Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Chapter 1277 – The Incomplete Crucial Step

Cang Zhu was a very smart lady. As she looked at Qin Yu, she did not hesitate and gave the answer he wanted to hear, “I am here because I am looking for something. Brother Qin, if you want to know, I can tell you.”

Ignoring how she paused after saying that, Qin Yu directly said, “Since that is the case then thank you Miss Cang Zhu, please tell me.” This was not what Cang Zhu had expected. She was feeling slightly sluggish and suffocated. Looking into his calm eyes, she had no choice but to stop acting aloof.

She took a deep breath and spoke, “I owe you my life and should not ask for anything more. However, in order to save me, Tan Hai has lost his mind from being attacked by demon energy. I have to save him.”

Qin Yu frowned, “Losing his mind because of demon energy…” He looked at Cang Zhu and shook his head slowly and determinedly, “I am sorry, I can’t save him.”

Cang Zhu was desperate, “Brother Qin, you are strong, you can definitely save him. Tan Hai…” Qin Yu cut her off, saying in a deep voice, “Miss Cang Zhu, you and I are also now within the range of demon energy. You know how horrifying it can be. After losing your mind, you will start to attack anyone and everyone. There is no chance of being saved.”

Seeing how Cang Zhu refused to give up, Qin Yu thought about it and continued, “I can feel how strong Brother Tan Hai is. If even he is unable to withstand the onslaught from the demon energy, he must be in an area with highly concentrated demon energy. Even if I go in, I cannot guarantee that I will be able to come out sane.”

This was the truth. After entering the fog, one would slowly notice that once the concentration of demon energy exceeded a certain limit, it would interfere with one’s will and judgement. It could completely engulf one’s consciousness. One would then become a puppet controlled by the demon energy.

Qin Yu had once come across a creature that had lost its mind to the demon energy. He also knew how horrifying it can be to be in a place where the demon energy was concentrated. He did not want to risk it. Of course, the other reason as to why he rejected her was not that nice. With the present situation, Cang Zhu did not have any other choice if she wanted to live.

Cang Zhu fell silent as she also understood this. She lowered her head, hiding her expression. Just when Qin Yu believed that she had given up, she suddenly lifted her head and stared straight at him, saying, “I am a descendant of a human and a shell woman. I have the power of my mother’s tribe. She was from the East Sea’s purest shell women tribe.”

Qin Yu frowned slightly. What was this lady trying to say? Is she trying to use her bloodline to pressure me? She can’t be that stupid!

“East Sea’s shell woman…” Stone Pagoda spoke.

Old Turtle pursed his lips but did not react. He was already numb to it all. If Stone Pagoda wanted to show off, he could do it. They didn’t even know if they would be able to survive. What was the point of it all?

Qin Yu asked, “You know something?”

Stone Pagoda coughed lightly, “After living for so long, I ought to know more than others. If this woman is really part of the East Sea’s shell women, maybe you should help her.”

Stone Pagoda only said half of the story. It was not that he did not want to explain, but he knew Cang Zhu was about to say it. If he said it first, the shock and attraction would not be as great. To be honest, he was hoping Qin Yu would agree.

With Qin Yu’s strong will, a little bit of demon energy would not pose much of a problem. He just did not want to take the risk and go through the trouble later on.

Cang Zhu’s face was red as she opened her mouth. However, she stared bravely into Qin Yu’s eyes and said slowly, “I am also a virgin and the first man I am with can gain the pearl energy within me. It will greatly help with cultivation. But this can only happen if the shell woman is willing. If not, the pearl will break and disappear forever.”

Even though Qin Yu remained expressionless, he was actually stunned. He never expected that this was what she was going to say, and this storyline was beyond conventional.

Oh…Cang Zhu was definitely beautiful and she looked exquisite. Now, she was suppressing her embarrassment and staring bravely at him. She was definitely made for seducing others.

Even though Qin Yu did not harbor even the slightest wrong thought, he could not help but be slightly shaken. This was not embarrassing at all because if it were you, you would most likely be shaken as well.

He was being seduced by someone like Cang Zhu, who seemed perfect in all ways. He had to spend quite a bit of effort to hold himself back.

Qin Yu coughed lightly and was prepared to reject her, informing her that he would not give in to temptation for things like this. As for the energy of the pearl, it was not needed. He had absorbed twelve sources of life and two of them were purple.

“Master, you need…” Stone Pagoda spoke in a soft and warm manner, “The pearl within a shell woman has been in them since they were conceived. A huge part of the energy they contain is a pure, high quality source of life. If you want to completely recover from your Rule System body, you need this kind of pure and strong source of life.”

Stone Pagoda would not dare to joke about this. That meant what he said was true…I need the pearl…if I need the pearl…I have to agree…the means to get it were straightforward. But this entire thing was too difficult!

Hmm? What am I thinking? Why am I thinking this? Hurry get out of my head!

Qin Yu did not realize that Cang Zhu had already noticed the silence after his cough. It was sufficient for her. He was hesitating because although he had been moved, it was too dangerous.

She bit her lip and said, “I also know a secret regarding the mountain. If this secret is true, it would mean endless opportunities and chances. Brother Qin, if you agree, I will tell you this secret.”

Qin Yu’s heart jumped. Somehow, when he heard Cang Zhu mention that she knew a secret, he recalled the silver root. It was as if her secret had something to do with it. This had a huge impact on Qin Yu.

“What secret?”

Cang Zhu shook her head, “I can’t tell you now, but as soon as you rescue Tan Hai, I will fulfil my promise!”

Qin Yu narrowed his eyes and spoke indifferently, “I can’t risk my life just based on what you said. You have no evidence. You have to give me some kind of evidence to show that you are not lying to me.”

This bastard. You already accepted my terms but now you are saying you cannot do it based on what I said? What am I to you?

Cang Zhu was slightly annoyed but dared not show it. She only glanced at Qin Yu…this bastard. Although he is quite good-looking…what am I thinking. I should be angry now, angry!

But what he said made sense. If he was going in to save someone…she should give him some confidence.

Attractive and righteous!

Cang Zhu found a reason for Qin Yu. She breathed deeply before taking out a shard, “Brother Qin, I will give this to you first. This has a strong connection to this mountain. You will know after touching it.”

Qin Yu took it and felt a scorching sensation. He looked at Cang Zhu. She had lifted her head slightly. Alas, she wanted to see him get burned. It was a pity that as soon as Qin Yu saw the shard, he already guessed what it was and was mentally prepared.

The shard that Cang Zhu gave Qin Yu was exactly the same as the one he got from Xu Wei. But this shard was slightly bigger.

Qin Yu could not confirm what this shard had to do with the mountain but he had seen its power before. At that time it easily destroyed the puppet of a True Saint. Just one hit had such explosive power!

Just as Qin Yu thought of this, a voice sounded within him, “Is protection needed?”

This voice was too familiar!

He immediately rejected; Qin Yu could deal with this small situation. He could not use this precious shard. Even if he did not know what this shard was and where this voice had come from, this shard was Qin Yu’s greatest card now. It was the strongest guarantee that he would be able to survive in this mountain.

Perhaps to it, killing the True Saint’s puppet was as easy as killing a mosquito. No one knew what this shard represented and the horrifying energy that it contained.

He suppressed the excitement within him. The only thing Qin Yu did not understand was how Cang Zhu ended up in this state if she had this shard. Could she not hear its voice?

It didn’t matter. He was going to keep this thing well. He put it away and looked at Cang Zhu, “Fine, I will help you save him.” Since he took her offering, he would keep his side of the promise. Just this shard was worth the risk.

Moreover, Stone Pagoda was right. Although demon energy was problematic and unable to be avoided, his imperfect Rule System body was still a Rule System body. Along with his strong will, he just had to be careful and there would not be a huge problem.

Cang Zhu cursed him for being shameless. Just a moment ago, asking him to help was like asking him to die. Now, with a few benefits he had agreed. But soon, her face hardened. Since Qin Yu agreed, according to their agreement, it meant that she had to…what if he wanted to do it now? How can I reject? If I reject, what if he gets angry and goes back on his word? Should I just agree?

Thankfully, Qin Yu did not make things difficult for Cang Zhu. As he saw her overcast expression, he simply thought that she was regretting giving away the shard and pretended not to notice. He said, “Just stay here and don’t move. Tell me the direction and I will find him.”

Cang Zhu lifted her hand. With a swoosh, Qin Yu got moving immediately. Her first thought was that he was going to run after taking her item. But there were still some things that he had not gotten; was he just going to leave?

She wanted to call out to him but he was already gone. Cang Zhu covered her face with her hands as she thought to herself. I am normally smart. Did my brain also get sealed along with my cultivation? How can I always be so stupid when dealing with him.

Speaking of which, Qin Yu was actually very handsome…how can I be thinking of this now? I am hopeless! Just a while back, he was just average!

Now he was gone and didn’t leave anything behind. He is not worried about me at all. Is he really gone?

Just as Cang Zhu started to let her thoughts run wild, the sound of something cutting through the wind filled the air. ‘Pom’, someone was thrown on the ground in front of her. It was Tan Hai. His eyes were bloodshot as he struggled against the restraints.

As he landed near Cang Zhu, it was as if he could sense her aura and he struggled even more. He stared at her and growled in a low voice.

Qin Yu shook his hand and there was a teeth mark that had yet to fade, “Was this guy born in the year of the dog? He actually bit me. If I knew he was going to do it, I would have left him to die.”

Was he saying this on purpose? With Tan Hai’s current behavior, it was indeed a bit awkward.

Cang Zhu let out a breath and said, “Thank you Brother Qin.” After thanking him, she suddenly realized that it barely took him any time to rescue Tan Hai. This included the time he needed to look for Tan Hai. This meant that rescuing him was no big deal to Qin Yu.

Despicable!

It was such an easy thing yet he had forced her to give up everything. This man was evil.

Qin Yu glanced at Cang Zhu, “Why are you glaring at me? I saved him and our agreement is done. If there is nothing else, then goodbye!”

Although nothing happened when he met Cang Zhu this time, he still wanted to put some distance between him and this ‘jinx’.

Every man must have thought of playing the hero and saving a lady. However, Qin Yu really did not have any such thoughts. Although it seemed like he was safe for now, this mountain was horrifying and he had experienced it before. He could not be careless.

It was not easy to survive, if he were to bring this ‘jinx’ and Tan Hai, a crazy burden, he would be seeking his own death.

Qin Yu was quick to turn and leave. Cang Zhu was stunned. As she saw that he was about to leave, she shouted, “No, our deal is not over!”

The fog shifted and Qin Yu could no longer be seen. Cang Zhu bit her lip and looked at Tan Hai, who was struggling. She was hesitant.

Cang Zhu thought about it for a long time and suddenly started crying. She looked at Tan Hai, who had bloodshot eyes and was growling, “Sorry senior, I have no way of saving you. Instead of letting you live like this, I would rather help you end this. Don’t worry, I will pay back whatever I owe you in our next life…Senior, this is all my fault. I caused you to become like this…”

Her eyes fell as she grabbed Tan Hai’s neck.

The sound of footsteps filled the air, Qin Yu frowned and looked impatient, “What are you looking at? If you don’t even have the determination for this, I would not have appeared and let you both die.”

When he agreed to Cang Zhu’s request, Qin Yu already knew what would happen. He made a bet with himself. If Cang Zhu can do it, I will help her. After all, the shard he got from her was extremely precious and he knew it.

It was okay to feel slightly guilty, but if his guilt was too big, he would be uncomfortable.

He walked over and hit Tan Hai, knocking him unconscious. Qin Yu picked him up with one hand and threw him into one of the cracks. He turned and looked at Cang Zhu, “I have limited abilities and can only take one person with me. If you don’t want to follow, you can stay here with him.”

Cang Zhu bit his lip and looked at the unconscious Tan Hai. She turned to Qin Yu, “I will come back to bring him out of here.”

“Nothing to do with me.”

“You are the one who knocked him unconscious…”

“Go back if you don’t want to leave!”

Cang Zhu immediately shut her mouth and turned around to look at the fog. She muttered, “Senior, rest assured, I promise that he will come back to save you. Because the crucial last step of our deal is incomplete.”

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