Having waited for a long while and still seeing no replication of the Jade Rabbit in the black jar, Shu Han felt that something was amiss. By his calculations based on time, the black jar should have been able to replicate over a hundred mid-grade spirit stones by now.
A single mid-grade spirit stone encapsulates at least the spiritual power of a cultivator in the initial stages of the Foundation Establishment. Over a hundred of them would mean a combined spiritual power comparable to someone in the Core Formation stage.
The Jade Rabbit didn't seem to possess the robust spiritual power typical of the Core Formation stage. Why couldn't it be replicated? Could it be that the black jar, in addition to not replicating man-made items, also couldn't replicate sentient beings? If he crushed this rabbit, reverting it to its original form as the Moonshade Jade Fruit, could it then be replicated?
However, this thought was fleeting. An awakened Grand Yin Jade Fruit was far more valuable than one that was dormant. It was a qualitative difference that quantitative change couldn't match.
Yet, seeing the Jade Rabbit looking so anxious inside the black jar, Shu Han couldn't help but wonder if there was something in the Earth Goddess' Divine Glow medicinal field that it feared.
With that thought, Shu Han instinctively moved behind the group.
Che Hanyan glanced at him, thinking, "What a coward."
"Golden Silkworm Association disciples, form up! Prepare the Cloud Boat to break through the restriction!"
"Yes!"
Nine Qi Refining disciples promptly produced bronze formation components, chanting spells and making hand seals in unison. Their techniques interwove, lifting the formation components into the air, and connecting them with formation patterns.
Using the bronze components as the framework and the formation patterns as channels, a blue-white long boat materialized above them.
"Charge!"
With a wave of their hands, the boat slowly ventured into the dense Earth Goddess' Divine Glow.
However, the boat's magic power quickly waned. The Earth Goddess' Divine Glow appeared extremely viscous and challenging to navigate.
Seeing this, Che Hanyan jumped onto the boat and infused it with her late Foundation Establishment stage magic power. The boat regained its momentum, continuing its journey into the Earth Goddess' Divine Glow, albeit with difficulty. Without delay, she called out, "Fellow daoist Yu, please assist! Help power the formation to enter the medicinal field!"
Shu Han wasn't keen on entering the field and replied, "I'm sorry, my magic power is currently aiding Senior Shangguan in healing, so I can't help right now!"
"Fellow daoist Yu!" Che Hanyan's brow furrowed, her voice cold, "This isn't a request! Act swiftly. If anything goes wrong, any losses suffered by the Golden Silkworm Association will be on your head."
'Damn! Is this how you ask for a favor?'
Shu Han's intent to kill grew increasingly strong. Now, with Che Hanyan using most of her magic power on the formation, it was an excellent opportunity for him. He sneered inwardly, thinking, "Since you sincerely asked for my help, I'll graciously grant you a taste of my Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword!"
Mighty magic power began to boil within Shu Han. The Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword in his storage bag resonated loudly. Just as he was about to launch a deadly strike under the guise of aiding the formation, a loud shout came from behind.
"Fellow daoist Che! I didn't expect you to reach the Earth Goddess Garden first!"
Shu Han immediately held back his murderous intent and instead began assisting Che Hanyan with the formation.
Turning to look, another group from the Golden Silkworm Association had arrived.
Leading them was a middle-aged man adorned in luxurious garments and decorated with multicolored gems. He seemed to glow with a treasure-like radiance.
Che Hanyan laughed, "Ah, fellow daoist Xiao, it's good that you're here. I'm having trouble entering this Earth Goddess' Divine Glow. Could you lend a hand?"
The man named Xiao chuckled, "We're both from the Golden Silkworm Association, of course!"
Suddenly, his eyes fixed on Shu Han and the figure he held, his face changing dramatically.
"You! Who are you?! Who's that in your arms?"
Che Hanyan replied, puzzled, "Fellow daoist Xiao, are your eyes playing tricks? Can't you recognize Senior Shangguan?"
Daoist Xiao waved his golden sleeve, "Impossible! I met Senior Shangguan just half a day ago. She led a group to patrol the outskirts of the Immaculate Realm! She's currently headed to the Kan position region. There's no way she could be here!"
"What?!"
Both Shu Han and Che Hanyan exclaimed in shock.
Che Hanyan stepped off the boat, approaching Shu Han with suspicion. After scrutinizing the person in Shu Han's arms, she questioned, "Based on appearance and demeanor, this indeed looks like Senior Shangguan Ruotong. Fellow daoist Xiao, could you have mistaken?"
Daoist Xiao moved closer and said, "Mistaken? Absolutely not. Senior Shangguan Ruotong even gave me a cold glance. I could never forget that look. However, this person does resemble the senior but seems much weaker. What's going on?"
Che Hanyan relayed Shu Han's earlier explanation to Daoist Xiao. He frowned, his gaze piercing into Shu Han, his entire body glowing brilliantly, and demanded, "Are you making up stories? Who is she? And who are you? Tell the truth!"
In this situation, any chance to take action had evaporated!
Shu Han suppressed his anxiety and feigned ignorance, "I really don't know what you two seniors are talking about. I'm just passing by! This senior here was just a chance encounter. What are you saying? That she isn't who you think? I'm so confused."
Looking at Shu Han's innocent demeanor, Che Hanyan said, "This situation is indeed problematic. What should we do?"
Daoist Xiao gazed at Shangguan Ruolin's charming figure, his pupils slightly constricted. He couldn't help but reach out, suggesting, "Shall I check her identity?"
Shu Han thought, Do you have a death wish?
Che Hanyan hurriedly held him back, angrily saying, "Are you seeking death? Even if she isn't Senior Shangguan Ruotong, judging by her appearance and demeanor, she is likely closely related to the senior! And you dare to take advantage of the situation?"
Hearing this, Daoist Xiao reigned in his lecherous intent and said, "You're right, I was careless. Thank you for the reminder."
Daoist Xiao then suggested, "Nevertheless, we cannot let this remain unclear. Allow me to use the Distance Communication Talisman to summon Senior Shangguan! Let her personally identify this woman."
With that, a talisman emerged from his hand, flying off into the distance.
Shu Han watched anxiously. Once the talisman was sent, Shangguan Ruotong would rush over, yet he dared not stop it. With two late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators present, even one would be tricky enough. If he acted suspiciously, he would likely be captured instantly. He must restrain himself and wait for the right moment to escape or strike.
But Shu Han was well aware that time was running out. According to Daoist Xiao, Shangguan Ruotong would probably arrive in less than half a day.
With Shangguan Ruolin still unconscious and unable to use the power of her Golden Core, if she encountered Shangguan Ruotong, she would undoubtedly be captured.
As Che Hanyan watched the talisman disappear, she suggested, "Senior Shangguan Ruotong will take some time to arrive. In the meantime, let's enter the Earth Goddess Garden and gather the spiritual herbs. Fellow daoist Xiao, please assist!"
"Alright!"
Che Hanyan boarded the boat, and Daoist Xiao looked at Shu Han, saying, "What are you waiting for? Get on! Boy, don't even think about escaping!"
Shu Han looked at the garden, thinking, I can only use this garden to find an opportunity. According to the Jade Rabbit's reaction, there's danger in this garden. But even if there is, it's not as dangerous as facing Shangguan Ruotong!
He and Daoist Xiao then jumped onto the boat. Daoist Xiao kept glancing at Shangguan Ruolin in Shu Han's arms, saying, "Boy, let me hold her for you so you can rest."
Shu Han replied, "That won't do. This senior placed a restriction on me. If I stop dispelling the cold for her, I'll die."
"Oh? Is that so?"
He leaned in, taking Shangguan Ruolin's hand and checking it.
There was indeed an oppressive cold aura emanating from her.
He quickly let go, saying, "Then, please continue your efforts."
Having waited for a long while and still seeing no replication of the Jade Rabbit in the black jar, Shu Han felt that something was amiss. By his calculations based on time, the black jar should have been able to replicate over a hundred mid-grade spirit stones by now.
A single mid-grade spirit stone encapsulates at least the spiritual power of a cultivator in the initial stages of the Foundation Establishment. Over a hundred of them would mean a combined spiritual power comparable to someone in the Core Formation stage.
The Jade Rabbit didn't seem to possess the robust spiritual power typical of the Core Formation stage. Why couldn't it be replicated? Could it be that the black jar, in addition to not replicating man-made items, also couldn't replicate sentient beings? If he crushed this rabbit, reverting it to its original form as the Moonshade Jade Fruit, could it then be replicated?
However, this thought was fleeting. An awakened Grand Yin Jade Fruit was far more valuable than one that was dormant. It was a qualitative difference that quantitative change couldn't match.
Yet, seeing the Jade Rabbit looking so anxious inside the black jar, Shu Han couldn't help but wonder if there was something in the Earth Goddess' Divine Glow medicinal field that it feared.
With that thought, Shu Han instinctively moved behind the group.
Che Hanyan glanced at him, thinking, "What a coward."
"Golden Silkworm Association disciples, form up! Prepare the Cloud Boat to break through the restriction!"
"Yes!"
Nine Qi Refining disciples promptly produced bronze formation components, chanting spells and making hand seals in unison. Their techniques interwove, lifting the formation components into the air, and connecting them with formation patterns.
Using the bronze components as the framework and the formation patterns as channels, a blue-white long boat materialized above them.
"Charge!"
With a wave of their hands, the boat slowly ventured into the dense Earth Goddess' Divine Glow.
However, the boat's magic power quickly waned. The Earth Goddess' Divine Glow appeared extremely viscous and challenging to navigate.
Seeing this, Che Hanyan jumped onto the boat and infused it with her late Foundation Establishment stage magic power. The boat regained its momentum, continuing its journey into the Earth Goddess' Divine Glow, albeit with difficulty. Without delay, she called out, "Fellow daoist Yu, please assist! Help power the formation to enter the medicinal field!"
Shu Han wasn't keen on entering the field and replied, "I'm sorry, my magic power is currently aiding Senior Shangguan in healing, so I can't help right now!"
"Fellow daoist Yu!" Che Hanyan's brow furrowed, her voice cold, "This isn't a request! Act swiftly. If anything goes wrong, any losses suffered by the Golden Silkworm Association will be on your head."
'Damn! Is this how you ask for a favor?'
Shu Han's intent to kill grew increasingly strong. Now, with Che Hanyan using most of her magic power on the formation, it was an excellent opportunity for him. He sneered inwardly, thinking, "Since you sincerely asked for my help, I'll graciously grant you a taste of my Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword!"
Mighty magic power began to boil within Shu Han. The Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword in his storage bag resonated loudly. Just as he was about to launch a deadly strike under the guise of aiding the formation, a loud shout came from behind.
"Fellow daoist Che! I didn't expect you to reach the Earth Goddess Garden first!"
Shu Han immediately held back his murderous intent and instead began assisting Che Hanyan with the formation.
Turning to look, another group from the Golden Silkworm Association had arrived.
Leading them was a middle-aged man adorned in luxurious garments and decorated with multicolored gems. He seemed to glow with a treasure-like radiance.
Che Hanyan laughed, "Ah, fellow daoist Xiao, it's good that you're here. I'm having trouble entering this Earth Goddess' Divine Glow. Could you lend a hand?"
The man named Xiao chuckled, "We're both from the Golden Silkworm Association, of course!"
Suddenly, his eyes fixed on Shu Han and the figure he held, his face changing dramatically.
"You! Who are you?! Who's that in your arms?"
Che Hanyan replied, puzzled, "Fellow daoist Xiao, are your eyes playing tricks? Can't you recognize Senior Shangguan?"
Daoist Xiao waved his golden sleeve, "Impossible! I met Senior Shangguan just half a day ago. She led a group to patrol the outskirts of the Immaculate Realm! She's currently headed to the Kan position region. There's no way she could be here!"
"What?!"
Both Shu Han and Che Hanyan exclaimed in shock.
Che Hanyan stepped off the boat, approaching Shu Han with suspicion. After scrutinizing the person in Shu Han's arms, she questioned, "Based on appearance and demeanor, this indeed looks like Senior Shangguan Ruotong. Fellow daoist Xiao, could you have mistaken?"
Daoist Xiao moved closer and said, "Mistaken? Absolutely not. Senior Shangguan Ruotong even gave me a cold glance. I could never forget that look. However, this person does resemble the senior but seems much weaker. What's going on?"
Che Hanyan relayed Shu Han's earlier explanation to Daoist Xiao. He frowned, his gaze piercing into Shu Han, his entire body glowing brilliantly, and demanded, "Are you making up stories? Who is she? And who are you? Tell the truth!"
In this situation, any chance to take action had evaporated!
Shu Han suppressed his anxiety and feigned ignorance, "I really don't know what you two seniors are talking about. I'm just passing by! This senior here was just a chance encounter. What are you saying? That she isn't who you think? I'm so confused."
Looking at Shu Han's innocent demeanor, Che Hanyan said, "This situation is indeed problematic. What should we do?"
Daoist Xiao gazed at Shangguan Ruolin's charming figure, his pupils slightly constricted. He couldn't help but reach out, suggesting, "Shall I check her identity?"
Shu Han thought, Do you have a death wish?
Che Hanyan hurriedly held him back, angrily saying, "Are you seeking death? Even if she isn't Senior Shangguan Ruotong, judging by her appearance and demeanor, she is likely closely related to the senior! And you dare to take advantage of the situation?"
Hearing this, Daoist Xiao reigned in his lecherous intent and said, "You're right, I was careless. Thank you for the reminder."
Daoist Xiao then suggested, "Nevertheless, we cannot let this remain unclear. Allow me to use the Distance Communication Talisman to summon Senior Shangguan! Let her personally identify this woman."
With that, a talisman emerged from his hand, flying off into the distance.
Shu Han watched anxiously. Once the talisman was sent, Shangguan Ruotong would rush over, yet he dared not stop it. With two late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators present, even one would be tricky enough. If he acted suspiciously, he would likely be captured instantly. He must restrain himself and wait for the right moment to escape or strike.
But Shu Han was well aware that time was running out. According to Daoist Xiao, Shangguan Ruotong would probably arrive in less than half a day.
With Shangguan Ruolin still unconscious and unable to use the power of her Golden Core, if she encountered Shangguan Ruotong, she would undoubtedly be captured.
As Che Hanyan watched the talisman disappear, she suggested, "Senior Shangguan Ruotong will take some time to arrive. In the meantime, let's enter the Earth Goddess Garden and gather the spiritual herbs. Fellow daoist Xiao, please assist!"
"Alright!"
Che Hanyan boarded the boat, and Daoist Xiao looked at Shu Han, saying, "What are you waiting for? Get on! Boy, don't even think about escaping!"
Shu Han looked at the garden, thinking, I can only use this garden to find an opportunity. According to the Jade Rabbit's reaction, there's danger in this garden. But even if there is, it's not as dangerous as facing Shangguan Ruotong!
He and Daoist Xiao then jumped onto the boat. Daoist Xiao kept glancing at Shangguan Ruolin in Shu Han's arms, saying, "Boy, let me hold her for you so you can rest."
Shu Han replied, "That won't do. This senior placed a restriction on me. If I stop dispelling the cold for her, I'll die."
"Oh? Is that so?"
He leaned in, taking Shangguan Ruolin's hand and checking it.
There was indeed an oppressive cold aura emanating from her.
He quickly let go, saying, "Then, please continue your efforts."
