Chapter 2440

Ling Jinbao feigned solemnity: "Since entering Yujing City, I've often pondered a question: Can secret realms be transferred? You've explored so many—do you have an answer?"

"Transferred?" Bao Chihai was quite surprised, "This... I've never even thought about it. Why would you ask that?"

This Elder Ling doesn't seem like a notable figure, his cultivation isn't that of an immortal, but his mind is quite sharp.

"The process of secret realms devouring each other isn't equivalent to passive change of ownership and inheritance?" Ling Jinbao said, "What if one were more proactive?"

Bao Chihai laughed helplessly: "According to your reasoning, it seems possible. But the guardian spirits of relics are often obstinate; to make them willingly transfer, I imagine it would be quite difficult."

"Then, if one wanted to claim a secret realm as their own, how many steps would it take?"

Bao Chihai couldn't help but laugh out loud: "I don't know that answer either—I have no experience. You should go ask the Earth Mother."

"Alright, now it's my turn to ask you—where do your few companions come from, sect-wise?"

"Yushan." Mingyao and Mingke, these two immortals, both come from Yushan, "It's said they were already famous in ancient times—have you heard of them?"

Bao Chihai pondered for a long while: "I seem to have heard of them."

Ling Jinbao pressed on: "If the Earth Mother's stone heart or essence isn't within the Wind-Dew Golden Lotus, where do you think it might be hidden in Duzhi Mountain?"

Bao Chihai answered without much hesitation: "Perhaps, in the place where it naturally ought to be?"

"You mean?"

"Isn't there a nest of the Earth Mother within the secret realm?" Bao Chihai said, "If I were your companion, I might go take a look."

"Makes sense." Ling Jinbao nodded repeatedly, "Makes sense."

Just who is this guy before us—is he Shangguan Biao, or haven't the people of Cangyan figured it out yet?

If he is, then he himself is in mortal danger!

After listening for a while, Dong Rui said to him: "Cannot be certain. You'd better be careful yourself, don't provoke him."

Damn! Ling Jinbao spat silently, you're such a trap—does General Huying know about this?

￥￥￥￥￥

Duzhi Mountain Secret Realm.

Shangguan Biao was imprisoned in the cellar of Duzhi Mountain, guarded by several disciples of Fengfeng Valley.

This cellar was originally used to store medicinal herbs, as some spirit herbs would try to escape, so the cellar had many anti-escape features; later it was also used as a temporary detention center.

Soon someone entered the cellar and said to Shangguan Biao:

"You're looking for me?"

"Senior Brother Xu, I'm innocent!" After being locked up, Shangguan Biao also realized his situation, knowing he was his only lifeline: "I'm about to be transferred out of Duzhi Mountain—no need to get involved in smuggling spirit herbs, such a foolish act!"

Senior Brother Xu stopped five steps away from him, a red line drawn on the ground.

The shackles on Shangguan Biao's hands and feet were sealed with divine power, preventing him from stepping beyond the line.

This mere line was like a heavenly moat.

"The issue is, you've been caught red-handed by Elder Wu."

Senior Brother Xu didn't bother mentioning whether he believed or disbelieved, because belief or disbelief didn't matter.

"Someone set me up!" Shangguan Biao gritted his teeth, "Most likely they themselves were exposed and pushed me to be the scapegoat!"

Senior Brother Xu also didn't judge his guilt or innocence, but said: "You keep to yourself in Duzhi Mountain, head down, working, not meddling in others' affairs. This does make you single-minded, but others also see you as isolated and weak, without any backing."

Such a nobody, unsupported, makes perfect cannon fodder.

Senior Brother Xu's hint was already clear enough—Shangguan Biao stared at him intently: "With such a crude framing method, Senior Brother Xu must be able to see through it! As long as Senior Brother Xu proves my innocence, this life of mine—belongs to Uncle Li!"

"Ah, why bring Uncle Li into this?" Senior Brother Xu waved his hand, "If I go to retry your case and look for clues, I'm afraid I'll offend people."

Offend those who deliberately framed Shangguan Biao.

Shangguan Biao said in a deep voice: "Those people think I have no backing—now it's time to let them learn a lesson, and also root out a few more worms from the sect, to purify the source!"

Senior Brother Xu raised his eyebrows: "Quite right—your intentions are good, not in vain that we all wanted to promote you."

Good intentions, but what use is having a good heart alone?

Shangguan Biao understood, looked left and right, wanting to speak but hesitating.

"Just say it." Senior Brother Xu smiled, "They haven't heard a thing."

The surrounding Fengfeng Valley disciples were like wooden statues, not turning their heads at all.

"The Earth Mother's essence has been injured for a long time, never recovering." Shangguan Biao said, word by word, "I have a method to completely heal it."

"Oh?" This answer greatly exceeded Senior Brother Xu's expectations. The Earth Mother is the sect's guardian spirit beast, its importance needs no explanation—if it could be fully healed, that would truly be a great merit!

"Just you?"

Fengfeng Valley has many great cultivators who can't do this—this lowly servant of Duzhi Mountain dares to boast such a claim?

Shangguan Biao neither humble nor arrogant: "Skills have their specialties."

"When seeking help, is this your attitude?" Senior Brother Xu jabbed him again. "Haven't you had enough of past losses?"

This brat ending up in such a state—eighty percent due to his temper.

Now, Shangguan Biao could only lower his head, swallowing his anger: "Yes, Senior Brother Xu taught correctly. My bad temper has brought me so much trouble—I will certainly correct it!"

Senior Brother Xu grunted: "What's your method?"

As long as he lowered his head, putting on a smile wasn't so hard. Shangguan Biao forced out a smile, though uglier than crying, but at least it was a big step forward from before.

"This... this would first require Senior Brother Xu to help me get free, and then—"

His family had no prior experience, so they entrusted Li Yun with affairs, paid the money upfront cleanly, but the other party gave no sincere effort. Thus, the reputation of Li Yun and Xu Shi's master-disciple pair is to be discounted.

Making the same mistake again, Shangguan Biao doesn't want to repeat it.

He can't pay money upfront again.

Senior Brother Xu stared, then said teasingly: "Junior Brother Shangguan, I never taught you to wrestle profit from nothing."

"Senior Brother, you said that." Shangguan Biao lowered his voice, "I'm right here within the sect—where could I escape to? If I fail to heal the Earth Mother, when can't you deal with me?"

The reasoning is this simple—if this brat dares to toy with them, it's merely the difference between dying first or dying later. Senior Brother Xu pondered:

"To be honest, how confident are you?"

"At least above seventy-five percent!" Shangguan Biao gritted his teeth, "If, if it's done within two months."

Seventy-five percent, that probability is quite high. Senior Brother Xu glanced at him; though he still had doubts in his heart, he knew this matter was not something he could decide on his own.

"I'll be right back." Before leaving, he couldn't forget to throw out one last harsh remark, "If you can't pull it off..."

"Then I'll dash myself against the south wall, smearing my brains and liver on the ground!"

These words, spoken by Shangguan Biao, rang out with force. Seeing his resolve, Senior Brother Xu turned and departed.