Seeing this fellow was playing for real, Mu Aotie could not hold him back, so he could only shout in a suppressed voice, “Go quickly and return quickly.”
He did not need reminding. Nan Zhu was also planning to go quickly and return quickly, so how would he dare to dawdle? With a swish he went up the smoke-filled divine tree.
Mu Aotie was speechless. After watching Old Seventh disappear above, he quickly looked around, his gaze meeting Baili Xin’s. The two continued extinguishing the fire while keeping watch on their surroundings.
Having slipped onto the tree branches, Nan Zhu lifted his clothes to cover his mouth and nose. The rising smoke was hazy here. He tiptoed into the open space, keeping an eye on his surroundings while looking up at the green vine canopy above.
It had to be said, since the martial brothers had gone out into the world together, his courage had grown bigger and bigger. In the early days when they had just come out, he could not even pray for safety in time, so how would he dare to do this kind of thing?
Above the divine tree it was still very quiet. Forget about human figures, not even a single flying colourful bee could be seen.
The bee swarm was no longer there, and there was no need for unnecessary sacrifices anymore. All those still alive had left with A Chi and A Cheng.
The thing the vine demon had spoken of was not hard to find. Nan Zhu quickly discovered it. Hanging in the centre of the vine canopy was a black gourd-shaped object, very easy to see.
It was not very big, just about one and a half adult fist in size.
Nan Zhu flashed into hiding among several large drums, crouched there listening carefully for a while. After repeatedly confirming there was no movement, he showed himself. With a flash he flew up, grabbed the black gourd with one hand, wanting to pull it down directly.
As a result, the black gourd was pulled down a bit, but it did not break off from the vine. It only pulled one vine into mid-air.
Nan Zhu hung in mid-air, his two feet kicking forcefully a few times, like a fish hooked on a line. He pulled hard several times but could not break the gourd from the vine.
Only then did he realise this vine was unusually tough, so he drew his sword to chop it. Who knew that even chopping could not easily break it? This somewhat shocked Nan Zhu. Fortunately each chop could make a cut, so he had to hang in mid-air swaying his body constantly, hacking again and again at the same spot.
With his Profound-level cultivation, he had to chop dozens of times before finally cutting through the vine. Then he grabbed the gourd and landed on the ground.
Sword back in sheath, pocketed the gourd and ran.
When he ran to the edge of the open space, he could not help but look back, wondering how these vines had grown.
Since he had already come, should he not take a look while he was at it?
So he turned back, quickly took a stroll around the open space, and found the root of the vine canopy above his head. It was actually growing in a tree hole of the main trunk, its roots firmly embedded in the tree trunk’s body. So it turned out to be parasitic on the divine tree, living by absorbing the divine tree’s nutrients.
After understanding the reason, he immediately ran off, quickly slipping down the tree.
What he did not see was that at the cut where he had severed the gourd, the vine’s broken end seeped out faint green light spots like sweat beads, gradually turning black in the air.
Under the tree, after the martial brothers met again, Mu Aotie saw his empty hands and asked, “Did you not find it?”
“Got it.” Nan Zhu muttered, pointing below his belly.
Mu Aotie immediately understood. Having a big belly had its advantages. Hanging something below the belly was not easily discovered.
Afterwards, with the three working together busily, they finally extinguished all the big fire under the tree.
The fire-extinguishing trio did not abandon Yu Qing and take the chance to escape. When they came back around, they found Huan Yushan’s charred remains were still nailed to the tree by arrows. The three did not pay attention to it.
Seeing they had still come back, Yu Qing could only sigh secretly. Over here, facing Xiang Lan’s interrogation, the Bee King explained the situation inside the immortal mansion.
Actually it did not look like an interrogation at all. The Bee King almost answered whatever was asked. As long as it could be said, his bearing was so open and natural. How did he look like a prisoner? Rather like friends chatting casually.
As for what could not be said, everyone should not ask too much. It was impossible to tell everyone, because they were not qualified to know.
For example, regarding the specific circumstances of immortals, or regarding other immortal mansions, the Bee King refused to discuss them entirely. Yet Xiang Lan did not dare to press too hard.
Even to say these things, there were conditions. If they could really open the immortal mansion and leave, the Bee King wanted Xiang Lan to swear a poisonous oath to guarantee giving Xiang Zhen a way to live, and giving Xiang Zhen freedom.
Xiang Lan thought it over and agreed, but there was one prerequisite. That was Xiang Zhen had to guarantee not to leak a single word of what happened here to the outside.
Additionally the Bee King had another condition, which was to request Yu Qing and Xiang Zhen have a match, letting Xiang Zhen experience Yu Qing’s sword intent.
Yu Qing agreed, but also kept his wits about him. That was to guarantee their safety. If they could really leave the immortal mansion alive, Xiang Zhen could come find him for a match anytime in the future.
Given the present situation, Xiang Zhen knew the other party was also trying to survive, so he was not so stubborn anymore.
Finally under the Bee King’s mediation, the various parties reluctantly made various compromises.
Of course, the prerequisite was that Yu Qing had to find a way to open the immortal mansion’s great door.
At this time, the three who had just returned, Nan Zhu and the others, immediately pricked up their ears as soon as they approached. They only heard the Bee King laugh, “Immortal treasures? Yes, of course there are.”
Xiang Lan, who had been asking tentatively, immediately had his eyes light up. “Where?”
The Bee King pointed all around. “For you, everywhere you look here is full of the treasures you want. The flowers and grasses from outside, here they flourish and wither in moments, simply unable to withstand the plant essence here. All the flowers and grasses you see before your eyes that can grow normally here are spirit grasses.”
“You can have as much as you want, take as much out as you want, however much you can carry is yours. Only they have all been contaminated by evil qi, what use is there in taking them out?” He waved his hand toward the divine tree. “This realm’s spiritual root is a heavy treasure even in the immortal realm, and also the best immortal treasure here. You can take it if you want, but you must ask your own hearts, do you have such great fortune? Can you bear such great fortune? Even if we let you move it, you cannot move it away.”
Everyone was speechless. Such a big thing indeed no one could move away. Even if they could move it out, they could not hide it. It would only bring trouble upon themselves.
Nan Zhu tried to interject at this time, “Great Walker, was it because you ate that honey that your injuries healed overnight?” His meaning was simple. If it really had such miraculous effects, then what was it if not a treasure? Taking a pile out would definitely make a great fortune.
But for some people, this was touching a sore spot. Xiang Lan coldly glanced at him without saying a word. Yu Qing pretended not to have heard anything.
Baili Xin also turned her head to look aside, pretending not to understand.
The Bee King replied with a calm heart, “As long as it is something you can take away, that is your fortune. Take as much as you like. However this king must remind you, our clan’s honey only displays such rapid healing wonders inside this immortal mansion. Outside here, the healing effect on the physical body will be much worse. For example, an injury that takes one day to heal here might take ten days outside.”
“Ten days?” Nan Zhu widened his eyes and said, “In ten days, some injuries can be healed with outside spirit pills and miracle medicines too.”
“I mean fully healed.” After reminding them, the Bee King asked Xiang Lan, “Your previous injuries, how long would they take to fully heal in the outside world? You should know in your own heart. You can make a comparison.”
Xiang Lan naturally knew what was going on with his injuries, and asked, “Why is the difference between inside and outside so great?”
The Bee King made an analogy, “Ordinary people living to a hundred outside is considered longevity. Here, under normal circumstances, one can live five hundred years.” He raised his hand pointing at that divine tree. “This king has said, this realm’s spiritual root is an immortal heavy treasure. All the various wondrous effects here are because of its existence. All are basking in its light.”
Everyone suddenly realised, and could not help but look up again at that incomparably huge towering tree, feeling endless emotions in their hearts. Such a heavy treasure yet they could only look at it. Placed before their eyes yet they could not obtain it. Truly helpless.
Confirming the fire was all extinguished, checking around once, confirming it would not reignite, the group decided to find a way out.
It was not suitable to not quickly find a way to leave either. Once A Chi and A Cheng recovered, things would get troublesome.
Before departing, Nan Zhu, Mu Aotie, and Baili Xin entered the divine tree once more. Regardless of whether they could get out, the martial brothers all felt they should gather some honey to take out. Even if the healing effect was worse after going out, it could still be sold as top-grade healing spirit pills, fetching quite a bit of money. At least it was worth much more than the gold carried out from the Golden Ruins.
They had come with such difficulty. If they could smoothly leave, they could not return empty-handed, could they? On Ye Diandian’s side, planting immortal peaches cost ten million a year. If they did not earn money, how would they live in the future?
Regarding this, the Bee King did not stop them. As he had said before, as long as they could take it out, it was their fortune that they could bear. Take as much as they liked.
The bad thing was, the few fellows destroyed the drums the Bee King used for singing and dancing. Because they could not find suitable containers, the few of them destroyed one side of the large drums, using them as vats.
Seeing his three accomplices carrying out large drum-vats filled with honeycomb as if performing magic tricks, Yu Qing felt somewhat embarrassed. Looking at his own group from a bystander’s perspective, he realised they really did look a bit unsightly in their greed.
Fortunately the Bee King only furrowed his brows slightly, not making an issue of it.
When setting out, Yu Qing also once again pulled Qin Fujun up from the ground onto his back.
Seeing this situation, Nan and Mu, who were holding things up with both hands and balancing large drum-vats on their heads, were somewhat shocked. Nan Zhu could not help but ask, “Old fifteenth, are you mad? Why take this woman out? She knows too much. She is useless now. Um, that.” He gestured to indicate doing her in directly.
Qin Fujun, lying on Yu Qing’s back, naturally knew what those words meant. Her gaze was calm, having long known in her heart what her fate would be.
However Yu Qing impatiently muttered, “So much nonsense. I know what to do. No need for you to teach me.” Carrying the person, he went first.
A flash of surprise passed through Qin Fujun’s eyes. She did not know if she had understood something. She tightly closed her eyes, only her eyelids kept trembling non-stop.
Baili Xin, who also had a drum-vat on her head, flashed her gaze and quickly followed. Nan and Mu looked at each other. Mu Aotie explained, “Let’s go. We still have to pass the Kunling Mountain checkpoint. She can be used as a hostage.” Nan Zhu caught up, walking while saying, “Hostage my arse. If we really get out, with the Great Walker stepping in, what use is a bloody hostage? How much would several more vats of honey be worth? I say, old fifteenth could not have taken a fancy to that woman, could he? We have already settled a blood feud. There is no future. What is he playing at?”
Xiang Lan watched Yu Qing carrying someone away, sneering with a scoff. His gaze then swept toward Nan Zhu, “Only you, fatty, talk so much nonsense. Hurry up!” At the same time he waved toward Xiang Zhen, who was carrying the Bee King on his back, signalling to hurry.