Venerated Venomous Consort

He had seen many pills that could advance one’s spiritual power, except this one. In fact, the cultivation of one’s spiritual power had to be done in an orderly way with a painstaking amount of effort. It was not advisable to depend on the pills alone. Otherwise, one’s cultivation might easily go haywire. Also, most of the pills contained vicious elements that came with side effects.

Shen Nianmo’s father reserved a lot of miraculous medicines and elixirs for him, but all of them were to maintain his health and were not for the advancement of his spiritual power. Shen Jiuli once told him that the administration of pills would spoil the entire cultivation by destroying the very conditions upon which success depended.

Yet, Gu Xijiu had given him a pill. Was Gu Xijiu very desperate for his advancement?

“I remember that you wanted to take me as your disciple?” Shen Nianmo asked very suddenly.

“Yes, but you refused to. Why? Have you changed your mind?” Gu Xijiu’s eyes danced with merriment.

“Definitely not.” Shen Nianmo shattered her hope directly.

Gu Xijiu studied his expression and continued, “Why have you asked then? Now that you know who I really am, you should know that I am not any worse than any of your ten masters; in fact, I am probably stronger. I am skilled in the use of poisons, spells, and array formation.”

Gu Xijiu named a few of her special abilities. “I know as much, or even more than all the skills that your masters have to offer. If you accept me as your master, I will definitely help you to increase your spiritual power in no time and achieve greater successes.”

Shen Nianmo interrupted, “Do not even think about it. I will never agree to become your disciple.”

Gu Xijiu did not know what to say. She could only settle as his senior apprentice then. If he was not willing to be her disciple, why did he even bother to ask? She thought there was hope.

“I have noticed that you are very much interested in my advancement. Is it your mission as well?” Shen Nianmo asked the right question.

Gu Xijiu did not answer his question.

Shen Nianmo continued to pressure her with his intense gaze. “Is it really a mission?”

The child was indeed smart. How did he manage to conjecture that?

Gu Xijiu hesitated. “We should not focus too much on the mission. You should know that I am doing this for your own good. Isn’t it good if I can help you in your advancement?”

He was right. It was a mission. If it were not for the mission, she would not even bother to stay close to him at all. Shen Nianmo stared at her blankly for a while. Abruptly, he rose and left.

Gu Xijiu was utterly surprised. Was he upset? Why? She was confused. He was only a child, a child of incalculable moods. Maybe, he was starting to experience his teenage revolt in advance.

Many speculations flashed by in her head, but she still could not figure out why. She decided to leave the subject behind and focus instead on the Cherry Blossom Snake. There were two people whose lives depended on her.

They continued to explore the tunnel for another half an hour. Meanwhile, Shen Nianmo used the Snake Pearl to attract the snake two more times but failed both times. Finally, on the last try, the snake appeared.

The snake was covered entirely in pitch-black skin, which was about a foot long. It was as thin as the size of a chopstick. Despite its size, it was the leader of the snakes. It moved very swiftly and was hard to spot. Also, it was capable to spout out venom in the color of faint cherry pink. It was the most beautiful and yet the most venomous kind.

Gu Xijiu was experienced, so she managed to catch it in the end. The search was not in vain.

They had time, so Gu Xijiu decided to stay and explore the entire tunnel. Along their way, they managed to decipher many deadly tricks that were set in the tunnel. Finally, they arrived at the end.

The end of the tunnel led them to an area of open water. The place was unusually cold. Many flower buds floated graciously on the surface.

The place that surrounded the Tree Palace was mysterious. Gu Xijiu felt as though she had just stepped into a utopia of flower blossoms. The banks of the lake were filled with blossoming trees, forming an array of cherry blossoms. The view was spectacular.

“She must have escaped from here, riding a crane.” Shen Nianmo took a walk around the area and found the traces left behind by the young palace master.