Minglong

Chapter 440 Ghosts Are Everywhere
After the rain, the sky cleared, and Lake Beiming was as smooth as a mirror.

The ship, trailing a white stern, sailed under the sunlight. A succubus in red and a Confucian female scholar chatted and laughed by the window, discussing poetry, calligraphy, and painting.

On the deck, the coal briquette spread its wings and fanned itself vigorously, drawing in the power of heaven and earth to create a north wind that propelled the boat toward the southern shore of the lake.

But just as the coal briquette was diligently working, it suddenly heard voices coming from below:

"From now on, you will be called 'Mo Bao'. You will cultivate diligently on Ziwei Mountain. If you perform well, all these rare and precious materials will be your responsibility..."

"Guji?"

The coal ball looked a little bewildered, ran to the edge of the eaves, and hung upside down to look down.

But in the captain's room, a white-haired fairy dressed in golden armor sat cross-legged on the floor with her arms crossed. In front of her was a dazzling array of treasures, including rare items such as the Jiazi Lotus and Black Xuan Gold, as well as fragments of dragon balls.

Meanwhile, the small black and red octopus, perched in the middle of the treasure, stared with eyes even bigger than the treasure itself, circling around and looking it over, unsure of which to look at first. It was clear that it had been won over by the irresistible price.

Seeing this, Coal Ball felt that things had gone a bit too far.

It has no interest in inedible natural treasures, but they all have black skin, and it's even blacker. So why is it called a coal ball, while others are called 'ink treasure'?
Shouldn't it be called Octopus Teppanyaki?
The coal ball hesitated for a moment, feeling this was unfair, so it ran to the window of another room and began:
Da da da da…

inside the room.

After resting, Xie Jinhuan was full of energy. He had changed into a clean white robe and was fixing his hair in front of the mirror, preparing to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager and apologize for eating grapes from the Western Regions yesterday.

Hearing a woodpecker-like tapping sound outside the window, Xie Jinhuan was slightly startled and opened the window to look:

"When did you come back?"

"Goo!"

Coal Ball had been busy all morning, but he didn't complain about Ah Huan only getting up. He just shook his head and gestured towards the front of the ship's deck.

Xie Jinhuan looked slightly puzzled, rubbed his coal-shaped head, and went to the captain's room to take a look. He saw that the white-haired fairy was bribing spirit pets, and naturally understood what she meant. He gently comforted her:

"Don't worry, no matter how powerful other spirits are, I won't give them a second glance, but no matter how fat, dark-skinned, or useless you are, you're still my loyal companion through thick and thin..."

"Guji?!"

Coal Ball was stunned. He raised his hand and flapped his wings, trying to wake Ah Huan up.

Inside the room, Master Qixia was examining her newly acquired spirit pet. Hearing Xie Jinhuan say "disdainful," she was somewhat skeptical and gave the order:

"Mo Bao, conjure up a vixen."

"?"

The baby octopus was indeed a cub, its intelligence undeveloped and far less sophisticated than the lump of coal. Upon hearing the command and after a moment's thought, its body displayed a dazzling array of colors, and it slowly grew larger, transforming into a fox spirit with fox ears and a tail...

I go? !
Xie Jinhuan was stunned when he saw this scene. He threw the little broken bird aside and wanted to go in to see if the illusion was realistic.

When Master Qixia saw that Ah Huan had lost his composure in an instant, he secretly shook his head and closed the door.

Click~
"Eh?"

Xie Jinhuan almost bumped into the door and was greatly disappointed, but he couldn't force his way into the White-haired Fairy's room, so he turned around and looked for his personal maid.

When they found the coal ball lying sprawled out in the aisle, they were so angry they fainted!

"Uh... Qiuqiu?"

Xie Jinhuan picked up the coal briquette, dusted it off, and called out to it a few times, but received no response. A little helpless, he thought for a moment and said:

"I was thinking of getting you a grilled fish, but you're asleep, so forget it..."

"Goo?"

The coal ball remained silent for a moment, then finally flipped itself up, raised its wings, and began to smash the coal ball repeatedly.

clap clap clap...
-
Shortly after.

A gentle breeze blew outside the window, and the sounds of girls playing and laughing noisily drifted up from downstairs.

"Nine-Bead Fairy, would you like some tea?"

"Witch, are you never going to stop?!"

"Then I'll still call her Hoho..."

Crackling...

Empress Dowager Guo sat cross-legged by the window. Although she appeared to be practicing martial arts, her current physical condition made it impossible for her to practice qi cultivation. She was more focused on meditation, pondering what to do next.

Although the Xuanwu Divine Gift has been temporarily obtained, Yang Huaxian and Kongkong Daoren only have one share each, and they will definitely try to seize it. Therefore, there is likely to be another battle next, it just depends on when it will happen.

Her Qi Sea was depleted, and her combat power was practically nonexistent. She would have to return to the Vermilion Bird Mausoleum to cultivate in seclusion and slowly absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to restore her physique. This would take at least two or three months, leaving a gap in between.

Although Gao Laomo can handle things alone, the evil path is truly risky, and there is always a risk without the support of teammates. Therefore, we still need to find a way to restore our combat strength as soon as possible.

I wonder if Zisu's outrageous idea will work...

After thinking for a moment, there was a knock on the door:

"Sister Guo?"

Empress Dowager Guo opened her eyes, and remembering being mistaken for a wet nurse yesterday, she subconsciously tightened her clothes:

"come in."

squeak~
Xie Jinhuan then pushed open the door, holding a tray with sliced ​​grilled fish and drinks, like a male model serving a fruit platter to a patron:
"Sister Guo, are you hungry? I just grilled some fish, try my cooking..."

Empress Dowager Guo did not refuse, but sat down at the table, picked up her chopsticks, tasted the food, and nodded slightly.
"Hmm, the skills are quite good. If he worked in the palace, he would at least be the head eunuch of the imperial kitchen."

?

Xie Jinhuan was taken aback, sensing that Sister Guo seemed a little upset, and said apologetically:

"I took the cultivation-boosting pill yesterday, and my brain is indeed not working properly. I apologize for offending Sister Guo."

To be honest, Empress Dowager Guo found it hard to reconcile the lecherous boy she had been hugging and kissing yesterday with the aloof and extraordinary young swordsman before her. However, she understood the story of the 'Nine-Bead Fairy,' and gently shook her head.

"We cultivators should cultivate for the sake of all living beings. Indulging in lust is not a good thing. You should be more careful in the future."

"Understood, I know my limits..."

Do you even know how to behave appropriately?

If Empress Dowager Guo hadn't been so resolute yesterday, she probably would have already been made her sixth concubine. But Xie Jinhuan, aside from his fondness for women, had no other flaws, so after thinking about it, she decided not to bring that up again and instead got down to business:
"My Qi Sea is exhausted. To recover, I need to go into seclusion in the Southern Frontier, but that will take a long time and might delay important matters. Zisu came up with an idea, saying that using the 'Adding Oil to Fire' pill can use a man's kidney Yang as a catalyst to ignite extreme Yang fire, which might be able to restore my physique..."

Xie Jinhuan blinked, she was very familiar with this, and leaned closer:
"So, what does Sister Guo mean?"

Empress Dowager Guo tapped her forehead and pushed Xie Jinhuan away slightly:

"I am discussing this with you honestly for the sake of the safety of the people. It would be best if you had other methods. If not, I can only try. However, this has nothing to do with romantic love. Please do not misunderstand."

"..." Seeing that Sister Guo said this, Xie Jinhuan naturally couldn't just go along with it. After thinking for a moment, he said:
"Actually, after eating the 'adding fuel to the fire' pills, you don't necessarily have to do that..."

"Oh?"

Empress Dowager Guo blinked:

"how to do?"

Xie Jinhuan felt that this scene was somewhat familiar, but he was no longer a weakling below the Super Grade level. He should be able to accelerate his own power. Therefore, he got up, took the medicine box given to him by the Great Immortal Zisu, and took out the 'Adding Fuel to the Fire' pill.

"..."

When Empress Dowager Guo saw this, she was worried that Xie Jinhuan would go crazy again and do something inappropriate to her.

Fortunately, the situation isn't too bad, but it's not much better either...

After Xie Jinhuan took the pill, a surge of heat coursed through his body, as if his abdomen was filled with scorching magma. Although his cultivation level had increased and his endurance had improved, his physique was stronger and the extreme yang fire he unleashed was also more powerful. He was still quickly drenched in sweat, and his expression changed.

Empress Dowager Guo didn't understand what kind of pain could make a martial artist at the late stage of the fifth realm lose his smile. Although Xie Jinhuan hadn't said a word, she still felt a pang of heartache and moved closer to help wipe his sweat.

"If you can't do it, then give up. Don't force yourself to suffer if you can't."

"it should be OK……"

After Xie Jinhuan pushed the extreme Yang Fire to its limit, he tried to force it out on his own.

But he soon discovered that the human body is structured in a fixed way; no matter how high one's spiritual attainment, one still sees things with eyes and breathes through the nose.

To unleash the full potential of Yang energy, one must use the correct methods to guide it. If it bursts forth with the slightest thought, then there is a problem with the body.

Xie Jinhuan tried briefly but found it difficult to expel the yang fire, and said somewhat awkwardly:

"Um...it seems a bit difficult to do it by myself..."

Empress Dowager Guo had already discerned Ah Huan's current condition. She intended for Xie Jinhuan to take the antidote first, and then they could discuss a possible solution. However, at that moment, a divine message suddenly whispered in her ear:
"Let Yuehua help us, and see if it's feasible."

what?
Empress Dowager Guo was taken aback. She thought to herself, "My master wants yang energy, so he sends his disciple to openly extort money from my husband as a tribute. That seems a bit too absurd..."

But the gods, being extremely rational, then offer this reminder:

"Have you forgotten your helplessness yesterday? Without any skills to rely on, how will you deal with unexpected events? If you can't save face, then do it yourself. Hesitating will only harm yourself and the younger generation."

"..."

Empress Dowager Guo found this reasonable; a dignified Valkyrie shouldn't be indecisive on important matters. After pondering it briefly, she still called upon the Empress Dowager:
"Yuehua, come here for a moment."

"Ok?"

Xie Jinhuan was unaware that A Piao was causing trouble for Sister Bu again, and was clearly taken aback when he heard this.

dong dong dong...

Soon, footsteps sounded outside the door, and then the graceful woman with glasses peeked out, looking slightly puzzled.
"Master... Hey? Xie Jinhuan, why are you drenched in sweat?"

Empress Dowager Guo found it somewhat difficult to speak, but she still maintained a calm expression and explained:
"I need the extreme yang fire within him to see if it can restore his physique. Can you help him?"

ha? !

Bu Yuehua was stunned for a moment, thinking she had misheard. After confirming several times and finding that her master was not joking, she walked over in small steps.
"This is... how can I help?"

Empress Dowager Guo couldn't stay and watch, so she wanted to leave first and come back in after she finished her work, but then she heard the whispers of the gods again:
"The extreme fire will dissipate the moment it leaves your body, so you have to wait nearby and act accordingly."

?

Does that mean I have to keep watching from the sidelines?

Empress Dowager Guo opened her mouth, but couldn't refute the divine decree, so she forced herself to say:
"How could you not know how to help? I restored my cultivation for our safety. In times of emergency, we should act expediently and not worry about the details."

"..."

Bu Yuehua thought about it and realized that her master's body did indeed have problems. Without his cultivation, he wouldn't be able to stand up to the White-Haired Ancestor, let alone protect them...

Bu Yuehua hesitated for a moment, but gritted her teeth and sat down next to Xie Jinhuan. She wanted to help with the treatment, but since her master didn't seem inclined to avoid it, she couldn't just do something in front of him. She could only tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Hmm... Master, please continue talking, don't worry about me..."

As he spoke, he bent down and crawled under the table...

?

Xie Jinhuan looked at the charming Sister Bu and was truly flattered.

Empress Dowager Guo also had a strange look in her eyes, but she really wanted to verify whether Zisu's method was feasible. Since the gods had spoken, she couldn't take action herself and could only follow the divine decree.

Perhaps worried that her disciple might feel wronged, she brought over a meditation cushion so that Yuehua wouldn't have to kneel on the ground. Then she moved forward a little, resting her chest on the table to block her view, and changed the subject:

"Who exactly is that Miss Ye? I have known Master Qixia for a hundred years and have never heard of her having such an older sister."

Xie Jinhuan was still somewhat dazed after being treated by Sister Bu. She thought for a moment:

"Uh... I'm not really sure either."

How did you and Miss Ye meet?

"It was during my travels in the south that I happened to run into it by chance..."

……

With such a distracted conversation, Empress Dowager Guo dared not peek under the table to see what was going on. Xie Jinhuan, on the other hand, sat upright, trying his best to appear like a righteous young swordsman.

Bu Yuehua remained silent, glancing upwards with her eyes. She felt incredibly embarrassed by the scene; if the slutty Daoist nun knew, she would probably jump up and laugh at her...

You raise an apprentice for a thousand days, but only use him for one. Perhaps you should let Wanyi do it for you…

Forget it, if Wanyi gets so shocked she knocks the table over, Master will probably say I'm not sincere as her disciple...

……

Meanwhile, downstairs.

Ye Yunchi was discussing Confucianism with Ye Daxian when he noticed the other man suddenly curl his lips into a smile, as if he had discovered something extraordinary. Ye Yunchi thought his secret had been exposed again, and his heart skipped a beat.

"Sister Ye?"

"Nothing much, I just thought of some happy things and came to have some tea..."

"Oh……"

……

(End of this chapter)