Chapter 419: Chapter 418: Flying Fish Manor
There were indeed plentiful Thousand Crowberries in Xuanwu State, and after some effort, Shi Xiaole acquired what he needed. He combined it with other medicinal ingredients to make a healing soup and drank it the same day.
This continued for three days.
Within him, a certain sense of deficiency was gradually replenished.
The effects of the Golden Puppet Liquid had finally been neutralized.
Shi Xiaole breathed a sigh of relief, pushed open his room door, and went to the tavern’s hall to drink.
Being new to Xuanwu State, he did not wish to wander aimlessly, so for these past few days, he would sit quietly and listen to the tales and discussions of the Martial World from nearby guests, aiming to gain a deeper understanding.
The Martial World of Xuanwu State was indeed bustling and spectacular.
The explosive news that Shi Xiaole had heard in just a few days far surpassed the sum of major events that happened in the recent decades across eight states.
For instance, half a month ago, a youth from a remote small state in Shuntian Capital, who claimed to be the ’Four Seas Retribution God’, attacked the Blade-drawing Sect, a second-tier force in Xuanwu State, by himself.
Overnight, he annihilated the Blade-drawing Sect, sparing no one.
It had to be understood that the power rankings in the Xuanwu State were officially certified and recognized by the government.
A typical third-tier force required the Sect Master to have unsurpassable strength at the Spiritual-Passage Realm, and over twenty peak Spiritual-Passage Masters along with a hundred masters above the seventh level of the Spiritual-Passage Realm within their sect.
For a second-tier force, the Sect Master’s cultivation must reach at least the third level of Dragon Gate Realm and the sect should have at least five Dragon Gate Realm masters and no fewer than forty peak Spiritual-Passage Realm masters.
As for top-tier and supreme forces, their requirements were even more exaggerated.
In short, the power tier of a sect in Xuanwu state wasn’t something you could casually claim; it was only valid with both official and Martial World recognition.
A young man declaring himself the ’Four Seas Retribution God’ single-handedly obliterated a second-tier power, indicating his immense power.
Another example was ten days ago, the Shu Tang Sect branch from the Red Dust Three Marvels fought a grand melee against the Nether Demon Hall branch from the Demon Door Six Paths outside the Annihilation Stone City.
The battle involved over a dozen Dragon Gate Realm masters and hundreds of Spiritual-Passage Realm masters. Additionally, countless warriors below Xuanqi Realm participated, creating mayhem and chaos.
The Nether Demon Hall sent an Elder who killed three Dragon Gate Realm masters from Tang Sect with a sweep of his hand.
Unexpectedly, one of the remaining Tang Sect masters also played a crucial role and used ’Sparrow Cry’, one of Tang Sect’s Hundred Secret Weapons, to rattle the Nether Demon Hall Elder to death.
In the end, neither side gained any advantage.
Lastly, five days ago, the Barefoot Lord and the Eradicating Emotion Saber Lord, amongst the top fifty masters in Shuntian Capital, kept their thirty-year-old pact and had a duel at the bank of Linjiang.
According to the spectators, both individuals had achieved full understanding in their martial arts comprehension. Their war and clashes caused incredible waves on the Linjiang bank hundreds of meters away and even caused half a quarter of an hour delay in the river’s flow.
No one knew the result of the battle. After a day and night of fighting, they agreed to duel again after thirty years.
Also, five days ago, a destitute adventurer in Xuanwu State had fallen into the infamous danger zone, the Cloud Abyss. The next day, he was reportedly seen walking out from the abyss, his strength dramatically enhanced after a leap of several hundred feet...
Spectacular, strange, and unusual events were shared among the guests in the tavern. The stories stirred the blood of the listeners, making them yearn to step into this unknown world brimming with danger and fantastic encounters and make a name for themselves overnight!
In Xuanwu State, Shi Xiaole felt a strong sense of vigor and vitality, like an ocean with tumultuous waves. Countless people were riding the wind and breaking the waves, making monumental efforts to reach the highest wave crest.
However, how easy could it be to make a name for oneself, to succeed, and to achieve greatness in a place where countless top-tier powers were stationed, where numerous experts and geniuses emerged like bamboo shoots after rain?
Every day, countless experts from the other three hundred and sixty-four states, and even other capitals, flocked to Xuanwu State. Perhaps, one moment you just defeated a strong enemy you had been preparing to face for a long time, and the next moment, you would be defeated by a rising newcomer.
The frequency of newcomers replacing the existing experts could be measured daily. If one couldn’t maintain their undefeated record and continually strive for excellence, they would swiftly be eliminated and forgotten.
Therefore, many would say that Xuanwu State is both heaven and hell. Beauty and brutality coexist here. Even genuine geniuses might find it hard to avoid suppression and end up in obscurity.
"Time to start looking for the Vigorous Air Fruit."
Having rested in the tavern for several days, Shi Xiaole decided to begin his journey in Xuanwu State. His first goal was the Vigorous Air Fruit.
Although he had already reached out to the Xuanwu State Demon Alliance, disappointingly, with his status as an Incense Master, he was only allowed to take on simple tasks here, hence, their rewards weren’t high.
Of course, finding the Vigorous Air Fruit wouldn’t be sensible without making appropriate preparations. On that very day, Shi Xiaole entered the Divine Strategy Academy in Golden Orchid City.
What was ridiculous was that it cost no less than one thousand taels of silver to purchase a simple piece of information at the academy. When the clerk found out that Shi Xiaole was inquiring about the Vigorous Air Fruit, he directly quoted a price of two hundred thousand taels.
Fortunately, Shi Xiaole had substantial funds, backed both by the Red Dragon Divine Palace and Lele City. He paid the silver promptly.
"There are three places where the Vigorous Air Fruit had appeared within the last three days. Additionally, the academy has predicted six more potential locations within a thousand miles based on the features of the places where the fruit appeared...,"
What’s even more astonishing was the efficiency of the academy. Almost immediately after he paid the silver, the man behind the curtain pulled out a parchment from the room and reported the information.
"Young master, you’d better hurry. Three people have already bought this information before you," the man behind the curtain said with a smile.
As soon as he finished speaking, footsteps rang out, indicating someone’s arrival.
After a while, the man behind the curtain chuckled and said, "Young master, one of those three people found a Vigorous Air Fruit just an hour ago."
Shi Xiaole was secretly astonished.
Those who would be concerned about the Vigorous Air Fruit and can afford information about it are likely top experts in the Spiritual-Passage Realm. It seems that the Divine Strategy Academy has a clear grasp of their movements.
The problem is, with so many people buying information from the global market, it is not feasible for the Divine Strategy Academy, no matter how great its omniscience, to track everyone, especially the top experts.
So, where are they getting their timely information?
A mystery.
This is Shi Xiaole’s most immediate perception of the number one intelligence organization in the Flying Horse Dynasty.
Not daring to stay, Shi Xiaole rose to his feet and walked away.
The nine places that the Divine Strategy Academy suggested were all remote areas hard to find for ordinary people. On his way there, Shi Xiaole remembered to spread his mental energy, but did not notice anyone tracking him.
Whether by bad luck or other reasons, he had tried nine different places, finding no trace of the Vigorous Air fruit, so he had to return in defeat.
Shi Xiaole was not easily discouraged, and went to the nearby Divine Strategy Academy franchise to purchase information again, but the several attempts were to no avail.
Whether Vigorous Air fruit exists or not is a matter of luck. The information from the Divine Strategy Academy is only intended to increase people’s chances of finding it.
Shi Xiaole didn’t dare to continue. If he tried a few more times, he would eventually become penniless and wouldn’t even be able to afford a meal.
Just as Shi Xiaole was at a loss, he happened upon a piece of surprising news.
"Mr. Jiang’s beloved wife has been bedridden with a serious illness for many years. He sincerely invites renowned doctors from the Martial World to lend a hand. If one can rejuvenate her, Mr. Jiang promises to exhaust all means to repay the favor."
This was a bombshell message posted at the gates of every major city, with the grandiose signature of Jiang Moxian.
Jiang Moxian, a second-rate power in Xuanwu State, the current owner of Flying Fish Manor, is a person of wealthy means and boundless charity, with renowned honor in the Martial World.
According to some accounts, during the years that the Lady of the Manor was in a coma, Jiang Moxian sought all known martial arts doctors, but to no avail.
Watching his wife’s vitality fading day by day, he had to try every possible remedy, spreading broad notices in the hope of finding a reclusive genius who could bring her back to life.
"The Flying Fish Manor has been passed down for hundreds of years, with countless family assets. Jiang Moxian also has a wide network of connections, but he still can’t find a way to help. It seems that his wife’s illness must be very serious."
People shook their heads with regret.
Naturally, there were also those who rushed to the Flying Fish Manor the moment they heard the news.
Even a blind cat can catch a dead rat. Just because the famous doctors can’t cure it doesn’t mean others can’t. Trying it out is always the right thing to do. What if they succeed.
Shi Xiaole also got an idea. Maybe, Flying Fish Manor could help him find the Vigorous Air Fruit.
...
The Flying Fish Manor is located on Flying Fish Mountain.
The mountain is 3,988 meters high, with a wide plateau on top, as if someone had cut off a piece of it. On the plateau stands a magnificent and beautifully decorated manor.
"Father, this is already the 1,238th person. All frauds!"
In the backyard filled with violets in the manor, a young girl expressed her grief and anger.
Next to the girl, a middle-aged scholar with a scholar’s cap sighed, "Is it really the will of heaven? Why is god so cruel, wanting to take away the woman I love the most."
"Master, another person has arrived, saying he wants to inspect the Lady’s illness."
The butler of the Flying Fish Manor came in.
"Let him in."
Jiang Moxian waved his hand. Perhaps he had been disappointed too many times, his heart had already gone numb.
Before long, the butler led a young man in a green shirt to them.
The girl, Jiang Tian, immediately furrowed her brows, her eyes expressing fierce anger.
What did they mean, did they think they were desperate and therefore anyone could have a shot? So once they left, they could brag about being invited into the bedroom of the Lady of the Flying Fish Manor?
Jiang Moxian’s face also changed.
Shi Xiaole was too young.
You know, medical skills, like marital arts, require a long period of accumulation to achieve significant results. How many of the true experts or giants in the martial arts and medical worlds are young people?
Jiang Moxian suspected that Shi Xiaole had come to join in the fun, but due to his own cultivation and character, he did not expose him directly, instead he nodded, and led Shi Xiaole into the room.
"Poison!"
Just by smelling the air in the room, Shi Xiaole knew that the woman lying in the bed was not sick, but had been poisoned with a terrible toxin.
After taking her pulse and carefully sensing her condition, Shi Xiaole became silent.
"You’ve checked the disease, now get lost!"
Seeing this, the young girl, Jiang Tian, could no longer contain her anger.
