244: Chapter 243 Qingling Fruit

"Senior Brother Hu?" Jiang Hui cupped his hands toward Hu Nan.

"Junior Brother Jiang, what is the matter?" Hu Nan asked.

"This Junior Brother has already booked a private booth on the third floor!"

"I hope Senior Brother Hu can do me the honor of joining me later!" Jiang Hui said.

Hu Nan nodded slightly and directly accepted the invitation.

Qin Changsheng knew very well why Jiang Hui was inviting Hu Nan.

It must be because of that Yao Beast in Qingfeng County.

Qin Changsheng also wanted to obtain the qingling fruit in Jiang Hui's hands.

This was the perfect opportunity to get his hands on the qingling fruit.

...

Qingyun Tower, third-floor private booth.

The booth was simply furnished, with a pearwood square table placed in the center, set with several plates of exquisite delicacies.

Hu Nan and Jiang Hui sat there.

Jiang Hui picked up the wine flask on the table and poured a cup for Hu Nan.

"Senior Brother Hu, this little brother toasts you!"

Hu Nan nodded slightly and raised his hand to take the wine cup.

The two of them tilted their heads back simultaneously and drained the spiritual wine in their cups.

After finishing the wine, Hu Nan spoke directly, "Junior Brother Jiang, if there's something on your mind, just speak plainly. You didn't invite me to this third-floor booth today just for a simple drink and to reminisce."

Hearing this, Jiang Hui set down his wine cup and said, "Senior Brother Hu is indeed sharp; nothing can be hidden from you."

"Senior Brother Hu, do you know about that Yao Beast in Qingfeng County?"

Hu Nan nodded slowly without speaking, merely looking at Jiang Hui quietly, signaling him to continue.

Seeing this, Jiang Hui picked up the wine flask again and filled Hu Nan's cup to the brim. "Senior Brother Hu, do you know why our Jiang Family has failed to exterminate that Yao Beast several times?"

"Is there some hidden reason?" Hu Nan asked.

Jiang Hui nodded and said, "Actually, that Yao Beast is already at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment and will enter the Golden Core stage within two months!"

Jiang Hui glanced at Hu Nan and continued, "Senior Brother Hu, once it forms its core, its strength will skyrocket, and the entire Qingfeng County will be devastated!"

"No one in my Jiang Family is its match anymore. I implore Senior Brother Hu, for the sake of our fellowship in the same Sect, to lend a hand and slay the Yao Beast!"

These words were spoken with great anguish, filled with despair and hope.

Hu Nan remained silent for a moment before slowly nodding.

Jiang Hui felt a surge of joy and was about to offer his thanks when he heard Hu Nan say, "Junior Brother Jiang, I can help. But this trip will not be for free."

"Senior Brother Hu, what treasure do you want?"

"The qingling fruit," Hu Nan stated.

Upon hearing Hu Nan's words, Jiang Hui's face was filled with delight.

As early as three years ago, he had obtained a qingling fruit within a set of ruins.

Jiang Hui's cultivation was only at the second level of Foundation Establishment, so the qingling fruit was of no use to him.

Originally, Jiang Hui wanted to sell it for some Spirit Stones.

But three years ago, something happened at home, leaving him with no heart to sell it.

Now that Hu Nan needed the qingling fruit, he could use it as a bargaining chip.

"Senior Brother Hu, see if this one will do?" Jiang Hui hurriedly pulled an exquisite red sandalwood Jade Box from his robes and held it in both hands, carefully presenting it to Hu Nan.

Hu Nan reached out to take the Jade Box and gently opened the lid.

Inside the box, a fruit that was pure white throughout and emitted a faint fragrance lay quietly, its spiritual light flowing; it was indeed the rare qingling fruit.

This item was an excellent supplementary material for Core Formation.

Hu Nan inspected it closely, and after confirming it was correct, he slowly closed the Jade Box and put it into his Storage Space.

"Junior Brother Jiang, I shall go with you to Qingfeng County and help you slay that Yao Beast."

Hearing this, the clouds of worry on Jiang Hui's face dissipated.

He knew Hu Nan's strength.

Hu Nan had not only passed the Flowing Fire Sect's Trial Tower but had also taken first place on the Qingyun Ranking, and he even possessed a Lifebound Treasure.

He believed that with Hu Nan's help, they would definitely be able to easily deal with that Yao Beast.

"Senior Brother Hu, there's no time to lose. Shall we head to Qingfeng County together?" Jiang Hui stood up and said.

"Good!" Hu Nan nodded.

Far away in his small courtyard at the Heavenly Sword Sect, Qin Changsheng also fell into deep thought.

Regarding that Yao Beast, Qin Changsheng did not have much concern.

Even if that Yao Beast had reached the Peak of Foundation Establishment, with Hu Nan's strength, he could definitely slay it easily.

What truly worried Qin Changsheng was the Yao Race.

Shen Guhong had personally summoned Wang Cheng and Manager Ma Yingjie, secretly ordering the two of them to head to Qingfeng County to eliminate the Jiang Family.

The Jiang Family was merely an ordinary Family in Qingfeng County, possessing neither earth-shattering strength nor any Secret Treasure significant enough to threaten the Yao Race. For Shen Guhong to go to such great lengths to send people to eliminate the Jiang Family, he must have other designs.

Was the Jiang Family hiding some secret he didn't know? Or was there a larger plan of the Yao Race involved behind this, related to the sealed Demon Empress and the purple-gold key?

Qin Changsheng could sense that Shen Guhong's decision was by no means accidental; there must be an unknown secret hidden within.

However, after pondering for a long time, Qin Changsheng still didn't know what Shen Guhong was trying to do.

...

Qingfeng County was located to the south of the Heavenly Sword Sect. Although not as prosperous as the gathering places of the great Sects, it was still a major town with a constant stream of Cultivators passing through.

The Spiritual Qi within the county was rich, merchants gathered there, and it was the seat of a local prominent Family like the Jiang Family.

At noon on this day, Hu Nan and Jiang Hui arrived together in Qingfeng County.

"Senior Brother Hu, my home is just ahead," Jiang Hui said, pointing toward a large complex of buildings.

Hu Nan nodded slightly. "Junior Brother Jiang, please..."

The two walked side by side into Qingfeng County. The streets were bustling with traffic and people; Cultivators passing by were dressed in various attires with mixed Auras, ranging from low-level Loose Cultivators to Disciples of various small Sects.

Before long, the two arrived at the Jiang Family manor in the center of the county town.

The Jiang Family manor had a grand Aura, with towering vermilion gates and two guards dressed in martial attire standing on either side of the entrance.

Seeing Jiang Hui's return, the guards bowed one after another. "Young Lord."

Jiang Hui waved his hand and led Hu Nan into the manor.

Because of that Yao Beast at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, the atmosphere of the Jiang Family was somewhat solemn.

Inside the great hall, a middle-aged man dressed in a brocade robe sat squarely in the main seat, his expression resolute.

This person was the head of the Jiang Family, Jiang Huobin.

Although Jiang Huobin had decent talent, because he managed the Family, he had no time to Cultivate.

Therefore, even now, he was only at the seventh level of Foundation Establishment.

"Father, this is Senior Brother Hu Nan," Jiang Hui walked forward quickly and said. "This person is number one on the Southern Region's Qingyun Ranking, and he is the helper I've invited from the Sect!"

A flash of joy instantly crossed Jiang Huobin's eyes, and he proactively cupped his hands. "Little Friend Hu is indeed a person of exceptional talent!"

Hu Nan bowed slightly in return and responded in a deep voice, "Junior Hu Nan greets Family Head Jiang."

Jiang Huobin was full of warmth as he took Hu Nan's hand. "Little Friend Hu, this old man has already prepared a banquet!"

"We shall talk about the matter of the Yao Beast while we drink!"

Hu Nan nodded slightly and followed Jiang Huobin toward the guest hall.

When Hu Nan arrived at the guest hall, it was already filled with wine and food.

"Little Friend Hu, please..." Jiang Huobin said, pointing to a chair below him.

Hu Nan cupped his hands and sat on the chair.

After three rounds of wine and several courses of food, Hu Nan finally inquired, "Uncle Jiang, what is the story with this Yao Beast?"

Jiang Huobin set down his wine cup before speaking. "Three years ago, a powerful Yao Beast appeared in the Qingfeng River!"

"At that time, the Yao Beast's cultivation was only at the eighth level of Foundation Establishment!"

"However, that Yao Beast is a water-type Yao Beast; as long as it enters the water, it can recover from its injuries!"

"Although this old man led several expeditions against it, there were no results. Instead, many Disciples died at the hands of that Yao Beast!"

After saying this, Jiang Huobin let out a sigh.

In the Heavenly Sword Sect, Qin Changsheng heard Jiang Huobin's words clearly in his small courtyard.

Regarding that water-type Yao Beast at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, Qin Changsheng did not have much concern.

He possessed the Heavenly Dao traits Fire God and Thunder God.

He would only need a few Fire Spells and the Falling Thunder Spell to deal with that Yao Beast.

Even if that Yao Beast became a Golden Core Yao Beast, he could still use the spirit suppressing pearl to deal with it.

What he was truly worried about were the Yao Race Cultivators who had just arrived.

Wang Cheng had just sent back word.

Wang Cheng, Manager Ma Yingjie, and a Yao Race Golden Core Cultivator had already arrived in Qingfeng County.

Hu Nan stood up and said, "Uncle Jiang, rest assured. Tomorrow morning, I will head to the Qingfeng River and thoroughly deal with this Yao Beast."

Hearing Hu Nan's words, a smile finally appeared on Jiang Huobin's face.

"Many thanks, Nephew Hu. With those words of yours, this old man can rest easy!" Jiang Huobin picked up the spiritual wine flask on the table and personally filled a cup for Hu Nan.

He held the wine cup in both hands and respectfully presented it to Hu Nan. "Nephew Hu, this old man toasts you!"

Hu Nan stood up slightly and took the wine cup with both hands. "Uncle Jiang is too polite."