I Outworked the Entire Cultivation World-Chapter 239 - 209: (Revised) Letter from Nanzhi

Early the next morning, Jiang Yuebai and Yun Shang bid farewell to Yinhuan and left the village to continue exploring the outskirts of the Ten Thousand Mountains.

At the mountain peak, they found a cluster of century-old Spiritual Candle Fruits. Jiang Yuebai engaged in a fierce battle with a group of eagles, while Yun Shang picked the Spirit Fruits, managing to also snag two eagle eggs. The Golden Core Eagle King returned, and they were chased for over three hundred miles before treating each other’s wounds in a cave.

The roasted eagle eggs are delicious!

At the Lower Gorge, they entered the Bat Cave in search of treasure. Almost falling into a pit of bat droppings, they alarmed over a thousand Demon Bats. Fortunately, with the help of Jiang Yuebai’s Sword Sky Puppet, they managed to eradicate them over two days and nights.

Unfortunately, bat meat is inedible.

Crossing the swamp, there were many types of poisonous insects. Yun Shang was like a mouse in a rice jar, filling her own storage bag and then stuffing more into Jiang Yuebai’s Storage Bracelet, delaying them for over ten days.

Wild fruits are quite good.

Upon leaving the Mist Ridge, they saw two Gu Masters from different villages fighting over a rare flower. Yun Shang wanted to avoid the trouble, while Jiang Yuebai munched on sugarcane and watched. When both sides were in a frenzy, she used Sky-Breaking Flash to snatch the flower and escape easily.

Thus, two months passed quickly, filled with thrills, excitement, arguments, and abundant harvests along the way.

Jiang Yuebai gathered numerous Spiritual Medicines. Though none were particularly old, they accumulated over time, and progress in the "Immortal Grass Scripture" was pleasing.

A significant number of Beast Souls were also collected, with their Primordial Essence yet to be extracted.

Yun Shang crafted two Black Python Strangling Gu and over a dozen Stone Gu. These auxiliary Gu, similar to disposable Magic Artifacts, can be directly applied to others by a Gu Master.

With Yun Shang’s help, Jiang Yuebai absorbed a Black Python Strangling Gu and five Stone Gu, significantly increasing his strength and defense.

After half a month of rapid travel, the two finally arrived at Toad Village a day before the Poisonous Insect Fighting Competition commenced.

After processing the materials from the demonic beasts, the two changed out of their tattered clothes and, feeling refreshed, strolled hand in hand through the streets.

Toad Village was bustling with activity, the crowd was shoulder-to-shoulder, street vendors’ cries filled the air, and the variety of goods dazzled the eyes.

Jiang Yuebai stocked up on some local wine, especially buying ten large jars of wine steeped with various poisonous insects, intending to give it to the Supreme Elder upon returning to the Sect, to see if she would drink it.

"The Poisonous Insect Fighting Competition lasts half a month. There are so many people here lately. Shang, why don’t you help me set up a stall to sell elixirs and talismans?"

Jiang Yuebai scanned the nearby stalls, where business was particularly good, and noticed some foreign Loose Cultivators trading items from Central Plains cultivators.

Yun Shang hesitated, "I won’t help with the shouting and selling."

"What’s happening at that shop entrance with so many people?"

Jiang Yuebai pulled Yun Shang to squeeze into the back of the crowd, standing on tiptoe to look inside, and saw it was a place similar to a gambling den, betting on the outcomes of participants in the Poisonous Insect Fighting Competition.

"Shang, why don’t we place a bet too? What if we win?" Jiang Yuebai suggested.

"We don’t know anything about these Gu Masters. How can we know who to bet on to win? What if we lose?" Yun Shang worried.

Jiang Yuebai dragged Yun Shang to the front, with Yun Shang constantly apologizing to people around them.

After reading the names of the Gu Masters on the screen inside the shop, Jiang Yuebai pointed.

"Yinhuan from Yinhuan Village—we know her. Let’s bet on her."

Yun Shang looked troubled, "But I don’t think she’ll win the top prize."

"Who cares? Bet a hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones!"

Pushed by Jiang Yuebai, Yun Shang eventually also bet a hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones on Yinhuan winning the top prize.

In the following days, the two watched the Poisonous Insect Fighting Competition during the day, appreciating the battles between Gu Masters, and set up their stall in the market at night, earning some Spirit Stones while listening to the surrounding people argue over the competition.

The Poisonous Insect Fighting Competition was a spectacular event. The two, having bet spirit stones on Yinhuan to win, were especially nervous whenever she took the stage.

It seemed like Yinhuan was their relative—everything about her was pleasing, even her falls seemed cute. Her opponents were their enemies, everything about them was annoying, even their breathing seemed wrong.

If Yinhuan gained a slight advantage, Jiang Yuebai would jump up from the stands. If she was slightly losing, Yun Shang would have to cover Jiang Yuebai’s mouth to stop her from cursing.

However, it turned out their hopes were misplaced. Yinhuan didn’t make it to the top ten before being defeated, leaving Jiang Yuebai unhappy for several days.

It wasn’t until the finals that Jiang Yuebai was captivated by the thrilling twists and turns of the battle.

This half-month of calm suddenly made Jiang Yuebai realize that not every journey had to be heart-stopping or soul-stirring, nor did she have to be the main character shining brilliantly.

Simply passing through others’ journeys, appreciating their brilliance, being a minor character in others’ cultivation paths also had unique rewards!

"Congratulations to the Gu Master Long Shanxiao from Scorpion Village for winning the Foundation Establishment Stage championship of the Poisonous Insect Fighting Competition!"

The cheers rose from the battle arena, marking the end of this grand event of the Witch Clan.

"Shang, if you participated, you would surely win the top prize."

Under the bright moon, Jiang Yuebai and Yun Shang walked back to the inn. Along the way, some were rejoicing, others lamenting, all individuals affected by winning or losing their wagers.

"That Long Shanxiao is indeed impressive, but I’ve noticed her flaws too," Yun Shang said confidently.

Jiang Yuebai laughed, "When you’re no longer afraid of having your secrets discovered, go defeat her and show everyone how impressive you are."

Yun Shang blushed and nodded with a smile.

The night passed uneventfully. The next morning, Jiang Yuebai, as usual, went to Hongyan Building to collect her mail and finally received a letter from Lu Nanzhi.

Only after reading it did she learn that the Lu Family head had unfortunately perished, meaning Lu Nanzhi’s father had passed away.

This news was tightly kept under wraps by the Lu Family, not leaking out until the new family head took over and stabilized the situation, allowing Lu Nanzhi to inform Jiang Yuebai of it.

For these years, she had stayed within the family, mourning her father and accompanying her mother.

Lu Nanzhi mentioned in the letter that she would attend the Wind and Cloud Meeting in the Baishui Domain three years from now, and Jiang Yuebai shouldn’t worry about her for the time being, promising to meet there.

Jiang Yuebai was still concerned about Lu Nanzhi’s current situation. The letter didn’t mention who the new head was, but Jiang Yuebai could imagine that Lu Nanzhi would likely face some unfair treatment after falling from the position of the family head’s daughter.

Lu Nanzhi had always been strong-willed; once she decided on something, no one could change her mind, nor did she want others to intervene. Jiang Yuebai could only reply with a letter of regards and comfort.

Besides Lu Nanzhi’s letter, there was also a small note from Xie Jingshan.

[Jiang Yuebai, just you wait!]

"Just this one sentence, sent all the way from the Baishui Domain, costing quite a few Spirit Stones. Truly worthy of the ever-affluent Xie Jingshan."

Upon returning to the inn, Jiang Yuebai saw Yuu Qiuqi had returned.

Yuu Qiuqi, having heard about the past three months’ experiences from Yun Shang, thanked Jiang Yuebai for accompanying and taking care of Yun Shang during that time.

"...I heard you’re collecting Spiritual Medicines. These are the three century-old Spiritual Medicines I gathered during my outing—please accept them."

Jiang Yuebai, never one for modesty, accepted the Spiritual Medicines without hesitation.

"Master Yuu is generous, so thank you very much~ Shang, since Master Yuu has returned, it’s also time for me to say goodbye and continue my journey."

Reluctantly, Yun Shang held onto Jiang Yuebai, "Can’t you stay a few more days? Or travel with us?"

Yuu Qiuqi interjected, "Shang, your cultivation is already nearing Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment. We’ve been out for a long time; it’s time to return to the Sect and have you go into seclusion to break through to Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment."

Jiang Yuebai nodded, "Yes, cultivation is important. And it’s not like I won’t return to the Heavenly Interence Sect. Plus, there’s the Wind and Cloud Meeting in three years; I’m sure you and Master Yuu will attend, right? We’ll meet again there."

"Where are you planning to go next?" Yun Shang asked.

Jiang Yuebai shook her head, "I’m not sure, just wander around and explore here and there, and inquire about Golden Spiritual Objects and Water Spirit Objects."

Upon hearing this, Yuu Qiuqi advised, "If you’re looking for those two spiritual objects... for Golden Spiritual Objects, you might want to head towards the Black Water Area within the Cang Country; it’s rich in minerals, so there’s a good chance of finding Golden Spiritual Objects. Similarly, for Water Spirit Objects, you can search in various sea areas."

"Thank you, Master Yuu. Well then... mountain after mountain, water after water, temporarily parting with you, meeting again in the future, drinking together till dawn."