Bao Gu looked at Yu Mi without fear and retorted, “Isn’t it?”
Yu Mi couldn’t be bothered to respond to Bao Gu and turned to leave.
Bao Gu called out “Senior Sister” to stop Yu Mi and said, “I need the Flood Dragon bones from you.”
Yu Mi paused at the door.
She didn’t ask Bao Gu what she needed the Flood Dragon bones for; instead, she directly took the bones from her storage bag and tossed them to Bao Gu, who was sitting cross-legged on the bed, before leaving without a second thought.
After Yu Mi left, Bao Gu went to the deep pool to retrieve the Jiaolong ribs she had previously given to Zi Yunshu.
She emerged from the deep pool and followed the path along the stream back to the small courtyard.
She took out a communication talisman and was about to contact Zi Tianjun when she suddenly saw Zi Tianjun standing in her small courtyard.
Bao Gu quickened her pace and approached Zi Tianjun, cupping her fists in greeting, “Greetings, Master.”
Zi Tianjun waved her hand and said, “No need for formalities! Let’s talk inside.”
She turned and entered the wooden house.
Bao Gu followed closely behind and stepped into the guest hall, handing the storage bag containing the Jiaolong bones to Zi Tianjun.
Although Zi Tianjun was aware that Bao Gu had obtained the Jiaolong bones, he couldn’t help but change his expression when his divine sense scanned the bones inside the storage bag.
He said, “Such a large Flood Dragon skeleton, this Flood Dragon must be quite extraordinary.”
He looked at Bao Gu and asked, “What kind of magical treasure do you intend to refine with it?”
Bao Gu replied frankly, “My original intention was to use these Flood Dragon bones to craft a mount or a defensive magical treasure for me and my senior sister. But now… good steel should naturally be used on the blade. Master, you saw the situation outside the Ancient Ruins, and considering the deal I made with the Soul Chasing Pavilion Master this morning, I think we need to be more cautious. Under a collapsed nest, how can there be unbroken eggs? The safety of our sect is paramount, so I would like to leave the Jiaolong bones for you to handle.”
Zi Tianjun said, “This item was obtained by you in the Ancient Ruins and should rightfully belong to you. It would be inappropriate for me to handle it.”
Bao Gu smiled and said, “Master, it is most appropriate for me to leave the Flood Dragon bones in your care.”
Zi Tianjun hesitated for a moment but did not refuse any further and accepted the Flood Dragon bones from Bao Gu.
She said, “Oh, I came here to ask about your meeting with the Soul Chasing Pavilion Master this morning. How did it go?”
Bao Gu replied, “It went well. I used a precious treasure to ask her to take action against the Taiyin Sect.”
Zi Tianjun asked curiously, “What kind of precious treasure could persuade the Soul Chasing Pavilion Master to act?”
Bao Gu smiled and said, “It’s a life-reviving elixir, the kind that the Monster Saint is currently refining for Little Martial Aunt. I asked the Monster Saint to refine an extra batch.”
Zi Tianjun nodded in understanding.
An elixir that could bring the dead back to life, especially one refined by the Monster Saint to save Zi Yunshu, was certainly extraordinary.
It was not surprising that it could persuade the Soul Chasing Pavilion Master.
Noticing that Bao Gu was being vague, clearly unwilling to disclose the exact elixir, he did not press further and handed Bao Gu a storage bag before leaving.
After sending off Zi Tianjun, Bao Gu returned to the wooden house and opened the storage bag, discovering three jade talismans inside: two attack talismans and one protective talisman.
She hung the protective talisman around her neck and placed the other two talismans in her oversized storage bag.
Touching the protective talisman around her neck, which was made of pure material and contained powerful energy, she felt a sense of reassurance after giving the Flood Dragon bones to Zi Tianjun for refining into magical treasures.
Bao Gu did not return to the Lingyun Peak to stay; instead, she spent a day tidying up the courtyard, pulling out the weeds and planting small medicinal seedlings.
She also used the spirit stones on her to set up a spirit gathering array, channeling the surrounding spiritual energy into the small courtyard.
She settled down in the small courtyard, consuming foundation-building pills and the spiritual herbs from her storage bag while meditating and practicing her skills.
Time passed unnoticed in her cultivation.
She felt as if she had only been in the small courtyard for about three or four days when the mountain-guarding old lady came to her to settle accounts.
It was then that she realized she had unknowingly cultivated in the small courtyard for half a month.
Half a month of day and night cultivation, although she had made some progress, it was so slow that it left her feeling helpless.
Sitting in the spirit gathering array, consuming foundation-building pills and spiritual herbs, she had nearly exhausted the spirit stones in her storage bag, yet she was still at the first stage of foundation building, unable to break through to the second stage.
After settling accounts with the mountain-guarding old lady, she received the spirit stones and a few medicinal materials that the old lady sold.
The mountain-guarding old lady did not leave after settling accounts but hesitated as she looked at Bao Gu.
Bao Gu said, “Old lady, if you have something to say, just say it.”
The mountain-guarding old lady said, “Two things. First, the monkey wine is really not enough to sell; can you sell some more? Second, I have selected some promising disciples in the mountains to cultivate. Although the time is still short, with the help of the spiritual herbs and monkey wine you provided, their cultivation is progressing rapidly. Recently, Master Chen from Tianyun Peak broke through to the Divine Transformation stage, and his divine sense has become powerful. He seems to have sensed the presence of demonic energy at Lingyun Peak and has repeatedly come to ask me why the demonic energy at Lingyun Peak is increasing. I have been evasive and sent him away, but… if I cannot dispel his doubts, I fear it may lead to trouble.”
Bao Gu sighed and said, “That Chen Shibo, he has a pile of mess to deal with at his own Tianyun Peak and still has the leisure to meddle in my Lingyun Peak’s affairs. Old lady, next time Chen Shibo asks again, just tell him that those are my demonic servants and the demonic energy from Little Martial Aunt.”
She paused and added, “Old lady, double the sales of monkey wine below the fourth stage, and you can take a quarter of it for the demonic beasts in Lingyun Peak to cultivate. Also, keep an eye on the movements of the other peaks.”
Oh, by the way, how many Divine Transformation stage cultivators are there in the Xuantian Sect now?”
The mountain-guarding old lady bowed and said, “Six.
Elder Wei Yang, the Silent Master, the Heavenly Lord Master, Elder Feng from the Punishment Hall, our peak’s Master Zhuo, and Master Chen from Tianyun Peak.”
Bao Gu responded with an “oh” and asked, “Who is Elder Wei Yang?
The Silent Master?
Could it be that Silent Uncle Master, he is the former master?”
The mountain-guarding old lady looked at Bao Gu with a deep gaze, clearly speechless at Bao Gu’s lack of knowledge about her own sect’s elders. She said, “Elder Wei Yang is the former transmission elder, and he is your master’s direct master.
The Silent Master is the previous master.”
Bao Gu smiled sheepishly and said, “I really don’t recognize all the elders in the sect.
How many elders are there in our Elder Hall?”
The mountain-guarding old lady said, “In the Xuantian Sect, any cultivator who has reached the Nascent Soul stage can enter the Elder Hall.”
Bao Gu: “…”
She thought for a moment and said, “Then old lady, you can also enter the Elder Hall, right?”
The mountain-guarding old lady replied, “I am a demonic servant and do not have the qualifications to enter the Elder Hall.”
Bao Gu wrinkled her nose and said, “It’s just a title; it’s fine if you don’t enter.”
The mountain-guarding old lady remained silent. Being an elder in the Elder Hall meant having the authority to participate in major sect matters, a symbol of status and identity. Bao Gu was the chosen successor of the Xuantian Ancestor, holding a very high status. If she hadn’t taken Zhuo Wangchuan as her master beforehand, everyone in the Xuantian Sect would probably have to call her Ancestor Bao Gu. With such status and the immeasurable talents and treasures in her possession, it was natural for her to have the confidence to look down on the Elder Hall.
The mountain-guarding old lady suddenly looked up at the outside and said to Bao Gu, “If there are no other matters, I will take my leave.”
Bao Gu said, “Please, old lady.”
She saw the mountain-guarding old lady out of the small courtyard and caught sight of the Little Celestial Fox, now in human form, standing in the courtyard. Although the Little Celestial Fox now appeared as a seven or eight-year-old child, she already exuded the charm of an extraordinary beauty, instantly catching one’s eye. Bao Gu waved and called, “Ling’er, come here!”
Looking at the child standing in front of her, Bao Gu suddenly felt a sense of responsibility as an older sister, rather than the feeling of being the youngest disciple in the sect or the pampered only daughter at home. Honestly, this feeling of being an older sister was quite nice. She asked, “What are you doing standing there?”
Before she could finish her sentence, she noticed that the Duobao Spirit Monkey had actually jumped into her oversized storage bag.
Ling’er wrinkled her nose and said, “Nothing.”
As she spoke, she looked up at the sky.
Bao Gu, puzzled, looked up and noticed that the sky was overcast, as if it were about to rain, with faint thunder rumbling in the distance. She exclaimed, “That’s strange; isn’t it still too early for the rainy season?”
Ling’er rolled her eyes at Bao Gu and sat cross-legged in the spirit gathering array in the courtyard, absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy. The spiritual energy quickly surged towards Ling’er, entering through her half-open lips, nostrils, and every pore of her body. The speed at which she absorbed the spiritual energy was almost ruthless; Bao Gu could sit there for a day and not absorb as much as Ling’er did in just a short while.
In less than half a stick of incense’s time, not only was the surrounding spiritual energy depleted, but even the spirit stones used to set up the spirit gathering array had been reduced to dust by the Little Celestial Fox.
Fortunately, the Little Celestial Fox was her own demonic beast; if it were someone else’s, Bao Gu would have long since kicked her out.
After absorbing all the surrounding spiritual energy, Ling’er stretched her limbs comfortably and then asked Bao Gu for monkey wine and spiritual fruits.
Bao Gu gave Ling’er some spiritual fruits and third-grade monkey wine.
Ling’er said, “I want fourth-grade wine.”
Bao Gu replied, “You can’t drink fourth-grade wine with your current strength, can you?”
Ling’er said, “I need to prepare for the Golden Core stage.”
Bao Gu: “…”
She thought to herself, “Even you are about to step into the Golden Core stage?”
Looking at her own first stage of foundation building, she suddenly felt an urge to cry.
Ling’er looked at Bao Gu with eager eyes.
Bao Gu took out a gourd of fourth-grade monkey wine and handed it to Ling’er.
Ling’er happily accepted the fourth-grade monkey wine and sat down again on the mat where Bao Gu had been meditating and cultivating.
Bao Gu watched as Ling’er devoured all the fruits she had given her, drank the entire gourd of monkey wine, and then took out a jade bottle to pour out a Golden Core pill and pop it into her mouth. Bao Gu’s eyes widened in shock! Where did Ling’er get a Golden Core pill? Just as she was about to ask, she noticed that Ling’er was surrounded by a misty glow, her body enveloped in swirling energy. The originally human-shaped Ling’er transformed into a small snow-white fox, lying on the mat with her eyes closed, breathing evenly—was she asleep?
Do demonic beasts cultivate by eating and then sleeping?
While Bao Gu was puzzled, she suddenly heard a loud bang from the sky, and a bolt of lightning split the sky, shaking the ground. During her time at the Xuantian Sect, even after living in this courtyard for more than half a year, she had never witnessed a heavy rain or a thunderstorm. She thought to herself, “Could it be that someone is about to undergo a tribulation?”
Curiously, she looked up at the sky and was shocked to see a massive, blinding light suddenly appear overhead, illuminating the surroundings brightly. What was going on?
From the direction of the water pool came a “splash” of water sounds. Bao Gu turned to see her Little Martial Aunt swimming out of the pool, twisting her body like a small dragon as she approached her. She hurriedly ran to Zi Yunshu’s side and called out, “Little Martial Aunt, it’s thundering, and it looks like it’s going to rain heavily.
Does it rain in the Xuantian Sect during spring?”
Zi Yunshu rolled her eyes at Bao Gu in exasperation. If she could speak, she would have scolded, “You’re clever, but you’re as cunning as a monkey; you’re foolish, but you’re as stupid as a pig!
Does this sky and the energy fluctuations overhead look like thunder and lightning?”
Unable to speak, she could only use her tail to write three words in the dirt: “Follow me!”
and turned to swim back to the deep pool.
Seeing Zi Yunshu go back into the water, Bao Gu was about to follow when she suddenly spotted her senior sister flying in on a sword from a distance. Her senior sister’s speed was almost astonishing; from the moment Bao Gu saw the light of her senior sister’s flying sword to when she arrived in front of her, it took barely a few breaths.
A loud rumble echoed overhead again, sounding like rolling thunder.
Bao Gu looked up at the sky and saw it was blood-red, as if the sunlight was piercing through the dark clouds. She estimated that the rain wouldn’t last long since the sun was shining down; usually, heavy rain would occur alongside sunshine, and it would stop after a while. She couldn’t help but wonder if this kind of weather was typical for summer. She curiously looked at Yu Mi and asked, “Senior Sister, how can there be a storm in the Xuantian Sect during spring?”
Yu Mi responded with an “uh,” looked up at the sky, and rolled her eyes at Bao Gu, saying, “Yeah, how can there be a storm in the Xuantian Sect during spring?”
She shot a glare at Bao Gu and said, “Stay in Little Martial Aunt’s cave and don’t come out.
I’ll call you if there’s something.”
Bao Gu thought, “Could it be that it’s not a storm?”
She asked, “Senior Sister, is something wrong?”
Yu Mi dismissed her with, “It’s nothing, just thunder and lightning!”
After saying that, she wrapped Bao Gu up and took her into the deep pool.
Bao Gu heard another explosion and felt the deep pool tremble. As she entered the water, she instinctively took out the water-avoidance pearl given to her by the mountain-guarding old lady to prevent herself from choking on water.
Yu Mi tossed Bao Gu into Zi Yunshu’s cave and left.
When Zi Yunshu saw Bao Gu enter, she slapped her serpent tail on the mechanism at the cave entrance, closing the door!
Bao Gu suddenly realized and shouted, “Oh no, could it be that the Xuantian Sect is being attacked again?”
Instinctively, she turned to rush outside to help, but upon seeing the tightly shut cave door, she realized she had been protected. She thought about her own first stage of foundation building and decided it was better not to get involved in a fight with a Divine Transformation stage expert. She wanted to see how the situation outside was and was worried that the Xuantian Sect couldn’t hold on. She called out, “Little Martial Aunt, do you know what’s happening outside?”
She heard the sound of her Little Martial Aunt sliding on the ground and turned to see her Little Martial Aunt swimming to the center of the cave, raising her head to stare intently at one side of a crystal wall, which was shimmering with numerous magical treasures, and many people were fighting. Bao Gu recognized at a glance that one of them was her master, Zhuo Wangchuan!
The crystal wall shook continuously, and the light from the magical treasures and various spells made it nearly impossible to see the figures on the wall.
Bao Gu could only see more and more light spreading across the crystal wall, and the cave she was in was trembling, making it hard for her to maintain her balance. She steadied herself and called out, “Little Martial Aunt, can we withstand this?”
Transformed into a white snake, Zi Yunshu closed her eyes, the light from the crystal wall making her dizzy and giving her a headache.
Seeing Zi Yunshu curled up and looking weak, Bao Gu felt a pang of sympathy and took out a gourd of monkey wine to feed to Zi Yunshu.
Zi Yunshu shook her head, lazily coiling on the ground, her head facing the crystal wall. She would glance at the crystal wall, then close her eyes to rest for a moment, then look again.
After about an hour, the light on the crystal wall began to blur.
After about half an hour, nothing could be seen anymore.
Bao Gu hurriedly asked Zi Yunshu, “Little Martial Aunt, what’s going on?
Why can’t we see anything?”
Zi Yunshu used her tail to write a few words in the dirt: “The mountain-guarding array has been broken!”
Bao Gu’s heart sank. If the mountain-guarding array was broken, the other peaks would surely suffer heavy casualties, and Lingyun Peak… would undoubtedly be targeted for a concentrated attack. If even the mountain-guarding array couldn’t hold for long, how long could Lingyun Peak’s protective array last? With the traitor Nan Yi in the Xuantian Sect, her Little Martial Aunt’s cave would likely have been discovered, and they couldn’t hide anymore. She quickly shouted, “Little Martial Aunt, we can’t stay here; we need to change places and go to Nanshan Yijian.”
Zi Yunshu wrote on the ground: “Stay here!”
