The Ink Cicada was a notorious concealed weapon among Qi Refinent cultivators. When infused with sufficient spiritual energy, it could unleash terrifying speed, piercing into an enemy’s body before detonating violently.
Under normal circumstances, the lethality of the Ink Cicada was such that a mid-stage Qi Refinent cultivator had a 70% chance of dying if struck. Even late-stage Qi Refinent cultivators could suffer severe injuries if caught off guard.
However, the origins of the Ink Cicada were shrouded in mystery, and its numbers were exceedingly rare—often making it impossible to obtain, regardless of price. Typically, it sold for 500 to 700 spirit stones, though in certain situations, the price could exceed 1,000.
The reason for its exorbitant cost was simple: it was one of the few life-saving concealed weapons that didn’t demand high cultivation levels from its user. Even a second-level Qi Refinent cultivator could unleash its deadly power.
For Qi Ping and Sister Nan, slaying the two black-robed bandits and acquiring even just one Ink Cicada was already a massive windfall.
Hundreds of spirit stones—an amount that would’ve taken both of them years of scrimping and saving to accumulate!
And yet, their spoils didn’t end there.
For now, they set the Ink Cicada aside to deal with later.
Loot #2: Two Black Low-Grade Magical Robes!
Aside from slight size differences, the two robes were nearly identical.
Though they had been pierced by the Gold Marrow Bees’ venomous stingers during the battle, their foundational durability and defensive properties remained intact—just with a few extra holes.
They could still provide substantial protection against slashing attacks or spell-based damage.
The reason they’d been so easily penetrated wasn’t due to poor craftsmanship, but rather because the piercing power of the Gold Marrow Bees’ stingers far exceeded what a low-grade magical robe (designed for early Qi Refinent cultivators) could withstand. A mid-grade robe might have held up for a few strikes.
Qi Ping and Sister Nan each took one.
After using spiritual energy to cleanse the robes of blood and gri, Qi Ping wore his underneath his outer clothing, concealing it while still benefiting from its defensive properties.
Combined with the protective barrier of his Wooden Shield Technique, he imdiately felt far safer.
Sister Nan likewise found a secluded spot to change into hers.
Loot #3: Four Storage Pouches.
Among them, two had larger capacities, while the other two were smaller.
Two of the pouches were likely looted from previous victims. Qi Ping and Sister Nan split them evenly—each taking two. Even these alone were worth a tidy sum.
Loot #4: One Mid-Grade Magical Saber and One Sword.
Qi Ping took the saber; Sister Nan claid the sword. An easy division.
Loot #5: 372 Low-Grade Spirit Stones.
While not an insignificant amount, for bandits, it was surprisingly modest.
Qi Ping guessed they’d spent most of their wealth on the robes or the Ink Cicada.
They split the stones evenly—186 each.
Loot #6: Two Qi Refinent Cultivation Manuals— Evergreen Art and Vast Sea Technique.
Neither offered significant advantages over their current cultivation thods, so their value was minimal. They each made a copy for reference.
Loot #7: Miscellaneous Low-Value Trinkets.
Qi Ping suspected the bandits had sold off anything truly valuable to fund their purchases. These leftovers were mostly useless junk, hardly worth dividing.
With that, all the loot—except the Ink Cicada—had been distributed.
Just as Qi Ping was about to discuss the cicada’s fate, Sister Nan spoke first:
“Little Qi, you should take the Ink Cicada. You contributed more to this victory.”
“More importantly, your current strength and combat experience are lacking. Even with the Gold Marrow Bees, you’d be in grave danger if ambushed. It’ll be far more useful in your hands—especially since I’m about to break through to the fifth level of Qi Refinent.”
Qi Ping blinked in surprise.
“Sister Nan, but that would an—”
She cut him off with a knowing smirk.
“I’m not finished! You’ll use it for now, but if you haven’t consud it by the ti you grow stronger, it’s mine. Deal?”
“And don’t even think about selling it secretly and claiming you used it!”
She glared at him with mock sternness.
Qi Ping imdiately understood—this was her way of looking out for him.
By conventional standards, even with the Gold Marrow Bees’ honey, his progress would be painfully slow (she didn’t know about his Plant Growth skill).
And even if he did advance quickly, he could easily sell the cicada without her ever knowing.
(Not that he ever would.)
With the loot settled, the two cautiously resud their journey ho.
Now equipped with magical robes and the Ink Cicada, they felt far more secure.
The cicada naturally ended up in Qi Ping’s possession.
Silently, he vowed to help Sister Nan reach Qi Refinent’s fifth level—or even late-stage—as soon as possible.
The [Spirit Beast Cultivation: Demonic Insects Section] had opened new horizons for him, while the Ink Cicada could save his life in a crisis.
The resources needed for Sister Nan’s breakthrough were peanuts compared to their value.
The rest of their return trip passed without incident.
Before long, they re-entered the familiar terrain of Misty Cloud Mountain.
“Finally… we’re back.”
Qi Ping exhaled deeply, relief washing over him.
This trip had been far too dangerous. Had their enemies used the Ink Cicada earlier—or more effectively—either he or Sister Nan would’ve died on the spot, with no hope of rescue.
Thank the heavens they’d won.
“Yes… finally.”
Sister Nan’s shoulders relaxed, her expression mirroring his relief.
This wasn’t her first brush with death, but it was the first ti she’d felt so utterly powerless. Against the Ink Cicada, even her poison skills had been useless.
Thankfully, Qi Ping’s hidden trump card—the Gold Marrow Bees—had caught their enemy off guard.
Now, all they wanted was to return ho. The outside world was too perilous.
But before they’d gone far, a plump figure ca into view at a fork in the path, craning his neck anxiously.
“Isn’t that Fatty Zhou? Is he… waiting for us?” Sister Nan frowned.
Zhou, also a mber of the Fusheng Society, rented a streamside valley on the mountain to raise a flock of low-grade Black Spirit Ducks.
But ever since marrying a pair of mortal twin sisters and fathering two sets of twins himself, he’d rarely participated in society activities, preferring to stay ho—only erging for annual gatherings or ergencies.
Sothing must be wrong.
Spotting them, the chubby man hurried forward with surprising agility.
“Sister Nan! Little Qi! Thank the heavens you’re back!”
“Brother Shan said you’d gone to Qingshi Market, so I figured you’d head straight ho. I’ve been waiting here for ages!”
His face was a mix of anxiety and distress.
“Brother Zhou, what’s wrong?” Qi Ping asked.
“Sigh…” The man wiped his brow. “My Black Spirit Ducks have fallen ill! They haven’t eaten or drunk for days!”
“I’ve checked them repeatedly, even asked friends for help—but no one can figure out what’s wrong!”
“Sister Nan, you’ve seen much of the world…”
“And Little Qi, you’ve studied breeding techniques…”
“Could you please take a look? I’ll owe you anything—just na your price!”
Qi Ping’s eyes narrowed.
Another unexplained ailnt…
It reminded him eerily of the Black Dwarf Bees’ condition.
“Is this a coincidence… or sothing deeper?”
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