Chapter 245: Helping

Elder Dique chuckled. "How could I bear to abandon them? It's just that Elder Tianyi borrowed them many years ago, showing up at my door. I owed him a favor back then, so I couldn't refuse. Later, Elder Tianyi entrusted them to his disciple to search for treasure. The disciple not only lost his life but also lost my treasures. I personally went to the mine once, but unfortunately, the mine's restrictions were destroyed, and it became a Cloud Beast den. I thought the little creatures wouldn't survive, but I didn't expect them to end up with you, young man."

Qin Sang sighed inwardly upon hearing this.

Before entering the ancient cultivator's ruins, he had specifically asked Mu Yifeng about the names of several Core Formation cultivators, confirming that Elder Tianyi was not among them. Only then did he dare to unleash the Fire Jade Centipedes without restraint to search for treasure.

Who would have thought that Elder Tianyi wasn't the owner of the Fire Jade Centipedes but had borrowed them from Elder Dique?

For ordinary people, getting even one such rare insect was a stroke of luck, yet Elder Dique possessed a pair.

Elder Tianyi was the one who commissioned Yin Xingge to mine the Qianyang Crystal. He was the Deputy Sect Master of the Medicine King Sect. Although Yin Xingge was not Elder Tianyi's direct disciple, he was highly valued.

Qin Sang had deliberately inquired about this after leaving the mine.

His plan, naturally, was to wait for the commotion to die down, then find an opportunity to visit the mine, use the Fire Jade Centipedes to locate the Qianyang Crystal, and make a fortune.

Yin Xingge also had bad luck; he was attacked by a humanoid Cloud Beast before he could even find the Qianyang Crystal. Such incidents were not common.

However, before Qin Sang could act, he received news that the experts who entered the mine had found the Qianyang Crystal. While attempting to retrieve it, they were attacked by a humanoid Cloud Beast with Core Formation stage strength.

After a fierce battle, although the humanoid Cloud Beast was killed, the restrictions outside the mine were inadvertently destroyed, completely exposing the mine. Cloud Beasts from the rift valley swarmed in, turning it into a Cloud Beast lair.

Now, entering to mine would only result in one outcome: being torn to shreds by Cloud Beasts.

The matter was thus dropped.

"The place where Elder Tianyi's disciple met his end isn't accessible to just anyone. Since you, young man, found the little creatures, how could you not know who lost them? My treasures, that kid wouldn't dare to simply discard them. Could it be that they ended up in your hands?"

Elder Dique narrowed his eyes, a glint flashing within them.

Qin Sang's expression stiffened. He quickly tried to explain himself. "Senior, you must be referring to Senior Brother Yin Xingge. I was also one of the Shadow Guard members who entered the mine back then. Senior Brother Yin later secretly left the group and awoke the humanoid Cloud Beast, which brought about the disaster. Several of us nearly perished at the hands of the Cloud Beasts while searching for Senior Brother Yin. I stumbled upon this centipede by chance and only later learned it was the rare Fire Jade Centipede, not..."

"Enough, enough..."

Before Qin Sang could finish, Elder Dique waved his hand impatiently. "I'm not his master, whether he died by Cloud Beasts or by someone else's hand is none of my business! You don't need to be nervous. I remember you're a Shaohua Mountain disciple, and Old Man Che is nearby. I wouldn't dare do anything to you. Besides, thanks to you, the little creatures were recovered. You deserve credit for your efforts, and I should thank you properly..."

Despite these words, Qin Sang felt no relief. Elder Dique still hadn't removed the restrictions on him!

With a forced smile, Qin Sang said, "Since the Fire Jade Centipedes belong to you, Senior, returning them to their rightful owner is only proper. I wouldn't dare claim credit. Please release me, Senior. I'll leave now and won't bother you further."

As he spoke, Qin Sang glanced down at his stiff body.

"No rush!"

Elder Dique ignored Qin Sang's subtle movements, stepped past him, and descended the stone steps, speaking as he went. "The illusion array outside is quite interesting. If it weren't for these two little creatures, I wouldn't have noticed anything unusual. Whatever it's hiding must be extraordinary. Let me see what other surprises these little creatures can bring me... Oh?"

Qin Sang, unable to move, couldn't see Elder Dique's expression, but from his tone, it seemed he recognized the vines in the lake.

Elder Dique was initially surprised to see the strange vines and fruits. Then his expression subtly shifted, and he murmured, "Golden fruits, this... Could it be the Crimson Gold Vine?"

A look of intense delight appeared in his eyes. He shifted his gaze, scrutinizing the Flame-Flying Monkey for a moment. After a brief contemplation, he turned to Qin Sang and laughed heartily. "Young man, you truly are a lucky star! I racked my brains, breaking through several troublesome restrictions, only to find a few mediocre items. Yet, no sooner did I meet you than I recovered my Fire Jade Centipedes and then found the Crimson Gold Vine! It truly took no effort at all!"

Crimson Gold Vine?

Qin Sang's mind raced, confirming he had never heard of the Crimson Gold Vine before.

But judging by Elder Dique's barely concealed delight, the Crimson Gold Vine must be an extremely precious item.

What a pity!

Qin Sang sighed inwardly. Suddenly, he noticed the restrictions on his body had been lifted. He turned and saw Elder Dique looking at him intently, asking, "Young man, what is your surname?"

Qin Sang's heart skipped a beat. "To answer Senior, my surname is Qin."

"Brother Qin..."

Elder Dique nodded, then suddenly spoke amiably. "Brother Qin, you've helped me so much. I'm truly grateful to you! I just don't know how I can properly thank you."

Under Elder Dique's triangular gaze, Qin Sang felt a shudder of unease and quickly bowed. "Senior, you exaggerate. My actions were merely a minor coincidence; I dare not ask for your reward."

"Brother Qin, you are too modest. I am not an ungrateful person, and I will certainly acknowledge this favor. However, this is not the place for discussion. I happen to have a small matter that needs attention. Perhaps Brother Qin could help me to the very end? After we leave this place, I will offer a generous reward for both matters. How does that sound?"

Elder Dique smiled at Qin Sang, speaking as if discussing.

Qin Sang's pupils constricted, and he clenched his fists tightly.

His worst fear had come true. This old man was definitely not a benevolent person; another wolf in sheep's clothing! It was only natural, he thought. As a rogue cultivator, he had not only successfully formed his Core but also held a high position at Hanging Skull Pass, navigating skillfully among the major sects. How could he be a simple individual?

Qin Sang suppressed the turmoil in his heart and said tactfully, "My cultivation is shallow, Senior. I'm afraid I cannot be of much help to you, and I might even hinder your important matters."

Elder Dique remained unmoved. "My judgment is never wrong. With your abilities, Brother Qin, you will surely succeed quickly!"

Circumstances were stronger than any individual; in the face of absolute power, any struggle was futile.

Qin Sang smiled bitterly to himself, then took a deep breath. "Please enlighten me, Senior. As long as I can do it, I will do my utmost."

"Brother Qin is indeed a warm-hearted person!"

Elder Dique smiled contentedly, then turned around, stood with his hands behind his back, and calmly said, looking at the Crimson Gold Vine, "I'd like to ask you, young man, to help me pluck the fruits of the Crimson Gold Vine."