The Legend of the Netherworld

Chapter 110: The First Sword on Land, Kill the One You Love First

Faced with Lin Jiao's sudden question, Lin Xiao's heart tightened and his mind worked rapidly, trying to find a suitable reason to convince her.

Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he smiled calmly and said, "Lin Jiao, do you still remember the elixir you brought back when you first entered Feng Shui Academy?"

Lin Jiao was slightly startled, then smiled, as if she suddenly understood something. She took Lin Xiao's hand and said with a smile, "Yes, that's a bone-strengthening medicine.

"She murmured softly, "Giving the pill to Brother Lin Xiao was indeed the right decision."

After saying that, he dragged Lin Xiao and quickened his pace towards the back mountain.

A trace of confusion flashed across Lin Xiao's eyes, and he couldn't help but ask, "What bone-strengthening medicine? How come I've never heard of it?"

"Don't ask if you haven't heard of it." Lin Jiao's face turned slightly red, with a hint of shyness in her tone, and then she pulled him and walked faster towards the back mountain.

Lin Xiao frowned slightly, with doubts surging in his heart, but Lin Jiao obviously had no intention of explaining.

As they chatted along the way, they soon reached the back mountain. It was sunset, and the evening glow streamed across the mountains. The surroundings were as quiet as water. Lin Xiao and Lin Jiao sat down by the ancient well and slowly breathed a sigh of relief.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone on their faces, casting a soft glow on their figures.

Lin Jiao leaned slightly on Lin Xiao's shoulder, her eyes distant and peaceful, gazing at the setting sun that was gradually sinking into the mountains.

"Brother Lin Xiao..."

Lin Jiao spoke softly, her voice like the night wind blowing across the water, tinged with hesitation and emotion. "I've always felt that maybe we'll meet in the ring next time. But... there's only one spot for Tianshu Academy. No matter which of us wins, only one will get it."

Lin Xiao smiled slightly upon hearing this, a hint of calm determination in his eyes: "It doesn't matter. As long as one of us gets the spot, it's fine."

Lin Jiao turned her head to look at Lin Xiao, her eyes revealing some complicated emotions, and she sighed softly.

This scene brought an idea to Lin Xiao's mind. He turned to look at Lin Jiao and whispered, "Let me tell you a story. It's a story from another world."

"Oh?" Lin Jiao looked at him softly, with a hint of curiosity and anticipation. "What's the story?"

Lin Xiao's lips curled slightly as he slowly spoke, "This story is called 'The First Strike Upon Landing: Beheading the One You Love.' Rumor has it that in a world called Blue Star, there's a very unfortunate phenomenon: whenever one partner in a couple achieves the greatest success, the first thing they do is abandon their original partner and find a new love. 'Landing' means success, so it's called 'The First Strike Upon Landing: Beheading the One You Love.'"

Hearing this, Lin Jiao couldn't help but frown and asked, "Why did they abandon their original partners?"

Lin Xiao was about to explain when he heard a hurried shout from not far away: "Lin Xiao, where are you? We are coming!"

The two looked in the direction of the sound and saw Wang Hao, Liu Yi, and Yuan Hong approaching with several unfamiliar disciples, each holding a large package. Lin Xiao understood what was going on, figuring that the packages must contain five hundred pieces of immortal jade.

Lin Xiao walked forward with a smile, took out a few pieces of fairy jade from his bag and handed them to the three unfamiliar disciples, indicating that they could leave. Then, he took the bags brought by Wang Hao and others and led them towards the thatched hut.

Liu Yi looked around at the scenery of the back mountain, with a hint of sigh in his eyes: "This is my first time in the back mountain. I didn't expect it to be so desolate here."

Wang Hao quickly added, "That's right. The academy has always stipulated that ordinary disciples are not allowed to go up to the back mountain at will."

Lin Xiao sighed and said, "That's because there was a Taoist priest practicing in the back mountain in the past, and no one else was allowed to approach. Now that the Taoist priest has left, this rule is almost invalid." There was a hint of sob in his words, and his voice was low, as if he was recalling some unspeakable past.

Several people quickly moved the bag into the thatched hut, pushed it open and took a look. They saw the emerald green fairy jade glowing hazy and abundant spiritual energy overflowing, which made people hold their breath and concentrate.

Wang Hao took out the account book, flipped through it, and said, "A total of 439 immortal jades. Minghu still owes you 50, and he promised Senior Brother Lin Qing that he would pay it back as soon as possible. Also, there's an IOU for 10 immortal jades from Yu Fei of the Tianji Pavilion... and on that IOU, it even says, 'I can do laundry and feed you as a slave for ten years!'"

Everyone couldn't help but burst into laughter when they heard this ridiculous sentence. The tension and fatigue dissipated in this light-hearted laughter.

Lin Jiao couldn't hide her surprise as she murmured, "Even something like this can be used as a bargaining chip?"

Lin Xiao smiled, put down the account book, and explained casually, "In the world of gamblers, everything can be used as a bargaining chip. Some people even bet their wives." He held the IOU, carefully examined Yu Fei's name for a moment, and whispered, "Maybe this person will be of great use in the future."

After hearing this, Wang Hao couldn't help but smile, and then described in detail the process of him and Lin Qing and his party looking for Minghu to exchange for the fairy jade.

Minghu was filled with reluctance, pulling out his belongings as he tried to refuse, tears streaming down his face. If it weren't for Senior Brother Lin Qing urging him on, he would have delayed for a few more days.

By this time, the sky was already dark. Wang Hao, Liu Yi, and Yuan Hong bowed to Lin Xiao, saying they would take their leave and see him tomorrow. Lin Xiao took out twenty pieces of fairy jade each from his bag and handed them over with a smile.

Although they declined, they could not resist the joy in their hearts. Finally, they accepted the fairy jade with smiles on their faces and turned to leave.

Seeing this, Lin Jiao said, "It's getting late. I'll take them down the mountain together. It'll be safer this way. After all, this is their first time going up the mountain, and they might not be familiar with the road conditions."

Lin Xiao nodded slightly, handed a bag of fairy jade to Lin Jiao, and reminded her: "You need fairy jade to improve your realm. Use it to practice well."

Lin Jiao took the bag without saying anything and escorted the group down the mountain. Lin Xiao watched them gradually disappear into the forest before withdrawing his gaze and returning to the thatched cottage to count the remaining fairy jade.

"There are still two hundred and seventy-nine pieces in total, not counting the IOUs in the account book." He nodded with satisfaction, sorted out the fairy jade, and decided to store it in a cave in the back mountain, which would be safer.

After finishing his preparations, Lin Xiao sat on the stone platform in the cave and began practicing the "Boundless Heart Sea Art." He recalled and summarized every move he had made during his battle with Zhang Ning, trying to integrate his previous insights into his internal energy. Time slipped away quietly, and it wasn't until late at night that he slowly opened his eyes. His spiritual power had stabilized considerably.

Looking at the mountain of fairy jade, Lin Xiao had no intention of refining it. Suddenly, the words of the dirty Taoist priest appeared in his mind - practice should be gradual, and a solid foundation is the long-term way.

Relying on fairy jade to forcibly improve one's strength is like forcing a plant to grow by pulling it up. It is inevitable that the foundation will be unstable in the future, but it is feasible to use it as a trigger for a breakthrough.

After adjusting his breathing, Lin Xiaoyuan planned to continue meditating and practicing, but the attraction to the Sutra Pagoda in his heart became stronger and stronger.

With a thought, he stood up and performed the "Dragon Body Movement" and quietly rushed towards the Sutra Pagoda.