The jade talisman felt ice-cold to the touch.
[Voice Transmission Jade Talisman: White Quality. A Communication Jade Talisman that can be used for long-distance messaging.]
[This item comes as a set and cannot be upgraded individually.]
This item was very similar to the voice transmission talisman Zhang Tiancheng had given him, except this jade talisman could only transmit voices and couldn't manifest a physical projection. Fortunately, it wasn't a single-use item and could be used multiple times.
Is this an attempt to win me over?
Wen Zhixing silently held the two items in the palm of his hand.
I belong to Si Nanyan. Is Feng Ruoli still not satisfied, unable to let go, and now trying to poach me? It's… actually quite possible!
The final item was a talisman.
"This item is a sword talisman personally refined by Master. Carry it with you, and it may save your life in a critical moment."
"Thank you, Palace Master."
Wen Zhixing did not refuse and accepted it.
[Protection Sword Talisman: Blue Quality. One-time use. To be carried on the person, it can autonomously activate in the face of mortal danger, slaying incoming enemies.]
[Consume one thousand Fortune Points to upgrade to Purple Quality.]
This really is a good item, Wen Zhixing thought, somewhat astonished. Feng Ruoli is treating me very well... At the very least, she's quite generous.
And it didn't end there. Feng Ruoli gently waved her sleeve, produced another bottle of elixirs, and said softly, "Wen Zhixing, I also have a bottle of elixirs here that I've refined in recent days. Take these as well."
Elixirs? Wen Zhixing's heart skipped a beat. Could they be even more potent than the Wonderous Soul-Devouring Pill...?
[Earth Element Pill: White Quality. This elixir, refined from various precious spiritual herbs, can rapidly restore a person's Yuan Qi and heal injuries. It is an excellent healing aid for consolidating one's foundation, nourishing Qi, and concentrating the spirit.]
[Consume one hundred Fortune Points to upgrade to Blue Quality.]
"These are actually... all good elixirs..." Wen Zhixing murmured, finding it somewhat incredible.
"Try one. It should help with your recovery." Feng Ruoli smiled. Of course, she hadn't personally refined them; she only said that to sound more sincere.
"Yes, thank you, Palace Master."
Wen Zhixing didn't hesitate and immediately took one out. He swallowed the elixir without a second thought. Not a trace of doubt was visible on his face.
Immediately, a surge of pure energy flowed into his Sea of Qi, then spread throughout his limbs and bones. Wen Zhixing's originally pale complexion gradually turned rosy.
The medicinal effect appeared astonishing, but in truth, it was all an act by Wen Zhixing. The elixir had no real effect on him. His body was in excellent condition; everything was a pretense.
Seeing this, Feng Ruoli nodded in satisfaction.
"Shan, escort your Junior Brother Wen back."
"Yes, Master."
Ning Shan was about to help Wen Zhixing up again.
"No need, there's no need to trouble Senior Sister Ning..." Wen Zhixing stood up and waved his hand, indicating he could manage on his own.
Feng Ruoli didn't insist. A faint smile touched her lips as she said, "In that case... Shan, see Junior Brother Wen out."
"Yes." Ning Shan nodded.
"Thank you, Phoenix Palace Master."
Wen Zhixing couldn't refuse again and left with Ning Shan.
...
A short while later, Ning Shan's figure flashed, and she returned to where she had been.
"Master, are we really just going to let him go like that?" she asked, somewhat puzzled. Acquiring Wen Zhixing had been so difficult. It seems such a waste to let a supreme cultivation furnace like him go so easily.
"What else should we do? Keep him imprisoned for life?" Feng Ruoli retorted.
"Not that, but we could release him when the time is right," Ning Shan said, lacking some confidence.
"The right time? When would that be? If I were to forcefully keep him, how would the other Elders and disciples view me?" Feng Ruoli's smile vanished, and she huffed softly.
"This..." Ning Shan was taken aback.
It seems I really didn't think things through properly. If this incident were truly confirmed, others would probably become extremely wary of Master in the future. What if their own things were seized too? No wonder Master let Wen Zhixing go and even gave him so many benefits. This was to appease not only Wen Zhixing but also the people from the other peaks. This incident was just an accident, a necessary measure. Look, wasn't he sent back safely?
"Master, your disciple was wrong." Ning Shan bowed her head. I didn't think that far ahead. Instead, I was feeling smug because Qiu Yinger couldn't do anything about me.
"It's alright. Your Master didn't consider everything thoroughly either," Feng Ruoli said, not blaming her. After all, she had approved of this matter initially.
...
Thanks to the token, Wen Zhixing returned to his small courtyard quite smoothly. However, to feign weakness, he took twice as long as usual to get there.
"Strange." I thought my return would surely cause a bit of a stir, or at least attract some attention. After all, I've been missing for so many days. Are they just ignoring me now? Wen Zhixing wondered.
What he didn't expect, though, was that Qiu Yinger hadn't had time to bother with him recently. She was terrified by the curse and was focused on healing. Not everyone could recover from injuries as quickly as he could. Even if others saw Wen Zhixing had returned, they couldn't contact Qiu Yinger.
That's right, I cursed Qiu Yinger. She doesn't have time to deal with me now, Wen Zhixing realized. I cursed her desperately twice. She must be suffering. She probably has no time to pay any attention to me.
So, you finally get a taste of your own medicine! A cold sneer touched Wen Zhixing's lips.
"Since that's the case, let's add a little something extra to your meal." Wen Zhixing acted immediately, directly invoking the Unfounded Curse. A large amount of his essence blood drained away once more as he began to push himself to the limit!
...
PTOO!
Qiu Yinger, who was recuperating, once again spat out a mouthful of blood.
That bizarre Power of the Curse has flared up in my body again! I'm going mad! Why is it happening again? Which powerful expert is trying to torment me? Is there really no end to this? If they really want to kill me, why not just get it over with quickly?
"AAAAH!" Qiu Yinger lay on the ground, screaming in agony, her heart filled with terror.
Watching Qiu Yinger in such a state, Si Nanyan also felt helpless; she truly had no solutions.
Fortunately, this time, the curse didn't last long. It was shorter than before, and the injuries weren't too serious. Otherwise, Qiu Yinger genuinely wouldn't have been able to endure it.
The injuries left by the curse were extremely strange; though not severe, they simply wouldn't heal. Even after consuming elixirs, the recovery speed remained incredibly slow.
"Yinger, I... I... am powerless to help..." Si Nanyan said, hesitating for a moment as she looked at Qiu Yinger's somewhat pitiful state. "When I achieve a breakthrough, perhaps then there will be a solution."
Her eyes flickered with worry. I hope this curse doesn't spread to me.
"Yes, Master. I'll go out and try to find a solution myself first..." Qiu Yinger struggled to her feet, a bitter smile on her lips. Even though Master didn't say much, I can guess what she's thinking.
She then slowly walked out, looking dejected.
Si Nanyan opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end, she only shook her head and sighed. She really couldn't help.
——
[You have cursed Qiu Yinger with the Unfounded Curse. Her injuries have worsened, and you have suffered serious injuries.]
This time, just to be safe, I held back a bit. Last time, I really pushed myself too hard; I almost died. The backlash from this Unfounded Curse is truly powerful. A moment of carelessness could lead to complete annihilation. It's better to be cautious.
"Still bearable," Wen Zhixing muttered, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.
Much of the resentment he had accumulated in his heart because of Qiu Yinger had diminished considerably. Indeed, the one who tied the bell must be the one to untie it.
——
"Senior Sister Qiu, Wen Zhixing has returned."
Meanwhile, not long after Qiu Yinger had left the secret chamber, someone came to report this to her.
"He's back?" Qiu Yinger was surprised. She waved her hand dismissively. After three consecutive curses, my body is on the verge of collapse. How could I possibly have the energy to worry about some Wen Zhixing?
"Wait... Wen Zhixing..."
Her thoughts took a turn. I can use Wen Zhixing for essence absorption! Isn't that what he exists for? Perhaps my injuries can be healed this way!
Her eyes lit up, and she immediately dragged her severely injured body towards Wen Zhixing's residence.