AWB Chapter 310 The Fairy of Qin Music
Chapter 310 The Fairy of Qin Music
Chapter 310 The Fairy of Qin Music
Three days after the beast tide receded, Flowing Sand City finally returned to its former tranquility.
The bloodstains on the city wall were not yet dry, and the cracks in the yellow sandstone were embedded with fragments of monster bones and scales. The air was filled with the smell of blood and dust.
The monks in the city dragged their weary bodies as they cleared the debris from the streets and repaired the damaged houses.
"Senior." Jiang Yi walked up from the city wall, holding an exquisite wooden storage box in his hands.
"The spoils have been inventoried. In this beast tide, we killed seven early-stage Golden Core demon beasts, forty-three Foundation Establishment demon beasts, and countless low-level demon beasts. The demon cores and materials have all been classified and registered."
Chen Jinshu took the wooden box, opened it, and glanced inside. Inside were a dozen or so demon cores, each a different color, emitting faint fluctuations of spiritual energy.
"What's going on with the Sand Scorpion Alliance?" she asked casually as she closed the wooden box.
"Tieyan is organizing people to repair the city wall," Jiang Yi said truthfully.
"The Sand Scorpion Alliance suffered considerable losses this time. Two Golden Core cultivators were killed in battle, and about ten Foundation Establishment cultivators were also lost. Tie Yan said that the Alliance Leader has been in seclusion to recuperate these past few days, and has even handed over the Alliance affairs to his subordinates."
Chen Jinshu nodded slightly, without saying anything more.
She turned and walked down the city wall, through several narrow alleyways, and arrived at the stone house in Gravel Alley.
As you push open the courtyard gate, a faint aroma of herbs wafts out.
Youxi was crouching in the shadows of the corner of the courtyard, dozing off while holding the military spirit banner. His ghostly form was much more solid than it had been a few days ago.
"Master is back!" Sensing her presence, Youxi suddenly opened her eyes, her ghostly fire flickering.
"Someone from the Sand Scorpion Alliance just arrived. They said their leader's injuries have improved and they would like to invite you to the Sand Scorpion Tower for a chat tomorrow."
Chen Jinshu paused in his steps: "Did you say what it was about?"
“He didn’t say.” Youxi shook his head. “But the messenger didn’t look too good, as if something big had happened.”
Chen Jinshu pondered for a moment, then said, "I understand."
……
The next morning, Chen Jinshu appeared in front of Shaxie Tower on time.
This building, carved from a single block of rock, suffered considerable damage during the beast tide, with cracks appearing in many places on the exterior walls and many roof tiles broken.
Several Sand Scorpion Alliance cultivators were repairing something using a ladder when they saw Chen Jinshu. They clasped their hands in greeting and addressed her as "Fairy Qinyin".
Chen Jinshu nodded slightly and followed the attendant into the building.
The reception room remained the same, except that a low table had been added to the animal-skin couch by the window, on which sat a pot of hot tea and two celadon cups.
Sand Scorpion leaned against the soft couch, his complexion much better than a few days ago, but the ashen look between his brows was even more pronounced.
He was wrapped in a thick cotton robe, with a boxwood cane beside him, and he looked ten years older.
"Fellow Daoist Chen has arrived, please have a seat." Sha Xie's voice was hoarse, but it carried a sincere smile. "I am still recovering from my injuries and cannot rise to greet you. Please forgive me."
Chen Jinshu took his seat at the lower end of the table, his gaze lingering on the leader's face for a moment: "The leader's complexion seems to be better than it was a few days ago."
“It’s fake.” Sand Scorpion gave a bitter smile and waved his hand. “I know my own body best. The impact from the Iron-Spine Rhinoceros Dragon damaged my foundation. My Golden Core has already begun to crack, and I’m afraid I won’t last more than half a year.”
Chen Jinshu was silent for a moment: "The Alliance Leader summoned me here today, surely not just to say these things."
Sand Scorpion picked up his teacup, took a sip to moisten his throat, and his gaze became somewhat distant in the steam of the tea:
"Before the beast tide, I mentioned to you that the ancient cultivation mansion in Flowing Sand City opens every thirty years. Now the mansion is sealed, but I brought out another opportunity from it."
He put down his teacup, took out a broken jade slip from his sleeve, and handed it to Chen Jinshu.
The jade slip was only the size of a palm, its surface was covered with cracks, and the edges were slightly charred, clearly indicating that it had been burned by a fire.
But the tiny spiritual rune at the center of the jade slip was still circulating, emanating an ancient and profound aura.
As Chen Jinshu took the jade slip, the moment her fingertips touched it, a cool yet profound flow of information surged into her consciousness.
“The Secret Realm of Dawn…” she murmured, her eyebrows twitching slightly.
“Exactly.” Sand Scorpion nodded, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. “Legend has it that this secret realm is located deep within the Sea of Death, opening once every hundred years. Inside, there are not only ancient cultivation inheritances, but also heaven-defying treasures such as ‘Star Sand’ and ‘Time Lotus’.”
His voice held a hint of a sigh:
"Stardust can repair cracks in the Golden Core and extend lifespan by a hundred years; the Time Lotus can cleanse the soul, enhance comprehension, and even offer a chance to touch the threshold of the legendary 'Law of Time.' I originally intended to investigate carefully after the matter of the Lost Mansion was resolved, but I didn't expect the beast tide to come so suddenly..."
Chen Jinshu placed the jade slip on his lap, not in a hurry to examine it, but instead looked up at Sha Xie: "The Alliance Leader gave me this jade slip, surely he didn't just want to share this news with me."
Sand Scorpion remained silent for a moment, a complex emotion flashing in his long, narrow eyes, like a scorpion's tail.
He took a deep breath, suddenly stood up with his cane, and solemnly clasped his hands in a salute to Chen Jinshu: "Fellow Daoist Chen, I have a request."
Chen Jinshu did not answer, but waited quietly for what would happen next.
The sand scorpion straightened up, his eyes filled with earnestness:
“I have a granddaughter named Sha Ling’er. She is sixteen years old and has reached the ninth level of Qi Refining. This child is simple-minded and has decent aptitude, but she lost her parents at a young age and I raised her single-handedly.”
He lowered his head, his voice trembling slightly:
“If I were to leave, the Sand Scorpion Alliance would surely be leaderless. Tieyan is loyal and brave, but he is only fit to be a general, not a leader; the other Golden Core cultivators each have their own agendas, and I fear that before my body is even cold, they will be vying for power. At that time, I'm afraid I won't be able to keep Ling'er.”
Chen Jinshu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and asked, "Does the Alliance Leader mean that I should take care of your granddaughter?"
“Not only do I take care of you.” Sand Scorpion raised his head, his gaze intense, his tone full of sincerity.
"I wish to have her become your disciple."
Chen Jinshu put down his teacup and tapped his fingertips lightly on the table:
"Alliance Leader, I am merely a rogue cultivator with only the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm. I am only temporarily residing in this Flowing Sand City. It is probably not appropriate for you to send a sixteen-year-old girl with me."
"I know." Sand Scorpion gave a wry smile and sat back down on the soft couch.
“I know this request is a bit presumptuous. But I have met many people, and Fellow Daoist Chen is the first one who can keep his true self in this chaotic world and not take advantage of the chaos.”
He pulled a palm-sized sandalwood box from his pocket. The surface of the box was carved with intricate cloud patterns, and a faint spiritual light seemed to flow through it.
"I dare not let you waste your efforts." He opened the wooden box, inside which lay a bead the size of a thumb.
The bead was light blue all over, with a warm luster flowing across its surface, like solidified lake water.
Inside the bead, a very fine golden thread can be faintly seen moving slowly, like a sleeping little dragon.
Chen Jinshu's gaze fell on the bead, his pupils shrinking slightly: "This is... the 'Azure Profound Spirit-Nourishing Bead'?"
"Fellow Daoist has good eyesight." Sand Scorpion smiled with a hint of smugness.
"This bead was obtained by me in an ancient cultivation site when I was young. It can nourish the soul and increase cultivation speed. Most importantly, it can withstand a soul attack from a Nascent Soul level cultivator."
He gently pushed the wooden box in front of Chen Jinshu: "I have treasured countless things in my life, but this is the only one that can truly be called a treasure. I will use it to exchange for you taking care of Ling'er for three years. After three years, if you feel that she is not up to par, you can send her to any safe sect or town so that she can settle down and make a living."
Chen Jinshu remained silent for a long time. She looked at the Azure Profound Spirit Pearl, then at the Sand Scorpion's eyes, which were filled with pleading and weariness. After a long while, she reached out and closed the wooden box.
“Three years,” she said. “I can take her under my wing for three years. But I can’t guarantee she’ll amount to anything. As for her becoming my apprentice… no need. Just consider her as someone who has been training by my side for a while.”
Upon hearing this, a look of relief flashed in Sand Scorpion's eyes.
He let out a long sigh of relief, as if a huge burden had been lifted from his shoulders. He leaned back on the soft couch, a smile appearing on his face.
"Thank you, fellow Daoist. This granddaughter is my only concern. Once I have settled her in, I can die in peace."
Chen Jinshu put the wooden box into his storage bag, then picked up the broken jade slip: "So, what are the Alliance Leader's plans for this Chenguang Secret Realm?"
Sand Scorpion's smile faded slightly, and his expression became serious: "I know my lifespan is short, but if I can find that 'Life-Extending Ten-Thousand-Year Ginseng,' perhaps I can live a few more years. I wish to go to the secret realm with you, fellow Daoist, to help you find the Star Sand and the Lotus of Time. In exchange, if you find the Ten-Thousand-Year Ginseng, could you spare one for me?"
After he finished speaking, he added, "Fellow Daoist, rest assured, I will not take a single penny of the other gains from the secret realm. Moreover, I have some understanding of the terrain and restrictions of that secret realm. Although it is incomplete, it is still better than plunging headfirst into it."
When do we depart?
"Based on our calculations, the entrance to the secret realm will open in about three months," Sand Scorpion said.
"In these three months, I will do my best to recover from my injuries and arrange the affairs of the alliance properly. Fellow Daoist, you should also make good preparations. The secret realm is full of dangers, and the more prepared you are, the more chances you have to survive."
"Okay." Chen Jinshu stood up. "Meet me at the east gate of Liusha City in three months."
When we left the Sand Scorpion Tower, it was already broad daylight.
There were many more pedestrians on the street than in the previous days, and some vendors had already started to set up their stalls again, selling monster materials they had picked up from the beast tide.
Chen Jinshu walked a few steps along the street, and suddenly on a whim, stopped in front of a tea stall by the roadside.
The tea stall was small, covered by a dusty cloth canopy with a few crooked wooden tables underneath.
An old woman with gray hair was sitting behind the stove, slowly fanning herself, while the water in the copper kettle bubbled and steamed.
"Boss, one bowl, please." Chen Jinshu sat down at the corner table and placed a low-grade spirit stone on the table.
The old woman glanced at her, grinned to reveal a few yellow teeth: "Fairy of the Qin Music? This old woman is treating, no money required."
As she spoke, she deftly scooped up a bowl of steaming hot spiritual tea and placed it in front of Chen Jinshu.
A few unidentified leaves floated in the tea, emitting a faint herbal aroma.
Chen Jinshu picked up the bowl and took a sip. The tea was somewhat bitter, but had a long-lasting sweet aftertaste, carrying a rustic, rural charm.
"This tea, Fairy, was picked by my old man from the tender buds of the sand willows on the edge of the Deathly Desert," the old woman said slowly as she sat down opposite her.
"It's not a good thing, but it quenches thirst and refreshes the mind, and tastes better than tea brewed with spiritual spring water."
"It's really good." Chen Jinshu put down the bowl, a smile appearing on his lips.
The old woman stared at her for a moment, then suddenly sighed: "Fairy is a good person. These days, everyone in the city says you saved Flowing Sand City. I've lived for over sixty years and have seen many cultivators, but there aren't many like you who are so capable yet so unpretentious."
Chen Jinshu did not answer, but simply took another sip of tea.
The old woman kept talking, saying that her son had been injured in the lungs by the poisonous fog of the Flame Bat King during the beast tide and was still bedridden; she said that Zhang the carpenter in the west of the city had lost his leg and his family had lost its breadwinner; she said that several hundred people had died in the city during the beast tide, and many families had hung up white banners...
Chen Jinshu listened quietly without interrupting.
After finishing her tea, she stood up and said, "Boss, another bowl, please. To go, for my companion."
The old woman paused for a moment, then quickly scooped out another bowl, put it in a bamboo tube, and handed it over: "Fairy, take it, it's free."
Chen Jinshu took the bamboo tube and put down two low-grade spirit stones: "Take it, consider it as buying some tonics for the child."
After saying that, she turned and left the tea stall, walking along the street towards the West Market.
The gravel tea shop in Xishi has reopened, but business is much slower.
When Chen Jinshu pushed open the door, he found Jiang Yi sitting in the corner with a plate of peanuts and half a pot of spirit wine in front of him.
"Senior, you've arrived." Jiang Yi quickly stood up and pulled out a chair.
Chen Jinshu sat down opposite him and placed the bamboo tube of spiritual tea on the table: "I just bought it at the street corner, it's still warm."
Jiang Yi took the bamboo tube, uncorked it, took a sip, and his eyes lit up: "Good tea! Although it's just ordinary tea, it has an indescribable flavor."
“Those are willow buds.” Chen Jinshu picked up a peanut, put it in his mouth and chewed slowly. “The old woman at the tea stall said they were picked from the edge of the Death Sand Sea.”
Jiang Yi took another sip, then put down the bamboo tube with a lingering sense of satisfaction: "Senior, Sha Ling'er came by just now."
Chen Jinshu was slightly taken aback: "Sha Ling'er? Sha Xie's granddaughter?"
“It’s her.” Jiang Yi nodded.
"The young girl is quite decent-looking and speaks very politely. She said that her grandfather asked her to come and thank me for saving her life during the beast tide that day.
"Her life?" Chen Jinshu raised an eyebrow. "You know her?"
Jiang Yi shook his head: "I don't know her. But when the Iron-Spine Rhinoceros crashed into the city wall that day, she happened to be on the city wall helping to transport the wounded, and she was almost hit by the falling rubble."
I happened to be nearby at the time, so I casually gave her a hand, and she remembered it.
Chen Jinshu did not answer, but simply picked up another peanut.
Jiang Yi put down the bamboo tube and hesitated for a moment: "Senior, did the Sand Scorpion Alliance Leader come to you about Sha Ling'er?"
"Yes." Chen Jinshu nodded. "He wants me to take care of Sha Ling'er for three years."
Jiang Yi was taken aback for a moment, then his expression suddenly changed: "So, Senior agreed?"
"I agreed."
Jiang Yi was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "Senior is kind-hearted."
"Not really." Chen Jinshu stood up and patted the peanut skins off his hands.
"Now that we've seen it, we can't pretend we didn't. Let's go back to the valley; there are still some things to prepare."
"Senior is referring to the Chenguang Secret Realm?"
Chen Jinshu paused, turned around and glanced at him: "How did you know?"
“Sha Ling’er told me. When she came to see me, she mentioned that her grandfather had obtained a broken jade slip that recorded the location of the Chenguang Secret Realm, and that she wanted to go there with you, senior.” Jiang Yi touched his nose.
"She probably thought I knew about it and just mentioned it casually."
Chen Jinshu said without blaming, "Let's go, we'll talk about it when we get back."