Chapter 159
Chapter 159: How Many Immortal Rank Magic Artifacts Are There?
Before Shi Zi Chu could speak, a rustling noise came from the door.
She looked up and saw the shopkeeper with a fawning smile, eagerly greeting someone. The first thing to catch her eye was a robe with dark threads of gold, followed by the chilling gaze of Jun Yue Hua, whose eyes resembled a deep, cold pool.
The dark robe embroidered with gold made Jun Yue Hua appear even more imposing, his noble and powerful aura radiating clearly. His eyes, cold and deep, focused on Shi Zi Chu with a clear intention.
“Daoist Shi,” Jun Yue Hua greeted with a slight nod, then turned his attention to the two individuals beside him. “Young Master Jiang, Sect Master Meng.”
The shopkeeper, unable to resist, looked up as the group exchanged pleasantries. Gazing at the presence of these extraordinary young people, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe.
Jiang Wan Sheng raised his hand in a respectful greeting, “Clan Chief Jun.”
“Meng Xi Yu,” he added, bowing slightly in greeting.
Shi Zi Chu returned the gesture with a nod, her gentle voice filling the air. “Clan Chief Jun, your visit today must be for more than just pleasantries?”
Jun Yue Hua responded, “Indeed, there are some matters I wish to discuss privately with Daoist Shi. Would you be willing to grace me with your time?”
“Now?” Shi Zi Chu inquired.
Jun Yue Hua answered calmly, “Tomorrow at noon.”
Though a faint regret stirred within her, Shi Zi Chu’s face betrayed none of it. She replied with a warm tone, “Very well.”
Jun Yue Hua spoke again, “I shall come to your manor to escort you.”
Shi Zi Chu gave a simple nod.
As they watched Jun Yue Hua leave, the atmosphere between Jiang Wan Sheng and Meng Xi Yu shifted. It no longer had the sharp edge it once did.
After settling the payment, Shi Zi Chu gathered Xue Gu in her arms and left, with the two following quietly behind her.
She made her way to Hundred Treasures Pavilion to shop, wandering the city until late in the evening before finally returning home.
…
The next day, both Meng Xi Yu and Jiang Wan Sheng were occupied with other matters.
After finishing her morning training, Shi Zi Chu took a leisurely bath and was soon greeted by Ye He Qi.
When he arrived, Shi Zi Chu was seated at the table, wearing a water-red gown, her long hair cascading around her shoulders. She was still damp from the bath, the air around her filled with the lingering moisture.
Ye He Qi set the food box on the table and sat beside her. “The magic artifacts from the Blue Rain Marsh ruins are not heaven-rank.”
Shi Zi Chu glanced at the food box, deciding to wait for Ye He Qi to open it. “How many immortal-rank magic artifacts are there?” she asked.
Receiving the signal from her gaze, Ye He Qi rose to open the box, pulling out the delicate pastries within.
Shi Zi Chu was surprised. “Isn’t this breakfast?”
Ye He Qi retrieved a bowl of shrimp and spirit meat porridge from the lower layer of the food box.
Meeting Shi Zi Chu’s playful gaze, she didn’t feel embarrassed. Instead, she acted as if she had the upper hand.
“Well, it’s not immortal rank,” Ye He Qi teased as he continued setting out the breakfast. He then placed the food box on a nearby chair.
Shi Zi Chu picked up her spoon, scooping up some of the thick porridge and laughing softly. “Then it can’t be god rank, can it?”
Ye He Qi looked up at her with a calm, steady gaze.
Shi Zi Chu paused, her spoon in midair. Could it be?
“Demi-god rank,” Ye He Qi said, taking a spoonful of pear and bird’s nest porridge. “This is the result of an astrological reading done by an elder from the Long Song Sect last night.”
Demi-god rank.
Shi Zi Chu sighed in relief, though a spark of interest flickered in her heart for a brief moment.
Stirring the thick porridge in her bowl, she found herself uncertain how to respond.
Chu Zhi Rou’s cultivation was still at the Golden Core stage, and even if she did possess a magic artifact, it was unlikely she could keep it.
Likewise, Shi Zi Chu herself might find it just as difficult.
Ye He Qi took another sip of porridge, his tone carrying a hint of admiration. “Zhi Rou’s luck truly runs deep.”
Shi Zi Chu raised her eyes, a friendly smile on her lips. “Clan Chief Ye knows of this?”
“How could I not know?” Ye He Qi chuckled. “Daoist Shi found the Azure Luan Sword before her, yet the sword chose her, not you.”
Both Shi Zi Chu and Chu Zhi Rou possessed supreme spiritual roots, but Shi Zi Chu’s cultivation was slightly higher. There was no reason the Azure Luan Sword wouldn’t choose her instead. Yet, it had stubbornly bonded with Chu Zhi Rou as though it were a dog drawn to a bone.
“Perhaps the Azure Luan Sword simply doesn’t favor water spiritual root cultivators?” Shi Zi Chu quipped.
Ye He Qi’s voice remained calm. “The Azure Luan lineage, the Azure Luan Sword—it’s a healing-type demi-god rank magic artifact. I imagine countless eyes are now watching her.”
The people from the three sects, five schools, and seven clans were no fools. If Chu Zhi Rou hadn’t revealed the Azure Luan legacy, they might never have connected the dots.
Shi Zi Chu took another spoonful of porridge. “In that case, I suppose I should choose another time to train in the Blue Rain Marsh.”
Ye He Qi smirked. “Didn’t Daoist Shi come to Supreme Virtue City for a short stay?”
Shi Zi Chu feigned annoyance. “Ah, Clan Chief Ye, are you sending people to spy on me now?”
It was true that Ye He Qi, though seemingly passive and full of restraints, was always the most well-informed.
Ye He Qi smiled. “Daoist Shi, you really don’t intend to fight for it?”
“What would I do with it?” Shi Zi Chu asked, amused. “Shall I use the guise of healing the sick and saving the wounded to pursue wealth and cause harm?”
A demi-god rank healing magic artifact was undoubtedly rare, but to her, it was no better than a scrap of broken iron. At least scrap metal wouldn’t bring her countless dangers.
“Good idea,” Ye He Qi nodded seriously. “I can help Daoist Shi with that, but for a fee—half.”
Half?
He truly had the gall to make such a bold offer.
“Enough of that. I need Clan Chief Ye’s help with something,” Shi Zi Chu said, waving her hand.
A large white fox fur appeared in the open space beside them.
The blood-soaked fur had yet to be processed, giving off a strong, bloody scent.
Ye He Qi immediately lost his appetite. He set down his spoon. “You could at least wait until I finished breakfast before pulling this out.”
“I’ll give you half,” Shi Zi Chu offered generously.
Ye He Qi smiled gently. “Daoist Shi, you’re too kind. Isn’t this the reward I’m owed?”
Shi Zi Chu knew that whenever she asked for help, it meant trouble. If she was being especially generous, it usually signified even worse trouble.
But there was no helping it. Ye He Qi’s eyes were drawn to the snow silver fox’s fur.
After all, snow silver foxes were rare and powerful, and the fur of such a high-quality one was hardly ever circulated.
Shi Zi Chu smiled charmingly. “If Clan Chief Ye insists, that’s fine. I need a cloak made from it. The rest can be made into a blanket.”
Ye He Qi placed the fox fur into a separate storage pouch, his gentle voice breaking through the air. “When do you need it?”
“As soon as possible,” Shi Zi Chu replied.
Ye He Qi nodded.
For the sake of the half fur, he could have the cloak and blanket ready by the day after tomorrow at the latest.
“I’ve gathered some information on Blue Rain Marsh, but you’ll likely hear more from Clan Chief Jun,” Ye He Qi said, taking out a small box and placing it on the table. “The Blue Rain Marsh is filled with constant rain that’s toxic and corrosive. You may find this magic artifact useful.”
Shi Zi Chu took a box from her snake bracelet and pushed it toward him. “Inside is a poison feeding gu.”
A poison feeding gu.
It didn’t sound like a pleasant thing.
Shi Zi Chu explained gently, “This gu worm is fierce and savage, and it feeds on other gu venom.”
There was no telling how many hidden gu masters were around. To keep Ye He Qi from meeting an untimely end, she’d have him keep a poison feeding gu to be prepared.
Understanding the implication, Ye He Qi opened the box with a steady hand.
A small red snake, no thicker than a pinky, slithered around inside the box, its viciousness clear to see.
Shi Zi Chu reminded, “To tame the poison feeding gu, it must willingly recognize its master, or it will turn on its own.”
Ye He Qi nodded in understanding.