"Su Yi, you're ruthless!"
After a moment of daze, Nan Ying gritted her teeth fiercely and threw the chicken leg in her hand to the ground before rushing out of the courtyard.
She fled in panic.
Su Yi returned to the courtyard and looked at the withered and moldy chicken leg on the ground. He couldn't help but feel speechless, thinking about how he had once been infatuated with this woman.
However, who could guarantee that they wouldn't encounter such a scoundrel woman when they were young?
Shaking his head, Su Yi went straight back to his room.
He began to count his gains.
On the desk:
Eighteen silver bills with a face value of ten thousand taels, three spiritual herbs, a top-grade martial arts secret manual of the Yellow Rank, three stalks of green jade spirit bamboo, and one spirit shoot.
This harvest could be considered huge.
Unfortunately, although the silver bills were abundant, they didn't hold much attraction for Su Yi now.
As far as he knew, in Yunhe County City, it was possible to buy some spiritual herbs with gold and silver.
However, they were mostly ordinary and outrageously expensive.
Even an ordinary low-grade first-rank spiritual herb could be sold for thirty thousand taels of silver!
As for second-rank spiritual herbs, their value was probably around eighty thousand taels of silver.
However, even on the market in Yunhe County City, second-rank spiritual herbs were considered rare. They would often be snatched away at high prices as soon as they appeared.
But Fu Shan had also mentioned that buying spiritual herbs with spirit stones would be much easier.
Because for cultivators, both spirit stones and spiritual herbs were essential cultivation resources.
The three spiritual herbs in front of Su Yi were all the lowest-grade first-rank spiritual herbs.
On the other hand, the appearance of the spirit shoot was decent enough to be classified as second-rank.
"When I get to Yunhe County City, I'll exchange the silver bills for spirit stones."
Su Yi contemplated.
In Yunhe County City, ten thousand taels of silver could be exchanged for a first-rank spirit stone.
One hundred first-rank spirit stones could be exchanged for a second-rank spirit stone.
Ultimately, even if he went to Yunhe County City in the future, he still had to make money.
Only then could he continuously obtain cultivation resources.
Soon, Su Yi put away the silver bills, spiritual herbs, and secret manual.
Then, he walked out of the courtyard and sat on the stone bench under the big locust tree, using the Dusty Edge Sword to trim the green jade spirit bamboo.
As wood shavings scattered, it didn't take long for Su Yi to have a new scabbard made from the green bamboo in his hand.
Three feet long and as thick as a child's arm, it was a shimmering and translucent green color, as clear as jade.
Su Yi inserted the Dusty Edge Sword into it, leaving only the hilt exposed, which seemed quite fitting.
However, Su Yi felt that the hilt was somewhat obstructive.
After some thought, he took action and directly removed the sword edges on both sides of the hilt, turning it into a sword strip. In this way, even the hilt was completely enclosed within the green bamboo scabbard.
Then, Su Yi used a bunch of green bamboo strands to weave a flexible rope loop, firmly fastening it at the opening of the scabbard. This way, it could be hung by his waist.
Su Yi raised the completed green bamboo scabbard and examined it.
Under the sunlight, it appeared green and lustrous, as clear as beautiful jade. When held in hand, it felt cool and smooth, very comfortable.
Rather than calling it a scabbard, it was more like a bamboo staff.
With a flick of Su Yi's wrist,
Clang!
The Dusty Edge Sword swiftly slid out, emitting a faint sword hum.
"Not bad. It can be used as a bamboo staff in ordinary times and convenient for drawing the sword to kill enemies during battles. This is much more aesthetically pleasing than carrying a sword scabbard at the waist..."
Su Yi was very satisfied.
Although the Dusty Edge Sword only possessed a trace of spirituality, as long as it was soaked in this green jade spirit bamboo scabbard, its sharpness and texture would be nurtured and transformed.
That was the reason why Su Yi made this scabbard.
Next, he split the remaining green jade spirit bamboo one by one, shaping them into seven-inch-long bamboo pieces. In the end, a total of thirty-six pieces were made.
These were all spiritual materials that could be engraved with basic symbols for formations, combat, exorcism, divination, and more.
Finally, Su Yi made a bamboo hairpin for himself.
Of course, he shaved off the green color from the surface of the hairpin, giving it a simple and elegant translucent white appearance.
Wearing a green hairpin would undoubtedly make people misunderstand.
Su Yi stood in front of the bronze mirror in his room.
In the mirror, he stood with his hands behind his back, his long hair gathered into a jade-white bun by the bamboo hairpin, and a bamboo staff slanted at his waist, looking refreshing and neat.
Having the experiences and state of mind from his previous life, his temperament became even more tranquil, as if he was a recluse, detached from the mundane world.
"After all, I'm only seventeen years old, youthful and full of vigor, without a trace of senility. This shows a bit of the charisma from my previous life."
Su Yi nodded with satisfaction.
"The appearance of a cultivator reminds me of the phrase 'unparalleled beauty, unique in the world,'" came the timid praise from Qing Wan in the Soul-nurturing Gourd. Her courage seemed to have grown a bit, as she now dared to speak up proactively.
"It's just a good-looking outer shell, and only women like you would pay so much attention to it," Su Yi shook his head dismissively and instructed, "Prepare yourself. I may take you to Guimu Ridge in the near future."
Afterward, he went straight to the desk and began making talismans using the bamboo pieces.
...
In the evening, Hu Quan arrived at Apricot Yellow Cottage with a medicine gatherer named Guo Bing.
Guo Bing appeared very old, with sparse hair and a tall, thin figure.
He wore a bamboo hat, and beneath it was a terrifying face. Half of his face was swollen and red, while the other half was dark, purple, and twisted, resembling a grotesque ghostly visage.
"Master, this old man Guo is one of the most experienced medicine gatherers in the city. Many years ago, he used to frequent the area around Guimu Ridge," Hu Quan introduced to Su Yi. "Only Guo has the most familiar knowledge about Guimu Ridge and can be considered an expert."
"Manager Hu exaggerates. Ever since I was injured by a ghostly creature in Guimu Ridge years ago, I haven't been there for ten years," Guo Bing said with a hoarse and weak voice, seeming very frail.
After sizing up Guo Bing, Su Yi suddenly asked, "The creature you encountered back then, was it a 'Yin Sha Ghost'?"
"Yin Sha Ghost?" Guo Bing was bewildered. He was just an ordinary person who knew nothing about ghosts.
Su Yi casually explained, "The Yin Sha Ghost is one of the lowest-level fierce ghosts, born in polluted burial grounds."
"Anyone contaminated by the ghost's aura will be afflicted by the poisonous Yin Fire, resulting in symptoms like your 'Yin Yang Ghost Face,' enduring the erosion of Yin poison day and night, suffering unbearably."
"Worse yet, within three days, they will turn into a pile of dry bones."
Listening to this, Hu Quan couldn't help but feel astonished. It was the first time he had heard of such eerie and ominous things.
Guo Bing, on the other hand, was initially stunned but quickly became excited, showing a hopeful expression as he trembled, "Master, do you have a way to cure this condition?"
Su Yi nodded and casually said, "You've been poisoned for ten years, and the Yin Fire toxin has invaded the depths of your organs. It won't be easy to completely eliminate the poison."
Guo Bing immediately knelt down with a thud, kowtowing and pleading, "Master, I beg you to save this old man. For the past ten years, I have suffered unbearable pain and unspeakable hardships. If it weren't for taking care of my wife and children, I would have committed suicide long ago!"
"As long as you promise to save this old man, I'm willing to personally accompany you to Guimu Ridge!"
Su Yi looked at Hu Quan and said, "Later, I will write a prescription. You go and gather the herbs and decoct them. It will take about six months to completely eliminate the Yin poison in his body."
Hu Quan quickly agreed.
Guo Bing was overwhelmed with gratitude and repeatedly kowtowed, shedding tears of gratitude towards Su Yi.
"Alright, Old Guo, Master's medical skills are highly esteemed even by Physician Wu. Since he has promised to save you, rest assured that he can cure you completely," Hu Quan helped Guo Bing up and said, "If you're truly grateful to Master, then tell him everything about Guimu Ridge."
Guo Bing nodded repeatedly and asked, "Master, are you planning to go to Guimu Ridge?"
"Yes," Su Yi replied calmly.
Taking a deep breath, Guo Bing gritted his teeth and said, "Guimu Ridge is a place with complex terrain and unpredictable dangers. It's impossible to describe the situation adequately in words alone. I am willing to guide you and personally accompany you there!"
Hu Quan became anxious and said, "Master, that place is not somewhere you can casually go...".
Su Yi interrupted, saying, "I have made up my mind. There's no need to persuade me."
Then he turned to Guo Bing and said, "Tomorrow morning, come to Apricot Yellow Clinic, and we will go to Guimu Ridge together. Rest assured, I will ensure your safe return."
Guo Bing agreed without hesitation.
Seeing this, Hu Quan could only sigh and felt powerless to dissuade them any further.
With the matter settled, Su Yi took extra precautions that evening and prepared some items to ward off evil spirits. Only then did he feel completely at ease.
Early the next morning, Su Yi held a bamboo staff, wore a Soul-Nurturing Gourd around his waist, and a hairpin adorned his hair as he confidently walked out of the courtyard.
When they arrived outside Apricot Yellow Clinic, Guo Bing, wearing a bamboo hat, was already waiting there.
However, just as the two of them were about to set off, a voice suddenly came from a distance on the street, "Guo Bing, there you are! Finally found you!"
Su Yi looked up and saw a group of figures hurrying toward them.
Leading the group was Wen Jueyuan.
When Wen Jueyuan noticed Su Yi standing next to Guo Bing, his pupils contracted, and his expression stiffened.
Guo Bing didn't notice this subtle change and respectfully cupped his hands, saying, "Young Master, what brings you here?"
He was a medicine gatherer from the Wen family, and Wen Jueyuan was the eldest son of the family head. He couldn't afford not to show respect.
Wen Jueyuan's expression became solemn as he said, "There is a distinguished person from Yunhe County who intends to visit Guimu Ridge and needs someone familiar with the situation to guide them. As far as I know, only you, Guo Bing, in Guangling City, have the ability to do this."
Guo Bing was taken aback and instinctively looked at Su Yi beside him.
"Guo Bing, what does this mean?" Wen Jueyuan frowned. "Rest assured, once the matter is accomplished, you won't be left unrewarded!"
Guo Bing hurriedly explained, "Young Master, you've misunderstood. I already promised Master Su yesterday that we would go to Guimu Ridge now."
"What?"
Now it was Wen Jueyuan's turn to be stunned. He looked at Su Yi again and his tone became harsh as he asked, "What are you going to do in Guimu Ridge?"
Although his attitude was cold, after experiencing the series of events at the Longmen Banquet, he no longer dared to adopt his previous superior attitude when facing Su Yi.
Su Yi played with the bamboo staff in his hand and calmly replied, "My affairs have nothing to do with you."
A trace of anger flickered in Wen Jueyuan's expression, but he quickly controlled it.
He stared into Su Yi's eyes and said slowly, word by word, "Su Yi, I admit that after your cultivation has recovered, you are no longer an ordinary person. Even Lord Fu Shan, the City Master of Longshan, regards you highly."
"But don't forget, you are still a burden to our Wen family!"
The words "burden" were emphasized heavily as he spoke.