Chapter 253

Chapter 253

Soon after, those who had been meditating gradually opened their eyes, their Yuan Spirit Energy mostly restored.

Ai Jue ran over and sat beside Jiao Junhao, his round face full of smiles as he said, "Senior Brother was right earlier. Without your explosive beads, we might have all perished on that Floating Island."

Thinking about it, Ai Jue still felt a lingering fear.

They had encountered demonic cultivators before, and although each encounter was intense, none had been as dire as this one, where they were cornered on a Floating Island by the Demon Sky Sect, almost meeting their end.

He didn't believe for a moment that those demonic cultivators would mercifully let them go; their usual practice was to exterminate everyone in sight.

The situation had indeed been very dangerous.

So when Ning Yuzhou sent him a telepathic message, asking him to discreetly hand over the explosive beads to Senior Brother so he could use them to ambush the demonic cultivators and break through the encirclement, Ai Jue agreed without hesitation.

Whether righteous cultivators killed demonic cultivators or vice versa, it was all part of the cycle of cause and effect, nothing to complain about.

Jiao Junhao nodded and said, "Junior Brother Ai is right."

Disciples from Zhenwu Sect and Hexin Sect also came over to thank Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao.

Their earlier conversation hadn't been deliberately concealed, and even though they were meditating, they had heard everything, realizing that the terrifying explosive device had actually been provided by Ning Yuzhou.

After thanking them, a senior sister from Hexin Sect asked, "Young Master Ning, what exactly were those explosive beads? Why have we never heard of such spirit artifacts?"

"These were crafted by my master. When she sent us out to train, she gave us some explosive beads for self-defense," Ning Yuzhou said with grace.

Everyone nodded in understanding, impressed by how formidable Ning Yuzhou's master must be.

Ai Jue exclaimed in surprise, "Your master is not only an array master but also an alchemist!"

Ning Yuzhou modestly replied, "Unfortunately, we've only learned the basics."

"Young Master Ning's expertise in arrays is far beyond the basics. Besides, one's energy is limited; how can one master everything at once?"

"Exactly. Young Master Ning is still young; mastering one skill is already impressive."

"..."

Wen Qiao sat nearby, expressionless, listening to her husband continue spinning tales to deceive these cultivators of the Pleiades Continent.

It seemed these people were a bit too naive, easily deceived and without any suspicion.

Similarly unsuspicious was Su Molan, who also believed that Ning Yuzhou's master was truly remarkable, able to teach two disciples with such different specialties—one focused on combat, the other on auxiliary skills.

No wonder they dared enter the Blackwind Desert with just two people.

During the battle on the Floating Island, because of Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao's life-saving help, Ai Jue had already considered them close friends, addressing Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao as "Brother Ning" and "Sister Wen."

Wen Qiao hadn't expected to gain another virtuous brother this time.

As for Su Molan, due to her silence and low presence, it was easy for others to overlook her, especially with her disfigured appearance, which made no one want to engage her in conversation.

Su Molan was content being ignored, choosing to remain silent whenever possible.

Despite the freezing cold, the survivors chatted happily.

Of course, what interested them most was the explosive beads.

On the Floating Island, they had witnessed the power of the explosive beads, which could unexpectedly injure enemies, proving highly useful.

Unfortunately, Ning Yuzhou explained that these beads were given to them by their master for self-defense, and there weren't many available, making it inappropriate to ask for them. Such powerful spirit artifacts couldn't be bought with spirit stones.

"Young Master Ning, how powerful are those explosive beads?" Fan Xiuxiu asked curiously.

"They are highly lethal against cultivators below the Yuan Spirit Realm but less effective against those above the Yuanzong Realm."

Hearing this, everyone sighed in regret, "Then we didn't manage to kill Pei Qiyu?"

At the time, Jiao Junhao had thrown the explosive bead towards Pei Qiyu's location, creating a deep pit and scattering blood and flesh everywhere. Unfortunately, they were too busy breaking through the encirclement to check on Pei Qiyu's condition.

"Although we didn't kill him, he must be severely injured," Jiao Junhao said. "As long as he's hurt, he won't be able to devise any more schemes."

A senior sister from Hexin Sect added, "Even if he does, the desert winds will soon start blowing."

Hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement. They had originally planned to leave the Blackwind Desert, and if not for encountering the Floating Island, they wouldn't have run into the Demon Sky Sect, which was truly unfortunate.

Thinking about it, they couldn't help cursing the Demon Sky Sect again for their tyranny.

"Who knows if there really is a Yinshen Flower? Demonic cultivators are cunning; perhaps they used the flower as bait to attack us," speculated a disciple from Hexin Sect.

"It's unlikely. Judging by Pei Qiyu's actions, I think the Yinshen Flower is real."

"Does that mean the island really had a Yinshen Flower? Who took it?"

Hearing this, Su Molan silently glanced at Wen Qiao, knowing the person who took the Yinshen Flower was right here.

"Regardless of who took the Yinshen Flower, as long as it wasn't the Demon Sky Sect, I'm happy."

"Exactly. Seeing them suffer makes us happy."

After resting for a night, everyone's Yuan Spirit Energy and spirits were mostly restored, and they continued their journey.

The rest of the way, they did not encounter any more Floating Islands, indicating that they were extremely rare in the Blackwind Desert, hard to come by. Although they didn't encounter any Floating Islands, they did run into members of the Demon Sky Sect searching for them, leading to several more battles.

Finally, just before the black wind began to blow, they left the Blackwind Desert.

Ning Yuzhou and his companions bid farewell to the group at the border of the Blackwind Desert, choosing not to travel together further.

Ai Jue said with reluctance, "Brother Ning, Sister Wen, where will you two be heading next? If you have nowhere to go, you can come to our Zhenwu Sect."

"You could also come to our Hexin Sect," Fan Xiuxiu added.

The others also invited them to visit their sects one after another.

Ning Yuzhou smiled and thanked them, saying, "We have other matters to attend to, so we won’t be traveling with you all. Until we meet again."

Hearing this, the others felt it inappropriate to insist further.

They bid each other farewell with reluctance and parted ways, leaving the Black Wind Desert behind.

******

After parting from the people of the Zhenwu Sect and the Hexin Sect, Ning Yuzhou did not rush off anywhere. Instead, he asked Su Molan, who had been silent, "Is there any safe place nearby that is also unoccupied?"

Su Molan looked at him in confusion, "What does Young Master Ning plan to do?"

Ning Yuzhou replied, "We need to make some preparations."

Su Molan thought for a moment and said, "I can’t think of a place that’s both safe and unoccupied. However, I know of a city nearby called Jisha City. There are high-level cultivators stationed there, so it should be relatively safe."

Upon hearing this, Ning Yuzhou shook his head, "Let’s find a place nearby to settle down first before going to Jisha City."

Although Su Molan was curious about why Ning Yuzhou wasn’t eager to go to Jisha City, she didn’t ask further and led them to an uninhabited forest nearby for a brief rest.

Choosing to rest in the wilderness instead of going to a city seemed very peculiar to Su Molan.

Then, she saw the black-and-white fur ball that usually lounged lazily on Wen Qiao’s shoulder slowly roll down and start digging into the mountain wall.

The freshly dug cave smelled of earth. After entering, they sealed the entrance.

Wen Qiao cultivated a segment of the Stone Golden Python Vine to cover the entrance, while Ning Yuzhou set up an array to prevent passing cultivators from discovering and disturbing them.

Wen Qiao tossed a detoxification pill to Su Molan, telling her to take it to remove the Black Devouring Scorpion’s poison.

"Detoxify?" Su Molan stared at them in surprise, "It’s been so long; can the Black Devouring Scorpion’s poison still be removed?"

Black Devouring Scorpions were the most numerous venomous insects in the Black Wind Desert. Once stung, if the poison isn’t promptly removed, it would result in disfigurement like Su Molan’s. Ordinary detoxification pills were ineffective against the poison, and the rare treasures that could counteract it were too precious to obtain easily.

Although Su Molan had taken a detoxification pill given by Wen Qiao, she hadn’t taken it seriously, even thinking that being disfigured might not be so bad.

Wen Qiao said, "Other detoxification pills won’t work, but ours will."

This detoxification pill contained Immortal Spirit Honey, which could neutralize various poisons, including the Black Devouring Scorpion’s poison, though it required some time.

Upon hearing this, Su Molan frowned, looking at the detoxification pill in her hand. She then pushed it back to Wen Qiao, saying earnestly, "Thank you, but I don’t want to detoxify."

Wen Qiao was surprised, "Do you really want to be ugly?"

Seeing her reaction, Su Molan couldn’t help but laugh and explained, "My aesthetic standards are normal; I don’t want to be ugly. But now that I look this way, it helps me avoid being discovered. I’d rather stay like this."

Wen Qiao studied her closely and, seeing her sincerity, found it admirable.

"You should still take it," Wen Qiao said, "Do you think disfigurement will keep people from recognizing you? Being this ugly will draw more attention. It’s better to look normal."

Su Molan was speechless but acknowledged the logic.

But how could she disguise herself after detoxifying without being recognized? Should she take the Shape-Changing Grass now? She only had one plant, and it could only change her appearance once. If discovered again, she might not escape. She wanted to use it when she needed it most...

As Su Molan pondered, Ning Yuzhou asked, "Miss Su, where is your Shape-Changing Grass?"

Su Molan turned to look at him, seeing Ning Yuzhou taking out a pill furnace. She remembered the first time she saw him using it to make soup, which left her stunned. Although she didn’t know alchemy, she had seen the alchemists of the Xiao family, and none of them used pill furnaces for cooking.

Without hesitation, Su Molan took out the Shape-Changing Grass.

The Shape-Changing Grass was stored in a jade box, perfectly preserved, with moist soil still clinging to its roots.

Wen Qiao stared at the Shape-Changing Grass and glanced at Ning Yuzhou.

"What do you need the Shape-Changing Grass for, Young Master Ning?" Su Molan asked.

Wen Qiao couldn’t help but ask, "You gave it to him without knowing what he needs it for?"

"Since I’ve decided to follow you, I won’t question you," Su Molan said matter-of-factly. After all, she was now tied to them.

During their time together, Su Molan realized these two were mysterious and highly skilled, especially since they casually produced many top-grade spirit pills. During this period, she had consumed more top-grade spirit pills than she ever had in her life.

They were definitely not wandering cultivators.

Su Molan was certain of this. Though she didn’t know what her future held, based on their actions, she believed they were trustworthy for now.

Hearing her words, Wen Qiao and Ning Yuzhou glanced at her but said nothing.

"The Shape-Changing Grass can be refined into Shape-Changing Pills," Ning Yuzhou explained. "The effects are similar, and one Shape-Changing Grass can produce a batch of Shape-Changing Pills. Wouldn’t that be better than consuming it directly?"

Su Molan understood the logic but sighed, "I don’t know any alchemists who can refine Shape-Changing Pills."

The alchemists she knew were affiliated with the four major families. If she approached them, they would discover her intentions, so even with the Shape-Changing Grass, she dared not let anyone else know.

"I can refine them. Give it to me, and I can give you ten Shape-Changing Pills," Ning Yuzhou said.

Su Molan’s eyes widened in surprise, "Aren’t you an array master?"

Ning Yuzhou paused, remaining silent.

Su Molan looked at him uncertainly. Seeing him skillfully retrieve other herbs and ingredients for refining the Shape-Changing Pills, she finally believed that Ning Yuzhou could indeed refine pills.

The Shape-Shifting Pill is a terrestrial-grade spirit pill and isn't difficult to refine, but its ingredients are extremely hard to find, especially the main ingredient, the Shape-Shifting Grass. This spirit grass is very rare, so Su Molan's luck was indeed remarkable for obtaining one.

If Ning Yuzhou can truly refine the Shape-Shifting Pill, wouldn't his alchemy skills also be at the terrestrial grade?

A terrestrial-grade array master and alchemist in their thirties—where did such monstrous talents come from? Su Molan became even more convinced that these two were not mere wandering cultivators.

After preparing the materials needed to refine the Shape-Shifting Pill, Ning Yuzhou didn't rush into the process.

He had Wen Guangun dig two caves deeper into the cave, one for refining the pill and the other for resting.

"You rest here first; I'll go in with Chui to refine the pill," Ning Yuzhou said to Su Molan.

Su Molan assumed he didn't want anyone disturbing him while refining the pill. Many alchemists have various peculiar habits, and not liking others watching them refine is one reason. Another reason was that Ning Yuzhou didn't trust her enough to refine pills openly in front of her.

Once Su Molan obediently went to rest in the adjacent cave, Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao entered another cave, leaving Wen Tuto and Wen Guangun outside to keep watch.

Ning Yuzhou set up layers of arrays around the area and handed the Shape-Shifting Grass to Wen Qiao, instructing her to enter the space.

Half a day later, Wen Qiao emerged from the space, holding a Shape-Shifting Grass adorned with dewdrops. This plant was older and more potent than the one Su Molan had given them earlier.

"Thank you for your hard work," Ning Yuzhou said gently.

Wen Qiao didn't feel it was particularly arduous; after all, nurturing an eighth-grade Shape-Shifting Grass was much easier than nurturing the Immortal Blessing Grass.

"Husband, do you need any help?" Wen Qiao asked.

"No need. Refining the Shape-Shifting Pill is simple," Ning Yuzhou smiled at her, unwilling to let her exert herself.

With nothing else to do, Wen Qiao decided to visit Su Molan next door and inquire about the Pleiades Continent to better understand this land.

Su Molan was meditating when Wen Qiao approached, and she opened her eyes to look at her.

Wen Qiao sat down in front of her, scrutinizing her carefully before asking, "Does your Pleiades Valley have a teleportation array?"

"Yes," Su Molan replied, "but it has been destroyed by someone and cannot be used. Otherwise, the Xiao and Shen clans wouldn't have had to travel so far during the siege."

If the teleportation array had been functional, the Xiao and Shen clans could have arrived promptly, and the Pleiades Valley might not have fallen.

It was then that everyone realized the black-clothed assailants had planned their attack well in advance.

Upon hearing this, Wen Qiao knew Su Molan had misunderstood her question. She clarified, "I'm not referring to that kind, but a continental teleportation array, one that can transport to other continents."

Su Molan looked at her in surprise, her eyes deepening slightly.