Dashing Student-Chapter 1064: You’ll Get What’s Coming to You
Chu Jiaojiao looked so delicate and frail that it aroused Divine Calculator’s protective instincts. He wished he could hold her safely in his arms.
However, Chen Nan, upon witnessing this scene, frowned slightly, harboring some suspicions. After all, their venture into the Southern Marsh was not a leisure trip.
He pulled Divine Calculator aside and quietly asked, "Daoist brother, do you intend to have Chu Jiaojiao accompany us?"
This question left Divine Calculator momentarily stunned. Although he was temporarily swayed by Chu Jiaojiao’s fragile appearance, he was no fool.
The journey was already fraught with danger, and bringing along Chu Jiaojiao could be a hindrance and possibly bring trouble.
"Junior brother, allow me to ask her. If we do take her along, she might actually be of some help."
After all, Chu Jiaojiao was a cultivator at the Golden Core First Layer, and while her cultivation was not weak, her combat skills were somewhat lacking.
So, he went back to discuss with Chu Jiaojiao and then returned to report to Chen Nan.
"She said she’s too scared to return alone and wants to come with us. Rest assured, junior brother, I will protect you both along the way."
Chen Nan sneered at this remark. Based on their journey so far, Divine Calculator was unreliable, except his skills in array formations were surprisingly outstanding.
If there was an opportunity, Chen Nan would like to learn from him.
"Alright, as long as Daoist brother knows what he’s doing."
Chen Nan’s goal was the Mystic Yin True Water; he didn’t care what schemes Divine Calculator might have, as long as they didn’t drag him down.
After dealing with the Yama Hall assassins, they didn’t continue onward. Rather, they found a place to rest, since Chu Jiaojiao was gravely injured.
Divine Calculator busied himself with tending to Chu Jiaojiao’s wounds, diligently and attentively. Chen Nan silently added another label to him: lecher.
Greedy and lustful, he fit the description perfectly.
Chen Nan found a quiet spot and, after surveying his surroundings to ensure no demon beasts were nearby, sat down to cultivate, not wanting to waste any time.
Piece by piece, the Spirit Stones turned to powder in his hands. Cultivating in the Great Swamp consumed more Spirit Stones than outside.
After all, one couldn’t absorb ambient Spiritual Energy here; only the Spiritual Energy within Spirit Stones could be absorbed.
His cultivation was gradually increasing, even if only a tiny bit, but it was the result of his hard work, steadily firming up his foundation.
Before truly forming the Golden Core, he needed to have an extremely solid foundation.
Forming a Golden Core wasn’t something every cultivator could achieve. Those lacking talent might never form a Golden Core, and even a weak foundation might lead to failure in forming it.
This advancement, crossing into a Great Realm, was a monumental task for any cultivator, demanding utmost caution to ensure nothing goes amiss. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚
It was late at night.
While Chen Nan was deeply engrossed in cultivation, Chu Jiaojiao approached him after Divine Calculator had fallen asleep.
"Sir?"
She called out softly.
Chen Nan slowly opened his eyes, showing displeasure. He hated being disturbed during cultivation.
Before him, Chu Jiaojiao still looked pitifully delicate, wearing only a thin garment that hinted at her fair skin beneath.
Her graceful figure appeared faintly in the moonlight, and her bashful, timid demeanor was accentuated by her large, expressive eyes reflecting the starlight.
"What is it?"
Despite Chu Jiaojiao’s beauty, Chen Nan remained impatient, his tone far from pleasant.
"I..." Chu Jiaojiao showed a slightly aggrieved expression, "I just wanted to talk to you. If you don’t wish to, then forget it..."
After speaking, she turned to leave, slowly, her silhouette filled with sadness.
She hoped Chen Nan would call her back, but even after she walked a good distance away, she heard nothing, and looking back, she gritted her teeth in frustration.
Chen Nan had resumed his cultivation.
"Insensitive man, doesn’t know how to appreciate a beautiful woman, absolutely heartless!"
"Just wait, I’ll make you pay for this!"
After cursing under her breath, she returned to Divine Calculator’s side. Watching him snoring blissfully on the ground, her eyes flashed with disdain.
The next morning, the trio set off again. Chu Jiaojiao still stuck close to Divine Calculator, seemingly having found her mainstay in him.
It was as if last night’s incident had never happened.
Seeing the two occasionally engaging in hushed conversations, Chen Nan felt it best not to comment, lest it affects his relationship with Divine Calculator.
However, during the journey, Chu Jiaojiao stirred up trouble once more.
"Daoist, I know a place that has Soul Destruction Sand. Would you accompany me to fetch it?"
"Soul Destruction Sand?"
Even Divine Calculator couldn’t help but light up at the mention.
It was well-known that Soul Destruction Sand was a precious Heavenly and Earthly Treasure in the Cultivation World, a material for Artifact Refining with a restraining effect on the Divine Soul.
Adding a bit of Soul Destruction Sand to a Spiritual Artifact could significantly increase its power, allowing it to attack the Divine Soul directly.
Such a Heavenly and Earthly Treasure was extremely rare; even a small amount could fetch a high price in external workshops, though often unavailable despite its value.
That’s why Divine Calculator was so thrilled upon hearing about the Soul Destruction Sand.
"Yes, I came to the Southern Marsh upon hearing about the Soul Destruction Sand, only to encounter Yama Hall assassins."
Chu Jiaojiao wiped her tears, her expression sorrowful, intensifying Divine Calculator’s sympathy.
"Don’t cry. No matter the trials, I’ll help you retrieve it!"
Chen Nan’s first instinct was disbelief, as he always felt something was off about this woman.
Nonetheless, he was intrigued by the Soul Destruction Sand, so he refrained from commenting.
"Where did you say the Soul Destruction Sand is?" asked Divine Calculator.
"Do you know of the Ancient Altars in the Southern Marsh?"
Instead of answering, Chu Jiaojiao asked another question.
"Of course!" Divine Calculator proudly patted his chest, eager to show off, "There are several Ancient Altars in the Marsh, but they are all abandoned."
Chu Jiaojiao, speaking in a mysterious whisper, said, "Daoist, I’ll share a secret with you, but you mustn’t tell anyone."
"Rumors say the Ancient Altars aren’t true altars but arrays. Once activated, you can enter them, and the Soul Destruction Sand I mentioned is within one of these arrays."
"Really?" Divine Calculator was surprised. "Why have I never heard of this rumor?"
Chu Jiaojiao smiled slightly and slowly replied, "If you knew, wouldn’t it become public knowledge?"
Divine Calculator suddenly understood, chuckling, "I see. So, Miss Chu can activate the array on the Ancient Altar?"
"I can try."
Chu Jiaojiao nodded, clearly confident.
"Great, let’s go!"
