Chapter 891: Dark Thunder Wood

"Junior Sister Fang, Senior Brother Zhao, please come in!" The avatar smiled slightly and invited the two inside.

Zhao Songqiao was a quick-witted person. The avatar had heard from Fang Ting that ever since she joined the sect, Zhao Songqiao had been very attentive to her, often visiting. At first, Fang Ting was wary of the old man, but later, seeing that he genuinely had no ill intentions and had even helped her with some small favors, plus being a fellow senior brother, she no longer kept her guard up. She had once casually mentioned to Zhao Songqiao that the avatar had become a true disciple of the Yin-Yang lineage of the Landou Sect, and to her surprise, Zhao Songqiao asked her to arrange an introduction. Fang Ting found it difficult to refuse, so when she came last month, she brought Zhao Songqiao along.

The avatar had seen such attempts at forming connections many times before. As a rogue cultivator who had painstakingly cultivated to the thirteenth level of the Qi Refining stage and forged such a character, Zhao Songqiao must have experienced the full spectrum of life's hardships. The avatar felt no particular ill will towards Zhao Songqiao's efforts but also didn't get too close, maintaining a superficial politeness.

The three entered the house and took their seats. The avatar brewed the spirit tea, observed their expressions, took a sip, and asked plainly, "Junior Sister Fang, is there something specific you've come for this time?"

"Senior Brother, you can tell even that?" Fang Ting looked surprised, then furrowed her delicate brows, showing a troubled expression. This made the avatar secretly curious. Fang Ting was usually straightforward, and in her previous visits, she rarely showed such hesitation. He wondered what was on her mind.

"Heh heh, Junior Sister, all your worries are written all over your face. How could Junior Brother Zhang, with his keen eyesight, not notice?" Zhao Songqiao suddenly chuckled softly, looked at Fang Ting, and said, "If Junior Sister Fang finds it difficult to speak, since this matter involves me, let me explain it to Junior Brother Zhang."

"Alright, Senior Brother Zhao, you tell him." Fang Ting nodded as if relieved.

The avatar merely observed the two with curiosity, remaining silent.

Zhao Songqiao sat up straight, his expression subtly serious, and began, "Junior Brother Zhang, since you are already a true disciple of the Landou Sect, you must know about the Dongming Island Dharma Assembly."

The avatar was slightly taken aback. He put down his teacup and asked, "Senior Brother Zhao, why are you asking about the Dongming Island Dharma Assembly? The Yanmiao Pavilion should also send disciples to attend, right?"

"That's right, but only true disciples are allowed to participate, and I don't have that qualification. At the assembly, true disciples from various sects engage in combat, especially the Foundation Establishment stage seniors from different sects. If I could observe even once, it would be greatly beneficial for my path to breaking through the threshold." Zhao Songqiao sighed, and without waiting for the avatar to reply, he changed his tone, saying, "Fortunately, Junior Sister Fang agreed to take me to Dongming Island then, so I can observe the assembly."

The avatar looked at Fang Ting and wasn't surprised. Given Fang Ting's status, no one in Yanmiao Pavilion would be so tactless as to object. However, when Fang Ting had mentioned Zhao Songqiao before, her tone hadn't been particularly close. The avatar was somewhat curious how Zhao Songqiao had persuaded Fang Ting.

"Is Senior Chen taking you there?"

Fang Ting shook her head, saying helplessly, "Originally, Master was supposed to lead the team to Dongming Island, but Master has been in seclusion..."

The avatar couldn't help but laugh wryly. The cultivator surnamed Chen and Old Taoist Huayang had truly formed a grudge. It was estimated that the cultivator surnamed Chen wouldn't emerge from seclusion and confront Old Taoist Huayang until he broke through to the Mid Core Formation stage.

"Then congratulations, Senior Brother Zhao! You have the highest cultivation among our batch of disciples, and Senior Chen also values you greatly. After the Dharma Assembly, you will surely break through in one fell swoop. Among us, Senior Brother Zhao should be the first to reach Foundation Establishment." The avatar cupped his hands in congratulation, not asking a single word about the previous matter.

Zhao Songqiao repeatedly waved his hands. Seeing how slippery the avatar was, he had no choice but to continue, "Junior Brother Zhang will soon break through to the tenth level of Qi Refining, and then you'll know how difficult Foundation Establishment is. At my age, I've failed countless times and long lost hope. I never expected to be accepted by Yanmiao Pavilion. This is my only chance in this lifetime, and I must seize it no matter what. I beg Junior Brother Zhang to help me!"

The avatar saw Zhao Songqiao's demeanor and, filled with confusion, asked, "Senior Brother Zhao, you've completely bewildered me. I didn't join the sect earlier than you, and my cultivation is not as high as yours. How can I help you?"

"Junior Brother Zhang, you must have looked into what kind of place Dongming Island is, right?" Zhao Songqiao asked the avatar to close the cave dwelling's restrictions before whispering, "This island is no secret on Landou Island. It's quite unique, with particularly abundant wood spiritual energy, especially suitable for the growth of spirit herbs and spirit wood, requiring no effort from cultivators. When the various sects first discovered Dongming Island, they divided it, with the Landou Sect occupying the largest and most fertile area. However, the most central area is Longxing Mountain, at the heart of Landou Island. It's said to contain many rare spirit herbs, so much so that even high-level Core Formation cultivators coveted them, almost causing great chaos. Later, the various sects established rules and jointly sealed Dongming Island. Only during each Dongming Island Dharma Assembly would the seal be opened, allowing entry into the mountain to collect spirit herbs. And it's said that the performance of disciples from various sects at the assembly is also related to the final distribution of spirit herbs..."

The avatar listened quietly to Zhao Songqiao.

He had already thoroughly investigated the situation on Dongming Island. This place opened only once in a long while and was also a forbidden area, but the avatar felt it was unlikely to be related to Dou Niu Peak. Even so, he would still look for an opportunity to search the island. What Zhao Songqiao said did not differ from what he had found out.

The Landou Sect couldn't simply monopolize all the spirit herbs on Longxing Mountain. The Dongming Island Dharma Assembly was held precisely to appease the other sects.

The avatar scrutinized Zhao Songqiao. This fellow knew so much about Dongming Island; did he have some scheme concerning Longxing Mountain? Longxing Mountain was under the watchful eyes of all sects. Such a brazen act was something even his true body wouldn't dare attempt. Trespassing on Longxing Mountain would be no different from seeking death!

"...Besides Longxing Mountain, each sect also cultivates some spirit trees and herbs within their designated territories. It's said the effects are much better than outside." At this point, Zhao Songqiao paused, bowed slightly, and said, "Your sect has a Dark Lightning Wood Forest on Dongming Island. Junior Brother Zhang, as a true disciple who also works under Senior Jinyan, must know about it. I'd like to ask Junior Brother Zhang to take me into that forest just once."

"Dark Lightning Wood Forest?" The avatar asked in surprise, "Senior Brother Zhao, you even know about that?" Dark Lightning Wood is a spirit wood, dark as ink and shaped like a locust tree. Its unique quality is that it contains a faint trace of Yin Lightning power within, which, when used to refine artifacts like flying swords, can slightly enhance their power compared to artifacts of the same rank. However, this wisp of Yin Lightning power is too weak and sparse, only useful for low-level disciples. The Landou Sect indeed had a Dark Lightning Wood Forest on Dongming Island, and its scale seemed considerable. Jinyan had mentioned that a batch of Dark Lightning Wood on the island should be mature.

Zhao Songqiao repeatedly shook his head. "The precious spirit herbs outside Longxing Mountain were long ago harvested, turning those areas into ordinary medicinal gardens. What spiritual plants the major sects cultivate is no longer a secret."