Chapter 98

Xu Cun's poisoning was not some strange and exotic poison; it was just a common drug that controlled one's primordial energy. Gu Xuyao had purchased many kinds of pills in Meteor City to deal with various situations, especially after being harmed by Dilun. He knew all too well the power of such poisons.

After taking the antidote, Xu Cun felt much more energetic. Perhaps due to the recovery of her primordial energy, she was no longer so nervous. She looked at Gu Xuyao with gratitude, unable to speak for a moment.

Of course, Gu Xuyao did not just give her the pills. Xu Cun cared about Su Yun, and Su Yun was equally concerned about Xu Cun's safety. Rescuing Su Yun was already a difficult task, and rescuing Xu Cun afterward would be even more impossible. Therefore, Gu Xuyao had made preparations in advance.

"Xu Cun, you must remember how to use this item. Once I rescue Miss Su, I will crush the white-bellied fly in my hand. When you feel the death of the white-bellied fly, use your primordial energy to activate the earth-penetrating talisman I gave you. After leaving this place, do not move around randomly. Release the fluorescent insect on the spot; it will find me. Once I receive the notification, I will come with Miss Su to find you."

These items are not common in the cultivation world, especially in a small city like Meteor City.

The white-bellied fly always grows in pairs. When one dies, the other will die simultaneously, regardless of the distance or any obstacles. However, the information it can convey is very limited, so it is usually used to send signals.

The earth-penetrating talisman is generally an item that only cultivators with a certain level of cultivation can afford. Its function is extremely powerful: as long as the surrounding space is not solidified by primordial energy, it can be used to teleport away. The destination is usually within a thousand miles of the usage location. Although a thousand miles may not seem far, it is enough for a cultivator to escape from an enemy's pursuit.

As for the fluorescent insect, this insect actually emits no light. It is named so because it can emit a kind of light powder that only its own kind can see. Well-trained fluorescent insects can explore paths according to the cultivator's wishes. Many cultivators use large numbers of fluorescent insects when exploring dangerous places.

Gu Xuyao naturally did not have these strange items, but his master did, and that was enough.

"Right, Auntie, you must remember. This place is too terrifying; I don't want to come back again." Feng Changshan was generous and did not care about the items Gu Xuyao took.

Xu Cun also looked at Feng Changshan with gratitude and nodded heavily to both of them.

With everything settled, Gu Xuyao knew they should not stay too long. After bidding farewell, he and Feng Changshan returned the same way they came.

Although they seemed to have done many things, it did not take much time. Feng Changshan neatly rearranged the array in its original configuration, and the two left Qingzhu.

The cultivators guarding the entrance looked at them strangely.

"Sir, did you lose all your money so quickly? Why isn't anyone escorting you out?"

"Nothing much, the young man is in a bad mood today, so he let us leave on our own." Gu Xuyao's expression was calm as he spoke. "But I must say, Qingzhu is really strange. We just wanted to try our luck, but we lost so quickly. Do you have any tips to share with us so we can win big next time?"

The guard had a cunning look and a smug smile, instantly forgetting about the lack of an escort.

"Hehe, gambling has no secrets. I suggest you turn left at the next intersection and go to the small tavern. I heard there's a gathering of cultivators there tonight, and everyone who participates will receive primordial stones. This is perfect for you. If you run out of primordial stones, you'll be kicked out."

Feng Changshan was furious at the guard's attitude, but Gu Xuyao stopped him from speaking. He smiled at the guard and headed toward the tavern.

"Brother Gu, that guy is so despicable. By the way, didn't you say we were going to gamble? Why did we leave?"

The dungeon's terrifying scene had made Feng Changshan forget about this, but the guard's reminder brought it back to his mind.

Shaking his head with a bitter smile, Gu Xuyao said, "Changshan, think about it. The person who took Miss Su is likely the owner of Qingzhu, right?"

"Yes, indeed."

"Good. Then consider this: since he values Miss Su so much, he will definitely keep her in his residence, right?"

Feng Changshan nodded, completely following Gu Xuyao's lead.

"In that case, if we want to rescue Miss Su, we need to enter his residence. His residence has more primordial stones, right? This time, we're not gambling; we're going to take them directly. It's faster and more satisfying, isn't it?"

Feng Changshan looked enlightened and exclaimed, "Interesting, interesting, interesting!"

Seeing his childlike expression, Gu Xuyao didn't know what to say, but the tavern was not far from Qingzhu. They arrived at the tavern as they were talking.

"Wow, Brother Gu, it's so lively here. No wonder it's a gathering for primordial stones; it attracts so many people."

The sun had set, and the sky was dark. Although Haili City was not large, it received many cultivators from outside every day. Primordial stones, though a form of currency and a consumable, were not abundant for many cultivators. Therefore, the tavern's offer of free primordial stones naturally attracted many cultivators.

"Sir, our young master is hosting a gathering of cultivators at 'Three Scoops Full' today. Are you interested?"

The woman at the door was much more pleasant than the hateful guard at Qingzhu. However, Gu Xuyao was unmoved and scanned her with his mind, revealing her to be at the first level of the Root-Birth Realm.

Feng Changshan, however, was delighted and spoke up.

"Yes, yes, does participating in the gathering mean we get primordial stones?"

The woman, who was quite attractive, though not as beautiful as the women Gu Xuyao had seen, covered her mouth and laughed, giving a positive answer.

"Gathering of cultivators? Lady, is it because a treasure site has been discovered near Haili City?"

"Since you can ask this, you must not be a local cultivator. To be honest, the treasure site appears every hundred years and is well-known among nearby cultivators. Each time it appears, wealthy cultivators hold gatherings in various taverns in Haili City to hire cultivators to enter the treasure site and seek treasures. Have you noticed that there are more taverns in Haili City than anything else?"

Each city has its own characteristics, and Haili City's characteristic is its proximity to the treasure site that appears every hundred years.

"I see. It seems we came at the right time. If we are fortunate, we would like to explore the treasure site."

With that, Gu Xuyao and Feng Changshan entered the tavern.

Inside, it was not large, with only about a dozen tables. A handsome young man and a bald, muscular man were arguing at a long table.

"Hmph, how many times has your Lin family entered Liufeng Gorge? Have you ever gained anything? Today, you dare to compete with our Gongye family for recruits. Do you think we are all fools?"

"Nonsense! This time, our Lin family has made many preparations. You all know that our Lin family's cultivators are not strong, but our business provides a solid foundation. With powerful magical treasures and pills as support, do you think we won't gain anything in the treasure site?"

"Hmph, Lin Yifei, don't be too presumptuous. Three Scoops Full has always been a place where our Gongye family recruits. Your Lin family has failed to gain anything from the treasure site and has lost both resources and people. Why do you have the nerve to show up again? Are you not ashamed enough?"

The situation in Three Scoops Full was chaotic, but Gu Xuyao saw the pattern. It seemed that Liufeng Gorge was the treasure site everyone was talking about. As the woman at the door said, each tavern was likely hosting various gatherings to recruit cultivators.

"Is that so, Brother Gu? What exactly is this treasure site, and why does everyone want to gain something from it?"

Feng Changshan was clueless, and his words drew disdainful looks from the surrounding cultivators, as if to say, "Hmph, you don't even know what a treasure site is and you come here for primordial stones. How shameless."

Gu Xuyao awkwardly pulled Feng Changshan aside, away from the crowd.

A treasure site is a place of legend. No one knows how it appears or why. People only know that once inside, one must follow the rules of the treasure site. If you can meet its conditions, you can gain benefits, ranging from magical treasures to cultivation techniques. The higher the rank, the deeper you go, and the more you gain.

"Ah? Brother Gu, how do you know so much? Have you been inside? What's it like? What happens inside?"

This time, Feng Changshan was smarter and used a secret message to avoid being overheard.

"Changshan, these are common knowledge. It seems you have a lot to learn. Treasure sites are very rare. Do you think anyone can enter? I learned about treasure sites long ago but have never been inside."

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