Gongyi Tianheng was similarly startled. Immediately following which, he forced a smile: “This elder brother also doesn’t know.”
It wasn’t strange that the two were puzzled. Indeed, this place was different from all the marvelous sceneries they had seen previously — There wasn’t any dense fog that blanketed the area in front of them. Rather, there were two streams of qi, one black and one white, that swam through the air like two inseparable fish or like the intertwined necks of two dragons. The qi streams were coiled around a pond, and were endlessly revolving around that place.
The qi streams were extremely spirited. They seemed like living creatures.
Meanwhile, that pond underneath the black and white qi streams glowed with colorful lights like a pane of dazzling glass. It was impossible to see anything clearly inside, let alone locating the stone ovum.
The most important thing was that both Gu Zuo and Tianheng had read Canon of Wondrous Medicine. However, there weren’t any descriptions of this marvelous sight. Moreover, among the books that Tianheng previously thumbed through in the sect, there weren’t any written accounts that matched…
To put it simply, something had finally appeared that the two couldn’t recognize.
As such, this also indicated that —
Gu Zuo spoke distractedly: “There’s definitely an object causing this, right?”
Tianheng nodded his head: “That’s right.”
If there was nothing here, those qi streams would’ve certainly scattered already. The strange phenomenon would’ve also mostly dissipated.
Gu Zuo made an exasperated expression: “Then, the object here probably isn’t wondrous medicine?”
He was convinced that each and every wondrous medicine was recorded inside the item book. After all, that was the canonical text of wondrous medicine, not the canonical text of stone ova. Wondrous medicines were certainly found inside stone ova, and stone ova were produced through leylines. However, not all of the produced objects were necessarily wondrous medicines!
Tianheng nodded again: “This is probably the case.”
Gu Zuo hesitated: “Then, we…”
Tianheng smiled and said: “It isn’t wondrous medicine, but it’s definitely something amazing. Doesn’t Ah Zuo want to take a look?”
Gu Zuo paused. He spoke honestly: “…Yeah.”
Tianheng fixed the tone with a single hammer blow: “Then, let’s go and check it out!”
It wasn’t wondrous medicine, but wouldn’t that make people even more curious?
Inside a stone ovum produced by the leyline, apart from wondrous medicine, what else could it be?
Tianheng carried Gu Zuo on his back, and slowly walked forward. He was very cautious.
— Although he was curious, safety was the most important in the end.
Soon, they approached the pond. Gu Zuo released his psychic power, and probed the surroundings to check whether there were any Earth Worms that would suddenly attack. Under this examination, there weren’t any traces. This caused him to slightly exhale in relief. Then, he raised his vigilance: “Big brother, do you feel anything? I don’t sense any dangers…”
Tianheng tone was smooth and steady: “It’s the same for me.”
This time, Gu Zuo felt much more relieved.
Perhaps, when that Greater Emperor sealed up the leyline in the beginning, she had already set up a series of restrictions. Although the martial artists in this place had no way to display their strengths and could only rely on their physical bodies, their perception towards danger still existed. It was to the point that they had to be even more sensitive to dangers here than in the outside world.
At the very least, since Tianheng said that he didn’t sense anything right now, there weren’t any Earth Worms hiding anywhere nearby.
At last, the two stood near the edge of the pond.
Up above, those black and white qi streams seemed to detect their existences. A certain rhythm became more prominent amid the circulations.
Gu Zuo had a feeling. He seemed to sense a type of spirituality from the circulations of these two qi streams? There was even an indistinct…sapience?
In a split second, Gu Zuo was astonished.
It couldn’t be, right?
Right then, Tianheng suddenly said: “Ah Zuo, did you hear a voice calling out to us?”
Gu Zuo carefully distinguished his senses. Apparently, he really did detect something. That pond and those two qi streams were faintly transmitting something.
Gu Zuo spoke hesitatingly: “It’s calling us…to go over?”
Tianheng nodded his head: “Ah Zuo, be careful.”
Gu Zuo had a concentrated look on his face.
He was well aware.
Tianheng moved a little closer. Now, they were just two or three steps away from that pond’s colorful lights. He came to a halt. He wasn’t willing to take a single step further.
Gu Zuo craned his neck, and peered into the pond water.
At this moment, the pair only felt that the colorful lights in the pond and the black and white qi streams overhead were conforming to each other. There was a sense of tranquility and inexplicable escalation.
At the same time, a feeling sprang up within Tianheng and Gu Zuo’s hearts. It was like… If they wanted to get the stone ovum, they needed to drip blood into the pond?
Then, were they going to do it or not?
Gu Zuo rubbed his chin against Tianheng’s shoulder: “Big brother, what do you think?”
Tianheng pondered slightly: “This elder brother doesn’t feel that there’s any malice in this.”
Gu Zuo nodded his head: “I also don’t feel anything wrong.”
Moreover, in that indistinct consciousness, he detected a hint of pleading. Apparently, if they didn’t agree, that strange object would be greatly harmed.
While it was true that the quality of the strange object had nothing to do with them, if it was just a matter of convenience, it seemed doable.
Tianheng plainly said: “Since it’s like that, this elder brother will drip a few drops of blood inside. Let’s see what happens.”
Gu Zuo couldn’t help his curiosity, and said: “What about me?”
Yet, Tianheng shook his head: “There’s no need. Right now, I only have my physical body to defend against enemies. If anything unexpected occurs, Ah Zuo will still have his psychic power to help me.”
Gu Zuo considered this, and found it reasonable. He didn’t insist any longer: “In that case, big brother needs to take care.”
Tianheng voiced his affirmation. Shortly thereafter, he swiftly nicked his wrist, and allowed some of his blood to drip into the pond.
In a split second, the colorful lights in the pond became kaleidoscopic, and surged towards the center of the pond. In the blink of an eye, all of the lights were assimilated. They rotated in a certain direction, and formed a “pond eye”-like whirlpool.
Up above, the white-colored qi stream suddenly descended, and rushed straight into the pond eye. Very quickly, the pond eye spun even faster. On the other hand, an impatient feeling was transmitted from inside the black-colored qi stream.
Gu Zuo startled.
What was going on? Was his big brother not supposed to drip any blood? Currently, there were changes happening inside the pond, but the stone ovum hadn’t shown itself!
The feeling it gave others was a sense of incompleteness…
Tianheng murmured: “It probably still needs the blood of another person.”
Gu Zuo blinked his eyes: “Then, shall I drip my blood into the pond as well?”
Tianheng glanced at the pond eye, and looked pensively. A good while later, he revealed a smiling expression: “Since matters have already reached this point, we can give it a try. This time, I will protect Ah Zuo.”
Gu Zuo had always listened to his dear big brother’s words. Since Tianheng spoke in this manner, he should’ve had a notion in mind. As such, Gu Zuo wasn’t conflicted. He similarly nicked his wrist, and let his blood drip into the pond.
At that moment, he seemed to hear a soft cry of happiness.
Without the interference of the colorful lights, he could clearly see the silk threads of red converging within the pond eye as his blood blended into the pond water. At the same time, another undercurrent took shape in the pond. This undercurrent was rotating in the opposite direction of the first whirlpool’s streams!
That black-colored qi stream abruptly fell, and threw itself into the pond eye. At this time, the pond eye didn’t undergo further changes. After the clockwise and counterclockwise streams of water formed, the pond eye wasn’t as anxious as before. Instead, it had stabilized.
A premonition suddenly appeared in Gu Zuo’s heart. He withdrew his wrist and staunched the bleeding.
Tianheng said: “This elder brother and Ah Zuo have both given nine drops of blood.”
Gu Zuo silently nodded: “This time around, there shouldn’t be any problems.”
Indeed. Following the continuous rotations of those two undercurrents, the pond eye slowly expanded, deepened, and darkened. And within that whirlpool, which seemed like a black hole, a hazy type of joy spread outwards.
Gu Zuo’s expression promptly became somewhat odd: “Big brother, why do I feel like that strange object is dear to my heart?”
Tianheng smiled: “This thing should’ve appeared after obtaining our blood. Naturally, it should feel close to us.”
Gu Zuo understood.
In other words, he and his big brother had the same feelings?
The pair didn’t take their eyes away as they attentively watched that whirlpool.
The pond water rose and swelled. All of a sudden, a streak of brilliance burst forth from the pond eye!
In a flash, that object had arrived in front of them!
Gu Zuo felt a sense of closeness. From the start, there weren’t any feelings of avoidance or repulsion.
Tianheng only reached out a hand to grab it. In an instant, a stone ovum around the size of a clenched fist appeared in his palm.
Gu Zuo lowered his head to take a look. He was very curious.
Tianheng faintly smiled: “This object is quite interesting.”
Gu Zuo felt the same way.
No matter what kind of strange object this stone ovum produced, it ought to have been born through his and his big brother’s blood. As such, was this considered a type of bloodline connection? If they shared a bloodline connection, then this was another bond between him and Tianheng.
With these thoughts running through his head, Gu Zuo felt even happier about the strange object inside this stone ovum.
But this stone ovum was also a little different from ordinary stone ova. Overall, while it was still ashen-white, a miniature pattern of the black and white qi streams had appeared on the front and back.
In Gu Zuo’s opinion, maybe there was a big relationship between those black and white qi streams and the birth of this strange object?
Tianheng used his fingers to lightly caress that stone ovum.
The miniature black and white qi streams on the stone ovum immediately flashed with a flowing light.
Gu Zuo was surprised: “Eh?”
He also couldn’t help reaching out a hand to rub it. He discovered that the surface of the stone ovum was slightly hot. At the same time, that flowing light rotated again like it was responding to his gentle touches.
Gu Zuo took a deep breath: “The strange object inside is definitely alive.” Soon after, he furrowed his brows, “Big brother, I’ve only been using a knife to cut open the outer shells of those wondrous medicines. But this living strange object… Should we wait for it to break its shell and come out on its own?”
When one thought about it, although it was a stone ovum, since there was a living creature inside, wasn’t it the same as a chicken egg, a snake egg, or any kind of egg? If the stone ovum was cut open, wouldn’t that cause the strange object to die?
Having heard what was said, Tianheng broke into a grin: “If we’re going to let it break out of its shell, we’ll have to incubate it.” Then, he suddenly teased, “Could it be possible that Ah Zuo wants to personally —”
Gu Zuo: “…”
Tianheng: “I’m just kidding. Ah Zuo, don’t be mad.”
Gu Zuo: “I’m not mad. I’m just thinking whether this thing really needs to be incubated or not…”
This question left Gu Zuo vexed for a good while.
He was considering that, after they returned, he could find a wild beast to incubate this stone ovum. However, he also had misgivings about this. After all, this was an egg made of stone. It wasn’t the same as a chicken egg. If a wild beast came to incubate it, would it be able to hatch? It would be terrible if they made a mistake that prevented the strange object from breaking out of its shell.
Additionally, did hatching require any special environments and the like?
To this end, Gu Zuo specially asked the system.
[How can this stone ovum be hatched?]
The system’s reply was straight to the point.
[Within the stone ova, wondrous objects will emerge from their shells in a variety of ways. May the host seek these answers on his own.]
Gu Zuo was speechless.
After that, the system spoke again.
[All such living things have forms of feedback. The host can patiently explore this and wait.]
Gu Zuo sighed.
It looked like getting a complete answer from the system wasn’t going to work.
At this time, Tianheng had a smile on his face as he said: “From what this elder brother can tell, this thing might need nourishment to hatch. Our blood is probably useful.”
Gu Zuo understood in a flash.
This seemed to make sense.
Soon after, he made a helpless expression.
Using his blood… Didn’t this still require him to incubate it?
The only thing probably worth celebrating was that Tianheng would need to incubate it with him.
After determining that they would “hatch the egg” together, Gu Zuo took the stone ovum, and prepared to accept it into the storage space. However, for whatever reason, although his thoughts moved, the stone ovum wasn’t received inside.
Right away, Gu Zuo was startled again: “Big brother, I can’t put away the stone ovum!”
Tianheng paused: “Oh?”
He retrieved the stone ovum, and attempted to place it inside the spatial bangle… Sure enough, it didn’t work.
Gu Zuo was gloomy.
[System, what’s going on? It stands to reason that even wild beasts can be collected now, but not a stone ovum containing a living being?]
The system’s voice was monotonous.
[The host can personally deliver it inside. Give it a try.]
Gu Zuo thought about it, and talked with Tianheng.
Tianheng nodded his head and said: “It won’t hurt to try.”
Gu Zuo promptly complied.
His thoughts moved again, and his entire person disappeared from Tianheng’s back.
At this moment, the Divine Medicine Palace Hall seemed like a grain of fine sand as it lightly fell onto Tianheng’s body. Tianheng sensed this object, but felt it was the same as a genuine grain of fine sand. It could be said that it completely lacked any weight.
Presently, Gu Zuo cradled the stone ovum in both hands. He was already standing inside the Divine Medicine Palace Hall.
Sure enough, since he was holding it, the stone ovum was able to come inside.
Gu Zuo sighed in relief as he carefully and cautiously held the stone ovum… Eh, where was he going to put it? He looked all around before trotting over to the side hall on the left.
Afterwards, he slowly placed the stone ovum on top of that jade-like bed.
Following this, Gu Zuo couldn’t resist petting the stone ovum again. He sensed that the somewhat impetuous strange object inside had been placated. Then, he flashed out, and reappeared on Tianheng’s back.
As far as Tianheng was concerned, this bit of weight really couldn’t faze him. He reached out his hands to support his little pharmacist. He smiled and asked: “Ah Zuo, did you settle it down?”
Gu Zuo replied: “I put it on the bed in the side hall.”
Tianheng’s smiling expression deepened: “Since it’s like this, we should leave this place.”
Gu Zuo: “Eh?”
After that, he remembered that there originally wasn’t much time left after the dragon’s head poured forth its dragon breath. The two of them were busy for quite a while, so hadn’t they already reached the final time limit?
They couldn’t spare any thoughts on the fact that they hadn’t met up with Shen Yuanbai and the others. Gu Zuo didn’t dare to neglect anything, and hastily took out and stimulated the Gate Opening Pearl.
After that, it flickered with rays of light. Tianheng and Gu Zuo vanished in front of the pond water, whose colorful lights had already scattered…
After a dazzling moment, Gu Zuo and Gongyi Tianheng reappeared in Maple Forest Ruins.
At this time, there were fewer people in this place than when they first arrived. However, there were many familiar faces. It could be seen that everyone who came here had stayed in the leyline for as long as possible to increase their chances of obtaining stone ova.
Gu Zuo jumped off Tianheng’s back, and stood with him under a large tree.
They didn’t see Shen Yuanbai and the others here, so they had to wait.
This period of waiting didn’t take a long time. A little less than an hour passed when a figure flashed. Lan Wenxi had come out. His gaze swept over, and he saw Tianheng and Gu Zuo. Then, he walked over in large strides.
It was just that there was no one else by Lan Wenxi’s side. How did he get out?
Gu Zuo was somewhat astonished.
Lan Wenxi appeared to be aware of his question. His eyes flickered with a trace of regret as he said: “I was separated from that pharmacist who had been accompanying me before. Although I used certain methods to locate him, at that time, he was already…” a corpse.
There was no need for him to finish that sentence. Gu Zuo understood his meaning, and also felt sorry for them.
His own journey was considered smooth and steady. It was already quite unpleasant to send off the nearly-dead He Meng before. He didn’t expect that another would perish due to the earthquake.
This was a pharmacist with earth-level potential!
It truly was a pity.
Tianheng knew what Gu Zuo was thinking, and comforted him: “The world of martial arts is fraught with perils, and there are countless people who have fallen. Ah Zuo, don’t brood over this matter too much.” Then, he apologetically said to Lan Wenxi, “I hope that Brother Lan can accept our condolences.”
Lan Wenxi sighed: “I’ve already collected his corpse. After I bring it back, there will certainly be a grand funeral.”
After speaking these few words, Shen Yuanbai smoothly appeared while carrying his pharmacist.
After seeing Gu Zuo and the others, he also walked over.
In response, Gu Zuo let out a sigh of relief.
Altogether, four pharmacists came here, but that number had been cut in half. It was fortunate that nothing happened while accompanying Shen Yuanbai.
Shen Yuanbai handled matters swiftly and decisively. Noticing that everyone was present, he nodded his head: “Shall we look for a restaurant for the follow-up?”
Tianheng smiled and said: “We haven’t eaten in the past few days, so we’re certainly hungry. This is the perfect time to satisfy our appetites.”
Lan Wenxi also gave an unaffected smile, and said: “This is fine with me.”
Gu Zuo and the other pharmacist didn’t have any objections, and voiced their agreements. Before Gu Zuo followed the group of departing people, he quietly glanced behind him.
He didn’t see the Ice Phoenix Goddess. He didn’t see Mu Baiyue or Hua Lanruo either… He wondered how their situation was right now.
These kinds of thoughts flitted through his mind. By then, Gu Zuo was already leaving this place.
He didn’t need to impose too much on the matters of other clans or sects.
There were many decent restaurants in every city. And within every restaurant, there were always private rooms that were kept confidential and isolated from the outside world. Shen Yuanbai’s organization was rather large. He only needed to say the word, and the members under his employ in the city immediately settled everything.
Their speeds were fast. After the group arrived at Silver Radiance Restaurant, they were already being respectfully ushered into the best private room.
Gu Zuo and Gongyi Tianheng sat next to each other.
He didn’t forget that they made a deal prior to accepting the Gate Opening Pearl and proceeding towards the leyline. For all of the stone ova they acquired, ten percent would be sold to Shen Yuanbai.
As such, what they needed to do now was to discuss this matter.
It was just that there was a problem at the present time.
The number of stone ova that Gu Zuo and Tianheng obtained…was a little over five hundred. Even the amount acquired from those strange phenomena after the volcanic eruptions was a bit more than thirty.
Of course, while lots of stone ova were obtained in the leyline, the number of dead ova couldn’t be confirmed — During the later stages of their hunt, Gu Zuo didn’t differentiate them one at a time. Meanwhile, the shares obtained from the dragon’s head were top grade stone ova of remarkable ages and excellent qualities.
Certainly, Gu Zuo didn’t think there was anything wrong with taking out ten percent in exchange, and he was quite willing to respect their prior commitment. It was just that this amount was a little high. Were they going to…
This left him somewhat conflicted.
Shen Yuanbai stated: “I’ve already invited a Nurturing Psyche Realm pharmacist to come over, and his spiritual path realm is just a hair’s breadth away from the Spirit Psyche Realm. He rarely makes mistakes when refining medicinal pills suitable for Noble Realms, and he can occasionally produce pills for Royal Realms. This person is my Divine Wind Trading Company’s special-grade appraiser. He has come here to appraise our stone ova.”
Gu Zuo heard this, and didn’t have any opinions about it: “Then, we’ll have to trouble you.”
Ah, this Brother Shen had come prepared. He handled matters very meticulously… Although Gu Zuo himself could also appraise the stone ova, it was better to go through the formalities.
Shen Yuanbai’s work efficiency was really high, so that pharmacist should’ve long come to this city. Just as Shen Yuanbai arrived and dispatched someone to relay the invitation, that pharmacist had promptly rushed over.
He had the appearance of a thirty-something year old man. He wasn’t very handsome, but his temperament was fair, honest, and gentle. As a result, people felt comfortable at a glance.
Once this pharmacist entered the room, he introduced himself. His surname was Huang, and his first name was Zhen. He and Shen Yuanbai were fellow disciples, and their friendship was rather deep. In addition, he and Lan Wenxi were very familiar with one another.
Huang Zhen’s bearing was natural. After exchanging greetings with Gu Zuo and Tianheng, he quietly sat next to Shen Yuanbai, and waited for the stone ova.
Shen Yuanbai was calm: “Whenever you two are ready.”
Tianheng indicated to Gu Zuo: “Ah Zuo, take out ten percent.”
Gu Zuo looked at Tianheng.
Tianheng faintly nodded. He smiled and said: “There’s no harm in this. Brother Shen operates a trading company. Thus, working in good faith takes priority. It may be assumed that he will keep secrets on our behalf.”
Shen Yuanbai solemnly said: “Naturally. Including me, the people here won’t pass along the number of stone ova these two sirs have obtained to the ears of others. Otherwise, it would be a huge embarrassment to this Shen.”
Huang Zhen smiled: “This is to be expected.”
Lan Wenxi chimed in: “I’ve gained much on this trip. I’ll have to ask Brother Huang to do a favor for me in a short while.”
Huang Zhen replied: “No problem.”
Gu Zuo thought about it. Then, in the blink of an eye, a pile of stone ova appeared from the storage space.
T/N: For those who know about it, feel free to write hints or inside jokes, but please avoid posting any explicit spoilers about that in the comments.
Thanks for the corrections, Charysa.
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