‘Should I buy it?’ Raising his own cultivation base was much more important than anything else. The problem was if he spent his merit points, the process of sprouting leaves for him in the future would be slower. Since he could sprout leaves by cultivating now, he should not give up on the wonderful opportunity. ‘Hold it together.’ In the end, he did not purchase the Golden Lotus Leaf.
Lu Zhou stood up and walked away from the screen. He looked at the parchment drawing on the table. “Hm?”
He noticed a few new islands in the oceanic region in the northeast. A slight hint of excitement stirred in him. This meant the map was giving him new clues.
“Penglai Island? Could this be where the Luo woman is?”
Lu Zhou remembered what the Penglai Sect Master, Huang Shijie, told him about the Luo woman. Did he withhold some information like the source of his knowledge? Was it a coincidence that Huang Shijie also became an Eight-leaf expert 300 years ago? Did he also receive help from the Luo woman? The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed.
Lu Zhou opened the system dashboard to have a look. A new mission was listed under the Heavenly Writing mission column: Search for the Open Earth Scroll.
“Open Earth Scroll?”
Up until now, Lu Zhou had mastered four Heavenly Writing powers. They were the sound technique that was the power of speech, the areal attack that was the power of muting, the mimicry technique that was the power of past lives, and the healing technique that was the power of immaterial existence. He had expected there to be a fifth power, but he did not expect it to be the Open Earth Scroll.
He was still lost in his thoughts when a voice rang from outside. “Greetings, master.”
Lu Zhou regained his senses and emerged from the eastern pavilion with his hands on his back. When he saw Mingshi Yin with one knee on the ground, he said, “You’re back?” Inwardly, he thought to himself, ‘He’s like a feral child.’
Mingshi Yin looked around for a moment. When he was certain his master was not going to reprimand him, he said, “I went to the Big Dipper Academy.”
“The Big Dipper Academy?” Lu Zhou was puzzled.
Mingshi Yin presented the leaf-sprouting pill with both hands. “I found this. A leaf-sprouting pill! A treasure! I took it just for you, master.”
Lu Zhou took the leaf-sprouting pill and sniffed it. The medicinal smell was strong. Then, he tossed the pill to Mingshi Yin and said, “You keep it.”
“Master, I searched the entire Big Dipper Academy. I even went through their chamber pots…”
“Hm?”
“No, no, no… I’ve misspoken.” Mingshi Yin hurriedly put the leaf-sprouting pill away.
“This is to be used after one’s Golden Lotus is severed.
“Understood.”
Lu Zhou noticed that Mingshi Yin’s loyalty was steadily above 80%. Perhaps, it was due to him not reprimanding Mingshi Yin for going to the Big Dipper Academy on his own accord. In any case, there was no need for Mingshi Yin to do that.
At this moment, Yu Shangrong walked into the eastern pavilion and said, “Greetings, master.”
“What is it?”
“Jing Province is in turmoil. I’d like to have a look,” Yu Shangrong said.
Lu Zhou frowned slightly. He knew that Yu Shangrong and Yu Zhenghai had never seen eye to eye. They had always been at odds with each other.
Yu Zhenghai wanted to attack Jing Province, and Lu Zhou gave him six months to do it. What would Yu Shangrong do there with his Three-leaf cultivation base?
“Old Second,” Lu Zhou said apathetically.
“Yes, master.”
“I forbid you from fighting with Yu Zhenghai within these six months. Can you do that?” Lu Zhou asked.
Mingshi Yin was shocked when he heard this. Since when did his master become so forgiving? It seemed like his master was being merciful toward his Eldest Senior Brother?
Yu Shangrong was taken aback. He met his master’s gaze and said, “You misunderstood me, master. Indeed, there are times where the saber and sword will exchange blows, but sometimes… they can be in sync as well.”
Mingshi Yin. “???”
Lu Zhou studied Yu Shangrong’s face, gauging his reaction. He noticed that Yu Shangrong was still holding onto the diary. He roughly understood what was happening. Then, he said, “What about your Three-leaf cultivation base?”
Yu Shangrong straightened his back and said in a nonchalantly confident tone, “With my sword in hand, I have nothing to fear.”
Lu Zhou felt speechless. It seemed impossible for him to change Yu Shangrong’s temperament… In the end, he calmly said, “In that case, you should go.”
“Thank you, master.”
“If there’s a threat to you, you should prioritize your life,” Lu Zhou said.
“I’ve met countless dangers throughout my life. My enemies are the only ones who would choose to preserve their lives,” Yu Shangrong said.
“…” Lu Zhou frowned slightly.
Yu Shangrong sensed something was amiss with the atmosphere. Hence, he bowed slightly and said in an acquiescing tone, “I’ll remember your words.”
“Ding! Disciplined Yu Shangrong. Reward: 200 merit points.”
‘He won’t listen to me if I talk to him normally. I’ll have to put on a stern expression every single time.’
“Go, then.”
Yu Shangrong nodded. He turned around and left the eastern pavilion.
“Second Senior Brother! Second Senior Brother!” Mingshi Yin called out as he ran after Yu Shangrong.
“What’s the matter?” Yu Shangrong stopped in his tracks and looked at Mingshi Yin in confusion.
“A leaf-sprouting pill.” Mingshi Yin presented the pill with both hands. He wanted to subtly get into his Second Senior Brother’s good books.
Yu Shangrong looked at the pill indifferently before he said with a smile, “You should keep such a precious item for yourself.” After he finished speaking, he flew up and descended the mountain with movements as light as willow and vanished in a blink of an eye.
Mingshi Yin was still holding the leaf-sprouting pill in his hands as he muttered under his breath, “Is this thing… worthless? Did I go through all that trouble for nothing?”
“Uh, M-mister Fourth?” Zhou Jifeng walked over to have a look.
“Just spit it out!”
“Nobody wants the pill?” Zhou Jifeng was practically drooling.
“You want it?”
“Thank you, Mister Fourth!” Zhou Jifeng hastily bowed.
“You’re out of your mind. When did I say I’ll give it to you?”
Mingshi Yin put the leaf-sprouting pill away.
Zhou Jifeng. “…”
Mingshi Yin did not return to the eastern pavilion. He decided to return to the southern pavilion to rest. It was at this moment he saw Little Yuan’er and Conch walking toward him.
The two girls were merrily chatting away.
“Hm? A newcomer?” Mingshi Yin walked up to them. He greeted Little Yuan’er, “Little Junior Sister!”
Little Yuan’er saw what he was holding and said, “Fourth Senior Brother? Did you bring some delicious snacks for me?”
Conch merely smiled at him.
“This is?”
“Conch…” Little Yuan’er replied.
“Conch?” Mingshi Yin felt shocked. He circled Conch with a smile and sized her up. Nobody knew what was going through his mind.
“Fourth Senior Brother… what’s this?”
“A leaf-sprouting pill,” Mingshi Yin nonchalantly replied.
“Let me see it.”
Mingshi Yin passed the leaf-sprouting pill to Little Yuan’er. He stood at the side and observed Conch.
Little Yuan’er opened the bag and took it out to have a look. The sparkling and translucent leaf-sprouting pill was aromatic.
This was Little Yuan’er and Conch’s first time seeing a leaf-sprouting pill. They were, naturally, curious.
Conch was clearly attracted by the pearl-like leaf-sprouting pill.
“Here.” Little Yuan’er placed the leaf-sprouting pill in Conch’s hand.
Conch received it carefully and held it against the sunlight.
The two girls continued whispering to each other.
“Can this be eaten?”
“It’s something to be eaten… like sweets.” Little Yuan’er was admiring the leaf-sprouting pill.
“Oh.” Conch looked at the candy-like translucent leaf-sprouting pill as an urge to eat it rose in her heart. There was no child that could resist the allure of sweets, after all. She raised her hand and placed the leaf-sprouting pill into her mouth. It melted instantly.
Mingshi Yin walked over at this moment. When he saw her clean and empty palm, he said in confusion, “Where’s my leaf-sprouting pill?”
“I ate it,” Conch replied innocently.
“Huh?”
“It’s sweet and salty… and… hot…” After saying this, Conch shut her eyes and fell to the side.
Mingshi Yin. “???”