CHAPTER 548: CHAPTER 433 AMBUSH_2

A group of people lively went to the restaurant next door and ordered a table full of food and drinks.

The restaurant in the Ghost Market served dishes made from Spiritual Objects.

Things like thousand-year-old turtle soup and abalone rice with a history of hundreds of years were ordinary dishes. To many young cultivators, this kind of meal was already extremely high-end. Just sitting here, they felt different.

Jiang Lan was good at talking and could always guide the conversation and control the atmosphere. After a few cups of wine, everyone found the people around them more agreeable. Under Jiang Lan’s guidance, the atmosphere became even more lively and harmonious.

Yuanbao enjoyed lively scenes, especially the group’s discussion on how to slay the Snake Demon, which made her eager to try.

She whispered to Gao Xuan, "Senior Brother, can I go along too?"

Before Gao Xuan could speak, Jiang Lan had already spoken, "Sister Yuanbao, this gathering of many fellow daoists to slay the demon is a grand event. Sister Yuanbao’s cultivation is remarkable, and with so many fellow daoists to watch over, you can certainly join us."

Jiang Lan said with a smile, "Don’t worry, it won’t be too dangerous. We cultivators must go through more experiences to understand the true meaning of cultivation..."

Shen Ming also laughed and said, "Fellow Daoist Yuanbao, just join us. A mere Snake Demon, even with a thousand years of cultivation, lacks intelligence. We’ve made all sorts of preparations, and the Snake Demon won’t be a problem."

Yuanbao wanted to agree but didn’t dare to promise rashly. She just looked at Gao Xuan eagerly, her little face pleading.

The others were a bit surprised. There were only two from the Thick Earth Sect, and they were both so young, yet they actually had rules.

Gao Xuan originally didn’t want to bring Yuanbao along. Jiang Lan had a bit of a peculiar air, seeming to want to bring young cultivators under her wing. It was unclear what her intentions were.

However, leaving Yuanbao alone in the Ghost Market was also inappropriate. The Ghost Market was a mix of all sorts. Cultivators had all kinds of bizarre methods, and Yuanbao was innocent; being deceived would be troublesome.

"Alright then. Just stay close to me and don’t run around."

Gao Xuan instructed, "The fellow daoists here have profound cultivation, and you won’t get a chance to act. Just watch from behind, gain some experience, and broaden your horizons..."

Yuanbao, having received permission, happily squinted her eyes into crescents, nodding repeatedly, "Senior Brother, I will be good."

Seeing Yuanbao so adorable, everyone couldn’t help but feel a bit envious and jealous.

Gao Xuan, taking advantage of being the Sect Leader’s senior brother, most likely did as he pleased with Yuanbao. Seeing how obedient she was to his teachings, it was obvious!

Thinking of this, the others also felt a bit unjust for Yuanbao. Unfortunately, Yuanbao was Gao Xuan’s junior sister; whatever their relationship, it was an internal matter of the Human Sect, not for them to comment on.

The group was satiated, and settling the bill amounted to one hundred and fifty Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

Yuanbao was secretly taken aback by the price, making a face at Gao Xuan to imply that this meal was expensive, but thankfully, they didn’t have to pay.

Gao Xuan also smiled at Yuanbao, thinking he wasn’t foolish enough to pay.

Before the others could speak, Jiang Lan generously settled the bill again. This time, Shen Ming and Zhou Ye wouldn’t have it and insisted on paying.

Jiang Lan waved his hand, "All the fellow daoists are here, which is already giving me face. How can I expect everyone to pay?"

Such generosity made everyone admire her even more.

Gao Xuan, however, was increasingly suspicious of Jiang Lan.

Being so generous and giving out wealth could either mean ulterior motives or genuinely not caring about wealth.

Take, for instance, the famous timely rain Duke Song, whose so-called generosity was simply to win over allies and form factions, nothing more.

If it were someone who didn’t care about wealth, they wouldn’t care about their wealth or yours. He might treat you ten times, but if you treat even once, you might break down.

Therefore, whenever you encounter such extraordinarily generous individuals, consider whether you have the weight to associate with them.

In short, there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

Others also understood this principle. But while they knew it, they hadn’t fully comprehended it. At this moment, they found Jiang Lan gentle, generous, and considerate, almost like a fairy.

After two invitations, even Shen Ming, who had the most pride, acknowledged Jiang Lan’s leadership.

After all, throwing out several hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones casually was beyond everyone’s budget, even if they wanted to.

As the sky darkened, Jiang Lan said the timing was perfect. She led the group out of the Ghost Market and, with a wave, took out a small paper boat folded from blue paper.

Jiang Lan softly chanted a spell, and with a wave of her hand, the paper boat turned into a Cyan Wood Boat over four zhang long under the golden light.

The group boarded the wooden boat, and it glided quickly across the ground. This speed was much faster than an Armor Horse. Moreover, as they sat on the boat, they could walk, sit, or lie down freely. The comfort was far superior to that of an Armor Horse.

"Geomagnetic Spirit Boat, Fellow Daoist Jiang, what a remarkable skill."

Shen Ming, the most knowledgeable, quickly recognized the origin of the wooden boat.

Jiang Lan humbly replied, "It’s an elder’s treasure from the sect, temporarily lent to me."

She said, "This boat rides on Earth Magnetic Qi and can travel thousands of miles in a night. We should reach Purple Leaf Valley by dawn."

Jiang Lan said, "I’ll steer the boat, and fellow daoists can rest and recuperate. When we encounter the Snake Demon, we’ll need everyone’s efforts."

Everyone voiced their thanks, noting that the Cyan Wood Boat indeed saved them much effort.

The Cyan Wood Boat sped like the wind, and though it couldn’t fly, it traversed mountains and valleys effortlessly. Sitting on the boat, there was no feeling of bumpiness.

Yuanbao, being young, dozed off leaning against Gao Xuan after doing a round of practice.

By dawn, the Cyan Wood Boat suddenly jolted and slowly came to a stop. Everyone opened their eyes to see a vast valley before them.

At this time, the sun had just risen, the sunlight dispersing the faint purple mist in the valley, revealing countless Purple Light Leaves glowing eerily. The whole valley had an enchanting beauty.

Jiang Lan said, "Purple Light Leaves, highly toxic. But there is no risk as long as you don’t eat them. Be careful, everyone, the Thousand-Year-old Snake Demon is lurking in the cavern deep within the valley."

She glanced at the cultivators with the lowest cultivations, "I’ll trouble you, fellow daoists, to go scatter the realgar powder inside. We’ll provide the backup..."

This was pre-arranged, with several people carrying leather bags of realgar powder to the cavern entrance, scattering it wildly inside.

People behind cast the Gale Spell, blowing the pungent realgar deep into the cave with strong winds.

Not long after, they heard strange hissing, and a gigantic black serpent suddenly shot out from the cave.

This giant serpent was over ten zhang long, with a beautiful human head, and even a pair of arms.

The upper body looked entirely human-like. But the thick, long snake tail made the Snake Demon appear especially terrifying. Upon closer inspection, the Snake Demon’s vertical, emerald-green pupils showed no human emotions, making her even more frightening.

The Snake Demon, although in human form, didn’t speak. Upon seeing them, she let out an angry hiss, shot out a long forked tongue, and spewed a dense purple poison gas.

Zhou Ye from the Flame Sect gave a low cry, throwing out two Magic Talismans, and flames erupted from thin air, burning off most of the purple poison gas.

The remaining traces of poison gas made everyone dizzy and dazed. Realizing its potency, they quickly took the Clear Heart Powder for anti-poison protection.

As per their previous plan, everyone took turns casting spells to attack.

The Thousand-Year-old Snake Demon, though appearing formidable, lacked intelligence and was in a precarious situation due to relentless attacks from everyone.

Watching the scene from behind, Yuanbao softly said to Gao Xuan, "Senior Brother, this Snake Demon seems easy to bully."

Gao Xuan’s eyes scanned around cautiously, "It’s not that simple."

He could sense someone spying on them, but didn’t know from where.

Gao Xuan’s watchful scanning was reflected on a giant silver mirror.

An old lady with a withered face stuck out a forked tongue, hissing to herself, "I like clever people like these the most; their blood is sweet, meat is fresh, and their divine soul is chewy..."