Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

Chapter 677: Chapter 358: Jingyao Divine Bird, Jade Girl’s Message—Eradicate the Flower Thief Within Ten Days!

The signal bird was adorned with five colors, living off nectar and flower dew. When it fluttered its wings, it resembled a natural patch of color swiftly sweeping through, nearly impossible to track and disappearing seamlessly into the clouds. Thus, it was raised as a messenger bird, used for communication at the Water Altar.

Li Xian sensed a powerful inner qi within the bird. As he opened the bird’s belly, its organs dissolved into a thick foam, sullying his hands. His inner qi shook, expelling the foam, his brows furrowed in deep thought. This was "Vicious Organ Shattering Technique." It’s a sinister martial art that sacrifices one’s organs for an immediate boost in power.

Shi Yufei must have been in a perilous situation, resorting to shattering the signal bird’s organs to speed its flight, quickly sending the message back to the Water Altar. Alas, on its return, it collapsed into a bush, where it was found by Nangong Liuli.

Li Xian’s heart sank: "Clearly, something is off; things aren’t going well. As it stands, the Flower Cage Sect’s Treasure Tripod is deteriorating, and Chief Shi has sent a warning, indicating that the Water Altar is about to face a perilous storm."

"I’m in the midst of this, unable to see the full picture. As I know a bit more than others, I should focus on safeguarding myself. Tomorrow, I must discuss with Vice Envoy Yan to decide how to respond. If the situation truly turns dire, I must find a way to take Sister Liuli away from the Water Altar."

Nangong Liuli noticed Li Xian’s serious expression, and the blood-red "danger" character in the message caught her eye, bringing an ominous feeling that left her unsettled: "The Flower Cage Sect has been unusually troubled lately, seemingly on the brink of disaster. I should be glad. But instead, I feel more uneasy. It’s not for the Flower Cage Sect that I’m worried but for my foolish little brother. He must be very distressed right now, likely overthinking everything."

Feeling heartache, she gently patted Li Xian’s shoulder. Li Xian gave a carefree smile, maintaining his composure. The next day, he went to the Martial Arts Pavilion to seek out Yan Hao to discuss the matter. Li Xian had visited numerous times, familiar with the path. But today, after waiting a long time, Yan Hao did not appear.

A young attendant recognized Li Xian, hesitated for a while, then mustered the courage to say, "Elder Li, the master left a few days ago and hasn’t returned yet. If it’s not urgent, perhaps you could come back another day?"

Li Xian asked, "Why did Vice Envoy Yan leave?" The attendant replied nervously, "How could I dare to snoop on the master’s affairs? I genuinely do not know." He hesitated a moment, then added, "It seems the master went out with the Emissary of Passage."

The Water Altar has been hidden for hundreds of years, standing apart from the world, evading enemies without any lapses. The "Five Elements Arrangement" and "Natural Maze" surrounding the island were not the work of a single generation but have been refined and revamped by generations of Vice Envoys proficient in the esoteric escape arts of the Five Elements, amassing knowledge and methods over time.

After extensive evolution, even though the Vice Envoys understand the core principles of the layout, they cannot easily leave the island. Many of the predicaments, even though they set them up and understand their reasoning, remain unsolvable. Furthermore, the evolution of the Five Elements naturally leads to unforeseen complications over time. This is not precipitated by human effort but fortifies the entrapment.

Only the Emissary of Passage, exceptionally skilled in "ship control," can ensure safe entry and exit.

Suddenly encountering turbulent currents, all passing ships were capsized. Although Yan Hao knew where the turbulent currents originated and how they formed, he was unable to "right the wrongs" in time, and only by controlling the ship’s movement could it withstand the waves. This was something only Jin Shichang could accomplish.

Seeing that waiting was futile, Li Xian decided to return for now. He sensed an impending crisis, and with no one to consult with, he had to seek his own survival path. On one hand, he sought a retreat route; on the other, he maintained a calm demeanor, observing the island’s layout changes.

...

...

It is said that Elder "Wang Shouxin" failed in raising the Treasure Tripod, puzzled over his squandered wealth. This was a huge embarrassment; historically, those who failed to raise the tripod were rare. If outsiders knew, he would surely be mocked: "As a Martial Artist, you can’t raise a tripod. It’s as if a farmer can’t handle a hoe, a hunter can’t shoot an arrow, or a village woman can’t cook. Why pursue Martial Arts, better to go home and farm." Hence, he chose not to publicize the matter, leaving it suppressed for the moment.

As he wouldn’t speak, others wouldn’t easily know. Meanwhile, another Elder, Zhang Kaixuan, set up a banquet, intending to lay claim to the precious Water Stone Treasure Tripod. Wang Shouxin watched closely, his expression unchanged, observing intently.

Zhang Kaixuan began the ritual of raising the tripod, igniting wood, boiling dew... It took a total of two days. Thousands of taels of silver were poured into it, the entire treasure soup within the tripod reduced to a yellowish sludge. He was both astonished and suspicious, yet he showed no sign of his inner turmoil.

Wang Shouxin observed carefully, suspecting that Zhang Kaixuan might have also failed to raise the tripod, and decided to visit him to probe further. Inside Zhang Kaixuan’s residence, Wang Shouxin cupped his hands and smiled, "Congratulations, Elder Zhang, on raising another tripod. Your progress in Martial Arts is indeed hopeful!"

Zhang Kaixuan smiled and replied, "Oh, no, Elder Wang raised his tripod before me. By this logic, your progress in Martial Arts should surpass mine." Wang Shouxin said, "That’s true. This time, I raised the tripod for a disciple I have. He has followed me for over ten years, and now, just when his Martial Arts needs support, I raised this tripod specially for him, offering all the Essence Treasure obtained to him."

Zhang Kaixuan commented, "Elder Wang, you have a magnanimous heart, treating your disciples with utmost righteousness. Your actions deserve great admiration!"

Wang Shouxin smiled and said, "Therefore, I sought out Elder Zhang to discuss a matter. I urgently need some Essence Treasures. I’m willing to offer five thousand taels of silver to share thirty percent of it with Brother Zhang." As he spoke, he secretly observed Zhang Kaixuan’s expression, indeed seeing a look of difficulty on his face, corroborating eight-tenths of his suspicions.

He mused to himself, "If Zhang Kaixuan failed to raise the tripod, he would have no Essence Treasures on hand and would certainly appear visibly distressed. Based on my observations, I can make a judgment."

Zhang Kaixuan hesitated, pacing back and forth, his gaze wandering. Wang Shouxin pressed on, "What’s wrong... Does Brother Zhang have some difficulty?" Zhang Kaixuan said, "This..."

Wang Shouxin cupped his hands and said, "I hope Brother Zhang can accommodate me. I come to you with genuine sincerity. You must know, raising a tripod once usually costs thousands of taels of silver. I’m offering five thousand taels for only thirty percent, truly out of necessity for Essence Treasures, with no other recourse."