CHAPTER 380: CHAPTER 380: NEW TITLE

The problem is, even if this "Immortal Peach" can be sold, how can we recover the peach seed?

It seems a waste to just discard the fruit flesh. Though eating it may come with unforeseen consequences, the hundred-year extension of life it offers could potentially help cultivators on the brink of their lifespan to successfully ascend to a higher realm with just one peach.

Jiang Yuan had just put away the remaining peaches, contemplating how to make the most of them, when he suddenly heard a lion’s roar from outside, causing the doors and windows to buzz and rattle.

"Something big has happened! Something terrible! Everyone, come and see!"

Bai Yunqi casually pushed open the window and saw the cultivators hurriedly walking on the street. He raised his voice to ask, "Dare I ask, fellow Daoist, what has happened?"

"Hurry and take a look, Wo Hu Mountain has collapsed!"

"What nonsense! The tiger has run away!"

"Actually, some bold ones went to check the aftermath of the battle and found that the once large Wo Hu Mountain is now just a ruin. They fear the legendary fierce tiger that was suppressed has escaped..."

...

The crowd on the street spoke over each other, all rushing together once more towards the mountaintop gate.

Moments ago, the monster and demon monk were fighting a world-shaking battle. Everyone who had been rescued feared being accidentally caught in the crossfire, so they hid in the Market, hoping to see it all settled before taking action.

Unexpectedly, the daring went to sneak a peek and discovered that within such a short time, everything had concluded!

Both the monster and demon monk had disappeared without a trace, and even Wo Hu Mountain was gone. The legend of Wo Hu Mountain was widely known and considered just a story. Now that a great battle has destroyed Wo Hu Temple and Wo Hu Mountain is no more, how could it not set imaginations wild?

It is said that only immortals could contend with that fierce tiger. Now that it’s free, what should be done?

"Was there really a tiger in Wo Hu Mountain?" Xie Chenyuan asked in bewilderment, instinctively looking at Jiang Yuan.

Then he thought of how difficult it had been to steal the peaches amidst the chaos, and he even stayed nearby to see how things played out so clearly? No wonder he couldn’t see through him; perhaps this person’s realm was far beyond his own, an existence he couldn’t fathom!

Jiang Yuan feigned ignorance, "Fellow Daoist, could your story about the origins of Wo Hu Mountain be true after all?"

The Bear Demon, having just gained two hundred years of lifespan, was overjoyed and immediately suggested, "Shall we go and see?"

"Since we’re here, there’s no sense in only seeing half the spectacle." Xie Chenyuan stood up and looked outside the window, "I’m quite curious to see how the tiger actually left.

If I recall correctly, the legendary fierce beast couldn’t even transform. So even if it were an ordinary-sized tiger, it would have to pass through the Market to leave via the only exit. Isn’t it absurd that so many cultivators noticed nothing unusual?"

Jiang Yuan didn’t mind taking another stroll before dawn. As he followed the crowd towards the mountaintop, he casually asked, "Fellow Daoist Xie, in your travels across the seas, have you ever heard of Qingfeng Hall?"

"Of course! Qingfeng Hall is one of the top ten ancient sects, but a few hundred years ago, for reasons unknown, the entire sect activated its Sect Protection Array and hasn’t emerged since." Xie Chenyuan was astonished. Did he have a connection to Qingfeng Hall?

Jiang Yuan looked puzzled, not emerge? How am I supposed to complete the side quest then?

"Dare I ask if you know where Qingfeng Hall is located?"

"The top ten ancient sects are all situated in places unknown to ordinary people; either they’ve hidden their locations in some way, or they’ve outright established independent spaces. In short, unless you’re very well-informed, even if you know the general location, you won’t be able to enter." Xie Chenyuan thought for a moment before adding, "Unless there’s a grand event like opening the mountain to recruit disciples or a sect celebration, outsiders wouldn’t have the opportunity to visit. At other times, without a token, you can’t pass through the Sect Protection Array; only acquaintances can recommend you with an invitation."

This really is clueless! Jiang Yuan frowned, not knowing the specific location and having no acquaintance; how is he supposed to find Qingfeng Hall with just two swords?

As they spoke, the group moved quickly, having already passed through the gate and stood once more in the square.

"Sure enough, only a pile of stones is left!" Wan Mingchuan looked down, seeing cultivators everywhere rummaging through the debris. He couldn’t help but curiously ask, "What are they doing?"

Someone hurriedly flew by on a sword, "They’re looking for treasures, of course! Maybe they’ll even find an Immortal Peach!"

Hu Zhile sniffed, faintly sensing a demon beast’s aura, but couldn’t ascertain whether there really was a tiger nearby.

"Could it really be the fierce beast that escaped?" Tang Qin carefully examined, then guessed, "Could it be a collapse, with the mountain sinking below?"

Xie Chenyuan observed for a long time without finding anything unusual, then pointed to the dilapidated gate and broken square, saying, "These were obviously man-made constructions, destroyed by humans. I think the space at Wo Hu Mountain’s location seems like a separately developed area; maybe the fierce beast is a pretense to cultivate the Immortal Peaches instead. But the secret realm was long ago destroyed by someone, and without spiritual power to sustain them, the Immortal Peaches turned into man-eating monsters."

Jiang Yuan looked at the remaining traces, thinking of the manuscript left by Xuanyuan Yangguang, feeling deeply moved.

"Fellow Daoists, I have a suggestion!"

The cultivator who earlier used the Lion’s Roar to warn everyone and was saved by the monster was the leader of a certain sect. Clearly adept at organizing, he stood on a flying sword, operating his cultivation technique to ensure everyone could hear, "Regardless of whether the savior was a Demon Cultivator, Ghost Cultivator, or Demon Cultivator, and regardless of whether it was intentional or accidental, the fact is they cut down the peach tree and saved our lives; we must repay this life-saving debt!

But now the benefactor is nowhere to be found, and we can’t play dumb when we know what’s right.

How about everyone contributes, and we build a Divine Statue on this ruin to honor the benefactor with worship? Then anyone passing by can burn incense in gratitude, thus repaying a bit of kindness, what do you say?"

It surely wouldn’t do to leave a debt unpaid; yet, unable to find the benefactor, erecting a statue and worship could become a delightful tale.

"This is a great idea! But there were a few other fellow Daoists who helped too, yet we didn’t get their names in the rush. How about we honor them together with the statue?"

"I remember clearly the monster’s appearance, but what if we can’t recall the looks of the other cultivators?"

"That’s also possible. Like the one who rescued me; I never saw their face, but there was a paper crane! We could erect a statue with similar features, and carve a few white cranes, couldn’t we?"

"Yes, yes, the sentiment is what matters. Let’s start right away!"

...

Many Demon Cultivators use the name of gods to receive offerings from mortals, quite skilled in this business. It doesn’t matter much if the likeness is accurate, as long as the sincerity is there, the other party will sense it.

The Lion’s Roar garnered a resounding response; the Bear Demon quickly joined in as an enthusiastic fellow Daoist, trying his best to ensure the statues were built to closely resemble those they represented.

Soon, the sound of dinging and clanging filled the ruins, and before long, a stone tiger shook and dropped the stones, which were refined by magic to form a cluster of towering Divine Statues.

Standing central was the gigantic monster with a mutated skull and crab-clawed beast body, alongside the warrior figures of Yu Hu. Surrounding them were statues resembling Jiang Yuan, with paper cranes circling beside him; a statue of Xie Chenyuan, that depicted him in sword flight with a Golden Lock Chain cascading from his right hand; and a ghost bride statue, beautiful in appearance and surrounded by corpse demons.

[Title obtained: Lifesaving Grace. Equip?]

[A drop of kindness ought to be repaid in a torrent; a lifesaving grace, never to be forgotten. When this title is equipped, Affinity +50; when encountering those whose lives you saved, Affinity has no upper limit.]