My low-key cultivation of immortality was discovered by the emperor in my diary.

Chapter 229 The Ghostly Appearance, Thunder in Broad Daylight

Looking at the wooden box in his hand, Bai Guanshui was secretly surprised.

Unexpectedly, this Miss Chu, whose origins were unknown, took a liking to the soapberry tree at first sight.

This is a precious material that the Bai family has just found, and the clan values ​​it highly.

Yi Xiaoqi frowned slightly. When she listened to Bai Guanshui's introduction, she paid particular attention to the phrase "warding off evil and dispelling ghosts".

At that moment, she couldn't help but ask, "Exorcising ghosts? Do ghosts and monsters really exist in this world?"

She learned martial arts from a young age, and was taught that there are no ghosts in the world, only the wickedness of the human heart.

Grandma also told her earnestly on many occasions: There are no immortals or gods in the world, people can only rely on themselves.

"Alas." Bai Guanshui sighed. "In the past, I was just like you, scoffing at these superstitious beliefs about ghosts and gods."

After all, the path of cultivation held by Wushan is to enter the Dao through martial arts, which requires a firm will, not to be disturbed by external things, and not to talk about strange powers and gods.

Yi Xiaoqi's eyes darted around, and she asked shrewdly, "Could it be... that something has happened outside?"

Bai Guanshui thought to himself, "This matter is not a secret and will spread throughout the world sooner or later. Why not take this opportunity to reveal it in advance? It will not only do me a favor but also increase my goodwill."

He glanced at Chu Lengyu, seemingly casually, and then said, "You two should have heard about the Great Xia's casting of the Nine Tripods."

"Mmm-hmm." Yi Xiaoqi nodded vigorously.

This made Chu Lengyu glance at her slightly. She suddenly became very curious about what rumors were circulating in Wushan and what Yi Xiaoqi had heard.

Bai Guanshui slowly said, "In fact, Wushan has always had spies watching the movements of Daxia in secret. As soon as the Nine Cauldrons landed, trouble broke out in Kyushu."

"What is it?" Yi Xiaoqi asked impatiently, her face full of curiosity.

Bai Guanshui tapped his pipe on the corner of the table and said, word by word:

"The ghosts and monsters revealed themselves, and thunder roared in broad daylight."

As soon as the words fell, Yi Xiaoqi felt a jolt in her heart, as if she could feel the eerie aura emanating from them.

"On the day the Nine Tripods fell to the ground, the sky suddenly darkened."

"Blurred figures appeared and disappeared in the void, sometimes drifting aimlessly, sometimes pausing and gazing, as if they had crossed over from another world."

"Some of those figures resembled humans, while others were strange and difficult to discern. They were silent, yet they carried a chilling aura that made one's heart tremble."

Bai Guanshui's voice gradually deepened, drawing the listener into the eerie scene he described.

"When those ghostly creatures appeared, they emitted a series of piercing screams and wails, causing panic and unrest among the people."

"During the daytime, which should have been a time of bright sunshine and vibrant life, this sudden change turned the place into a gloomy and terrifying place, as if the entire earth was shrouded in an invisible and eerie haze."

Bai Guanshui paused for a moment at this point.

Yi Xiaoqi listened with trepidation, her face turning pale, as if she herself were in that eerie and bizarre scene, her hair standing on end.

In the past, she would always laugh off talk of ghosts and spirits, but now, hearing Steward Bai speak so confidently that ghosts and demons truly exist in the world, she couldn't help but feel a chill rise from her spine and rush to the top of her head.

She instinctively gripped her sword, the cold hilt seeming to be her only support at that moment, giving her a sense of security.

Her throat was dry as she asked, "And...and then?"

"Then, the Nine Cauldrons shone brightly, and thunder roared in broad daylight, erasing all those evil spirits." Bai Guanshui said, taking out a pinch of fresh joss grass, filling his pipe, and putting it back to his lips.

Yi Xiaoqi was stunned: "Huh?"

Her heart was in her throat, but then she abruptly stopped with a single sentence, catching everyone off guard.

She thought to herself, "Manager Bai, how could you tell such a frustrating story with such a weak ending?"

If it weren't for the need for propriety, she really wanted to glare at him fiercely to vent her anger, but unfortunately she could only complain inwardly, and there was nothing she could do.

Bai Guanshui took two puffs of his pipe, and amidst the swirling smoke, his voice rang out again: "I also overheard a rumor that the Great Xia court intends to establish an additional ministry in addition to the Six Ministries, specifically to oversee the Nine Tripods. It's quite mysterious."

Upon hearing this, Yi Xiaoqi roughly understood what he meant.

Now that the ghosts have revealed themselves, there is no doubt that they are everywhere. Wushan is isolated outside the Nine Provinces and has not been protected by the Nine Cauldrons. The Bai family is taking precautions and collecting Sapindus mukorossi wood in preparation for any eventuality.

She carefully savored the two characters "无患" (wu huan), and felt that the name was wonderful and perfectly fitting.

Chu Lengyu knew that Bai Guanshui's words were clearly a trap to lure her into speaking. After all, as an outsider, her knowledge and experience should be more detailed.

A slight smile played on her lips as she said with considerable certainty, "It's not just outside; something must have happened in Wushan as well."

Bai Guanshui's eyes suddenly sharpened, and his aura became chilling. Yi Xiaoqi was startled and unconsciously took a step back.

She was so relaxed during the conversation that she almost forgot that the person in front of her was also a Xiantian realm cultivator.

Chu Lengyu remained unmoved, while Bai Guanshui gradually calmed down, reverting to his amiable demeanor as he puffed on his pipe, and asked, "What makes you say that, young lady?"

“I have heard that the price of ordinary herbs in the market has doubled, and some have even soared five, ten, or twenty times. There are no goods available, and people are talking about it.”

"In order to make a living, herb gatherers have no choice but to venture into dangerous places, resulting in frequent casualties."

Chu Lengyu spoke eloquently, finally asking in return, "But herbs don't increase in price for no reason, do they?"

“Miss, you misunderstand.” Bai Guanshui chuckled. “To tell you the truth, the Bai family is currently organizing people to clear a piece of ancient forest. There are many wild beasts and poisonous insects, so the demand for medicine has increased significantly, and there is indeed a shortage.”

Upon hearing this, Yi Xiaoqi quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, market fluctuations are normal, why make a fuss?"

For cultivators who use martial arts to achieve enlightenment, herbs are used in large quantities. She actually thinks that the price increase is a good thing for ordinary people and those at lower levels.

Besides, how could anything happen in Wushan? It's a place teeming with grandmasters!

Looking at Yi Xiaoqi, who had blind faith in Wushan, and Bai Guanshui, who was evasive and didn't tell the truth, Chu Lengyu couldn't help but shake her head.

In her ability to observe qi, everyone in the misty mountains was a sign of impending doom.