CHAPTER 313: CHAPTER 313: MERMAID’S KISS

After swallowing the Elixir, the snowman-like rejuvenated Leng Yutang breathed out a hot sigh, turning to look at Hou Ze, who was already sweating and wiping his forehead, and smilingly said, "Before my master’s passing, he bestowed upon me the Earth Spirit Flame. Over the years, I have indeed nurtured and grown it considerably. Although separating a small flame won’t harm its essence, can we protect ourselves if such an extraordinary treasure is easily revealed?"

The saying goes that the just may not be guilty, but bearing the treasure makes one culpable.

In the Cultivation World, sometimes being weak is a sin in itself.

"Alas!" Hou Ze sighed heavily, "You’re right. If even a trace of news about the Earth Spirit Flame leaks out, I’m afraid Red Ridge Mountain would be flattened. Neither of us is cut out for fighting... forget it, you look a lot better now, I’ll figure out another way!"

He was so hot that his face turned red, and a little golden-haired monkey couldn’t take it any longer and had already fled to the yard, wiping sweat and waving a hand dismissively, "That Alchemist Jiang Dao You said the Pill Formula I found was simplified, which seems likely. If we can find the original Pill Formula and have him refine an Elixir for you, you will surely improve after taking it.

Take advantage of the Elixir’s effect to alleviate the cold syndrome; don’t just sit idle, get busy with whatever you need to do while I sell more and earn some Spirit Stones to buy you medicine."

Leng Yutang was moved and speechless, so he could only nod and see him out the door.

At the doorstep, despite the courtyard being filled with red coarse sand emitting spontaneous heat, so hot that even the little monkey found it scalding, he shivered as he left the warmth of the Earth Spirit Flame.

"I’ve had enough of these days." Watching his friend’s departing figure, Leng Yutang, who had been stuck in Red Ridge Mountain for several years, returned to the Artifact Refining Furnace, lifted the lid, and looked at the Spirit Flame below, which reflected his hazy silhouette like the water’s surface, silently pondering the possibility of trading a small flame for a cure to his cold syndrome.

The Alchemist probably needs such a Supreme Treasure like the Earth Spirit Flame as well, and if that person is trustworthy, it might be a viable path; otherwise, he could only wait here and die...

The ripples in the flame mirrored his image, as if it would break into pieces.

"Woo woo woo~" Jiang Yuan blew the Large Conch Shell once again, but the waters of Crescent Lake rippled without a trace of the Mermaids.

It wasn’t until he combed through the Moon Pearl Bird on the grass and picked some herbs that he heard the splashing of water. A group of seven or eight Mermaids emerged, laughing, revealing their upper bodies from Crescent Lake.

"Jiang Yuan, we’re here!" The Mermaid Alchemist Yaoguang, familiar with him, appeared more lively, holding a silk handkerchief, she waved and smiled, "Sorry for being late.

It’s my birthday soon, and I just invited my friends to taste the wine prepared for the feast and ended up playing around enthusiastically. We couldn’t make it in time despite hearing the conch."

So Mermaids drink alcohol too!

Jiang Yuan was quite curious and stepped closer, indeed noticing the slightly rosy cheeks of the male and female Mermaids, accompanied by a faint scent of wine.

"I’ve completed the Feathered Robe that Tianqu wanted." He pulled out the intricate garment shimmering with iridescent luster from the Storage Bag, giving it a shake. Under the moonlight, the beautiful attire attracted a chorus of admiration from the Mermaids.

"No wonder it’s the legendary garment worn by Immortals, it’s really beautiful!"

"Trading with Tianqu? Who is this Feathered Robe intended for?"

"It’s so stunning, I’m curious how to trade for such a garment..."

...

After the Mermaids finished their praises and admiration, Jiang Yuan didn’t hand over the Feathered Robe but instead explained, "Actually, the Feathered Robe hasn’t appeared in the Human World for many years, mainly because the raw materials are extremely precious, requiring Celestial Silk Cloth and Phoenix Tail Gauze to make.

And these require millennia-old spider silk and Phoenix Tail Feathers, truly rare. Even though I’ve made one now, there’s a small problem that hasn’t been solved — the toxin from the Phoenix Tail Feathers woven into the thread hasn’t been removed, so this finished product can’t be worn for long periods.

Wearing it for one or two hours a day is fine, but longer than that, you’ll suffer from Poisonous Miasma, possibly feeling unwell."

"How can the toxin be removed?" Tianqu, fascinated by the stunning result and being an admirer of such brilliant items, was very pleased with the Feathered Robe but frowned upon learning it was poisonous. "Our clan is not good at detoxifying, and I originally intended to give this Feathered Robe to Yaoguang as a birthday gift; with it emitting Poisonous Miasma, it’s quite unacceptable."

Jiang Yuan sighed, "Actually, I also find it hard to accept. When we first discussed the trade, I didn’t expect the Feathered Robe to be so challenging to make, and I spent a tremendous amount of effort getting the materials together for this one.

Now the issue isn’t just unresolved toxins; I feel our trade isn’t very fair. I gave too much for this garment; trading it for a bottle of potion and a double fish jade pendant artifact seems uneconomical.

As for dealing with the toxin, there is a way, but it requires patience.

You can either take it now and wear it briefly every day while waiting for me to obtain a detoxifying treasure for purification, or leave the robe with me until it’s purified before handing it over.

But spring is ending soon, the summer Wilderness descends, and I don’t know where Crescent Lake might move to. I worry about not finding you."

In fact, using a Teleportation Scroll, he could easily reach Crescent Lake, but when other means of communication exist, why waste a hard-earned item?

As expected, when the problem was presented, the Mermaids glanced at each other and swam aside to murmur quietly.

Moments later, Yaoguang swam over, resting her fair arm on the edge of the bank, her long hair sticking wetly to her cheek. With a sly smile, she beckoned him with her finger, "Come closer and reach out your hand."

In the moonlight, the slightly tipsy Mermaid looked as beautiful as a painting amidst the glistening lake waves.

Jiang Yuan, unsure of what was happening, crouched down to get closer to her and extended his right hand as she requested.

"Smooch!"

Soft, slightly cool lips were suddenly imprinted upon his hand, catching him off guard, his face flushed as he realized what had happened.

"Haha, Yaoguang, you scared him!"

"I didn’t know Human Cultivators were so easily flustered! How adorable!"

"Suddenly, going ashore seems quite nice, meeting such an interesting and shy human must be delightful!"

...

As the group of Mermaids teased, Jiang Yuan’s face felt burning hot, even the tips of his ears were red.

[Mermaid’s Kiss: The kiss of the Mermaids carries the Blessing of the Sea buff, granting the recipient the ability to fearlessly swim through water, freely breathing even if they cannot swim]

"Do the Blessing of the Sea and a bottle of Golden Throat Potion compensate for your effort in making the Feathered Robe?" Yaoguang asked with a radiant smile, pulling him abruptly before he could answer!

He hadn’t even finished reading the system prompt, feeling a pang of panic inside. I’m a landlubber who has never been in water, hey!

"Splash!"

Pulled into the water, he instinctively opened his mouth to call for help, only to discover the next moment that he didn’t feel any constraint in the water, but rather a sense of indescribable pleasure.

"Blub blub!"

As he opened his mouth, bubbles emerged, and Jiang Yuan opened his eyes to find himself surrounded by a group of Mermaids gently swishing their tails, feeling as comfortable and at ease in the lake as they.

Fearlessly swim through water? Able to breathe underwater?!

It was only at this moment he realized he had traded the Feathered Robe for a practical skill — but this overlaps with the double fish jade pendant’s effect! I originally wanted a Large Pearl or coral, something valuable if brought back to reality.

"This time, you’ve indeed profited." Tianqu’s voice, more ethereal in the water like celestial music, laughed lightly, "The double fish jade pendant is merely a Water Manipulation Artifact, allowing you to navigate shallow waters unimpeded.

With the Mermaid’s Kiss, you can freely venture into the Undersea World, staying for months or even years without any discomfort. Human Cultivators, unless reaching a High Realm, don’t have such an ability, nor can they move freely in the Mermaids’ realm under the sea. Yet now, you’re granted permission and invitation, considered half a child of the sea."