Chapter 291: Chapter 289: Invitation
"The Moyang Flower will bloom in a few more days."
"We have to wait."
It couldn’t be picked before it was in full bloom.
The five of them sat on the clifftop, waiting for the day the Moyang Flower would bloom.
Meanwhile, Lu Beifeng was also recovering from his injuries.
Thanks to the Golden Healing Pill, he would be almost fully recovered by the time the Moyang Flower bloomed.
As for the Celestial Brown Ridge Python, it had hidden itself away in its cave to sleep.
Jiang Chen wasn’t concerned about the Celestial Brown Ridge Python. He had already subdued it, so he naturally wasn’t worried it would sneak a bite of the Moyang Flower.
Although the Celestial Brown Ridge Python couldn’t speak, its consciousness was highly developed, no worse than a normal person’s.
If a Demon Beast reached the Martial King Cultivation realm, it too could learn to speak.
One day, a strange fragrance wafted over.
"Hm?"
"It’s the Moyang Flower. It’s about to bloom."
Jiang Chen was the first to notice the exotic scent, and he knew at once that the Moyang Flower was about to bloom.
They were close enough to smell it.
Anyone a bit farther away wouldn’t be able to catch the flower’s fragrance.
It was only after some time that Zhan Yang and the others noticed it.
"Ah, the Moyang Flower is about to bloom!"
Zhan Yang was overjoyed.
Despite his usually proud demeanor, he was exceptionally happy now that he was about to obtain the Moyang Flower.
The four members of the Warring States Mercenary Corps were all beaming with smiles.
"HISSS..."
Just then, a hiss came from within the cave, and a huge, ferocious head poked out.
It was the Celestial Brown Ridge Python. It flicked its tongue, clearly craving the Moyang Flower as well.
But unfortunately for it, it glanced at Jiang Chen and saw his stern expression.
Its eyes darted around helplessly before it finally retracted its head back into the cave.
’With this master around, I don’t dare make a move, no matter how much I want it.’
JinLing was very envious of this.
"Jiang Chen, it really listens to you."
"So obedient."
It seemed she also wanted such a well-behaved Spirit Beast.
Without the Celestial Brown Ridge Python’s interference, Zhan Yang knew the Moyang Flower was practically in his grasp.
The group surrounded the Moyang Flower.
By now, Lu Beifeng had mostly recovered and was able to stand up.
"Thank you."
He gave Jiang Chen a deep bow.
Jiang Chen waved his hand dismissively.
He was clearly unconcerned.
"I’ll go stand guard."
Even though they were about to get the Moyang Flower, everyone knew they couldn’t let their guard down.
Lu Beifeng voluntarily went to the edge of the cliff to keep watch, guarding against any approaching enemies or even Demon Beasts to prevent any accidents.
Zhan Yang had already taken out a box.
It was an ice box, which maintained an extremely low temperature.
This would ensure that the Moyang Flower would stay fresh and not wilt after being picked.
Time passed, second by second.
The petals of the Moyang Flower opened little by little.
Finally, as the fragrance grew stronger, the flower burst into full bloom.
"SWISH!"
Zhan Yang took out a golden trowel and dug it into the base of the Moyang Flower’s stem.
The Moyang Flower broke off.
"Collect!"
Holding the ice box, Zhan Yang made a gesture toward the Moyang Flower. The flower flew up and then slowly drifted into the ice box.
With the Moyang Flower perfectly collected, Zhan Yang quickly put the ice box away.
"Perfect, haha."
He couldn’t help but laugh out loud happily.
Everything had gone smoothly.
"Is it over?"
Jiang Chen asked.
Zhan Yang nodded. "It’s over. We were only able to complete this mission successfully thanks to you."
Jiang Chen smiled and shook his head.
"You earned this through your own efforts."
"If you’re done, then it’s my turn."
As he spoke, his Cloud Mist Sword flashed, and he began to dig into the soil.
"Jiang Chen, what are you doing?"
JinLing and Zhan Yang were both confused.
Jiang Chen explained as he dug, "I’m digging up the roots of the Moyang Flower. I have a use for them."
Zhan Yang and the others were stunned.
They had seen people pick flowers, but never dig up the roots.
After all, the roots of the Moyang Flower were completely useless.
Zhan Yang kindly reminded him, "You won’t be able to cultivate a new Moyang Flower from the roots."
"Besides, the roots are useless."
Jiang Chen didn’t explain, focusing on digging up the roots.
After a short while, he had excavated the roots of the Moyang Flower.
In truth, Jiang Chen naturally had a way to cultivate the Moyang Flower.
Moreover, he needed the Moyang Flower to refine Spirit Feeding Pills.
Although he couldn’t use it at the moment, he knew he would definitely have a use for the Moyang Flower in the future.
After packing the roots away, Jiang Chen was satisfied.
Zhan Yang didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but he didn’t ask any more questions. After all, he could tell that Jiang Chen was no simple Martial Cultivator.
He had a healing Holy Medicine like the Golden Healing Pill, and despite being at Warrior Seventh Heaven, his Combat Power was simply terrifying.
"Jiang Chen, I want to discuss something with you."
Suddenly, Zhan Yang looked at Jiang Chen, his tone hopeful.
Jiang Chen was surprised. "What is it that requires such a formal discussion?"
After a moment of hesitation, Zhan Yang said, "It’s like this... we all hope you’ll join our Warring States Mercenary Corps. I was wondering if you’d be willing?"
"To be honest, I know you probably look down on a Mercenary Team like ours."
"But I wanted to ask anyway."
Zhan Yang had finally stated his purpose. It was an idea they had all unanimously agreed on.
They all hoped to pull Jiang Chen in.
Jiang Chen fell silent.
He originally had no intention of joining any Mercenary Team.
But he had to admit that spending time with Zhan Yang’s group felt good.
Of course, that wasn’t reason enough for him to join.
Seeing Jiang Chen’s silence, JinLing also tried to persuade him, "Jiang Chen, we would all love for you to join us."
"Even though we’re weak, we sincerely want you to join."
"Niu Tuo and Lu Beifeng agree too."
Zhan Yang actually felt very awkward bringing this up.
When he had first met Jiang Chen, Zhan Yang had told him to his face that their team wasn’t recruiting and didn’t want him.
But now, he was shamelessly inviting Jiang Chen to join.
Shaking his head, Jiang Chen refused.
"For now, I have no plans to join the Warring States Mercenary Corps."
"I still have many things I need to do."
He had come out this time to go to Guyue City and finalize the annulment of his engagement.
So, after thinking it over, he still didn’t agree.
Disappointment flashed across the faces of Zhan Yang and JinLing.
Perhaps they really did want Jiang Chen to join their team.
"That’s a real shame."
Zhan Yang sighed.
Then he forced a smile.
"It’s alright. Everyone has their own path. We’re still friends, right?"
He said this to avoid making things awkward between them.
Of course, they all hoped to be friends with Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen was frank and treated others with sincerity.
They had all seen it for themselves.
JinLing’s eyes also dimmed a little.
Finally, she asked eagerly, "Are we friends?"
After the past few days, JinLing already considered Jiang Chen a friend.
Jiang Chen nodded. "Yes, we’re friends."
JinLing felt somewhat relieved.
"We’re heading back to Guyue City next. Jiang Chen, where are you going?"
She asked again, hoping that Jiang Chen might be going the same way.
Jiang Chen was surprised to hear that JinLing and the others were going to Guyue City.
This reminded him of his own next destination.
He also needed to go to Guyue City, but not right away.
"I’ll be going to Guyue City too. If you’re staying there, perhaps we’ll meet again. But for now, I still have to go deeper into the Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain."
Jiang Chen told them the truth. He had to find the Black Fire. Whether he succeeded or not, he had to at least try.
He had to go to Guyue City sooner or later.
So there was still a chance he would meet JinLing and the others again.
"Wow, really? You’re going to Guyue City?"
JinLing was pleasantly surprised.
But when she heard that Jiang Chen was still heading for the core region of the Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain, she started to worry about him.
"It’s very dangerous there for you to go alone. Can’t you just not go?"
Jiang Chen shook his head. "I have to go."
"You all should head back to Guyue City first. I hope we’ll meet again there."
Just as he was speaking, Lu Beifeng suddenly shouted a warning, "Someone’s coming!"
In that instant, everyone was startled and immediately went on alert.
