Chapter 497: Chapter 496: Ambush in the Green Bamboo Forest
"Fang Wanwan?"
Both parties were unfamiliar with each other, and Shi Xiaole couldn’t figure out why the other side would present such a generous gift to him.
The middle-aged man with a dark face maintained a kind smile and waved his hand. A warrior waiting in the aisle immediately brought a large box into Shi Xiaole’s room.
"This is a token of appreciation from my master. He says Young Hero Shi is one of the rare outstanding individuals he has ever known in his life, and he would be very pleased to make your acquaintance."
Shi Xiaole opened the box, and even with his hearty character, was taken aback immediately.
Inside the box, there were numerous stones that were as clear and lustrous as diamonds neatly arranged. These were Sun and Moon Crystal Stones – and by a rough count, there were no fewer than thirty!
The great value that comes with Sun and Moon Crystal Stones doesn’t need any further elaboration.
In ten thousand Mystic Crystal Stones, not even one Sun and Moon Crystal Stone can be found. Even a master of the Lord Level who wishes to quickly enhance his cultivation needs to absorb the energy stored in the Sun and Moon Crystal Stones.
It was also the three Sun and Moon Crystal Stones gifted by the Crown Sword Marquis that allowed Shi Xiaole to successfully advance from the peak of Dragon Gate Realm Tier One to Dragon Gate Realm Tier Two.
It can be said that the value of thirty Sun and Moon Crystal Stones surpassed a low-level Spiritual Weapon and to a certain extent, is on par with a mid-level Spiritual Weapon.
A mid-level Spiritual Weapon can increase the attack power of a master in the Dragon Gate Realm by more than fifty percent and could save lives at crucial moments. However, with thirty Sun and Moon Crystal Stones, a lower-level martial artist in the Dragon Gate Realm can quickly break through the realm, which is a long-term plan.
This gift was indeed substantial.
Fang Wanwan, on the surface, is the richest man in Xuanwu State, but his Picking Stars Manor is known for producing skilled individuals and has numerous connections widespread in both legitimate and underworld. Hence, no one dares to offend him.
The fact that he could produce more than thirty Sun and Moon Crystal Stones in one breath shows how astonishing his capabilities are.
This was the first time Shi Xiaole realized that he had underestimated this wealthy man.
The middle-aged man with the dark countenance could not conceal the intense look in his eyes.
Even with his cultivation level at the eighth tier of the Dragon Gate Realm, he could not ignore the Sun and Moon Crystal Stones in the box. Unfortunately, his master had given a strict order to deliver them to Shi Xiaole, and even if he had a hundred guts, he dared not betray his master.
He chuckled then asked, "Are you satisfied with these, Young Hero Shi?"
"Very much so, but I have one request and that is for you to take the box back."
Shi Xiaole said.
"What?"
The middle-aged dark-faced man thought he had heard wrongly. Immediately, his smile faded as if he regarded Shi Xiaole seriously for the first time.
"Why?"
"I can’t accept rewards without working for it. Besides, what will I offer to reciprocate such a big gift? What if Fang Wanwan makes a request of me that I can’t refuse? It’s wiser for me not to receive this gift."
Shi Xiaole was convinced that if he could absorb the Sun and Moon Crystal Stones in the box, he could break into the Fifth Tier of the Dragon Gate Realm. However, he clearly understood that he would not commit to anything until he understood the other party’s intentions.
"Hahaha... People say that Young Hero Shi is extraordinarily resolute and possesses the greatest heart of his generation. Today, I finally bear witness."
The middle-aged man with the dark face shook his head and said, "However, there has never been a precedent for our master to take back the things he gives! The master said that this gift is just a token of his affection and will not ask Young Hero Shi to do anything. If Young Hero Shi is unwilling to accept, he may either give it away or throw it away, it’s entirely up to him."
He finished talking, gave a fist salute, and left with the warrior at his side. In the blink of an eye, they disappeared down the hallway.
"Good! Quite a Fang Wanwan."
Shi Xiaole let out a soft sigh.
Though the other party seemed to be giving a generous gift freely, this was precisely their most cunning move. Given his character, once he accepted, how could he forget this act of kindness?
So, should he accept it?
Of course.
For Fang Wanwan and Picking Stars Manor, dozens of Sun and Moon Crystal Stones were a disguised form of investment. To Shi Xiaole, wouldn’t this be an opportunity?
If the other party did not expect kindness to be repaid, it would not be too difficult for him to repay this favor when he gets the chance in the future.
After thinking it over, Shi Xiaole took fifteen Sun and Moon Crystal Stones from the box and found Crown Sword Marquis and Yang Feng, giving each of them five.
Both of them were astonished and repeatedly declined, but they couldn’t oppose Shi Xiaole’s determined attitude and had to accept. After learning about the source, they were deeply moved.
After inquiring about the Ai Family and learning that Ai Wenhong had gone out the day before and hadn’t returned yet, he decided to leave five Sun and Moon Crystal Stones with the Ai Family’s Elder to be delivered later.
In recent days, the Ai family had offended many forces voluntarily for him, and Shi Xiaole would not forget this kindness.
Fang Wanwan sent a total of forty-five Sun and Moon Crystal Stones. After giving away fifteen, Shi Xiaole now had thirty in front of him.
Moonlight poured through the thin gauze window. Shi Xiaole began to operate the Karmic Conversion Skill with a serene mind.
The energy of the Sun and Moon Crystal Stones was very sticky, and it took half a 2-hour period before Shi Xiaole could absorb two stones.
One 2-hour period.
Two 2-hour periods.
...
Five 2-hour periods had passed.
Twenty of the Sun and Moon Crystal Stones had been reduced to dust.
At this moment, Shi Xiaole’s Vigorous Air had increased significantly, and his cultivation level had gone from the late stage of the Dragon Gate Realm Tier Four to the peak of the Dragon Gate Realm Tier Four, just one step away from the fifth tier of the Dragon Gate Realm.
Another half of a 2-hour period went by.
There was a loud bang, and a strong force erupted in the room.
Shi Xiaole’s cultivation reached the early stage of the Dragon Gate Realm Tier Five, just as he wished.
"I only used twenty-two pieces of Sun-Moon Crystal Stones."
Shi Xiaole underestimated the energy contained within the Sun-Moon Crystal Stones. Additionally, even among Sun-Moon Crystal Stones, there were varying levels of quality. The one supplied by Fang Wanwan was clearly the highest quality.
"My strength has increased by at least forty percent at this moment."
The closer one gets to mastering their skills, the more significant each minor advancement becomes. A forty percent increase might not seem like much, but one must understand, an increase of forty percent in the Dragon Gate Realm brings much more benefit than a doubling, or even tripling, in the Spiritual-Passage Realm.
It took an additional two-hour period, and the absorption of the final eight Sun-Moon Crystal Stones for Shi Xiaole to fully consolidate his cultivation base.
Somewhere along the way, the sky outside gradually brightened.
"Brother Shi, we need to leave the city soon. Please come with us."
Ai Wenhong and an Elder from the Ai family entered, their faces clearly apologetic. If one were observant, they would notice a change in the way they addressed him.
"You’ve made your preparations?"
The words that came out of Shi Xiaole’s mouth startled both of them.
Ai Wenhong gave a wry smile. "You’re as perceptive as you are proficient in sword arts, Brother Shi. We can’t hide anything from you."
In recent days, Ai Wenhong had been busy. As the only direct male heir of the Ai family, he was involved in the plans against the Xiahou Clan and was well-aware of the internal situation.
Ai Wenhong knew well that it was his relationship with Shi Xiaole that marked him with the Ai family’s tag. And now, even if he wanted to stay out of their affairs, the Xiahou Clan wouldn’t let him.
Thus, departure with them was the best choice.
According to the agreed plan, he, Shi Xiaole and his sister Ai Wenqian, would not partake in the fighting. They would be protected by experts secretly dispatched by the Ai Family to accompany them in their departure.
"Young Master Shi, we have learned from the Xiahou Clan’s hidden informants that you are on their kill list. You absolutely cannot stay in the city alone!"
The Elder from the Ai family exhibited great respect, not for Shi Xiaole’s relationship with Ai Wenhong, but for his character.
It was impossible to hide the fact that Fang Wanwan had sent Sun-Moon Crystal Stones. Upon asking himself, the Ai Elder knew he would never have been as generous to share part with a friend. This alone was enough for Shi Xiaole to earn their respect.
"It looks like you’ve all made your plans?"
Shi Xiaole asked.
Wearing a rare expression of seriousness, Ai Wenhong replied, "I’ll fill Brother Shi in on the details later. But this time, we will surely give the Xiahou Clan a taste of our power!"
...
Several days had passed since the end of the Linjiang Xian Meeting, and Tianyi City gradually returned to peace.
At noon that day, a few horse carriages departed from Tianyi Inn and left the city.
At a bamboo forest ten li away from the official road outside the city, a stream of arrows rained down on the carriages as they drew near.
Swoosh, swoosh...
The horses halted, lifting their hooves. A halo of light yellow Vigorous Air spread out from one of the carriages, instantly shattering the rain of arrows.
"Who dares to ambush us? Show yourselves!"
Shadows flickered as more than a dozen high-level experts from the Ai family stepped in front of the carriages. The leading figure had white hair and ruddy complexion and emitted a formidable aura, signifying that he had reached the staggering Ninth Tier of the Dragon Gate Realm.
He was none other than the Ninth Elder from the Ai family who had arrived secretly a few days ago, entrusted with executing this plan.
"It seems that you were expecting us."
Equally, more than a dozen figures emerged from the bamboo forest, their cold and murderous gazes fixed on the Ai family members, like hunters spotting tasty prey.
"Xiahou Wuyi, you wretch," said the Ninth Elder, his eyes fixed on a green-robed Elder.
"It’s hilarious, Ai Cai, that you don’t even realize your impending doom and you’re still acting rampant!"
Xiahou Wuyi responded with a disdainful smile. Scanning the Ai family’s gathered experts, he found they matched the information he had obtained, which greatly eased his mind.
For hunting the juniors of the Ai family, the Xiahou Clan had exerted significant effort, even dispatching him to supervise the mission, leaving no room for failure.
"Hmm, Ai Cai, I bet you’ve obtained lots at intel on my clan, so you act bold and fearless. It’s a pity though... seniors, please make your appearance."
Xiahou Wuyi bellowed, and two figures appeared beside him in a gust of wind.
In a blink of an eye, two men appeared by his side, one dressed in black and the other in white, both sporting hats in the same color. The one in white had a genial smile on his face, and the one in black wore a fierce expression. The only similarity was their terribly strong aura which was even more formidable than the Ninth Elder’s.
"Black and White Impermanence!"
The Ai family members drew a deep breath.
These two men were known as the fearsome duo in Xuanwu State. It was rumored that they were real brothers, neither good nor evil, but rather acting on their mood. On their good days, one could insult them without repercussions, on their bad ones, they were capable of exterminating an entire martial arts sect, claiming to be the henchmen of Yama.
The duo’s strength didn’t have a specific ranking, but they were definitely among the top 500 in Xuanwu State. Their combined strength could even pose great headaches to those within the top 100.
Although they had been expecting the two to appear, seeing them in person still weighed heavily on the Ai family members.
"Old beggar, hehe, I can sense your presence. Show yourself."
The beaming White Impermanence spoke.
The next instant...
Before anyone could respond, Black and White Impermanence moved like two shooting stars, ascending several dozen feet in the air towards an opponent. The first strike instantly reduced the surrounding hundreds of meters of bamboo into dust, resulting from the aftershock of the explosion.
