Chapter 352: Competitive Relationship |
Because Elder Bai put in a personal word for him, Liu Xiaolou was able to collect fourteen bottles of healing pills from the Zhanglong Sect.
The Heart-Nurturing Pill was the most versatile and most commonly used. He got six bottles, with three pills in each.
For treating external injuries there was the Tiger Bone Pill -- three bottles, 15 pills total.
To speed up the recovery of true qi there was the Ginseng Origin Pill -- three bottles, 21 pills total.
For repairing and restoring spiritual sense there was the Divine Rhyme Pill -- just one bottle, two pills...
And finally there was the Heart-Foundation Immortal Blood Pill, one bottle with three pills, which Elder Bai specifically told him to take care of. This particular pill is a top-grade elixir produced on Tianmu Mountain. If someone’s meridians are severely damaged or their organs are ruptured and bleeding, taking just one can pull them back from the brink. It keeps you from dying on the spot and is considered a lifesaver.
It is very difficult to refine and rarely seen in the market. Rumor has it that back in February, a single pill showed up at the Yueyang Market and sold for 25 spirit stones, which is nearly the price of a high-tier low-grade magical artifact. Getting three of them at once left Liu Xiaolou so stunned and thrilled that he almost did not know what to do with himself. So this is the kind of benefit you get for joining a major sect’s war effort?
He had never even heard of going to war and getting free stuff before!
For a moment he was genuinely moved. His eyes reddened, and he almost teared up.
The Sanxuan only received less than one-fifth of that, a total of twenty talismans.
When he brought them back, Lin Twin Fish and the other disciples of the Southern Sea Sword Sect barely paid attention. They were not interested in the pills or the talismans he had picked up. Lin Twin Fish had already stocked up on pills in her own storage artifact, and as for talismans, she only took four sound-transmission flying talismans, one for each of them.
Liu Xiaolou could not help feeling both happy and worried. "You are really that confident? These pills were refined on Tianmu Mountain, by the Pill Sect."
Su Jing stepped over and explained, "Brother-in-law, sword cultivators like us use a different kind of pill. We commission the Luofu Mountain Sect to refine Sharpening Gold Pills just for us, unlike what other sects use. We already brought plenty. It is not that the ones from Mount Tianmu are unusable, but our own are always better for us."
"And what about this bottle of Heart-Foundation Immortal Blood Pills? Elder Bai set these aside just for you. I will leave the others alone, but you really should use this one. It will help you heal more completely."
"Brother-in-law, my injury is nothing serious. I do not need the Heart-Foundation Immortal Blood Pills, and honestly it would be awkward if I did. My master will not be happy when I go back."
"I have no say in the grudges between you and your sect, but let me offer one reminder. Healing properly is what really matters. A pill only works once it is in your stomach. Do not risk your body over petty issues."
"Brother-in-law, relax. I really do not need it."
Liu Xiaolou clutched the remaining talismans tightly, looking curious. “What about these then?" he asked. “Like this Earth Escape Talisman for self-defense, or this Water Essence Talisman. You are not taking them either?"
Su Jing replied, "We do not use talismans. When trouble comes, we rely on the sword."
Liu Xiaolou was impressed. He clapped Su Jing on the shoulder and grinned. "Badass. Thirteenth Young Master, I am proud that you train in such a bold and glorious sect. Really proud, really proud!"
In the middle of Su Jing's smug, can't-hold-it-in proud smirk, Liu Xiaolou briskly swept up all the remaining talismans and pills.
In the afternoon, Liu Xiaolou ran into Han Gao, who had just come back from scouting for information. He handed him a bottle of Heart-Nurturing Pills and two sound-transmission flying talismans. "These are for you."
Han Gao didn’t ask too many questions. He accepted them and said, "So this is what Zhanglong Mountain handed out? That sect master sure is stingy. Anyway, I found out the details. The other small sect showed up last night. They’re staying at the northeast corner of Langyinting Mountain. The spot is downwind and over three zhang lower than ours."
"So how is it?" asked Liu Xiaolou. "How many people did the Lingqiu Sect send?"
Han Gao replied, "More than us. They brought twelve people. Eight Foundation Establishment, and four in the late or peak stages of Qi Refinement."
Liu Xiaolou looked surprised. “Damn, they're actually that strong? I barely heard their name before; how did they pop up out of nowhere like this? Meanwhile, I do know Longbai Sect... the one that got told to step off by Elder Bai.”
Han Gao said, "I asked about that too. They’re a sect that moved from Badong to western Xian about seven or eight years ago. Word is they used to have bad blood with the Gengsang Cave."
Now Liu Xiaolou finally understood. Back during the Battle of Zhuoshui, the Lingqiu Sect had taken the Zhanglong Sect’s side. Zhanglong ended up losing, so Lingqiu couldn’t stay in Badong anymore. They had no choice but to flee and cling to the Zhanglong faction, eventually becoming one of their subordinate sects.
Sanxuan Sect and Lingqiu Sect were on the same side now, but when it came to spots for exploring the ancient cave estate, there was still competition between them.
Sanxuan Sect was given five spots while Lingqiu got four. On the surface that didn’t seem like a big gap and Elder Bai looked fair enough. But once they asked how many people each sect had brought, it became obvious Elder Bai was playing favorites. Sanxuan only had six people total and even just counting Foundation Establishment cultivators, they were fewer than Lingqiu.
“No wonder, Brother Han. Earlier I heard Zang Qianli casually mention that he hoped Sanxuan could put on a good showing, beat Lingqiu with our results, and prove that Zhanglong handles things fairly. I didn’t get what he meant at the time, but now it makes sense. You also said our six Foundation Establishment cultivators could easily crush a small sect and maybe even steal one of their spots. But honestly, I think they are probably thinking the exact same thing. At this point, we should be worried about whether we can even keep our five spots.”
Seeing that he looked a bit unsure, Han Gao encouraged him: “No need to worry, Sect Master. We may be few in number, but every single one of us is a strong fighter. If it really comes down to a fight, we won’t necessarily be any worse than Lingqiu Sect.”
Liu Xiaolou thought about it for a second and realized Han Gao was right. He gave himself a mental pep talk, then let out a big laugh. “You’re damn right! We’re all elite fighters here; every single one of us is worth two of theirs!”
Han Gao nodded. “Exactly. When the fighting starts, Sect Master, you just stay put in the formation. Don’t go charging around yourself. Keep directing the big picture from there. We’ll have no problem cutting a path through the battlefield. Our results is going to blow Lingqiu’s out of the water, no question. I know those Southern Sea Sword Sect guys way too well. They’re the kind who fight like they don’t care about their own lives.”
Liu Xiaolou saw how confident he was and clapped his hands, laughing, “Good. With that attitude, we’re going to outperform Lingqiu and win you another spot while we’re at it!”
Having reached an agreement with Han Gao, Liu Xiaolou headed toward the rooms in the courtyard and called out, “Everyone, gather up! We need to discuss something! We’re not only up against the Jiangnan sects. We also have to watch out for Lingqiu. They brought eight Foundation Establishment cultivators, and just now…”
Song Axia was in his room mending his bright red battle robe. When he heard the shouting, he poked his head out, glanced at Liu Xiaolou, then pulled back inside and kept sewing.
Lin Twin Fish came out of Su Jing’s stone hut with a finger to his lips. “Quiet. Don’t talk. Brother Su is meditating. The root of his injuries still isn’t completely cleared.”
Liu Xiaolou opened his mouth but couldn’t really say anything after that. He and Han Gao turned around to leave. As they passed Wu Changgeng’s room, that guy at least bothered to shout something from inside, which counted as him joining the discussion: “Sect Master, calm down. Stop asking around. It’s exhausting. No matter what sect they’re from, it only takes one sword.”