Chapter 75: The Babbling Brook

Yao Pass City, Zaomei Manor.

It was nearing dawn, and the sky was still dim. Many people had been awake all night.

Inside the manor, candles had been replaced, with wax drippings accumulating. Nearly a hundred figures gathered in the front courtyard, surrounding the silver corpse that had just been brought back, split neatly in half.

Half of those present were young martial cultivators from the Jiuli clan. All were seasoned and unafraid of dead bodies; instead, they marveled.

"That's Xue Zheng!"

"Before Xue Zheng even transformed into a Pure Immortal Body, he was ranked fourth in the Seven Springs Hall."

"These past few days, the Xue Clan and the Sui Sect have been building momentum, claiming Xue Zheng would surely break through to the Nine Springs Ancestral Field. A Nine Springs Pure Immortal Body is extremely rare in any province and can become the successor of myriad lineages; it's clear they're cultivating him to challenge our Jiuli clan."

"If an older generation expert had made the move, or if it was a deadly attack from someone below the Five Seas Realm, this matter would be huge! The Xue Clan and the Sui Sect would never let it go!"

Cang Li knelt down and carefully touched the spot where the sword had split the body, perceiving it with his combat technique's intent. In his mind, two figures emerged, and a faint image of Li Weiyi unleashing that final sword strike appeared, as if he had witnessed it himself.

In his deep eyes, an expression of disbelief appeared. He stood up and said, "It was done by his sword! And what was used was precisely that unique 'Heavenly Dao Integration' technique he cultivated; the aura was exactly the same as where Yao Zhengsheng's head was split open."

The spiritual light from Li Ling's glabella twinkled like stars. "It was his aura all along; I could sense it," she said. "I told you he couldn't possibly fear Xue Zheng, but you refused to believe me."

The young cultivators of the Jiuli clan surrounding them all found it unbelievable and began discussing animatedly.

"Did he break through to the Five Seas Realm?" Li Qing'er asked.

Cang Li shook his head. "When a practitioner in the Five Seas Realm and one in the Spring Realm execute the same sword technique, the essence and aura are absolutely different. If he had already broken through to the Five Seas Realm, this sword strike would have been even more dominant."

Li Songlin's expression was grim. "Then there's only one explanation: Weiyi broke through to the Nine Springs Ancestral Sea and became a Paragon."

"Boom!" These words exploded in everyone's hearts like a clap of thunder.

A Nine Springs Paragon is even rarer than a Pure Immortal Body. On the surface in Lizhou, they are even scarcer; even powerful clans, akin to local despots with millions of members, often need ten, or even several decades, to cultivate a single Nine Springs Paragon.

Li Qing'er's expression froze. Recalling yesterday's events, it was difficult for her to associate that seemingly dejected and introverted figure with a Nine Springs Paragon.

A Nine Springs Paragon is exceedingly glorious; in any major power, they could be cultivated as a symbol and a top-tier prodigy.

"A paragon under twenty years old, a truly outstanding individual, yet forced away by a bunch of petty schemers," Li Songlin vented, "No wonder the Jiuli clan is declining; they deserve it."

It's rare to find a successor with both excellent character and talent. Where could they possibly find him now?

Day broke, and the morning light began to show.

The four of them were traveling through the mountains.

Shi Liuyu's body was as thin as a stick, and normal-sized robes hung loosely on him. He said to Shi Jiuzhai, who was walking beside him, "Old Ninth, I heard a piece of news yesterday: the patriarch of the direct lineage of the Cangli tribe opened an 'Otherworld Coffin' at Zaomei Manor and found something extraordinary."

"What was it?"

Shi Jiuzhai, as if a pauper reborn, was exceptionally keen on treasures and wealth, and was immediately captivated.

Shi Liuyu said, "The coffin wasn't opened... See, you're impatient again. Let me finish. That Otherworld Coffin is rumored to be from Kunlun; the coffin itself is worth as much as a thousand-year-old spirit medicine. Not just one *plant* of spirit medicine, but one *jin* of coffin is worth one *jin* of thousand-year-old spirit medicine."

Shi Jiuzhai's pupils contracted sharply, he held his breath slightly, and immediately stopped. "Is the news reliable? Hmm... You're not interested in Li Songgu's wife, trying to trick me into risking my life while you pursue your own agenda, are you? I heard Li Songgu's wife is a Pure Immortal Body, young, breathtakingly beautiful, and possesses a unique charm."

"Pah! Pah... We're brothers, why would I screw you over? What happened with the coffin opening yesterday has spread throughout Yao Pass City; you can ask anyone and verify it," Shi Liuyu said.

Shi Jiuzhai's breathing quickened; he genuinely couldn't suppress his excitement. He turned to Li Weiyi and asked, "You were at Zaomei Manor yesterday; you must know a lot about the Otherworld Coffin, right?"

Li Weiyi's mind raced, and he instantly understood who Li Songgu was trying to bait. Who else could it be but Dharma King Jiuzhai, notoriously greedy for wealth?

But he was also worried that Shi Liuyu really had some ulterior motive.

One must know that Dharma King Liuyu was as obsessed with lust as he was with life itself; his reputation in the Southern Territory was extremely bad, almost universally denounced.

Li Weiyi said, "The matter of the Otherworld Coffin is true; there's nothing more to say about it. But I must advise Dharma King Liuyu, it's best not to touch anyone from Zaomei Manor. Otherwise, even if I get information about the Jiuli Hidden Gate, I will absolutely not hand it over to you."

"You can barely protect yourself, yet you dare threaten me?"

Shi Liuyu bared his teeth in a cold smile, channeled his magic power, rolled up his sleeves, and was about to teach Li Weiyi a lesson.

Shi Shishi stopped him. "Sixth Brother, he's worried you'll touch his beloved. Who could tolerate that? He'd definitely fight you to the death. Why don't you go for Yang Qingxi instead? Didn't you say you've long wanted to make her 'gurgle like a stream'? I've been waiting to see it!"

"Get lost, you! How old are you? Don't learn bad things from that slut Qiqing. What 'gurgling like a stream'? I never said such a thing."

Seeing no fear, only coldness, in Li Weiyi's eyes, Shi Liuyu withdrew his magic power and appeased him, "Don't worry, I, Shi Liuyu, live by a code of thieves; I wouldn't plot against my own people. Otherwise, I'd have been abandoned by everyone and wouldn't be alive today. As long as you serve us wholeheartedly, not only will your beloved be arranged for perfectly, even if your beloved..."

Shi Jiuzhai knew he was about to say something taboo that might backfire, so he quickly coughed.

Shi Liuyu squinted and chuckled, "Even if you want to try the 'gurgling stream' for yourself, flowing long and sweet, I'll arrange it for you."

"I only seek peace of mind, nothing else," Li Weiyi thought to himself. Since Li Songgu knew the Three Dharma Kings of the Earth Wolf King Army had arrived in Lizhou and still dared to set a trap, he clearly made thorough preparations, and Li Weiyi's worries lessened slightly.

Shi Liuyu took out three bean-sized pills and handed them over. "The Six Desires Talisman in your body will activate once a month. Each time it activates, you can take one pill to suppress it. So, for this trip to the Jiuli Hidden Gate, you have a maximum of four months."

"I heard you have a grudge against Yang Qingxi. If you can complete the mission in the first month, I'll arrange for you to make her 'gurgle like a stream'."

"What if he completes the mission in the second month?" Shi Shishi asked, his eyes bright with interest.

Shi Liuyu said, "Then you'd have to be after me, becoming Yang Qingxi's second man."

"What about the third month?" Shi Shishi asked.

Shi Liuyu said, "Then you'd only be Yang Qingxi's third man."

"What about the fourth month?" Shi Shishi asked.

Shi Liuyu laughed, "There are four of us here, what do you think? Would your Sixth Brother treat you unfairly?"

"Never mind, never mind. I'm more interested in eating and drinking," Shi Shishi said, shaking his head repeatedly.

Shi Liuyu said, "That works too. I'll make sure you get to eat and drink then."

Li Weiyi wouldn't believe Shi Liuyu's empty promises, nor was he interested in them. His heart was already filled with worry. After taking the three pills, he asked, "If after four months, I still can't leave the Hidden Gate, and the pills are all used up, and the Six Desires Talisman activates, what should I do?"

"When the six desires activate, you'll need six women every day to suppress the lustful fire. Scared now?" Shi Liuyu said.

Li Weiyi visibly exhaled in relief. "I thought it would be directly fatal."

"See, young people have no grasp of how serious things can be," Shi Liuyu said, pointing to himself. "I used to be fatter than Shi Shishi. I was only tormented by the Six Desires Talisman for two months, but the damage to my body could never be repaired."

Shi Liuyu patted Li Weiyi's shoulder. "It's best to complete the mission within four months. Then, go to the 'Love Flower Pleasure Boat' in the underground Ghost Market of Jiuli City and find a woman named Bai Shu; she will bring you to me."

Shi Liuyu continued to lead the way.

Shi Shishi suddenly realized something and exclaimed, "So, during those two months, Sixth Brother needed hundreds of women? My heavens!"

Shi Jiuzhai's lips twisted into a smile, as if deliberately speaking for Li Weiyi to hear, "Your Sixth Brother was punished by the Six Desires Talisman because he failed to complete the mission assigned by the Heavenly King. For those two months, he was locked in the Wolf's Den."

"Old Ninth, shut up."

Shi Liuyu felt like killing Shi Jiuzhai; his face was green with rage, and his eyes and hair seemed to turn green too.

It was the first time Shi Shishi had heard such an explosive secret. He said with lingering fear, "Weiyi, the Earth Wolf King Army is not stingy with rewards for those who succeed, but their punishments for those who fail are extremely cruel."

At this moment, Li Weiyi truly felt a chill down his spine and a sense of panic regarding the side effects of the Six Desires Talisman.

A mysterious black-robed elder, surnamed Li, sat inside a carriage. He looked at the four people approaching, his gaze sweeping over Shi Liuyu, Shi Jiuzhai, and Shi Shishi one by one.

His tone was hoarse, concealing his true voice: "You should trust this old man as you trust Coffin Mountain. Arranging another person to go in will only increase the risk of the Hidden Gate's suspicion."

"Don't worry," Shi Jiuzhai chuckled, "This kid has a very good relationship with your Jiuli clan; the Hidden Gate will definitely not suspect him."

"Since you insist, then this old man can only take him along."

Immediately after, the mysterious black-robed elder continued, "However, every year, at least one youth from the Nine Divisions is sent, and only one ultimately survives. If he dies in the Hidden Gate at Li Qing's hands, that's merely the Hidden Gate's rule."

Shi Liuyu chuckled, "If he dies in the Hidden Gate, we have nothing to say. However... I've planted a Six Desires Talisman in his body. If he dies, I'll have a subtle sensation. If he dies on the way to the Hidden Gate, then we'll have a lot to say."

"You're still questioning this old man!" the mysterious black-robed elder said. "The Earth Wolf King Army distrusts its allies so much; I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to achieve anything significant."

Shi Jiuzhai didn't care at all. He looked at Li Weiyi and said, "Go! Don't worry, this senior elder is one of the nine patriarchs of the Jiuli clan. He will safely take you to the Hidden Gate's reception area."

The conversation among the few people just now stirred up a huge storm in Li Weiyi's heart, making him unable to calm down.

How could Coffin Mountain be involved?

Didn't the Earth Wolf King Army frame Coffin Mountain?

And why are there patriarch-level figures colluding with these marauders? What do they intend by investigating the Hidden Gate?

What kind of terrifying storm is truly brewing behind all this?

He dared not think deeply; the more he thought, the more uneasy he became. He worried not only about the safety of the Cangli tribe but even more about Zhao Meng, Cai Yutong, and others who were cultivating at the Cangli Clan Academy.

Li Weiyi tried his best to calm himself and walked towards the carriage, his gaze secretly observing the mysterious elder within.

But the carriage interior was like a black hole, sucking in all light and heat; he could only see a dark, aged shadow. And that shadow, as he looked at it, released a terrifying aura of power.

Li Weiyi's mind reeled, and he nearly fell to the ground.

This elder was far more terrifying than Shi Jiuzhai or Li Songlin; he was definitely one of the very top handful of people in Lizhou.

After a cold laugh, the mysterious black-robed elder threw out a black cloth bag from inside the carriage. "Get into the car behind, and put this spiritual power bag over your head; it will seal all your senses. This is a rule of the Hidden Gate!"

Li Weiyi went to the rear carriage and, after getting in, saw a tall, slender figure in black already seated, their entire head covered by a black cloth bag, their back straight and erect.

This must be that Nine Springs Paragon, Li Qing!

Li Weiyi sat down inside the carriage, carefully observed, and memorized Li Qing's physique and aura.

An urging voice came from the front carriage: "Hurry up and put it on."

Not daring to disobey, he could only put the cloth bag over his head.

"Whoosh!"

The lower edge of the black cloth bag flickered with spiritual light and tightened instantly.

Li Weiyi felt a slight panic, discovering his entire world had gone quiet. He couldn't hear any sounds, see any light, or smell any scents, only feel the carriage moving beneath him.

Fortunately, the cloth bag was very breathable.

He wasn't interested in the route to the Hidden Gate, so he didn't make any rash moves; instead, he lay down in the carriage and fell asleep. After all, since Master Coffin knew where the Hidden Gate was, he must also know how to get in and out.

Besides, his life and death were not his own now, and worrying was useless; he might as well use this opportunity to rest and rejuvenate.

The mysterious elder surnamed Li, sitting in the front carriage, sensed Li Weiyi asleep in the rear carriage and his lips twitched. "The Three Dharma Kings of the Earth Wolf King Army all set out, and this is the person they found? They are indeed a bunch of barbarians; they'll never amount to anything significant."

Li Weiyi was too tired; he had been utterly exhausted lately. He had originally wanted a good sleep in Yao Pass City, but he kept encountering incidents, not only failing to sleep but also engaging in a fierce battle, which made him even more exhausted.

Being covered by such a black cloth bag, he naturally slept very soundly, as if making up for a month's worth of lost sleep.

He even dreamed of returning to Earth, playing baseball with his classmates and friends.

The baseball bat was long and smooth, but people kept trying to snatch it. Fortunately, he was strong enough and held it firmly, so no one could take it from him.

When he awoke, he felt something pressing uncomfortably against his chest. Drowsily, he quickly reached out to touch and feel its texture and material properties, only to discover it was an incredibly slender leg. The last pinch touched someone's upper thigh, his thumb lightly brushing their lower abdomen.

It wasn't Li Qing.

Because there was no...