Supreme Emperor of Mist

== == == == ==

[If you're not reading this at W-E-B-N-O-V-E-L, that means the one you're reading is likely pirated. Please support the author's work if you enjoy what you're reading in W-e-b-n-o-v-e-l. Thank you]

== == == == ==

"Brother Qian, if you don't mind me asking... Do you have a feud with anyone in this Medicinal Pavilion?" Qin Lan casually asked as he walked beside Qian Shou. To make his question less direct, Qin Lan used a softer tone while he spoke.

It wasn't like he was trying to pry into Qian Shou's privacy, but an accident like this rarely happened. Even if it did, the mix wouldn't be done as thoroughly as this, to the point it was hard to differentiate it.

Furthermore, no village would be stupid enough to plant and sell Monkgrass Stem, Sweet Dragon Grass, and Linglong Grass to supply a sect. Even the Mang Family Village was only involved in producing Oxhorn Roots. It was a more profitable crop than these three.

But no matter how casual he made his question, the one that got questioned would always feel somewhat sore in his heart after hearing him.

Qian Shou's expression changed slightly, although not as down as he was before. By telling on his expression alone, it should be a private issue between him and the trio. Furthermore, based on Qian Shou's attitude, he shouldn't have enemies, even if a few disciples envied his luck and look.

As a senior who lived through a few thousand years before entering seclusion and comprehending the Realm Mandate, Qin Lan had seen too much about life. A problem like Qian Shou's should be either related to benefit, promises, or responsibilities.

"Did fellow disciple Qin noticed something? Like, a few individuals looking unhappy while I get my work done?" Qian Shou smiled awkwardly as he asked Qin Lan about it, and Qin Lan merely nodded to answer his question.

He looked upset from that nod. But soon, Qian Shou decided to speak about the problem with Qin Lan.

"The three and me, along with a female disciple, were a group. We all came from the Qian Family Village, and our relationship wasn't as friendly as bosom friends. Still, the female disciple always tried her best to bring us together because we're from the same village."

"In the last mission to the Hundred Poison Swamp, she lost her life while we're trying to grab the Vermilion Silk Fruit. We have no idea that it was guarded by a Flame Spitting Scorpion. By the time we noticed the spiritual beast, it was already too late. She got stung by that scorpion before being taken away." Qian Shou rubbed his forehead while bringing the bad memories out from his head.

"How long is that?" Qin Lan immediately asked. He seems to be remembering something important.

"About six days ago... Why?" Qian Shou replied.

His answer made Qin Lan calculate the days he's been here. And since the Vermilion Silk Fruit was noticeable enough for an apprentice like them to discern, it should be at its ripening stage.

"If you're willing to believe me, brother Qian... Your fellow disciple might not be dead yet. But should be quite malnourished and weakened since six days has passed." Qin Lan's reply was like a ball of gunpowder detonated in his ears.

"She's not dead? Is that possible?" Qian Shou grabbed Qin Lan's shoulders with a hint of shaking on both of his hands. Evidently, he had a touch of romantic feelings towards the female disciple in his group. Perhaps, all of them do.

That would explain why the three hated him for this. If Qin Lan wasn't mistaken, Qian Shou should be the lover of this female disciple, while the three were her admirers. This is the only explanation of why he was bullied by the other three but not resisting.

"Listen..." Qin Lan tapped Qian Shou's hand twice to have him loosen his grip. Although Qin Lan had some foundation in martial arts, his body is still mortal. Hardly capable of holding two drops of Pure Spiritual Energy, it was no doubt that Qian Shou's strength would give him some pain.

"When a flame Spitting Scorpion guarding the Vermilion Silk Fruit, it only means one thing. It's the female's egg-laying season. If I'm not wrong, you have about one week more before the scorpion kills their prey and lays the egg on the corpse."

"Right now, I'm sure she is still alive, but not much better than dying because she would be stung by the male scorpion to prevent her from resisting." Qin Lan said.

"Do you know how many people were taken or killed by the Flame Spitting Scorpion? An estimated number would do." Qin Lan asked.

"Three to four people, if including my fellow junior sister." Qian Shou quickly answered.

"Then you should get a team of five people, with one person around the third to the fourth stage of Flesh Refining Realm. This will increase your success rate in rescuing all of them."

"Also, prepare some Fasting Pill, Blood Replenishing Pill, and Detoxification Fruit if you have to keep everyone alive if you managed to rescue all of them." Qin Lan added. He sounded like an experienced cultivator that knew everything from head to toe, heaven to earth.

Listening to what he just said made Qian Shou stunned on the stairs without moving a step further.

"Fe - Fellow Disciple Qin... Is what you said... Was true?" he finds it hard to believe, but if there's a hint of possibility, who wouldn't try to seek for this miracle?

"Instead of asking... Go and prepare. The earlier, the better." Qin Lan chuckled and continued to go up the stairs with two bottles of wine hung around his fingers. Both of his hands were clasped together behind him as he casually took a step further.

"Fellow Disciple, the elder's room will be on the next floor. He often leaves his room unlocked, so it will be easy for you to notice! Please excuse this brother to leave and settle some personal matter first!"

"Successful or not, I'll promise that we'll be showing our gratitude to your advice when we return!" Qian Shou said and returned to the lower floor in a hurry.

About ten to twelve steps further, Qin Lan left the stairs and arrived outside a room with an unlocked door.

"Ah... This smells like the wine from Mang Family Village." a familiar voice came from the room even before Qin Lan stepped inside. And when he did, he was struck by the smell of over a hundred medicinal herbs.

'This senile elder... How messy he can be?' Qin Lan complained and smiled at the same time.

== == == == ==

[If you're not reading this at W-E-B-N-O-V-E-L, that means the one you're reading is likely pirated. Please support the author's work if you enjoy what you're reading in W-e-b-n-o-v-e-l. Thank you]

== == == == ==