Chapter 230
“I heard my grandpa say that the Thunder God can bless mushrooms!”
“What? Bless mushrooms?” Someone nearby was taken aback. “What’s that supposed to do?”
“How would I know?”
“And the blessing? What about that?”
“That blessing? Ordinary people can’t see it!”
Xiao Qing spoke with conviction.
Not to mention the others, even Zheng Fa found her reasoning quite compelling…
…
In the Baibao Hall, there had been an influx of cultivators these past few days.
They were examining the spiritual materials on the jade tablet while chatting amongst themselves.
“If it weren’t for this Baibao Hall, where we can exchange for some spiritual materials, I’d have left the Tianbei long ago.”
“Tell me about it! With those two around, do we even stand a chance here?”
“Forget about us; didn’t you notice that Yan Wushuang didn’t show up this time? She must have been discouraged by that Ling Ye fairy and Zheng Fa.”
As soon as this was said, everyone nodded in agreement.
This time, those with keen eyes noticed that Yan Wushuang hadn’t come at all.
Rumors began to spread that she had given up on the Tianbei.
“What do those prodigies have to do with us? I’ve worked hard for months just to gather a hundred Tian功 (Tian Gong points).” A man shook his head. “Exchanging for a ten-year Zidian (Purple Lightning) isn’t a bad deal.”
“I’ve got a bit more, gathered a hundred and twenty, so I can exchange for a piece of Thunderstrike Wood.”
“Thunderstrike Wood costs quite a bit of Tian功 points. Junior Brother, if you’re looking to refine treasures, I recommend this one; you can save ten points.”
With the competitive atmosphere gone, the group’s dynamic became surprisingly harmonious. They exchanged ideas on how to save Tian功 points and get more of the spiritual materials they needed.
Suddenly, a figure walked in from outside the hall.
Everyone’s chatter ceased, and they turned to look at the newcomer.
It was none other than Xiao Yuying.
Xiao Yuying didn’t cut in line; she simply stood behind them, seemingly waiting for them to finish their exchanges before she made her own.
But given her Yuan Ying (Yuan Infant) cultivation and her reputation, the people in front didn’t dare to delay. They quickly exchanged their desired materials and made way for Xiao Yuying.
She nodded at them, walked up to the jade tablet, and began browsing the types of spiritual materials, seemingly contemplating what to exchange her Tian功 points for.
The other cultivators exchanged glances, pausing in their tracks, curiously watching her.
She didn’t mind, her fingers moving over the jade tablet, sometimes pausing on one spiritual material, sometimes on another, as if she were struggling to decide, showing signs of indecision.
Yet, there was an inexplicable enjoyment in her expression, as if she savored each material, meticulously calculating every Tian功 point.
With her abundant Tian功 points and slow decision-making, she took quite a while.
The cultivators nearby watched, feeling a pang of envy—together, they couldn’t even exchange for half of what Xiao Yuying could…
By the time Zheng Fa entered the Baibao Hall, Xiao Yuying was still deliberating between two types of spiritual materials.
Zheng Fa glanced at her, then at the other cultivators, and with a polite nod, he stood behind Xiao Yuying.
He recognized the expression on her face well—it was the kind of look a woman has when she’s browsing through hundreds of outfits on a shopping app but ends up buying nothing.
Perhaps they just enjoy the process…
After a while, Xiao Yuying still hadn’t made up her mind. Feeling a bit embarrassed, she turned to Zheng Fa and said, “You go ahead.”
“It’s fine, I can wait.”
“I still need to think,” Xiao Yuying insisted. “It won’t take long.”
Zheng Fa nodded gratefully at her and replied, “Then I’ll be quick.”
Everyone watched as he approached the jade tablet.
Zheng Fa first selected two types of spiritual materials needed for the “Shen Xiao Yu Lei Zhen Fa” (Divine Sky Thunder Control Technique).
Then, he flipped the jade tablet to the first page, where the cheapest materials were listed, and his finger scrolled down, not missing a single one.
He needed to nurture his own Fusang tree, and the Thunderfield required a large quantity of spiritual materials—he wasn’t picky; he bought whatever was abundant and cheap.
His movements had a boldness akin to telling a waiter at a restaurant to just bring him the entire menu.
Behind him, Xiao Yuying watched this scene, her lips gradually pressing together.
The other cultivators were left dumbfounded by Zheng Fa’s actions. When they saw Xiao Yuying’s envious expression, they exchanged glances and suddenly felt much better:
If we’re feeling sour, then so is the Ling Ye fairy. That means we’re on the same level as her, right?
Zheng Fa quickly finished selecting his materials and turned back to Xiao Yuying with a smile. “I’m done. It’s your turn now, Fairy Xiao.”
Xiao Yuying silently glanced at him and randomly tapped on the jade tablet.
She muttered, “I’m not in the mood anymore.”
(End of this chapter)
---
**Chapter 219: Where Did This Wild Bird Come From!**
Zheng Fa couldn’t shake the feeling that Xiao Yuying’s expression was a bit sour, as if she had some grievances against him.
The two of them stepped out of the Tianbei, instinctively avoiding the crowd, and found a secluded corner in the Thunder Pool.
“What’s up? Interested?”
Xiao Yuying looked at Zheng Fa, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. From her expression, it was clear she wasn’t surprised by Zheng Fa’s choice.
Zheng Fa hesitated for a moment before cupping his hands and asking, “How is the Tianhe Zun (Tianhe Master) related to this treasure?”
Xiao Yuying seemed genuinely eager to invite Zheng Fa, and she replied readily, “I’m not entirely sure, but that secret place bears the mark of the Tianhe Sect—you know, those folks from the Tianhe Sect flaunt the Tianhe Zun’s insignia everywhere, so I’ve seen it enough times.”
Zheng Fa fell silent.
In the past, he had only thought of the Tianhe Sect as showy.
According to Old Han, the Tianhe Sect… well, how should he put it? They were definitely descendants that the Tianhe Zun would never acknowledge.
Their mentality, their audacity.
No wonder they were part of the Xuanwei Five Sects!
“Then why couldn’t it be other predecessors from the Tianhe Sect?”
“That’s certainly possible.” Xiao Yuying nodded, seemingly not dismissing Zheng Fa’s counterargument. She continued, “But you know, I have some experience in treasure hunting in secret realms.”
“…”
For some reason, Zheng Fa felt as if she was boasting.
Seeing his expression, Xiao Yuying smiled lightly, as if pleased with her successful retort, and added, “The treasures and architectural styles of each era are quite different. I can usually get a rough idea of the era a treasure or secret realm belongs to with just a little exposure.”
…What a wild archaeologist?
“That secret realm has a powerful aura, but the restrictions and spell styles are from the previous era.”
Zheng Fa understood Xiao Yuying’s point: “In the previous era, the only one in the Tianhe Sect who used the Tianhe Zun’s insignia was the Tianhe Zun himself…”
“…”
Xiao Yuying smiled and nodded, seemingly satisfied with Zheng Fa’s insight.
“Therefore, I can conclude that even if the items inside weren’t left by the Tianhe Zun himself, they must belong to someone close to him.”
Zheng Fa found himself convinced by Xiao Yuying’s reasoning.
She continued, “I had already arrived in Taiyang County, but I stumbled upon that secret realm. I wanted to enter but couldn’t, so I came to the Tianbei.”
“So, Fairy Xiao, what do you need me for?”
“This concerns the secret of that realm. I can only tell you if you agree to go with me.” Xiao Yuying shook her head and asked Zheng Fa, “So, what do you think? Are you interested? As for the distribution… you know I’m not lacking in ordinary treasures.”
Zheng Fa grinned.
He knew there was at least some truth to that.
It wasn’t that Xiao Yuying was generous; it was mainly because one was a Yuan Ying and the other a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Xiao Yuying was also well-known for her wealth in the Xuanwei realm, so her standards were likely high.
There was a high chance of a situation arising:
Xiao Yuying: “What junk…”
Zheng Fa: “What a treasure!”
There was indeed some room for collaboration between them.
But…
Zheng Fa didn’t really have any thoughts about treasures.
If it were up to him, he wouldn’t want to get involved in secret realms…
Yet this matter was related to the Tianhe Zun.
After a moment of hesitation, Zheng Fa asked Xiao Yuying, “Can I go back and discuss this with someone?”
“Who?”
“Senior Sister Zhang.” Zheng Fa thought for a moment and felt that when it came to matters related to the Tianhe Zun, Senior Sister Zhang’s stance was the most similar to his own.
“...You seem to have quite strict family teachings.”
“…”
“What if I don’t want to?” Xiao Yuying seemed reluctant to let the news of the secret realm reach others.
“Then I won’t go.” Zheng Fa replied directly.
“...Fine! I know Zhang Wuyi; she’s not one to gossip, but I’ll make it clear—I only need you.” After a long silence, Xiao Yuying finally nodded.
“Then I can discuss it with my master and uncle…”
Seeing Xiao Yuying’s expression darkening, Zheng Fa felt a pang of regret—
What kind of good student goes out to compete without their guidance counselor?
…
In the Five Dragon Heavenly Palace.
Table of Contents
