Chapter 114 : Defective Products
The little white cat had been showing off a bit too much these days, not only constantly clinging to Yun Qingyue's embrace but also parading around conspicuously. At first, the people on the spirit boat didn't know her identity, but seeing the familiar posture of the human and cat, and recalling the scene of Jianbing being carried around by Yun Qingyue before, how could they not guess the identity of this suddenly appearing little white cat?
Everyone was astonished, and Su Hao, as the senior disciple of Mount Tianyang, hesitated to speak several times. Fortunately, Peak Master Qingyu had her limits and finally confined the troublemaking Jianbing before the arrival of Tiandao Sect and Buddha Sect.
This was good, preventing Jianbing's identity from being exposed and avoiding unnecessary trouble.
Tiandao Sect's people didn't take long to arrive. Shortly after receiving the message, a spirit boat flying Tiandao Sect's flag appeared beside Xuanqing Sect's spirit boat. The two spirit boats ostentatiously hovering above Xihe Town caused quite a commotion below, which goes without saying.
As soon as the spirit boat stabilized, Tiandao Sect's people came over to greet them. This time, the elder leading the team was no longer a figurehead like True Lord Ji Ling. Tiandao Sect's Grand Elder personally led the team. He had the appearance of white hair with a childlike face, his cultivation level comparable to Peak Master Qingyu, and his status similar to hers. After politely bowing in greeting, he smiled and said, "I've long heard of Peak Master Qingyu's reputation. Seeing you today, you truly live up to your illustrious name."
Peak Master Qingyu didn't enjoy socializing, but that didn't mean she couldn't do it well. She returned the bow and politely said, "Grand Elder is too kind. It should be I who has long heard of the Grand Elder's reputation. I had thought the Grand Elder would be stationed at Tiandao Sect and wouldn't easily move about, but unexpectedly, the one leading Tiandao Sect this time is you. It seems that even if Tiandao Sect's disciples have a bountiful harvest in the secret realm, they won't need to worry about any troubles."
The two exchanged pleasantries for a while. At first glance, their tone seemed mild and friendly, but upon careful consideration, something seemed off. It was as if they were engaging in some kind of verbal sparring, though the disciples couldn't discern it, so they just stood quietly behind the two.
After a while, the pleasantries were finally over, and Peak Master Qingyu personally led the Tiandao Sect group to the guest tea room.
In the white jade teacups, a bit of green spiritual tea, brewed with scalding spirit spring water, gradually released its fragrance along with the mist. Soon, the entire tea room was filled with the aroma. Even before the spirit tea entered their mouths, everyone felt refreshed by its fragrance... This spirit tea, which Peak Master Qingyu had brought out to entertain guests, was clearly no ordinary item.
Unfortunately, the disciples had no share in this spirit tea. They stood obediently behind their elders, smelling the fragrance and serving as background figures. The only ones qualified to hold the teacups and taste the tea were Peak Master Qingyu, the Grand Elder, and a few other accompanying elders.
While the disciples observed with downcast eyes, maintaining a solemn expression, Peak Master Qingyu and the Grand Elder had already begun discussing business.
Peak Master Qingyu got straight to the point: "Now that our Xuanqing Sect and Tiandao Sect have congregated, Buddha Sect's people will also arrive in a few days. The one-year mark is approaching. When exactly will the Mingzong Mountain Secret Realm open? As the Grand Elder can see, there are quite a few rogue cultivators gathered in Xihe Town now, and people from small sects are also gradually coming here."
The Mingzong Mountain Secret Realm was discovered by Tiandao Sect, though it's unknown how many years ago. During this year, Xuanqing Sect and Buddha Sect had naturally also sent people to investigate, but regardless of how much information they gathered, it certainly couldn't compare to Tiandao Sect's understanding of this secret realm.
Information that Tiandao Sect had spent time and effort exploring couldn't possibly be given away freely, but at this juncture, there was no need to hide certain details. The Grand Elder took a sip of spirit tea and replied, "No one has yet set foot in this secret realm, so its rules remain unknown. However, according to calculations by our sect's elders, the opening day of the secret realm should be around this month, though the exact date is uncertain."
After answering, he turned his head to look out the window on one side of the tea room, where he could see rogue cultivators coming and going in the town below the spirit boat. The corner of his mouth curved into a half-mocking expression, and he let out a light snort.
He didn't mention how the rogue cultivators were doing, but he clearly didn't take them seriously.
Peak Master Qingyu was similarly noncommittal and only asked another question: "Apart from age, are there any other restrictions for entering the secret realm?" After a pause, she exemplified, "For instance, after the secret realm opens, is there a limit to the number of people who can enter?"
The Grand Elder knew why she asked this. His gaze seemingly carelessly swept over the rogue cultivators below, and he shook his head: "No matter, any number of people can enter as long as they are under fifty years of age." He spoke casually, but the more casual he was, the more cruel his words seemed. Because he didn't place the lives of those young rogue cultivators in his eyes at all, as if they were merely ants.
After hearing his words, the Xuanqing Sect disciples felt somewhat uncomfortable. Peak Master Qingyu felt the same, but she didn't show the slightest hint on her face. She calmly picked up her spirit tea, took a light sip, and didn't say anything more.
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Since Tiandao Sect's arrival, the little white cat had been confined.
To prevent her escape, Peak Master Qingyu specially placed restrictions in the room where she was kept. Not only did this prevent her from escaping but it also isolated her from the outside world. Forget about eavesdropping or peeping; staying in that formation for too long, she couldn't even distinguish between day and night, much less know the passage of time—fortunately, this confusion of time didn't greatly affect the little white cat, thanks to her system, which came with its own timekeeping function.
The little white cat circled the room once more, checking every corner, but unfortunately, she still couldn't find any weakness. Then she raised her paw, the slender cat claws extending, a point of golden light shining as she heavily clawed at the empty air.
A ripple like water flashed, and all attacks disappeared like a stone dropped in the sea. The cat's paw only extended outward half an inch before being bounced back.
This was actually the first time Jiang Mo had been trapped by a barrier—divine beasts are born with divine abilities, and penetrating barriers was one of hers. When her cultivation had not yet recovered, she could ignore the arena barrier during the Three Sect Martial Arts Competition and jump onto the arena to catch her Senior Sister. Now that her cultivation had advanced and her bloodline inheritance had gradually recovered, barriers should be even less able to confine her.
Just like when she recently sneaked onto the spirit boat; though there was a defensive barrier outside the spirit boat, it didn't affect her actions at all. She not only successfully sneaked onto the spirit boat but also didn't cause any damage to the defensive barrier.
The little white cat had once been extremely proud of this, but now she faced a reality check.
Indeed, the difference in strength between the Nascent Soul realm and the Fusion realm was enormous. Three major realms, nearly thirty levels of difference—even if this restriction was casually set by Peak Master Qingyu, it wasn't something she could break even with all her might.
The little white cat retracted her claws and once again deflated, listlessly lying down for a while before finally asking in her mind: "System, what time is it now? How long have I been confined here? Have Tiandao Sect and Buddha Sect's people all arrived outside?" The restriction blocked divine sense, but since the system's energy system was different, its scanning function wasn't greatly affected.
As the host called, the system light orb suddenly jumped out, cheerfully reporting: "It's now the first quarter of the Shen hour, which is around 3:15 in the afternoon. It's been three days since the host was confined to the dark room."
This tone made Jiang Mo want to hit someone, but she still patiently asked again: "What about Buddha Sect's people? Have they arrived?"
In three days, Tiandao Sect's people had certainly arrived, but before being confined, she hadn't heard any news about Buddha Sect. Though the system had been acting obnoxiously lately, it wouldn't neglect matters it was asked to handle. It cautiously extended its scanning tendrils, quickly scanning the surroundings, and then answered: "Host, Buddha Sect's people haven't arrived yet. They seem to be late."
For such a major event, they could still be late?!
Jiang Mo was full of surprise, but she herself was currently confined to a dark room and couldn't concern herself with Buddha Sect's affairs. But now that not everyone had arrived, things outside shouldn't be too busy, so why hadn't her Senior Sister come to see her?
The little white cat sulked for a while, but ultimately understood that in this matter, she couldn't rely on others but only on herself. After pressing her paw against the invisible barrier in front of her, she quickly turned her gaze back to the system and asked: "System, do you have any good items that could help me escape?" Before the system could answer, she immediately added: "Something I can currently afford."
The system was still a baby, able to do nothing but provide light and tell time. Fortunately, it still had its system mall, where items from the three thousand worlds were available. As long as she could afford the points, anything was possible.
Hearing there was business, the system immediately perked up, quickly searching through the mall before displaying a panel for the host: "Host, look, how about this barrier-breaking cone? Although it's a damaged low-grade item, it's enough for your current needs. And as a one-time product, it's not that expensive—only 2,000 points. You won't lose out, you won't be cheated..."
Jiang Mo looked at the tattered image of the barrier-breaking cone on the panel, which looked like it had been picked up from a junkyard—2,000 points for this? Her cat face wrinkled, revealing some disdain.
Seeing this, the system immediately recommended the next item: "Since the host doesn't like it, how about this teleportation talisman? Although it's a failed practice piece, it has a teleportation distance of five meters, enough for the host to teleport from the room to the corridor." Then, with a tone suggesting the host was getting a great deal, it added: "This one is even cheaper, only 1,800 points!"
The system then introduced several more items to the host. Although they were all usable at present, every single one was a defective product. Finally, Jiang Mo understood—it was because her points were too few; she was just a poor tiger.
It was a bit hurtful, but seeing that there were so many items in the system mall that could be used, her anxiety about being confined to the dark room was greatly relieved. At this point, she wasn't in a rush to escape, after all, even if she escaped now, she had nowhere to hide. If discovered by Peak Master Qingyu, she would definitely be caught and confined to the dark room again, and it would be an enhanced version of the dark room.
She needed to be more patient, wait for Buddha Sect's people to arrive, wait for the Mingzong Mountain Secret Realm to open. By then, Peak Master Qingyu would be busy arranging for disciples to enter the secret realm and certainly wouldn't have time to pay attention to her. That would be the perfect time for her to slip away!
With a plan in mind, the little white cat immediately relaxed and casually bought two milk candies from the mall, even kindly giving one to the system.
Fortunately, Buddha Sect's people didn't keep her waiting long—two days later, they finally arrived.