Chapter 815: Jade Paper Heavenly Book

It took a while for the Pavilion Master to recover.

He eyed Jiang Fan suspiciously. "I haven't heard that the East Sea Demon Emperor keeps male consorts."

Jiang Fan cleared his throat. "I saw it by accident."

The Pavilion Master was even more curious. "She didn't kill you?" The power of a Demon Emperor cannot be easily insulted.

Jiang Fan said, "She peeked at me too."

"It was mutual."

The Pavilion Master's eyes, which had just softened, widened again. The implication was significant.

"You... you always manage to surprise me."

The Pavilion Master sighed softly. "Alright, since you know the East Sea Demon Emperor, there's a lead."

"In the East Sea, there is a Mother Source Cauldron."

"The cauldron contains mysterious power that can heal almost any incurable injury."

"A Nascent Soul injury is nothing to the Mother Source Cauldron."

"If Vice Pavilion Master Gu is fortunate enough to enter the cauldron, restoring her Nascent Soul won't be difficult."

A Mother Source Cauldron? There certainly are many cauldrons in this world. He possessed the Mountain River Cauldron, and there was also a Nine-Dragon Demonic Cauldron in the cave dwelling at the bottom of the snowy mountain cliff. Now, the East Sea demon tribe had yet another Mother Source Cauldron.

"Hmm, is it difficult to borrow this cauldron?" Jiang Fan asked again.

The Pavilion Master nodded slightly. "Extremely difficult."

"Firstly, this cauldron is used to suppress the sea spring, and healing is merely a secondary effect. The sea demon tribe doesn't like anyone using it frequently, to prevent the sea spring from leaking."

"Secondly, the Great State of Taicang and the Four Seas all know this cauldron can heal injuries. Many powerful cultivators often wish to borrow it, so there's a long queue, and it might not even be your turn."

Jiang Fan frowned. From the sound of it, borrowing the Mother Source Cauldron wouldn't be easy. His mention of the misunderstanding with the East Sea Demon Emperor was merely a joke. How could she possibly treat Jiang Fan differently just because of that? In fact, to avoid suspicion, she would probably try to steer clear of Jiang Fan. But since there was hope, he decided to try. Paying some price was also acceptable.

"Never mind, you don't need to worry about her."

"Once I've recovered, I'll personally take her to the East Sea."

The Pavilion Master shook his head slightly.

Jiang Fan pondered. Although he didn't know what a Nascent Soul injury truly entailed, most injuries in the world only worsened with delay. By the time the Pavilion Master recovered, Venerable Ziyan's Nascent Soul injury might have become much more severe.

"How about this: I'll take her to the East Sea first to try our luck. It would be best if we can borrow the Mother Source Cauldron."

"If not, it won't be too late to wait for you, Pavilion Master, to make a move."

The Pavilion Master nodded gently. Hearing the increasingly fierce battle outside, he showed concern in his eyes. His severely injured state at the moment would be quite troublesome if discovered. He could easily become a target, just like the injured Venerable Qinghe.

"Young man, I must go."

"Vice Pavilion Master Gu is in your care for now."

The Pavilion Master stood up and looked at Jiang Fan. "I owe you a great deal for your help this time."

"I owe you a favor."

"Is there anything you desire? I will give it to you to repay this debt."

Jiang Fan's eyes lit up. He said without hesitation, "Yes!"

"The Jade Paper Heavenly Scroll!"

With one more piece, he could break through his Spirit to the Nascent Soul realm by studying its inscriptions.

The Pavilion Master swayed slightly, and the corner of his mouth twitched. "You certainly know how to pick."

"Many Seven-Aperture Nascent Soul cultivators at the peak of their cultivation are searching the world for the Jade Paper Heavenly Scroll."

"There are even rumors that a certain Deity Transformation realm expert is also inquiring about the whereabouts of the Jade Paper Heavenly Scroll."

Jiang Fan's heart stirred. In that case, Xifei Jue was quite good at enduring. To be able to hide such a treasure without anyone knowing. But it had all fallen into his lap.

"Alright, you saved my life. I will certainly find a way to get you a piece."

"However, let me state upfront that I cannot guarantee its completeness."

"When the Jade Paper Heavenly Scroll fractured back then, there were only a few complete pieces left in total."

Jiang Fan was overjoyed and immediately cupped his hands. "Elder Pavilion Master, you can handle it as you see fit." Finding even one such item was as difficult as ascending to heaven. How could he be picky?

The Pavilion Master nodded. "Then I'll be leaving now."

"Don't mention that I was here."

He then took out a mid-grade Dustless Talisman, stuck it on himself, and vanished invisibly.

Jiang Fan looked on with envy. As expected of the Pavilion Master, he could casually produce a mid-grade Dustless Talisman.

Cluck-cluck—

From the depths of the abyss, two chicken calls echoed. A beautiful rooster flapped its wings and flew back. It was Jimao, who had gone to fight.

"You're okay?"

Jiang Fan was greatly surprised. He had thought the fellow would die at the hands of that dragon.

The rooster strutted over to Jiang Fan and spat out a streak of icy light it had been holding in its beak.

Jiang Fan's mouth twitched. "I don't eat bugs."

"Thank you."

But when Jiang Fan looked closely, he was surprised. It was actually a tiny sword, the length of an index finger. An icy dragon pattern coiled around its blade. What else could it be but the Snow Listener Sword? It had simply shrunk countless times.

"This, this is the Snow Listener Sword?" Jiang Fan tried to pick it up. However, the icy dragon on it glared coldly, emitting a chill that prevented Jiang Fan from touching it.

The rooster shook its head, letting out mocking clucking sounds. It then transformed into a chicken feather pattern and affixed itself to his chest.

Jiang Fan's face darkened. He had been looked down upon by a chicken! But could he be blamed? It was a divine sword that almost tripped up the Pavilion Master of Jiangshan Yipin Pavilion. Wasn't it normal that he couldn't control it?

Glaring at the fierce icy dragon, Jiang Fan huffed, "I'll deal with you sooner or later!"

He took out a jade box and placed the small sword inside. Only then did he turn his attention to Gu Xin'er. Looking at her Peking Opera mask, he couldn't help but wonder what she looked like.

"She seems a bit younger than me, yet she's already achieved Nascent Soul."

"Does she have a special background, or some unique fortuitous encounter?"

He carefully grasped the mask. Just as he was about to take it off, the exposed pair of eyes suddenly opened and quickly slapped his hand away.

"What are you trying to do to me again? You pervert!"

Uh—

Jiang Fan gave an awkward smile. "I have bad news and good news."

"Which do you want to hear first?"

Gu Xin'er sat up, realizing just then that she felt cold all over. Hugging her arms and looking around, she said, "I know the good news: I've got my life back."

"Tell me the bad news."

Jiang Fan touched his nose. "Your Nascent Soul suffered frost damage, and your cultivation level has fallen."

Gu Xin'er immediately looked inward. Her eyes quickly became dull; it wasn't hard to imagine how distressed her face beneath the mask must be.

Jiang Fan felt a pang of guilt. "The Pavilion Master pointed out a solution; he said going to the East Sea can save you."

"I'll take you to the East Sea right now."

Gu Xin'er's pupils regained focus, and her eyes showed joy. But soon, confusion clouded her expression. "You're taking me?"

"Why... why are you so good to me?"

First, he risked informing her that the Hellish Fiend Beasts were targeting her. Then, he gave her the life-saving mid-grade Dustless Talisman. Now, he was even going to take her to the East Sea for treatment. Could it be that he... had fallen for her? Thinking this, Gu Xin'er felt a bit flustered, but also a little pleased. She was quite charming, after all.

How could Jiang Fan possibly explain? He cleared his throat. "Don't ask so many questions, just follow me!"

Gu Xin'er was still hesitating.

Boom—

A mountain-shattering, earth-rending shockwave radiated towards them. It almost tore through the canyon. The roaring of the Hellish Fiend Beasts echoed from above.

"Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master, three Sea Demon Emperors!"

"We'll remember this debt!"