Chapter 98
Before Pei Ling could think of a reason to give up on the mission, the sound of clothes fluttering could be heard from the pavilion. A man and a woman at the eighth level of Qi Refinement landed on the ground, one after another.
The male cultivator’s face was simple and unadorned, and he carried a huge bronze shield on his back. The female cultivator’s embroidered dress trailed over the ground, and her face was covered by a veil, making it impossible to see her age.
Zhang Shuo and the others stood up and walked out. “Junior Brother Xu, Junior Sister Li, you’ve finally arrived.”
“Senior Brother Zhang.” The two cultivators nodded at Zhang Shuo and said apologetically, “I’m really sorry to have kept you waiting.”
“Since everyone is here, let’s set off now.” Zhang Shuo looked around and took out a palanquin the size of a palm from his storage bag. He said, “Junior Brothers and Sisters, the Han Manor is far from the Holy Sect. Everyone’s mounts are of different speeds. If you don’t mind, why don’t you take my Blood Puppet palanquin?”
No one had any objections, so Zhang Shuo threw the palanquin into the air.
The workmanship of this palanquin was exquisite. The protective plate was engraved with a hundred ghosts at night. Strands of skulls hung from the four corners. A curtain woven from human skin hung in front of the palanquin. Behind it were several black iron nails that nailed a ferocious dragon that was baring its fangs and brandishing its claws. It was still struggling.
At a glance, the most eye-catching thing was the pillar on the top of the palanquin. It was divided into eight sides, and there was a human face on each side. The men and women, old and young, were completely different. Their faces were alive, and bloody tears flowed from their eyes.
Zhang Shuo was the first to lift the human skin curtain and enter. The others followed.
“Senior Sister Lu.” Pei Ling was at the back. He braced himself and asked Lu Luqiang softly, “My cultivation level is low, so I’m afraid I’ll drag you down. Why don’t I not go? How about you find another senior brother or sister at the eighth level of Qi Refinement?”
Lu Luqiang was about to walk in when she frowned. “Are you kidding me? If you don’t go now, where are we going to find a replacement?
Besides, if you don’t go, who are we going to ask for the Foundation Establishment Pills that Junior Sister Jin promised?”
She lowered her voice. “If you back down now and anger Senior Brother Zhang, I won’t be able to protect you.
Hurry up and follow us!”
Pei Ling said, “This... I understand.”
The Blood Puppet palanquin looked about the same size as the bridal sedan chair used by brides in the mortal world. However, after entering, he realized that it was another world.
It was a rather spacious room with red mattresses, soft curtains, and elegant furnishings.
As the group sat down, it did not feel crowded at all.
Zhang Shuo formed a hand seal, and the Blood Puppet Palanquin flew up and headed north rapidly.
Although its speed was far inferior to the Dark Bone Phantom Ship, it was several times faster than the Corpse Cloud that Pei Ling had ridden before.
“Senior Brothers and Sisters.” Seeing Zhang Shuo take out a teapot, teacups, and other items from his storage bag to entertain everyone, Pei Ling’s mind raced. He suddenly said, “My cultivation level is low. I’m afraid I have to thank you for taking care of me on this trip. This is a small token of my appreciation.”
As he spoke, he took out a handful of supreme-grade Bone Tempering Pills and wrapped them in spiritual power. He then gave each of them two pills.
“Huh?” Zhang Shuo and the others were disdainful at first. After all, it was just a Bone Tempering Pill. If they could cultivate to the late-stage Qi Refinement realm, how could they lack such basic pills?
However, in the next moment, they suddenly realized that the pill in front of them was lustrous and translucent. Even though it was close to them, there was no pill fragrance at all. Everyone suddenly reacted and exclaimed in unison, “Supreme-grade Bone Tempering Pill?!”
When they looked at Pei Ling again, their gazes changed.
Seeing this, Pei Ling was ready to pull out the banner of Zheng Jingshan as usual to hint that he had a backer and was not cannon fodder that could be sent to his death.
Unexpectedly, before he could speak, Zhang Shuo laughed first. As he carefully put away the supreme-grade Bone Tempering Pill, he said, “It’s actually a supreme-grade pill. I didn’t expect Junior Sister Jin’s alchemy skills to improve by leaps and bounds! It seems that our Foundation Establishment Pill is definitely not a problem.”
“Not bad, not bad.” The gray-robed cultivator who had just spoken was also beaming with joy. He picked up a pill and sized it up carefully with an intoxicated expression. “Everyone, although the other teams are not weak, for Junior Sister Jin’s miraculous alchemy technique, we have to obtain the Foundation Establishment pill formula and the Redbeard Vine!”
Jin Sumian?
Pei Ling was stunned. They actually thought that these pills were refined by Jin Sumian?
To think that I’ve planned to say that these are Zheng Jingshan’s rewards.
Forget it. It’s the same.
The strongest person in this team was Zhang Shuo, and Zhang Shuo’s goal was the Foundation Establishment Pill.
Then the more powerful the alchemist behind him was, the safer he would be.
“Junior Sister Lu, it seems that you’re not telling us the truth.” At this moment, the female cultivator surnamed Li teased Lu Luqiang. “Supreme-grade pills are so precious, but Junior Sister Jin gave so many to this junior brother. It can be seen that this junior brother’s relationship with Junior Sister Jin must be extraordinary. How is it just a casual acquaintance?”
The female cultivator surnamed Wang also took a second look at Pei Ling and kindly reminded him, “Junior Sister Jin’s background is not ordinary. She has a cousin, Jin Sutai, who is the master of the Stone Realm Faction, one of the five inner sect branches. If you don’t have a Foundation Establishment cultivator in your family, I’m afraid it will be difficult to obtain the approval of the Jin family.”
“Of course, Junior Sister Jin has been doted on since she was young and is a genius alchemist. Her family has high hopes for her. If she wants to be with you wholeheartedly, it’s not completely hopeless.”
“Junior Brother.” The effect of the supreme-grade Bone Tempering Pill was obvious. A male cultivator who had not spoken from the beginning to the end took the initiative to remind him, “Although you have obtained Junior Sister Jin’s favor, there are many people in the sect who admire Junior Sister Jin. Especially Shao Ningzhi, who is Junior Sister Jin’s childhood sweetheart. This person comes from the Shao family, which is compatible with the Jin family.
Their families are old friends and are often connected by marriage.
Shao Ningzhi has always prided himself on being Junior Sister Jin’s future Dao Companion. Usually, any male cultivator who approaches Junior Sister Jin will be suppressed by him.
If he finds out about you and Junior Sister Jin, I’m afraid he won’t let it go.
Especially since you’re only at the seventh level of Qi Refinement. If Shao Ningzhi invites you to the sect’s life and death arena...”
Before he could finish, the gray-robed male cultivator put away the supreme-grade Bone Tempering Pill in satisfaction. He looked up and said, “Shao Ningzhi’s strength is average. His cultivation level is purely based on the accumulation of resources. There’s nothing to be afraid of. How about this, Junior Brother Leng? As long as you give me ten, no, fifteen supreme-grade Bone Tempering Pills, I’ll help you settle Shao Ningzhi if he dares to find trouble with you!”
Pei Ling coughed dryly. “Senior Brother, my surname is Pei, and my name is Pei Ling.”
He understood now. When Zhang Shuo introduced him to them just now, these people saw that his cultivation level was only at the seventh level of Qi Refinement and did not remember him at all!
“Alright, Junior Brother Pei.” The gray-robed male cultivator’s expression did not change. “My name is Zhao Chang’an. I’m at the peak of the eighth level of Qi Refinement and have experience killing demons in the Gu Abyss many times. How about it? If you ask me to help you deal with Shao Ningzhi, it’s definitely worth it.”