Chapter 226: Ji Yuan, Do You Still Have the Nerve to See Me?
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“I don’t understand what you mean.”
The Longevity Fruit was undoubtedly one of the Floating Island’s most precious treasures, and Yu Zhao had no intention of revealing its existence to the outside world.
Sect Master Wu Sang understood her concerns. If he were in her position, he wouldn’t want others to know either.
The problem was, he already knew.
During his time treating Cui Jue on Lone Moon Peak, he had studied the Longevity Fruit and its effects. Detoxification was merely one of its minor properties. When combined with other spiritual herbs, the fruit’s potential could be maximized significantly.
As an alchemist, Sect Master Wu Sang was deeply tempted. His lifelong aspiration was to create an alchemical recipe that would be renowned through the ages, but he had always lacked a suitable primary ingredient. The Longevity Fruit was the perfect match for his needs.
Even though he knew Yu Zhao didn’t want to reveal its existence, he brazenly approached her, going as far as to betray Master Qing Yan.
When Yu Zhao learned that Master Qing Yan had used Water Mirror Technique on her, allowing every move she made to be under surveillance, her face darkened.
No wonder Master Qing Yan knew about Fang Cheng Lang’s attempt to harm Ye Cong Xin on the Floating Island. The root of the issue was her.
“Master Qing Yan tried to expose your true face but ended up revealing the disgraceful actions of his disciple. That’s what one calls poetic justice.”
After speaking, Sect Master Wu Sang noticed Yu Zhao’s stern expression and continued to console her. “If you’re upright, shadows won’t distort your figure. You’ve conducted yourself admirably, and now everyone supports you. Master Qing Yan has been punished, so there’s no need to dwell on this.”
No need to dwell on it?
Yu Zhao sneered inwardly.
Easy for him to say.
The thought of being observed by countless pairs of eyes without realizing it left her with a chilling sense of dread. Master Qing Yan was even more despicable than she had imagined, devising such a method to target her.
As for Sect Master Wu Sang and the other bystanders, they weren’t entirely innocent either.
Sect Master Wu Sang seemed to sense Yu Zhao’s displeasure and awkwardly added, “We tried to dissuade him, but Master Qing Yan was adamant. Ji Yuan even almost fought him over it. But you know how domineering he can be—we were powerless to stop him.”
Yu Zhao took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, using the Illusory Tides Technique to calm her turbulent emotions.
Her connections with Sect Master Wu Sang and the others weren’t deep; they had no obligation to stand up for her.
The root of the issue lay in her weakness. Even with the title of champion in the cultivation competition, she was still no match for the highly respected Master Qing Yan.
If her cultivation were equal to his, would he have dared to use the Water Mirror Technique on her? Others wouldn’t have stayed silent either.
Only strength could make one fearless and invulnerable.
Yu Zhao’s gaze became serene. “Sect Master Wu Sang, are you proposing a trade?”
Since the secret of the Longevity Fruit was out, she decided it was better to be forthright.
Sect Master Wu Sang nodded emphatically, his opinion of Yu Zhao rising even higher.
Yu Zhao said, “I have two Longevity Fruits. I’ll keep one for myself. The other I can give to you, but I want seventy percent of the pills you refine.”
“That’s impossible. Seventy percent is too much.”
Sect Master Wu Sang had anticipated that Yu Zhao would drive a hard bargain, but her demand for seventy percent left him stunned.
The Longevity Fruit was only the primary ingredient. He still needed many other valuable auxiliary herbs, each costing a fortune.
Yu Zhao remained unruffled. “I am the only one in the entire cultivation world who has the Longevity Fruit.”
Sect Master Wu Sang was momentarily at a loss for words.
Only now did he realize how foolish his decision to approach Yu Zhao had been. Not only had it exposed his desperation, but it had also given her the leverage to manipulate him.
After a long hesitation, he gritted his teeth and extended one hand. “Fifty percent. No more.”
“Deal.”
Yu Zhao knew when to stop pushing and immediately nodded in agreement.
She wasn’t concerned about Sect Master Wu Sang going back on his word. Taking out a jade box, she handed it to him without hesitation.
Holding the jade box, Sect Master Wu Sang felt a whirlwind of emotions. He was glad but not entirely satisfied. Before leaving, he even asked Yu Zhao for some White Jade Swallow’s Nest.
Since Yu Zhao had thousands of them stored in her spatial artifact, she didn’t hesitate to give him some. Sect Master Wu Sang’s mood lifted slightly as he left.
…
“Wang Sheng, stay in the courtyard and don’t wander off, understand?”
Yao Wu Ji was elated upon hearing that her master was arriving at the Five Elements Dao Sect and was preparing to welcome her. As she passed by Wang Sheng, who was staring blankly under a tree, she turned and sternly reminded him.
Wang Sheng raised his delicate face and nodded in a daze.
Unable to resist, Yao Wu Ji pinched his cheek firmly. “Good boy.”
Marveling at the feel of his skin, she activated the courtyard’s barrier before hurrying away.
Not long after Yao Wu Ji left, a flicker of understanding appeared in Wang Sheng’s previously vacant eyes.
He looked around, puzzled, unsure why he was here. Closing his eyes, he tried to recall but was met with searing pain in his head. His mind held only scattered fragments, impossible to piece together into a coherent memory.
“Ah!”
Opening his eyes in fear, he didn’t dare to think any further.
Staring at the sealed door, only one thought filled his mind: he needed to leave.
Walking to the door, he reached out to push it.
The spiritual barrier shimmered, and his hand was repelled.
Frowning, Wang Sheng glanced at his palm. A dark mist began to swirl in his hand.
He placed his hand on the door again. As the barrier glimmered, the mist surged forth, corroding a massive hole in an instant.
Walking through the opening, Wang Sheng paused for a moment before wandering aimlessly.
…
At the gates of the Five Elements Dao Sect, a strikingly beautiful woman’s words caught everyone’s attention.
“Ji Yuan, how dare you show your face to me?”
Sect Master Ji Yuan, his face contorted in distress, repeatedly apologized.
He knew the sect had acted shamefully. Hermit Bao Hua had once saved Master Qing Yan, yet Qing Yan had nearly taken the life of Bao Hua’s disciple.
Before resolving the matter, they had the audacity to summon Hermit Bao Hua from miles away to treat Qing Yan. Even Ji Yuan himself found it disgraceful.
The trouble was caused by Master Qing Yan, but as Sect Master, he had to shoulder the blame. Such was his fate.
“Master, you’re finally here! I missed you so much!”
Yao Wu Ji wrapped herself around Hermit Bao Hua’s arm like a clingy child, a rare display of girlish affection.
Hermit Bao Hua, with an air of disdain, extended a finger adorned with red lacquer and poked Yao Wu Ji’s forehead.
“How many times have I told you? When you take action, make sure to eliminate all traces. If you’ve gone this far, why didn’t you go further? Learned your lesson now?”
Yao Wu Ji nodded rapidly, like a chicken pecking at grain, looking as though she had learned her lesson.
Sect Master Ji Yuan and the gathered elders remained silent.
“Take me to see Qing Yan. If he’s barely clinging to life, I might as well deliver his final rites.”
Ji Yuan broke into a cold sweat at her words.