H. Chapter 18
"Young master, forgive me, but you shouldn't have used the Lightning Bird skill. It is a very energy consuming skill." Stated Yao Xiong's teammate. "You could have used normal attacks to hold them back and deplete their True Qi." He was perplexed by the confrontation. In his opinion, Yao Xiong fought them in an unnecessary and reckless manner, which was different from his usual style. Although Lightning Qi helps Yao Xiong to finish the battles quickly, he never rashly fought his opponents to defeat them in a few breaths of time.
"For an instant I just thought about that skill, and then I immediately, impulsively used it without proper thought." Replied Yao Xiong. He was frustrated by his impetuous action and at the same time disappointed by the basic mistake. He also lost control of his True Qi at that moment, reducing the power of the Lightning Bird skill. Otherwise, that skill would have killed the other party, which he wasn't even trying to carry out in the first place.
"Young master, we will pick the remaining fruits. You may have a rest." Proposed the teammate.
"Yes."
.
.
Qin Jia remained in the barrier and picked two more Flame Baby fruits. He fought another battle with a cultivator during this time.
His robe was reduced to tatters. A large strip of cloth, shredded from the left side, hung over his stomach, revealing a blackened, scorched skin and dried blood. The sleeves were torn apart, exposing his hands covered in scars. The red, fiery eyes of his indicated the strained circumstances he was in.
Although the battle lasted only a few breaths, the cultivators from every group remembered him and sent men to look for his information. Only few competitors managed to draw with Yao Xiong. They also took notice of Qin Jia.
However, many cultivators ignored the result of the confrontation, as they felt it wasn't a significant demonstration of strength by both parties, especially when they spent a whole day competing for Flame Baby fruits.
.
.
"Take these pills, Brother Qin." Lan Yue handed a Fifth grade Pill, White Milky Recovery Pill. She was in distress, looking at the scorched body of Qin Jia. Her brows furrowed. "Have a rest in the tent, and use the recovery formation to quickly heal your body."
"Thanks." Qin Jia nodded to her. He was exhausted, and his footsteps were unsteady. A teammate came forward to support him.
"I am sorry. You had to confront him because of me." Lan Yue apologised to Qin Jia. She knew that helping Su Meifeng would offend Yao Xiong, and he would take action against them. Although her teammates acquiesced with her actions and prepared for a confrontation with Yao Xiong, when they fought, the outcome still made her feel a pang of regret. She expressed her deepest apologies to them.
"I agreed to assist you when we had to fight him. You don't have to blame yourself." Qin Jia's voice, muffled by pain, replied to her.
.
.
Once they had collected 148 ripened fruits, everyone stopped and left the barrier. All the fruits at the ripening state either ripened or burst.
By the end of the day's harvesting, Yao Xiong's team managed to pick 20 Flame Baby fruits.
Lan Yue's team collected 13 Flame Baby fruits.
"Junior sister, I am inviting you for a lunch at Platinum Banquet Hall. We haven't seen each other for a long time, let us take this opportunity to catch up." Yao Xiong's voice reverberated in Lan Yue's camp.
"Senior brother Yao Xiong, I appreciate your invitation and will meet you at Platinum Banquet Hall the day after tomorrow." Lan Yue transmitted her voice to Yao Xiong. She was reluctant to meet him, but at this stage of the conflict, both of them have to hold a proper conversation.
"Very well, junior sister. Farewell." Yao Xiong's reply was heard by everyone in Lan Yue's camp.
"Junior Sister, is it okay to meet him? Should we take any precautions?" Her teammate asked her.
"Yao Xiong won't be taking any action against me. He might oppress me to stop me interfering. I might have to involve my master if it happens." Lan Yue replied. She was not worried about her safety. The discussions must be in her favour to stop further confrontation, she has to have the initiative.
"We will support you, junior sister." Her teammate reassured, others echoed him.
.
.
Qin Jia received 4 Flame Baby fruits from Lan Yue. Lan Yue took 4, the Fire Cultivator was given 3 fruits, and the remaining True Qi cultivator received 2 fruits with a little more compensation. The Qi Transformation realm cultivators received their promised payment from Lan Yue. Every cultivator belonging to Phoenix Jade Palace had to present a Flame Baby fruit to the sect.
They returned to Blazing Parasol City before dawn.
"Goodbye, Brother Qin. I wish you a speedy recovery." Lan Yue said gently, her words carried a deep affection for him.
"Thank you. I appreciate your well-wishes." Qin Jia replied with gratitude.
.
.
Qin Jia met Su Maoxian's father, who was nervous and anxious. Upon learning of Qin Jia's arrival, the old man hurriedly approached him and said, "Mr. Qin Jia, Liu Ye and my son were missing since the day you have left. We were searching for them, and the last they were seen was at a herbal shop, where they bought some items for travelling into the forest. The guards at the city gate also recorded them leaving the city. Can you please look for them? We are sorry for our negligence in keeping an eye on them."
Su Maoxian's family searched for Liu Ye and him all over the city. The eldest brother of Su Maoxian also sent men into the forest during this dangerous period at a high cost, when he learnt that they were heading into the Blazing Parasol Valley. Su Maoxian's family was in turmoil for three days.
Qin Jia's facial expression worsened as he listened to Su Maoxian's father. He couldn't hold back from cursing Liu Ye, "Damn that Liu Ye!"