Chapter 514: The Jade in Lantian Smokes Under the Sun
The sudden radiance drew everyone’s attention to it.
Lu Zhou turned to look as well. However, he had to treat Little Yuan’er’s injuries now. He said, “Put it away for now.”
“Oh.” Conch did not want to part with this jade.
Jiang Aijian said, “The Lantian jade can be made into a pendant. It has protective and reconstructive properties on one’s internal organs and Extraordinary Eight Meridians… Mhm, it’s well suited for this little girl. Eh, little girl, you don’t look too good.”
“…”
“Come inside,” Madam Huang said immediately.
They went into the great hall.
Although Penglai Island’s fame and strength were not comparable to the Evil Sky Pavilion, each of the islands had its own palace. That was not something ordinary sects could afford.
Inside the palace.
Madam Huang said, “Men.”
“Yes, mistress.”
“Go and fetch Doctor Fang.” Madam Huang turned to face Lu Zhou. “Doctor Fang is a skilled healer, and the best we have on Penglai Island. She’ll be fine in his hands.”
Lu Zhou raised his hand and said, “No need.”
Madam Huang was taken aback. She did not understand.
At this moment, Lu Zhou’s palm was already raised. Faint blue light shone from between his fingers. A miniature blue lotus emerged from his palm. He pushed forward lightly. The blue lotus fell onto Little Yuan’er’s body like willow seeds.
Little Yuan’er felt comfortable when the blue lotus fell on her. She shut her eyes despite herself.
Conch looked at Little Yuan’er with a guilty expression. It was clear she blamed herself for Little Yuan’er getting injured. She looked at the Cloud Feather Raiment she was wearing; if Little Yuan’er had not given her the precious garment to wear, Little Yuan’er might not have gotten injured.
The blue lotus enlarged and blossomed in a blink of an eye. Powerful vitality was surged out.
“This is…” Madam Huang was dumbfounded. She had never seen such a healing technique before.
Jiang Aijian spread his arms and said, “I don’t know what it is either… There are plenty of wonders in the world. Humans were even killed by Luo Yu. What’s there to be surprised about?”
Madam Huang nodded. When the Penglai Patriarch obtained the heavenly scroll, he merely studied a small part of it. To this day, nobody could understand it. It was normal for there to be new and mysterious techniques. Senior Ji’s feat of holding up the island alone was unprecedented in itself.
After the blue lotus’s radiance faded, Little Yuan’er opened her eyes slowly.
“How do you feel?” Lu Zhou asked.
Little Yuan’er moved her limbs about and said, “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and said with a nod, “You’ll have to recuperate for three days before you’ll be completely healed.”
Conch said remorsefully, “It’s my fault for holding you back.”
Conch’s words drew everyone’s attention to her.
Jiang Aijian wondered out loud, “Old Senior Ji, is she your new disciple?”
Lu Zhou shook his head.
“Her foundations and talents are great. She’s comparable to your ninth disciple. You certainly have a discerning eye.”
“She directly entered the Mystic Enlightening realm,” Lu Zhou said,
“Huh?” Jiang Aijian’s jaw dropped. His mouth remained agape for a long time. He had personally seen Conch control Luo Yu as it flew around the floating island. With that power alone, the major sects would have fought over her. How could he not be shocked to find out she had directly entered the Mystic Enlightening realm naturally?
As the saying went, ‘Comparing oneself to others would only give rise to endless misery’.
“Jiang Aijian.”
“Yes… I’m here.” Jiang Aijian shuddered and raised his hand at once.
“What’s the situation inside the palace?” Lu Zhou asked.
Jiang Aijian shook his head and said, “Senior Ji, the lotus-severing method is widely spread. Everyone’s using every waking minute to try and get ahead of the others. Your first disciple is going about conquering cities. Your seventh disciple is slightly more excessive. He has eyes on me even when I’m using the toilet. He’s a perv… I mean, great.”
“What’s Liu Gu doing now?” Lu Zhou asked.
“Well… When the Emperor was mentioned, Jiang Aijian hesitated. At the end of the day, he was Great Yan’s Third Prince. After the Jinghe Palace was burned down many years ago, he left the palace and joined Penglai, eventually becoming the Sword Freak. However, Liu Gu was still his father no matter what. In truth, this was the reason why Jiang Aijian had seldom been in contact with the Evil Sky Pavilion lately. He had foreseen that the Imperial family was on a collision course with the Evil Sky Pavilion and that the situation would only escalate.
Yu Zhenghai’s advances had pushed the Imperial family into a corner. The more frustrating thing was that the Imperial family had taunted the Evil Sky Pavilion several times. Even the Taixu Academy and the Hengqu Branch, which had been active lately, had gotten close to the Imperial family.
“He’s your father, after all,” Lu Zhou said knowingly.
Jiang Aijian remained silent.
Lu Zhou continued, “You’ve been my source for so long. Even if there weren’t any meritorious deeds, you’ve worked hard. If only you tell me…”
“…” Jiang Aijian widened his eyes slightly. In other words, could he be spared if he told Lu Zhou what he knew? His thoughts were immediately transported back to the past. The scenes in Jinghe Palace replayed in his mind. There was his tutor whom he feared and respected at the same time; his cultivation teacher who put him on the path of the cultivation world; and his biological mother… whose face he had long forgotten… Everything seemed close enough to touch, but they were from a time that could not be reversed.
After what seemed like hours, Jiang Aijian’s smile was replaced by a solemn expression. It was rare for him to be so serious. He bowed at Lu Zhou and said, “The fates of each man are pre-determined… I’ve done all I could.”
Lu Zhou nodded. With his hands behind his back, he walked up to Jiang Aijian and regarded with a deep look. “You’re smart.”
Jiang Aijian remained silent.
“Regardless if you begged for mercy or not, it wouldn’t change my mind…”
Jiang Aijian felt speechless. ‘Then what was all the talk about meritorious deeds and hard work about?’ He was shocked as well. Clearly, the old senior had asked this question because he did not want him to be an obstacle in his path. When he thought about this, a chill ran down his spine.
“However… In light of your special relationship with Liu Gu, I won’t make you meddle in the affairs of the Imperial family from now on.”
When he heard this, Jiang Aijian cupped his fists at Lu Zhou. “Thank you, old senior.”
If he was not going to meddle with the Imperial family’s affairs, he would certainly be assigned to other tasks… Jiang Aijian suddenly remembered something. He hastily said, “Senior Ji… That Luo woman you told me to look for, there’s no way of searching for her!
“Little is known about her at the moment. That’s also the reason why I’m here,” Lu Zhou said.
“Luo woman?” Madam Huang asked, puzzled.
Jiang Aijian said, “This Luo woman helped Yun Tianluo become the leader of the Three Sects 300 years ago. She’s gifted in tune as well. I haven’t found anything about her up until now. It’s like looking for a needle at the bottom of the ocean!”
“How could a woman like that remain unknown?” Madam Huang was perplexed.
“You’re right, mistress. She’s someone without a reputation… In any case, I couldn’t find out anything about her. I don’t think Si Wuya can as well,” Jiang Aijian said.
At this moment, Conch held up the Lantian jade and said, “Hot, hot… It’s hot.”
The Lantian jade was emitting green smoke.
“Quick, quick, quick… Place it under the sun,” Jiang Aijian said urgently.
Conch was slightly stunned. She looked at Lu Zhou.
Lu Zhou nodded and said, “Go.”
Conch ran out of the palace and placed the Lantian jade on the steps.
The sun shone on the Lantian jade. The green smoke thickened as it rose into the air.
Under the sunlight, the Lantian jade seemed to glow vividly.
With a deep voice, Lu Zhou said, “Raise your hands, regulate your breathing, and focus your mind.”
“Oh.” Conch did as she was told.
Lu Zhou waved his hand. The Lantian jade floated.
The sunlight seemed to be melting the Lantian jade.
“Acknowledge your owner.”
Swish!
Lu Zhou fired an energy blade that pricked Conch’s finger.
A drop of blood flew toward the Lantian jade under his energy’s guidance.
A crackle rang in the air.
The Lantian jade seemed to have been activated. It grew softer as it released a gentle and green glow.
The Penglai disciples before the palace wore envious expressions on their faces.