Chapter 1506: Bait

Chapter 1506: Chapter 1506: Bait

The heavy Thousand Jin Rock was carried on Lin Tian’s back, which not only didn’t bend his spine, but seemed to even hide a certain sharpness.

What was a bit comical was that Lin Tian had a bundle of tree branches over a meter long hanging at his waist, making him look like a woodcutter.

Compared to Lin Tian, Xu Shoujiang seemed much more dignified. This old man was holding Thousand Cyan Threads in his hand, with bundles of sturdy branches slung diagonally on his back. His face was spirited, and his eyes carried a penetrating gaze, more like a timeless god of war.

Xu Beishan didn’t hold any Divine Artifacts in his hands, just a bundle of Bodhi Plum tree branches, making him and Lin Tian look like father and son returning from cutting wood...

Yes, that was the image of the three of them. The designated day had arrived, and the three had left without disturbing anyone, just as the first light of dawn peeked through the clouds. At that time, the sky was still gray, and the streets of Xu Family Stream were empty. But Lin Tian knew that someone was standing not too far away, sending them off like a little tail from beyond Xu Family Stream.

Even without turning back, Lin Tian knew that person was Xu Xianrong. A few days ago, after giving her a Bodhi Plum branch, it had notably dispelled much of the cold from her body, especially with the potion Yu Yang made for Lin Tian. She was already able to leave her house.

Xu Xianrong was only sending them off from the shadows; she dared not come out, afraid her master and Lin Tian would send her back. She didn’t quite know why, but she wanted to see them off, even if only to the entrance of Xu Family Stream.

She knew that this journey was fraught with danger. Some of them... might be doing this for the last time.

As a Middle Stage of Golden Elixir expert, Xu Shoujiang couldn’t be deceived by anyone’s movements within a certain range. In other words, he was well aware of Xu Xianrong’s send-off. But he didn’t say anything, firstly because Xu Xianrong’s health had improved greatly, and secondly, because he was quite touched.

Such feelings of being moved were never shown on the face but were blended in the heart.

Once the three left a certain distance away from Xu Family Stream, Xu Xianrong went back. Her current physical condition did not allow her to send off too far.

"Young man, do you know how that brute bull ended up in its current state?" Xu Shoujiang asked as they were walking.

"No, that bull’s fur is very long, its skin strong and bones robust, it looks somewhat mutated," Lin Tian replied. This was the impression left from last time he saw the brute bull.

Xu Shoujiang looked up at the sky and said, "When I was young, that strange bull was already in the valley. But back then, no one really paid any attention to it. With many wild beasts in the mountain, who would care about a wild bull? Yet, somehow it started cultivating, and its cultivation speed was incredibly fast, much like the legendary spiritual beasts of old."

"The brute bull also has a rather formidable ability; its nose is extremely keen, able to sniff out treasures and precious medicines. The mountain originally had quite a few treasure medicines, but they were all chewed into its stomach. Fortuitous encounters made it into what it is today, even opening a heavenly eye."

"Later, this brute bull even rushed through Xu Family Stream, wrecking havoc on our medicine repository. Afterwards, the bull charged into a Life and Death Array, an array I wouldn’t even survive. Unexpectedly, the brute bull emerged unscathed."

"Eventually, we discovered that strange bull hiding on a stone platform in the mountain stream, guarding a treasured tree."

Lin Tian slapped his forehead, a flash of enlightenment in his mind, and remembered it clearly. Xu Xianrong clearly mentioned all this to him before, yet he almost forgot.

Following Xu Shoujiang’s words, Lin Tian continued, "That treasured tree grows on the stone platform, bearing red fruit with a soft shell, but it’s hard to defend and even harder to gather."

Xu Shoujiang glanced at Lin Tian and chuckled lightly, "Seems like you know quite a bit, young man."

"The treasured tree is guarded by the brute bull, indicating its high value. When planning to kill the bull, be careful not to harm the treasured tree."

"Don’t worry."

Lin Tian’s heart burned with excitement. That treasured tree growing on the stone steps wasn’t even recorded in the Tyrant Emperor’s Record, proving its rarity.

The three hurried for nearly half an hour before reaching the mountain stream.

Standing on a small hillock, Lin Tian looked down.

The mountain stream was originally lush with trees, but now it was barren. Many trees were sliced in half. The earth had turned black, and you could still smell the faint scent of blood in the air.

This was where a small but incredibly intense battle took place over a month ago.

Xu Beishan slowly closed his eyes, listening to the wind, as if he could still hear the clashing of swords and the formidable killing force from two months ago.

Lost in the sorrow of the past, a tear slipped down Xu Beishan’s cheek.

Xu Shoujiang also closed his eyes, his expression heavy.

Seeing the demeanor of the two, Lin Tian mimicked them and closed his eyes.

This was a solemn ritual to mourn the heroic souls of the Xu Family.

After the moment of silence ended, Xu Beishan, his voice somewhat hoarse, spoke: "Last time, to lure out the brute bull, we used spirit medicine. Just over that mountain ridge lies the bull’s lair, but it’s hard to gain advantageous terrain, and we worry about damaging the treasured tree. This time, I’ve prepared some pills to throw into the stream; the bull will come out soon."

As he spoke, Xu Beishan took out a small cloth pouch. Lin Tian glanced at it and said, "Mr. Xu, may I take a look?"

Xu Beishan, though puzzled, handed the cloth bag to Li Dong and said, "These are just a few mediocre Qi Increasing Elixirs; the recipe came from you. This kind of pill has the strongest aroma, perfect for baiting."

Lin Tian didn’t speak; he simply opened the pouch and sniffed it. Then he said, "Elders, please wait here for a moment; I’ll be right back."

With those words, Lin Tian departed, treading lightly before disappearing into the forest.

Xu Beishan and Xu Shoujiang exchanged a glance, both curious about what the young man was up to, but unable to guess.

After waiting for nearly half an hour, a white silhouette leapt through the treetops, agilely returning.

Once he landed steadily, Lin Tian tossed the cloth bag back into Xu Beishan’s arms.

Xu Shoujiang asked curiously, "Young man? What took you so long? Don’t keep me in suspense."

Lin Tian gave a mischievous smile, pointing at the cloth pouch in Xu Beishan’s hand and said, "Nothing much, just went into the mountains to concoct some anesthetic with a few herbs, then used Spiritual Qi for refining, infusing the essence into the Qi Increasing Elixirs. It will weaken rather than enhance, rendering it powerless."