Chapter 37: The More You Cover Up, The More Obvious It Is
A stream of warm True Qi flowed into Zhou Bujue’s body, alleviating his injuries and allowing him to regain consciousness.
“Am I not dead?” Zhou Bujue looked around in surprise.
He saw his junior brothers and sisters gathered around him, and a stranger.
It was a handsome young master, his robes embroidered with crimson fiery clouds.
He was a disciple of Yanchen Valley, a major sect of Pill Cultivation in the righteous path.
The cultivation technique practiced in Yanchen Valley could generate a Natal Spirit Fire in the Dantian. Utilizing this Natal Spirit Fire for pill refining could achieve twice the result with half the effort.
“Chief Senior Disciple of White Emperor Sword Sect, Zhou Bujue, I’ve heard great things about you,” the young master said politely, “I am Yu Fangxing.”
Zhou Bujue had heard the name Yu Fangxing; he was one of the most outstanding disciples of the younger generation in Yanchen Valley. He had recently entered the Golden Core Realm and was famous.
He was known as Jade Lotus Young Master for his refined and amiable demeanor.
“That’s great, Senior Brother, you’re finally alright!” Yu Xin’er grasped Zhou Bujue’s hand and said with lingering fear, “You really scared us to death back then. Fortunately, Young Master Yu was also in Shuiyun Town and was able to help after learning about your injuries.”
Zhou Bujue frowned. Could it be that the Demonic Cultivator had spared his life? And he was rescued after returning to Shuiyun Town.
Although there were many questions, he couldn’t ask them in front of an outsider.
“Thank you, brother, for your assistance. I will never forget this kindness,” Zhou Bujue cupped his hands at Yu Fangxing.
“Brother Zhou is too kind. I have always admired you greatly. It is my honor to be able to help Brother Zhou,” despite being the rescuer, Yu Fangxing still bowed to Zhou Bujue.
“No matter what, I, Zhou Bujue, owe Brother Yu a favor.”
“Brother Zhou exaggerates. I still have a mission to attend to and must return to Yanchen Valley as soon as possible. Since Brother Zhou is out of danger, I shall take my leave,”
“Thank you,” Zhou Bujue nodded, “If there’s an opportunity, I will personally visit Yanchen Valley to express my gratitude.”
“I will look forward to Brother Zhou’s visit.”
Afterward, Yu Fangxing left the room. He glanced back at the disheveled Zhou Bujue and smiled faintly.
“I’ve learned something quite interesting. Perhaps I can use it in the future…”
Zhou Bujue checked the people in the room. None of his junior brothers and sisters were missing, including Zhao Hu. Only then did he speak and ask:
“He didn’t kill us?”
“Yes,” Yu Xin’er nodded, “Zhao Hu negotiated with that Demonic Cultivator and handed over all our Spiritual Stones, Spiritual Items, and Spiritual Objects to exchange for our lives.”
“Is that so…”
Zhou Bujue did not feel the relief of surviving a disaster; instead, he felt a great sense of bitterness in his heart.
“I’m sorry, Senior Brother, it’s all my fault!”
Zhao Hu dropped to his knees with a thud and kowtowed to Zhou Bujue.
Zhou Bujue shook his head and said, “It’s alright, Zhao Hu, get up.”
“But, if it weren’t for me…”
“You all saw the Demonic Cultivator’s strength. Even if you hadn’t intentionally exposed a weak point, do you think our cultivation levels could have resisted him?”
Zhou Bujue’s words silenced everyone.
“Nothing was left?” Zhou Bujue asked.
“He didn’t take our Magical Treasures, seeming to disdain them,” Yu Xin’er replied, “but everything else is gone, including the hundred thousand Spiritual Stones, the Marrow Cleansing Elixir, and the Star Profound Meteorite Iron.”
Zhou Bujue let out a long sigh.
The mission had failed. It didn’t matter if other items were lost, but losing this Star Profound Meteorite Iron meant losing the material for forging a Divine Sword, and they couldn’t repair the damaged Sky-Opening Sword Array.
“Don’t worry, I will bear it all alone, no matter what…”
“No! Senior Brother, I also bear responsibility. The punishment cannot be borne by Senior Brother alone. Please take me with you to confess our faults!” Zhao Hu said heartbrokenly, “If you don’t agree, I will remain kneeling!”
“Senior Brother, we also have a responsibility. We have been holding you back on this training journey! We have hardly helped at all!” Yu Xin’er did not want to see Zhou Bujue sacrifice himself and absolved everyone.
The other disciples also pleaded, and Zhou Bujue helplessly agreed.
“Then, we will return to the sect together to confess our faults.”
Seeing Zhou Bujue’s dejected look, Yu Xin’er wanted to encourage him.
“It’s okay, Senior Brother, aren’t you about to Breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Realm soon!”
“…” Zhou Bujue’s face stiffened.
“Senior Brother’s cultivation speed is unprecedented in the history of Qixia Isle. As long as Senior Brother puts in the effort to cultivate, he will definitely be able to rapidly improve his realm,” Yu Xin’er said, “At that time, defeating that Demonic Cultivator and washing away this humiliation will not be impossible!”
Zhao Hu nodded repeatedly, “Yes! Senior Brother will not give up so easily. He carries the future of our White Emperor Sword Sect!”
“With Senior Brother’s fortunate encounters, he will surely be able to obtain powerful weapons again.”
“Yes, there is nothing Senior Brother cannot obtain.”
The disciples also began to encourage Zhou Bujue.
But Zhou Bujue’s heart became increasingly shrouded in gloom. The thought of that Demon Lord made his hands tremble uncontrollably.
The fighting spirit and anger that should have arisen were completely absent, leaving only fear.
…
“Wuxiao, don’t die!! Woo woo woo!”
Ling Xiaoxing shouted his name and woke up.
She was in a bumpy carriage. She looked out the window and found the carriage on the road back to Peach Town.
“What’s going on? My body feels different?”
Ling Xiaoxing was astonished to find that her meridians had become incredibly smooth, as if they had been expanded. The capacity for Spiritual Energy she could hold had significantly increased, and her physique had also become much tougher.
“Hey, Senior Sister Xiaoxing, you’re awake?” Ye Changsheng turned his head and lifted the curtain to greet her. He was driving the carriage.
“Are you alright, Wuxiao!” Ling Xiaoxing exclaimed with surprise and joy.
“I’m fine. We’re heading back to Wuhua Palace now,” Ye Changsheng said, “I don’t have a Magical Treasure, so I hired a carriage. This is quite good, it helps us keep a low profile.”
He tossed a Small Qiankun Bag over. Ling Xiaoxing found it contained one hundred thousand Spiritual Stones.
“How did you get it all back?” Ling Xiaoxing’s eyes widened in astonishment.
“After I ran back, the fight between White Emperor Sword Sect and Soul Refining Sect had entered a white-hot state. I was lurking nearby, looking for an opportunity.
White Emperor Sword Sect eventually won. Probably anxious to save people, they wanted to quickly resolve the cursed town set up by the mysterious person in Shuiyun Town and left in a hurry.
I took advantage of their inattention, Approached the corpses of Soul Refining Sect disciples with a Wood Escape Talisman, took their Small Qiankun Bags, and quickly retreated from the scene to escape.”
Ye Changsheng calmly recounted the story he had prepared in advance.
Ling Xiaoxing’s tense heart relaxed, and she slumped down.
“That’s great. It’s alright now.”
“No matter the process, the result is that we got one hundred thousand Spiritual Stones, and our deal is successful.”
“Then what about this Marrow Cleansing Elixir?”
“Eat it.”
“Ah?!” Ling Xiaoxing cried out.
“I’ve already eaten several pills anyway,” Ye Changsheng was talking nonsense. At his cultivation level, the Marrow Cleansing Elixir was no longer effective.
“You, you, you wretched Cultivation Cauldron, are you crazy?” Ling Xiaoxing grabbed his shoulders, “Don’t you want your life!”
“As long as you don’t say anything, and I don’t say anything, this deal is successful. We got a hundred thousand Spiritual Stones, and the Marrow Cleansing Elixir went to Soul Refining Sect,” Ye Changsheng shrugged, “As for what happens next, it’s because Soul Refining Sect couldn’t hold onto it, and White Emperor Sword Sect snatched it away.”
“Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell the Palace Mistress!”
“Not afraid.”
“Why?”
Ye Changsheng smiled slyly, “While you were asleep, I fed you the rest. That way, we’re accomplices.”
“You, you… idiot!!”
Ling Xiaoxing’s face turned pale, her legs went weak from the shock, and she almost fainted.
No wonder she felt that way when she just woke up; she had been fed the Marrow Cleansing Elixir.
It was a lie to say Ling Xiaoxing wasn’t tempted by this pill; any cultivator below the Golden Core Realm would want it.
But it was too expensive. Only True Disciples or Core Disciples could afford one pill, and ordinary inner disciples like Ling Xiaoxing would never have the chance in their lifetime.
“There’s nothing bad about it, Senior Sister Xiaoxing.”
“That’s what you say… but we’ll be in big trouble if it gets out.” Ling Xiaoxing was very troubled.
“As I said, you don’t say, I don’t say, and no one will know.”
Ye Changsheng was counting on this.
His actions, if discovered by someone with a higher cultivation level, might arouse suspicion.
He did not want to expose his undercover identity, so he made Ling Xiaoxing and himself birds of a feather, ensuring that others would never know.
Moreover…
Ling Xiaoxing’s current cultivation did indeed require the Marrow Cleansing Elixir to assist. Since he was doing it anyway, he did a little extra to help her.
In the end, after much deliberation, Ling Xiaoxing had no choice but to agree to keep silent and become an accomplice.
“Wuxiao, that… actually, I… want to tell you…”
Her watery eyes gazed at Ye Changsheng, filled with unspoken feelings, biting her cherry lips, her fair cheeks flushing slightly.
“Me?”
“That, I seem to have… for… you…”
Ling Xiaoxing’s cheeks grew hotter and hotter, and steam seemed to rise from her head. She felt like she would explode if she said it out loud!
“I just have a little… a tiny bit, a slight bit of gratitude for you!” Ling Xiaoxing changed her words, “After all, stealing things under the nose of White Emperor Sword Sect is very dangerous!”
“It’s fine, this is for my own sake,” Ye Changsheng replied.
“But don’t get too carried away, Wuxiao! I still consider you an enemy. I must make the Young Palace Mistress discover your foolishness and abandon you!”
“Why are you still thinking about that?”
“This way, I… No, I’m not thinking about having a chance or anything!”
Ling Xiaoxing waved her hands nervously, trying to cover up, unsure who she was denying it to.
“After all, Wuxiao, you’re quite ordinary! You’re not eye-catching, and besides the Young Palace Mistress, I’m the only one who can talk to you!”
“Even if I’m not popular, don’t discourage me like this. At least Senior Sister Chang Yu still…”
“Elder Chang Yu? Oh no! Another competitor?” Ling Xiaoxing began to babble incoherently.
Ye Changsheng decided to let Ling Xiaoxing calm down and not provoke her further for the time being.
