Chapter 339: Chapter 324: Old Ginger Is Spicy!
There are six people who signed up to adventure into the depths of the Wilderness Jungle with the short, stout cultivator. Excluding Xiao Feng and Jiang Fengxian, who were predetermined, there happened to be four remaining, including Zhouyang.
Among these four, apart from Zhouyang, who is a Second-Layer Purple Mansion Cultivator, the remaining three are one Seventh-Layer Purple Mansion Cultivator and two Sixth-Layer Purple Mansion Cultivators.
From the perspective of cultivation level, Zhouyang, who only has the Second-Layer of the Purple Mansion Cultivation, unquestionably seemed like he was just making up the numbers. Even Xiao Feng, who had the closest relationship with him, didn’t expect him to advance.
However, when the actual confrontation began, the formidable combat prowess Zhouyang displayed left everyone astounded.
The first Sixth-Layer Purple Mansion Cultivator he faced could only withstand for two quarters of an hour under his sword before being defeated.
This time was nearly twice as short as the time it took for the Seventh-Layer Purple Mansion Cultivator to defeat their opponent.
Then, when he faced off against the Seventh-Layer Purple Mansion Cultivator, ignoring the astonished gazes of others, he immediately took out and activated the Emerald Green Flying Knife Talisman Treasure acquired from Murong Qianqian.
For Zhouyang to use a Talisman Treasure in a normal magical duel, his reckless approach shocked his opponent.
Ultimately, the two of them did not duel for even a quarter of an hour before Zhouyang’s opponent, having his Defensive Spiritual Artifact destroyed by the Talisman Treasure, had to unwillingly admit defeat.
Though Zhouyang achieved victory, he exhausted the power of the Emerald Green Flying Knife Talisman Treasure, losing an ace up his sleeve.
"Fellow Daoist Huang, you’re really extravagant! That was a Talisman Treasure!"
After the magical combat was over, Xiao Feng looked at Zhouyang, his familiar yet strange friend, with a complicated expression filled with amazement.
Even if it had been used once or twice, a Talisman Treasure would still be worth at least seventy to eighty thousand Lower Grade Spirit Stones.
Such a treasure, instead of being used in a life-and-death battle, used in a mere duel, made even someone as wealthy as the Tier Four High-grade Refining Master Xiao Feng offer admiration internally.
Comparatively, the Seventh-Layer Purple Mansion Cultivator who lost to Zhouyang’s Talisman Treasure looked notably displeased as he snorted coldly: "Hmph, just a brute who can only flaunt temporary bravery!"
Glancing angrily at Zhouyang, he spoke with disdain: "Without the Talisman Treasure, you’ll only be a burden to Fellow Daoist Xiao and the others in the upcoming journey into the depths of the Wilderness Jungle. When danger strikes, I wonder how you’ll escape!"
Upon hearing such condescending words, Zhouyang’s face instantly darkened, retorting unceremoniously: "If you’re not satisfied, Fellow Daoist, we can spar again. I, Huang, would like to see how many artifacts Fellow Daoist can afford to lose!"
"You..."
"Alright, alright, since the result is out, all Fellow Daoists should better honor the agreement. Fellow Daoist Jiang and others are awaiting our news."
Seeing the situation potentially worsening, Xiao Feng, the organizer, quickly chimed in to mediate.
Given his cultivation level and status, upon hearing his words, Zhouyang and the Seventh-Layer Purple Mansion Cultivator exchanged unpleasant glances but did not continue their argument.
Afterward, everyone returned to the cave mansion of Jiang Fengxian at Phoenix Cloud Mountain, where Xiao Feng announced Zhouyang as the victor.
Clearly, upon hearing this result, all cultivators, including Jiang Fengxian, were nearly shocked speechless by the news.
No one anticipated that the ultimate winner would be Zhouyang, a seemingly very young Second-Layer Purple Mansion Cultivator, instead of the Seventh-Layer and Sixth-Layer Purple Mansion Cultivators.
While everyone was surprised, no one doubted the authenticity of the news.
After all, the three who lost were back in the cave mansion together; if Xiao Feng had been wrong, these people would have definitely rebutted him already.
Therefore, amid the astonishment, everyone privately sent transmissions to the three, inquiring about the situation.
After all, an event where a cultivator of Early-Stage Purple Mansion overcame two minor realms to defeat a Late-Stage Purple Mansion Cultivator is rare. Only similar instances have been heard in some legends.
Upon knowing Zhouyang’s victory was due to a Talisman Treasure, while showing a look of realization, everyone secretly shook their heads, disapproving of Zhouyang’s actions.
For a Golden Core Stage Cultivator’s cave mansion that was yet to be found, using up a precious Talisman Treasure, this was completely incomprehensible and unaccepted by these Loose Cultivators who lived hard lives.
However, since they weren’t very familiar, regardless of their internal thoughts, they outwardly congratulated Zhouyang.
After all, saying nice things doesn’t require Spirit Stones, does it?
Seeing the dust settle, Jiang Fengxian immediately spoke up: "Alright, since the candidate is decided, others who wish to leave can do so now."
Upon hearing the host’s words of farewell, the other unrelated cultivators, although curious about how the four would discuss the treasure hunting matter, respectfully did not linger in the cave mansion and quickly left.
After everyone had left, Jiang Fengxian’s beautiful eyes flickered, and she focused on the stout cultivator, asking, "Fellow Daoist Li, now that the candidates are decided, can you tell us about your plan?"
"Fellow Daoist Jiang is right, so let me tell you all of my plan. If there are any inappropriate points, feel free to bring them up, and we can discuss solutions together."
The stout cultivator nodded, cleared his throat, and said to the three, "First is the safety issue of this operation. To prevent leaks and internal conflicts after discovering the treasure, all four of us must sign the Nether Blood Contract and swear a Dao Heart Oath to adhere to the agreement of dividing the treasures."
"During the treasure division, as the initiator, I should have the right to choose two treasures first after entering the cave mansion. Then, fellow Daoists can decide who selects the third, fourth, and fifth items based on their contributions. If there are leftover treasures after this, we can decide whether to continue dividing them or convert them into spirit stones, distributing them at a ratio of four, two, two, two."
"If there are fewer than five treasures, then those who received treasures earlier must provide spirit stones worth half the treasure’s value to those who did not receive any. Naturally, I am exempt from providing spirit stones, as this is my right as the initiator!"
"What do you all think of my words?"
The stout cultivator finished speaking and looked intently at Zhouyang and the others.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Feng first extended a finger and said, "The most important point is if the Nine Heavens Profound Gold truly exists in that cave mansion, we three can’t just watch Fellow Daoist Li pocket it, can we?"
The stout cultivator bitterly smiled upon hearing this, "I overlooked this, but Brother Xiao thinks too highly of me. That Nine Heavens Profound Gold is such a treasure that even if I did obtain it, I wouldn’t be able to enjoy it!"
"Let’s do this, if the Nine Heavens Profound Gold really exists, we’ll auction it off and distribute the spirit stones from the auction according to the four, two, two, two ratio. How does that sound?"
"Let’s do that," Xiao Feng nodded, agreeing with the stout cultivator’s approach.
"I have no objections," Jiang Fengxian nodded lightly, also casting her vote in favor.
This left Zhouyang with no choice but to say, "I, Fellow Daoist Huang, have a slight proposition that my cultivation only requires two or three months of seclusion to advance to the Third-Layer of the Purple Mansion. I wonder if my fellow Daoists could wait for my advancement before departure?"
"How can that do! Delays cause changes, the news has already spread, and should a Golden Core Stage cultivator be drawn, Fellow Daoist Huang, do you think we shall have a good outcome?"
The stout cultivator looked at Zhouyang with dissatisfaction and a hint of anger.
For Zhouyang to propose this now seemed deliberate disruption in his eyes.
The stout cultivator recruited help at the exchange meeting precisely to seize the time advantage, venturing into the Wilderness Jungle ahead, making it impossible for others to catch up.
However, Xiao Feng suddenly interjected, "No, I actually think Fellow Daoist Huang’s proposal is quite good!"
Before the stout cultivator could argue, Xiao Feng squinted and said, "Think about it, the news will surely spread as those Daoists leave. If a Golden Core Stage cultivator indeed arrives, with their divine techniques, do we believe we can avoid them even if we proceed ahead by a day?"
"But if we aren’t in a hurry to depart, instead finding a place to hide for a year or so without appearing, everyone might assume we’ve all perished in the Wilderness Jungle!"
Listening to Xiao Feng, Zhouyang and the others were stunned; none had considered this.
Aside from admiring the wisdom of the elder, the stout cultivator refrained from countering and asked with a questioning look, "But where can we hide? Is there a place where we four Purple Mansion Stage cultivators can stay for such a duration without hindering cultivation?"
"It’s simple. Besides this cave mansion in Phoenix Cloud Mountain, I have another unknown residence in the Wilderness Jungle where we can stay awhile before setting out."
Jiang Fengxian suddenly interjected, resolving the difficulty.
The stout cultivator didn’t argue further, nodded, and said, "Since all fellow Daoists think this is better, I have no objection. Let’s proceed to establish the blood contract."
The Nether Blood Contract is a commonly circulated consumable treasure in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, though only applicable below the Golden Core Stage.
The four blood contracts prepared by the stout cultivator Li Zhengwei were all crafted by Foundation Establishment cultivators before passing away.
This type of blood contract doesn’t necessarily pose a deadly restraint to Purple Mansion Stage cultivators; however, the consequences for breaking the contract shouldn’t be underestimated.
Most importantly, once a blood contract is signed, anyone breaking the contract will immediately suffer backlash from the contract’s power, revealing who has violated the contract, allowing the others to collectively punish them.
After the four signed the blood contract, they immediately followed Jiang Fengxian, leaving Phoenix Cloud Mountain and heading to her other residence in the Wilderness Jungle.