Chapter 531: Chapter 530: Dragon Strength Grass
The tavern had two floors.
Tables, chairs, and even the stairs visible to the naked eye were coated with a thick layer of dust. Most curiously, there were people in the tavern.
Not living people, but statues.
There was a steward calculating, wine-drinkers guzzling down their drinks, an old man taking a nap with closed eyes, and even a sprawling dog... The expressions on the statues were diverse and colorful, as if living people were frozen and painted over.
For some reason, Shi Xiaole suddenly felt a chill run through him.
After observing for a while, he carefully made his way through the place, going upstairs and pushing open the doors to the rooms one by one. The rooms were fully furnished, but all the items were quite ordinary.
It seemed that the entire tavern held no treasure.
"The Hundred Turns Thousand Returns Array contains nine hundred and ninety-nine deceptive flaws and one real one, yet the real flaw is hidden within deceptive ones."
As he stood by the railing on the second floor, Shi Xiaole finally understood.
Although he had broken through the external barrier of the tavern, he hadn’t deactivated the Hundred Turns Thousand Returns Array. The very thing he had broken through was only a deceptive flaw.
The consequence of breaking through a misleading flaw was that the array system automatically started a countdown to destruction.
This was an array likely to result in the death of an expert!
Someone like Spirit Mist Lord, despite all his efforts, couldn’t even break through the external barrier. It was even difficult for him to die in the array if he wanted to.
"He truly deserved the reputation of being Shuntian Capital’s foremost Array Master for the last six hundred years."
Juxtaposed with the cold and killing intent that pervaded the air, the colored statues seemed to come to life. Shi Xiaole felt a fatal threat emanating from some individual statues.
Given his mental strength, if he had enough time, he might find the real flaw hidden among the false ones. Unfortunately, the array would not give him that much time.
"You came to the tavern yet didn’t drink any wine. You deserve to die."
The voice rang out, surprisingly originating from the statue that was drinking wine.
"Is it still enough time if I drink now?"
Shi Xiaole didn’t make a move.
He had already guessed that the key to the Hundred Turns Thousand Returns Array was connected to these statues. If he acted prematurely, it would be equivalent to triggering the array voluntarily, leading to certain death.
But if he waited for the statues to awaken, he would still be stuck in a dead-end.
In Shui Lingping’s solution, it was highlighted that though the form of the Hundred Turns Thousand Returns Array varied widely, there was only one true flaw which had to be identified in a short time based on specific hints.
In other words, Shi Xiaole could only rely on himself now.
"Even if one repents after committing a mistake, the wrong that has been done will forever be wrong. Unless, you buy me a drink," the statue holding the wine cup said.
"Okay."
"In the tavern, there are ninety-nine jars of wine, but what I want to drink is the secret Osmanthus Brew that the steward keeps. If you can find it within one hundred breaths, I’ll spare your life."
The tavern was immense, and to find a hidden jar of Osmanthus Brew within the time frame of a hundred breaths was near impossible.
Shi Xiaole calmly scanned the area, indeed noticing ninety-nine jars of wine on the counter, all of the same size. He quickly completed a round of the first floor of the tavern, closed his eyes, and opened them again.
"Friend, half the time has already elapsed. It seems you do not sincerely intend to buy me a drink," the drinking statue spoke coldly, radiating murderous intent.
"No, I have found the Osmanthus Brew."
Shi Xiaole abruptly walked in front of the old man who was resting with closed eyes and picked up the bamboo tube he had placed on the chair.
"What do you mean?"
"The bamboo tube is hollow, but there’s a shallow tooth mark at the end of it. It seems to have been bitten by an animal," Shi Xiaole looked towards the sprawling dog and smiled, "This is clearly a drunk dog. Its teeth must have inadvertently bitten the bamboo tube and come into contact with the wine inside."
Turning to the resting old man, he added, "The alae of the old man’s nose are slightly smaller than that of ordinary people. I believe he’s not resting, but was tempted to inhale deeply when he smelled the faint scent of the Osmanthus Brew."
"You’re being too presumptuous," said the statue that was drinking.
Shi Xiaole walked up to the steward and picked up the account book on the table, "The daily bills are detailed here, and I noticed a name repeated every few pages, suggesting that the old man is a regular here. Perhaps in their familiarity, the steward might have inadvertently let slip the location of the Osmanthus Brew."
"Then look at the old man’s shoes, stained with mud. Probably left behind when he sneaked away the Osmanthus Brew."
As Shi Xiaole lightly shook the bamboo tube, a sound like flowing water emanated from within; a rich aroma of wine wafted out of the tiny holes.
"Impressive! Less than a hundred breaths and you’ve discovered so much, making such bold deductions! Quick, give me the Osmanthus Brew and I’ll spare your life," the drinking statue praised.
Shi Xiaole just shook his head with a smile, showing no intention of moving towards the statue. Instead, he handed the bamboo tube to the steward.
"What are you doing?" the drinking statue raged.
"Of course, returning the item to its owner. Illusion Lord, you’re indeed terrifying. If I don’t find the wine, I face certain death. If I do find the wine and hand it to the wrong person, death comes even faster."
The steward burst into laughter, "Thank you, young hero, for finding my lost item." The statue managed to move and walked around the counter. With several thuds, it smashed all the other statues in the tavern.
Following that, the steward-looking statue too blew itself up. In an instant, the ambiance of the array that initially flooded the tavern dissipated.
The Hundred Turns Thousand Returns Array was broken.
Phew!
Shi Xiaole let out a sigh, his back slightly drenched in sweat.
The timing was critical this time, a matter of life and death. If he made even the smallest mistake, instant death would have been his fate.
However, it seemed that his efforts were not futile.
As the statue resembling the shopkeeper exploded, a small sandalwood box appeared on the spot. Shi Xiaole picked it up, opened it, and was momentarily stunned, then a wild joy spread across his face.
It was as though he obtained what he had been looking for.
Inside the box was a miniature forked blood-red grass, shaped like a mini dragon in its slumber. The mere thin whispers of its aura emanating from it gave Shi Xiaole the illusion of a dramatic increase in strength.
Dragon Strength Grass!
A few years ago, Shi Xiaole had consumed ten Elephant Strength Fruits in the forbidden area of the Iron Bone Sect, leading to a significant increase in his vital energy. Although the name Dragon Strength Grass is similar to Elephant Strength Fruit, their effects were not in the same league.
The energy of Dragon Strength Grass is ten times, even dozens of times stronger than that of the Elephant Strength Fruit.
Legend has it that this is a miraculous herb imbued with dragon’s blood. If an ordinary person takes a small amount, they would explode and perish immediately. Even Spiritual-Passage Realm warriors who consume it cannot withstand the impact of the violent surging of vital energy, and are in danger of losing their lives.
However, for Dragon Gate Realm masters, this is a rare treasure.
A single Dragon Strength Grass not only enhances one’s vitality several times and drastically increases strength, but also greatly refines one’s muscles and bones, thereby improving physical fitness.
Currently, isn’t the lack of physical fitness the biggest obstacle impeding Shi Xiaole’s advancement in cultivation?
Just by acquiring a Dragon Strength Grass, Shi Xiaole already considered his trip worthwhile!
"What good fortune has the young hero found? Why not show it?
As he was putting away the wooden box, there was a sudden rush of wind from afar.
The figure of an old man with a friendly appearance appeared at the entrance of the tavern, grinning at Shi Xiaole.
The Hundred Turns Thousand Returns Array in the tavern was too conspicuous. The old man had just noticed it not long ago. On his way here, he sensed the Array System being broken, and happened to see Shi Xiaole packing up the wooden box. Thoughts began to arise in his heart.
"There are countless treasures in the city, why must you pick on me?" Shi Xiaole secretly mustered his strength.
From his aura, it was clear that this old man was a mid-stage Lord, unlike the likes of Spirit Mist Lord.
"Ordinary treasures do not catch my eye. Young man, bring it out. It’s good for both you and me."
Clang!
A Sword Qi shot at the old man, who, still smiling, grabbed with a single hand and suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "What? You actually hit my weak point. Is it just luck?
At the same instant, Shi Xiaole had pushed the Wind True Intent to its limit, transforming his body into a green meteor as he darted out of the tavern’s back window.
With his current strength, he could hold his own against average mid-stage Lords. However, dueling in such a place would inevitably attract others, which was unwise.
"Young man, why the rush?"
The voice was right next to his ear.
Shi Xiaole was taken aback and turned around to thrust his sword. The Sword Qi was shattered by the old man’s single palm.
"Seventy percent of the Wind True Intent?"
This was the first time Shi Xiaole had encountered an opponent who had comprehended the Wind True Intent, and even reached seventy percent. No wonder he couldn’t gain the upper hand in terms of speed.
"Stop."
The smile on the old man’s face felt cold. His finger flicked, and an almost imperceptible finger radiance suddenly appeared behind Shi Xiaole as if the distance between them was ignored.
Dang!
Sparks flew, Shi Xiaole’s right arm felt numb, and he was thrown off to the right.
"A young man who has understood forty percent of the Wind True Intent. Could you be that Shi fellow? You’re nothing special, not on par with the geniuses of my Oblivion Assembly."
The old man sneered, flicked his fingers repeatedly, firing chaotic finger radiance faster than bullets at Shi Xiaole, leaving no room for evasion.
"Wind Rises and Clouds Surge!"
Without looking back, Shi Xiaole swung his sword backwards. Its formidable Sword Qi spread out on a large scale, enveloping all the finger radiance in an instant, causing a loud rumble.
Large sections of the surrounding shops were destroyed, cracks appeared in the streets, and after a few breaths, several finger radiance broke through the Sword Qi and were narrowly dodged by Shi Xiaole.
It was at this moment that Shi Xiaole realized that he had underestimated the mid-stage Lords.
When facing junior Lords, he could match the mid-stage Lords using his sword skills and speed. But a genuine mid-stage Lord, especially a speed type expert, made him completely helpless. He was suppressed right from the start.
Unless he uses the Demonic True Intent.
"Better to absorb this Dragon Strength Grass first."
Sensing that people were approaching, Shi Xiaole, who originally intended to apprehend the old man to understand the Wind True Intent, quickly changed his mind and darted into a brothel ensnared by an Array System.
"Divine Wind Finger!"
Pupupu.
Enraged, the old man pointed out several times, but all were blocked by the Array System on the surface of the brothel. By the time he forcibly broke the Array System, Shi Xiaole was nowhere to be found inside the brothel.
"That kid is also proficient in Array Systems? Impossible. Even the Array Masters of the Oblivion Assembly branch can’t break this formation just by looking at it. Could it be that he has the blueprints of the Illusion Lord’s cavern and knows many of the secrets here?"
Divine Wind Lord’s elderly eyes flickered, the more he thought, the more he felt it was right.
Otherwise, how could Shi Xiaole have broken the Array in the tavern? With his insight, that Array was far more complex than the seven Arrays that had trapped the major factions before.
