Chapter Ten: Xuan Ya's Apology
"Just now was quite offensive, I hope Senior Brother can forgive."
Seated at the front of the large gourd, Li Changshou maintained a calm expression, watching Xuan Ya, who was bowing in apology. Although he wanted to make some sarcastic remarks in his heart, he could only say a few casual words.
Li Changshou felt that the gaze upon him had changed from the previous disdain and dissatisfaction to...
Full of sympathy and pity.
"Changshou," Jiu Jiuxian coughed, and with a tone of sincerity, he said, "This might be a spiritual demon for you, perhaps due to the long-term seclusion and practice with your master in the mountains."
"Senior Brother Changshou," Yuan Qing floated over from the side, holding a bottle of elixir, and whispered, "This is a pill that clears the mind and concentrates the spirit. It might be helpful for Senior Brother's condition."
"Thank you, I understand."
Li Changshou smiled awkwardly, and Yuan Qing immediately understood something, skillfully changing the topic.
During this opportunity, Li Changshou also observed the reactions of several people.
Yuwen Ling paid no attention to the little commotion, sitting quietly with closed eyes, appearing very steady.
Liu Yan'er's gaze toward him carried a bit more sympathy, while Wang Qi stared at him with eyes full of emotion, as if saying:
"This Senior Brother (Junior Brother) has ordinary cultivation aptitude and even acquired such a spiritual demon. In the future, thinking about finding a Dao companion is a luxury; the path of cultivation is truly difficult."
—Finding a Dao companion for cultivation is quite common in the Immortal Sects.
After a few pleasantries, Yuan Qing returned to the back of the gourd, and Wang Qi took the initiative to strike up a conversation.
Li Changshou just responded with a smile and didn't say much.
Feeling that, apart from Yuan Qing, these same-generation disciples focused solely on cultivation, despite being "old," they turned out to be surprisingly simple-minded...
Well, it makes sense. These individuals are the "top students" among the same-generation disciples, spending most of their time on cultivation, with few interpersonal interactions.
This small disturbance quickly came to an end.
In no time, the gourd became quiet again, and everyone continued their meditation. Li Changshou picked up the scroll and resumed reading with delight, completely unaffected by the incident.
Jiu Jiuxian sat at the front, hugging his arms and sitting cross-legged, lost in thought. He was contemplating how to help Li Changshou overcome his spiritual demon and return to a joyful cultivation life.
"Do I need to use feminine charm? Fighting poison with poison?" Jiu Jiuxian looked down at her slightly inflated chest and burst into a strange laugh...
Suddenly, she added a setting for herself. Li Changshou didn't pay much attention to it; although it was just a temporary measure to avoid Jiu Shifu probing his cultivation and aptitude, he would be vigilant about this detail in the future.
Continuously staying alert was not a difficult task for Li Changshou.
"Senior Brother Changshou," a call suddenly came from behind after two days. Li Changshou turned his head and saw Xuan Ya's face full of apology, bowing.
Although Li Changshou wanted to say at this moment, "Please maintain the dignity and pride of an iceberg beauty," he could only smile slightly, wave his hand to signal her not to say more, and turned to continue reading.
Xuan Ya pursed her lips, and the lingering apology in her eyes never faded.
Li Changshou's spiritual awareness keenly sensed that behind him, Yuan Qing, who was meditating with closed eyes, slightly furrowed her brows...
Two days later.
The vast and sparsely populated East Victory Divine Continent, with numerous Immortal Sects, gradually disappeared behind them.
All the way, the large gourd flew through the clouds and mist, day and night without stopping, finally reaching the northwest border of the East Victory Divine Continent.
Li Changshou had not practiced along the way, keeping his attention within a few square meters around him, and his peripheral vision often caught glimpses of figures flying in the sky.
Fortunately, they encountered no obstacles on this journey.
Jiu Jiuxian stretched lazily, and the large gourd began to slow down, descending into the mountainous terrain below.
This Immortal seemed to yawn and shouted to the few people behind her, "Stay alert; we are about to enter the border range of the North Polaris Continent. Listen carefully! North Polaris Continent is not a good place. You've come here this time for training, don't fight recklessly for treasures and spirit herbs. I'll take you to one of the entrances to North Polaris Continent later. Remember this place; don't rush around foolishly when you come to North Polaris Continent by yourselves in the future."
The five disciples stood up simultaneously, bowed to Jiu Jiuxian, and said in unison, "We follow Senior Uncle's teachings."
"Well," Jiu Jiuxian nodded in satisfaction.
Liu Yan'er asked softly, "Senior Uncle... isn't North Polaris Continent one of the Four Great Continents? Why talk about an entrance? Could it be that the miasma here forms a natural array?"
Jiu Jiuxian raised an eyebrow, indifferent, "Who knows why? Explain it to her."
Yuan Qing, who was behind, smiled, "For cultivators in the Nascent Divinity Realm and those who have formed their Inner Circles through prolonged practice, the miasma in North Polaris Continent is not difficult to resist. The most troublesome part is the poisonous insects and plants bred by the miasma, as well as the fierce beasts and poisonous beasts that roam everywhere. They are challenging to deal with."
"That's not answering her question!"
Jiu Jiuxian rolled her eyes and scolded Yuan Qing, "She's asking why there is an entrance. What kind of answer is this?"
Yuan Qing smiled awkwardly and could only bow.
Yuwen Ling solemnly said, "Because of the Yao Clan."
"Yes, it's because of the Yao Clan. The big guy is quite knowledgeable." Jiu Jiuxian glanced at Yuwen Ling, controlled the large gourd, and descended into a mountain valley below. She continued seriously, "The human clan's aura converges in the Southern Generosity Continent, while North Polaris Continent is the land where the exiled Witch Clan resides. In ancient times, to support the falling heavens, several holy figures took action to cut off the four legs of the ancient Xuan Tortoise and used them as pillars to support the falling heavens. The resentment and frustration of the Xuan Tortoise turned into the persistent miasma of North Polaris Continent. When you look northwest, it's not just a rain cloud."
The five people looked towards the northwest. At this moment, they were descending into the mountains, and they could see the surging gray-black clouds on the horizon.
Endless and vast.
Jiu Jiuxian continued, "The miasma gave birth to many poisonous insects and plants, making ordinary creatures afraid to approach. It also became a place where various exotic flowers and fruits thrived. There are all kinds of fierce and poisonous beasts inside, even True Immortals dare not venture too deep. After the Witch-Yao War, the remnants of the Witch Clan were exiled here. They went to the far north of North Polaris Continent, where it's icy and snowy, with fewer insects and beasts, barely surviving. But it is said that they are on the verge of extinction. It's really miserable. As for those Yao Clan who harbor resentment against the Witch Clan, as well as the Yao Clan driven away by our Human Clan cultivators, they all gather at the border of North Polaris Continent. Over time, this narrow area spreading tens of thousands of miles from east to west has become the most important habitat for the Yao Clan."
Having introduced this, Jiu Jiuxian looked at the expressions of the disciples and found that, except for Li Changshou, all of them were more or less nervous.
Not bad, let's add some more effort.
Jiu Jiuxian chuckled, pointed below the gourd, and continued expressionlessly, "The town below is forcibly opened by our human experts to enter North Polaris Continent. It has been in a truce with the Yao Clan for thousands of years. I don't know when it will start fighting again. When we enter the town later, I will take you to buy some miasma-avoidance talismans and detoxification pills. Although there are such items inside, don't know who set a rule that you need to experience the life of a cultivator, teaching you the art of barter. Remember, you can't wander around in the sky above the town. There are several experts here, and you should always have a sense of awe for the strong. We will land from the southeast mountain slope and take a mountain road to get there."
The five disciples bowed and followed the instructions, remembering the teachings of Senior Uncle Jiu.
This town was mostly located in a mountain valley. The cliffs on both sides of the valley were carved into caves, and many plank roads and wooden buildings were constructed.
The valley was filled with various buildings, looking chaotic from a distance; there were grand palaces, towering pagodas, but mostly wooden and earthen houses. Overall, it seemed unplanned, with only a few narrow streets that were passable.
Of course, most Nascent Divinity-stage cultivators flew in the air and didn't need to walk.
It could be seen that there were quite a few cultivators heading to North Polaris Continent, with people coming and going. Many wooden and earthen houses had cultivators setting up stalls on their rooftops, where they sold various herbs and treasures produced in North Polaris Continent.
These herbs and treasures were mostly related to the word "poison."
Jiu Jiuxian was familiar with the route. She conjured a white cloud, took five disciples and Yuwen Ling, and circled the town for half a circle. Then, after comparing and checking several stalls, she let them take out spirit stones and buy some cost-effective elixirs and talismans.
Hmm? Why isn't this guy moving?
Jiu Jiuxian looked at Li Changshou, who had been standing behind her with his hands folded, sighed in her heart, and casually threw a purse over her shoulder, hitting Li Changshou in the chest.
This kind of purse was the simplest storage magic treasure, usually used to store a fixed amount of spirit stones.
Jiu Jiuxian complained, "I knew your master didn't give you much stuff. I don't understand why he insists on guarding that little peak... Buy detoxification pills and miasma-avoidance talismans quickly. Don't linger, a big man should stop dawdling!"
"Uh," Li Changshou was taken aback for a moment, looked up at the senior uncle in front of him who didn't like to dress up, and showed a gentle smile.
This kind of smile was only revealed in front of Master and Junior Sister.
He was about to explain that he had prepared everything in advance, but before he could speak, another slender hand reached out, holding a stack of yellow paper talismans and two chubby porcelain bottles.
It was the girl who carried a large sword on her back and wore a fiery red dress.
Xuan Ya was turning her head to look elsewhere, speaking in a deliberately calm tone, "Consider it an apology for Senior Brother, from before..."
As she spoke, she flicked her finger with a clever force, directly delivering the elixirs and talismans into Li Changshou's hands. Then, she turned and walked to another stall as if nothing had happened.
Li Changshou felt a bit amused, arched his hand towards her back, and didn't say much.
This iceberg was definitely not as cold as it seemed.