Chapter 41 Harvest

  Tonight there will be two more updates of 6,000 words each, and the word count is absolutely guaranteed!

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  Simadeng's gaze at Ling Xiao became extremely complicated.

  Although I had thought about it before, letting Sima Yan lose to Ling Xiao once would also be a good thing for tempering his character.

  But it really happened, looking at the only son Sima Shi, that expression of shame and anger, his heart was very much in pain, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of protective thoughts.

  He had several changes in his heart, but on the surface he remained calm and composed.

  He beckoned to Ling Xiao, gesturing for him to come closer, narrowing his eyes slightly as he sized him up from head to toe. After a moment, he smiled warmly and said, "Not bad, just starting out with second-tier pill refinement, you can already use three portions of materials to refine two top-grade Heaven's Flame Pills, and one is mid-grade. With such talent, Sima Yu has no reason to complain about losing."

  Ling Xiao hastily humbled himself and said: "I'm just a temporary lucky one, when it comes to alchemy, I'm still far from being as good as Shifu Sima."

  Simadeng gazed at him, and couldn't help but let out another sigh from the bottom of his heart. Unarrogant in victory, unflustered in defeat, with such an excellent innate talent, this Fuling had truly picked a good material. In comparison, Sima Huo's innate talent for alchemy might not be much worse, but when it came to temperament and experience, he fell far short.

  Thinking in her heart, she smiled faintly and said: "Losing is just losing, you don't have to cover up for him."

  He then took out the "Ten Bead Shield" talisman from his bosom, smiled and handed it over to Ling Xiao, "This is the promised bonus, Ten Bead Shield, a defensive type of talisman, which happens to be just right for you."

  Ling Xiao couldn't help but feel delighted, just about to thank him, when suddenly Fou Ling spoke up indifferently from the side, "Elder brother Sima, you're also a Foundation Establishment cultivator, yet you only brought out this one mid-grade talisman, don't you think it's a bit shabby? Moreover, your Hundred Bead Shield, after removing ten shield beads, doesn't have much use left, right? Why not take out the remaining ninety shield beads and I'll buy them from you?"

  Feng Ling's tone was too cold and aloof, even though his words seemed to convey a hint of request, the way he spoke still made people feel uncomfortable.

  Simadeng did not think it was a big deal, but he revealed a bitter smile. "Fuchang Lao doesn't know that some days ago, Geng Zongzhu asked me for 20 shield pearls on behalf of one of his disciples, and I only have 80 left in my hands. Otherwise, how could I bear to take them out as prizes?"

  Feng Ling let out a cold hum and then fell silent.

  The Ten Bead Shield and the Hundred Bead Shield are still vastly different. The Ten Bead Shield is only a mid-grade artifact, while the Hundred Bead Shield is an extremely high-end artifact even among top-grade artifacts, with a value that cannot be compared.

  Simadeng was interrupted like this, and felt that taking out only ten shield beads was indeed a bit shabby.

  She hesitated for a moment, then resolutely took out the remaining eighty shield beads and handed them over to Ling Xiao. "Forget it, I also can't let people laugh at me. Then give these eighty shield beads to you as well. In the future, if you can gather a hundred, the power will still be increased."

  This was an unexpected delight, but apart from Ling Xiao's joy, he also felt a little surprised, and couldn't help but look at Fu Ling, revealing a questioning expression.

  Simad's actions shocked Fowling, who couldn't help but take a deep look at Sima Temple and said: "Then thank you, Elder Sima." Then turned to Ling Xiao and said lightly: "Don't you thank Elder Sima?"

  Ling Xiao happily accepted it and thanked him, saying: "Thank you, Elder Sima."

  "This is also what you deserve." Sima Gong waved his hand, stood up and bid farewell to Fowu Ling, then transformed into a gray eagle and flew away.

  The grey eagle he transformed into, with its wings spread open, was over a zhang long, exuding an aura of majesty and awe-inspiring power. In that instant, all the disciples in the field felt their hearts skip a beat. When they looked up again, the grey eagle had already flown far away, leaving no trace behind. As for Sima Gong's mastery of this spiritual technique, it was unknown how much more superior he was to Sima Huo.

  Moreover, this is probably because he didn't want to use his full strength within the sect.

  Ling Xiao held the eighty shield beads in his hand, gazing in the direction where Sima Dian had retreated. His eyes were filled with great admiration. This was the power of a foundation-building cultivator? Indeed, every move they made exuded an aura that was awe-inspiring and not to be trifled with.

  Although she often accompanied Fú Líng, Fú Líng's nature was introverted and had never shown her true strength. Even at the roots of the earth fire ten thousand feet below, when she brought out the Flame Day Brocade and used all her might to drive it forward, it was only to protect herself and Líng Xiāo. As a result, Líng Xiāo, who was protected within the inner seal, found it difficult to truly feel Fú Líng's strength.

  Feng Ling gazed at Ling Xiao with a faint smile and said, "Eighty shield pearls are indeed much stronger than ten, but the Hundred Pearl Shield is originally one entity. Although it can be disassembled for use, its power has been greatly reduced. If there's an opportunity in the future, I'll help you get the remaining twenty pearls."

  Ling Xiao hastily thanked Fu Ling.

  He was truly grateful, originally thinking he would only get ten, who would have thought that with Fuling's single sentence, it changed from ten to eighty. The difference in power can be seen just by the change in quantity alone.

  With Fuling's temperament, he would actually take the initiative to speak up for him and ask for it, which is enough to show how much he values their relationship.

  Eighty shield beads were held in his palm. When these beads were released, each one was as big as a goose egg, but when they were retracted into his hand, they would shrink to the size of a grain of rice, and even with eighty of them, he could easily hold them in his hand.

  "Don't just stand there stupidly, pick it up, let's go."

  "Yes." Ling Xiao hastily responded with a single word, and just as he withdrew the shield orb, he was swept up by Fuling's sleeve and taken away.

  He also took a moment to look around the crowd, but the silver fox girl was nowhere to be seen. He felt a little disappointed and worried. However, thinking that since she could sneak into the Qi Yun Sect unnoticed, she probably had a way to leave as well.

  Back to the cave mansion of Fuling.

  Although Fu Ling's face was calm and collected, it could be seen that Ling Xiao had unexpectedly won the competition, and she was still quite delighted.

  Ling Xiao carefully asked to leave, but Fu Ling spoke up and said: "Don't be in a hurry. Although you have obtained these ten bead shields, you are not good at using them, so you can't bring out the advantages of the shield beads' spiritual changes. I'll teach you a set of collection and sacrifice techniques, which will be somewhat helpful."

  Ling Xiao finally knew the purpose of bringing herself back and hurriedly thanked her with joy.

  Feng Ling's set was just a simple collection of incantations, and Ling Xiao quickly grasped it. With a pinch of the incantation, he instantly stored eighty shield beads in his sleeve; and when needed, simply pinching the incantation would easily release them, transforming into various shapes in mid-air.

  Feng Ling struck out with a red glow in his hand, rushing straight towards the Ten Pearl Shield.

  Eighty shield beads rotated and revolved, their light intersecting like layers of screens. The red light pierced through the shield beads, instantly becoming stuck in the mud, its radiance weakening with each collision between the shield beads, unable to travel halfway before being extinguished completely.

  The defensive essence of these ten bead shields lies in the mutual coordination between each shield bead, forming a force field like a muddy swamp that weakens the incoming energy layer by layer, ultimately completely neutralizing it. It has an extraordinary effect on both point and surface attacks.

  Feng Ling also nodded slightly, "Not bad, its defense is already comparable to that of a high-quality spirit artifact."

  Ling Xiao was even more delighted.

  Under Fuling's guidance, he tried it out and indeed became much more skilled. Finally, Fuling waved his hand to dismiss him to leave on his own, but Ling Xiao suddenly remembered the two puppets, and in the past few days, he had been busy refining the elixir and had forgotten about repairing the puppets. He hastily took out the puppets and materials and respectfully handed them over to Fuling.

  However, repairing a puppet is no easy task, and Fowling only let him stay for a while before sending him away.

  Ling Xiao thanked Fuling and left, heading towards his own residence on West Peak.

  At this time, the news that Ling Xiao had defeated Sima Zuo in a trial by combat had already spread throughout the sect. As he walked along the road, the disciples he met along the way all greeted him voluntarily, addressing him as "Ling Xiao Shixiong". Even outer sect disciples who had entered the sect many years earlier and were already at the fifth or sixth level of Qi Refining did not make an exception.

  Ling Xiao has always been humble and cautious. The more famous he becomes, the more careful he is in his actions. He returns every courtesy, not willing to miss a single one.

  His attitude naturally made other disciples feel more affectionate towards him.

  But just as Ling Xiao returned to the Western Peak, he happened to run into Chen Yang coming out of the Purple Cloud Temple. He had been taken care of by the latter several times before, so when he saw him, he took the initiative to greet him: "Brother Chen Yang."

  Chen Ang saw him and his face lit up with joy, "Ling Shidi, I was just looking for you."

  Ling Xiao found it strange and asked for the reason.

  Chen Ang smiled and said, "Did Ling Shidi just suffer a defeat at the hands of Sima Yan in the Earth Fire Room of Qingyun Hall in our sect? Indeed, it's only been a few days since he entered the third layer of Qi Refining, yet he has achieved such success in alchemy."

  "It was just a temporary stroke of luck."

  Chen Ang smiled, "Even if it's just a temporary stroke of luck, it's still quite difficult. What I want to ask you is also related to this alchemy."

  "What is it?" Ling Xiao asked.

  "I was going to head into the depths of Cloud Valley soon, to hunt and kill a second-tier demonic beast. I had wanted to get some high-quality paper talismans for protection, but unfortunately, they were too expensive. Just then, I heard the news that you, my junior brother, had successfully refined the Heavenly Flame Elixir and defeated Sima Feng, which suddenly gave me an idea, so I came seeking your help."

  Ling Xiao understood, "Brother Chen wants the Tianyan Dan? I don't know how many pills are needed. Approximately when is it needed?"

  Chen Ang understood that Ling Xiao was willing to help as soon as he heard him say so, and couldn't help but rejoice: "At least ten pellets are needed! Time is no problem, hunting second-tier demon beasts isn't urgent either, we also need to prepare carefully, waiting for ten days or half a month is fine."

  Ling Xiao nodded, "Alright, I'll go and refine it for the time being. If I'm lucky enough to succeed, I'll send it to Elder Chen Ang."

  "That's fine. Don't rush, young brother. You take a good rest first and refine it when you have time. Once it's refined, just call me and I'll come over to collect it myself. As for the price, of course, I won't let you lose out. If you can refine it successfully, I'll pay more than the market price, an additional 20% on top."

  The two of them discussed some details before bidding farewell and leaving.

  Dan medicines commonly used such as Pei Yuandan, Jiu Zidan and Xiao Huandan are naturally available for sale in the sect. However, dan medicines that are rarely used, such as Xuan Yindan and Tian Yandan, are unlikely to be sold by anyone.

  Chen Ang would make up his mind to take the Tianyan Dan, but it was because of the price difference between the talisman and the medicine.

  High-quality paper talismans cost at least 300 contribution points each. If they are printed with powerful attack spells, the price is even higher.

  But the Tianyan Dan is only a second-grade elixir, and its price is similar to that of the Xuanyin Dan. The lower grade costs 100 contribution points, the middle grade costs 200 contribution points, and the top grade costs around 500 contribution points. In terms of power alone, the middle-grade Tianyan Dan is already comparable to the top-grade Papercraft. Calculating this way, it's natural that the Tianyan Dan is a bit cheaper.

  Of course, Tianyan Dan's attack method is monotonous after all, and its use is subject to restrictions.

  The talisman is different, the spell of printing can change thousands of times, and its use is more flexible and varied, which is far beyond the reach of elixirs like Tianyan Dan.

  Chen Ang promised to give a price 20% higher than the market price, which is also customary.

  After all, Tianyan Dan is a rare and precious elixir that neither the sects nor the markets would normally stock up on. After all, there are countless varieties of elixirs, and this kind of rare one, which is used relatively infrequently, usually requires someone to specially help with refining when needed. That's why the price of elixirs has to be slightly higher.

  Of course, even so, the price is still much lower than that of high-quality paper money.

  Ling Xiao and Chen Ang parted ways, continuing to walk towards his residence. And because of the deal he made with Chen Ang, it suddenly made him feel a stir in his heart, this seemed to be a way to earn spirit stones...