wǔ xíng xiāng shēng xiāng kè ， gǎn jué dào rú cǐ páng bó de mù líng zhī lì ， nà tǔ shǔ xìng de tǐ fǎ zì rán bú huì zuò yǐ dài bì ， yī céng huáng sè de guāng yùn téng shēng ér qǐ ， rú dú shé yì bān de fǎn shì le guò qù 。
五行相生相克，感觉到如此磅礴的木灵之力，那土属性的体法自然不会坐以待毙，一层黄色的光晕腾升而起，如毒蛇一般的反噬了过去。
The Five Elements interact in a cycle of generation and suppression. Feeling the overwhelming force of wood spirit energy, the earth attribute body technique naturally wouldn't sit idly by. A layer of yellow light surged up, retaliating like a venomous snake.
lín xuān qiáo chū kòng xì ， xiù páo yī fú ， yòu shì shù dào fǎ jué jī shè ér chū 。
林轩瞧出空隙，袖袍一拂，又是数道法诀激射而出。
Lin Xuan spotted an opening and flicked his sleeves, sending several more spells flying out.
jiǔ tiān míng yuè huán yī shǎn ， jǐ tóu bīng jiāo yǔ huǒ lóng sà rán fú xiàn ， cóng lìng yī cè xiǎng yào sī kāi zhèn fǎ de fáng xiàn 。
九天明月环一闪，几头冰蛟与火龙飒然浮现，从另一侧想要撕开阵法的防线。
The Nine Heavens Bright Moon Ring flashed, and several ice serpents and fire dragons suddenly appeared from the other side, attempting to breach the array's defenses.
rán ér zhè shàng gǔ jìn zhì zhēn de fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， nà hūn huáng de guāng yùn zài cì shǎn shuò ， bàn suí zhe huáng méng méng de yún wù ， yǎn qián chū xiàn le jǐ tóu rén shé shēn de guài wù ， měi yī tiáo jiē yǒu shí yú zhàng zhǎng ， hěn kuài jiù yǔ bīng jiāo huǒ lóng yíng miàn zhuàng shàng 。
然而这上古禁制真的非同小可，那昏黄的光晕再次闪烁，伴随着黄蒙蒙的云雾，眼前出现了几头人蛇身的怪物，每一条皆有十余丈长，很快就与冰蛟火龙迎面撞上。
However, this ancient prohibition was no small matter. The dim yellow light flickered again, accompanied by a haze of yellowish fog. Before their eyes, several monstrous human-snake creatures emerged, each over ten meters long, quickly colliding with the ice serpents and fire dragons.
zhàn jú yī rán jiāo zhuó ， zhèn fǎ bìng miè yǒu bèi gōng pò 。
战局依然胶着，阵法并灭有被攻破。
The battle remained tense; the array hadn't been broken through yet.
lín xuān bù jí ， zhè bù guò shì gāng gāng kāi shǐ ér yǐ 。 cǐ zhèn yuè nán duì fù ， yuè shì zhèng míng tā suǒ bǎo hù de dōng xī fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， xiǎng yào bǎo wù ， zì rán xū yào duō fèi gōng fu ， xiū xián jiē méi yǒu shén me kě yǐ bù láo ér huò 。
林轩不急，这不过是刚刚开始而已。此阵越难对付，越是证明他所保护的东西非同小可，想要宝物，自然需要多费功夫，休闲街没有什么可以不劳而获。
Lin Xuan was not in a hurry. This was only just beginning. The more difficult this array was to deal with, the more it proved that what he was protecting was of great importance. To obtain the treasure, one would naturally need to exert more effort. There was no such thing as an easy gain in leisure street.
yuè ér jìng jìng de zài yī páng kàn zhe ， pò zhèn xū yào tā bāng zhù ， bù guò rú jīn shí jì bìng wèi dào lái ……
月儿静静的在一旁看着，破阵需要她帮助，不过如今实际并未到来……
The moon quietly watched from the side. Assisting in breaking the array was necessary, but it hadn't actually arrived yet...
“ zhè shì shén me ？”
“这是什么？”
"What is this?"
zuò wéi yuán yīng qī xiū xiān zhě ， jǐ wèi lǎo guài wù quán dōu shì jiàn duō shí guǎng de rén wù ， rán ér kàn zhuó yǎn qián de yí mù ， què wú yī lì wài de lù chū le chī jīng zhī sè 。
作为元婴期修仙者，几位老怪物全都是见多识广的人物，然而看着眼前的一幕，却无一例外的露出了吃惊之色。
As advanced cultivators at the婴 stage, these old monsters were all well-traveled individuals. However, upon seeing the scene before them, they couldn't help showing surprise on their faces.
zài tā men miàn qián ， yòu shì jī chǔ cán yuán duàn bì ， shàng miàn bù mǎn le dāo pī fǔ kǎn de hén jì ， zhōu wéi hái wò zhe jǐ jù hái gǔ ， sǐ zài fù jìn de xiū shì míng xiǎn bǐ bié de dì fāng yào duō dé duō 。
在他们面前，又是基础残垣断壁，上面布满了刀劈斧砍的痕迹，周围还卧着几具骸骨，死在附近的修士明显比别的地方要多得多。
Before them lay a ruin with knife and axe marks everywhere, and several skeletons lay nearby. The number of cultivators who had died in this area was significantly higher than elsewhere.
bù guò zhòng rén zài yì de bú shì zhè ge ， tā men de mù guāng quán dōu jí zhōng zài yí dù ǎi qiáng de xià miàn le 。
不过众人在意的不是这个，他们的目光全都集中在一度矮墙的下面了。
But what caught everyone's attention were the plants beneath the once-short wall. One plant stood out, no more than a foot tall, but its fruit was luminous.
nà lǐ yǒu yī kē zhí wù ， gāo bù guò chǐ xǔ ， běn lái bìng bù yǐn rù zhù mù ， kě tā de guǒ zi ， què shí huì guāng de 。
那里有一颗植物，高不过尺许，本来并不引入注目，可他的果子，确实会光的。
This was a fruit about the size of a dragon eye, with several different light hues emanating from its surface, appearing incredibly mysterious and far beyond ordinary comprehension.
zhè shì yī zhǒng lóng yǎn dà xiǎo de yuán xíng guǒ shí ， biǎo miàn yǐn yǐn yǒu shù zhǒng bù tóng de guāng yùn tòu chū ， kàn shàng qù xuán miào dào le jí chù ， xiǎn rán fēi pǔ tōng lǐng wù kě yǐ xiāng bǐ de 。
这是一种龙眼大小的原型果实，表面隐隐有数种不同的光晕透出，看上去玄妙到了极处，显然非普通领悟可以相比的。
"Colorless Fluorescent Fruit!" The red elder exclaimed in surprise. His ugly face showed unbridled joy.
wú sè yíng guāng guǒ ！” hóng lǎo zhě yī shēng jīng hū ， chǒu lòu de róng yán shàng lù chū le xǐ yuè bù jīn zhī sè 。
无色荧光果！”红老者一声惊呼，丑陋的容颜上露出了喜悦不禁之色。
"What? Is this really that kind of spirit fruit?" The refined middle-aged man was visibly moved. He was one of the least scheming among the old monsters, almost ready to dance with joy.
“ shén me ， zhēn shì nà zhǒng líng guǒ ？” rú yǎ zhōng nián rén sǒng rán dòng róng ， tā yě shì jǐ míng lǎo guài wù zhōng chéng fǔ zuì qiǎn de yí gè ， jī hū yào gāo xìng de shǒu wǔ zú dǎo le 。
“什么，真是那种灵果？”儒雅中年人悚然动容，他也是几名老怪物中城府最浅的一个，几乎要高兴的手舞足蹈了。
Master Wise opened his eyes wide and stared intently at the plant before him. After a while, he slowly spoke: "It matches the description in ancient texts—shape, color, and even the scent emitted all match. It should be the legendary Colorless Fluorescent Fruit."
cōng huì dà shī yuán zhēng shuāng mù ， jǐn jǐn dīng zhuó yǎn qián de zhí wù ， bàn xiǎng ， cái huǎn huǎn de kāi kǒu ：“ yǔ gǔ jí shàng de miáo shù méi cuò ， xíng zhuàng ， sè zé ， hái yǒu suǒ sàn chū lái de xiāng wèi quán dōu fú hé ， yīng gāi shì chuán shuō zhōng de wú sè yíng guāng guǒ 。”
聪慧大师圆睁双目，紧紧盯着眼前的植物，半响，才缓缓的开口：“与古籍上的描述没错，形状，色泽，还有所散出来的香味全都符合，应该是传说中的无色荧光果。”
"We are fortunate indeed; this seems to be an unexpected blessing. Perhaps it wasn't a conspiracy but just a coincidence that we were drawn into this mysterious space," said Lady Chei.
“ wǒ děng jǐ rén jī yuán fēi qiǎn ， kàn lái hái zhēn shì yīn huò dé fú ， huò xǔ bìng bú shì yīn móu ， zhǐ shì yóu yú qiǎo hé ， bèi xī rù dào le zhè shén mì kōng jiān zhī zhōng 。”
“我等几人机缘非浅，看来还真是因祸得福，或许并不是阴谋，只是由于巧合，被吸入到了这神秘空间之中。”
"Lady Chei has a point. The Five-Colored Fluorescent Fruit is a divine treasure, and according to legend, it should have been extinct long ago. It can only be consumed raw; otherwise, its effects would disappear. I wonder if the rumors are true," muttered the red elder.
“ qī fū rén zhè huà yǒu lǐ ， wǔ sè yíng guāng guǒ kě shì nì tiān jí de bǎo wù ， àn lǐ shuō zǎo jiù miè jué le ， jù shuō cǐ guǒ zhǐ néng shēng fú ， fǒu zé jiù huì shī qù xiào guǒ ， bù zhī dào chuán yán shì bú shì zhēn de 。” hóng lǎo zhě nán nán de shuō 。
“戚夫人这话有理，五色荧光果可是逆天级的宝物，按理说早就灭绝了，据说此果只能生服，否则就会失去效果，不知道传言是不是真的。”红老者喃喃的说。
"The ancient texts say so, but this fruit, though it must be consumed raw, has effects far beyond ordinary spirit pills. For us at the婴 stage, it could increase our strength by a hundred years and help in breaking through barriers," said Master Wise with excitement. He was already an advanced-stage cultivator; with this fruit's aid, he might even break through to the Great Sage realm after decades of seclusion.
“ gǔ jí shàng què shí shì zhè me shuō ， dàn cǐ guǒ suī zhǐ néng shēng fú ， xiào guǒ yě yuǎn fēi yì bān de líng dān kě bǐ ， duì wǒ děng yuán yīng xiū shì ér yán ， zú kě zēng jiā bǎi nián de gōng lì ， ér qiě duì yú chōng jī píng jǐng yě yǒu yí dìng de xiào guǒ 。” cōng huì hé shàng mǎn liǎn fàng guāng de shuō ， tā yǐ shì yuán yīng zhōng qī de xiū xiān zhě ， yǒu le cǐ guǒ de fǔ zhù ， zài bì guān jǐ shí nián ， wèi shǐ bù néng chōng jī dà xiū shì jìng jiè de 。
“古籍上确实是这么说，但此果虽只能生服，效果也远非一般的灵丹可比，对我等元婴修士而言，足可增加百年的功力，而且对于冲击瓶颈也有一定的效果。”聪慧和尚满脸放光的说，他已是元婴中期的修仙者，有了此果的辅助，再闭关几十年，未始不能冲击大修士境界的。
If he truly became an advanced-stage cultivator, he would be able to go anywhere in the world, no longer needing the protection of皓石 City. His previous few enemies wouldn't matter much either.
rú guǒ zhēn néng chéng wéi yuán yīng hòu qī xiū xiān zhě 。 tiān xià jǐn kě qù dé ， zì jǐ yě bù yòng zài yī tuō hào shí chéng bì hù ， yǐ qián jǐ gè jì dàn de chóu jiā yě jiù bù suàn shén me 。
如果真能成为元婴后期修仙者。天下尽可去得，自己也不用再依托皓石城庇护，以前几个忌惮的仇家也就不算什么。
Unlike the four old monsters who were overjoyed, Tian Xiaojian frowned slightly; something about this was too strange.
yǔ sì míng lǎo guài wù mǎn liǎn xīn xǐ bù tóng ， tián xiǎo jiàn què méi tóu wēi zhòu ， zhè jiàn shì qíng yǒu xiē tài guǐ yì le 。
与四名老怪物满脸欣喜不同，田小剑却眉头微皱，这件事情有些太诡异了。
"Can you all really be sure that this is the legendary fruit? You might have made a mistake."
“ zhū wèi zhēn néng kěn dìng zhè jiù shì chuán shuō zhōng de líng guǒ ， bú huì rèn cuò ？”
“诸位真能肯定这就是传说中的灵果，不会认错？”
"Don't worry, I still have some discernment," Master Wise said with a smile.
“ fàng xīn ， zhè diǎn yǎn lì lǎo nà hái shì yǒu de ” cōng huì dà shī wēi xiào zhe shuō 。
“放心，这点眼力老衲还是有的”聪慧大师微笑着说。
"Young man, if you're afraid to take it, just give me your share," the refined middle-aged man said greedily.
“ xiǎo zi ， nǐ ruò shì hài pà bù yuàn tūn fú ， dà kě yǐ jiāng zì jǐ nà fèn ràng gěi wǒ 。” nà rú yǎ zhōng nián rén yáng le yáng tóu ， mǎn liǎn tān lán de kāi kǒu 。
“小子，你若是害怕不愿吞服，大可以将自己那份让给我。”那儒雅中年人扬了扬头，满脸贪婪的开口。
"Sure." To everyone's surprise, Tian Xiaojian nodded. The refined middle-aged man was taken aback; he had only said this in jest. Was there really such a thing as an easy windfall?
“ hǎo a 。” chū hū yì liào ， tián xiǎo jiàn què diǎn le diǎn tóu ， rú yǎ zhōng nián rén fǎn ér bù xiāng xìn zì jǐ de ěr duǒ ， tā bù guò suí kǒu shuō shuō ， tiān xià hái zhēn yǒu zhè zhǒng diào xiàn bǐng de hǎo shì me ?
“好啊。”出乎意料，田小剑却点了点头，儒雅中年人反而不相信自己的耳朵，他不过随口说说，天下还真有这种掉馅饼的好事么?
The others were also stunned. Master Wise coughed dryly: "Master Tian, this fruit is a divine treasure. Are you sure about your decision?"
qí tā jǐ rén yě jīng dāi le ， cōng huì bù yóu de yī shēng gān ké ：“ tián shī zhǔ ， zhè líng guǒ kě shì nì tiān jí de bǎo wù ， nǐ zhēn xiǎng hǎo le ？”
其他几人也惊呆了，聪慧不由得一声干咳：“田施主，这灵果可是逆天级的宝物，你真想好了？”
"Humph, a divine treasure? I don't think so. Don't all of you feel that our luck has been too good to encounter the legendary fruit here? Maybe it's a trap set by someone else to lure us in," said Tian Xiaojian with a cold smile.
“ hēng ， nì tiān jí de bǎo wù ， tián mǒu kě bù jué de ， zhū wèi bù jué dé wǒ men de yùn qì tài hǎo le 。 zhè yàng yě néng yù dào chuán shuō zhōng de líng guǒ ， shuō bù dìng shì bié rén ān pái hǎo de xiàn jǐng ， xiǎng yào qǐng jūn rù wèng ……” tián xiǎo jiàn lěng xiào zhe kāi kǒu 。
“哼，逆天级的宝物，田某可不觉得，诸位不觉得我们的运气太好了。这样也能遇到传说中的灵果，说不定是别人安排好的陷阱，想要请君入瓮……”田小剑冷笑着开口。
Hearing this, the faces of the old monsters showed some hesitation.
tīng tā zhè me shuō ， jǐ míng lǎo guài wù de liǎn shàng yě bù yóu de lù chū le chí yí zhī sè 。
听他这么说，几名老怪物的脸上也不由得露出了迟疑之色。
But soon, greed prevailed...
dàn hěn kuài ， hái shì tān lán zhàn dào le shàng fēng ……
但很快，还是贪婪占到了上风……
"A trap? Impossible. This clearly used to be an ancient medicinal garden, and the items inside are highly valuable; otherwise, there wouldn't have been so many婴 cultivators fighting here. It was obviously for the sake of the spirit herbs," said the red elder, scratching his head uncertainly.
“ xiàn jǐng ， bù kě néng ba ， zhè lǐ míng xiǎn shì shàng gǔ shí qī de yào yuán ， ér qiě lǐ miàn de dōng xī zhēn guì wù bì ， fǒu zé yě bú huì yǒu rú cǐ duō de yuán yīng jí gǔ xiū shì dòu fǎ ， míng xiǎn jiù shì wèi le zhēng duó líng yào a ！” hóng lǎo zhě náo le náo tóu ， chí yí zhe kāi kǒu 。
“陷阱，不可能吧，这里明显是上古时期的药园，而且里面的东西珍贵务必，否则也不会有如此多的元婴级古修士斗法，明显就是为了争夺灵药啊！”红老者挠了挠头，迟疑着开口。
"Why hasn't this Five-Colored Fluorescent Fruit been taken?"
“ zhēng duó líng yào ， nà zhè wǔ sè yíng guāng guǒ wèi hé méi yǒu bèi cái zǒu ?”
“争夺灵药，那这五色荧光果为何没有被才走?”
"It's obvious—it wasn't ripe back then," said the refined middle-aged man dismissively.
“ zhè hái yòng shuō ， zì rán shì dāng nián shàng wèi chéng shú 。” rú yǎ zhōng nián rén bù yǐ wéi rán de shuō 。
“这还用说，自然是当年尚未成熟。”儒雅中年人不以为然的说。
"Indeed, Comrade Sun has a point."
“ ēn ， sūn dào yǒu yán zhī yǒu lǐ ”
“恩，孙道友言之有理”
Master Wise nodded in agreement. The silver-haired woman also approved with a nod on her face.
cōng huì hé shàng lián lián diǎn tóu ， nà yín sè lǎo fù liǎn shàng yě lù chū le zàn xǔ zhī sè 。
聪慧和尚连连点头，那银色老妇脸上也露出了赞许之色。
"Well, Master Tian is being cautious and doesn't want this fruit. We won't force him. But what about the remaining fruit? How should we divide it?" said the red elder, clearly eager to obtain such a divine treasure.
“ hǎo le ， tián dào yǒu xiǎo xīn jǐn shèn ， bù yuàn yào zhè líng guǒ ， wǒ men zì rán bú huì miǎn qiǎng tā de 。 zhǐ shì zhè shèng xià de yī méi líng guǒ ， yīng gāi rú hé fēn pèi ne ？” hóng lǎo zhě nán nán de shuō ， zhè zhǒng nì tiān jí de bǎo wù ， tā men zì rán dōu yào zhēng duó ， méi yǒu lǐ yóu yīn wèi tián xiǎo jiàn yī jù suí kǒu de wán xiào zhī yǔ ， jiù zhēn ràng gè nà xìng sūn de jiā huo 。
“好了，田道友小心谨慎，不愿要这灵果，我们自然不会勉强他的。只是这剩下的一枚灵果，应该如何分配呢？”红老者喃喃的说，这种逆天级的宝物，他们自然都要争夺，没有理由因为田小剑一句随口的玩笑之语，就真让个那姓孙的家伙。
"This is indeed difficult. There are five Five-Colored Fluorescent Fruits in total—originally one for each of us. Now that Master Tian has given up his share, there's an extra one. According to my knowledge, these spirit herbs must be consumed immediately after being picked and cannot be divided; otherwise, the medicinal properties would diminish," said the silver-haired woman, her face showing clear greed.
“ zhè kě zhēn de yǒu xiē nán bàn le ， wǔ sè yíng guāng guǒ gòng yǒu wǔ kē ， yuán běn gāng hǎo yī rén yī kē ， rú jīn tián dào yǒu fàng qì ， jiù duō chū le yī kē ， ér jù lǎo shēn suǒ zhī ， zhè zhǒng líng yào bù jǐn zhāi xià lái hòu bì xū mǎ shàng fú shí ， ér qiě yě bù néng fēn gē ， fǒu zé yào xìng jiù huì liú shī bù shǎo de 。” yín lǎo fù méi tou yí zhòu de shuō ， liǎn shàng yě mǎn shì tān lán zhī sè 。
“这可真的有些难办了，五色荧光果共有五颗，原本刚好一人一颗，如今田道友放弃，就多出了一颗，而据老身所知，这种灵药不仅摘下来后必须马上服食，而且也不能分割，否则药性就会流失不少的。”银老妇眉头一皱的说，脸上也满是贪婪之色。
"There's no problem. I only said I wouldn't consume it, but this fruit should still belong to me. If anyone wants it, they can buy it with crystal stones," Tian Xiaojian smiled. His depth of scheming ensured that he would not make a loss.
“ zhè yǒu shén me ， tián mǒu zhǐ shuō bú huì fú yòng ， dàn zhè líng guǒ zì rán hái shì yīng gāi guī wǒ ， nǐ men shuí xiǎng yào ， jiù yòng jīng shí lái mǎi hǎo le 。” tián xiǎo jiàn wēi xiào zhe kāi kǒu ， yǐ tā de chéng fǔ ， yòu qǐ huì zuò kuī běn zhī shì ne 。“ ēn ， zhè ge tí yì dào shí bù cuò ” cōng huì hé shàng diǎn diǎn tóu 。 qí tā rén suī gè huái guǐ tāi ， dàn yě xiǎng bù chū gèng hǎo de bàn fǎ ， yú shì biàn kāi shǐ jìng jià ， hěn kuài jiù fēn chū le shēng fú ， cōng huì shì yuán yīng zhōng qī de xiū xiān zhě ， shēn jià zì rán yě gèng fēng hòu ， tā yǐ wǔ shí wàn jīng shí de tiān jià ， cóng tián xiǎo jiàn shǒu zhōng mǎi dào le nà méi líng guǒ 。 zhè jǐ gè tīng qǐ lái lìng rén zé shé ， bù guò zhēn ná dào fāng shì ， kǒng pà hái yào yuǎn yuǎn bù zhǐ ， dāng rán ， zhè shì bù kě néng de ， cǐ yào cái xià lái hòu ， jiù bì xū mǎ shàng tūn fú 。 cōng huì zài yāo jiān yī pāi ， cóng chǔ wù dài zhōng qǔ chū yī chǐ xǔ dà de xiāng zi lái ， dǎ kāi yǐ hòu ， wǔ yán liù sè de líng guāng huǎng huā le yǎn ， lǐ miàn quán shì gāo jiē jīng shí ， zhè xiē kě shì tā dà bàn shēng de jī xù 。 bù guò hé shàng liǎn shàng bìng wú bù shě ， tā jué de zhè ge jiāo yì jué duì zhí de 。
“这有什么，田某只说不会服用，但这灵果自然还是应该归我，你们谁想要，就用晶石来买好了。”田小剑微笑着开口，以他的城府，又岂会做亏本之事呢。“恩，这个提议到时不错”聪慧和尚点点头。其他人虽各怀鬼胎，但也想不出更好的办法，于是便开始竞价，很快就分出了生服，聪慧是元婴中期的修仙者，身价自然也更丰厚，他以五十万晶石的天价，从田小剑手中买到了那枚灵果。这几个听起来令人咋舌，不过真拿到坊市，恐怕还要远远不止，当然，这是不可能的，此药才下来后，就必须马上吞服。聪慧在腰间一拍，从储物袋中取出一尺许大的箱子来，打开以后，五颜六色的灵光晃花了眼，里面全是高阶晶石，这些可是他大半生的积蓄。不过和上脸上并无不舍，他觉得这个交易绝对值得。
"Indeed, that suggestion is good," Master Wise nodded. The others, though harboring ulterior motives, couldn't think of a better solution and began bidding. In the end, Master Wise, an advanced-stage cultivator with a higher value, bought the fruit from Tian Xiaojian for 500,000 crystal stones.
The amount seemed staggering, but in the market, it would likely be much more. Of course, this was impossible; once picked, the fruit had to be consumed immediately. Master Wise patted his waist and took out a box about a foot long from his storage bag. The colorful light inside dazzled the eyes—filled with high-grade crystal stones, which were all he had saved up over his lifetime. He showed no reluctance on his face; he felt this transaction was definitely worth it.
The Five Elements interact in a cycle of generation and suppression. Feeling the overwhelming force of wood spirit energy, the earth attribute body technique naturally wouldn't sit idly by. A layer of yellow light surged up, retaliating like a venomous snake.
Lin Xuan spotted an opening and flicked his sleeves, sending several more spells flying out.
The Nine Heavens Bright Moon Ring flashed, and several ice serpents and fire dragons suddenly appeared from the other side, attempting to breach the array's defenses.
However, this ancient prohibition was no small matter. The dim yellow light flickered again, accompanied by a haze of yellowish fog. Before their eyes, several monstrous human-snake creatures emerged, each over ten meters long, quickly colliding with the ice serpents and fire dragons.
The battle remained tense; the array hadn't been broken through yet.
Lin Xuan was not in a hurry. This was only just beginning. The more difficult this array was to deal with, the more it proved that what he was protecting was of great importance. To obtain the treasure, one would naturally need to exert more effort. There was no such thing as an easy gain in leisure street.
The moon quietly watched from the side. Assisting in breaking the array was necessary, but it hadn't actually arrived yet...
"What is this?"
As advanced cultivators at the婴 stage, these old monsters were all well-traveled individuals. However, upon seeing the scene before them, they couldn't help showing surprise on their faces.
Before them lay a ruin with knife and axe marks everywhere, and several skeletons lay nearby. The number of cultivators who had died in this area was significantly higher than elsewhere.
But what caught everyone's attention were the plants beneath the once-short wall. One plant stood out, no more than a foot tall, but its fruit was luminous.
This was a fruit about the size of a dragon eye, with several different light hues emanating from its surface, appearing incredibly mysterious and far beyond ordinary comprehension.
"Colorless Fluorescent Fruit!" The red elder exclaimed in surprise. His ugly face showed unbridled joy.
"What? Is this really that kind of spirit fruit?" The refined middle-aged man was visibly moved. He was one of the least scheming among the old monsters, almost ready to dance with joy.
Master Wise opened his eyes wide and stared intently at the plant before him. After a while, he slowly spoke: "It matches the description in ancient texts—shape, color, and even the scent emitted all match. It should be the legendary Colorless Fluorescent Fruit."
"We are fortunate indeed; this seems to be an unexpected blessing. Perhaps it wasn't a conspiracy but just a coincidence that we were drawn into this mysterious space," said Lady Chei.
"Lady Chei has a point. The Five-Colored Fluorescent Fruit is a divine treasure, and according to legend, it should have been extinct long ago. It can only be consumed raw; otherwise, its effects would disappear. I wonder if the rumors are true," muttered the red elder.
"The ancient texts say so, but this fruit, though it must be consumed raw, has effects far beyond ordinary spirit pills. For us at the婴 stage, it could increase our strength by a hundred years and help in breaking through barriers," said Master Wise with excitement. He was already an advanced-stage cultivator; with this fruit's aid, he might even break through to the Great Sage realm after decades of seclusion.
If he truly became an advanced-stage cultivator, he would be able to go anywhere in the world, no longer needing the protection of皓石 City. His previous few enemies wouldn't matter much either.
Unlike the four old monsters who were overjoyed, Tian Xiaojian frowned slightly; something about this was too strange.
"Can you all really be sure that this is the legendary fruit? You might have made a mistake."
"Don't worry, I still have some discernment," Master Wise said with a smile.
"Young man, if you're afraid to take it, just give me your share," the refined middle-aged man said greedily.
"Sure." To everyone's surprise, Tian Xiaojian nodded. The refined middle-aged man was taken aback; he had only said this in jest. Was there really such a thing as an easy windfall?
The others were also stunned. Master Wise coughed dryly: "Master Tian, this fruit is a divine treasure. Are you sure about your decision?"
"Humph, a divine treasure? I don't think so. Don't all of you feel that our luck has been too good to encounter the legendary fruit here? Maybe it's a trap set by someone else to lure us in," said Tian Xiaojian with a cold smile.
Hearing this, the faces of the old monsters showed some hesitation.
But soon, greed prevailed...
"A trap? Impossible. This clearly used to be an ancient medicinal garden, and the items inside are highly valuable; otherwise, there wouldn't have been so many婴 cultivators fighting here. It was obviously for the sake of the spirit herbs," said the red elder, scratching his head uncertainly.
"Why hasn't this Five-Colored Fluorescent Fruit been taken?"
"It's obvious—it wasn't ripe back then," said the refined middle-aged man dismissively.
"Indeed, Comrade Sun has a point."
Master Wise nodded in agreement. The silver-haired woman also approved with a nod on her face.
"Well, Master Tian is being cautious and doesn't want this fruit. We won't force him. But what about the remaining fruit? How should we divide it?" said the red elder, clearly eager to obtain such a divine treasure.
"This is indeed difficult. There are five Five-Colored Fluorescent Fruits in total—originally one for each of us. Now that Master Tian has given up his share, there's an extra one. According to my knowledge, these spirit herbs must be consumed immediately after being picked and cannot be divided; otherwise, the medicinal properties would diminish," said the silver-haired woman, her face showing clear greed.
"There's no problem. I only said I wouldn't consume it, but this fruit should still belong to me. If anyone wants it, they can buy it with crystal stones," Tian Xiaojian smiled. His depth of scheming ensured that he would not make a loss.
"Indeed, that suggestion is good," Master Wise nodded. The others, though harboring ulterior motives, couldn't think of a better solution and began bidding. In the end, Master Wise, an advanced-stage cultivator with a higher value, bought the fruit from Tian Xiaojian for 500,000 crystal stones.
The amount seemed staggering, but in the market, it would likely be much more. Of course, this was impossible; once picked, the fruit had to be consumed immediately. Master Wise patted his waist and took out a box about a foot long from his storage bag. The colorful light inside dazzled the eyes—filled with high-grade crystal stones, which were all he had saved up over his lifetime. He showed no reluctance on his face; he felt this transaction was definitely worth it.