Chapter 346: The Buddha Says It Cannot Be Told
This novel is translated and hosted only on Bcatranslation.
Based on the information obtained from Elder Gu and Lou Yu Shan via the scrolls, the ancient Dao field relics were located in the central region of the Desert of Lost Souls in the Western Region.
After ten days of non-stop travel, Yu Zhao and her companions finally reached the desert’s outskirts.
“Ugh, what is this cursed place? It’s hot enough to kill someone!” complained Si Tu Yan, a man wiping sweat off his brow as he gasped for air.
Although the other Golden Core cultivators didn’t appear as miserable, beads of sweat were still visible on their foreheads. Only Si Tu Jian Nan and Yu Zhao remained dry and composed, their complexions ruddy and unaffected.
“Honored seniors, would you like to take a look at our special products? Just carry one with you, and I guarantee the heat will subside,” called out a bold Foundation Establishment female cultivator. She had a small stall set up at the edge of the desert, selling trinkets. Her eyes lingered on the group’s noble demeanor, but she hesitated to approach too closely.
Yu Zhao scanned the stall briefly and found the items largely similar to one another. She approached the young female cultivator, prompting the rest of the group to crowd around, encircling the small stall.
Under their scrutinizing gaze, the young woman grew visibly nervous but managed a bright smile as she picked up a round stone-colored bead. “This is our local specialty, the Cooling Pearl. When worn, it emits a cool breeze and lasts for ten days.”
Taking the Cooling Pearl, Yu Zhao immediately felt a refreshing chill seep through her hand and spread to her core.
“How much for this Cooling Pearl?” she asked. The young woman’s smile became more genuine. “One medium-grade spirit stone.”
Yu Zhao nodded subtly, finding the price reasonable. However, the Si Tu family members disagreed, especially Si Tu Yan.
Due to his unique constitution, Si Tu Yan was especially sensitive to heat, making the Cooling Pearl all the more tempting for him. But considering that a single pearl, priced at a medium-grade spirit stone, only lasted ten days, he deemed it far from cost-effective.
Grabbing a Cooling Pearl from the stall, he infused it with his divine sense without ceremony, muttering, “Let’s see what makes it so…”
Boom!
Before he could finish, the Cooling Pearl exploded in his hand, releasing a nearly imperceptible thread of energy that shot straight toward his eyes.
In a flash, Si Tu Jian Nan extended two fingers, catching the thread midair. With a sharp twist, a crisp snapping sound echoed as the thread broke and fell from his grasp.
Si Tu Yan, stunned, stumbled backward a few steps, his face pale. The whole sequence, while seemingly drawn out, had transpired in mere moments—before the others could even react.
The young female cultivator stomped her foot in exasperation. “Oh no! I hadn’t finished explaining! Cooling Pearls are a unique creation of Ancestor Gan Lin, and using divine sense to probe them triggers a backlash.”
“Ancestor Gan Lin?” Yu Zhao’s gaze shifted toward Ji Han Zhou and Monk Silence.
Both shook their heads, unfamiliar with the name.
Si Tu Jian Nan furrowed his brows. While Nascent Soul cultivators in the cultivation world weren’t rare, any truly powerful ones would be well-known, particularly by the Si Tu family. Yet, he had never heard of this Ancestor Gan Lin.
“Ancestor Gan Lin has been in secluded cultivation within the Desert of Lost Souls for many years. Out of consideration for the hardships faced by the surrounding cultivators, he created the Cooling Pearl to benefit the community,” explained the young woman, gesturing broadly. “The Cooling Pearls and Sweet Rain Stones we sell are all made by him. The prices are consistent across all stalls. However, if you buy from me, I can offer you two extra Cooling Pearls as a bonus.”
“And what is this Sweet Rain Stone?” Yu Zhao asked.
The young cultivator pointed to some porous, gray-white stones on the right side of her stall. “This is the Sweet Rain Stone. Hold it in your hand, and it will produce fresh, sweet water.”
Yu Zhao glanced at the Sweet Rain Stones and then back at the Cooling Pearls, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. Would a Nascent Soul expert truly spend time crafting such mundane items? Claims of “benefiting the people” seemed dubious to her.
If Ancestor Gan Lin had ulterior motives, it would explain a lot. Yet, his objective couldn’t be as simple as earning spirit stones. Something didn’t add up.
Pondering this, Yu Zhao instructed, “Prepare enough Cooling Pearls and Sweet Rain Stones for a month-long stay in the desert.”
“Thank you, senior!” The young woman, delighted, quickly packed the items into a bag, reminding them, “The Cooling Pearls must be kept on your person to be effective.”
Yu Zhao smiled and nodded. As she reached for her storage space to retrieve the payment, Si Tu Yu stepped forward. “There’s no need for Daoist Yu to pay. We’re in this together; allow me.”
“Thank you, Daoist Si Tu,” Yu Zhao replied courteously.
Once the transaction was complete, the group entered the Desert of Lost Souls. Not long after they left, a shadowy figure approached the stall. A raspy voice came from under the black cloak. “Pack the same items they ordered for me.”
“Yes, senior,” the young woman replied without hesitation. She swiftly prepared the order and handed it over.
Throwing down a spirit stone, the figure vanished into the desert.
A nearby vendor sneered, “You’ve made a fortune this time. Ancestor Gan Lin won’t forget to reward you handsomely.”
The young woman merely smiled, her eyes chillingly cold.
…
Inside the desert, Monk Silence, who had been silently chanting sutras, finally spoke. “The Cooling Pearls harbor a bloodthirsty nature. They are ominous objects.”
Ji Han Zhou, playing with a Cooling Pearl, nearly hurled it away in alarm. The others holding Cooling Pearls also froze, their expressions grim.
“What do you mean, Master Silence?” Si Tu Yu asked anxiously.
Monk Silence shook his head. “The Buddha says it cannot be told… cannot be told.”
Ji Han Zhou scowled. “You’re making no sense!”
Monk Silence, however, appeared pleased. “I see great potential in you, Junior Brother Ji.”
Ji Han Zhou immediately darted behind Yu Zhao. “Yu Zhao, make him stop! He’s toying with me!”
“Junior Brother Ji, there’s no need for self-doubt,” Monk Silence continued earnestly. “I truly believe you have great wisdom.”
“Yu Zhao! Look at him!” Ji Han Zhou protested indignantly.
Yu Zhao, stifling laughter, changed the subject. “The Sweet Rain Stones seem fine, but the Cooling Pearls do appear suspicious. Si Tu Jian Nan—”
“Yes?” Si Tu Jian Nan responded.
“Let’s each add an extra layer of protection around these Cooling Pearls,” she suggested.
Si Tu Jian Nan’s face darkened. “Do you mean to say…”
“It’s better to be cautious,” Yu Zhao replied. Though she couldn’t confirm her suspicions, Monk Silence’s observation suggested there was more to uncover. Perhaps they could trace these clues to something even more intriguing.
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This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation