Hunting the Vermilion Toad

"Oh, I wonder which place Senior Fire Dragon is referring to?" Yuan Jin asked with a smile, remaining calm.

"They say there's a Zither Leaf Forest near your Chongming Sect where Second-Tier Lower-Grade Green-Skinned Vermilion Toad seem to roam. I'd like to try my luck. Kid, you have a lot of men under your command, and many of them are quite capable fighters. If you come with me and obtain that beast's blood and bones, I'll reward you handsomely. What do you say?"

When the Fire Dragon Daoist smiled, he truly seemed like a kind and benevolent elder, and his words were quite enticing.

This Fire Dragon Daoist was different from what Yuan Jin had expected. He thought the Daoist would take him out for a night of drinking and carousing, but it turned out the Daoist actually had something important to do.

However, Yuan Jin remained unmoved after hearing this. In his early years, when he was running errands with Sect Leader Kang Da, Yuan Jin had gained a lot of experience and was not as easily fooled as that naive young man who had just left home.

This Fire Dragon Daoist wants to borrow people, but he won't even give a proper promise. He just uses the words "great benefits" to coax people. Only a fool would believe that!

Yuan Jin had no intention of agreeing; he was preoccupied with something else entirely.

This Zither Leaf Forest is clearly Xue Household territory. Has the news of the Second-Tier Lower-Grade Green-Skinned Vermilion Toad reached the sect but not here, or has it spread to the streets but the sect is unaware of it, or is it just a fabricated rumor by idle people? There's something fishy about this.

However, there's no time to think too much right now; we need to deal with this Fire Dragon Daoist first.

"It's not that I don't want to share your burdens, senior. You should know that the dozens of men I have are all registered with Acting Commandant Deng. We really can't stay out of this market for too long, or things will get out of control."

Yuan Jin answered with a bitter face. Of course, the Fire Dragon Daoist knew that what the former said was true, but there was no sign of giving up in his eyes.

Seeing this, Yuan Jin had no choice but to continue, "Senior Fire Dragon is also highly respected and relied upon by the acting lieutenant, and he is required to attend to his duties every day. How could he possibly have time to spare?!"

Upon hearing this, the Fire Dragon Daoist's expression instantly turned much more unpleasant.

As a dignified Foundation Establishment True Cultivator, he had once defeated his fellow Foundation Establishment on the battlefield. However, after being recruited by the state court, he was sent to this place by Fei Nanying and had to put up with the wrath of Deng Baichuan, a mere Qi Refining Qi Refinement.

That was bad enough. Every day when it was time to report for duty, Deng Baichuan was only concerned with his own cultivation and didn't even show his face. He always assigned Feng En, who had no hope of finding a Dao Path enlightenment and was focused on mundane affairs, to see him.

The Fire Dragon Daoist is, after all, a True Cultivator Foundation Establishment; this is truly an excessive insult!

Hearing Yuan Jin mention this matter, although he spoke politely, the Fire Dragon Daoist could no longer save face and could only say defiantly, "Fine, I won't go then. Let's see what he can do to me!"

Yuan Jin could naturally see that this old scoundrel was just putting on a brave face. If he really dared to do that, it wouldn't be long before he angered Deng Baichuan and complained to Acting Sima Gun. That old scoundrel would definitely get into trouble.

That's the logic, but it's not the right way to put it.

Yuan Jin was secretly pleased that the old bastard was acting this way, but he also knew that the other party was just acting out of momentary anger and wanting to vent his anger.

The best course of action now is to dissuade this old bastard from going to investigate, regardless of whether there are any Green-Skinned Vermilion Toad in Zither Leaf Forest.

Thinking of this, Yuan Jin immediately advised, "There is one more thing you need to know, senior. My sister-in-law's Green Lotus Courtyard is also near Zither Leaf Forest. Since she married into my family, Sima Fei's favor has not diminished. He not only sent Foundation Establishment Granny, but also dozens of Qi Refinement Guards."

"Now, the entire world is filled with Golden-Feathered Owl that the Fei Household moved from the capital region. If a stranger like you, a Foundation Establishment, were to appear nearby, my sister-in-law would inevitably report it to Sima Fei."

Fire Dragon Daoist's expression immediately changed. If Acting Sima Gun's disciple could have him completely under his thumb, then if Fei Nanying, the real Sima's niece, were to file another complaint against him, he would not be able to bear the slightest offense!

"I suddenly remembered that there is still a batch of pills in the manor that has not been refined. It's getting late, so I'll be going." Fire Dragon Daoist was no fool. Yuan Jin's repeated persuasion made him realize that he did not want to accompany him.

Although Yuan Jin's reasoning was sound, the Fire Dragon Daoist was not a very reasonable person.

Upon hearing Yuan Jin's words, Fire Dragon Daoist was immediately annoyed. Since he could no longer go to Zither Leaf Forest, he was too lazy to say anything more to Yuan Jin in a gentle manner. He simply made up an excuse and turned to leave.

Yuan Jin also gave up the idea of visiting his two junior disciples and turned back to the official temple. Not long after, another message was sent from the Bad Commander's Temple to the Chongming Sect.

In recent years, Chongming Sect has become somewhat wealthier, and the core members like Yuan Jin use high-grade tokens, which are difficult to intercept even for ordinary Foundation Establishment. Naturally, the news fell into the hands of Fire Dragon Daoist.

The message was quickly delivered to Sect Leader Kang Da, who was playing chess with the Daoist Black Shoes.

Like Yuan Jin, Kang Dabao was also surprised by this news.

The Xue Household of Zither Leaf Forest lived next to the Chongming Sect. The news that Second Tier Demon Beast had appeared in their home actually had to travel all the way to the Double Brightness Trade Market before it finally reached them.

From this perspective, it certainly doesn't seem normal.

The Daoist Black Shoes was frowning as he looked at the chessboard, heard Kang Dabao's doubts and said unconcernedly, "You kid, you just have too many tricks up your sleeve. Zither Leaf Forest isn't some dangerous place. Go and check it out yourself, and you'll know."

Upon hearing this, Kang Dabao made another move without hesitation, causing the Daoist Black Shoes to stare intently at the game, exclaiming that this chubby boy's chess skills were so high that he was even more troublesome than Pei Yi.

After "taking revenge" on the Daoist Black Shoes, Sect Leader Kang Da felt a surge of pleasure.

"Uncle Black Shoes, what you're saying is ridiculous. There are even suspected Second Tier Demon Beast appearing in Zither Leaf Forest. Isn't that a dangerous place?! Even if the entire Chongming Sect were tied together, how many bites could it possibly take? You make it sound so easy, like eating a wick."

Kang Dabao, who had been criticizing his own martial uncle, ultimately met a bad end, narrowly winning a game against the Daoist Black Shoes fought his way out of a desperate situation.

As the saying goes, "It is difficult to win when you meet a worthy opponent, and you should not be arrogant when you encounter a talented Kang Dabao." The Daoist Black Shoes enjoyed his chess game quite a bit today, and he mentioned it to Kang Dabao again.

"Although that Fire Dragon Daoist is weak and incompetent, he is now a member of the state court and also a member of your Yue Household's family. It's not appropriate for you to ask an outsider like me to take action. Lord Shan and I have just offended the Two Instruments Sect. If we offend the state court now, you might force me to flee to another place."

"You've misunderstood, kid!" Kang Dabao immediately bowed down solemnly. He was used to relying on the Daoist Black Shoes, but he was a little carried away with his pride.

Given his intelligence, he shouldn't have been so oblivious to this connection, yet he still spoke rashly, putting his senior uncle in an awkward position. It was all his own fault!

While it was true that Sect Leader Kang Da bowed his head in apology, the Daoist Black Shoes on the other side laughed, stroking his unkempt beard, and said, "I do have a solution."

"Please speak, Uncle-Master."

"Go and have a child with your first wife, then show it to Fei Nanying. If he's happy, he might kill ten Fire Dragon Daoist, let alone one, to avenge you. Haha."

The Daoist Black Shoes laughed heartily, but it made Kang Dabao blush and stammer, unable to utter a word.

Being barred from the wife's bed is shameful enough, but to be teased about it by close elders is even more humiliating.

Even with the thick skin of Sect Leader Kang Da, which was as thick as a city wall, it took him quite a while to recover.

The Daoist Black Shoes laughed for a while, then, realizing it wasn't very interesting anymore, he got back to business. "Your wife's nanny, some time ago, led a lot of people to surround a deep pool in the Zither Leaf Forest and set up a magic array. I'm afraid most of the Xue Household members don't even know about it."

Although I knew this, I figured that Demon Beast even that old woman dared to covet must be something rare, so I didn't pay much attention to it.

Unexpectedly, their information was still leaked, but this wasn't something worth investigating further. Let alone a mere Green Leaf Foundation Establishment stage, even Golden Core sect sometimes makes mistakes when trying to suppress information.

However, now that I know there might be a rare Demon Beast like the Green-Skinned Vermilion Toad in this pool, I'm actually quite interested in going to see it.

The Daoist Black Shoes was incredibly carefree, doing whatever he pleased. With a mere wave of his hand, he lifted up the Sect Leader Kang Da sitting beside him, and without even asking a question, he got up and left.

When the two arrived at the deep pool in Zither Leaf Forest, Xue Hu, the head of the Xue Household, was also there with several family elders who were at the Middle Qi Refinement to investigate.

Sect Leader Kang Da activated his divine vision, he could only see that the area around the deep pool was shrouded in thick fog, and that there seemed to be creatures moving within the fog; he could not discern much else.

These days, he has been cultivating his Delusion-Breaking Golden Eyes with the Clear Eyes Treasured Liquid, and has made considerable progress. His eyesight is by no means inferior to that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment True Cultivator. Even he cannot see clearly the reality around this deep pool, let alone the few Middle Qi Refinement cultivators from the Xue Household.

Not to mention, when the Xue Household family saw that Sect Leader Kang Da and the Daoist Black Shoes had come together, how could they possibly keep their minds on this dilapidated pool?

However, Xue Hu was well aware that he was not worthy to speak with the Daoist Black Shoes, so after bowing, he went to find Kang Dabao.

This old man is no longer the arrogant person he used to be. It's no exaggeration to say that Chongming Sect has been thriving these past few years, but his Xue Household has not been able to recover its strength since the battle with Shi Xiao, and they can't even keep a single shop in Double Brightness Trade Market.

That's how it is for small, ordinary families; if they experience even a little trouble, it can take them many years to recover.

If Xue Hu had known earlier that Sect Leader Kang Da was so capable, he would have been so glad he had prepared his daughter, who had married off early, for him.

Peddlers back then were nothing like the sought-after commodities they are today; nobody cared about them.

What's done is done. Since the Xue Household head failed to become Kang Dabao's father-in-law in the past, he has no choice but to humble himself and act subserviently now.

With the Daoist Black Shoes in front of him, time was of the essence, and Sect Leader Kang Da would certainly not spend too much time exchanging pleasantries with a minor character like Xue Hu.

After finishing the pleasantries, Kang Dabao said, "Fellow Daoist Xue, to be honest, the things in this deep pool are not for your noble family to handle. It would be best to return as soon as possible."

Fang Yi Sect Leader Kang Da finished speaking, several elders of the Xue Household family behind Xue Hu showed some resentment. Although Xue Hu's expression was not bad, the smile he had shown at the beginning of their meeting gradually disappeared.

"Tsk, if you don't trust me, fellow Daoist, and think I'm trying to seize your family's treasures, then forget it. You can leave or stay as you please." Seeing this, Kang Dabao could only shake his head, thinking to himself that money can be a powerful motivator. This small clan dared to get involved in matters of Foundation Establishment; they were somewhat courting death.

Unlike the spineless Sect Leader Kang Da, the Daoist Black Shoes had no time to observe the expressions of these Qi Refinement. After standing outside the formation for a while, he called out loudly, "Is that Fellow Daoist Sun inside the formation? Please come out for a chat."

As soon as the Daoist Black Shoes finished speaking, the white mist around the deep pool dissipated, and an old woman with white hair, leaning on a dove-shaped cane, emerged accompanied by a beautiful young woman.

"So Fei Shuhe is here too." Sect Leader Kang Da was fortunate to see his master's wife again after so long, thanks to his martial uncle.

"Junior pays respects to Senior Black Shoes." Fei Shuhe gracefully, still as generous, dignified and elegant as ever.

Kang Dabao could tell that her cultivation level had increased again, and it was now significantly higher than his own.

It's likely that as the eldest daughter of a prominent family, if she wanted to strive for success, the family would naturally have all the necessary resources for her cultivation neatly arranged and readily available.

"Alright." After nodding, the Daoist Black Shoes got straight to the point and asked, "I heard that there are Second Tier Green-Skinned Vermilion Toad here, so I came to take a look. I wonder if it would be convenient for Fellow Daoist Sun?"

As long as she recalled the rumor that the Daoist Black Shoes had fought her master to a standstill at the wedding banquet, Nanny Sun dared not harbor any thoughts of resistance.

Although the Daoist Black Shoes spoke politely, who on their side could stop him?

What Nanny Sun knew, Fei Shuhe also knew. Although the Daoist Black Shoes asked Nanny Sun, the latter had no say in the matter.

Fei Shuhe didn't want to put her role as a dowry maid in a difficult position, so she immediately smiled and replied softly, "Since you are interested, senior, please follow me to the center of the formation."

After the Daoist Black Shoes led Sect Leader Kang Da into the formation, Xue Hu, that audacious fellow, actually took a step forward, trying to sneak in as well.

Nanny Sun was guarding the gate, was already angry. She only glanced at Xue Hu, and the latter felt a chill run through his body and immediately collapsed to the ground.

His dazed mind finally cleared, and he prostrated himself on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly. "Senior... Senior, spare me! I was blinded for a moment, I'll get out of here, I'll get back to where I was!"

At this moment, several elders of the Xue Household family finally played a role. They mustered their courage, braced themselves against Nanny Sun's gaze, grabbed Xue Hu, and left.

It was only because Nanny Sun was mindful that Fei Shuhe was right there that she didn't want the scene to become too bloody, otherwise...

Because of Xue Hu's reckless actions, the few members of the Xue Household came here today may not be able to return home.

Leaving aside this little incident, after Fei Shuhe led Kang Dabao and the other man into the formation, the two men realized that there were actually nearly thirty Qi Refinement cultivators inside.

Apart from Fei Shuhe and her maids, the rest of them were all at least at the Late Qi Refinement of Qi Refining, and they were forming three-on-three formations and practicing continuously, clearly preparing for the upcoming demon-hunting battle.

This scene made Sect Leader Kang Da somewhat envious; Fei Shuhe's Green Lotus Courtyard alone was as powerful as several Chongming Sect.

"I wonder how many years it will take to reach this point."

Although the arrival of the Daoist Black Shoes surprised all the cultivators present, none of them dared to be negligent. They stopped their practice and respectfully bowed.

At this moment, Nanny Sun also caught up from behind and respectfully said to the Daoist Black Shoes, "To be honest, fellow Daoist, a Second-Tier Middle-Grade Green-Skinned Vermilion Toad has somehow appeared in this deep pool. My young lady needs this Green-Skinned Vermilion Toad to make a gift for her elders. If you can help, this old woman will be extremely grateful."

"Oh? So it's Second-Tier Middle-Grade. No wonder you made such a grand display. But it's strange that my nephew's wife needs something that requires your help. If you just told my nephew, she could have taken the whole Vermilion Toad or a Vermilion Toad. Would I have said a word?"

The Daoist Black Shoes curled his lips slightly, casting his gaze at Kang Dabao and Fei Shuhe with amusement, as if watching a good show.

Fei Shuhe, however, ignored him completely, not even glancing at the Sect Leader Kang Da opposite her. She simply bowed again to the Daoist Black Shoes and said, "Senior, your righteousness is boundless; I am deeply grateful."

"Nanny Sun, after all this rehearsal, it's time to get started!"

Nanny Sun could tell from her young mistress's displeasure that she agreed immediately.

With a wave of her staff, the old woman summoned her guards, who stood in formation of three, each holding a drum in one hand and a mallet in the other. Waves of sound immediately filled the area, and the once calm pool was transformed.

First came a ripple, then a gentle wave, then layers of fine waves, and in no time, the pool water boiled like a red-hot cauldron.

As the drumbeats grew louder, the Daoist Black Shoes revealed an expression of appreciation.

He originally thought that with Nanny Sun's abilities, even if she led this group of Qi Refinement guards into the pool, they would be unable to do anything to the Second-Tier Middle-Grade Green-Skinned Vermilion Toad, and would eventually have to ask him for help.

Unexpectedly, everyone acted in such an extraordinary way, equipping themselves with so many Law Artifacts and sound drums. In this way, it's possible that they could actually use sonic attacks to rouse the Green-Skinned Vermilion Toad.

Just as the Daoist Black Shoes was thinking this, something strange happened in the pool over there. A column of water shot into the sky, and the guard closest to the pool was immediately wrapped by a soft yet tough tongue.

His tongue moved with lightning speed, leaving the two Qi Refinement cultivators who were in formation with him completely unable to react, standing on the ground like puppets.

It was Nanny Sun was standing some distance away, who reacted and reached out to save him, but it was too late. She could only watch as the tongue dragged the guard back, drum and all.

The Demon Beast in the lake was clearly much more powerful than Nanny Sun had imagined. Before it even showed itself, it easily swept a guard away from the pool.

Although these people had been raised by the Fei Household, they couldn't help but feel a sense of shared fate. Even Sect Leader Kang Da carefully moved half a step closer to the Daoist Black Shoes.

Fortunately, although people were terrified, the drumming never stopped, and before long, a green toad with its mouth stuffed full appeared before everyone's eyes.

It was twice the height of a toad, much uglier than an ordinary toad, with a bright red mouth but no teeth. Each of its two forelimbs had six white spots, and its body emitted a foul stench often associated with Demon Beast.

Even after emerging from the deep pool and seeing so many cultivators, it showed no fear, casting its arrogant gaze upon everyone present, not even flinching at Daoist Black Shoes and Nanny Sun.

Sect Leader Kang Da sensed something was amiss. How could Second Tier Demon Beast linger in this deep pool of Zither Leaf Forest, which was devoid of even the slightest spiritual energy, for so long?

However, seeing the six white spots on its forelimbs, it was indeed Second-Tier Middle-Grade Green-Skinned Vermilion Toad. It seemed that even if Nanny Sun couldn't defeat it, she should be able to protect herself without any problem.

Fei Shuhe put a fragrant pill in her mouth. Feeling the stench had mostly subsided, she glanced around and softly commanded, "Granny, do it!"

Holding her dove-shaped staff, Granny Sun's eyes shone with determination. Nanny Sun, pushing aside a group of Qi Refinement guards. After a series of croaking sounds, the Green-Skinned Vermilion Toad was the first to leap out!

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