53 Urgent Matters (1/2)
Autumn passed by slowly into the bitterly cold winter.
Snowflakes as large as goose feathers fell from the sky, blanketing the entire secluded valley in no time.
Fang Yuan opened the window and exhaled a mist of white air.
As he was an inner force expert, the temperature of the surroundings had little effect on his body. Even though he was wearing just a layer of thin clothing, he did not seem to feel cold at all.
”Chirp! Chirp!”
Iron-tailed Black Eagle called out in mid-air before landing steadily on the snow. It clutched a carcass of a young deer in its talons and looked at Fang Yuan intently.
Iron-tailed Black Eagle's was already extremely pampered by the offerings of spiritual items and other foodstuffs that Fang Yuan fed it daily. It seemed as if Fang Yuan were to chase it away, it would not be willing to return to its previous harsh lifestyle in the wilderness.
”Keke!”
Upon seeing good food, Flower Fox Ferret sped away, leaving shallow footprints in the snow that looked like plum flowers.
”Choo...”
Iron-tailed Black Eagle cried out when it saw Fang Yuan walking out. Its message was crystal clear.
”Oh? There's someone familiar approaching?”
Through some interaction recently, Fang Yuan managed to grasp some of the more basic terms of the language used by these spiritual beasts. However, he has yet to fully master them. Nonetheless, he was still definitely confident of the few terms he used to communicate with the Iron-tailed Black Eagle.
”Keep out of sight in the meantime...”
As he tended to the small deer in preparation for his next meal, he spoke to Iron-tailed Black Eagle without turning his head, ”Relax, there will be a portion of spiritual rice and barbequed meat for you today...”
”Chirp Chirp...”
With Fang Yuan's reassurance, Iron-tailed Black Eagle then flew away reluctantly, disappearing into a tiny black speck in the sky in no time.
This was Fang Yuan's secret weapon; he could not reveal it to anyone so easily.
As for the existence of Flower Fox Ferret, it was no longer a secret to those close to him. Instead, the knowledge of its existence seemed to intimidate them.
”Zhou Wenwu would like to meet you, sir!”
Before long, Fang Yuan strolled to the small hut along with the noise of the gong. Here, he saw Zhou Wenwu with a large and thick wolf skin cloak draped over him as he waited alone.
”My greetings!”
Seeing Fang Yuan appear, Zhou Wenwu's eyes lit up as he stepped forward and showed his respects.
”Erm...you're not a stranger, please follow me into the valley!”
This man's loyalty and integrity could be trusted to some extent. In fact, they were put the test before. They were also secretly manipulated by Fang Yuan and Fang Yuan treated him differently from others.
”Have you found out what's the mysterious force behind the Guo family?”
Fang Yuan flicked off the snowflakes that had fallen on his body and asked Zhou Wenwu casually.
Seeing that Fang Yuan was not affected by the cold at all, Zhou Wenwu was filled with admiration and envy for him. He replied, ”I've found out already and I'm here to report my findings sir!”
”Very well, let's discuss it in the valley. What a great timing, the spiritual rice is also ready!”
Fang Yuan looked into Zhou Wenwu's eyes. Although Zhou Wenwu seemed pure and innocent, Fang Yuan had the feeling that Zhou Wenwu was intently sizing him up. Recognising this, he said, ”Based on your martial prowess, you have already reached the 5th Gate. What you need to do now is to strengthen your foundations and break through the Pain Gate!”
”The more solid and firm your foundations are, the higher the chances of breaking through the 3 Perilous Gates. Even in the event you fail, the negative effects will not be as severe...Have you finished the Vermillion Jade Rice from the last time? Take along another batch with you this time then!”
”Thank you, sir!”
Zhou Wenwu was instantly delighted.
After all, to be able to consume spiritual rice daily to boost his martial prowess was a privilege not even the direct disciples of the Spirit Returning Sect could enjoy.
He would be stupid to betray Fang Yuan. Additionally, Fang Yuan had already emplaced traps on his body as preventive measures.
Even though he did not say it explicitly, Fang Yuan had an immense reputation for being a divine healer. Any doubts Zhou Wenwu had were erased instantly.
Even if Fang Yuan were to order him to fight against the Spirit Returning Sect, he would still do Fang Yuan's bidding no matter what.
Despite this, Fang Yuan still had some reservations about him.
At least he was still able to maintain his possession of the spiritual tea and Iron-tailed Black Eagle a secret.
”Greetings esteemed ferret!”
After stepping into the valley and seeing Flower Fox Ferret, he became extremely humbled.
At that point in time, he already knew that Flower Fox Ferret was the guardian spiritual beast of the valley and its specific role was to watch over the Vermillion Jade Rice.
It was this sort of valuable secret that was worthy of the guardianship of a spiritual beast.
Remembering when he first saw Flower Fox Ferret, it did not pay him any attention. It was hugging onto a large porcelain bowl and concentrated all its attention on voraciously consuming spiritual rice from it. This scene agitated Zhou Wenwu extremely.
It was too embarrassing and intolerable!
Not only was he unable to defeat Fang Yuan's pet spiritual animal, even what he was eating was inferior to the pet's. What sort of miserable and pathetic situation was he in?
'At least it isn't too bad… Fang Yuan still gave me some of the spiritual rice after all, even though it was not as much as the ferret's...”
At this point, Zhou Wenwu was minimally comforted that at least Fang Yuan treated him as well as his own pet. However, what Zhou Wenwu did not know was that Fang Yuan did not value the Vermillion Jade Rice as highly as he did.
”Have a seat!”