Ye Qiu never imagined that of the hundreds of thousand-year-old spiritual herbs, barely one in ten remained.
They had all been devoured by that mysterious egg.
At this moment, only a few dozen thousand-year-old spiritual herbs were left in the Qiankun bag. The egg, still not satisfied, rolled toward another herb, enveloping it in a layer of golden light. In the blink of an eye, the herb vanished.
“Eat, eat, eat, all you do is eat.”
“After devouring so many spiritual herbs, aren’t you afraid of bursting?”
Ye Qiu was furious, but then a look of surprise crossed his face.
“Even a King-level expert would burst from consuming so many thousand-year-old herbs. Why is this egg completely fine?”
“Could it be some kind of glutton?”
“What on earth is being nurtured inside this egg?”
Ye Qiu was tempted to crack the eggshell to see what was inside, but reason told him it wasn’t the right time.
“No more eating.”
Ye Qiu said coldly, “I have plans for the remaining herbs. If you eat any more, I’ll smash you to pieces.”
The egg seemed to understand Ye Qiu’s words. It rolled around on the ground a few times, as if expressing its dissatisfaction.
“Oh, you understand human speech?”
“Listen carefully. No more eating, or don’t blame me for being harsh.”
The egg immediately behaved, zipping back into the box with a “whoosh.”
“I was planning to share these herbs with everyone, but now this has happened. What should I do?”
Ye Qiu was in a bind, muttering, “If only I could find a few more treasures…”
Before he finished speaking.
“Rumble—”
The Snow Mountain suddenly trembled violently, as if an earthquake had struck. Then, a massive chasm appeared at the mountain’s peak.
Within the chasm stood a grand, ancient palace, exuding an air of timelessness.
“No way. I just made a passing remark, and the heavens heard me?”
Ye Qiu was astonished.
At the same time, the golden light on the staircase faded completely, and the pervasive killing intent on the Snow Mountain vanished without a trace.
At the foot of the mountain, everyone was puzzled.
“What’s happening?”
“Why did the golden light disappear?”
“The killing intent is gone too.”
“Does this mean we can climb the mountain now?”
“Whether we can or not, let’s try and find out.”
Master Longbrow stepped onto the staircase. This time, no golden light appeared beneath his feet.
He took a second step.
Still no golden light.
Master Longbrow quickly ascended a few more steps, encountering no danger.
He exclaimed excitedly, “We can go up now!”
Master Chongxu, less enthusiastic, said, “The dragon vein has already been taken by Ye Qiu. What’s the point of going up?”
“No point? Haven’t you heard of standing at the peak to gaze upon the world below?” Master Longbrow said, “Once I reach the top, I have something big planned.”
“What’s that?” Master Chongxu asked, curious.
Master Longbrow grinned, “The higher you stand, the farther you can pee.”
You old fool.
Master Chongxu wanted to slap Master Longbrow. You’re a sect leader, for heaven’s sake. Have some dignity!
“Crude!” Fairy Hundred Flowers scolded coldly.
“Everyone, there’s no danger now. Are you really not going up? If you don’t, I’m heading up,” Master Longbrow said, preparing to climb.
At that moment, Ye Qiu’s voice called down from the peak, “Come up quickly. I’ve found something new.”
Hearing this, Fairy Hundred Flowers swiftly dashed up the staircase.
The others followed.
Soon, everyone reached the summit.
“Little brat, what’s your new discovery? Are there more treasures?” Master Longbrow asked eagerly.
Ye Qiu nodded and pointed at the chasm.
Everyone immediately saw the palace.
“Who would’ve thought? There’s a palace hidden in the Snow Mountain, and it looks extraordinary,” Master Chongxu marveled.
Master Longbrow pinched his fingers in a mock calculation, “I’ve divined it. There are treasures inside. Let’s go!” He jumped into the chasm first.
The others followed closely behind.
Soon, they arrived in front of the palace.
Though situated within the Snow Mountain, the palace was remarkably dry, with cobwebs lining the eaves, indicating it had been uninhabited for a long time.
On either side of the weathered gate hung two bronze plaques inscribed with a couplet.
The upper line: Raise a hand, and winds and clouds surge.
The lower line: Lift your eyes, and behold all beings below.
Above the gate, a horizontal bronze plaque bore the inscription.
“Spring and Autumn Flourish!”
Ye Qiu thought to himself, Whoever wrote this couplet has some bold ambition.
Master Chongxu clapped his hands in approval, “This couplet is so domineering. The person who wrote it must be extraordinary.”
Master Longbrow scoffed, “I’m not bragging, but I could come up with a couplet like this off the top of my head.”
Master Chongxu looked skeptical, “You’re just boasting!”
“You don’t believe me, Bullnose?”
“I don’t.”
“Then listen well,” Master Longbrow said, “Upper line: Topple Kunlun to make my pillow.”
Oh?
Everyone glanced at Master Longbrow. The upper line had impressive momentum and fit the setting perfectly, as they were in the Kunlun Mountains.
“And the lower line?” Master Chongxu asked.
Ye Qiu glanced at Master Chongxu, feeling a bit puzzled. Why does this sly old fox seem so eager?
Little did he know, Master Chongxu was secretly a couplet enthusiast, often composing couplets in private but never showing them to others.
Master Longbrow, hands behind his back, exuding the air of a lofty sage, said, “My lower line is: Pick up the Yangtze to make my chamber pot.”
Pfft—
Ye Qiu burst out laughing.
Fairy Hundred Flowers and Green萝 covered their mouths, giggling.
As for Master Chongxu, the closet couplet enthusiast, his face turned ashen.
After hearing the upper line, he had expected Master Longbrow to surprise him, but the lower line was utterly vulgar.
As expected, he shouldn’t have had any hopes for this dog.
“Well, Bullnose, isn’t my couplet pretty good?” Master Longbrow asked smugly, oblivious to Master Chongxu’s thoughts.
“Hmph!” Master Chongxu snorted heavily, scolding, “Utterly crude and disgraceful to refinement.”
“How is it disgraceful?” Master Longbrow’s eyes gleamed, “Oh, I get it. You’re jealous of me, Bullnose.”
Master Chongxu laughed in exasperation, “Have some shame. Me, jealous of you?”
Master Longbrow said, “You’re definitely jealous because I’m more talented than you, handsomer than you, and—”
“Enough,” Ye Qiu interrupted, tired of their bickering. “Old man, go open the gate.”
“Master, leave it to me!” Tiger Cub stepped forward and smashed a fist into the palace gate.
Boom!
The gate broke open, and instantly, a rich fragrance wafted out from within.
