Chapter 49 - 49 Initiating the Plan
Back in Dragon Valley, the excitement on Ao Cheng’s face had significantly subdued, and his gaze towards Jiang Xiaobai no longer held the previous contempt.
Those acquainted with Ao Cheng knew that this was his way of fully acknowledging Jiang Xiaobai.
Few people caught the eyes of Ao Cheng, practically none, but Jiang Xiaobai unquestionably stood as the one he deemed most worthy, incomparable to anyone else.
Apart from his previous valiant act on Five Lotus Mountain, today’s events completely won over Ao Cheng’s admiration and acceptance.
Thousands of talented individuals failed to win Liu Xi, the Heavenly Maiden of Jade Immortal Sect, but Jiang Xiaobai managed to do so with just two poems. “Jiang Xiaobai, I, Ao Cheng, haven’t conceded to many people in my life. You are the only one with a lower realm than mine who can address me as a brother,” Ao Cheng said meaningfully to Jiang Xiaobai.
However, he noticed that Jiang Xiaobai remained quiet, avoiding his gaze.
“Screw you. You’re ungrateful! What’s with that look, despise me?” an unhappy Ao Cheng retorted.
Just as he was about to speak again, a chilling voice resounded from behind.
“Considered brothers, are you?”
Ao Yan glared, her face wreathed in a cold smile. Ao Cheng stiffened as he turned to look at her, a radiant smile on his face.
“Sis…Hey, hey, hey! Stop twisting my ear, it hurts!”
Ao Yan was tugging Au Cheng’s ear, her cold voice echoed, “If I find out you two are dodging around again, I will not spare you.”
Jiang Xiaobai:
Please understand, it was Ao Cheng who dragged him out!
At this moment, Jiang Xiaobai wanted to explain himself to Ao Yan but seeing her murderous gaze, he could only swallow down his words.
He had a feeling if he dared to speak at this moment, Ao Yan would undoubtedly kill him.
After giving Ao Cheng a fierce scolding, Ao Yan let go of him and escorted Jiang Xiaobai home.
Upon pushing the courtyard’s door, under the moonlight, Ao Yan turned around and indifferently looked at Jiang Xiaobai.
“Since you’ve chosen the path of cultivation, immerse yourself in it. If you keep messing around, you’d be better off remaining an ordinary person down the mountain,” she admonished.
Jiang Xiaobai remained silent, his gaze lowered like a child who had done something wrong.
Seeing him in this state and thinking about the upcoming Gu tribe, Ao Yan felt stuffed emotions were locked in her chest, unable to vent.
Taking a deep breath to steady her emotions, Ao Yan sighed and retired to her room.
Jiang Xiaobai did not follow. Instead, he made himself a cup of tea in the courtyard.
As he pondered the gains of the day, an excited smile appeared on his face.
His power had already reached the peak of the late stage of Yuan Infant. According to the standard cultivator progression, the next step would be to advance to the Transcendence stage.
But Jiang Xiaobai knew there was a hidden fourth realm, Great Perfection. All the cultivation he had achieved was after reaching the Great Perfection stage before he elevated further.
Thus, his combat power was terrifying among his peers. If it weren’t for his lack of real combat experience and fighting techniques, his combat power would be far beyond its current state.
But there wasn’t enough time left to gain fighting experience. He could only focus on getting rewards for cultivation.
Now his power had increased considerably, which meant he had become tougher. The idea of finding spirit stone veins outside, which had remained pending in his mind for a long time, needed to be prioritized.
In addition, he was aware that a significant crisis was waiting for him.
Jiang Xiaobai shook his head and put the matter aside, focusing on the jade slip Qian Dabao had given him.
In a secret realm million miles away, a young man with an impressive bearing stepped out of his cave dwelling. A group of people was waiting for him outside.
“Young master, it’s time to depart for Dragon Valley,” an elder who appeared to be a steward respectfully informed the young man.
The young man nodded indifferently. He was GuBei, the most talented and highest-ranking young master of the Gu tribe!
Another group of Gu tribesmen, all at high positions, joined them.
“Don’t show mercy to those old fools during this visit to the Dragon Valley. If they disagree, commence a war,” a middle-aged man stated coldly.
“Those damned Dragon Valley people, they promised us a marital alliance, and then they pull this stunt at the crucial moment. They’re practically stepping and grinding our Gu tribe’s face in the dirt. It’s unbearable. Do they think they’re as powerful as they were thousands of years ago,” another man exclaimed.
GuBei chuckled lightly, “Tenth Elder, going to war with Dragon Valley isn’t the wisest choice.”
“Hmm, having such insight proves that we didn’t nurture the wrong person. While instigating a war between the two tribes is not wise, there’s no need to fear them. Do you understand?” the Elder said kindly.
Gubei nodded, and after the Elders instructed him a little more, they watched him depart with his entourage.
The two tribes were millions of miles apart, and even with teleportation array, the journey would take more than ten days. One can imagine the hardship of this journey, but for the most outstanding youth in the tribe, GuBei, this was nothing.
GuBei had lost both his parents at a young age and struggled for survival in the vast Gu tribe. His life took a turn when he successfully guided his Qi into his body and demonstrated his gift for cultivation, gradually ascending from the lowest son to his current position.
No one but him knew how many bitter hardships he had experienced in this journey.
As his gaze drifted towards the direction of Dragon Valley, a touch of gloom flashed in his eyes.
Wasn’t his climb to the top of the ladder for a better life and more resources?
Ao Yan, he had set his sights on her!
Early in the morning, Jiang Xiaobai walked out of his room and headed for the Dragon Palace after a quick breakfast.
After investing some energy and time to complete the refining of Qing Qi pills, Jiang Xiaobai left Dragon Palace and went to the Third Elder’s place.
After a night of thought, Jiang Xiaobai had determined to venture out to locate a vein of spirit stones, even if he couldn’t find any.
He couldn’t just sit and wait for death.
The people of the Gu tribe would arrive soon, and once they did, it was clear they would express their anger over his marriage to Ao Yan. If he wanted to survive this ordeal, he must have something to bargain with.
“How has your cultivation been recently?” the Third Elder was lying indifferently on a lounger as usual.
Jiang Xiaobai chuckled and handed a jug of wine plucked from outside to the Third Elder without commenting on his cultivation.
“Ah, more of your antics. What is it this time?” The Third Elder sneered a bit disgruntled. However, he grabbed the jug from Jiang Xiaobai and gulped down a mouthful after uncovering the cap.
Jiang Xiaobai put on a playful smile, “Well, Third Elder, I’m planning to leave the mountain for a while, maybe for a few days. I came here to advise you in advance to avoid any concern if I’m not found..”