“It’s nothing. An old injury just flared up, that’s all!”
Tianjizi quickly wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and offered a perfunctory excuse as he regained his composure.
Inwardly, however, he was cursing: Why the hell is it that whenever I see you two, nothing good ever happens?!
I can’t even make up a bunch of nonsense without things going sideways!
I just hope that mysterious power doesn't misunderstand me!
Seeing Tianjizi’s pale face and hearing that his old injury had flared up, the Tiansheng Sect's Ancestor didn't think much of it.
“Very well, Fellow Daoist Tianji. You should focus on your recovery...”
At this point, the Tiansheng Sect's Ancestor hesitated for a moment before continuing, “I must also ask for your discretion. Please do not speak of the matter regarding our former Grand Elder stealing the immortal spirit water...”
He felt that Tianjizi must have already divined that it was Xiao Jingde who stole the immortal spirit water, but had only called it an 'inside job' to save the sect’s face.
As for the matter of the Spirit Herb Garden, he was too embarrassed to ask Tianjizi to calculate that as well. Hadn't the man just spat out blood?
Tianjizi was startled. He desperately wanted to reach out and cover the Tiansheng Sect's Ancestor’s mouth.
Why are you telling me this?!
Huh?!
I don't want to know this kind of secret!
At the same time, he was somewhat shocked. He hadn't expected Xiao Jingde to be an undercover agent for that mysterious power.
That guy was hiding deep!
“Rest assured, Senior. I, Tianjizi, swear by the Heavenly Dao that if I ever leak this matter, may I be struck dead by punishment lightning...”
Hearing Tianjizi’s oath, the eyelids of both the Tiansheng Sect's Ancestor and the Sect Leader twitched uncontrollably.
They felt a literal headache coming on just hearing that oath now!
Can't you swear by something else?
Does it have to be lightning?!
“Fellow Daoist Tianji, please focus on your recovery!”
With that, the Tiansheng Sect's Ancestor led the Tiansheng Sect Leader away.
Watching their hurried departure, Tianjizi felt a bit strange.
Why does it feel like those two were in such a rush to leave?
The problem is, I’m the one who’s injured. Why are you two running so fast?
It’s not like I’m holding you responsible!
Once their figures were completely out of sight, Tianjizi quickly entered his seclusion chamber and activated every defense he had: the defensive array, the anti-scrying array, the illusion formation...
He had made up his mind. He would fake injury and illness for the foreseeable future. He absolutely could not perform any more divinations.
Especially not for the three major powers. It was bad luck! He could see it now—they were his jinx. Every time he divined for them, disaster followed!
At the same time, he felt a lingering sense of dread. He had discovered the secret of the mysterious power.
That Xiao Jingde was actually their undercover agent.
Judging by the reactions of the Tiansheng Sect's Ancestor and the others, they didn't seem to know about Xiao Jingde's true identity yet.
He absolutely could not let this secret slip. Otherwise, that mysterious power would never let him go.
...
“Has there been any news from the people we sent to the Eastern Province?” the Tiansheng Sect's Ancestor asked after leaving Tianjizi’s residence.
“None!”
“Are their soul lamps alright?”
Without wasting words, the Tiansheng Sect Leader took out a sound transmission talisman and sent an inquiry to the disciple guarding the Soul Lamp Hall.
The reply came back: the soul lamps were fine!
The Tiansheng Sect's Ancestor couldn't help but frown.
If they didn't die on the Wuwang Sea, why haven't they returned yet?
“Have people keep an eye on those youngsters from the Qingshan Sect! I have a feeling they aren't as simple as they look!”
The Tiansheng Sect Leader nodded. “Understood! I’ll have the Second Elder watch them personally.”
“Is there any news of that monkey yet?”
The Tiansheng Sect Leader shook his head again. “None.”
“Sigh! Why does it feel like everything has been going wrong lately?”
Hearing the Ancestor’s lament, the Sect Leader felt the same way.
Ever since they started organizing the Saintess's Husband Selection Assembly, there hadn't been a moment of peace. One thing after another had happened, and none of them were minor!
Especially this theft—the loss was simply devastating!
...
After Lu Ming and the others left, they returned to the courtyard they had originally rented.
Ji Chen had intended to find a cheaper place for himself and his junior brothers, but after Lu Ming said “my treat,” they ended up staying right next door again.
Once settled, Lu Ming couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
An entire lake’s worth of immortal spirit water!
This should be enough to raise Big Yellow and the others' cultivation by a significant margin, right?
Especially Big Yellow, who was already at the peak of the Soul Transformation stage. With the immortal spirit water, he might just make a breakthrough in one go.
If Big Yellow could break through, their team would have a Unity-stage cultivator. They wouldn't have to back down from every confrontation anymore.
However, when he excitedly entered the Equality Secret Realm, he was stunned.
He saw that the lakebed which should have been filled with immortal spirit water was now planted with various spiritual herbs.
And they were the very same rare spiritual herbs he had plucked from the Tiansheng Sect’s Spirit Herb Garden.
At this moment, these herbs were glowing with vibrant spiritual light, thriving even better than they had back in the Tiansheng Sect!
“Where is my immortal spirit water?!” Lu Ming couldn't help but roar.
Zhu Wuneng and Xiao Huihui, who were busy weeding and catching bugs among the herbs, looked at each other in curiosity.
“What’s wrong with the Great Sect Master?”
Xiao Huihui’s eyes darted around intelligently. “It seems like he’s looking for his water? Little Piggy, did we cause trouble?”
She had a feeling that water wasn't ordinary!
Zhu Wuneng shook his large head. “How is that possible? Water is meant to be used, and watering spiritual herbs is a use!...”
Xiao Huihui blinked. Is that how it works?
But did they use it in the wrong place?
Just then, Lu Ming appeared in front of the pig and the bird.
He pointed at the distant, dry lakebed and demanded, “Where is the water that was in that lake?!”
Zhu Wuneng replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world, “I used it to water the spiritual herbs!”
Lu Ming: “...”
My precious immortal spirit water... you used it to water herbs?!
“What’s wrong? Can’t it be used for watering?” Zhu Wuneng asked, seeing Lu Ming’s face turning red.
“It can!” Lu Ming replied through gritted teeth.
What else could he say?
After all, there was no rule saying immortal spirit water couldn't be used for gardening.
The problem was, that was immortal spirit water!
His heart ached. Why did it have to be like this?
“Waaaah... my immortal spirit water... I’ve failed you...”
Watching Lu Ming squatting by the lakebed and crying so sorrowfully, Xiao Huihui asked worriedly, “Little Piggy, was that water really special? Look at how heartbroken the Great Sect Master is.”
Zhu Wuneng shook his head firmly. “How could that be? The Great Sect Master is crying for a girl named Immortal Spirit Water...”
“He must have done something wrong to her. I didn't expect the Great Sect Master to be such a scumbag... Sigh...”
Lu Ming, who was in the middle of his grief: “...”
Girl named Immortal Spirit Water my ass!
I swear, for a pig, why can’t you just be Marshal Canopy and go flirt with Chang'e? Why do you have to be a gardener?!
Then, he looked around the Equality Secret Realm. Zhu Wuneng had almost filled the entire place with spiritual herbs!
No, he couldn't let this continue.
He was genuinely worried that Zhu Wuneng would go crazy with his planting and eventually try to plant Lu Ming himself like a spirit herb!
“Zhu Wuneng! I have a mission to give you...”
“Ready and waiting!”
Zhu Wuneng stood up abruptly and shouted at the top of his lungs.
Seeing his intense aura, both Lu Ming and Xiao Huihui were taken aback.
This guy actually had some spirit in him!
“Great Sect Master, can you assign me missions related to various spiritual herbs?”
Just then, Zhu Wuneng’s voice rang out.
Lu Ming: “...”
“No!”
“The mission I’m giving you is to be Marshal Canopy!”
“Can Marshal Canopy plant spiritual herbs?”
Lu Ming: “...”
“No. Marshal Canopy is the commander of a hundred thousand water troops!”
Zhu Wuneng stared at Lu Ming with wide, confused eyes.
It was clear he had no idea what 'commander of a hundred thousand water troops' meant.
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