CHAPTER 553: MODIFIED: CHAPTER 436 1 PIECE OF SINCERITY_2

With this Devouring Pearl in hand, Gao Xuan can control Primordial Qi at a level reaching the Golden Core Level. Regular cultivation also greatly benefits from it.

Apart from Jiang Lan, the gains this time could be considered enormous. Selling the Snake Demon corpse not only solves the saddle issue but also earns a big sum of Spirit Stones.

While Gao Xuan and Jiang Lan were talking, Shen Ming’s eyes moved, and he suddenly became alert.

Shen Ming reacted quickly, first activating the Sword Gang to protect himself. The Flying Sword turned into a dazzling blue light, enveloping his entire body.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, don’t be tense..."

Jiang Lan leaned in with concern and asked, "Fellow Daoist Shen, is there anything wrong with your body?"

Shen Ming’s old face turned slightly red. He realized he overreacted a bit. It was a bit embarrassing in front of a beauty. He refrained from speaking, hurriedly closed his eyes, and checked internally. After a while, he opened his eyes and said, "I’m fine physically."

"That’s good. You all were poisoned by the snake venom and fainted together..."

Jiang Lan repeated the agreed-upon explanation. Shen Ming nodded; he didn’t fully trust it, but didn’t feel Jiang Lan had any reason to deceive them.

The key was that they suffered no loss, making Jiang Lan trustworthy. Besides, Gao Xuan was also there. The two had different teachings and origins, so they couldn’t be in cahoots.

Shen Ming looked at Purple Leaf Valley again and found the valley in shambles, as if a great battle had indeed occurred.

By this time, others were also waking up one after another.

Jiang Lan stuck to the same explanation, and most people trusted her. Even those with doubts couldn’t say much at this moment.

When Yuanbao also woke up, everyone noticed Yang Wanchun was still unconscious. Despite a thorough check, they couldn’t figure out his situation.

Jiang Lan also checked twice but appeared puzzled, showing helplessness.

Due to Yang Wanchun’s situation, Jiang Lan suggested they immediately return to the Ghost Market. There are cultivators skilled in medicine who could take a good look at Yang Wanchun. If that doesn’t work, they’d have to send him back to the Sect.

Everyone with a Qiankun Bag packed up the Beauty Snake’s corpse. The group then hurried on the Cyan Wood Boat towards the Ghost Market.

When they arrived at the Ghost Market, it was just past midnight, right at the market’s opening time.

Jiang Lan paid the entrance fee, and the group hurried into a clinic.

A black-robed Daoist was sitting in consultation. After checking Yang Wanchun’s pulse and eyes, he shook his head repeatedly, "The snake venom has entered the organs, he probably won’t survive."

Everyone looked at each other. Yang Wanchun was arrogant and rude, not well-liked. Yet going out to slay demons only to have Yang Wanchun die left things hard to explain.

Fortunately, Yang Wanchun had a fellow junior disciple with him. The group could only leave Yang Wanchun to him.

No one wanted to get involved in this matter. After all, there wasn’t a close relationship. Out of camaraderie, they couldn’t just leave Yang Wanchun unattended.

Jiang Lan was about to personally escort Yang Wanchun back, but the group stopped her. There was still the Beauty Snake issue that needed handling. As their leader, she couldn’t leave yet.

Having no other choice, Jiang Lan took out a paper crane, a magic talisman crafted by her master, capable of flying two thousand miles at great speed.

She then let the person take Yang Wanchun quickly back to the Sect. The individual wanted to stay for the division of treasures, but couldn’t neglect Yang Wanchun entirely. Despite countless unwilling feelings, he still took Yang Wanchun and left first.

Jiang Lan then led the group to Wanbao Pavilion. Although the Beauty Snake was beaten to a pulp, it still sold for five thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

This price didn’t satisfy the group. With more than ten people, each would get little. There was also the considerable consumption of Magic Talismans, costing money.

Running out of options, they didn’t have the power to negotiate prices with Wanbao Pavilion. They could only take the Spirit Stones and leave.

Under Jiang Lan’s direction, the division occurred. Gao Xuan, having contributed the most, received eight hundred Spirit Stones alone. Shen Ming and Zhou Ye each got four hundred.

Three thousand eight hundred stones remained, split among the group. Each person received three hundred Spirit Stones.

Naturally, Yuanbao also got a share. With the Spirit Stones in her hands, she squinted her eyes into crescents, a broad smile across her small mouth.

This was the first time she earned such a large sum of Spirit Stones herself.

In truth, it was also a substantial income for the others. Getting the Spirit Stones left everyone excited and joyful. Some even suggested going to a restaurant for drinks.

This suggestion found no support. Jiang Lan had paid previously, and inviting others this time meant spending their own money—and none were willing to do that.

The group bid farewell to each other in Jianghu style, then each went their separate ways.

Once everyone had left, Gao Xuan took Yuanbao back to Wanbao Pavilion.

Jiang Lan was already waiting inside. She led Gao Xuan to the inner courtyard. Wanbao Pavilion had a senior uncle from her sect, providing support. While not offering discounts, they made things more convenient.

This time, even the shopkeeper of Wanbao Pavilion came. After all, it was a thousand-year-old Snake Demon, reportedly with deep Dao practice.

When Gao Xuan produced the Snake Demon’s corpse, everyone was shocked.

Two old masters of Wanbao Pavilion examined it all over, concluding that it was indeed an old demon with profound power. Especially the snakeskin, which was an Exotic Treasure.

Yuanbao was also surprised. When did her brother kill such a terrifying giant snake! Far bigger than the Beauty Snake. Just looking at its dark blue scales, one could sense how formidable this Snake Demon had been.

Seeing the shining eyes of those from Wanbao Pavilion, Yuanbao grew scared. Were they going to kill and rob?

Gao Xuan held Yuanbao’s cold little hand and whispered comfortingly, "It’s alright."

Wanbao Pavilion was too big a place to murder for a mere Snake Demon. Besides, given the skills of the few present, if things turned hostile, Gao Xuan wouldn’t fear them.

After the appraisal, the shopkeeper was particularly enthusiastic, including the previously seen Master Wang.

Gao Xuan ignored the enthusiasm and directly demanded ten thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones. He also wanted them to help with saddle manufacturing and three sets of protective inner armor.

After a lengthy haggling, the shopkeeper reluctantly agreed, remarking it was for the face of Cloud Mist Sect and Five Elements Sect.

Gao Xuan found this a bit disdainful. The shopkeeper made a decent profit but still wanted personal favor from him, showing their shallow greed. But in a place like the Ghost Market, such petty traders were to be expected.

Upon leaving Wanbao Pavilion, Gao Xuan gave Jiang Lan two thousand Spirit Stones. The better she fared, the more it would benefit him. Giving a little investment was appropriate.

Jiang Lan wasn’t very concerned about the two thousand Spirit Stones; she cared more about Gao Xuan’s attitude.

Gao Xuan also ordered her a set of protective inner armor, further demonstrating his generosity.

She gritted her teeth and gave Gao Xuan a Cloud Light Gauze Robe. This silky garment appeared as a faint, fresh light, like a wisp of cloud, barely discernible.

Worn on the body, it purifies Primordial Qi, defending against corrupt gases, Heart Demons, and Ghost Souls.

This was a treasured artifact passed down from her ancestors, which she dared not use often for fear others might covet it.

Now, to express her loyalty, she presented it to Gao Xuan.

Gao Xuan accepted it gladly, not wanting to reject the beauty’s goodwill.

This made Yuanbao feel a pang of jealousy. When did this woman and her brother become so close? Could it be these two are getting together?

Fortunately, after leaving the Ghost Market, Jiang Lan departed. Gao Xuan and Yuanbao took a different route.

Meanwhile, several high-ranking members of Cyan Wood Sect were gathered around Yang Wanchun, examining him with grave expressions.

Yang Wanchun, looking ashen-grey, was clearly on the brink. Though Cyan Wood Sect was adept at healing, they had no solution for this.

Yang Wanchun’s master, Bai Songyun, remarked viciously, "It must be that scoundrel Gao Xuan’s doing, otherwise why would only my disciple have trouble."

Everyone nodded; it made sense. To call it coincidence was something nobody would believe.

Bai Songyun sneered, "In a few days, during the grand competition, I’ll personally enter the field and kill this brat, avenging my disciple!"

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