Chapter 108

Chapter 108: Ammonite

Time passed slowly.

Today’s sunset was more vivid than ever before. After staring at the red horizon for a long time, one might even have an indescribable feeling, as if the sky was being smeared with blood.

Furthermore, there seemed to be faint threads of golden light hanging in the blood-red sky. This fantastical scene even attracted the attention of those Seven Blood Pupils living on the mountain peaks, causing them to walk out of their abodes and look into the horizon with strange gleams in their eyes.

Down in the port area, many disciples stepped out of their magic boats, looking up at the mountains and then out into the horizon as well.

Xu Qing also took note of the strange phenomenon on the horizon. After glancing at it several times, he quickly finished answering Senior Sister Ding’s questions and stuffed the spirit ticket into his leather bag before staring out into the horizon again.

“I think I’ve heard about this before…” Xu Qing recalled his time in the Sea Records Pavilion, trying to remember where he had seen a description of this scene.

However, the red glow on the horizon didn’t last long and gradually faded, unable to prevent the sun from setting with its beauty. As the sun set, Senior Sister Ding finally had to leave.

Before she left, Senior Sister Ding looked Xu Qing up and down a few times. Suddenly, her pupils contracted. She hadn’t paid much attention to Xu Qing’s cultivation before, but now, her expression changed slightly and she immediately opened her mouth to speak.

“Junior Brother Xu, your cultivation base… is at the peak?” Senior Sister Ding’s face revealed an expression of disbelief.

Although Xu Qing intentionally concealed his cultivation, Ding Xue seemed to have cultivated a special ability that allowed her to perceive spiritual energy fluctuations more clearly. After noticing Xu Qing’s cultivation fluctuations, a huge wave was set off in her heart.

She knew that Xu Qing was very strong, but his current strength exceeded her expectations. The light in her eyes suddenly brightened.

“Junior Brother Xu, since you’re about to reach the Foundation Establishment Realm, do you know what the process of breaking through involves?”

Xu Qing glanced at Senior Sister Ding. With his cultivation base being seen through, he instantly became vigilant. After shaking his head in response, he instinctively ran his spiritual energy through the magic boat’s barrier, causing it to glow faintly.

“Haha, I know about it.” Senior Sister Ding’s face lit up with joy.

“I can’t even count how many times my aunt has told me about these things.” As she spoke, Ding Xue rummaged through her storage bag. She took out three jade slips and immediately held them out to Xu Qing.

Xu Qing was stunned. He knew that anything relating to Foundation Establishment was extremely expensive. Although he was incredibly tempted as he looked at the three jade slips in front of him, he knew that in this world, no good things would come for free. Everything had a price.

"How many spirit stones?" Xu Qing asked.

Ding Xue just smiled.

“Junior Brother Xu, you’re treating me like an outsider. If it wasn’t for you back then, my trip to the Western Reef Archipelago wouldn’t have gone so smoothly. After our experiences together at sea, this much is nothing.”

“Besides, you’ve taught me a lot about plants and vegetation, and with your cultivation base, the other core disciples will surely want to befriend you. I’m just taking the lead here. If you really feel uncomfortable accepting these, then just help me out if I’m in trouble some day.” With those words, Senior Sister Ding set the jade slips in her hands down at the side.

She smiled and didn’t continue to disturb him.

“Actually, I’m the one making a profit here. Junior Brother Xu, I’ll take my leave now.”

Senior Sister Ding nodded her head and left after Xu Qing opened a hole in the magic boat’s barrier.

Her face was glowing with happiness as she stepped onto shore, and she was eager to share her joy. Taking out her voice transmission jade slip, she contacted a few of her friends and chatted happily with them as she walked.

Unlike men, women had a strong desire to share these sorts of joyous matters, especially when it involved a man who made their hearts throb.

Of course, this didn’t apply to those who were always struggling to survive and constantly came into contact with the dark side of human nature. However, for core disciples who had been well protected since childhood, it was more or less true.

Just like the winter in the main city was completely different from the winter in the Red Plains, the world was also completely different for different people.

Actually, after returning from sea, she had already told her girl friends about her encounter with Xu Qing. She had only worked up the courage to come this time after being instigated by several of her besties.

“Heh, just wait and see. I’ll definitely capture this Little Xu’s heart.”

As Senior Sister Ding was smugly sending voice transmissions, Zhao Zhongheng finally arrived at Dock 79 and sprinted toward her.

“Senior Sister Ding… that Xu fellow didn’t do anything to you, did he? I came to help you!”

Before he even got close, his shout already reached her ears.

"Nonsense!"

Ding Xue frowned and gave Zhao Zhongheng an annoyed glance before storming off into the distance.

Zhao Zhongheng hurriedly chased after her. Although Ding Xue ignored him, his conviction wasn’t shaken at all.

“Ding Xue, sooner or later, you will know that there are many people in life who are like birds flying by.”

“Only I, Zhao Zhongheng, will be like the great sea, accompanying you at all times. Once you get used to me, you’ll understand how important I am to you. No matter how many birds fly by, I am different from all of them!”

Zhao Zhongheng’s face revealed a look of resolve. Casting a glance at Xu Qing’s magic boat, he felt an intense envy rise up in his heart. However, when he thought about Xu Qing’s strength and how he had a good relationship with the terrifying Team Six captain, Zhao Zhongheng didn’t dare to reveal his envy. He could only grit his teeth and curse internally.

“Isn’t it just a pretty face? Compared to my persistence and constant accompaniment, he’s nothing! Time will tell!”

As various emotions surged in Zhao Zhongheng’s heart, the red glow on the horizon completely faded, and the sun finally set. As soon as the surface of the sea dimmed with the incoming night, a bizarre phenomenon suddenly occurred.

Countless multicolored lights suddenly flickered across the sea surface, reflecting into the sky as well. This gorgeous light phenomenon attracted the attention of the whole port area.

Soon, a commotion broke out as figures from each port walked out of their magic boats to take a look. Even many people on the shore looked over when they noticed this phenomenon.

Outside the port area, the colorful light swiftly turned into thin threads that flowed along the surface of the sea in densely packed groups.

From afar, the sea surface seemed to have turned into a starry sky during a meteor shower, with beautiful lights streaking by.

Soon, the innumerable streaks of light drifted past the port gate and into each of the docks.

Standing on the deck of his magic boat, Xu Qing’s eyes revealed a strange gleam as he looked over.

These streaks of light were actually being emitted by palm-sized spiral creatures.

It seemed that their bodies could actually produce light. The flowing and flickering lights formed a peerlessly beautiful scene.

"Ammonites……"

Xu Qing recalled the description in the sea records, and his eyes lit up.

The sea records didn’t have too much information on ammonites, but they mentioned that if golden light appeared in the sunset, this phenomenon would occasionally occur once night fell. There wasn’t much else, aside from mentioning that it was harmless.

But thanks to Grandmaster Bai’s thick pharmacopoeia, Xu Qing also knew that ammonites were rare medicinal materials. They were especially effective in harmonizing herbs and neutralizing violent medicinal effects.

At the same time, Senior Sister Ding and Zhao Zhongheng, still in Dock 79, also noticed this phenomenon. As she stared out into the gorgeous sea, Senior Sister Ding seemed somewhat dazed.

Zhao Zhongheng hurriedly spoke up.

“Senior Sister, these are ammonites, also known as starlet snails. They occasionally float on the sea beyond the horizon. All they can do is shine. They’re completely useless aside from their beauty.”

As he spoke, Zhao Zhongheng glanced in Xu Qing’s direction.

Xu Qing’s expression was indifferent, directly ignoring Zhao Zhongheng’s veiled jab. At that moment, all his attention was on the sea.

As the waves undulated gently, the shining ammonites were swept along, tangling together and splitting apart repeatedly. Some of their lights seemed to flicker in sync, while others remained chaotic and random.

The synchronized lights often stuck together and didn’t separate. On the other hand, the chaotic lights would flicker together briefly, then split apart, as if looking for someone else.

What Xu Qing was concerned about were those in the latter category.

As he stared silently at the chaotically flickering ammonites bumping against each other, Grandmaster Bai’s teachings appeared in his mind.

Not all ammonites could be used as medicine. What he needed was those male ammonites who had gone a long time without finding a partner to synchronize with. Only these ammonites would eventually give birth to mutations that allowed them to become useful!

But Xu Qing’s silence only emboldened Zhao Zhongheng, who lifted his chin and spoke smugly.

“The sect’s records state it clearly. These things have no use, and this phenomenon also won’t last long before fading away.”

Senior Sister Ding revealed an annoyed expression when she heard Zhao Zhongheng’s words. Staring at the ammonites, she parted her lips to speak.

“It’s good to be able to shine. Even those around them will be illuminated by their light. It’s much better than those who can’t even emit any light.”

Zhao Zhongheng furrowed his brows and was about to speak.

But at that moment, Xu Qing’s gaze suddenly sharpened, and he lifted his right hand to grasp toward the sea.

The water vapor in the surroundings immediately condensed into water droplets, then gathered together and formed a water hand. The water hand quickly shot into the throngs of ammonites bobbing along on the surface of the sea.

It grabbed one ammonite and quickly returned to Xu Qing. After the hand disappeared, the ammonite fell into Xu Qing’s palm.

The ammonite’s spiral shell was filled with countless chrysanthemum-like patterns, and the light emitted from the mouth of the shell was gradually dimming.

However, just as it was about to completely go out, Xu Qing’s right hand suddenly emitted a burst of icy chill. The ammonite instantly froze over.

Its undimmed state was preserved perfectly.

Looking at the frozen ammonite in his hand, Xu Qing smiled. After carefully putting it away, he resumed staring at the surface of the sea.

At the same time, there were seven or eight others in Dock 79 who also made their move. These people clearly knew the medicinal value of ammonites and how to use them, so they quickly snatched up ones that met the requirements.

It wasn’t just in Dock 79. Some disciples from other docks also took action, and there were even some figures flying down from the mountain peaks to catch ammonites. Most of them were cultivators of the Second Peak.

This scene seemed to be an invisible slap to the face for Zhao Zhongheng, who had just called the ammonites useless.

Curiosity rose in Senior Sister Ding’s heart as she watched the commotion, and she hurriedly ran over to Xu Qing’s magic boat, calling out to him once she got there.

“Junior Brother Xu, why is everyone catching ammonites?” Ding Xue was already familiar with Xu Qing’s personality. As she spoke, she also sent over a spirit ticket.

“Right before a male ammonite dies, it turns into a rare medicinal material that’s good for your cultivation.”

Xu Qing didn’t accept the spirit ticket as he explained.

When he remembered the jade slips regarding Foundation Establishment that he’d received for free, he decided to speak in a little more detail.

“The ammonite, also known as starlet snail or serpent rock, is a kind of mollusk. It’s identifiable by the chrysanthemum patterns on its shell. It’s a type of spiritual medicine catalyst and likes living in crevices at the bottom of the sea. The only time they leave the depths and come up to the surface is during their mating season. Every time they come up, golden light will appear in the sunset. They live all across South Phoenix’s Forbidden Sea, and the timing of their mating season isn’t fixed, so they’re hard to find. It can induce diarrhea and expel foreign agents from the body, as well as wash and purify spiritual energy to a certain extent.”

“Its attributes are sweet, cold, and slightly toxic. It can soothe the mind, and through the yin-yang dual extremes method, its shell water can be used to concoct the Ascending Spirit Pill.”

“However, in more recent medical uses, the ammonite’s body is used as a natural furnace. With the ammonite’s unique nature, it can produce high-quality pills. At the same time, it can neutralize violent medicinal effects.”

After Xu Qing finished speaking, he continued to stare at the sea, searching for ammonites that could be used.

Senior Sister Ding didn’t really understand, but she felt that Xu Qing’s words were very impressive. Staring intently at Xu Qing with her beautiful eyes, she quickly asked a follow-up question.

“Why are they shining?”

“During the mating season, when the ammonites float up to the surface of the sea, they attract the opposite sex by emitting light of different frequencies from their bodies.”

“This is also why the lights bump into each other. After they touch, if the lights are synchronized, they can mate. If the male ammonite can’t synchronize its light, it will be rejected by the females. In the end, if it can’t find a female to synchronize with, its light will fade and it will die.”

After speaking, Xu Qing moved again and grabbed another ammonite.

Senior Sister Ding’s face revealed admiration. She knew that Xu Qing was busy, so she stopped asking questions and observed quietly from the side.

She paid close attention every time Xu Qing took action. Soon, she seemed to figure some things out and even began to help.

Xu Qing didn’t need the help and even felt a bit burdened by her. However, thinking about the jade slips, he didn’t say anything and just let Senior Sister Ding busy herself.

Time passed, and more and more disciples came to catch the ammonites. Soon, dawn arrived.

As the sky began to brighten, all the ammonites disappeared from the surface of the sea and returned to the depths. Only the corpses of the unsuccessful male ammonites were left floating in the waves. After decaying at a rate visible to the naked eye, they became part of the Forbidden Sea.

Despite the busy night, Senior Sister Ding wore a radiant smile on her face as she left.

Zhao Zhongheng followed behind her graceful figure with a bitter expression.

Looking at Senior Sister Ding’s back, there was yearning in his eyes and he silently made a vow in his heart.

“Ding Xue, just you wait. Sooner or later, my devotion will reach you.”

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