In an instant, every cultivator present turned to look at Yun Lie.
They had always known that those on the Heavenly Dragon Ranking possessed tremendous potential, but none had imagined that one man could outdo hundreds, even thousands, of other cultivators!
Naturally, everyone was utterly astonished.
Several powerful beings concealed in the void nodded. In their view, Yun Lie’s quick reactions, refined techniques, and keen eye all surpassed those of the other contestants. Given his cultivation, taking the lion’s share was entirely natural. Yet even they had not imagined that his share would amount to exactly half the seeds, and this still surprised them somewhat.
The richly dressed female cultivator was stunned for quite some time before announcing the remaining results.
One or two contestants had also gathered several thousand seeds, but after Yun Lie’s showing, they seemed thoroughly eclipsed and attracted nowhere near the attention given to the earlier names.
Once the results had all been read out, Mu Wuxin’s projected figure reappeared in midair.
She lightly lifted her pale hand. Eighteen streaks of light shot outward and landed separately in the hands of certain cultivators.
Everyone knew what those objects must be and quickly raised their heads, hoping to catch a glimpse.
But they fell too swiftly for anyone to see clearly.
Yun Lie raised one hand and caught one. Cool to the touch, it was a small jade box.
Mu Wuxin said, “The Posuo Fruits are bestowed upon eighteen outstanding young talents. All others may keep the Divine Tree seeds they gathered as a small token of our estate’s goodwill.”
The cultivators were delighted by these words.
Most had collected some seeds and had already assumed the estate would not take them back, but that understanding had never been spoken aloud. Now the Estate Mistress had confirmed it, they felt more at ease.
Many hurriedly secured their seeds, while others began investigating where the Posuo Fruits had gone.
Some merely wanted to satisfy their curiosity, but others meant to identify the recipients so they could plot against them, set an ambush later, and find a way to seize the fruits.
Such actions could not be carried out within the estate, but once outside, anything might happen. The methods were underhanded, certainly, but who could easily relinquish the chance to gain a treasure as miraculous as a Posuo Fruit?
Thus they swept the crowd with spiritual sense and learned who had received the fruits.
But what they discovered discouraged them.
The greatest winner at this Immortal Fruit Gathering was unquestionably Wuling Immortal Sect.
Twelve Golden Core Perfected Ones had come from that sect, and ten of them had received Posuo Fruits. One sect alone had taken more than half the awards. Yet it was the highest-ranking second-grade immortal sect in the Eastern Domain, with many talented disciples. The others envied it but had to acknowledge its strength.
Xiaoshui Immortal Sect came second, winning three fruits.
Five fourth-grade sects each gained one.
Not a single fruit had gone to an unaffiliated cultivator, nor had any small sect produced a prodigy able to seize one. But precisely because the recipients all belonged to formidable sects, the fruits were difficult for anyone else to touch.
Those who had been plotting in secret could only suppress their disappointment and set aside their schemes.
Yet the sects that received such treasures could hardly refuse to show them. Some Golden Core Perfected Ones were showing off, while others were simply gracious. Many opened their jade boxes for the cultivators crowding around them to admire.
Xu Ziqing was curious too, but he did not need to push through the crowd. He merely moved a little closer to his senior brother.
Unlike Ou Mubai and the others, Yun Lie carried a murderous aura and had overwhelmed all his competitors, so nobody dared approach to make conversation. Only Xu Ziqing, who was used to being close to him, had no fear.
Looking up, he asked softly, “Senior Brother, may I have a look?”
Yun Lie inclined his head slightly. With a curl of one finger, he flicked the jade box’s lid open.
The Posuo Fruit rested inside the translucent jade.
It was only the length of a thumb, shaped like a teardrop, luminous and snowy white. Its fragrance was enticing. Its color was rich and full, like a little ball of jade ointment or a piece of delicate congealed cream.
The fruit appeared to have been carefully carved by Heaven itself, a rare treasure that had seized the very creative powers of the world. Even its scent brought tremendous benefits. If one were to eat it, the effect could only be imagined.
Xu Ziqing inhaled an exceptionally pure fragrance that spread through his limbs and bones, filling him with comfort. Even the liquid essence within his dantian became more lively and vigorous.
The feeling immediately awakened an almost irresistible desire to swallow the fruit. Xu Ziqing hastily steadied his mind and looked away before he managed to suppress the urge.
He then smiled bitterly. “My strength truly is still shallow. I nearly lost control of myself.”
Looking at the cultivators nearby, he saw that those at Golden Core or above had quickly suppressed the greed and desire for plunder in their eyes. A handful whose cultivation was comparable to his gradually regained their clarity with the help of their elders.
The saying that rare treasures stirred people’s hearts arose from this innate power of temptation, which could unsettle the seven emotions. Only cultivators capable of self-reflection and restraint could keep an inner demon from arising.
Without anyone quite realizing it, the Posuo Fruits had captured everyone’s attention.
Suddenly a voice came from above, turning the subject to marriage arrangements.
Looking up, the crowd saw that several unaffiliated Nascent Soul ancestors who had come to offer birthday congratulations were now seated cross-legged in the air, smiling as they observed the contest and the fruit viewing below. Several unfamiliar yet powerfully imposing female cultivators of dignified, graceful appearance were accompanying them.
Still higher in the void, several indistinct figures flickered into and out of sight. They were powerful seniors of Ruyi Immortal Estate.
A voice drifted down from the void, faint yet imbued with an unusual seductive quality. “The fruits have been distributed. Now it’s time for the young people to enjoy themselves. If any of my disciples takes a fancy to a handsome gentleman, she ought to go and talk with him. If she’s willing to marry, I shall certainly provide a Posuo Fruit as her dowry… Senior Sister, don’t you agree?” She laughed softly. “Dear me, Senior Sister, you won’t favor one group over the other, will you?”
It was Yu Nongqing, urging her Pure Maiden Envoys to seek husbands.
Mu Wuxin’s tone was indifferent. “The twelve Ruyi Envoys are all outstanding female disciples of our estate. As Estate Mistress, I shall treat them all equally.”
Had Yu Nongqing alone made the offer, the young men might have hesitated. But Mu Wuxin had now declared it before everyone, meaning that even those who married Pure Maiden Envoys would receive Posuo Fruits.
Some of the Perfected Ones began wavering. They disliked the techniques cultivated by the Pure Maiden Envoys, but if marriage could bring them a Posuo Fruit… The difference between Golden Core and Nascent Soul was enormous!
Seeing so many cultivators’ resolve weaken, Yu Nongqing looked faintly smug. She glanced at Mu Wuxin with a somewhat provocative expression and flashing eyes.
Mu Wuxin remained expressionless and cold, her gaze lowered. Yu Nongqing’s manner did not move her.
Yu Nongqing soon found this dull and turned her attention to the crowd below.
At that moment, the twelve women on the elevated stone platform floated gracefully down. Each had exceptional beauty and the bearing of a fairy on the breeze, yet each possessed her own distinct charm.
Once they reached the ground, several cultivators approached to strike up conversations.
For a while, some people at the Immortal Fruit Gathering continued admiring the fruits, while others grew acquainted with beautiful women.
Seeing more and more male and female cultivators mixing in the grounds, the Golden Core Perfected Ones who had won fruits put them away. No one expected trouble beneath the eyes of two Mahayana cultivators, but the Posuo Fruits were so precious that even a minor scratch would be painful to contemplate.
Yun Lie closed his hand slightly, and the jade box disappeared.
Knowing that his senior brother had put it into a storage treasure, Xu Ziqing merely smiled.
Before long, men and women were gathering in small groups. Many Perfected Ones made a great show of attentiveness before the twelve Ruyi Envoys, presenting Divine Tree seeds or magic treasures to win a beauty’s smile.
If a woman accepted a gift, it meant she permitted his company. If she returned a gift, it meant she wished to become closer. If they got along well after that, they could begin discussing marriage. The custom was quite straightforward.
The Jade Maiden Envoys were more distant and reserved in their dealings, but they still cast discreet glances about, searching for suitable men.
The Pure Maiden Envoys were coquettish and generous with their charms. They accepted whatever gifts were offered; if one took a fancy to a man, she would lean toward him and laugh brightly when the Perfected One’s handsome face turned red.
Both groups displayed appealing sides of womanhood. These Golden Core cultivators had spent year after year in bitter cultivation. Even if they had senior and junior sisters in their sects, when had they ever encountered such an array of beauties?
Faced with so many lovely women, they were almost dazzled out of their senses.
Seeing the atmosphere turn increasingly flirtatious, Xu Ziqing felt rather embarrassed.
Although he loved his senior brother, his affection was still unrequited and kept within his own heart, making him distinctly uncomfortable. After a moment’s thought, he looked to either side rather than at Yun Lie.
But when he did, he noticed that several of the twelve Ruyi Envoys were casting glances toward them.
Those glances were directed at Senior Brother.
Xu Ziqing froze.
He knew the Ruyi Envoys had watched the Golden Core cultivators compete for Divine Tree seeds. They had seen everyone’s performance.
His senior brother’s decisive manner and formidable strength made him one of the finest candidates among the assembled cultivators. It was hardly surprising that the women were interested.
But even knowing this, Xu Ziqing could not make himself happy about it.
Unsure whether what he felt was bitterness or self-mockery, he stood momentarily dazed. Then he heard his senior brother’s voice.
“Ziqing, come with me.”
Xu Ziqing returned to his senses and saw the white-robed sword cultivator walking past him, sleeves fluttering, completely cutting off those gazes behind him without paying them the slightest attention.
Relief immediately swept through Xu Ziqing. He quickly replied, “Yes, Senior Brother.”
Yun Lie led the way directly toward an unoccupied corner.
Xu Ziqing followed close behind, arriving there with him a short while later.
Beneath the Divine Tree, male and female cultivators were getting to know one another in lively conversation. The two martial brothers formed their own quiet little space, apart from everyone else.
Xu Ziqing stood silently, his heart very peaceful.
Yun Lie raised his hand and placed an object in Xu Ziqing’s palm.
Startled, Xu Ziqing looked down. It was a storage ring, plainly the very one holding the Divine Tree seeds. He was shocked again. “Senior Brother, this…?”
Yun Lie said, “These are of no use to me. You once absorbed Essence of Yi Wood, so your body is filled with yin wood qi. These are yang wood seeds. They can help you harmonize yin and yang.”
Warmth spread even further through Xu Ziqing’s heart.
How could they possibly be useless? Even if Yun Lie had no personal use for them, he could exchange them for other treasures. They were extremely valuable.
Xu Ziqing thought, How could I not love Senior Brother when he treats me like this? Even if he has no feelings for me, such thoughtfulness is worth devoting my heart to.
Thinking this, Xu Ziqing put away the storage ring and was about to speak.
But in the next instant, he caught the smell of blood.
Xu Ziqing shuddered and spun around!
At the same time, Yun Lie’s gaze fixed on something ahead, and a trace of coldness entered his eyes.