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Quest Maker: 74
🕑 Added 2021-07-20 12:27:40 +0000 UTCTitle: Bountiful Harvest
'I have already shamed the Imperial Family enough, and looted them to the bone... I can let a father go scot-free, right?'
Ja Sun, in the end, didn't accept the bow. He found himself emotional— not! Taking a bow from the Emperor would have irrevocable damages. He was willing to offend for the mission and now that Ja Sun was sure that he had achieved the S-rank in both the objectives, he would give leeways wherever possible.
The fact that this dangerous White Tiger just happened to have Spirit Bones lying around made Ja Sun even more cautious of the man and his prestige.
Hearing Ja Sun's words, Laohu nodded without a thought and returned to the side of the Imperial Family. But he took his family away instantly while a group of guards in dark clothing escorted Taiyin away.
The Tang Siblings, Ning Fengzhi, and Chen Xin were still present. Everyone gazed in Ja Sun's direction as he smiled slightly and walked towards Bibi Dong. His voice was sickeningly sweet like overflowing nectar.
"Teacher, have I made you proud? Will you stop training me so fiercely from now on?" His words made Bibi Dong shuddered but her mind, under Qian Xunji's teaching, was more devious than she let others on and she calmly nodded.
"Well done."
Her tone was without a hint of astonishment, as if this was a normal sight.
Unable to finally repress himself, Ning Fengzhi spoke up, "Ka-ul... how?" What else should he ask? The young clan leader was dumbstruck. This was too much. For everyone, in fact.
"How?" Ja Sun smirked but didn't speak more than necessary. Instead, he gave Tang Hao a slight bow, "Tang Hao, I don't think I will be able to discuss about Sister Tang's afflictions. Maybe next time we meet. Here," Ja Sun took out the Deep Silver Tungsten ore and tossed it towards Tang Hao, something he caught promptly.
"Once again, my actions meant as selfish desire to bet my life and earn astonishing rewards. Not offend others. But if you are somehow offended, find me in Spirit Hall."
With that, Ja Sun glanced at Bibi Dong who turned around.
"What was that bit about Yuehua's condition?" Tang Xiao inquired in a hurry while Tang Hao softly relayed that Ja Sun seemed to know something about Yuehua's variation.
"We can't find him. No matter what, he will be pursued by the royal family even if Yue Guan is by his side the entire time," Tang Xiao shook his head with a heavy sigh.
"Well then, the discussion regarding the Competition has already reached its completion. Allow us to depart, Brother Tang," Ning Fengzhi cupped his fist.
"Please, Brother, I cannot accept it. I'm no host. Travel safely," Tang Xiao cupped his fist and bowed towards the duo. With that, the duo acting as the Ambassador of the Heaven Dou Empire also left.
"What should we do now?" Tang Hao inquired.
"We will stay here for four days before returning to the Strength Clan and start training our team better. We may not be able to win the competition... at this moment, we may not even have a chance to win it."
Everyone's expression turned somber.
"He is amazing, isn't he?" Tang Hao shook his head.
"Now we have to solve the political mess you may have created by helping Dai Mu up!" Tang Xiao knocked the top of Hao's head as he scowled.
"I did what I wanted. Nothing wrong with helping a woman up," he glared at Tang Xiao, "If anything happens, Dad can beat me all he wants."
---
For some reason, Yue Guan didn't follow inside the inn and left under public display after dropping Bibi Dong and Ja Sun. When the duo arrived, it was already evening and their expression turned strange when Hu Lana happily inquired: Did you bring any souvenir from the Palace?
Smilingly, Ja Sun replied, "Of course, converge in my room. I've got a great piece of news and many things to share."
In a few moments, everyone came to his room.
"First," Ja Sun smiled and brought out a beautiful silver necklace with golden veins over its surface and a diamond-like crystal embedded in the middle. For a moment, even Bibi Dong was dazzled.
"Ah Yin, for you," Ja Sun smiled without any shame. Ah Yin blinked. This necklace completely matched her aesthetic. She looked at Ja Sun and then at the necklace before exhaling softly, "I will take it later."
Ja Sun nodded and then he looked at everyone.
"Don't worry, I've brought something special for everyone. In fact, this is something close to the jewels of the Imperial Family."
With that, Ja Sun took out three pairs of silk underwear and handed them to Liu Erlong, Hu Lana, and Xie Xan.
Bibi Dong's lips violently twitched.
"Confused?" Ja Sun smiled sincerely, "These are the underpants of Prince Dai Taiyin. In a way, these articles touched his royal family jewels. Aren't you—"
Ja Sun hurriedly dodged all the underwears flying towards his face.
"Teacher, why does Ja Sun have this kind of item?" Xie Xan inquired and Liu Erlong's expression changed.
"He slept with the prince and raided his drawer before leaving!"
'Yoo... the fuck?!' Ja Sun was speechless as Bibi Dong shook her head and explained the situation.
"Spirit Bones?!" Everyone was greatly alarmed. Though greed flickered in their eyes, only Liu Erlong, belonging to a higher clan, understood the situation.
"Not good, they will send men after us. We should return to the Spirit Hall immediately."
"As of today, we cannot return to Spirit Hall until three months to the competition remains," Bibi Dong sighed and shook her head.
"Then..." Xie Xan had an ugly expression. After sharing their deepest and darkest truth, a sense of bond was already formed within the group and now, it displayed its nature.
"Instead of leaving the city," Ja Sun narrowed his gaze, "We auction one of the spirit bones. The weakest one."
Even Bibi Dong wasn't aware of what Spirit Bones Ja Sun had received and when he rejected Yue Guan's question in the carriage, Bibi Dong herself didn't ask. All things considered, the Spirit Bones weren't her own.
"If I could kill you, I would have robbed you... but as things stand, even I have a spirit bone to auction," Liu Erlong sighed.
Gazes focused on the two of them as Ja Sun gave an understanding smile.
"Erlong, it is tough being rich, right?"
"A little," she nodded with a sad expression.
Taking a deep breath, Ja Sun stated calmly.
"I know what is going on in everybody's mind and I will clear your doubts. Yes, I have spirit bones that can be helpful to certain members of the group. In a situation where you gain a spirit bone that is useful to me, I will trade these spirit bones. If you're thinking that I will give them away, then you're wrong."
Smilingly, he met everyone's gaze one at a time, "And since I trust you all, I understand that within a few past moments, all of you must have thought of sniffing my life if it wasn't for our... well, we are friends. Erlong was more open about her thoughts, simply.
But, killing me will only get you these spirit bones. In a few weeks, you may get to see my methods, which is more beneficial than a spirit bone. So choose wisely. When it comes to benefits and strength, I have never lied to any of you, and still won't.
Of course, should you attack me, the result may itself be out of your expectations."
"Truth be told," Xie Xan smiled, "I'm more interested in what you and Ah Yin will do later once you gift her the necklace."
He eased the situation. With Ja Sun, it may seem that others aren't well-spoken but that is only true for Liu Erlong. Others are extremely sly. Having their thoughts exposed and cleared out, instead of anger, they felt gratified. Now, at least, they wouldn't have to act nervously around Ja Sun.
"Why do the two of you want to auction your spirit bones?"
Bibi Dong frowned, "Save them until the last of the trip and exchange them within the Spirit Hall."
"Ah!" Liu Erlong's gaze brightened but Ja Sun smiled.
"I'm not sure about the auction yet," Ja Sun shook his head, "We will decide tomorrow. I'm a little tired after wiping the floor with the Imperial Family so let me rest a little."
Ja Sun sighed and everyone left with a nod. Only Ah Yin stayed.
Gazing at Ja Sun, her beautiful blue eyes seemed to be urging him slightly and Ja Sun took out the necklace once again.
He gazed at Ah Yin's hands before taking a deep breath.
"Turn around," he stated calmly but his breathing was slightly stifled.
Ah Yin silently turned her back to him and waited as Ja Sun brought his hand forward. Accidentally, he leaned it downward and the side of his gauntlet brushed past Ah Yin's breasts. Ja Sun regretted wearing Gauntlets at this moment instantly and they flowed into the pores of his skin, revealing his hands wrapped by the dark gauze.
"Sorry about that," Ja Sun whispered.
"Would have been sincere if you didn't hide your Gauntlets instantly, you perverted beast."
Ah Yin replied calmly as she felt the soothing and cold surface of the necklace coiling around her neck and Ja Sun locking it up behind.
Not replying to her previous comment, Ja Sun waited as Ah Yin turned around. The necklace... Ja Sun didn't even glance at but it allowed him to sincerely compliment the woman in front of him.
"You look beautiful..." He whispered. His hand reaching out to stroke the necklace but it moved towards her fair cheek, gently grazing it while Ah Yin tilted her face along the direction of the gentle grazing.
Although cool, Ah Yin's skin felt a little warmer still and her puckered up plump pink lips attracted Ja Sun's full attention.
"I... wish I was there to see you fight," Ah Yin closed her eyes. She felt unable to move at this moment. Still, without confirming her own feelings, her body happened to be leaning forward.
Their warm breaths were already onto each other's lips. And with spirit energy, none of them smelled bad. One of the benefits of cultivation— No coffee breath.
"I miss my wife, too," A gloomy voice suddenly shocked the duo instantly. Their eyes widened and they leaned back.
Looking sideways, towards the window, they found Qian Daoliu leaning against the wall with a gloomy expression as he gazed at the duo. He himself seemed lost in thought.
"Master... if Ah Yin made you recall your wife then it's no problem but if it's me... then we should have a serious conversation."
Ja Sun scowled.
Cockblocked.
By another teacher!
What is with his romance being cut off by his teachers?!
"We do need to have a talk," Qian Daoliu glared at Ja Sun. Smiling at Ah Yin, Qian Daoliu explained, "Silly girl, why are you falling for his vile charms with just a necklace? He gives presents like this to every blue-haired girl he meets. At least make him bleed a little. Make him work for a spirit bone!"
Ah Yin's lips twitched. In reality, she had already bled Ja Sun a lot. Just the Blue Silver Emperor's Core was priceless already.
She glanced at Ja Sun before frowning.
"Other blue-haired girls?"
"Yeah, I found an interesting woman today. Remember the Clear Sky Twin Stars? She was their youngest sister."
Ja Sun nodded with a smile and Qian Daoliu panicked inwardly. This was a wrong move on so many levels!
But Ah Yin surprisingly nodded calmly, "Oh, interesting? Tell me later, too."
"Hmm?" Qian Daoliu blinked. His cheeks ached for a moment. He had committed the same blunder as Ja Sun in his younger years but only a tight slap greeted him back then.
"Sigh, I arranged for you to enter the palace to learn from Bibi Dong, not raise chaos. But, I'm glad that you gained such a great advantage. Do you know what to do next?"
Ja Sun and Ah Yin glanced at each other before Ja Sun began, "Elder Yue Guan left us publicly, hinting any possible scout that he isn't going to protect us. That, and Bibi Dong's sudden news of us being unable to return to the Spirit Hall for the next two years. All of it seems to be your doing, Master. If that is so, then I'm also thinking that I won't be able to exchange the spirit bones with you for those within the Spirit Hall that suits me. Right?"
Ja Sun inquired and Qian Daoliu nodded with a smile.
"This is a good event for you all. A tempering exercise."
He spoke up and Ja Sun closed his eyes, "Then, the next step is to digest the gains. The Spirit Bones that cannot be absorbed are useless. Auctioning them... is one of the choices, but an inefficient one. Master, if you have anything to direct me with, please, do so."
Tracing his chin, Qian Daoliu spoke up, "Three days. I will give you, and Bibi Dong three days. After that, the White Tigers will send assassins. Zhu Yin's clan, the Hell Civet Clan, is one of the best Assassination Clan on the Continent.
My advice is, stick to your guts. There will be many options presented later. Instead of thinking of this current trouble as something that can be solved by absorbing spirit bones, think of it as a trouble to finalize your team's internal trust. And this is for you."
Qian Daoliu took out a thin booklet and glanced at his hands, "Those gauntlets have finally become one of your greatest treasures. Nurture them well."
Then, smilingly, he gazed at Ah Yin, "Ah Yin, I have watched your progress. There is one thing I didn't tell you while explaining the Realm of Self."
Nodding, Ah Yin spoke calmly, "Please enlighten me."
"The realm of self can be most quickly trained while having smaller reserves of spirit energy or absolutely large reserve of spirit energy. So, for you and Bibi Dong stranded in the middle, this is a tough endeavor because the quality of both of your spirit energy isn't stable enough.
But, reach this within the next three months, and I will finally bestow your first gift from the Spirit Hall's inheritance."
Ah Yin nodded.
"And me?" Ja Sun smiled.
"You?" Qian Daoliu pointed at the book in his hand, "Greedy child, that booklet is a treasured inheritance. Don't lose it."
With that, he chuckled and left as mysteriously as he entered.
"Say, Ah Yin. Remember how I called you beautiful and—"
"No, I don't," Ah Yin smiled softly while touching the necklace.
Leaning forward, her subtle and calming scent made Ja Sun gulp as she gently pecked his left cheek. Her soft lips leaving an unforgettable sensation on his cheek.
"Practice well. I will, too. Next time, we will rob another imperial family together."
With that, Ah Yin hurried out of the room as Ja Sun groaned and slumped back on the bed.
So close!
But...
Opening the tiny booklet that explained the process and method of nurturing Man-Weapon Body Forged Items, Ja Sun sighed.
'At least, he made up for it.'
After three more hours of silent reading, Ja Sun entered the bathroom, and the mission status displayed after a few minutes. Since the mission was related to the Imperial Family, then the rewards will be related to them, too.
Ja Sun's nerves finally eased once he directly checked the ranks of the mission. Both of them S.
[Objective: Gain as many individual benefits from the White Tiger Clan as possible.
Optional Objectives:
1) Make the Imperial Family feel as humiliated as possible.
Mission Rank: S-S
Mission Rewards: 80000-year-old Hell White Tiger Left Arm Bone—80000-year-old Hell Black Tiger Right Arm Bone
Time Limit: 9 hours.]
Ja Sun's body was suddenly rooted by an unbridled pressure and without even looking, he instantly stored the two arm bones extending into claws. His back was layered with cold sweat and he silently sat over the toilet seat.
"Woah..."
He finally muttered after a few minutes.
His gains exceeded his wildest expectations.
Ordinarily, he wouldn't even lust after spirit bones, but even if for a moment, he felt an intense urge from his body to absorb the two spirit bones. His martial soul was after all a Three-eyed Silver Lion. A spirit bone belonging from the same type of bestial chart would be nourishing to one's soul and body.
But, this also meant that the Star Luo Empire had this pair of arm spirit bones.
Still, there was also confusion in his heart.
Hell White Tiger and Hell Black Tiger are actually the forms of Spirit Fusion of members with compatibility and martial souls: White Tiger and Hell Civet.
Could it be that there were beasts like these back then and their spirit bones are the inheritance of the Imperial Family?
'But I won't be able to absorb them within the city. Their aura and spirit pressure is too great.'
Ja Sun was clear about this in his heart. But it didn't matter too much at the moment.
After Qian Daoliu had revealed that he would give them three days of a headstart, Ja Sun had instantly made the mind to escape.
There is a thin line between courage and foolhardiness and he was afraid that he had already crossed it.
He was also unaffected that the help from Qian Daoliu's side came with a price. He was already giving any relevant information and imparting inheritance knowledge to Ja Sun and Ah Yin. This was already way more than he had expected. After all, he wasn't aware how much the Man-Weapon Body Forged items can be nurtured.
After organizing his thoughts, Ja Sun silently slept. He had expended too much mental energy and mental energy's regeneration is at its best while sleeping.
The next day, Ja Sun went to Bibi Dong's room to inform what Qian Daoliu had stated and suggested running away but strangely, Bibi Dong said to wait another day.
The moment he came out of the room, he ran into Xie Xan who was holding a plate of breakfast and a long scratch running down his neck.
"I'm... hungry," Xie Xan explained.
"For Lana, maybe," Ja Sun retorted as Xie Xan's expression twisted.
"What about you? We all can see what's going on between Ah Yin and you!"
"Really?" Ja Sun replied with a pleased look, "Next time you see Ah Yin, do me a favor and explain it to her. I've tried and tried," he shook his head while passing him.
"Poor you," Xie Xan snickered.
"Yeah, at least, I'm not brutalized every night... the thought of it scares me," Ja Sun clicked his tongue.
"You? Scared? More like burning with envy. If you feel the urge of going through pain, just call this brother."
He patted his chest as Ja Sun glanced at him with a sneer.
"Isn't the food getting cold? Sister Lana hates cold treats the most."
Xie Xan's expression paled and he hurriedly turned before going towards his room.
Meanwhile, Ja Sun knocked on Ah Yin's door and Liu Erlong happened to open it. Though surprised, Ja Sun at least felt fortunate that he didn't try to make any sneaky move. Liu Erlong really turns into a rabid beast once she gets angry. As he entered, he found Ah Yin wearing silver robes with golden lining that completely matched her necklace.
"Good morning," She smiled slightly.
"Hey," Ja Sun mumbled while Liu Erlong closed the door.
"We were discussing about going to the auction house. Teacher said that we will leave tomorrow early in the morning. Even if we don't have anything to sell, we can purchase things, right?"
Liu Erlong revealed a token that belonged to Bibi Dong, "Teacher gave this to me. It can be used as the pass for Star Luo Auction House."
"Oh," Ja Sun's eyes glittered. He had too many things to sell. In fact, many of the A-ranked weapons he got by defeating Xie Xan could be sold for a high price to a collector. Meanwhile, the pelts of various foxes from Hu Lana should be quite valuable. He had also spent his morning organizing his loot. Many things from the guards and Prince, including his used underwear, were useless to him. But he wouldn't destroy them. Who knows he might get some strange curse ability that can blue ball others but using it on someone's underwear?
But at the same time, while he was willing to treasure Bibi Dong's and Ah Yin's underpants, he did not want to return the favor for the Prince so he wanted to try and sell them. See that if there is a market for Prince's underwear.
This also left him distressed. He couldn't loot Dai Mu on time.
