Who Let Him Cultivate?! (WX)-Chapter 229: The Origins of the Phoenix Blood Stones

The only thing the commandery governor could do was gnash his teeth at Lu Yang. From the bottom of his heart, he had no desire to reveal this matter, but now that things had progressed to this, he had to divulge the truth whether he liked it or not.

Family Head Mo’s countenance was one of schadenfreude.

The commandery governor let out a heavy sigh. “Everyone, please follow me.”

The group followed the commandery governor, heading straight for the mine.

“The mine collapsing was merely a cover story we released to the public; there’s more to this than meets the eye.” With practiced ease, the commandery governor led the group to the end of the tunnel. Pressing a hidden mechanism on the wall, a stone door opened with a rumbling sound, showing a path into the depths of the mine.

This passageway was only disclosed to a select few. It was secretly protected by an array that evaded the detection of spiritual consciousness. If someone’s spiritual consciousness scanned the area, they would only see an image simulated by the array.

Family Head Mo’s expression turned serious. Just like what my investigations have yielded, there’s indeed a secret passageway.

The further they ventured inward, the stronger the stench of blood became. It was as if a massacre had just occurred ahead, with corpses piled as high as a mountain and their blood run dry.

When Lu Yang stepped out of the tunnel into an open space, the overwhelming odor of blood swept over him. Fortunately, he adapted to the bloody smell quickly and took in the scene before him.

In the center of the open area was a massive pit filled with blood-red liquid. Countless stones jutted out from the blood-red pool, their vivid hues resembling the quality of the Blood Phoenix Stone Meng Jingzhou had bought. Several people moved around the edge of the pit, occasionally pouring blood into the crimson pool.

“This...this is...”

The commandery governor explained helplessly, “This is where Phoenix Blood Stones are produced.”

“The Phoenix Blood Stones are fake?” Meng Jingzhou was dumbstruck. I spent half a million on a counterfeit?!

Li Haoran shook his head. “Wait, that’s not right. The blood in the pit is indeed phoenix blood. I’ve seen my shifu use it before for refining artifacts, though the quality of the Phoenix Blood he used was much higher than the ones here.”

“Commandery Governor, who are these people?” A young man with red eyes and red feathers on his neck walked over. His brow was knitted, displeased with the commandery governor for bringing outsiders here.

The commandery governor sighed. “I had no choice. If I didn’t bring them here, I’d be the unlucky one to suffer.”

The red-eyed youth was about to explode with rage. Bringing outsiders here means that our secret is exposed. How am I supposed to explain this to the tribe leader when I return?

“These people are from the Dao-Seeking Sect, and this is my grandson, the family head of the Mo Family.”

“Scram!”

“Dao-Seeking Sect?” The red-eyed youth scrutinized Lu Yang and the others in surprise. Myriad emotions flashed past his visage, as though he was recalling some unpleasant memories; his arrogant demeanor softened considerably.

“What’s your relationship with Yun Zhi?”

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“She’s my Big Senior Sister.”

“What about Gan Tian?”

“She’s my Third Senior Sister,” Lu Yang replied. He had never met his third senior sister, for she was currently training and gaining experience in the Demon Region.

“Ah, fellow Daoists from the Dao-Seeking Sect, you’re here for an inspection? Please, this way.” The red-eyed youth’s attitude made a complete turnaround. He plastered on a wide and affable smile.

The commandery governor could feel his eyelids twitching. I’ve never seen him act so friendly toward me before. “Allow me to introduce, this is Jiang Shan from the Phoenix Tribe.”

“Senior Jiang Shan, regarding my Big Senior Sister and Third Senior Sister, may I ask how you know...”

“Aiya, calling me Senior Jiang Shan is too formal. Just call me Little Jiang.” For some reason, Jiang Shan was especially cordial toward Lu Yang. “As for Senior Yun Zhi and Senior Gan Tian, they’re exceptionally kind to the Phoenix Tribe. They even visited us for a friendly sparring session and offered some guidance for our cultivation. I was also fortunate to have received some of their advice myself.

“Of course, if possible—and I mean if—could you perhaps let your Big Senior Sister and Third Senior Sister know that they don’t have to visit the Phoenix Tribe again? The Dragon Tribe has plenty of space; they should go there instead.”

Lu Yang, “...”

Big Senior Sister, Third Senior Sister, just what exactly did you do at the Phoenix Tribe?

Su Yiren was also very curious. This doesn’t match the prideful reputation of the Phoenix Clan at all.

“I’m here to find out the truth about the Phoenix Blood Stones.” Lu Yang stated his purpose.

The commandery governor replied, “Jiang Shan doesn’t know as much as I do. Let me explain.

“This matter can be traced back to four thousand years ago. Back then, a phoenix senior passed away here, and their blood permeated the mine, giving rise to the first batch of Phoenix Blood Stones. The people accidentally discovered the stones and were ecstatic. They set up camps here, marking the beginnings of Luofeng Commandery.

“About seven hundred years later, the Blood Phoenix Stones became increasingly scarce and difficult to mine. The commandery governor at the time realized the exigency of the situation. Without the Phoenix Blood Stones, the backbone of Luofeng Commandery’s economy would collapse, and the whole commandery would fall apart. Hence, he secretly approached the Phoenix Tribe, hoping to purchase some phoenix blood to produce a new batch of Phoenix Blood Stones.

“At first, the Phoenix Tribe refused. They viewed themselves as high and mighty, unwilling to sell their blood to the commandery governor. However, when the commandery governor presented a detailed record of the revenue from selling Phoenix Blood Stones over the years and promised to share thirty percent of the profits with the Phoenix Tribe, their attitude shifted drastically.”

Everyone turned their gaze to Jiang Shan, the only member of the Phoenix Tribe present.

Jiang Shan was convinced that reason was on his side. “There are so many people in the Phoenix Tribe. All of them require spirit stones for food, clothing, and shelter. What’s wrong with earning some money through our own abilities to support our households?”

It was Lu Yang’s first time hearing someone describe selling their blood in such an unconventional yet dignified manner. He recalled Li Haoran had once said, “The Dragon and Phoenix tribes are the proudest among the demons. Their blood is incredibly valuable, and it’s almost as hard as reaching the heavens for humans to obtain them.”

Truly “as hard as reaching the heavens.”

The commandery governor shot Jiang Shan a glance. “If the Phoenix Tribe is so self-assured, why do you still demand that the Phoenix Blood Stones be artificially aged to ensure that outsiders can’t tell they’re freshly soaked?”

Jiang Shan shifted his guilty gaze furtively, avoiding eye contact with the commandery governor.

The commandery governor continued, “The Phoenix Tribe was willing to sell their phoenix blood, but they insisted on keeping it a secret. Thus, that commandery governor developed a method to expedite the aging of the Phoenix Blood Stone.

“Just like this.” He picked up a random stone from the blood pool and cast a spell. The originally vibrant Blood Phoenix Stone turned dull, as if it had weathered through several hundreds or thousands of years.

“Every few years, Luofeng Commandery would receive a batch of blood from the Phoenix Blood Tribe, soak the stones, and produce Phoenix Blood Stones. This has been going on for over three thousand years and is passed down as a secret from one commandery governor to the next.

“Later, for some reason, an accident occurred. An unaged Phoenix Blood Stone was circulated outside, and after changing hands a few times, it was purchased by the eldest young master of the Meng Family.

“If an experienced artifact-crafting master sees that Phoenix Blood Stone, they would immediately surmise that the current Phoenix Blood Stones in Luofeng Commandery are freshly produced, thereby deducing the arrangement between Luofeng Commandery and the Phoenix Tribe.

“It would reflect poorly on both the Luofeng Commandery and Phoenix Tribe if this matter is exposed. That’s why I’ve been trying to reclaim this Phoenix Blood Stone. As for this guy surnamed Mo, he has the same idea.

“However, now that all of you know the truth, there’s no longer any point in recovering it.”