“Did you say he’s the ancestor of the Yellow Spring Sect? That can’t be possible!”
It took a while for Shui Miao to regain his composure, feeling that things were getting stranger by the minute.
“Well… I also think it’s unlikely, but he’s definitely hiding his true strength. And since he’s from the Yellow Spring Sect, there’s a high chance he might indeed be the ancestor. So let’s just find out more first. Alright, come over here as soon as possible and let’s observe him together. If that old man is truly the Yuan Shen of a God King, I’ll naturally step in to help you.”
After saying that, Lao Cai ended his communication with Shui Miao.
Regaining his senses, Shui Miao noticed that Lin Qing’er had already approached him. She lowered her voice and asked, “Shui Miao, have you noticed any soul following me closely?”
“…”
Upon hearing this, Shui Miao immediately understood what she meant.
A wave of disappointment surged inside him. Even now, she still longed for that man who was already dead. Then what exactly was he to her?
After a pause, he shook his head.
Lin Qing’er bit her lip and continued, “Can you help me? Can you ask your friend to help me find him? I just want to see him one more time… I don’t mean anything else. I just feel guilty toward him, so I want to meet him for the last time.”
“Okay, I’ll do my best.”
Shui Miao nodded. Thinking about it, he realized that unless Lin Qing’er resolved this emotional knot, she might never truly move on from that past relationship.
“Thank you! Thank you so much!”
Lin Qing’er lowered her head and walked back to her seat.
She actually thanked me?
Does that mean she never really accepted me?
Hearing her say “thank you” twice, Shui Miao felt his heart tremble. The affection he held for her seemed to suffer a heavy blow.
Acting, all of this was just acting!
She doesn’t like me. Why should I keep clinging to false hopes?
Suddenly, Shui Miao turned around and walked away again…
Seeing this, Old Lin hurriedly chased after him, “Shui, Shui Miao, let me follow you. I don’t want to die just yet. Please let me live a little longer!”
“It’s fine for you to follow me, but your lifespan is nearly over. I’m afraid I won’t be able to help you when the time comes.” Shui Miao replied emotionlessly, quickening his pace toward the rooftop.
Da Shuang and Lin Qing’er also hurriedly followed, keeping a distance of about ten meters behind him.
“Alright, you can just wait here at the entrance. There’s no need to follow me so closely.”
Shui Miao coldly ascended to the rooftop, heading straight toward a spot more than fifty meters away.
Ye Xian was enthusiastically talking about the Yellow Spring Sect, his expression animated and full of vigor.
When Lin Qing’er and Da Shuang saw Old Lin stop, they also stopped.
Seeing Shui Miao approach, Ye Xian paused and nodded respectfully, “Immortal, let’s not waste any time. We should prepare our people and go as soon as possible.”
“Herbs?”
Upon hearing this, Lao Cai quickly waved his hands, “No, no, no! What we need isn’t manpower, it’s herbs!” He turned to Shui Miao, “Oh, Shui Miao, aren’t you acquainted with a major merchant in the Underworld who sells herbs? We could buy some herbs from him and exchange them for pills at the Yellow Spring Sect.”
“Yeah, yeah! There’s profit to be made here!” Lao Qin winked at Shui Miao, subtly signaling him not to reveal the truth.
Understanding each other without words, Shui Miao’s mind stirred and he replied, “Well, I’m afraid I can’t contact him for now. Usually, he’s the one who contacts me. But I do have a small amount of herbs on me. We can try exchanging them first. If it works, we can then buy more herbs for trade.”
Shui Miao’s current objective was simple—he wasn’t really aiming to seize the Nine Tripod Cauldron, but rather to obtain the Fire Holy Spirit first.
Upon hearing this, Ye Xian hurriedly said, “Exchange for what? Just gather more people and directly raid the Yellow Spring Sect to seize the Nine Tripod Cauldron and make our own pills! I know the way, really, I do! Those mazes in the Yellow Spring Sect won’t stop me!”
“No, no, no! We absolutely won’t resort to robbery—we must conduct proper business openly.” Lao Cai waved his hands again.
Lao Qin also shook his head, “Even if we gathered more people, we wouldn’t want to rob them. It would ruin our reputation.”
“What reputation? They’re practically bandits!” Hearing Lao Qin and Lao Cai’s words, Ye Xian felt disappointed, “You’re just playing with me! Xiao Hei told me we could raid them, so I came here to discuss the plan with you. But now you’re saying we should conduct business openly. Then why did you even call for my master, Master Guigu Faman?”
“Xiao Hei, how did I teach you to act? How could you say such nonsense?” Shui Miao immediately reprimanded the Black Snake Demon, “This was supposed to be a legitimate business deal. I sent you to investigate whether the Yellow Spring Sect truly buys herbs, but you went around spreading wild stories. If the Yellow Spring Sect’s Patriarch finds out, would he still do business with us? You’re ruining me!”
“…”
Knowing he was in the wrong, the Black Snake Demon lowered his head in silence. He had received some Fire Holy Spirit Qi from Ye Xian and, in his excitement, had accidentally let slip crucial information.
Lao Cai and the others also began to scold him.
“Ah! This matter is ruined, and this business deal is off.”
“Yeah! It was such a rare opportunity to connect with the Yellow Spring Sect’s Patriarch, but it turned out like this…”
“Alright, maybe we can cooperate another time. We’ll take our leave now.”
“Brother Shui Miao, thank you for your hospitality. We’ll be on our way.”
“You say he’s the Netherworld Patriarch? That can’t be possible, can it!?”
It took Shuimiao a good while to snap back to reality, feeling that things were getting more and more bizarre.
“I also think it’s unlikely, but he truly has been hiding his strength. Since he comes from the Netherworld Sect, there’s a high chance he is the Netherworld Patriarch. So, let’s first try to understand the situation. Alright, hurry over here and observe him together. If that old man really is the Divine King’s primordial spirit, I will naturally step in to help you.”
After saying this, Lao Cai ended his communication with Shuimiao.
When Shuimiao regained his composure, he noticed Lin Qing’er had already walked up to him. She lowered her voice and asked, “Shuimiao, have you seen any souls following me around?”
“…”
Hearing this, Shuimiao immediately guessed what Lin Qing’er was referring to.
He couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment. After all this, she still loved that dead man—what did that make him in her heart?
After a pause, Shuimiao shook his head.
Lin Qing’er bit her lip and continued, “Can you help me? Ask your friend to help find him. I want to see him one more time… I don’t mean anything else by it. I just feel like I owe him an apology, so I want to see him one last time.”
“Alright, I’ll do my best.”
Shuimiao nodded, thinking to himself that if Lin Qing’er didn’t resolve this emotional burden, she might never fully move on from that relationship.
“Thank you! Really, thank you!”
Lin Qing’er lowered her head and returned to her seat.
She actually thanked me?
Does that mean she has never truly accepted me?
Hearing her say “thank you” twice, Shuimiao felt a tremor in his heart. His feelings for Lin Qing’er seemed to suffer a heavy blow in that instant.
It’s all an act! Everything is just an act!
She doesn’t like me, so why should I indulge in wishful thinking?
Suddenly, Shuimiao turned and walked out again…
Seeing this, Old Master Lin hurried after him: “Shui, Shuimiao, let me follow you. I don’t want to die yet—let me live a little longer!”
“You can follow me, but your lifespan is almost up. I’m afraid there’s not much I can do to help when the time comes.” Shuimiao showed no expression and quickened his pace, heading toward the rooftop.
Dashuang and Lin Qing’er also hurried out, following Shuimiao at a distance of about ten meters.
“Alright, you can wait here at the entrance. There’s no need to follow me so closely.”
With a cold expression, Shuimiao ascended to the rooftop and walked straight toward a spot about fifty meters away.
Ye Xian was enthusiastically discussing matters related to the Netherworld Sect, speaking with great animation.
Seeing Old Master Lin stop, Lin Qing’er and Dashuang also came to a halt.
Noticing Shuimiao approaching, Ye Xian paused and nodded to him: “Great Immortal, we must act without delay. Let’s quickly gather some people and head over.”
“Medicinal herbs?”
Lao Cai immediately waved his hand upon hearing this. “No, no, we don’t need people—we need medicinal herbs.” He turned to Shuimiao and said, “Oh, Shuimiao, didn’t you say you know a major merchant in the underworld who deals in herbs? We could buy more herbs and trade them for some elixirs from the Netherworld Sect.”
“Yes, yes! There’s profit to be made in business!” Lao Qin winked at Shuimiao, hinting for him not to reveal the truth.
Understanding the unspoken message, Shuimiao replied, “Well, I’m afraid I can’t reach him for now. Usually, he’s the one who contacts me. But I do have a few herbs on me. We could try trading with those first. If we can indeed exchange them for elixirs, it wouldn’t be too late to buy more herbs for trade later.”
Shuimiao’s current goal was simple: not to actually seize the Nine Cauldrons Pill Furnace but to first trade for some Fire Saint Spirit.
Hearing this, Ye Xian quickly interjected, “Why bother trading? Let’s just gather more people, raid the Netherworld Sect, and take the Nine Cauldrons Incense Burner to refine our own pills. I know the way—I really do. The mazes of the Netherworld Sect won’t be a problem for me.”
“No, no, we absolutely will not raid anyone. If we want something, we’ll do business openly and honestly.” Lao Cai waved his hand repeatedly.
Lao Qin also shook his head: “Even if we could gather enough people, we wouldn’t want to raid. It would ruin our reputation.”
“What reputation? They’re nothing but bandits!” Disappointed by Lao Qin and Lao Cai’s responses, Ye Xian said, “Are you just playing with me? Little Black told me we could raid them, which is why I came to discuss a plan to coordinate from within and without. Now you’re saying you want to do business openly? Then why did you seek out my master, Guigu Faman?”
“Little Black, how did I instruct you to handle this? How could you spout such nonsense?” Shuimiao immediately reprimanded the Black Snake Demon. “This was supposed to be a proper business deal. I asked you to investigate whether the Netherworld Sect’s herb acquisition was genuine, but you went out and spouted nonsense everywhere. If the Netherworld Patriarch finds out, will he still do business with us? Aren’t you sabotaging me?”
“…”
The Black Snake Demon, knowing he was at fault, lowered his head in silence. He had gotten carried away after receiving some Fire Saint Spirit from Ye Xian and had indeed let slip more than he should have.
Lao Cai and the others also began to voice their criticisms.
“Ah! This matter has been botched. There’s no way we can proceed with this business deal now.”
“Yes! It’s not easy to establish a connection with the Netherworld Patriarch, and now things have turned out like this…”
“Let’s forget it. We’ll look for another opportunity to cooperate in the future. We’ll take our leave now.”
“Brother Shuimiao, thank you for your hospitality. We’ll be on our way.”
Lao Cai and Lao Qin cupped their hands in farewell and directly used escape arts to disappear.
The Black Snake Demon was baffled, unable to understand why Lao Cai and the others had suddenly changed their minds.
Shuimiao pretended to be angry and scolded the Black Snake Demon: “Little Black, you’ve disappointed me greatly. I’m punishing you by sending you to reflect on your actions by the river three miles away. Without my summons, you are not to wander off. If you disobey, don’t ever call me your master again. Now, get out of here!”
Shuimiao’s voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.
Why the river three miles away? The Black Snake Demon’s heart stirred, and he quickly vanished using his escape technique.
As soon as Little Black left, Shuimiao’s mind flickered, and he took out a medicinal herb from his Saint Ring and handed it to Ye Xian. “Brother Ye Xian, I’m truly sorry. It seems our business deal has fallen through. To express my apology, please take this herb to Senior Guigu Faman as a token of my regret for misjudging my subordinate.”
Shuimiao possessed only saintly herbs, and what he gave Ye Xian was Blood Pills from the Rakshasa Realm.
You can’t catch a wolf without sacrificing a child.
On the surface, Shuimiao was testing Ye Xian’s true identity, but in reality, he only wanted to trade for Fire Saint Spirit.
Seeing such a valuable saintly herb like the Blood Pills, Ye Xian was stunned.
After a moment, Ye Xian whispered, “Great Immortal, what kind of elixirs would you like to trade for? Perhaps I can help you acquire some.”
He’s taken the bait!?
Shuimiao felt a slight thrill but feigned nonchalance: “I also have Soul Lingzhi from the Nine Netherlands and Soul Continuation Grass from the depths of hell, along with some other precious herbs. Unfortunately, I don’t have much. Right now, I only want some Fire Saint Spirit for cultivation purposes.”
“What! You only want Fire Saint Spirit?”
Ye Xian looked surprised, as if what Shuimiao wanted was not difficult for him to obtain at all.
Shuimiao nodded and looked at Ye Xian doubtfully. “What, you don’t happen to have Fire Saint Spirit on you, do you?”
“Of course I do!”
Ye Xian glanced around and lowered his voice. “Great Immortal, you may not know this, but Fire Saint Spirit is considered a fairly common treasure in the Netherworld Sect. The Netherworld Patriarch uses it to refine elixirs. I happen to have secretly stored some away. If you want it, I can trade the Fire Saint Spirit I have for more of your herbs. How does that sound?”
“You really have it?” Shuimiao couldn’t help but feel excited.
Ye Xian licked his lips and said sneakily, “In fact, I have several other types of Saint Spirit energy on me. You don’t know this, but in the Netherworld Patriarch’s pill refinery, Saint Spirit energy isn’t considered treasure—those elixirs are the real prizes. Here, I’ll give you this Fire Saint Spirit.”
As he spoke, Ye Xian took out a fist-sized portion of Fire Saint Spirit from his spatial ring and handed it to Shuimiao.
Shuimiao took the Fire Saint Spirit and sensed it with his divine awareness. He found it exceptionally unique, with incredibly pure fire-attribute spiritual energy.
He’s definitely not just some minor ghost doctor!
Perhaps he really is the Netherworld Patriarch. If he is, then his actions make sense. To obtain herbs for refining pills and quickly restore his strength, it’s entirely possible he would take risks and venture out himself to find ingredients. Immediately, Shuimiao stored the Fire Saint Spirit and took out the remaining half of the herbs, handing them to Ye Xian. “Take these in exchange. See if you can give me some more Saint Spirit energy.”
“Good! Good!!”
Ye Xian tried hard to contain his excitement and took out more Fire Saint Spirit, as well as Saint Spirit energy of other attributes. Finally, Ye Xian also handed a jade pendant to Shuimiao and said urgently, “Keep this. I’ll hurry back to the Netherworld Sect to get more Saint Spirit energy. If you can acquire more herbs, I might even be able to get you some top-grade elixirs to enhance your cultivation. Keep the jade pendant on you. If you need anything, just call my name into it three times, and I’ll come as quickly as I can.”
After saying this, Ye Xian hurriedly disappeared into the night.
With several types of Saint Spirit energy finally gathered, Shuimiao was thrilled. He immediately sat cross-legged on the spot, circulated his immortal power, and expanded his divine awareness. He sensed the Black Snake Demon not far away, as well as Lao Cai and Lao Qin.
“Little Black, go find Bai Feng immediately and ask her to guard me. I’ll give you some Fire Saint Spirit later.”
“Senior Lao Cai, please keep an eye on Old Master Lin for me. Do everything you can to detain his soul. I will repay you generously in the future!”
Shuimiao felt excited, nervous, and incredibly eager.
He had very high expectations for these types of Saint Spirit energy.
Therefore, he was in a hurry to attempt cultivation, wanting to see if he could break through his current realm and enhance his cultivation with these Saint Spirit energies.
After speaking, Shuimiao paid no further attention to Lin Qing’er and the others. He directly calmed his mind, focused his spirit, and began channeling the Saint Spirit energy from his Saint Ring continuously into his dantian and mental realm, starting his cultivation…
Just as Shuimiao withdrew his focus, Old Master Lin began struggling to breathe again, on the verge of death!
Dashuang saw this and rushed to Shuimiao’s side, crying out, “Shuimiao, come quickly! Uncle Lin is failing again!”
“He’s going to die sooner or later. Don’t bother me anymore.” Shuimiao waved his hand impatiently.
But at that moment, Lin Qing’er suddenly let out a sharp scream!
Shuimiao turned to look and saw Old Master Lin vomit a large cloud of murky yellow mist onto the ground before stretching out his legs and dying. The mist quickly coalesced and, within two or three breaths, transformed into a figure wearing a murky yellow robe with crimson hair!
In the next moment, this crimson-haired figure in a murky yellow robe began walking toward Shuimiao…
Seeing this, the Black Snake Demon was puzzled, unable to understand why Lao Cai and the others suddenly changed their minds.
Pretending to be angry, Shui Miao scolded the Black Snake Demon, “Xiao Hei, you’ve really disappointed me. Now I’m punishing you to go to the riverside three miles away and reflect on your mistakes. Unless I summon you, you’re not allowed to wander off. If you disobey, don’t call me your master again. Now, get lost!”
Shui Miao’s voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.
Why three miles to the riverside? The Black Snake Demon’s mind stirred and quickly vanished.
Once Xiao Hei left, Shui Miao’s thoughts shifted, and he retrieved a herb from his Holy Yuan Ring and handed it to Ye Xian, “Brother Ye Xian, I’m truly sorry. It seems our business deal is off. To show my apologies, please give this herb to Senior Master Guigu Faman. Consider this punishment for my poor judgment in subordinates.”
Shui Miao had nothing but sacred herbs on him, and the one he gave Ye Xian was the Blood Soul Powder from the Realm of Rakshasa.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
On the surface, Shui Miao was testing Ye Xian’s true identity, but in reality, he was simply trying to obtain the Fire Holy Spirit.
Seeing such a rare and valuable herb, Ye Xian was stunned for a moment.
After a pause, Ye Xian whispered, “Great Immortal, what kind of pill are you looking to exchange for? Perhaps I can help you obtain it.”
He’s taking the bait!?
Shui Miao’s heart stirred slightly with excitement. He pretended to be nonchalant as he said, “I also have the Soul Ginseng from the Nine Underworlds, the Soul Continuation Grass that grows deep in Hell, and several other rare herbs. Unfortunately, I don’t have much of them. Right now, I just need some Fire Holy Spirit for cultivation.”
“What! You only want the Fire Holy Spirit?”
Ye Xian feigned surprise. What Shui Miao wanted seemed extremely easy to obtain for him.
Shui Miao nodded and looked at Ye Xian with mild confusion, “How is it? Do you happen to have some Fire Holy Spirit on you?”
“Of course I do!”
Ye Xian glanced around cautiously and lowered his voice, “Great Immortal, you don’t know this, but the Fire Holy Spirit is just an ordinary treasure in the Yellow Spring Sect. The Yellow Spring Sect’s Patriarch even uses it for alchemy. I just happened to secretly keep some. If you want it, I can exchange it for more herbs from you. How about that?”
“Really? You actually have it?” Shui Miao couldn’t help but feel excited.
Ye Xian licked his lips and whispered conspiratorially, “In fact, I also have several other types of Holy Spirit Qi on me. You don’t know, in the Yellow Spring Sect’s Patriarch’s pill room, Holy Spirit Qi isn’t even considered valuable. The real treasures are the pills themselves. I’ll just give you this Fire Holy Spirit.”
So saying, Ye Xian took out a Fire Holy Spirit the size of a fist from his spatial ring and handed it to Shui Miao.
Shui Miao took the Fire Holy Spirit and, with his spiritual sense, immediately realized its uniqueness—its fire elemental energy was extremely pure.
He’s definitely not just a petty ghost doctor!
Perhaps he really is the Yellow Spring Sect’s Patriarch. If that’s the case, his actions would make sense. To quickly restore his power, he might have taken the risk of coming out himself to gather herbs. At this point, Shui Miao stored the Fire Holy Spirit and handed Ye Xian the remaining half of his herbs, “Exchange these for more Holy Spirit Qi. Give me as much as you can.”
“Great! Great!!”
Ye Xian tried hard to suppress his excitement and took out even more Fire Holy Spirit, along with Holy Spirit Qi of other elemental types. Finally, Ye Xian also handed Shui Miao a jade pendant and urged, “Take this. I’ll head back to the Yellow Spring Sect right away to get more Holy Spirit Qi. If you can obtain more herbs, I might even be able to get you some top-tier pills that enhance cultivation. Keep this jade pendant on you. If you need anything, just call my name three times into it, and I’ll come as quickly as I can.”
After saying this, Ye Xian hurriedly vanished into the night.
At last, Shui Miao had gathered all the types of Holy Spirit Qi. He was thrilled, immediately sat down on the spot, began circulating his immortal energy, spread his spiritual sense, and sensed the Black Snake Demon not far away, as well as Lao Cai and Lao Qin.
“Xiao Hei, go find Bai Feng immediately to guard me. I’ll give you some Fire Holy Spirit later.”
“Senior Lao Cai, please help me keep an eye on Old Lin. You must find a way to restrain his soul. I’ll reward you handsomely in the future!”
Shui Miao was excited, anxious, and extremely thrilled.
He had high hopes for these types of Holy Spirit Qi.
Thus, he was eager to begin cultivation, hoping to see whether he could breakthrough his cultivation barrier and enhance his power using these Holy Spirit Qi.
After saying that, Shui Miao ignored Lin Qing’er and the others and immediately focused his mind, activating the Holy Yuan Spirit from the Holy Yuan Ring, continuously flowing into his dantian and spiritual realm, beginning his cultivation…
Just as Shui Miao was concentrating, Old Lin suddenly began struggling for breath again, nearing death!
Seeing this, Da Shuang hurriedly ran to Shui Miao and called out, “Shui Miao, quickly go check on him! Uncle Lin is in trouble again!”
“He’s going to die sooner or later. Don’t bother me anymore.” Shui Miao impatiently waved his hand.
Just then, unexpectedly, Lin Qing’er suddenly let out a scream!
Shui Miao turned his head and saw Old Lin spitting out a large amount of murky yellow mist onto the ground before suddenly kicking his legs and dying. The mist quickly condensed, forming, within two or three breaths, into a figure clad in a murky yellow robe, with wild red hair!
The next moment, this red-haired figure in the murky yellow robe began walking toward Shui Miao…
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