Chapter 1499 - 559: Advancement
Anyway, before inheriting the legacy of the Miao Shou Kong Kong Thief Sect, there was no box she couldn’t open.
Ye Lingyue put on the Dragon Claw Gloves, fiddled for a moment, then heard a clatter as the lock was opened.
The three of them, curious, opened the box.
They had expected to see some kind of Spiritual Artifact or Elixir Pills, at worst some Spirit Stones, but instead, there were just some herbs in the box.
"No way, just a bunch of weeds? Is this worth so many lives?"
Qin Xiaochuan and Huang Jun were both surprised, their jaws almost dropping, feeling a bit disheartened.
Ye Lingyue was also puzzled. Luo Qianche and the others probably didn’t know that what cost them such a heavy price was merely some unremarkable herbs.
Ye Lingyue picked up a tuft of grass, examined it closely, then her brows slightly furrowed, a look of deep analysis flashing in her eyes.
"Sixth Sister-in-law, don’t mess around, let’s leave quickly. It’s getting dark, this ghostly place feels creepy."
Qin Xiaochuan seemed to hear the sound of demon beasts in the wind.
Ye Lingyue nodded, placing the herbs back.
Taking advantage of Qin Xiaochuan and the others not paying attention, she secretly moved one plant into Hong Meng Heaven using spiritual power.
She didn’t know the specific name of this herb, but Ye Lingyue noticed that it was rich in spiritual power and had a familiar feeling.
Just like the Spirit Plant she had once unearthed from Hong Meng Heaven.
Whether it was exactly the same, she would need to compare later.
Seeing the three return safely with the box, Luo Qianche finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Because of what happened during the day, the group was forced to stay another night in the suburbs.
Early the next morning, they followed the main road forward, finding several ferries at the riverbank pier.
Upon inquiry, Ye Lingyue and Bo Qing learned that it was a good thing they didn’t cross the river yesterday.
The black gas lingering over the river was swamp poison, which made people sleepy upon contact.
Beneath the turbid Flowing Sand River, many Water Beasts were lurking, including the fierce Azure Dragon Crocodile. If any Demon Hunters attempted to fly, they would be torn apart by the Azure Dragon Crocodile and other demon crocodiles upon discovery.
"Boatman, then how can your boats cross the river safely?"
Ye Lingyue saw other Demon Hunters by the river, the ferry operations were busy, and the ferry fee was not low, costing one hundred Spirit Stones per person.
Watching the ferry shoot across the river like an arrow, moving swiftly without being disturbed by any water beast, Ye Lingyue couldn’t help but ask curiously.
"Hehe, it’s because our boats all have Beast Repelling Incense, see, that’s the incense on the bow, it not only repels beasts but also wards off poison."
The boatman didn’t hide it, casually pointing at a small golden cauldron on the bow.
Indeed, the cauldron held a stick of incense, about three inches long, with each ferry having one stick.
The price of one stick of incense was quite expensive, enough for a round trip but costing eight hundred Spirit Stones, leaving the boatmen with actually only earning two hundred Spirit Stones per boat of ten people.
"Oh, is this incense sold by the Alchemist Association in Qiyu City?"
Ye Lingyue was somewhat interested in the incense.
Usually, in any city, sellers of elixirs and Spiritual Artifacts are nine out of ten times the local Alchemist Association.
"Miss, you must be new to Qiyu City. This place is already in the heart of the Central Plains region. The incense sold in the city is not from the Alchemist Association, but from Liu Guang Pavilion in Qiyu City."
The boatman was used to representatives from outside like Ye Lingyue being unfamiliar with local conditions.
With a push at the pole, the boat entered the water.
Covered by the aroma of the Beast Repelling Incense, the boat crossed the river smoothly.
Ye Lingyue wanted to ask more about Liu Guang Pavilion.
Luo Qianche at her side spoke up.
"In Qiyu City, there are three strongest representative teams: Liu Guang, Tang City, and Zhan Yue. Liu Guang is a Fourth-tier team, Tang City and Zhan Yue are Fifth-tier. They wield considerable influence; once in the city, it’s best not to offend any of them."
Luo Qianche had just learned upon arriving in Qiyu City that the area had long been occupied by numerous teams.
Smaller teams had no way of surviving in Qiyu City.
"Once we’re in the city, don’t speak unnecessarily. This place is far more chaotic than Xuanwu City."
With that, Luo Qianche didn’t explain further, closing his eyes for a nap.
The group took just over a quarter of an hour to cross the river, trekking another mile afterward until they finally saw a city in their view.
Seeing Qiyu City for the first time, Ye Lingyue felt as if she was seeing Huangquan City of the past.
Qiyu City was a large city, yet it appeared quite run-down.
It’s said that due to frequent demon beast activities, Qiyu City often suffered beast attacks.
"I need to find my other team members, and after regrouping, I’ll go submit the task. You all take the dispatch order and report to the City Lord’s Mansion."
Luo Qianche parted ways with Ye Lingyue and the Huangquan Team.
Ye Lingyue and members of the Huangquan Team headed to the City Lord’s Mansion.
However, Qiyu City’s City Lord’s Mansion was merely symbolic, without an actual City Lord. It only had the Jiu Provinces Heaven and Earth List posted, with a few young clerks in charge of registration.
People entering Qiyu City belonged to two kinds: veteran Demon Hunters or participating Wild Hunt representative teams.
Ye Lingyue handed in the dispatch order, waiting nervously.
"The Huangquan Team from Fang Ah County? Hmm, your dispatch order matches. From today, you can freely operate in Qiyu City and nearby areas, undertaking various tasks."
Surprisingly, the clerk just took a glance, said no more, and recorded the team’s details.
"Furthermore, there’s one more thing: You accumulated two thousand Merit Points in Fang Ah County. According to the team’s assessment standards, your points are enough to advance to the Seventh Rank. Will you accept the rank advancement?"
After registration, the clerk gave Ye Lingyue and the others a reminder.
"Merit Points? Rank advancement?"
Ye Lingyue was completely puzzled, but upon checking the clerk’s records, it was indeed true that the Huangquan Team had accumulated two thousand Merit Points.
"Wow, really? Elder Jing didn’t secretly set us up and even praised us. Ling Yue, did the poison you gave him back then by chance turn out to be brain-dead medicine?"
Guangzi was gaping, looking quite silly.
Ye Lingyue quickly gave him a look, though internally, she was equally perplexed, wondering if Elder Jing really lost his mind?
But this was beneficial, as it lifted all road concerns.
Not only that, the Huangquan Team, by sheer luck, finally shook off the Ninth-Tier title and got upgraded to the Eight-Tier team!
~Additional Chapter due to vote increase, nine Chapters overdue this month, less than a week to 4.11-4.13. If you have votes, cast them. I’ll work hard in seclusion~