Volume 2, Chapter 127 – What Do You Need Ghost Tomatoes For?

“Where is it? How big is it? Did you find any Blue Scale Stones?”

Cheng Hongling’s voice rang out immediately, revealing just how much she valued those Blue Scale Stones.

“At the bottom of a valley, about thirty li ¹ 1 li = 500 meters/0.31 miles from the village. The snake isn’t as terrifying as the mirage in the sky, but it’s still easily a hundred zhang ² 1 zhang = 3.333 meters/~11ft long. Its cultivation level is unknown. As for the Blue Scale Stones—nothing yet.”

Qi Huang reported everything she had observed to her main body.

“Good. If it’s only a hundred zhang, then that’s within the normal size range for a demonic beast.”

Cheng Hongling’s tone grew more confident. After a brief pause, she instructed, “Here’s what we’ll do—you stay there and keep watch. Focus on figuring out two things: first, the snake’s cultivation level, and second, the location of the Blue Scale Stones.”

“Understood!”

Qi Huang accepted the order and continued her surveillance from above.

Meanwhile, Cheng Hongling relayed the information to Sect Leader Qin.

“A Blue-Scaled King Snake around a hundred zhang long—based on estimations, its cultivation should be around the Incarnation Realm.”

Qin Quan speculated.

“If it’s only at the Incarnation Realm, then it’s definitely worth trying.”

Cheng Hongling made her decision without hesitation.

“But the Incarnation Realm is still dangerous.”

Xu Mei’s face showed concern—she knew her beloved disciple’s exact cultivation level.

“Master, it’s still much better than that mirage in the sky, isn’t it? How can we obtain such rare treasures without taking any risks?”

Cheng Hongling countered.

Xu Mei opened her mouth but then closed it again. She understood the logic, but that didn’t stop her from worrying. As a master, she couldn’t help but fret.

“If you’ve made up your mind, then I’ll support you fully.”

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Qin Quan’s firm voice came from beside them. He understood perfectly—this girl was the Honghua Sect’s hope. If she fell, the sect would fall with her.

Meanwhile, Qi Huang was carefully observing the great serpent from the sky—or rather, the Serpent King, as it was more fitting to call it. Since she didn’t know its exact cultivation level, she didn’t dare get too close. She even avoided using her divine sense too much, afraid of being detected.

Another half-hour passed. Suddenly, ripples appeared in the water near the massive rock. A Blue-Scaled King Snake, as thick as a bowl’s mouth, swam toward the boulder.

Before long, the smaller serpent reached the rock and opened its mouth.

‘What is it doing?’

Qi Huang was puzzled. She cautiously descended slightly, sharpening her vision to see clearly—and then her black-and-white eyes widened in disbelief.

The smaller Blue-Scaled King Snake was holding a Ghost Tomato in its mouth.

While she was still stunned, the Serpent King on the rock opened its mouth and gently inhaled, drawing the Ghost Tomato toward itself. It swallowed the fruit whole, barely chewing.

The smaller serpents outside must have been sent by it to gather Ghost Tomatoes.

Qi Huang realized the truth. Just as she was feeling regretful, the Serpent King opened its mouth again—and spat out the Ghost Tomato’s seeds.

The seeds bounced a few times on the rock before plopping into the lake beside it.

Qi Huang immediately extended her divine sense into the lake. Though the water was four or five zhang deep, it couldn’t obstruct her perception—she could see the bottom with perfect clarity.

When she saw what lay beneath the surface, her entire body trembled with excitement.

Scattered across the lakebed were over a dozen Ghost Tomato seeds—some fresh, some old.

‘If I can gather and plant all of them, my divine sense will definitely break through to the Divine Realm!’

A greedy expression flashed across Qi Huang’s face. She nearly rushed down to loot the place right then and there—but reason held her back. After all, they still hadn’t found any traces of the Blue Scale Stones.

Since they had come this far, they might as well take everything.

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Another half-hour passed. The sunlight above was once again blocked by clouds, and the valley darkened.

Deprived of its sunbathing spot, the Serpent King reluctantly twitched its body. Then, with a sudden lunge, it slipped off the rock and plunged into the lake. Despite its massive size, it barely made a splash, moving as swiftly and smoothly as a loach.

Qi Huang’s gaze snapped to the now-exposed rock—and her pupils contracted sharply.

Scattered across the center of the boulder were several faint blue spots.

‘What are those?’

Her heart pounded uncontrollably. Without hesitation, she descended further and extended her divine sense toward them.

Soon, she could see the blue “spots” clearly.

They looked like polished jade, covered in fish-scale patterns. Apart from being a deeper blue than the Blue Scale Sword, they were practically identical. They stood out starkly against the rough stone, as though someone had forcibly embedded them there.

‘These are Blue Scale Stones!’

Joy surged through Qi Huang. Not only had she found Blue Scale Stones, but there were many of them. From high above, they had looked like mere specks, but upon closer inspection, each one was as large as a basin. There were four or five in total.

“We’ve hit the jackpot! Not only did we find so many Ghost Tomato seeds, but there are also all these Blue Scale Stones!”

Her body trembled with excitement as she immediately reported her findings to her main body.

“How many Blue Scale Stones are there?”

Cheng Hongling asked eagerly.

“Judging by the size, there must be several hundred—maybe even a thousand—jin ³ 斤 (jīn), 500 g/1.1 lbs .”

Qi Huang estimated.

“Several hundred to a thousand jin?”

Cheng Hongling repeated in disbelief, her voice shaking slightly. She quickly relayed the news to those around her.

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“According to cultivation world rumors, such rare treasures are usually scarce. Finding even a few jin would be considered extremely lucky. This time, we’ve clearly stumbled upon a massive fortune.”

Qin Quan’s face flushed red with excitement.

“With these Blue Scale Stones, Hongling’s chances at the next Evergreen Conference will be much higher.”

Xu Mei’s already rosy cheeks grew even brighter, her mature charm undiminished.

“Alright, recall your main body. We need to formulate a detailed plan.”

Qin Quan couldn’t wait any longer and instructed Cheng Hongling.

Not long after, Qi Huang returned to the village. Every disciple’s face was alight with excitement—especially the female ones.

Qin Quan soon gathered the sect’s higher-ups in a courtyard to discuss their next steps. Everyone’s expressions turned serious—after all, though the prize was within reach, whether they could actually obtain it was still uncertain.

“If there are only a few hundred jin of Blue Scale Stones, then we don’t need too many people. Those with lower cultivation would only be in danger and make us more conspicuous.”

Cheng Hongling proposed first.

“Then let’s do this—half of those at the Body Refining Realm or above will stay in the village, and the other half will go to the serpent’s lair. Those below the Body Refining Realm won’t participate.”

Qin Quan quickly made arrangements.

“This many people should be enough to carry the Blue Scale Stones, but if a fight breaks out, wouldn’t more hands be better?”

Xu Mei asked worriedly.

“No need. If we really end up fighting that Serpent King, bringing more people would just mean more pointless sacrifices.”

Qin Quan smiled self-deprecatingly. The Honghua Sect was weak, and as its leader, he bore the greatest shame.

Next, Qin Quan took out five Ghost Tomatoes from a pouch and handed them to Qi Huang.

“Starting tomorrow, you’ll stake out that valley. The moment you see the Serpent King, lure it away. Once it’s gone, we’ll dig up the Blue Scale Stones and take them.”

Qi Huang accepted the Ghost Tomatoes, her eyes gleaming. Then, she seized the opportunity to negotiate:

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“Can I keep these afterward?”

“What do you need these for?”

Cheng Hongling was the first to question, clearly displeased with her doppelgänger’s habit of demanding everything in sight. After all, she was a pure and virtuous fairy!

“I—I just like them, okay?”

Qi Huang stammered out an excuse.

Cheng Hongling’s willow-leaf brows furrowed slightly, her delicate face darkening. This girl is definitely hiding something!

“These things are dangerous. Are you sure you want them?”

Qin Quan asked uneasily.

“Mhm!”

Qi Huang nodded like a chick pecking at rice—and thus, without further debate, she secured ownership of the Ghost Tomatoes.

From that day onward, Qi Huang staked out the valley daily, while the rest of the team moved to a hiding spot a few li away, tools in hand.

Heaven rewards the diligent. On the fourth morning, the clouds parted, sunlight poured down—and the Serpent King reappeared on the rock to bask.

“It’s here. Get ready—I’m going to lure it away.”

Qi Huang notified the Honghua Sect members, then took a deep breath. She pulled out the pouch containing the Ghost Tomatoes, opened it, and—like a falling meteor—plunged straight toward the Serpent King below.

In her heart, she prayed:

‘Heavens, grant me success. Everything hinges on this moment.’