Yi Feng had originally wanted to refuse, but Yin Xiong's hospitality was too generous to turn down, so he could only accept it calmly. Perhaps the Baofeng Merchant Association truly intended to develop in this direction!
After leaving the Baofeng Merchant Association, Yi Feng finally returned to the Martial Arts Hall, feeling much more at ease.
With the Baofeng Merchant Association handling everything at full force, he should really be able to earn some money now and no longer have to worry about such matters.
At the same time, Luolan Xue and Yin Luoli returned to the Qingshan Sect and promptly reported the matter to Old Ancestor Qingshan.
"Not bad. Very well done."
Old Ancestor Qingshan's face was brimming with delight as he said, "It seems our relationship with Senior is growing closer and closer. It is only a pity that Senior lent me the Divine Blade, yet I still failed to cut Black Tortoise down beneath it."
"Yes!" Luolan Xue sighed softly, but she still asked in confusion, "Master, that day you wielded the Divine Blade and pursued Black Tortoise Ancestor for ten thousand li. By all reason, he should have fallen beneath your blade. How could he have..."
"Alas, our previous intelligence on Black Tortoise was inaccurate after all!"
Old Ancestor Qingshan sighed. "Only after truly exchanging blows did I understand. He has been a Martial King for more than thirty years. On top of that, my strength was insufficient, and I could not fully control the Divine Blade. That was how he escaped disaster!"
"No wonder..."
Only then did Luolan Xue nod, lingering fear still on her face. If not for Mister Yi's Divine Blade, she might have lost her master at the Wind and Rain Platform that day! Remember the website in one second http://
"Oh, right, Xue'er. You personally delivered the Human Crystal Fruit to Senior, didn't you?" As if recalling something, Old Ancestor Qingshan hurriedly asked again.
"All eight fruits have been delivered to Senior," Luolan Xue said respectfully.
"That is good, that is good." Old Ancestor Qingshan nodded, then waved his hand and took out a jade box. "Xue'er, there is another Human Crystal Fruit here. Take it and split it with Luoli!"
"Ah, Master, how can I accept this? There are only nine Human Crystal Fruits every thousand years. Such a precious thing should be enjoyed by you instead!" Luolan Xue hurriedly declined.
"It is fine. When I followed your grandmaster a thousand years ago, I was fortunate enough to taste one segment. Originally, all nine fruits were meant to be given to Senior Yi, but I thought of you two, so I specially set one aside for you."
"Master." Tears welled in Luolan Xue's eyes.
"Go now. Your master still needs to enter seclusion. When I emerge, accompany me to visit Senior once more." With that, Old Ancestor Qingshan closed his eyes.
"Yes, this disciple takes her leave."
Luolan Xue then held the jade box in both hands and respectfully withdrew.
Time quietly passed.
Deep autumn had arrived.
Under the Baofeng Merchant Association's full-scale efforts, Yi Feng's work had been successfully published.
Martial Arts Hall.
Yi Feng sat beside the bed, his palm resting on Zhong Qing's forehead.
"Master, I'm fine." Zhong Qing opened his eyes and said, "You should go rest. Once I lie down for a while and feel better, I'll go cook."
"And you say you're fine?" Yi Feng's face darkened as he scolded, "Look at how badly you're burning with fever, then look at how swollen your hands and feet are. Lie down properly. You are not allowed to move anywhere."
Yi Feng rarely became angry, and Zhong Qing fell silent, closing his mouth.
Seeing this, Yi Feng sighed softly.
He could only blame himself for not paying enough attention to Zhong Qing. The child practiced boxing every day until muscle strain had swollen his hands and feet beyond recognition. Coupled with catching a cold in the freezing weather, he had become utterly haggard.
After tucking Zhong Qing beneath the blanket, Yi Feng went to the front hall in a fluster, slung a bamboo basket over his back, and prepared to head into the back mountains of Pingjiang City to gather medicine for Zhong Qing.
Although he had not known Zhong Qing for long, and the child had even added to Yi Feng's financial burden, ever since he arrived, Yi Feng no longer needed to personally handle all the large and small chores.
In his heart, the child had long become part of his family.
Before leaving, Yi Feng asked the attendant across the street to look after Zhong Qing. After all, he had no idea how many days this trip would take. Then, carrying a sickle, he entered the mountains.
As the saying went, gazing at a mountain could exhaust a horse to death. It took Yi Feng a full three days to reach the foot of the mountain.
Fortunately, there were no particularly large wild beasts in the mountains. He could usually fill his stomach with wild fruits and rabbits, quench his thirst with spring water, and gather herbs as he went. Though it was tiring, the mountains' strange and wondrous scenery was also a rare feast for the eyes.
Yet during the days Yi Feng spent in the mountains, Pingjiang City had already been swept up in a craze for chasing books.
A book called A Terracotta Warrior and Zixia Fairy had burst into the world.
The love, hatred, and tangled twists of fate between the book's two protagonists resonated with countless people, and its first print run was snapped up in an instant.
This was not limited to ordinary people. Even more than half of the Qingshan Sect's female disciples were practically holding a copy each.
"Mister's book is indeed wonderful. A book like this could probably only be written by someone like Mister!"
Luolan Xue sat cross-legged atop the peak of the Qingshan Sect. Clouds and mist drifted past her, making her lovely figure appear and disappear from afar, beautiful as an immortal fairy.
In just two days, Luolan Xue had finished the book once. When she closed it, whether from regret over the story or reluctance to part with it, mist filled her beautiful eyes.
"Xue'er."
At that moment, a figure landed beside Luolan Xue. He carried an imposing aura and stood with his hands clasped behind his back as he looked at her.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Sect Master."
The newcomer was Zhu Yun of the Qingshan Sect. Luolan Xue rose and paid her respects.
"Xue'er, why has the sect been so lax lately? Not a single disciple can be seen training at the martial grounds?"
Zhu Yun had just emerged from seclusion when he discovered that the Qingshan Sect was unprecedentedly quiet, entirely lacking its former flourishing vitality. As Sect Master, he naturally did not wish to see such a scene, and faint anger showed on his face as he spoke.
Hearing this, Luolan Xue gave a bitter smile before saying, "Reporting to Senior Brother Sect Master, this is likely related to Mister Yi's book."
"Mister Yi's book?"
Zhu Yun was immediately startled and held out his hand. "Do you have it?"
Luolan Xue extended her jade-like hand.
Zhu Yun accepted the book and held it solemnly in his hands. "Was this truly written by Mister Yi?"
Luolan Xue nodded solemnly.
Zhu Yun excitedly drew in a breath. With a sweep of his foot through the air, he had already reached the horizon.
"Senior Brother?"
Luolan Xue called out.
"I will enter seclusion for two days. Help handle the sect's affairs. If there is anything, we shall discuss it later." Zhu Yun's voice transmission came from the sky.
Luolan Xue froze.
"Senior Brother Sect Master, didn't you just emerge from seclusion?"
But from the sky...
There came no further response whatsoever.
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