Chapter 225: Nine-Petal Moon Orchid and the Bloodroot Dragon King
Shen Mo looked up to see He Tianchou and smiled. "Why is Hall Master He also participating in the Bloodvine Valley event?"
He Tianchou laughed heartily, though somewhat embarrassed. "Ashamed, truly ashamed. Although I've been assigned as the Hall Master of Jade Sea Hall, my elder ranking is still only at the second rank."
"This time, I'm not just here to gather some Vermilion Blood Spirit Grain for myself but also plan to submit the extra to the sect in exchange for contribution points."
Shen Mo nodded slightly.
Indeed, elders could keep seventy percent of the Vermilion Blood Spirit Grain they obtained in the Bloodvine Valley, but thirty percent had to be submitted to the sect.
However, if one was willing to surrender part of their personal share to the sect, they could earn additional contribution points.
He Tianchou had been saving up contribution points for a while and clearly aimed to accumulate enough to exchange for a valuable item with a second-tier contribution ranking.
"Elder Shen, there are rumors that the Bloodvine Valley will be particularly restless this year, with the bloodvines exhibiting far more aggression than in previous years. We'll need to be extra careful."
"If we encounter trouble inside, I'll help you, and you must promise to help me as well!"
He Tianchou chuckled nervously.
Shen Mo smiled. "I've always been sincere in my dealings. Naturally, I'll lend a hand to those I have good relations with."
He Tianchou felt slightly reassured.
He considered his relationship with Shen Mo decent. With those words, Shen Mo might actually come to his aid if danger arose.
He Tianchou suddenly said, "By the way, no one outside knows what might happen inside Bloodvine Valley. Elder Shen, you'd best be wary of certain individuals."
Shen Mo nodded slightly.
This was something he was already aware of.
The factions among the elders of the Jade Cauldron Sect were complex and numerous.
Not to mention, Yang Qiye undoubtedly bore a grudge against him.
If not for Shen Mo's actions at Dragon Snake Mountain, Yang Qiye would have succeeded in selling off the sect's beast-taming industry entirely, securing a larger kickback from Yuzhou Governor.
Shen Mo had already discerned these schemes when he first encountered Yang Qiye by examining the life panel.
"Ye Yan is here," He Tianchou said in a low voice, pointing in a direction.
Shen Mo followed his gaze.
Ye Yan retained his cold, indifferent demeanor.
Dressed in a crimson robe with a long blade at his waist, he exuded a chilling aura.
His presence had an almost magnetic pull on those with ill intentions.
Wherever Ye Yan appeared, such individuals would feel an inexplicable urge to bow and submit to him.
Shen Mo glanced at Ye Yan's fortune and felt a tinge of delight.
He suddenly noticed significant changes in Ye Yan's recent fortunes compared to a year ago—there were more opportunities now!
Shen Mo's mood was akin to watching a seedling he had carefully nurtured grow strong.
The gaze he cast at Ye Yan seemed filled with satisfaction, causing Ye Yan to feel an inexplicable chill.
What the heck…
What kind of look was that?
In my entire life, I, Ye Yan, have never been looked at like this before!
Annoyed, Ye Yan resolved that if Shen Mo continued staring, he would return the gaze just as fiercely.
However, Shen Mo only glanced briefly before withdrawing his gaze, silently processing the vast information he had gleaned.
[Recent Opportunities]
[Upon entering Bloodvine Valley, Ye Yan will prepare to cultivate a black seed from Plot Three. By imbuing it with spiritual energy, he will cultivate it into a Nine-Petal Moon Orchid.]
[Once inside Bloodvine Valley, the Nine-Petal Moon Orchid will prevent bloodvines from attacking him, allowing him to be the first to reach the inner valley and secure a large quantity of Vermilion Blood Spirit Grain.]
[In the inner valley, Ye Yan will encounter Bloodroot Dragons. After slaying several, he will obtain nine Yin Sha Pearls and six clusters of refined Bloodroot essence.]
[Following the trail of the Bloodroot Dragons to their underground lair, Ye Yan will inadvertently disturb the Bloodroot Dragon King, leading to a deadly chase.
Numerous elders of the Jade Cauldron Sect will perish in the chaos.
During his escape, Ye Yan will encounter Shen Mo and Xiao Fan. The three will join forces to confront the Bloodroot Dragon King and ultimately slay it.]
[After slaying the Bloodroot Dragon King, Ye Yan and Xiao Fan will turn against Shen Mo, severely injuring him.
Ye Yan will seize six Yin Sha Pearls and the Sky-Touching Tendril Remains.
Xiao Fan will acquire the "Forest Sword" and eight clusters of refined Bloodroot essence.]
Shen Mo mused over the information.
The Moon Orchid grew only at the entrance of Bloodvine Valley. It was a peculiar flower of low grade that rarely produced seeds.
Each Moon Orchid would yield just one seed.
Its petals were tiny, and it emitted almost no fragrance.
The bloodvines within Bloodvine Valley seemed able to detect the faint scent of the Moon Orchid, and they were deeply fearful of it. This was precisely why they were trapped within the valley, unable to leave.
The more petals a Moon Orchid had, the stronger its fragrance, and the less likely it was to attract attacks from the bloodvines.
Before entering Bloodvine Valley, elders would often collect seeds at the entrance and cultivate a Moon Orchid. Doing so significantly increased their safety.
"This Nine-Petal Moon Orchid is a treasure. If I can obtain it, I'll be able to pass through the outer valley safely and quickly, entering the inner valley directly."
Bloodvine Valley was shaped like a gourd, divided into an outer valley and an inner valley.
The inner valley had denser spiritual energy and housed more rare treasures, but it was also home to much stronger bloodvines.
Shen Mo shifted his focus to other opportunities.
He noticed that some unexpected phenomena had emerged in Bloodvine Valley.
Bloodvines, the most abundant beasts in the valley, were well-known to all.
Bloodroot Dragons, however, were a different matter. These dragon-shaped beasts were formed from the roots of the vines, which absorbed Yin Sha energy over time.
Their aggressive nature was unparalleled.
They not only attacked human cultivators but also bloodvines—and even each other.
This eventually led to the emergence of an immensely powerful Bloodroot Dragon King.
The Bloodroot Dragon King was incredibly strong, far beyond the capabilities of ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators.
Years ago, the Jade Cauldron Sect had lost eleven Nascent Soul cultivators to a single Bloodroot Dragon King.
Yet, Bloodroot Dragons had supposedly been eradicated long ago when the Jade Cauldron Sect first took control of Bloodvine Valley.
Why, then, were they reappearing now?
"As for that Forest Sword… it should be part of the Heaven-Slaying Sword Scripture."
"The formation surrounding Bloodvine Valley is designed to prevent outsiders from entering. How did Xiao Fan manage to get in? Could he have found a flaw in the formation? Truly, the fortunes of a protagonist."
Shen Mo clicked his tongue in amazement.
It was clear that after this opening of Bloodvine Valley, another fierce struggle was inevitable.
Someone as peace-loving as himself had no interest in such chaos.
He'd take what he needed in advance and let them fight their battles.
After all, neither of those two was any good.
According to fate, he would team up with them to slay the Bloodroot Dragon King, only for them to immediately turn on him once the dragon was dead.
A shred of conscience would have gone a long way, yet they seemed utterly devoid of it.
At this moment, a streak of light appeared on the horizon.
A towering elder with a broad frame and an imposing aura arrived.
Though he said nothing, his presence was enough to make others lower their heads instinctively.
He was none other than the Grand Elder in charge of the Discipline Hall.
"Everyone, the opening of Bloodvine Valley is imminent. Follow me," the Grand Elder announced in a commanding voice.
With that, he ascended into the air and flew northward.
Shen Mo and the others immediately followed.
In an instant, dozens of streaks of light sped northward, heading straight for Bloodvine Valley.
Bloodvine Valley was located within the Hengtai Mountain Range, not far from the Jade Cauldron Sect's main gate.
This area lay at the core of the Jade Cauldron Sect's territory, and no one dared to trespass.
Before long, a red speck appeared in the distance.
As they descended, the valley came into view. It was shaped like a gourd, wide at the outer edge and narrow at the inner core, and bathed in a crimson hue.
This was Bloodvine Valley.
A faint glow surrounded the valley—the defensive formation protecting it from outsiders.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Dozens of figures landed in unison at the entrance of Bloodvine Valley.
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