Chapter 1733: Chapter 997: The Obliterated Teammates
"So that’s how it is." Yang Xiao felt a deep respect for the Countess. Regardless of whether the rumors were true, she was a person worthy of admiration.
At the same time, Yang Xiao couldn’t help but marvel at the means of the Chamber of Commerce. They actually managed to steal this person’s "corpse," which showed their audacity.
No wonder the Chamber wanted to kill them to silence them. If the Female Pope knew about this, it would be surprising if there wasn’t a fight between the two sides.
However, thinking it over calmly, Yang Xiao even suspected that the mastermind behind this incident might also involve the Valutis Empire. Perhaps they couldn’t act directly, which led them to hire the Chamber for cooperation at a high price.
The people of the Chamber only cared about profits, never about right or wrong. As long as the price was right, they dared to take on any job.
Nalan Shuo had also previously mentioned to him that among the three major forces in the country, the Chamber’s connections with external forces were the most complicated. Within it, there were even some experts who fled from other countries or were heavily bribed. These people had strange methods, were powerful, and were particularly troublesome.
"Miss Tong, your spiritual power is in disorder, and it’s almost riddled with holes. If this continues, your remaining lifespan won’t exceed two months." Jiu Shan Jinglan warned with a serious expression.
"I understand." Second Demon Uncle had frankly informed her before coming, and Tong Han was mentally prepared. This trip to Japan might very well be the last journey of her life, but with that person around, perhaps it wasn’t so bad.
"Tong Han is my friend. I hope you two elders can save her." Yang Xiao bowed deeply to Jiu Shan Cangxuan. Now that the truth was out in the open, there was no need to hide it anymore. At this point, the Jiu Mountain Family was his greatest hope.
Jiu Shan Cangxuan didn’t refuse and nodded slowly. "Yang Xiao is a friend of our Jiu Mountain Family, so naturally, Miss Tong is as well. We won’t refuse a friend’s request. In dealing with spiritual power disorders, our family does have some insights. I suggest this: from today onwards, our family will be responsible for treating Miss Tong. For now, we can only alleviate and maintain her condition. To completely solve the issue, I fear you will need to undergo training in the Secret Realm first."
"Yang Xiao, your training schedule remains unchanged. I will alternate with Beiyu Ye to intensify your training. Your foundation is excellent, your comprehension is outstanding, and with your sharp magic artifacts, given enough time, your growth potential is limitless. This trip to the Secret Realm is a perfect opportunity for you." Jiu Shan Cangxuan said earnestly.
"I will follow the elder’s arrangements completely!" Yang Xiao cupped his fists. He understood that from this moment on, his fate and Tong Han’s were intertwined with the Jiu Mountain Family.
In the following days, Yang Xiao and Tong Han led very fulfilling lives. Yang Xiao was rigorously trained by Jiu Shan Cangxuan and Beiyu Ye, making significant progress not only in controlling spiritual power but also in puppet control. The Jiu Mountain Family showed great respect to Yang Xiao, having Jiu Shan Jinglan personally teach Tong Han various ways to counteract the backlash from magic artifacts, along with being fed various top-grade elixirs.
Time flew quickly. Within a week, Yang Xiao made a breakthrough in the Corpse Refining Technique, mastering the skill to adeptly control Bone Burning Taoist to use two magic artifacts for attacks.
Faced with Yang Xiao’s progress, Beiyu Ye was greatly amazed but still maintained a firm mouth, stating that such achievements by Yang Xiao would be moderately above-average by Dragon Tiger Mountain standards, but would be considered top-level at the Quanzhen Sect.
"Dragon Tiger Mountain’s Corpse Refining Technique truly lives up to its reputation as the best in the world!" Yang Xiao compliantly praised, continuously providing emotional value to Beiyu Ye.
Beiyu Ye squinted his eyes slightly, clearly enjoying Yang Xiao’s flattery, but still uttered a rare truth: "Naturally, my Dragon Tiger Mountain is first in Corpse Refining Technique, but unfortunately, too few of our peers are willing to sincerely cultivate this Unique Skill; while the quality is alright, in terms of quantity, we fall far short of the Bone Painting Tower folks."
"Have you ever faced off against the Bone Transformation Tower people?" Yang Xiao curiously asked.
"I haven’t, but an uncle of mine once encountered them on his way down the mountain and had a bout with them, and indeed found some secrets." Beiyu Ye seriously said when mentioning the Bone Transformation Tower, which was a rarity.
After this period of interaction, the two had become quite familiar, and Yang Xiao roughly figured out the personality of this outstanding young representative of Dragon Tiger Mountain. Seemingly carefree, he was actually very measured in his actions. Yang Xiao was trying to probe into this person’s true nature, while the other was also attempting to gather information from Yang Xiao—both were smart old foxes.
Recalling what Jiu Shan Cangxuan had said earlier, Yang Xiao was now convinced that apart from himself and Tong Han, the other two participants in this Secret Realm mission were Jiu Shan Sha Yue and the Dragon Tiger Mountain Taoist Beiyu Ye.
Being chosen by the Jiu Mountain Family, this person must also have a remarkable trait for the mission. Yang Xiao believed that with the skills of the four of them, their chances of succeeding in the task were very hopeful.
During this time, with Jiu Shan Jinglan’s help, Tong Han’s physical condition visibly improved, and color returned to her face. Yet Yang Xiao was well aware that this was all temporary. The key to saving Tong Han’s life lay in tackling that Secret Realm.
Finally, after an anxious wait, that day arrived. On an evening with light rain, Yang Xiao and Tong Han were taken by the Jiu Mountain Family’s samurai to a secluded little house, where Jiu Shan Sha Yue and Beiyu Ye had already been waiting.
Besides them, there was another person on the scene, the least noticeable among the five elders of the Jiu Mountain Family—Jiu Shan Shuangjian.
