Chapter 177: The Stolen Spiritual Fruit

Zhang Yi stood up and respectfully bowed to the Yao Di, "It is just that we still have important matters to attend to, so I am afraid we cannot stay here for long."

Upon hearing this, a flash of disappointment crossed the Yao Di's eyes, but he quickly returned to his normal state.

He laughed heartily and said, "Since that is the case, I will not force you. However, if the two of you change your minds in the future, you are always welcome to come to my territory."

Zhang Yi thanked him again and then quietly gave Nudi a wink.

He said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "You could stay and follow the Yao Di to enjoy a good life; the spiritual energy here is abundant and the resources are rich, which would be of great benefit to your cultivation."

Nudi glanced at him calmly, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.

Under the table, she stepped hard on Zhang Yi's foot.

"Hiss—"

Zhang Yi felt the pain, gasped, and hurriedly shut his mouth.

He dared not say another word.

He cursed his bad luck inwardly; this girl really had a ruthless touch!

Nudi withdrew her foot, elegantly picked up her wine cup, and took a light sip, as if nothing had happened just now.

Her eyes lowered; stay?

Follow the Yao Di to enjoy a good life?

She sneered in her heart; what she wanted had never been these things.

The banquet continued, with singing and dancing.

Cups were exchanged, and the scene was lively.

Zhang Yi and the others politely declined the Yao Di's other arrangements, but under his warm insistence, they still accepted the Yao Di's invitation to stay at the Yao Di Fu for one night.

The Yao Di Fu was filled with abundant spiritual energy, far stronger than the Demon Saint Fu, and being able to sleep here for a night was indeed of great benefit to them.

Compared to the dilapidated, smelly fish pond they had stayed in before, it was like heaven and earth.

Zhang Yi lay on the soft and comfortable bed, stretched, and sighed with satisfaction, "This Yao Di really knows how to enjoy himself."

Nudi sat cross-legged on the bed, eyes closed in meditation, turning a deaf ear to Zhang Yi's exclamation.

Spiritual energy swirled around her, forming a small vortex that slowly merged into her body.

The night passed without incident.

The next morning, the Yao Di personally saw Zhang Yi and Nudi off outside the residence.

"Take care on your journey, you two." The Yao Di said with a bow, his gaze lingering on Nudi for a moment longer, a trace of imperceptible regret appearing in his eyes.

"Many thanks for the Yao Di's hospitality." Zhang Yi returned the bow with cupped hands.

Nudi nodded slightly as a gesture of farewell.

After bidding farewell to the Yao Di, the two traveled by sword, flying in the direction of the Taiyang Shendian.

After flying for about half an hour, Zhang Yi suddenly remembered the spiritual fruit the Yao Di had gifted them, which was said to be of great benefit to cultivation, and wanted to take it out to taste.

"Eh? Where is my spiritual fruit?"

Zhang Yi searched his Storage Bag thoroughly, but could not find a trace of that box of spiritual fruit.

"What spiritual fruit?" Nudi asked in confusion.

"The one the Yao Di gave us yesterday, the one he said was of great benefit to cultivation," Zhang Yi explained.

Nudi frowned slightly, recalled for a moment, and said, "I remember you put it away yesterday."

"That's right, I put it away, but now it's gone." Zhang Yi was so anxious he scratched his head, "Could it have fallen at the Yao Di Fu?"

"Impossible." Nudi's tone was certain, "You specifically checked your Storage Bag before going to sleep last night; I saw it with my own eyes."

Zhang Yi was stunned, and a bad premonition rose in his heart.

"Could it be... that it was stolen?"

"Very likely."

A cold glint flashed in Nudi's eyes, "When I was meditating last night, I sensed movement outside, but it was only for a fleeting moment. I thought it was the guards patrolling the residence, so I didn't pay it any mind."

"In that case, the thief is likely still inside the Yao Di Fu!"

Zhang Yi gritted his teeth and said, "This is outrageous, to steal something right under the Yao Di's nose!"

Nudi pondered for a moment and said, "Perhaps this is not a simple theft."

"What do you mean?" Zhang Yi asked, puzzled.

"Think about it, the Yao Di Fu is heavily guarded; ordinary people cannot sneak in at all. Moreover, the room we stayed in was specifically arranged by the Yao Di, and ordinary petty thieves would not dare to approach it.

Anyone capable of stealing the spiritual fruit right under our noses is definitely no ordinary person."

Zhang Yi suddenly realized, "You mean to say this might have been done by someone inside the Yao Di Fu?"

"I cannot rule out that possibility." Nudi nodded, "Perhaps someone did not want us to obtain this spiritual fruit."

"Who would do such a thing?" Zhang Yi could not fathom it.

"That is not yet known."

Zhang Yi and Nudi landed in front of the Yao Di Fu, and the guards were all taken aback to see the two return.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang Yi, Your Majesty Nudi, have you forgotten something?" a guard stepped forward to ask.

Zhang Yi shook his head, his tone grave, "We have returned because we would like to ask the Yao Di for a favor."

The guard dared not delay and immediately went inside to report.

Before long, the Yao Di personally came out to welcome them, a hint of pleasant surprise on his face, especially when he saw Nudi, his smile deepening.

"The few of you have returned; have you changed your minds and are willing to stay at the residence for a few more days?"

The Yao Di asked with a smile, his gaze fixed eagerly on Nudi.

Nudi nodded slightly as a greeting, then got straight to the point, "Yao Di, we have returned to ask for your help in investigating a matter."

"Oh? What matter?" The smile on the Yao Di's face faded slightly, replaced by an expression of attentive listening.

Zhang Yi stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Yao Di, the spirit fruit you gifted us yesterday has been stolen."

"What?!" Yao Di's expression changed, and he said angrily, "To think such a thing could happen! To commit theft within my residence is simply audacious! Do you have any suspects?"

Zhang Yi and Nudi exchanged a glance, and Nudi said slowly, "We suspect this is no ordinary theft."

"What do you mean by that?" Yao Di's brows were tightly locked.

"The security of Yao Di Fu is extremely strict; it would be impossible for an ordinary thief to sneak in."

Nudi explained, "Furthermore, the room we are staying in was specifically arranged by Yao Di, and ordinary people would not dare to approach it. Whoever could steal the spirit fruit right under our noses is certainly no common person."

Yao Di pondered for a moment and asked, "Does Your Majesty Nudi suspect someone within the residence of being a thief in the night?"

"That possibility cannot be ruled out," Zhang Yi interjected, "We would like to request that Yao Di thoroughly investigate this matter and be sure to find the person who stole the spirit fruit, as well as the mastermind behind them."

Yao Di's expression was gloomy, and a flash of severity crossed his eyes: "Rest assured, both of you, I will certainly give you an explanation! Someone come, pass on my decree: seal the entire residence, no one is allowed to enter or leave! All guards and servants are to be investigated!"

At Yao Di's command, the residence immediately fell into a solemn silence, and the guards moved quickly, surrounding the entire residence so tightly that not even water could pass through.

Yao Di invited Zhang Yi and Nudi to the main hall, ordered tea to be served, and placated them, "Please do not be impatient, both of you. I have already sent people to investigate, and I believe there will be results very soon."

Zhang Yi nodded.

Nudi appeared much calmer; she picked up her teacup, took a light sip, and said indifferently, "I hope Yao Di can uncover the truth as soon as possible."