txolops Chapter 50 The Storm Subsides
Chapter 50 The Storm Subsides
At dawn, as the sun rises, its golden rays fall, scattering shimmering light across the turquoise lake.
The awning boat swayed gently on the waters of Bingyin 73. Yang Changsheng pushed open the cabin door and walked to the bow of the boat with great energy.
With fingertips forming a hand seal and a soft chant escaping from the lips, a small cloud of mist gathered at the bow of the boat, sprinkling down fine rain containing faint spiritual energy, which precisely fell into the spiritual net waters where the small dragonfish were kept.
Whoosh!
The little dragonfish with shimmering silver scales immediately became active, vying to rise to the surface and greedily swallowing the spiritual rain.
Yang Changsheng tossed down the specially ground fish food and looked at the vibrant scene within the spirit net, feeling at peace.
This is the foundation upon which he made his living, and it is also the result of the life force quietly nourished by the imprint of the golden ancient tree.
He sat cross-legged, facing the rising sun, and once again circulated the Profound Origin Technique. Strands of spiritual energy from heaven and earth gathered and flowed into his meridians, like a clear spring, slowly and steadily strengthening his dantian.
"Hey!"
The hour-long meditation was interrupted by a loud eagle's cry.
The blue eagle pierced through the high white clouds, its sharp gaze locking onto the lone boat on the lake. With a fold of its wings, it landed steadily on the gunwale like an iron stone.
Two small, blue objects were tied to the thick eagle's talons.
Yang Changsheng untied the talismans and held them in his hand. The two talismans were warm to the touch, and one of them had a faint, elegant fragrance. It was signed Juanxiu and Liu Xiaoying.
The other one had a faint scent of grass and trees, which belonged to Su Wanqing.
He first opened Liu Xiaoying's talisman.
A flash of inspiration struck, and the delicate handwriting seemed to leap before my eyes, as if breathing rapidly:
"Brother Changsheng, a sudden upheaval occurred outside Biyue Lake last night. The plunderers rampaged, causing heavy casualties. I heard that many fishermen and farmers perished... If you have any news, please reply as soon as possible to let us know that everyone is safe."
The concern conveyed between the lines was almost palpable, and Yang Changsheng could almost picture the girl's bright, worried eyes, a warmth quietly creeping into his heart.
Unfolding Su Wanqing's letter again, the handwriting remains steady and composed:
"Fellow Daoist Changsheng, last night the outer perimeter of Biyue Lake was suddenly attacked by unidentified black-clad robbers. Their target was clear, and fishermen and farmers suffered heavy casualties. Some members of the Lu family's law enforcement team were also seriously injured. Furthermore, a Foundation Establishment cultivator came to the aid of the robbers, which allowed the main force of the enemy to escape."
"The middle section of the waterway you are in is the heart of the Lu family's territory, so it should be safe. Further details will be available upon further investigation. I hope you will be careful in all matters."
"As expected, it's the Crimson Sky Royal Family..." A cold glint flashed in Yang Changsheng's eyes.
The two men in black who were attacked last night had revealed some information, but it could not be confirmed. However, the appearance of a Foundation Establishment cultivator has already confirmed it.
The Wang family has finally lost patience and has completely broken off all pretense of civility, possibly preparing for war with the Lu family.
Yang Changsheng made a mental note of the cause and effect of the assassination attempt on him.
He walked to the small table at the stern of the boat, took out two blank talisman papers, and dipped his brush in ink.
In his reply to Liu Xiaoying, he spoke gently and sincerely, saying that he was in the Bingyin 73 water area, far from the center of the storm, and that everything was fine, so she didn't need to worry.
The reply to Su Wanqing was much more concise. In addition to letting her know that he was safe, he also thanked her for informing him of the details and mentioned at the end that although the market was safe, they should not let their guard down.
Two spirit beads were embedded in the grooves of the Azure Eagle's anklet as a reward. The magnificent spirit bird let out a long cry and transformed into an azure shadow, soaring towards the market.
It's understandable that Li Qingshan didn't write, as their relationship was rather superficial to begin with.
Wang Ergou... is just a low-level fisherman, so he probably doesn't have the authority to use the Azure Eagle to send messages. Given the chaos last night, I wonder if he is safe and sound.
Yang Changsheng gazed at the distant lake, a slight ripple passing through his heart, but it quickly subsided.
In the aftermath of last night's conflict, numerous powerful auras were sensed.
The collision of spiritual pressures between late-stage Qi Refining cultivators and even Foundation Establishment cultivators reverberated in the Azure Lake, like the might of heaven, a vortex that a mere fourth-level Qi Refining cultivator like him could not easily intervene in.
"The central and inner regions are the core lifeline of the Lu family. As long as they don't easily step out of this area, no matter how big the turmoil, it will be difficult for it to truly affect them, right?"
He muttered to himself, suppressing a trace of unease in his heart.
The most urgent task is to take advantage of this temporary stability to improve our strength as soon as possible.
He returned to the cabin and sat down cross-legged.
With a wave of his hand, dozens of waste pills of various shapes appeared on the wooden board in front of him.
Some were dull in color with broken patterns, while others had a spiderweb-like gray-black pattern on their surface and emitted an unpleasant bitter, burnt smell.
These were the discarded pills, such as the Marrow Cleansing Pill and the Rejuvenation Pill, that I acquired from Su Wanqing last night.
"Buzz!"
He focused his mind and calmed his spirit, his consciousness sinking into his sea of consciousness, where the golden ancient tree imprint rooted deep within his consciousness began to glow faintly.
A wisp of pure, gentle, and vibrant pale golden light, as if it possessed life, emanated from the fingertips and gently wrapped around the discarded pills.
The erysipelas, like the filthy moss clinging to the core spiritual essence of the elixir, emitted a silent hissing sound as it was washed away by the life force of the ancient golden tree.
As time passed, the gray-black impurities were gradually peeled away, purified, and dissolved into fine dust.
The form of the discarded pills is changing at a speed visible to the naked eye:
The charred patterns on the Marrow Cleansing Pill faded, revealing its jade-like texture once more. The broken patterns on the Rejuvenating Pill were mended by the power of life, and the dim spiritual light re-gathered, becoming warm and restrained...
Although its efficacy is far inferior to that of a intact elixir, at most only about 30-40% of the original potency, the violent poison contained within has been completely eliminated, making it mild and easily absorbed.
Yang Changsheng formed hand seals and began circulating the Xuan Yuan Technique.
Inside the cabin, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was drawn in, seeping into his pores and merging with the Xuan Yuan Jue magic power surging through his meridians, circulating throughout his body.
At the same time, he was distracted and inhaled, a second-grade Spirit Nourishing Pill that had just been cleansed of its poison flew into his mouth.
The gentle medicinal power dissipated, transforming into a special energy that nourished the sea of consciousness and enhanced spiritual power.
Although the effects of inferior pills are weak, they are cheap, have a stable source, and pose no hidden dangers.
Two hours passed in the blink of an eye during focused practice.
The familiar cry of an eagle echoed from outside the cabin once more.
Su Wanqing's reply has arrived.
The letter unfolded, revealing clear handwriting: "Gather at Tingtao Private Room, Drunken Immortal Pavilion, at noon three days from now. Brother Qingshan, Xiaoying, and Ergou have all been contacted and are safe. Ergou's residence is near the outskirts, and he was somewhat frightened, but fortunately, he is unharmed. The Lu family suffered considerable losses this time, and the atmosphere in the market is tense, but the core area remains stable. Gather early and disperse early to exchange information."
"Three days later... at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, in the Listening to the Waves Pavilion..." Yang Changsheng tapped his knee lightly with his fingertips.
The atmosphere is tense, with the Lu and Wang families on the verge of conflict. This gathering is fraught with uncertainty and danger.
His gaze swept across a corner of the cabin, where a defensively specialized black iron woodcutter puppet stood, its cold metal shell gleaming eerily in the dim light.
This is the meat shield protection of a first-tier low-grade puppet.
Then, thinking of his physique at the fourth level of the Nine Revolutions of the Sun and Moon, his terrifying strength of 18,000 jin in one arm, his cultivation at the fourth level of Qi Refining, and his unparalleled skill in water control...
He still has some meager ability to protect himself.
"Since the Lu family is on full alert, the core market area is actually the safest place. The Wang family took action just last night, so they shouldn't dare to venture into the lion's den again in the short term."
After pondering for a moment, Yang Changsheng made a decision. Instead of working in isolation, he should listen to what news they had brought. The more he understood, the better he would be able to deal with the situation.
Then, he closed his eyes again and focused his mind on cultivation.
……