Xu Mu’an’s group found a place to settle down for the night.
Xu Mu’an looked at Xiao Jingting and said, “You thought of something, didn’t you? It wasn’t convenient to speak during the day with Young Master Chen around!”
Xiao Jingting smiled and said, “Mu’an, you really understand me.”
“It has to do with the Golden Bee honey?” Xu Mu’an continued to ask.
Xiao Jingting nodded, his eyes gleaming with golden light as he said, “Yes! That Golden Bee Queen’s honey, according to what Chen Xu said, is an extremely, extremely good thing.”
Xu Mu’an shook his head helplessly, “That’s true, but Chen Xu also said that the Bee Queen’s hive is guarded by many Foundation Establishment stage Golden Bees. There’s no way to get close.”
“I heard that the reason Qiao Xiang and his group were chased by those Golden Bees and lost many people was because of the Golden Bee honey.”
“That guy Qiao Xiang has extremely high standards. If it wasn’t something good, he wouldn’t risk his life for it.”
“I also heard that what they obtained was just honey brewed by ordinary worker bees. Compared to the Bee Queen’s honey, it’s not even in the same league, though it’s still considered precious. You see, if ordinary bee honey is precious, then how precious must the Bee Queen’s honey be!”
Xu Mu’an looked at the eloquent Xiao Jingting and said, “It’s definitely a good thing, but it’s not easy to get your hands on it!”
“That’s true, but such a good thing would be a pity to miss. I’m thinking! I’ll hide in the jade pendant space, then let the Scorpion King carry the jade pendant space and sneak into the Golden Bees’ hive. At that time, if the situation allows, I’ll get some honey into the jade pendant space.”
Xu Mu’an frowned and said, “But when you’re in the jade pendant space, you can’t cast spells, so you can’t move the honey into the space!”
Xiao Jingting nodded and said, “Yes! That’s why I need to come out.”
Xu Mu’an looked at Xiao Jingting and said irritably, “Are you crazy? Coming out of the jade pendant space in the Golden Bees’ lair – isn’t that seeking death?”
Xiao Jingting nodded and said, “Under normal circumstances, yes. But there’s the Yanshi(Rock) talisman! After using the Yanshi talisman, the entire person’s surface will form a thick layer of rock-like substance. The Golden Bees won’t be able to sense human aura at all. Moreover, during the period when the Yanshi talisman is in effect, even if you get stung, you won’t be deeply poisoned.”
Xu Mu’an looked at Xiao Jingting and said, “The Yanshi talisman has been extinct for many years. Its effectiveness can’t be determined.”
Xiao Jingting narrowed his eyes and said, “To accomplish great things, one must always take some risks. Wealth and honor are found in danger.”
“Have you made up your mind?” Xu Mu’an said.
Xiao Jingting nodded and said, “Yes! Such a good opportunity – if I don’t seize it, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.”
Xu Mu’an hesitated for a moment and said, “How about I go instead?”
Xiao Jingting shook his head and said, “No, you stay here and watch over Xiaodong and Chen Xu. I’ll go and come back quickly.”
“But…”
Xiao Jingting waved his hand and said, “Don’t worry. If it can’t be done, I won’t force it.”
……
Early in the morning, Xu Mu’an led Xiao Xiaodong and Chen Xu away from the Golden Bees’ territory.
Xiao Xiaodong looked at Xu Mu’an and asked, “Mother1, where did father go?”
Xu Mu’an smiled and said, “He went to scout the area. Don’t worry about him.”
Xiao Xiaodong nodded and said, “Oh.”
Xiao Xiaodong knew that Xiao Jingting had a jade pendant space. If he encountered problems he couldn’t solve, he could hide in the jade pendant space, so he wasn’t too worried.
Chen Xu looked at Xu Mu’an and said, “Uncle Xu, why did we leave the Golden Bees’ nest area?”
“The Golden Bees have been restless lately. I’m worried something might happen to you.” Xu Mu’an thought to himself: Xiao Jingting is going after the Bee Queen’s honey. If Xiao Jingting really succeeds, those Golden Bees might riot. If that happens, it would be dangerous for them to remain in the Golden Bees’ territory.
Xu Mu’an pursed his lips, secretly worrying about Xiao Jingting’s situation.
The Scorpion King, with a piece of jade pendant wrapped around its body, was rapidly moving through the Golden Bees’ territory. Seeing this intruder, some Golden Bees kept shooting poison needles at the Scorpion King. Those poison needles falling on the Scorpion King were like scratching an itch, completely failing to hinder the Scorpion King’s movement.
Xiao Jingting, hiding in the jade pendant space, was secretly delighted, thinking to himself: I’ve obtained a powerful thing.
During the journey, Xiao Jingting found an opportunity to transplant a large number of Fanxing flowers2 into the space.
The Scorpion King entered the Golden Bees’ lair as if entering an uninhabited territory. Xiao Jingting saw huge honeycombs in the secret nest, with the largest honeycomb having a diameter of six meters. Looking at the enormous honeycomb, Xiao Jingting was so excited his eyes turned red.
Through the jade pendant, Xiao Jingting seemed to smell the sweet fragrance of honey.
Inside the jade pendant, Xiao Jingting activated the Yanshi talisman.
Once the Yanshi talisman was activated, Xiao Jingting felt his entire body grow nearly ten centimeters thick of rock-like substance. Thick material also grew in front of his eyes. Although his vision was blocked, he could still use his soul power. Xiao Jingting gradually noticed his heartbeat slowing down, and his whole person seemed to really become a stone.
Knowing that the Yanshi talisman’s effect was time-limited, Xiao Jingting quickly flew out of the jade pendant space and transferred several large pieces of honeycomb into the jade pendant space.
Xiao Jingting’s bandit behavior naturally provoked collective anger, and the Golden Bees in the honeycombs roared furiously.
After Xiao Jingting moved several large honeycombs and saw the Golden Bees collectively going berserk, he immediately drilled into the space and had the Scorpion King carry him away in escape.
The Scorpion King carried Xiao Jingting in rapid flight. Although the Scorpion King wasn’t afraid of bee stings, being chased by a group of enraged Golden Bees still made it somewhat fearful.
Xiao Jingting signaled for the Scorpion King to carry the jade pendant space and hide in the river. At the moment before entering the river, Xiao Jingting brought the Scorpion King into the space and sank to the lake bottom with the jade pendant space.
A large group of Golden Bees wandered by the lake for a long time, never willing to leave.
Xiao Jingting controlled the jade pendant, left the place where they had entered the water, and departed from another end of the river.
……
The Golden Bees’ riot attracted the attention of many cultivators. Large groups of Golden Bees lingered by the lake, unwilling to leave, causing many cultivators to marvel.
“Did you hear? Someone snatched food from the tiger’s3 mouth and stole the honey brewed by the Golden Bee Queen. As a result, those Golden Bees have all gone crazy.”
“The Golden Bees are so powerful – who could this capable person be?”
“Who knows? This guy must have some special means.”
“The Golden Bee Queen’s honey! It’s said that honey is not only effective for advancing to Golden Core, but also has miraculous effects for Golden Core ancestors breaking through minor realms.”
“There are restrictions in the secret realm, so the Golden Bees’ cultivation doesn’t exceed Foundation Establishment. If it were honey brewed by a Golden Core Bee Queen, even Nascent Soul cultivators would be tempted.”
“That guy must have escaped through water in the end. I heard a large group of Golden Bee guards are patrolling back and forth by that lake.”
“That guy who made a fortune quietly is happy, but the cultivators who were originally in the Golden Bees’ territory are unlucky. Unable to find the real culprit, those Golden Bees are chasing and killing cultivators who enter their territory throughout the forest. The casualties are severe!”
……
“Uncle Xu, where on earth did Uncle Xiao go?” Chen Xu asked worriedly.
Xu Mu’an thought for a moment and said, “Don’t worry.” The Golden Bees had been rioting continuously. If something had happened to Xiao Jingting, those Golden Bees should have calmed down by now. But they hadn’t, so Xiao Jingting should have succeeded and escaped alive.
“Uncle Xu, Uncle Xiao isn’t in the Golden Bees’ territory, is he? That territory is so chaotic now. If Uncle Xiao is there, he’s in grave danger!” Chen Xu said uneasily.
Xu Mu’an: “……” Others would indeed be in grave danger, but Xiao Jingting should be able to retreat unharmed.
Xiao Xiaodong said nonchalantly to Chen Xu, “Don’t worry. Father has heaven’s protection4 for good people. Besides, father probably didn’t go to the Golden Bees’ territory.”
Chen Xu looked at Xiao Xiaodong’s calm and composed appearance and thought: Since Xiao Xiaodong is so at ease, Xiao Jingting should be fine.
“I wonder which cultivator actually stole the Golden Bee Queen’s honey – truly capable!” Chen Xu said with admiration.
Xiao Xiaodong nodded and said, “Mm, very capable, remarkable.”
……
“Junior Brother Chen, what a coincidence! We meet again.” Qiao Xiang walked toward Chen Xu.
“Senior Brother Qiao, what a coincidence.”
“Junior Brother Xiao, how come I don’t see your father? He didn’t meet with misfortune, did he?” Qiao Xiang said.
Xiao Xiaodong frowned with displeasure and said, “No, my father is doing just fine.”
Qiao Xiang nodded and said, “Good that he’s safe. Junior Brother Chen, have you obtained the Fanxing flowers?”
Chen Xu shook his head and said, “Not yet.”
Qiao Xiang thought to himself: Xiao Xiaodong’s group is indeed incompetent. With such weak strength, it’s normal that they can’t get the Fanxing flowers.
“Junior Brother, if you don’t mind, this senior brother has extras here. I’ll give them to you,” Qiao Xiang said generously.
Chen Xu was stunned for a moment and said, “Thank you, senior brother.”
Xiao Xiaodong glanced at the box Qiao Xiang handed over and said, “Just ten-year specimens, not much use.”
Fanxing flowers had the effect of resisting miasma. The older they were, the better the effect. Of the four Fanxing flowers Qiao Xiang offered, one was thirty years old, and the other three were all ten years old.
Qiao Xiang frowned and secretly cursed Xiao Xiaodong for being a busybody. “Young Master Xiao, don’t tell me you have better quality Fanxing flowers.”
“Not for now, but there will be in the future,” Xiao Xiaodong said.
“Junior Brother Xiao is really confident,” Qiao Xiang said with some disdain.
“The Fanxing flowers are here.” Xiao Jingting walked over and said.
When Qiao Xiang saw Xiao Jingting, his eyes narrowed. Qiao Xiang had originally seen the three of them walking together and thought the other had died. Now seeing Xiao Jingting appear, he couldn’t help feeling disappointed.
Xiao Jingting opened the box, revealing five Fanxing flowers, all sixty years old.
Xiao Jingting glanced at Qiao Xiang and said, “Young Master Qiao, the four of us can’t use five Fanxing flowers. Here, take this one.”
Qiao Xiang glared at Xiao Jingting and said, “No need.” Then he walked away angrily.
“Uncle Xiao, you’re amazing! You actually got such high-aged Fanxing flowers,” Chen Xu said with admiration.
Xiao Jingting smiled and said, “Thanks to your talisman. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been so easy to succeed.”
Chen Xu smiled and said, “That’s nothing.”
“Actually, those Fanxing flowers just now don’t count for much.” Xiao Jingting took out another box and said, “This is the good stuff.”
Xiao Jingting opened the box, and Chen Xu saw a hundred-year-old Fanxing flower inside. Seeing this Fanxing flower, Chen Xu admired Xiao Jingting even more.
“Uncle Xiao, where did you go earlier?” Chen Xu asked.
Xiao Jingting smiled and said, “Nowhere special, just scouted around the area.”
Chen Xu nodded and said, “I see!”
Rnotes:
- Reminder : The Xiao kids call Mu’an “Mother-father” (母父) – but I just let mother ↵
- Fanxing flower = “Star Blossom Flower”, they need that flower because the path to the inner city requires crossing the Foggy Swamp, which is filled with miasma. The Starry Flowers can resist that miasma.↵
- “Snatched food from the tiger’s mouth” (虎口奪食) – idiom meaning to steal something very dangerous or risky ↵
- “Heaven’s protection for good people” (吉人自有天相) – saying that good people will be blessed by heaven ↵
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Gosh I do not like Qiao Xiang. Why cant he leave our new waifu-to-be alone?!