Due to the angle, Mr. Xia (Xia Shuanghe) was certain that Yu Ci couldn't possibly see what he had picked up, even though everyone else had seen it. Yu Ci, tactfully holding the banner in place, even squinted his eyes slightly, gazing entranced at the cave ceiling.
Swiftly, Mr. Xia placed the object into a box and tucked it into his chest, easing the tension that had been taut in the air just moments before.
"What is this supposed to be!" Yu Ci's thoughts flickered as he turned to ask Shadow Ghost, "Did you see it?"
"Mhm." Shadow Ghost showed considerable interest in the object, scrutinizing it carefully through the Divine Map in the void of his mind.
Yu Ci had the clearest "view" of it all, perhaps only matched by Mr. Xia himself, since both were essentially sharing the same perspective. However, Yu Ci still held a great deal of respect for the man. To dare to pocket such an item:
What Mr. Xia had unearthed from the lava was a slightly teal, semi-transparent, spherical crystal of flesh—plainly speaking, an eyeball! Observed up close from his perspective, the eyeball was unusually hard, significantly different from that of an ordinary person. The magnified teal pupil, the whites tinged with a hint of aqua, and even the twisted, tiny blood vessels fused together, offered a truly striking visual impact.
"Is this... Boss Fifth He's?"
Yu Ci thought of that person with the peculiar eyes, always suspecting they were the result of practicing some special method. Now it seemed that this method could greatly fortify this most fragile organ of the human body. Even if the True Form and Physical Body were destroyed, the eyeball could still be preserved—an unbelievable... and utterly tedious feat!
"Yeah, I seem to recall hearing about this kind of technique."
As Shadow Ghost pondered, Yu Ci sensed something else. He could feel that, upon unearthing this object, Mr. Xia was disappointed.
Divine consciousness, like starlight parasitic in the Divine Soul of a person, could theoretically explore all senses, desires, and emotions. Yu Ci, limited in his cultivation, could only utilize the most superficial sensory perceptions. However, if the host's emotions were particularly intense, that was a different matter entirely.
Such was the case with Mr. Xia's current emotions. His steps were somewhat heavy as he moved to the next spot, and the atmosphere tensed up once again. Yu Ci continued to "watch" the top of the Rock Cave, as if there were flowers carved there.
As Mr. Xia, or Xia Shuanghe, delved into the rocky layers for the second time, the sensation shifted dramatically.
A sudden euphoria seized the androgynous man's mind, blurring his normal senses. Moments later, Yu Ci finally got a clear view. In the man's hands was a mottled jade bottle, its mouth sealed with cooled lava. Mr. Xia carefully pried it open, and a faint light shone out, something attempting to escape only to be blocked by his finger.
"It's that luminescent bug."
Yu Ci had a striking memory of it. Presumably, at the time of the incident, Boss fifth He had already returned the bug to the bottle, creating a sealed environment that allowed the tiny creature to survive.
Mr. Xia stood up, his walk almost buoyant, the joy on his face impossible to conceal. He nodded at Boss third He and passed over the box that previously contained the encased crystal eyeball. Boss third He opened it, his expression souring, yet mostly he seemed relieved. Then, his gaze shifted toward Yu Ci.
Here it comes!
Yu Ci's face remained expressionless, though he was fully prepared. The Iron Rail had not come out for air in a long time, and now was the perfect moment to disrupt the situation, to restrain this bear of a man... It would certainly be amusing to see their reaction when a Ghost Cultivator of the Step-Void level made an unexpected appearance.
But against expectations, Mr. Xia shook his head so subtly it was almost imperceptible, then handed over a Communication Flying Sword. Yu Ci remembered that Mr. Xia had caught this sword on the way and had not shown it to anyone. Now given to Boss third He, within a breath or two, real astonishment was evident on the face of the man with the bear-like physique.
Afterward, Boss third He shifted his gaze, first taking in the Lunar Banner in Yu Ci's hand, and then settling on his face. With a modest chuckle, he said, "I had originally thought you were all bluff, but it turns out you do have some skill... Did you refine this long banner with the method of 'One Qi Transcending the Heavens'?"
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It was clear that the events at the Red Tooth Store had already made their way here. That Communication Flying Sword just now must have been intelligence gathered by the spies of the Three Families Market. The influence of "authority" was even greater than Yu Ci had imagined.
Yu Ci stowed the long banner and smiled faintly, "Such rudimentary tactics are hardly worth the attention of a true connoisseur."
His words seemed modest but were tinted with pride. Yet, to secure a foothold in the North Wilderness, such an attitude was essential. As expected, Boss third He was not only unoffended by this display but his expression even softened considerably, "If you call that rudimentary, the rest of us might as well die of shame... Do you have any other leads?"
He deliberately steered the conversation away from the topic at hand, inquiring about the details of the summoning. Yu Ci pondered the reason behind his change in demeanor while responding, "No, that's all." "Well then, let's not linger here. We should find a place to rest for a while."
This was addressed to everyone, and while the others seemed indifferent, Yu Ci frowned slightly, "Is there still business to attend to here?"
Before Boss third He could reply, Mr. Xia (Xia Shuanghe) laughed, "I speak frankly, so please don't take offense, Brother Dao. No one's wealth is blown in by the wind. The market has put forth tens of thousands of Dragon Palace Shells to enlist your help, and it's not a matter that can be resolved with just a spell or two... Of course, if Brother Dao feels the compensation is insufficient, feel free to discuss it with us. Negotiation is the way of business, after all."
His words were a mix of soft and hard tactics, the logic clear, yet Yu Ci sensed a subtle shift in their attitude.
Previously, Boss third He had clearly harbored ill intentions, likely contemplating a murderous cover-up after the fact. Mr. Xia, despite his amiable facade, probably didn't have much more benevolent thoughts than Boss third He, a typical ruthless character.
But now, the situation had inexplicably shifted...
Yu Ci did not entangle himself further with them; he too needed time to reanalyze the situation. After all, the Three Families Market was one of the largest forces in the North Wilderness, its influence extending well beyond Yin Cave City. His previous plans, if not handled carefully, could lead to an irreconcilable conflict and add many complications. If a peaceful resolution was possible, that would naturally be the best outcome.
At that moment, he moved with Boss Third He and his party about twenty miles eastward, finding a spacious and dry rock cave to rest in. Everyone sat cross-legged, eyes closed in meditation. Yu Ci did the same, but Boss Third He and Mr. Xia stepped out, evidently having matters to discuss.
Yu Ci naturally kept watch with the Divine Map, but due to the interference from the Vacuum Walking Cultivator, he could only use Mr. Xia's singular perspective.
He had thought the two would talk about matters related to him, but once they left the rock cave, Boss Third He congratulated Mr. Xia: "Congratulations, Brother Xia, on obtaining the 'Flying Fluorescence' and approaching the Spiritual Witch Throne—it's practically within reach now!"
Mr. Xia managed a restrained smile, exuding a composed and serene demeanor, but the slight twitch of his lips betrayed his emotions: "Whether I can extract Master Zhang's witchcraft brand remains to be seen..."
"Success is a given when Brother Xia takes action." Since cheerful words cost nothing, Boss Third He was happy to offer them generously.
The effeminate man was filled with emotion: "When I broke away from the Thousand Mountain Sect, who could have imagined my life today?"
The Thousand Mountain Sect? Yu Ci's thoughts turned to another from the Thousand Mountain Sect, the Young Sect Master Xia Boyang. 'Xia' was a prominent surname within the Thousand Mountain Sect; he wondered if there was any relation between the two.
But in the time it took for these thoughts to circle his mind, He and Xia had ceased their conversation and each went their separate ways to secluded spots. As they parted, Yu Ci was at a loss; Mr. Xia's situation was of course unproblematic, but the key issue was Boss Third He—a Vacuum Walking Cultivator, immune to the parasitism of divine consciousness starlight. Now, with no other creatures nearby, was this not akin to a kite with its string cut?
Yu Ci's thoughts turned to Mr. Xia, who had found a secluded spot and was now completely engrossed in the glow of tiny fireflies, oblivious to everything else. Yu Ci sighed, deciding not to dwell on it any further.
Just then, Shadow Ghost suddenly spoke up, "I've figured it out!"
Yu Ci was puzzled, "Figured out what?"
"There are two things. Regarding the movements of these people, have you noticed? They deliberately avoid areas with subterranean magma flow."
Yu Ci was taken aback. He wasn't well-versed in geology, but from the journey so far, it was true that they hadn't encountered any geological activity, and even their current resting place was similarly tranquil. Throughout the entire journey, they only had to deal with the Earth's Core Fire Eye out of necessity; the rest of the time, they had been exceedingly cautious indeed!
Wait, did Shadow Ghost mean...
"They're much smarter than we thought. Perhaps they've known the ins and outs of the one who used the Core-Melting Fiery Prison Technique all along!"
Yu Ci nodded silently. He had originally thought this group's venture into the True Immortal Hunting Ground was a reckless excursion from the safety of the city, a sign of ignorance. But now, it seemed they were well-prepared, a reminder not to underestimate the people of this world.
"And the second thing?"
"That eyeball, I remember now where it comes from!"
"Oh?"
Shadow Ghost was about to explain when Boss Third He, bear-like in stature, entered the Rock Cave and headed straight towards them. Approaching, he bent down slightly, looking down from his height and said, "There's a bit of temporary business here, are you in or... uh, Daoist friend?"
The honorific tacked on at the end sounded incredibly awkward. Yu Ci couldn't help but be amused, but by then, Boss Third He had already handed over a Jade Slip. After a moment's consideration, Yu Ci accepted it and swept his divine consciousness over it, only to be taken aback, "What does this mean?"
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I have also posted the following more chapters [All free]: https://www.readgates.com/article/74a39e