袇房之中传出一股灼热的气息，透出院落，许多内院师姐都说自己闻到了一股沁人心脾的幽香，但师兄却毫无感觉。

【亲手把自己练成了种马】

而此时，司仙监的文书也正式下达。

于是翌日清晨时分，盛京城之中有四十多辆高大的驾辇排满了整个永安大道。

早先便来到的盛京，一直居住在春池苑的修仙者纷纷露面，周身气息玄妙，引来了无数人的围观。

他们或高、或矮、或胖、或瘦，或男、或女，或持刀、佩剑、握枪，全都聚集于此。

因为他们的出现，很多人都感受到盛京城的灵气正在以永安街中段为核心快速流动，气浪翻飞，险些触发了天书院的护教大阵。

其实除却丹宗之外，其他六大仙宗之间虽然表面和谐，但因为世家关系，或者是因为名声间攀比，相互之间都有些针锋相对，所以才有此气劲相撞。

“问道宗的姜晨枫……”

“你认识？”

“五年前天道会的时候听说过，天赋非常卓绝，但后续一直在闭关，没想到已经是融道上境。”

“那个不束发的是谁？”

“山海阁霍鸿，知道山海阁姓什么么？就是姓霍，不过这貌似是个私生子……”

“那这位站在屋顶，目空一切，矫首昂视，似乎是在睥睨天下的又是何人？”

“哦，这位就更不得了，灵剑山弟子公输仇，曾在灵元被煞气压制的情况下仍旧战力非凡，与一人七剑的季忧打的难舍难分，不落下风！”

盛京城长街，无数人立于街边，或者茶楼酒肆之上，看着这些天骄，表情不一。

如长乐郡主、当朝丞相魏厉，还有京中世家子弟，例如窦远空等人，以及涌出山门的天书院学子，还有仙宗行走。

尤其是这些仙宗行走，对自家师兄师姐简直如数家珍。

这些人和天书院的石君昊、萧含雁一样，此行结束都会得到巨大的回报。

亲传名额也好，极品仙药也罢，无论是何报酬，对他们而言都算是不虚此行。

此时，季忧也已经来到了宫城之前，伸手摸了摸摇首顿蹄的马儿，转头看向前方。

那些各宗天骄此时也孤傲看来，目光在他身上短暂停留。

“季忧……”

“天书院那个？”

“不错。”

青云天下有天骄无数，季忧此时的修为与他们还不能相比，但名气却远高一筹。

毕竟从入外院到内院，他确实是搞出了不少事情，活跃程度远超那些动不动就闭关的他们。

尤其是丰州之事，事关税奉问题，传播度就更广了。

不过这群人中也有闭关数年之久，此间从未出关的人，对他则是全然不知，便也想不通为何这队伍之中会有一个通玄境，于是打量几眼之后便草草转头。

唯有公输仇，看他的时间要比所有人都久，而且眼神之中神采飞扬。

季忧此时也在注意灵剑山一行人，包括公输仇在内，一共四位。

另外两个融道境名为颜秋白、谢晨宇。

最后一位，则是出身于玄剑峰的长老。

季忧在名单上看过，这位长老名叫颜川，一位刚刚入了无疆境的高手，已有百岁，但在修仙界还算不上高龄，须发仅是花白，精神烁立，浑身剑气。

就在此时，皇城之内传来一阵车轮辘辘的声音。

又是数十辆马车驶出，其上是此次出使雪域的使臣，史官，以及随从，加上先前被派遣至盛京的妖族使团，多达百人，向着城外而去。

见状，季忧转身上了马车。

而其他仙宗高手此时也陆续上了马车，扬鞭之声响彻。

何灵秀此间也在神道之上看着，直到马车开动才收回目光，与方立诚、柴泽，冷盈盈等人转身返回了内院。

左丘阳此时正在竹林之中，见他们踏山而归，轻捋长须。

“使团离京了?”

何灵秀点了点头：“石师兄与萧师姐已经离开，季忧也随之而去，但愿这黄金万两和雪域三千妖石不会令他送命。”

柴泽和身旁的方立诚、冷盈盈三人闻声轻笑：“不止呢，还有灵石雕琢的寿桃一个，传讯灵台一方，护心肚兜和护身法衣一件、以及御寒的裘袍、靴子及茶叶若干。”

何灵秀：“？”

“何师妹不知道，他前几日去穹华阁买了些东西，说是此行所用，挂在了我天书院的账上。”

“这……”

先前何灵秀见到温正心和班阳舒去找季忧，以为他们两个可以说服他。

没想到季忧仍旧执意要去，更没想到他还又向内院要了东西。

其实这位自在殿亲传原本对季忧是十分欣赏，毕竟灵剑山那次，据说是他为自己求来了静灵丹，才遏制了诸法伴身被斩破后的反噬。

可他此番行事，只重眼前之利，又让何灵秀觉得他的目光比世家子弟短浅了太多。

左丘阳看着自己的何灵秀，伸手从袖间递出一份折子。

“这是什么？”

“司仙监呈报天书院的信函，无论妖族会作何抉择，我人族都要提前做好准备才可，蛮族与妖族，可不是镇北军能够应付的了的。”

派使团出使雪域，结果只有两种，那么应对策略也会有两种。

人族总不会把所有希望都放在使团的身上，必定会做其他安排。

何灵秀此时翻开那份折子看了一眼，便见其上所画的不是北境，也不是与北境最近的云州，而是偌大且贫瘠的丰州。

“战区？”

左丘阳点了点头：“寒铁关若是守不住，这里便会是新的战场，事实上，千百年来的丰州一直都暗藏着这么一个作用，自人族统御九州开始，这就是一个随时会被舍弃的地方，想来季忧一开始就想明白了。”

何灵秀看了许久，随后豁然看向了使团离京的方向，眼神微微睁大。

而其他几位殿主候选此时也皱起了眉头，随着他转身看去，眼前浮现出季忧上车时那深邃的目光，眼神微怔。

“有时候一个人的弱点太过明显，就应该被警惕了，因为那很有可能不是他最大的弱点，而是为了掩藏他真正不能舍弃的。”

“试想他若没有贪财这种极其容易被抓住的弱点，出身乡野又如此天赋卓绝，那些想要针对他的人又会用什么去威胁他逼迫他？”

“辛辛苦苦养了他三年的农户？”

"Those young children he had managed to save?"

"A scholar who has a life-and-death friendship with him?"

"A rural private cultivator, I'm afraid he has never given up his vigilance since the day he entered the hospital, hiding everything behind him, only revealing his money-filled body."

(asking for monthly ticket)

(End of this chapter)