008. Jia Fu and Qitian Discuss Fang Yuan; Jade Spiders Attack at White Jade Mountain
Qitian arrived at the third floor of the treehouse and walked towards a wall.
The wooden wall was covered with green leaves, layered densely, lush and verdant.
Rustle, rustle, rustle...
The branches and leaves automatically parted to both sides, revealing a hidden secret door.
Qitian pushed open the secret door and saw a small spiral staircase leading upwards. He walked up the stairs and arrived at a study room that wasn't very spacious.
In the study, Jia Fu was engrossed in handling some accounts, his brush flying across the paper.
Hearing Qitian's footsteps, he looked up, revealing a fresh scar on his face.
He showed a friendly smile: "Little brother Qitian, you're here."
"Greetings, Lord Jia Fu. I'm here to report on the business," Qitian said, cupping his fists in salute.
"Come, please sit here," Jia Fu pointed to the seat closest to the desk.
After reporting the business matters, Qitian spoke up, "Oh, right! I encountered an interesting youth downstairs earlier."
"Oh! Your standards aren't low. Which young man caught your eye?" Jia Fu asked, surprised. After interacting for some time, his impression of Qitian was that he was proud and arrogant. He became interested in a youth Qitian would praise.
"He's the winner of the Liquor Worm bid."
"The result of the Liquor Worm bid isn't out yet, how are you sure it's him?"
"Of course, my judgment is very accurate. After a Rank 3 Gu Master placed a bid, he could still calmly place his own. Such insight and composure are not something ordinary people possess. Brother Jia, you could try recruiting him early."
Qitian knew Fang Yuan wouldn't leave Gu Yue village now. He said this merely to leave an impression on Fang Yuan (indirectly).
Soon after, the result of the Liquor Worm bid was delivered.
"Are you talking about this youth named Fang Yuan?"
Jia Fu's expression was somewhat complex.
"What's wrong? Does Brother Jia know this person?" Qitian asked, feigning ignorance.
Subsequently, Jia Fu explained the reason to Qitian.
"So that's what happened. I believe that with Divine Investigator Tie Xue Leng taking action, the truth will surely come to light."
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Three days later, after Fang Yuan successfully bid for the Red Steel Relic Gu, Jia Fu approached Fang Yuan.
"How may I be of service to Lord Jia Fu?"
Jia Fu stared at Fang Yuan and said, "I've looked at your bids these past few days, including the price you just paid for the Red Steel Relic Gu. Honestly, little brother, your talent for business surprises me. Did you know, every price you offered was very close to the final transaction price? Even little brother Qitian praised you highly."
"These days, although you only successfully purchased one Black Boar Gu, one Liquor Worm, and the Red Steel Relic Gu just now, your bids on other Gu worms were only off by a dozen or so primeval stones from being successful. Little brother, are you interested in coming to work for me?" Jia Fu extended an offer to Fang Yuan.
"By the way, who is that Qitian? Why would he know me?"
Fang Yuan also intended to inquire about Qitian.
"Qitian! He's only a year older than you, yet he's a business genius. With my help, he became a Rank 3 upper stage Gu Master and is now a deputy leader of the caravan. He noticed your extraordinariness when you acquired the Liquor Worm. How about it? Interested in working for me?" Jia Fu used the opportunity to entice him.
"Well..."
Fang Yuan hesitated for a moment, then shook his head, "I appreciate Lord Jia Fu's kind offer, but I do not wish to leave my clan."
Jia Fu assumed this was because Fang Yuan held a grudge against him for suspecting him of killing Jia Jin Sheng. So, he brought up Divine Investigator Tie Xue Leng, hoping to dispel the resentment, unaware that Fang Yuan was precisely the killer and least wanted Tie Xue Leng to arrive.
"Little brother, I think highly of you. I hope you will seriously consider my suggestion." Jia Fu continued, offering a pile of attractive benefits.
Fang Yuan politely refused again; now was not the best time for him to leave Qing Mao Mountain.
"That's truly a waste of your talent. How about this, take this token. If one day in the future, you want to come join me, this token will be your proof. I will welcome you anytime." Jia Fu believed him, deeply understanding the cohesive power of clans, and wasn't surprised by the recruitment failure.
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May was the transition between spring and summer.
The fragrance of flowers filled the air; the great mountains were verdant.
Sunlight began to gradually reveal its fervent side. Under the azure sky, white clouds floated like cotton wool.
The caravan had been away from Qing Mao Mountain for over a month and had entered the White Head Mountain region.
The further east they went, the more prevalent gambling dens became. By the White Head Mountain region, every village had a gambling den.
Some large villages even had numerous large casinos. In the three villages famous for rock gambling – Rock Village, Ancient Tomb Village, and Blue Whale Village – there were even super-large rock gambling arenas.
These three super-large rock gambling arenas each had a history of over a thousand years. Today, their business still thrived, with gamblers constantly coming and going.
Many Gu Masters had opened Gu worms in the rock gambling arenas. Some made a small fortune because of it. Some rose to prominence, their life trajectory taking a turn.
Such situations occurred repeatedly in the Gu Master world, often accompanied by true or false rumors, sparking people's imagination. And in the White Head Mountain region, such rumors were even more prevalent.
On one hand, the gambling arenas intentionally spread rumors to increase popularity. On the other hand, due to the prevalence of rock gambling, such events did happen frequently.
And one of Qitian's main goals for heading east was a legendary Gu within a certain rock gambling den.
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A bright, full moon hung high in the sky.
That day, the caravan camped near White Jade Mountain.
"Kaka! Kakaka!"
Strange sounds echoed from the distance. Judging by the sound, something seemed to be slowly approaching.
"Night attack! Night attack!"
"Jade Spider swarm incoming!"
The scouting Gu Master on night watch discovered the Jade Spider swarm and immediately issued a warning.
Within the camp, many people woke up one after another in a short time, and the camp erupted into activity.
"What? It's actually a Jade Spider swarm!"
"Isn't it just a bunch of spiders! We've encountered plenty of beast groups along the way."
"You're new, so it's normal you don't know. Blade Leg Jade Spiders are bloodthirsty and warlike. Once engaged, they often fight to the death. There have been caravans completely wiped out by Jade Spider swarms before."
"That terrifying? Then why are we taking this trade route?"
"Well... Jade Spider swarms usually don't leave their territory and rarely attack caravans proactively. We can only consider ourselves unlucky this time. There's likely a tough battle ahead."
Qitian, who was cultivating, suddenly opened his eyes, feeling energized. He got up and exited his tent.
The Gu Masters, one by one, wore grave expressions, activating their Gu worms and attacking the Jade Spider swarm.
Instantly, countless fireballs, ice blades, and water balls flew chaotically through the air.
Several swarms of Jade Spiders inhabited White Jade Mountain. Their bodies were like jade, their eight legs sharp as blades. They preferred activity deep in the night, were social creatures, and although warlike, they rarely descended the mountain to attack caravans unless their territory was invaded.
Jia Fu's brow was deeply furrowed, his face heavy. "Jade Spider swarms are not easy to deal with! Everyone, stay sharp! Remember! Do not actively pursue after engaging! The denser the foliage, the greater the advantage for Blade Leg Jade Spiders. Absolutely do not fight them in the bushes!"
"Kakaka! Kaka!"
Qitian quickly joined the battle as well, confronting a hundred beast king.
This hundred beast king was noticeably larger than ordinary Jade Spiders, about a meter long. Its eight legs were like sharp knives, gleaming with a cold white light, incredibly sharp. It moved on its eight legs with extreme agility and speed.
This Blade Leg Jade Spider clearly sensed the powerful aura from Qitian. Instead of retreating, its battle intent surged.
However, it didn't charge directly. Instead, it swung its blade-legs, sending out two streaks of blade qi.
"Rank 2 Blade Qi Gu!"
Facing the blade qi, Qitian directly activated his Swift Shadow Gu, dodged the attacks, and simultaneously launched several bone spikes, engaging it in battle.
Although this Blade Leg Jade Spider's combat strength was impressive, clashing with the Rank 3 upper stage Qitian, it soon fell into a disadvantage and was slain by Qitian.
"The Blade Leg Jade Spiders truly haven't disappointed me. A mere hundred beast king possesses such combat strength. If I faced those few thousand beast kings, even if I could win, I'd have to pay a heavy price. If I can obtain these Blade Path Gu worms, my combat power will definitely increase significantly."
As for the others, they weren't so lucky.
Continuously, Gu Masters who couldn't react in time had their limbs severed by the spiders' legs. Piercing screams followed as several spiders swarmed them, dismembering them on the spot.