50 - Dungeon Growth Log

Chuyao descended gracefully from the air, her wide blue and white sleeves fluttering. She glanced at Gou Pei Jiu, who landed simultaneously with her, and the unconscious boy in her arms. With a slight hum, she turned to leave. The air was thick with the scent of blood. Chuyao hadn't noticed it when she kicked the cauldron earlier, but now the scent was unmistakable. She furrowed her brow and immediately saw the bloodstains on the ground. The floor of the Pill Training Platform was made of polished bluestone, very smooth, making the bloodstains left by clothing friction clearly visible. The cauldron had been kicked away by her earlier and now lay outside the practice area, with no one injured. The table where medicinal materials and other items were placed remained in its original position—right where Xia Wu Yin had been moments ago. Near one of the table legs, a small pool of deep red blood had formed. Chuyao paused and then noticed the blood slowly dripping from the right corner of the table onto the bluestone ground. The bright red blood was exceptionally glaring. She suddenly stopped in her tracks and looked back to see the girl in the red and white maple-leaf robe holding the small, black-clad boy, leaving slowly and elegantly, as if afraid that a hasty movement might disturb him. "Hey." Chuyao's slender fingers hooked around the tassel of her sword. The scabbard and sword fit tightly together, so the sword didn't fall even with one finger holding it. She lifted her chin slightly towards the retreating figure. "Stop, did you hear me?" Gou Pei Jiu halted and turned slightly, her soft black hair, bound by a red hairband, gently swaying with the motion. Her dark, quiet eyes met Chuyao's light brown ones. Chuyao revealed a small, crystal-clear canine tooth in her smile and casually flicked her sword. "So, you're the top disciple of the Pill Peak?" Without turning around, Gou Pei Jiu gave her a brief glance and a faint nod, signaling acknowledgment. "Don't let him die," Chuyao said, licking her lips, her eyes filled with unabashed ambition and arrogance. "That brat is the new rising star of our Sword Peak." Gou Pei Jiu looked into Chuyao’s ambitious light brown eyes for a moment. "If he has chosen the Pill Peak path," the girl in the red and white maple-leaf robe spoke softly, the breeze lifting her soft black hair and red hairband, "I won’t let him turn back." "Tsk." Chuyao hugged her sword, squinting in a smile, the light reflecting in her brown eyes while her canine tooth gleamed sharply. "Then let's wait and see." Gou Pei Jiu gave her a cold look before turning to leave. The reason she didn't turn around just now was because Xia Wu Yin's blood had soaked through her robe. Even in his unconscious state, he clung tightly to her garment, trembling violently, his pale face filled with utter despair and fear. She thought. ——He probably wouldn't want anyone to see him like this, so weak and vulnerable. Xiao Qing hurriedly arrived from the platform, glaring at Gou Pei Jiu's retreating figure, feeling indignant for Chuyao. "What kind of attitude was that! Even though… you're the eldest daughter of the Chu family!" Chuyao’s smile faded. She glanced at the bloodstain near the table leg and remained silent for a while. "Xiao Qing, shut up. Let's go back." Above, three spiritual birds, directed by Bai Li Qing, each holding a golden pill in their beaks, flew to the northern platform and placed the three fasting golden pills on a small table. The rich aroma of the pills filled the entire Pill Training Platform, causing the Pill Peak judges to hesitate, not knowing how to grade the performance. If perfect, the creation of the three-life golden pill would make Xia Wu Yin the undisputed winner of the competition, but he had exploded his cauldron. According to the judging criteria, exploding the cauldron meant instant disqualification. While the judges were in a dilemma, Gou Pei Jiu, carrying the black-clad boy, approached the platform. The faint scent of blood spread as the girl’s wide sleeves with the Pill Peak embroidery gently covered the boy’s pale face. An inner sect judge quickly approached, looking troubled. "Senior Sister… how should we judge his performance?" The girl in the red and white maple-leaf robe spoke softly, "Judge it as you see fit." Before the judge could respond, Ye Ze’s anxious voice came from the side. "Senior Sister, what’s wrong with Xia Wu Yin?" Even though Xia Wu Yin had successfully created the three-life golden pill, Ye Ze couldn’t feel any happiness. Looking at the boy, now barely conscious in Gou Pei Jiu's arms, a deep sense of guilt rose within him. ——He felt utterly useless. If he had been stronger, he could have protected him, and Xia Wu Yin wouldn’t have had to endure such hardships. Ye Ze tightened his fists. He knew well that Xia Wu Yin was cunning and intelligent; without his, Ye Ze’s, protection, Xia Wu Yin could still thrive in Pill Peak. …but he couldn’t let go. So Xia Wu Yin had finally agreed. ——To let him leave for Sword Peak with peace of mind. "Injury during the competition," Gou Pei Jiu paused, her long lashes resembling raven feathers. "I need to take him for treatment. Lu Mi, you handle the rest." The judge named Lu Mi, though finding it difficult, nodded, "Yes, Senior Sister." As Gou Pei Jiu turned to leave, Ye Ze moved to follow, but a glance from her calm black eyes stopped him in his tracks. "Ye Ze, it’s time for you to prepare for Sword Peak." Ye Ze’s throat tightened, but he did not move nor speak. After a pause, Gou Pei Jiu said softly, "Leave him to me. I'll take good care of him, don’t worry." Ye Ze pressed his lips tightly, and after a moment, he replied, "…Yes." Outside the Pill Training Platform. Mao Qing, who had been forcibly dragged outside, finally snapped back to focus, "It's the three-life golden pill…" Huo Bai frowned. "Three-life golden pill?" His face showed he had no clue what that was. Mao Qing said, "How could you not know about that?" Huo Bai nonchalantly replied, "As long as I get in, it’s fine." "The three-life golden pill is rare, being able to create Dan of yellow grade with three different properties is really impressive." Mao Qing stomped in frustration. "If Xia Wu Yin made the three-life golden pill, he must be the winner this time…" Huo Bai replied, "Oh." Mao Qing tried to cheer him up, "Even though I didn’t win, I can still treat you to some candy. You might not know this since you’re new, but the best candy from Jinjiang Confectionery is not the mint one but the cherry…" Huo Bai’s face turned bright red, and in embarrassment, he stormed off, "I don’t eat candy!!" "Hey, you dropped your candy!" Huo Bai stumbled, instinctively looking down, but the bluestone ground was empty— "See, you do care." Mao Qing crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow with a smile. Huo Bai: "…" Could he dismember this woman into pieces? …Patience. Huo Bai walked away with a dark face. Mao Qing clicked her tongue, "Hmph, faker." Even though she felt some dissatisfaction as she handed in her own golden pill labeled with her number, she reluctantly did so after seeing that the other disciples had already submitted theirs. = = "Oh?" The elongated sunset cast long shadows through the clouds, and the girl with beautiful silver butterflies embroidered on her blue sleeves sat on the rooftop, her slender fingers holding a plump cherry. The bright red cherry made her fingers appear jade-like, "So… my dear elder sister wants an outer disciple from Pill Peak to become the new talent of Sword Peak?" The lingering sunset. The person below spoke with a hint of hesitation, "Yes, Second Mistress…" "Who has such an honor then?" The girl’s almond-shaped eyes curled into a smile, her black pupils reflecting the splendid clouds in the sky, her expression innocent and cheerful. "When I arrived, Elder Sister didn’t even spare me a glance." The individual below seemed even more anxious, "…It’s a Pill Peak disciple named Xia Wu Yin." Chu Yi’s smile froze at the corners of her lips. For a moment, she said, "Who did you say?" Her voice remained clear but carried a hidden menace. "Say it again." The blink of an eye transformed the previously cheerful girl into a grim specter from hell. The person below grew more restless, "A Pill Peak outer disciple… Xia Wu Yin." The force applied to the cherry caused its juice to splatter on her fair fingers, the bright red and sweet scent spreading, resembling blood and attracting attention. ——Xia Wu Yin. "It seems everyone likes this person." She nonchalantly discarded the crushed cherry and licked her fingers, her pink tongue touching the cherry’s bright red juice, the sweetness spreading on her tongue yet failing to bring any pleasure. Unlike her elder sister's black almond-shaped eyes, hers held a sinister and gloomy gleam. "Do you think just having the name Xia Wu Yin can earn everyone's favor?" The person below had no idea what she was talking about and remained silent. "Haha." The girl narrowed her eyes, then smiled slightly. "…Well, it doesn’t matter." The name Xia Wu Yin, she hadn’t heard that in years. Hearing it suddenly now made her heart ache with hatred. The one who she sought relentlessly could not be found, but the one she wanted dead without a trace was just within her grasp. "Killing him directly would be too easy," Chu Yi said, slowly pulling out a silver chain from within her robes. Attached to the chain was a small, broken jade fragment of a dragon’s horn, intricately set in silver. The bloodstained sunset colored the clouds, dying the piece of dragon horn deep red. Her lips curled into a chilling smile. "I want to bring him to the pinnacle of glory and then watch him fall, crushing him into the dirt so that he can never rise again." The person below her shuddered slightly at her words. "This way, no one will like him anymore," the girl continued, as if recalling something joyous, her long eyelashes trembling lightly. She tenderly kissed the dragon horn. "Brother A Ze." "And then, you wouldn’t like him either." She gazed at the dragon horn in her hand, her eyes showing a hint of melancholy. "But how am I ever going to find you…" --- Author's Note: Qiqin threw a landmine at 2018-06-14 23:37:30 Sanshengyoumengshudangzhen threw a landmine at 2018-06-14 23:43:46 Mengchongjiadao threw a landmine at 2018-06-14 23:45:56 29812773 threw a landmine at 2018-06-14 23:46:16 Lin Ci threw a landmine at 2018-06-14 23:50:16 Dapaozi threw a landmine at 2018-06-15 00:07:48 Dapaozi threw a landmine at 2018-06-15 00:09:40 Chaigui threw a grenade at 2018-06-15 06:48:23 Cha Shugu threw a landmine at 2018-06-15 08:35:58 Shisi threw a landmine at 2018-06-15 08:50:22 Liangqi647 threw a landmine at 2018-06-15 09:12:34 Xufeng threw a rocket launcher at 2018-06-15 09:13:26 Sese threw a landmine at 2018-06-15 11:01:49 Wanger San threw a landmine at 2018-06-15 12:24:39 Taige Bank threw a landmine at 2018-06-15 12:46:01 Su Bingwen: Luzi threw a landmine at 2018-06-15 15:14:23 Su Bingwen: Luzi threw a landmine at 2018-06-15 15:14:30 Haitang Tang threw a landmine at 2018-06-15 15:51:49 Haitang Tang threw a landmine at 2018-06-15 15:51:54 Chen threw a landmine at 2018-06-15 18:31:12 Zhehuo Bu shi Huanchuan threw a landmine at 2018-06-15 22:26:33 Wow, thank you all for the landmines and rocket launchers! #It feels like I’m being pampered every day# = = Reader "j" bestowed 12 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 22:50:43 Reader "Jiujiu" bestowed 5 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 22:01:37 Reader "Longlong" bestowed 10 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 21:35:52 Reader "Chu Mi" bestowed 10 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 21:29:40 Reader "Wuyang" bestowed 3 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 20:56:17 Reader "He Yi Wu You" bestowed 5 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 20:18:16 Reader "Chen" bestowed 1 nutrient solution at 2018-06-15 18:31:12 Reader "Ju Li Ju Qi" bestowed 30 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 18:17:16 Reader "" bestowed 20 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 18:17:11 Reader "" bestowed 10 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 17:11:26 Reader "Gui Nuo" bestowed 1 nutrient solution at 2018-06-15 16:51:14 Reader "Lieren" bestowed 50 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 15:39:35 Reader "Zhipai Li De Nage Kei" bestowed 40 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 14:05:58 Reader "Wuhui" bestowed 1 nutrient solution at 2018-06-15 14:02:14 Reader "An Yu" bestowed 10 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 13:51:22 Reader "Xiao Fu Hei" bestowed 80 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 13:21:24 Reader "Wanger San" bestowed 1 nutrient solution at 2018-06-15 12:24:39 Reader "Longying" bestowed 5 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 11:57:16 Reader "Bu Xiao" bestowed 10 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 11:49:32 Reader "Sese" bestowed 20 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 11:01:49 Reader "Chu He You Yu" bestowed 10 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 10:45:25 Reader "Lanhai" bestowed 10 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 09:59:45 Reader "Luoye Sui Feng" bestowed 20 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 09:42:17 Reader "Yiye" bestowed 60 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 09:20:47 Reader "Qing Hui Yiyi" bestowed 5 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 08:36:50 Reader "Cha Shugu" bestowed 220 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 08:35:59 Reader "" bestowed 1 nutrient solution at 2018-06-15 05:05:44 Reader "Yan Wen" bestowed 40 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 03:04:11 Reader "aibo7800" bestowed 10 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 01:23:33 Reader "Misaka Mikoto My Wife" bestowed 10 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 01:10:18 Reader "faith" bestowed 12 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 01:03:01 Reader "Xuerun" bestowed 1 nutrient solution at 2018-06-15 00:55:02 Reader "mint" bestowed 10 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 00:25:54 Reader "36" bestowed 6 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-15 00:24:38 Reader "Xijing" bestowed 1 nutrient solution at 2018-06-14 23:55:44 Reader "Chiquan" bestowed 10 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-14 23:49:58 Reader "Nanguan" bestowed 6 nutrient solutions at 2018-06-14 23:43:09 Thank you, everyone, for the nutrient solutions! Boohoo, you’re all so enthusiastic, tomorrow I’ll update with 6,000 words.