Chapter 123: Seeking the Wisteria (Part I)

"It's you, you damn brat!" Lin Yanghao's words fell into the ears of everyone present without a single syllable missing.

The first to react was naturally Yu Laosan. Seeing Lin Yanghao, fury ignited within him. He would recognize Lin Yanghao even if he were reduced to ashes. What made Yu Laosan want to curse was that Lin Yanghao actually claimed they were the ones who opened the stone gate. How shameless! Who was it that had been fighting to open the gate in the first place? How could one be so brazen? He didn't even blush while telling such a lie. This was clearly an attempt to shift all the responsibility onto them. How could he be so devious?

Gu Shi naturally heard Lin Yanghao's words as well. Initially, he had dismissed them—what kind of trouble could a few cultivators at the Spirit Transformation stage stir up? But upon learning that the outer stone gate and the illusion array had been broken by such people, he dared not harbor the slightest contempt. At this critical moment, Gu Shi dodged swiftly. Even so, the yellow light was far too fast, and Gu Shi was grazed by it. Afterward, he felt a lingering fear; had it not been for Lin Yanghao's warning, the consequences would have been unimaginable. He cast a grateful glance toward Lin Yanghao. At the same time, he realized that Lin Yanghao was not with those people and seemed to have a grudge against them.

After their failed attempt, Yu Laosan and his group seized the moment before Gu Shi could recover and fled like the wind. Although their spiritual energy was exhausted, they were, after all, Spirit Transformation stage cultivators. Because he was injured, Gu Shi did not pursue them.

Gu Shi felt a profound sense of desolation and despair. With those people having escaped, his plan for the "Withering Yin Spirit Refining" was ruined. More importantly, he was now severely wounded. Dropping a cultivation realm would be the least of his worries; he might even lose his life.

"How are you?" Lin Yanghao asked. Although Gu Shi was a zombie, Lin Yanghao felt that his nature was not inherently evil. Moreover, Gu Shi’s current state was his own fault, so Lin Yanghao felt a twinge of guilt.

"Thank you. If not for you, this old life of mine would have truly ended here." With that, Gu Shi retracted the Immortal-Binding Rope from Lin Yanghao. As his spiritual power returned, Lin Yanghao felt a sudden rush of relief throughout his body—a truly marvelous sensation.

"It was the right thing to do. I know it was because of my intrusion that you ended up in this state."

"Everyone has their own destiny. This must be my fate; I cannot blame others," Gu Shi replied with a bitter, helpless smile. "We should leave this place quickly. Those people will surely return to report to their sects. They belong to the three major sects of the cultivation world; staying here will be very dangerous."

After a moment of contemplation, Gu Shi gritted his teeth, turned, and led Lin Yanghao away from the stone gate. In his heart, Gu Shi swore that he would repay today's debt tenfold in the future, regardless of which three sects they belonged to. Even the highest heaven could not stop him!

Before long, Gu Shi brought Lin Yanghao to a cave on the other side of the Thousand Saints Marsh.

"Weren't you brought in by them? Why did you help me?" Gu Shi asked suspiciously.

"I was captured by them to scout the path. I managed to escape when they weren't paying attention," Lin Yanghao replied. He couldn't very well say he came to plunder treasures, could he? If he said that, Gu Shi might just crush him with one palm. Gu Shi nodded, and then began to heal his wounds.

Meanwhile, Yu Laosan and his group had already fled the Thousand Saints Marsh. By now, they knew full well that there were no treasures in the marsh. As for the celestial phenomenon, it must have been caused by that old monster advancing to the level of a Drought Demon. They had truly suffered a double loss. This was the collective thought of everyone present.

"No, this cannot end like this," said Jin Buhuan, a decision already made in his heart.

"Then what do you suggest we do? There are no treasures there," Yu Laosan said bitterly, most regretful that he hadn't been able to kill Lin Yanghao with his own hands.

"That old monster has lived there for who knows how many years; he must have some treasures. If we report back to our sects, not only can we take our revenge, but we will also have performed a great service," Jin Buhuan said with a smile.

"True, Brother Jin is right. That old monster must have many treasures, and he is currently at the end of his rope. It’s an opportunity that requires no effort," Dongfang Wang agreed.

...

"I know some medicine. I will go out and find some spirit herbs to prepare a remedy for you," Lin Yanghao said. He knew Gu Shi wouldn't last long in his current state. Since those people had left, they would certainly not let the matter rest and would surely return. Looking at Gu Shi's current condition, he had no combat ability left and would undoubtedly die. Furthermore, it was all his fault that Gu Shi had become this way, so he had an inescapable duty to help. There was no other way; he would have to use the essence of the Immortal Realm.

However, Lin Yanghao would not be foolish enough to use the Immortal Realm's essence directly to heal him; wouldn't that be discovered at a glance? If Gu Shi developed greed, wouldn't his own life be at risk? At the same time, Lin Yanghao did not forget that he had come to the Thousand Saints Marsh for another reason: to find the Purple Vine.

"Hmm," Gu Shi let out a weak, soft sound. Even if Lin Yanghao wanted to leave, he wouldn't stop him; after all, they were just strangers who had met by chance. Although his current state was indirectly related to Lin Yanghao, it was unintentional, wasn't it? If there was anyone to blame, it was Yu Laosan and his cronies. Yet, for some reason, Gu Shi had an intuition that Lin Yanghao truly had a way to treat his injuries.

According to Ling'er, the Purple Vine grew in the depths of the Thousand Saints Marsh. But because so much time had passed, Ling'er could not remember the exact location. Thus, he had to blindly head deeper into the marsh, never forgetting to scan the area with his divine sense as he went.

"Oh, by the way, Lin Yanghao, I forgot to tell you—the Purple Vine is guarded by many spirit beasts," Ling'er said playfully.

Lin Yanghao’s heart skipped a beat. Is this for real? Having spirit beasts guarding it is one thing, but what is this "many" business? I am just a small cultivator at the Golden Core stage; this is clearly sending me to my death! Lin Yanghao cursed inwardly at how unfair it was.

"Oh, don't worry, those spirit beasts aren't very strong—just mid-grade spirit beasts," Ling'er added, the corners of her mouth curling upward. These spirit beasts would be perfect for tempering Lin Yanghao.

Lin Yanghao’s face twitched. Mid-grade spirit beasts? Not strong? Are you kidding me? A mid-grade spirit beast is equivalent to the Spirit Transformation stage! I have trouble fighting even one, and you're sending me to my death!

"Oh, their strength really isn't high, don't you worry," Ling'er said, laughing even more happily as she watched Lin Yanghao’s frustrated expression.