Chapter 57: Peach Garden Ridge, Mr. Ya's Banquet at Hongmen

"Mm."

Even if Fairy Ling Yue hadn't spoken, Xu Taiping was already eager to test the powers of the ring himself.

He then began to channel his true essence into the ring, following the method he had sensed earlier with his soul. At the same time, he raised a finger toward the sky.

His fingertip pointed straight at a cloud that was attempting to block the moon above.

"Boom!"

The next moment, with just a thought, Xu Taiping's fingertip flickered with light. A spiral wind blade, formed from pure vitality, shot out like a spear, piercing through the air straight toward the cloud that was blocking the moon at a height of a hundred feet.

"Bang!"

A moment later, a faint tremor echoed through the air.

Xu Taiping and Ling Yue could both see that the cloud, which had been blocking the moon, was now pierced through by Xu Taiping's attack.

Through the hole in the cloud, they could just make out the bright moon hanging in the sky.

"This strike—perhaps even the Fire Cloud Python wouldn't be able to take it, right?" Ling Yue's eyes brightened at the sight.

"That was a strike with piercing power. The second strike should be for fighting multiple opponents. Taiping, quickly try the second strike," she urged, curiosity evident in her voice.

"Alright."

Xu Taiping, equally curious, prepared to try.

"Uh..."

However, just as Xu Taiping extended two fingers, intending to snap them as he had sensed in his soul, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his abdomen.

"It seems like my true energy has been exhausted."

He used his soul sense to check, only to find that the true energy in his dantian had already been drained after unleashing the first strike.

"Fairy Ling Yue, it looks like with my current energy, I can only unleash the attack power of the Cangluan Ring once."

Xu Taiping sighed regretfully.

"Don't be discouraged," Ling Yue said with a smile, shaking her head. "Even if it's only once, you need not fear most of the beasts in this mountain anymore. If you refine a few more Qi Gathering Pills, you should be able to use it a few more times. Also, from the looks of it, your current cultivation can't fully unleash the power of that strike. Once you break through to the Wangyou realm, that strike might become even more powerful."

Ling Yue was clearly pleased with the destructive power of the Cangluan Ring.

"I think you're right," Xu Taiping agreed, his eyes filled with anticipation.

"By the way, keep this Iron Gourd safe. The three gourds from the second transformation of the Earth Fruit each have their uses. The Qing Gourd creates its own space, the Fire Gourd can still nourish elixirs even without Dragon's Gallstone, and the Iron Gourd can nurture weapons. Even ordinary weapons placed inside it for a year or two will have their quality improved, let alone spiritual weapons like flying swords."

Fairy Ling Yue explained the uses of the three gourds.

Xu Taiping had not expected these gourds to be treasures as well, so he immediately placed the Fire Gourd and Iron Gourd into the Qing Gourd.

"Does this mean I could start a weapon business in the future?" Xu Taiping suddenly had a whimsical thought and asked Ling Yue.

"At present, the Iron Gourd can only nurture one weapon at a time. You'll need to use your true essence to warm it up, and only then can its power gradually increase, allowing it to nurture more weapons. So, starting a weapon business is still too early," Ling Yue replied, not entirely dismissing Xu Taiping's suggestion. After all, the more heavenly materials and treasures one accumulated, the better, especially as cultivation would become more resource-demanding.

"Mm, I understand. For now, I'll just use it to nurture the Cangluan Ring," Xu Taiping said, undeterred, his resolve to improve his cultivation even stronger.

"By the way, Fairy Ling Yue, I plan to go to Peach Garden Ridge tomorrow."

After putting away the gourds, Xu Taiping looked up, his expression serious as he turned to Ling Yue.

"Go ahead," Ling Yue agreed readily.

In her view, whatever Xu Taiping intended to do, it would be a good opportunity for him to gain experience.

As for whether there would be danger, with the Cangluan Ring, she didn't think that any cultivator above the Wangyou realm would pose a life-threatening danger to him. Moreover, cultivators of that level would hardly waste their time dealing with a small outer sect cultivator like Xu Taiping.

"And if things get too difficult, you still have me to rely on," Ling Yue murmured to herself.

Having reached the second transformation of Earth Fruit, her soul could now temporarily possess others to exert some of her former strength.

Of course, Xu Taiping was unaware of this, and she preferred it that way.

The next day.

Peach Garden Ridge.

While the scenery was beautiful, the mountain was teeming with ferocious beasts and venomous creatures. Xu Taiping always avoided this area when hunting, so it was his first time here.

As Xu Taiping entered a peach orchard, he immediately spotted a small courtyard in the center of the orchard.

The courtyard was not large, similar to his Qingzhu Residence, but everything, from the walls to the bricks, was newer, clearly a recently built house.

"Since you've come, young friend Taiping, why not come in for a chat?"

Xu Taiping had intended to observe the surroundings first before entering, but as soon as he arrived, he was noticed by someone inside.

"Then I will not impose further," Xu Taiping replied, not hesitating. He lightly stepped on the ground and swiftly leapt, landing at the entrance of the courtyard in the blink of an eye.

Looking up, he saw three large characters on the plaque at the gate—"Liukejü" (Guest House).

Xu Taiping gave it a casual glance, then muttered to himself, "Today, no one will be staying here."

"Creek..."

At that moment, the gate of the courtyard was opened.

Two young girls with charming appearances greeted him.

"Young Master Xu, please."

"Our master has been waiting for you inside," they said, flashing polite smiles as they invited Xu Taiping in.

Xu Taiping nodded and stepped inside, but his hand, hidden in his sleeve, had already grasped a Golden Bell Talisman.

He still had a few talismans left from the Tiger Demon.

"Young friend Taiping, welcome! I, Yuan, regret not welcoming you properly. Please forgive me," said a middle-aged man dressed as a scholar, with a broad smile, as he gestured for Xu Taiping to enter.

Xu Taiping stopped, not continuing forward.

"May I ask your name, senior?" he asked, staring at the man while speaking in a calm tone.

"My name is Jian Yuan, courtesy name Yashan. Everyone in the Yunlou Association likes to call me Mr. Yashan," the middle-aged man said, stroking his beard with a smile.

"I see Mr. Yashan is a cultured person, but why did you take my monkey without any reason?" Xu Taiping asked directly.

"Hehehe..." Mr. Yashan laughed heartily and waved his hand to explain.

"Young friend Taiping, you misunderstood. I simply found your monkey incredibly cute, and since it likes the spiritual fruits in my garden, I wanted to keep it for a few days to play with it."

Such absurd excuses were spoken with a facade of politeness.

"Since I'm here, Mr. Yashan, please return my monkey to me," Xu Taiping said calmly, not angered by the man's nonsense, but simply extending his hand toward Mr. Yashan.