“Peak Master Meng, may I have a day or two to consider?”
Xu Taiping hesitated as he addressed Peak Master Meng.
“How about adding ten Revival Pills and thirty Qi Boosting Pills to the offer? What do you think?”
Peak Master Meng continued to smile at Xu Taiping.
Revival Pills and Qi Boosting Pills?
Xu Taiping was once again astonished by the Sixth Peak’s wealth and generosity.
The Revival Pill was a renowned elixir within the Qingxuan Sect, known for restoring one’s strength within ten breaths and also for eliminating fatigue and bolstering vitality. It was exactly what Xu Taiping needed.
As for the Qi Boosting Pills, the Seventh Peak had distributed them to him once before, albeit in small quantities—only three pills a month. Their effects were similar to the Gathering Qi Pills. Although not as potent, thirty of them were equivalent to about a dozen Gathering Qi Pills. If exchanged for merit points, these two types of pills would be worth at least one hundred thousand.
“In addition to these rewards, before entering the ruins, each disciple helping the Sixth Peak will receive ten Revival Pills and ten Qi Boosting Pills, to prepare for any emergencies within the ruins,” added Peak Master Meng.
“Since Peak Master Meng is so sincere, it would be rude of Taiping to refuse,” Xu Taiping said, despite Zhao Linglong signaling him with her eyes to reconsider. He accepted the offer.
The rewards offered by the Sixth Peak had far exceeded his expectations; there was no need to haggle further.
Peak Master Meng laughed heartily upon hearing this.
“In that case, sign this Contract Scroll.”
He produced a Contract Scroll as if afraid Xu Taiping might change his mind.
…
A short while later, after a cup of tea’s time had passed, Peak Master Meng left Qi Yue Pavilion with Xu Ziyan.
On the rainbow bridge of Dusk Drum Mountain, only Xu Taiping and Zhao Linglong remained.
“Taiping, Senior Sister Ziyan told me that the Sixth Peak could have added another forty thousand merit points!” Zhao Linglong said with a hint of regret.
“Senior Sister, the reward is already quite generous for me,” Xu Taiping shook his head.
“As long as you’re satisfied. Indeed, the reward is not small,” Zhao Linglong replied, genuinely happy for him.
“Thank you, Senior Sister, for introducing me to them. When I return from Cloud Dream Marsh, I’ll definitely bring a grand gift for you,” Xu Taiping said gratefully.
“Isn’t that a bit formal?” Zhao Linglong pursed her lips.
Xu Taiping scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed.
“Besides, it wasn’t really me who introduced you. To be precise, it was Senior Sister Ziyan who insisted on coming to find you,” Zhao Linglong continued.
“Did the Sixth Peak seek you out, Senior Sister?”
Xu Taiping was surprised.
“Yes,” Zhao Linglong nodded.
“Recently, with the reemergence of the Dongting Blessed Land and the ruins of the Cloud Dream Marsh, all the great sects are recruiting people to go there. Warriors with Spiritual Bones have suddenly become in high demand. Even those with low realms are being offered high prices,” she explained, leaning on the bridge railing.
“Is it because of the restrictions within Cloud Dream Marsh?”
Xu Taiping asked curiously.
“Yes,” Zhao Linglong turned to lean against the railing, facing Xu Taiping. “There’s a formidable restriction within Cloud Dream Marsh that suppresses the cultivation of those above the Profound Realm. Moreover, some of the beasts and Corpse Ghosts within the ruins are immune to ordinary spells and can only be fought with martial techniques. Many cultivators have perished there.”
“Because of these two reasons, the Nine Mansions now stipulate that a team cannot enter the ruins of Cloud Dream Marsh without a martial expert. Even if you’ve bought a pass, it won’t work.”
“For this, they even conduct a martial skills test before entering the ruins. If you fail, you’ll be expelled.”
“So, during this period, warriors with Spiritual Bones who have tempered their bodies are the most sought after. Our Qingxuan Sect is mostly cultivators, and the few martial masters among the Elders have already made commitments, so it’s been hard for the Sixth Peak to find people.”
“So they thought of me?” Xu Taiping continued.
“Not just the Sixth Peak. The other peaks have also made inquiries, but Father refused them all, leaving only the Sixth Peak,” Zhao Linglong said with a smile.
“Who would have thought? This time, little junior brother, you’re in high demand,” she teased Xu Taiping.
Xu Taiping scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed, but after Zhao Linglong’s explanation, his last bit of confusion was cleared.
“By the way, Senior Sister Linglong, why isn’t our Seventh Peak going to Cloud Dream Marsh? If the Seventh Peak were going, I wouldn’t join the Sixth Peak,” Xu Taiping suddenly asked, curious.
“Because we didn’t manage to buy a pass from the Nine Mansions. Those things are expensive, costing tens of thousands of gold essence coins,” Zhao Linglong said helplessly.
Xu Taiping smiled bitterly.
Gold essence coins, he had seen them in the hands of an Oriole, were a currency circulated among the Nine Mansions. He knew they were quite different from ordinary coins, but having never handled them personally, he didn’t know the specifics.
“Actually, there are many treasures within the ruins. Under normal circumstances, if you’re not unlucky, you can easily earn thirty to forty thousand gold essence coins from one trip. However, after this year’s Seven Peaks competition, our Seventh Peak has been greatly weakened. Senior Sister is healing, Second Senior Brother is in closed-door cultivation, and even if we had bought a pass, it probably wouldn’t be of use,” Zhao Linglong sighed.
That was the real reason the Seventh Peak wasn’t planning to go to Cloud Dream Marsh.
This year was also her first time participating in the Seven Peaks competition since she joined the sect. She had high hopes, but to her dismay, the Seventh Peak still ended up at the bottom, and several senior brothers and sisters were injured.
Now, wherever she went, she could hear other peaks’ disciples mocking the Seventh Peak.
Although not necessarily malicious, it was still hard to hear.
“Senior Sister, we will definitely win back our honor in six years,” Xu Taiping comforted Zhao Linglong.
“I believe so too,” Zhao Linglong’s eyes sparkled as she nodded. “In six years, with Senior Sister’s injuries healed, along with Second Senior Brother and you, Taiping, we will not suffer such a humiliating defeat like this year.”
“And you, Senior Sister Linglong,” Xu Taiping added.
At his words, Zhao Linglong was momentarily stunned, then broke into a wide smile:
“That’s right, and me!”
After the Seven Peaks competition, she had been somewhat self-critical, blaming her insufficient cultivation for not being able to help her senior brothers and sisters.
“By the way, junior brother, how’s your injury? I heard from Doctor Liu of the Hundred Grass Hall that you looked pale when you left that day,” Zhao Linglong suddenly asked with concern.
“That day I was just a bit dizzy, probably still affected by the soul-crying affliction, but now I’m completely recovered,” Xu Taiping patted his chest lightly.
Seeing him well, Zhao Linglong smiled again, then solemnly took out her magical treasure, the Fairy Silk, and said, “Since you’re alright, I’ll be leaving. Like Second Senior Brother, I’m going into closed-door cultivation for a year!”
“Senior Sister, won’t you stay for lunch?” Xu Taiping was surprised.
Zhao Linglong usually stayed for a meal whenever she visited Qi Yue Pavilion.
Caught off guard, Zhao Linglong hesitated briefly before nodding reluctantly:
“Then I’ll eat before returning to my cultivation.”
…
The next day, at the Sixth Peak’s Ascending Cloud Platform.
“Taiping, this is my Third Junior Sister, Lü Su; this is my Fourth Junior Sister, Nangong Hui; this is my Sixth Junior Sister, Lu Yuqin; and this one needs no introduction, right?” Xu Ziyan introduced the junior sisters who would accompany them to Cloud Dream Marsh, giving Xu Taiping a playful look when she got to Lin Buyu.