Translator: CinderTL
"That Elder Pei... she was trying to use you and the other two Divine Transformation cultivators to lure away the Mountain-Devouring Rat swarm. Don't you resent her?" Song Wen asked.
Mo Yexue replied, "There was no personal gain involved between us. I'm already grateful for her occasional guidance. As for using the Mountain-Devouring Rat swarm, in that life-or-death situation, I would have made the same choice. There's no reason to resent her."
"Fellow Daoist Mo certainly distinguishes clearly between gratitude and resentment."
A pool of blood surged from beneath Song Wen's feet, engulfing Zuo Hui's corpse.
The blood then rapidly receded into Song Wen's body, leaving no trace of Zuo Hui's remains or the bloodstains on the ground.
However, another storage ring had appeared in his hand.
Examining the two storage rings, Song Wen probed them with his divine sense.
After a thorough search, a jade box materialized before him.
The box opened slightly, revealing a half-foot-tall spirit grass.
The grass bore ten leaves, each marked with intricate patterns of intertwined gold and crimson veins.
This was a thousand-year-old True Yang Grass.
However, the storage rings of Zuo Hui and Ji Lin contained only this single True Yang Grass.
"Ji Yin, will this True Yang Grass be sufficient for your needs?"
Song Wen shook his head. "No, it won't be enough."
To modify the Blood Essence Pill, a single True Yang Grass was clearly insufficient.
Even if the medicinal pill refined from the True Yang Grass didn't meet his expectations, one stalk wouldn't even be enough for a proper trial.
"Why don't you come with me to the Myriad Swords Pavilion?" Mo Yexue suggested. "I'll see if I can get you some True Yang Grass from the sect."
Song Wen didn't answer Mo Yexue directly, instead asking, "You were a group of six, yet you're the only one who returned alive. Will the Myriad Swords Pavilion give you trouble?"
Mo Yexue's brow furrowed sharply. "I hadn't considered that. But... the other two senior brothers might still be alive. Zuo Hui and the others drew away all the sixth-tier Mountain-Devouring Rats, and the other two senior brothers are stronger than me. They might have survived. If even one of them is alive, they can testify to what happened in Yuncang Ridge and clear my name."
"What are your plans, then?" Song Wen asked.
"I intend to wait in Tancang Market for a while," Mo Yexue replied, "to see if they return."
"Then I'll stay in Tancang Market for a few days as well," Song Wen said.
Mo Yexue gave Song Wen a grateful look, but said nothing more.
She understood perfectly well that while Ji Yin hadn't explicitly stated it, his staying behind was simply to confirm whether her sect members would actually return.
Song Wen piloted the Giant Flying Ship, detouring around the mountain valley where the fierce battle had taken place, and headed toward Tancang Market.
He extended his right hand, palm open, revealing two storage rings. "Finders keepers," he said. "Fellow Daoist Mo, how about we split the treasures in these rings evenly?"
Mo Yexue replied, "Thank you for your kindness, Fellow Daoist. However, you were the one who defeated them. I contributed nothing, so I won't take any of the treasures. Besides, if I were to take anything from these rings and it were discovered, it would only raise suspicion."
Song Wen nodded and pocketed the two storage rings.
The rings contained many spiritual materials and mystic treasures primarily used by sword cultivators, which were of little use to him. He had originally intended to gift them to Mo Yexue, but since she was concerned about potential repercussions, he decided against it.
The pair navigated the winding wilderness until dawn, finally arriving near Tancang Market.
Just as Song Wen was stowing the Giant Flying Ship, Mo Yexue suddenly leaped into the air and flew swiftly toward the market. She landed before a black-robed figure hovering mid-air.
"Elder Pei, is that you?" Mo Yexue asked, her voice uncertain.
The black-robed figure lowered their hood, revealing a face weathered by time yet still retaining a gentle warmth.
Mo Yexue's face immediately lit up with a smile.
"It really is you, Elder Pei!"
"Mo Yexue, you're still alive!" Pei Ningxuan's face lit up with a faint smile. "I'm wearing a black robe, yet you recognized me."
Mo Yexue turned to Song Wen. "Elder Pei, Senior Jiang Yushan saved my life."
Hearing this, Pei Ningxuan also looked at Song Wen, who was rapidly approaching.
"Thank you for your assistance, Fellow Daoist."
Song Wen replied, "I merely happened to be passing by and encountered Little Friend Mo. It was a simple act of convenience. There's no need for formalities, Fellow Daoist."
Pei Ningxuan was about to respond when Mo Yexue interrupted.
"Elder Pei, what about Elder Ji Lin and Junior Brother Zuo Hui? Didn't they leave with you?"
A flash of hatred flickered in Pei Ningxuan's eyes, but she instantly suppressed the murderous intent when she glanced at Song Wen.
"We were forced to separate midway. I don't know where they went."
"I see," Mo Yexue said, changing the subject. "This isn't a suitable place to talk. Elder Pei, let's move somewhere else."
Upon seeing Pei Ningxuan, Mo Yexue acted as if she knew nothing, refraining from asking about the events in Yuncang Ridge. Naturally, she remained unaware of how Pei Ningxuan had escaped the Mountain-Devouring Rat swarm.
However, Song Wen noticed that Pei Ningxuan's Qi and Blood were unstable, likely due to her having used some kind of Blood Dao Secret Art.
"You two have just survived a life-and-death ordeal and must have much to discuss. As an outsider, I won't intrude. Fellow Daoist Pei, Little Friend Mo, farewell," Song Wen interjected.
"Senior Jiang, wait!" Mo Yexue called out, stopping Song Wen as he turned to leave. "Didn't you say you were searching for True Yang Grass? Elder Pei is a sixth-tier pill refiner and likely carries this spirit herb."
Song Wen's eyes lit up. "Fellow Daoist Pei, would you be willing to sell me some?"
Pei Ningxuan hesitated, her expression conflicted.
"Elder Pei, please consider selling some True Yang Grass to Senior Jiang, in gratitude for saving my life," Mo Yexue urged urgently.
"Very well," Pei Ningxuan nodded. "Fellow Daoist Jiang, how much True Yang Grass do you require?"
"The more, the better," Song Wen replied.
Suddenly, twenty-three jade boxes appeared before Pei Ningxuan, floating slowly toward Song Wen.
"This is all the True Yang Grass I have on me, fellow daoist. Please inspect it to see if it meets your needs."
Song Wen waved his hand, releasing a stream of spiritual power.
The jade boxes were struck one by one, causing them to open.
A smile immediately appeared on Song Wen's face.
"Fellow Daoist Pei, what is the price for these True Yang Grass?"
Pei Ningxuan replied, "Five high-grade spirit stones per stalk."
Song Wen retrieved one hundred and fifteen high-grade spirit stones, tossed them to Pei Ningxuan, and stored the jade boxes.
After Pei Ningxuan collected the spirit stones, Song Wen clasped his hands in a bow.
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Pei, for your generosity. I won't trouble you any further. Farewell."
Then, turning to Mo Yexue, he added, "Little Friend Mo, farewell."
Mo Yexue responded, "Senior Jiang, I can never repay you for saving my life. If you ever visit Thousand Blades City, please contact me. I will personally welcome you with open arms."
Song Wen nodded with a smile and turned to fly into the distance.
(End of the Chapter)
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