Chapter 227: Legend of the Zombie

　　"What do you mean by that?"

　　Lu Fei opened his eyes wide, looking Jing Jian up and down, pulled him to one side, and lowered his voice: "Are you unable to absorb the fish demon's inner core?"

　　"It's too hard!"

　　Jing Jian let out a long sigh, full of bitterness.

　　"The night I got back, I started to absorb the power of the inner elixir, and almost choked to death. I was unconscious for several days before I woke up."

　　"After my body recovered, except for eating and sleeping, I've been working hard all the time. Even after all this effort up to now, I've only absorbed half of it!"

　　Seeing that he was not in serious condition, Lu Fei relaxed and snorted coldly, "Even so, you should have told me. I sent you so many messages, but you didn't reply to any. What does that mean?"

　　"I didn't do it on purpose. I was locked in my room every day, and I had no idea how much time had passed or the chance to check my phone... It was Master Mo who told me about today's Ling Yin Society recruitment, otherwise I would still be in my room."

　　Jing Jian apologized with a smile and then looked at Lu Fei again.

　　"From your appearance, you should have already absorbed that small inner elixir? How long did it take you, and was it smooth?"

　　"It went pretty smoothly, as for the time..." Seeing his weary look, Lu Fei couldn't bear to tell the truth, "It took just a few days... Anyway, that's not the main point!"

　　"Since you're out now, come with me to Dàyīn Mountain to pick coffin fungus!"

　　"Now? Don't we just sign up and should be preparing for the trial..." Jing Jian was taken aback.

　　"The notification won't be sent out for another week. That's enough time to make a trip to Dàyīn Mountain. Even if we can't pick the coffin fungus, it would still be good to scout the way! How long have I been waiting for you? There's no room for discussion!"

　　This matter had already been delayed for quite some time, and Lu Fei did not want to wait another day. Without giving Jing Jian a chance to refuse, he went to thank Duan Tiankui after he finished speaking.

　　"Grandpa Duan, thank you for your help today. My friend wouldn't have missed the registration without you."

　　"Thank you, Senior Duan!" Jing Jian hastily bowed in gratitude.

　　"It was just a small effort. I didn't expect that you two would become friends and even join the Lingyin Association together." Duan Tiankui smiled as he looked at Jing Jian.

　　"You won't say that this old man is cheating people, right?"

　　"I was mistaken, I apologize to you, Senior!" Jing Jian scratched his head, feeling embarrassed.

　　"It's a trivial matter. Since you're both joining the Lingyin Association, you will all be fellow practitioners. Come, sit down and have some tea." Duan Tiankui gestured generously.

　　Duan Lingyue moved her chair to make room for Lu Fei.

　　Lu Fei and the others sat down one after another, gathering around a tea table, and it wasn't too crowded.

　　The looks from the other people in the teahouse towards Lu Fei became even more peculiar.

　　"See? I told you this guy is connected!"

　　"Just which family does he belong to, to have such strong connections?"

　　"What if he's a young expert? Without some real skill, how could he catch Old Duan's eye?"

　　"Oh, come on! If he were really a young genius, he would have made a name for himself in the martial world long ago! Wouldn't we all know him by now?"

　　Everyone was gossiping, their expressions quite complicated.

　　Lu Fei didn't care, acting as if he hadn't heard anything, and picked up the teapot to pour tea for Duan Tiankui.

　　"Grandpa Duan, I have another favor to ask of you."

　　"Saying 'favor' makes it sound too formal, go ahead and tell me."

　　"We plan to go to Dàyīn Mountain to pick coffin mushrooms. Could you tell us more about the situation at Dàyīn Mountain and where exactly the coffin mushrooms are located in the mountain?"

　　"You're going to Dàyīn Mountain?" Duan Tiankui was slightly surprised, but he quickly calmed down, his eyes showing admiration, "Indeed, since you could capture the fish demon from Fuxian Lake, you will surely be able to gather the coffin mushrooms."

　　"However, there are zombies roaming in Dàyīn Mountain, so you must not be careless!"

　　"That's exactly why we've come to ask Grandfather Duan," Lu Fei said earnestly.

　　The news was originally told to him by Duan Tiankui, and this old man definitely knew a lot of inside information.

　　"Actually, the information about zombies and coffin mushrooms in Dàyīn Mountain was brought out by an old friend of mine," Duan Tiankui took a sip of tea and began to speak slowly.

　　"My old friend is a seasoned doctor who went to Dàyīn Mountain last year with his apprentice to search for medicinal herbs. They accidentally got lost and were forced to spend the night in the mountains."

　　"They found an old temple to stay in, and in the middle of the night, a zombie suddenly burst in."

　　"His apprentice, trying to save him, had his arm torn off by the zombie."

　　"Fortunately, my old friend knew that there were many malevolent spirits in the mountains, and he carried protective talismans with him, which he used at the critical moment to drive away the zombie."

　　"At dawn, they left the dilapidated temple and wandered in the mountains for a long time before finally encountering some villagers going up the mountain. It was the villagers who led the way that they were able to leave the Great Yin Mountains."

　　"My old friend was very remorseful; although the disciple's life was saved, no matter how powerful he was, he couldn't make the disciple's severed arm grow back."

　　Duan Tiankui sighed softly.

　　"That zombie had already formed a formidable presence, not so easy to deal with. The talisman my old friend used was crafted by a highly accomplished celestial master, imbued with profound power, yet it only managed to scare the zombie away."

　　"The ancient Great Yin Mountains are rife with malevolent spirits and monsters. Young Lu, if you are to enter the mountains, you must prepare well and never act rashly."

　　Hearing this, Lu Fei felt relieved that he had asked Duan Tiankui more questions.

　　Otherwise, he would have entered the mountains recklessly without any knowledge.

　　"Grandpa Duan, where is the coffin fungus then?"

　　"The coffin fungus is near the dilapidated temple. My old friend was attracted by the coffin fungus, which led him to the temple. Unfortunately, he did not take any of them with him," replied Duan Tiankui.

　　"Why is that?" Lu Fei couldn't help but wonder.

　　"When fighting the zombies, everything was destroyed, including the herbs they had worked so hard to collect. My old friend was very sad about this for a long time."

　　Duan Tiankui looked at Lu Fei and then said, "Lu, if you are really going, I would also like to ask you for a favor."

　　"Please go ahead, Grandpa Duan."

　　"If the situation allows, I would like to ask you to help me gather a few herbs as a way to make up for my old friend's regret."

　　"Of course, no problem!"

　　Lu Fei replied without hesitation.

　　Relationships between people are mutual. This old man is sincere with me, so I will be sincere with him in return.

　　"Lu, remember, don't try to act tough. No matter what, your life is the most important."

　　Duan Tiankui wrote down the names of the herbs, had his granddaughter add Lu Fei on WeChat, and sent him the pictures of the herbs, giving him serious instructions again.

　　"Also, in seven days, pay close attention to the notifications from the Lingyin Society. Make sure to clear your schedule in advance. Joining the association will be beneficial for both you and Sinisterium Pawnshop."

　　"Thank you, Grandpa Duan. We will be very careful. When we return, we will invite Grandpa Duan for tea and treat Little Sister Lingyue to something delicious."

　　"Good, we will be waiting for you," said Duan Tiankui with a smiling nod.

　　Duan Lingyue looked up, her round, bright eyes full of concern: "Brother Lufei, as long as you all come back safe, I'll treat you to whatever you like!"

　　"Alright, just for that, we have to come back quickly!"

　　Everyone laughed.