Chapter 269: Qingxue's Calamity

Translator: Tim Editor: Chrissy

Guo Taiming produced a jade box from his bag. "Doctor Ye," he said to Ye Mo, "my ancestors were a branch of ancient martial artists, but their lineage declined. When you treated me, you used internal qi, didn't you? Clearly, you're a master of ancient martial arts. This box is a family heirloom. My descendants won't be practicing ancient martial arts, so I have nothing better to offer you for saving my life. Please accept this."

Ye Mo quickly pushed it away. "Mr. Guo, this is a family heirloom; I can't accept it. Please keep it."

Guo Taiming shook his head. "I only have a daughter. Even if I had a son, I vowed that if you cured me, this jade box would be my humble gift. I know you may not find it valuable, but I have nothing else of comparable worth."

Seeing Guo Taiming's sincerity, Ye Mo accepted the jade box. Inside, he found a bank card and an ancient goatskin map depicting a coastal region and marking a purple coral ore deposit.

Ye Mo immediately understood the source of Guo Taiming's hereditary illness. The purple coral, passed down through generations, caused the affliction. The Guo family preserved and passed down the ore. Unlike Zhuo Aiguo, they continued to handle it, perpetuating the curse.

Ye Mo took out the card. "I'll accept the jade box, but I can't take the card," he said to Guo Taiming, leaving the explanation of the purple coral's role unspoken. By giving him the coral, he'd broken the cycle for Guo Taiming's descendants.

Despite Guo Taiming's insistence, Ye Mo refused the card. He wasn't short of money, though even hundreds of millions wouldn't suffice. He needed rare herbs and materials for cultivation, which were incredibly expensive. He would find ways to acquire wealth later. After the hidden sect auction, he realized his online clinic wouldn't provide enough funds; earning enough to buy even a single blue flower blue leaf grass was a challenge. He needed alternative income streams.

...

Ning Hai.

Outside his home, Ning Qingxue tended her silver heart grass. She missed Ye Mo, who'd been gone for months but was expected back soon, per his promise.

The silver heart grass thrived under her care; the largest plant reached 8 centimeters. Though not overly focused on cultivation, she practiced daily to keep pace with Ye Mo. The rest of her time was spent caring for the plant or playing with her necklace—a treasured gift from Ye Mo, a pearl necklace that Su Jingwen also admired, but which Qingxue refused to part with.

"Qingxue, let's go shopping at Walking Street," Xu Wei announced, arriving home early.

"Walking Street?" The mention of golden cakes stirred Ning Qingxue's appetite. She readily agreed.

Walking Street was a familiar haunt. She frequently visited for golden cakes, sometimes with Su Jingwen and Li Mumei, sometimes with Xu Wei, and occasionally alone when bored. The cakes held a special connection to Ye Mo, prompting mindful consumption.

...

Walking Street bustled, even though dusk hadn't fully settled.

Two Daoists strolled through the crowd—a man in his fifties and another barely twenty.

"It's a shame we missed the auction," the younger Daoist sighed. "I heard there was a Liu Blue Carrot and two face-preserving pills. Master, this mortal world is too impure; we should return." He found the vibrant world unremarkable after a few days.

The older Daoist nodded in agreement. "Yuan Zhong, your resolve is commendable. You haven't been seduced by worldly distractions. Very well, since you're unsettled, let's return to cultivation. That will keep your mind clear of outside influences."

Yuan Zhong, however, had a shifty look in his eyes. "Master is right..." he began, then froze, staring at two girls.

"What is it?" the older Daoist asked.

Yuan Zhong swallowed. "Master, I want that woman. She's so beautiful. If she became my wife, I'd dedicate my life to the sect..."

The older Daoist followed his gaze. A girl in a blue dress ate a golden cake with gentle grace, possessing an exquisite beauty rare even among hidden sects. He understood his disciple's attraction. Finding a partner to keep Yuan Zhong grounded within the sect might be advantageous. "She is indeed remarkable," he conceded, "but it requires mutual consent. If she's unwilling…"

"Master, I must have her. With my talent and looks, it's a perfect match. Once she understands who we are, she'll be grateful. Not everyone has the opportunity to enter our world," Yuan Zhong insisted, eyes glued to the girl.

The old Daoist nodded. "You're right. It would be her good fortune. Ask her, but be mindful; she seems regal and likely has considerable influence."

"Master, you overestimate things," Yuan Zhong scoffed. "Outer hidden sects are weak; even the strongest we've visited were merely earth-level. This mortal girl will be no challenge." He approached the girl.

"Hello, I'm Yuan Chong," he began awkwardly, lacking social skills.

Ning Qingxue, lost in memories of Ye Mo, was startled by the sudden appearance of the Daoist. She recoiled, wary.

Up close, Yuan Zhong was captivated by her beauty and regal demeanor, further inflaming his desire. Her wary gaze made him salute. "I'm Yuan Chong, from the hidden sects—the immortal sects known to the mortals. My master believes your talent suits our sect's immortal arts…"

Ning Qingxue frowned, pulling Xu Wei. "Xu Wei, let's go."

"Idiot," Xu Wei retorted, lacking Ning Qingxue's patience.

Yuan Chong, enraged by her insult, grabbed Xu Wei, tossing her several meters into a nearby stall. She crashed to the ground, unable to rise.

Ning Qingxue rushed to Xu Wei's aid, glaring at Yuan Chong. She was reaching for her phone to call the police.

Seeing this, Yuan Chong lunged for the phone, only to be stopped by a brief burst of yellow light.

He examined his hand, marveling at the force that had blocked him. He was a renowned black-level peak ancient martial artist, yet he couldn't even take a phone from a girl?

Could she be a martial artist? He abandoned the phone and punched her, using 30% of his strength.

His fist struck a pale yellow light, shattering it but still sending Ning Qingxue flying into the street, where she was hit by a passing car.

Xu Wei, scrambling to her feet, saw Ning Qingxue struck by the car. She rushed to help.

The older Daoist checked Ning Qingxue's pulse, his face paling.

"Master," Yuan Zhong said, remorseful about the severity of his attack.

The old Daoist sighed. "Yuan Chong, you've made a grave mistake. She's beyond saving; we must leave immediately."

Yuan Chong protested. "I overestimated my strength, but 'grave mistake' is an exaggeration. Who could challenge you in the outside world?"

"You clearly underestimate the world. The amulet she wore was high-level, a rarity even to me. Someone with that protection doesn't have a simple background." The old Daoist said, noting approaching police cars. He grabbed Yuan Chong and vanished in an instant.