Chapter 751 - 285: Visiting Alchemist Geng Again, Sudden News of Kuji Temple (Part 2)
Chapter 751: Chapter 285: Visiting Alchemist Geng Again, Sudden News of Kuji Temple (Part 2)
Night had fallen. The bright moon cast its glow upon the splashing waves, making them look like swarms of fireflies.
Then, a slender, well-proportioned figure leaped from the surface of the sea, kicking up a massive, rolling wave, like a Flood Dragon bursting from the depths.
But this was a remote area, so no one was around to witness the scene.
"Finally out! This feels great!"
Xiao Chen took a couple of deep breaths and immediately felt much more invigorated.
He wasn’t of the Sea Race, after all. Despite having Magic to aid him, he’d spent nearly two months underwater and had never quite gotten used to it.
Now that he was out again, he immediately hopped onto his Flying Sword and soared freely between heaven and earth for a good while.
’You really had to ride the wind with Sword Control to get that feeling of freely roaming the world.’
’Wait, something’s not right. Why is the wind getting stronger and stronger?’
At first, Xiao Chen was enjoying riding the wind with his Sword Control, but as he flew, he noticed the gusts around him growing fiercer.
This was especially true as he neared Tinglang Market, where the wind was now strong enough to whip up visible surges on the sea’s surface.
’Don’t tell me I’ve wandered into some kind of disaster zone.’
Xiao Chen hadn’t forgotten that over the last two years, new danger zones had been appearing from time to time within the Compassion Sea.
To avoid any strange mishaps, he deliberately made a detour.
However, even after he detoured for thousands of miles, the wind indeed weakened considerably.
But as soon as he started heading toward Tinglang Market again, he was met with ever-increasing wind and waves.
Venturing just a little further, the WHOOSHING sound of the wind filled the air, seemingly without end.
’Why did strong winds suddenly pick up?’
After a moment’s thought, Xiao Chen decided against another detour and pressed on against the wind.
Fortunately, he encountered no strange dangers along the way and arrived at Tinglang Market without a hitch.
CLANG!
Just as he landed on the island, a red lantern decorated with the character for "fortune"—which hadn’t been hung securely—rolled to his feet.
It was only then that he realized, after factoring in the time spent traveling and making detours...
...that without even realizing it, it was already the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month.
’It’s almost the New Year already.’
Xiao Chen recalled that after leaving Wu Ling to return to Silent Calamity Island, he had stopped at Moshi Market for a day to celebrate the New Year.
He never thought that in the blink of an eye, another year was already about to pass.
’Time flies so fast!’
WHOOSH—!
A fierce gust of wind swept by, instantly snatching the red lantern back into the air. It spun in mid-flight before disappearing to parts unknown.
CRACKLE! RATTLE!
JINGLE! CLANG!
A dense flurry of sounds erupted.
Unlike when Xiao Chen was at sea, where there was only the roar of the wind and waves...
...now that he had set foot on the island, all sorts of things—door panels, windows, hanging ornaments—were being battered by the gales, creating a cacophony of piercing sounds.
CRACK!
A tree branch even snapped off, carried away by the wind like a sharp arrow.
Xiao Chen’s eyes narrowed. He recognized the tree as a Spirit Wood.
In other words, this gale was now strong enough to potentially threaten some Early-stage Qi Refining Cultivators.
In these conditions, the number of Cultivators on the streets had dwindled significantly.
The Qi Refining Cultivators, usually the most numerous, had almost all taken shelter. Only a few Foundation Establishment Cultivators could be seen coming and going, braving the gales.
Fortunately, as long as there were no other dangers mixed in, the gale alone was not enough to hinder Xiao Chen.
Relying on his memory, he skillfully found the somewhat secluded alley.
However, just as he drew near, he heard an old voice scolding from within, "Stand firm! Why are your shoulders swaying?"
"You can’t even withstand a little wind? Did you slack off again when I was teaching you the Pile Technique?"
"Retract your Magical Power! Don’t you dare secretly use it to brace yourself!"
Stepping into the alley, he saw a young boy in a gray training uniform holding a horse stance in the doorway, bracing himself against the powerful wind.
The white-haired Alchemist Geng stood by, holding a long, smooth wooden staff, supervising and scolding the boy.
With neither of them using Magical Power or True Essence, the old man stood even more steadily than the boy.
This wasn’t surprising. Even without specifically practicing Body Refining, the physique of a Golden Core Cultivator was naturally far superior to that of a Body Cultivator at the Qi Refining Stage.
However, as Xiao Chen approached, his tall figure incidentally blocked some of the wind.
The boy’s struggle eased immediately, and his stance stabilized.
Seeing this, Alchemist Geng frowned slightly and stared at Xiao Chen.
He didn’t speak, but his sharp gaze seemed to ask, ’What are you doing here?’
"I am Xiao Chen. I’ve come to see Alchemist Geng!"
The alchemist remained silent, showing no reaction, his eyes still fixed intently on Xiao Chen’s.
"Ahem. Regarding the matter you mentioned last time, Pill Master, I have completed one of the tasks."
Xiao Chen glanced at the boy. "Is it convenient to discuss this out here?"
Upon hearing this, Alchemist Geng’s expression finally shifted slightly. He said, "Cheng, go to the back courtyard. Following the recipe I taught you yesterday, gather the Spirit Grass for one Qi Nourishing Pill."
"You must be Xiao. Please, come inside!"
He then stepped aside and gestured for him to enter, a clear sign of welcome.
"There are no outsiders here. You can show me what you’ve brought."
After they entered the reception hall, Alchemist Geng took out several Array Flags and instantly activated two different layers of Arrays.
At these words, Xiao Chen immediately took out the wooden box. "What you asked for is inside, Pill Master. Please, inspect it!"
"Hm?"
Alchemist Geng frowned slightly, confused as to why it was a wooden box.
Then his nostrils twitched as he caught the faint scent of blood.
His eyes shot wide open, his pupils constricting. He rushed to the box in two strides and, with trembling hands, lifted the lid.