I Outworked the Entire Cultivation World

Chapter 76: Chapter 65: I Will Protect You

Jiang Yuebai had just reached the side garden of the main hall when she heard some commotion nearby. A smile curled at her lips as she headed straight over.

Lin Suwan was caught completely off guard by Jiang Yuebai.

”Where do you think you’re going? Becoming Elder Lin’s alchemy apprentice doesn’t mean you can abandon your manners!”

The book in Lin Suwan’s hand fell to the ground. Earlier, she pretended to read outside the side window in the garden, hoping to eavesdrop on the conversations inside.

Clutching the corner of her dress with reluctance, she turned to see Jiang Yuebai in an elegantly flowing gown, impressively graceful, with the Inner Sect Disciple Token at her waist glistening with glossy jade, sparking envy and resentment in Lin Suwan.

She grasped the hem of her Outer Sect Disciple’s blue garment, feeling defeated and miserable, yet had no choice but to reluctantly bow.

”Greetings, Senior Sister Jiang.”

Her attitude was respectful and cautiously humble.

Jiang Yuebai picked up the ”Basic Level Elixir Formula Collection” from the ground and handed it over. As Lin Suwan reached for it, Jiang Yuebai withdrew it.

”What I told you before still stands. Remember to control your tongue!”

She smacked the book against Lin Suwan’s chest, causing her body to tremble. After Jiang Yuebai departed, Lin Suwan angrily stomped her foot, unaware of the strange elixir formula now tucked inside the book.

*

Sword control in the sky, the cold wind of early spring still cut through sharply, prompting Jiang Yuebai to slow her speed.

The sect-issued standard flying sword lacked even a protective shield, and only after using it did she realize why sword-controlling cultivators she’d seen before all stood stiff and expressionless atop their flying swords.

What she had assumed was gracefulness was in fact the chill that froze them stiff and numbed their faces, feigning strength.

Reflecting further, Jiang Yuebai preferred her grandfather’s paper crane, providing a leisurely scenic journey accompanied by creaking, which held a unique charm.

Lu Nanzhi and Xie Jingshan were not inside the sect, so she planned to consult Elder Lii after handling matters in Huaxi Valley.

Earlier, at the Library, Jiang Yuebai exchanged for an ”Eighth-Grade Talisman Manual” and two different Small Linked Array Maps, using up all three exchange opportunities awarded by the Spiritual Cultivation Master.

Currently, her talisman making was nearing the peak of a Ninth-Grade Talisman Making Master, and once she succeeded in creating an Eighth-Grade Talisman, she could advance to an Eighth-Grade Talisman Maker, with the resulting talisman power ranging between the peak of Qi Cultivation and early-stage Foundation Establishment.

The study of arrays was vast and profound, and she was already adept at basic talisman and Spirit Stone arraying.

However, in the eyes of an Array Master, such things were not considered true arrays; only arrays capable of Second Turn and above contained the essence of Array Dao.

Once activated, they undergo myriad changes, perpetually bizarre and unpredictable. She had previously dealt with Du Zhong using a Pseudo Linked Array.

Relying on mid-grade Fire Spiritual Stones to forcibly enhance the Great Array’s power, it was hard to break from within, yet easily shattered from outside.

After much consideration, she exchanged for a body refining cultivation technique, ”Vajra Furnace Skill.”

In battles over the years, she had frequently turned the tables with numerical disadvantage and staged counterattacks against extreme odds, thanks in no small part to the peak of Ninth Layer Fierce Thunder Body Refining Technique, enabling her to endure more blows than others.

Moreover, during cultivation of the Fierce Thunder Body Refining Technique, she discovered the health-boosting effects of ”Five Elements Returning to Truth Skill” fortifying body refining cultivation techniques, making her tough like a turtle from inside out, impervious to harm.

”Vajra Furnace Skill” originated as a body refining cultivation technique of Buddhist monks, treating heaven and earth as a furnace to refine body and spirit, belonging to fire refining methods.

Beyond strengthening meridians, skin, and bones to greater toughness, the Seventh-Grade Body Refining Technique also carried special functions.

”Five Elements Returning to Truth Skill” for health and defensive enhancement, while ”Vajra Furnace Skill” refined the Five Fires within the five internal organs, allowing crucial moments to sequentially ignite the Five Fires, unleashing up to fivefold strength.

Such power comes at the cost of damage to the internal organs, followed by a period of weakness, requiring extensive nurturing and recovery.

The steward of the Library mentioned that many Inner Sect disciples with Fire Spiritual Roots co-practice this cultivation technique.

Snatching good cultivation techniques opportunistically had too low a probability, so Jiang Yuebai chose to trust public opinion.

At Huaxi Valley entrance, Jiang Yuebai landed with sword control, the flying sword shrunk back into her sleeve as she surveyed her surroundings.

Withered branches and fallen leaves, wild grass flourishing in overgrowth, the lively scenes of bygone days absent.

”Gwa~”

A frog’s call from the pond at the valley’s entrance caused Jiang Yuebai to turn her head.

From the muddy pond emerged the guardian of Huaxi Valley, a giant toad, most of its body exposed above the surface, its back dry and cracked, a pitiful sight, initially obscured by the overgrown grass behind.

”Such desolation grieves the heart, Toad Venerable fear not, I shall help you with water.”

Jiang Yuebai took a deep breath, left hand utilizing the Grass and Wood Technique, right hand activating the Cloud Rain Technique.

Withered grass crumbled into ash, as mist ascended and rain descended.

”Gwa-gwa~”

The giant toad croaked cheerily, lifting its head to savor the refreshing comfort of spiritual rain upon its body.

Jiang Yuebai gathered the cloud rain at one spot, intensifying the downpour, swiftly raising the pond’s water level until it submerged the toad’s head.

”Goo-dloo-dloo~”

With the task complete, Jiang Yuebai ceased her efforts, transferring the Grass and Wood Essence Pearl into the Cold Jade Bean Pod at her waist, to feed the Ice Armor Beetle King.

As she prepared to leave, she unexpectedly noticed a glimmer on the surface of the pond.

”Bold demon, stop where you are. By the command of the celestial decree, go!”

”Hahaha, today, under the hands of Master Yuebai, you shall turn to dust. Take this! Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!”

”Oh no!”

Jiang Yuebai: !!!

The flickering on the water was none other than the scene from her childhood when she played a Daoist priest and took a hard fall.

Jiang Yuebai’s eyelids twitched as she couldn’t bear to look directly; this childish fool wasn’t her, she would never admit it!

Quack～

The big toad revealed half its head, eyes full of cunning amusement.

Jiang Yuebai took a deep breath, ”Yuebai was young and ignorant, causing Toad Venerable to laugh. I hope Toad Venerable forgets this matter. I have some spiritual wine here, please try it.”

Jiang Yuebai took out a gourd of spiritual wine.

Quack, quack～

Jiang Yuebai gritted her teeth, took out another gourd, and the big toad finally rolled out its long tongue, took the gourd, and gurgled down into the pond.

Jiang Yuebai let out a long sigh of relief, took two steps, and then paused.

”That stinky toad seemed to know I had spiritual wine, extorting it on purpose.”

Jiang Yuebai pondered for a moment and suddenly realized.

”Stinky tiger!”

＊

At that time, in the village of Huaxi Valley.

The doors of each household were tightly closed, weeds had spread over the courtyard walls, only the gates of Song Pei’er and Guo Zhen’s adjoined courtyards were wide open.

Guo Zhen guarded two twelve-year-olds, glaring angrily at the ferret-faced man ahead.

”The people of Huaxi Valley have all been tricked away by you, why do you still come here every day, get lost!”

Zheng Li put on airs, ”Old Guo, I’m giving you face by showing you a bright path. Follow our Senior Brother Xiao, don’t refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit!”

”What bright path, that’s just a big pit of fire, spouting your filthy nonsense!” Twelve-year-old Shi Xiaowu still seemed like a child, glaring and shouting.

Lv Ying, who was mature at the side, hurriedly grabbed Shi Xiaowu, telling him to calm down.

Zheng Li shot Shi Xiaowu a vicious glance, and Guo Zhen blocked the two with his body.

”Enough talk, I won’t go to Purple Cloud Valley with you. No matter how powerful Xiao Ankuo is, he’s just treating everyone like slaves.”

”Although Huaxi Valley is no longer what it used to be, here the things we grow can still end up in our hands. There’s no need to beg for food while watching Xiao Ankuo’s face.”

Zheng Li raised his chin, ”Senior Brother Xiao has foresight. You, with your shallow insight, naturally don’t understand the painstaking efforts of Senior Brother Xiao. Go find out. In recent years, the spiritual grain and medicine produced by our Purple Cloud Valley are first in the sect in terms of both quantity and quality; who can compare?”

”So what if it’s first, in the end, all benefits fall into his pocket. Being his dog, what benefits have you gained?”

”Old Guo, I’m wholeheartedly considerate of you, but if you don’t appreciate it, that’s one thing, yet you insult me?” Zheng Li was furious.

At the side, Lv Ying finally couldn’t hold back, and said in a deep voice, ”I think it’s because your days aren’t satisfactory and you regret it. Jealous of our freedom, you want to drag us into the abyss to balance your mind!”

Hitting the nail on the head, Zheng Li, enraged, raised his hand.

”You wretched girl, courting death!!”

”How dare you act recklessly within Huaxi Valley!”

A stern shout, silver light swept across, Zheng Li’s raised right hand suddenly broke off at the root, silently.

Zheng Li, horrified, hadn’t reacted before a person flashed in front of him.

White clothes, green skirt, eyes cold and stern, a kick was thrown.

Bam!

Zheng Li flew backward, crashing through the opposite courtyard wall, buried within.

The few present widened their eyes in disbelief, looking at the girl’s silhouette standing before them. Her figure was tall and commanding, holding a long knife exuding killing intent, her aura not to be underestimated.

Jiang Yuebai turned around, the three were in shocked disbelief.

She sheathed her knife, Jiang Yuebai’s sharpness gradually faded. Her gaze swept over Guo Zhen, over Shi Xiaowu, and landed on Lv Ying, who was already teary-eyed.

”I’m back, from now on, I’ll protect you.”

”Senior Sister Jiang, you finally returned.” Shi Xiaowu, with a crying voice, lunged forward.

Lv Ying pushed him aside and rushed forward to tightly hug Jiang Yuebai, her body uncontrollably trembling, crying aloud.

”Little Bai... why did it take you so long to come back, Little Bai...”