Wei Ziling is clever and hot-tempered, and sheâs very protective of her friends. When she sees her friend being wronged, sheâll fire back without hesitation.
As soon as she said this, everyone around who was collecting leaves turned to look at the dog on Jiang Laiâs shoulder. It looked ordinary, but did it have such abilities?
Just like that, Jiang Lai attracted a wave of animosity.
Du Furong and Zhang Qingqing were so anxious they were stomping their feet and cursing.
"Youâre talking nonsense! When did we ever steal your things?"
"We just donât like you, we have no beef with anyone else. Say one more word and Iâll rip your mouth off!"
Back and forth it went, and the difference in their levels was clear.
One is the female leadâs most capable sidekick, the other is a mere cannon fodder not even worthy of a name, canât even argue properly, no wonder in the end she didnât even know how she died.
Jiang Lai looked at the Golden Ganoderma in his hand and smiled.
"This should be a treasure, right? Otherwise, why would you sneak in to pick it while everyone wasnât paying attention, not even your friends knew. Anyway, thereâs only one, how do you plan on dividing it?"
Jiang Lai maintained his character, pushing sarcasm to the limit.
At this moment, Mu Wu sneered.
"This Golden Ganoderma is indeed a treasure, but if you donât store it properly within half a stick of incense, it will turn into a useless puddle of water. Iâd like to see how you can find a Spirit Storage Box in one stick of incense."
After she spoke, she turned and left, Wei Ziling quickly followed, asking beside her.
"Why did you tell them how to store it? If it dissolves, it dissolves, why care so much?"
Mu Wu smiled.
"Golden Ganoderma can be stored for a hundred years without decay; it wonât dissolve."
"Youâre tricking them, why?"
"Golden Ganoderma is fiery and difficult to absorb, it needs to be ground and diluted with Heavenly Spring Water, otherwise, the Spiritual Power will run rampant and disrupt the meridians. And only disciples of the Three Sects have Spirit Storage Boxes; they donât have one and are afraid the Lingzhi might really dissolve. What do you think theyâll do?"
Wei Zilingâs eyes lit up with realization.
"Wow Wu, youâre really bad, but they deserve it. They dare to steal from anyone, they should be taught a lesson so they avoid you next time!"
After talking, Wei Ziling leaned close to Mu Wu affectionately, whispered in her ear.
"I know a place in the Secret Realm, thereâs a treasure you need, my dad told me, letâs go before anyone finds out."
Wei Zilingâs parents are from the Three Sects. When they were young, theyâd been to the Secret Realm for trials many times, so although the secret realm is constantly changing, they still have some knowledge about its secrets.
Mu Wu poked her forehead gently.
"You shouldnât trust others so easily."
"Oh come on, others are others, youâre you. If you hadnât helped me that day, Iâd still be laying in bed recovering."
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"What should we do now? Where do we find a Spirit Storage Box?"
"Will it really dissolve? Why not just eat it now?"
The two of them looked at the Golden Ganoderma, their faces filled with concern, fearing it might really dissolve.
Jiang Lai, however, casually tossed the Ganoderma into his Storage Jade Pendant.
"Donât worry, it wonât dissolve."
"If what she said is true, wonât it be wasted?"
Jiang Lai just smiled and continued walking, casually pulling off a handful of leaves to shove into his pocket.
"Whatâs your relationship with her? Would she be kind-hearted enough to warn you?"
"True though..."
But still, the two were a bit worried. Wouldnât it be a shame if it really dissolved?
Jiang Lai, who was pulling off leaves, looked back at them.
"Why are you standing there? Grab some and stuff them in your pockets."
"Whatâs the point of this, itâs a waste of space, not even useful."
"This Secret Realm is so vast, are you sure you wonât encounter a snake swarm? If you do, donât blame me for not warning you."
Hearing this, the two thought Jiang Lai had a point, so they followed suit and stuffed some into their pockets.
Jiang Lai picked another leaf and placed it on Puddingâs head, who stayed still, obediently like a fake dog.
When Jiang Lai reunited with several senior brothers, he stuffed some leaves into each of their pockets.
The Fourth Senior Brother, thinking it took up space, secretly threw them away when no one was looking.
Continuing to move deeper in, ahead is the Black River, full of hidden dangers, but as long as you donât fall in, itâs fine. So everyone needs to board the small boats tied to the riverbank when crossing.
On the shore was a boatman wearing a bamboo hat and a raincoat, head down fishing, and when people came, you just needed to give two Spirit Stones to rent a small boat.
"Wow, there are actually people in this forbidden area?"
Du Furong was a bit surprised; to her, this dangerous place was a potential deathtrap at any moment, each step taken in fear, she never expected anyone would live here permanently.
Beside her, Third Senior Brother explained.
"This person used to be an elder of the Three Sects, but later, apparently for some transgression, he was exiled to the forbidden area to guard the Black River. Besides him, many places in the forbidden area have people guarding them."
"Have you guys been to the Black River before?"
"Of course not, the Secret Realm changes every year, this Black River is also my first time seeing it."
"Enough talking, we need to rent two boats since we have many people."
First Senior Brother stepped forward and handed over four Spirit Stones.
"Two boats, take them over there."
The old man extended a hand, his long nails and skinny fingers startled Du Furong; everywhere, the old man exuded a decayed, eerie aura, even the boats floating in the water looked unsafe.
After taking the boats, First Senior Brother urged everyone to board quickly and leave, but Jiang Lai once again approached the old man, bending down to ask him.
"Sir, do you sell anything else here?"
"Some boats, some cloaks, some bamboo hats, also fishing hooks and bait, do you need any, young lady?"
Jiang Lai thought for a moment.
"Seven cloaks, seven bamboo hats, and one set of fishing rod, hook, and bait, please, sir."
"Forty Spirit Stones will do."
Upon hearing the price, Jiang Lai immediately turned to look at First Senior Brother.
"First Senior Brother, pay up."
First Senior Brotherâs brows never relaxed from the start, spending forty Spirit Stones on such random stuff, he was of course unwilling.
Tiangang Sectâs Spirit Stones are scarce, and before they came, the master gave them only a hundred as expenses. Now, theyâve already spent over forty just at the edge of the secret realm, and there are still nine days to go.
But Jiang Lai is the junior sister, and what she requests, as the senior brother, he couldnât appear stingy, so he reluctantly bought it while continuously scolding.
"In the future, donât buy anything without my permission, this goes for you, Jiang Lai."
Fourth Senior Brother felt the pain too.
Forty Spirit Stones for this pile of junk?
"Tell me, what do we need bamboo hats and raincoats for? And the fishing rod, hook, bait, are you planning to fish and eat because youâre afraid of getting hungry on the boat?"
"Why does it matter to you what I use it for? Anyway, master said to prioritize my needs. Even First Senior Brother agreed, but youâre over here whining, arenât you annoying?"