Beginning with the Ubume Bird
Chapter 666 - Chapter 666 Chapter 52 The Eight Sufferings (Part 3)

Chapter 666: Chapter 52: The Eight Sufferings (Part 3) Chapter 666: Chapter 52: The Eight Sufferings (Part 3) Li Yan was the last to arrive.

The room was small, the sofa full of people, and Ren Ni’s game console still rested on the coffee table.

It was only then that Li Yan realized he had met everyone present.

Ren Ni, Jin Ye, Yang Zheng, Mo, and Cha Xiaodao aside, Yu Shiqie was flanked by two women.

One was Zhao Xin, who had encountered the Sifan attack with Li Yan in Yanjing; the other looked very familiar to Li Yan and was supposedly the Proxy Traveler who replaced Mei Ling in the event.

The woman extended her right hand, “My name is Wan Die. It was I who traded the ancient serpent of Yun Zhongjun with you in Wan’an. I also saw you at the Yan Zhao Club, though you might not have noticed me.”

Li Yan blinked and then smiled, “Li Yan. How did you recognize me?”

“In all of Yan Fu, only one Yun Zhongjun heritage was found. Since I sold it, of course, I recognize you.”

“I see.”

After a brief handshake, Li Yan nodded to the others and then sat next to Cha Xiaodao.

Unexpectedly, none of the nine Yan Fu Proxy Travelers involved in the event had left during the previous “elevator gambit”, but this wasn’t necessarily good news.

Previously at Mother Crown, Li Yan had already gathered a fair amount of information about the Eight Sufferings of Sifan.

The original forms of the Eight Sufferings were mostly “Wingless Worms” from various fruits, but for various reasons, they could accidentally use the powers of Yan Fu Heritage and move through the fruits just like Yan Fu Proxy Travelers, clustering together.

In the era before the formation of the Yan Zhao Club, when Sifan was at its zenith, the Eight Sufferings were genuinely comprised of eight Five Directions Elders. There was even an almost omniscient and omnipotent individual known as the Sifan Master, sweeping through Yan Fu like locusts, nearly unstoppable. At that time, the pale white traces hung heavily on the Great Tree trunks, with half of the Yan Fu Tree withering because of them.

However, the situation later became too complex, with Proxy Travelers, Renegades, and Wingless Worms in a three-way melee, many fruits bursting clean without even sinking into the Leaf Sea, resulting in unimaginable changes in both Yan Fu and Sifan. As a result, the old Eight Sufferings were almost completely annihilated in the melee, and the Yan Zhao Club, led by Zhao Jianzhong, rose to prominence, expanding to a scale that was in no way inferior to the prime of Sifan.

Two years later, Sifan re-emerged, the new Eight Sufferings failed to follow suit, the once unified force fighting against the Wingless Worms and Yan Fu shattered, turning into hounded dogs living in constant fear.

Even so, the new Eight Sufferings still held a significant number of complete Yan Fu Heritages. And they had at least one Five Directions Elder in their ranks. They were definitely not a force the people in this room could handle. Especially Ren Ni and Zhao Xin, who weren’t even Proxy Travelers! In the eyes of Feng Yi, these people weren’t much different from ordinary people; self-preservation would be very difficult for them.

If the Eight Sufferings could leave one Five Directions Elder and two members of the Six Ministries on this fruit, in theory, they could deal a devastating blow to the Proxy Travelers participating in this event.

“Everyone is here now. Tomorrow is July 13th, Mr. Zhao’s boat docks. I’ve been in direct contact with Mr. Zhao all this time, but with such a big incident occurring, I can’t keep things from everyone anymore.”

Yu Shiqie, seeing that everyone had arrived, got straight to the point, “Regarding the sudden attack by Sifan, we had been psychologically prepared.”

The origins of everyone present were complex and they were not familiar with each other. Yu Shiqie’s words immediately tightened the atmosphere in the room.

“You say you were prepared, but who are you referring to by ‘we’?”

Jin Ye’s tone wasn’t the least bit friendly. If the invasion of Sifan had been an unexpected event, Jin Ye simply would have considered himself unlucky. Moreover, as he was on the special talents list, he had the right to return immediately. Zhao Jianzhong had also sent a text message. Jin Ye hadn’t chosen to leave; he was mentally prepared for this. But if it was said that this had been preplanned, with Yu Shiqie, anyone would feel the anger of “being used as bait.”

“Mr. Zhao, I, Yang Zheng, and Zhao Xin. Only the four of us knew about this in advance.”

Cha Xiaodao glanced at Li Yan silently, reasoning that among all the people involved this time, Li Yan held the third-highest position. Yet, Yu Shiqie implied that she bypassed the second seat, Li Yan, to place her trust more in Yang Zheng, the third seat. This in itself spoke volumes.

Yet Li Yan appeared unconcerned, observing his nose and his mouth instead, without taking it to heart.

He coughed once and asked, “What’s the reason for keeping it from us?”

“Mr. Zhao believes that there is a mole inside the Yan Zhao Club, and the likelihood is that it’s one of us. Our current situation also proves that the details of the recovery of Earth Jiazi No. 259 Fruit were leaked from the start. As compensation, we decided from the beginning that everyone present would have the priority to choose one item from the Fruit Core Hoard. Even if they chose to return during Sifan’s void, they could still obtain a treasure.”

Cha Xiaodao nodded, saying no more.

The treasures within the Yan Fu fruit core were at worst legendary artifacts of the highest order, and there was a high probability that unique treasures would appear. For a regular fruit recovery event, the rewards for participating proxies were distributed by the Yan Zhao Club, leading to rather unstable earnings. This was especially true for recovery events led by Zhao Jianzhong–behind the 100% survival rate lay meager final rewards.

Zhao Jianzhong breaking out the Fruit Core Hoard as compensation this time was unprecedented.

“But, we’ve been here for almost a month now, and Mr. Zhao hasn’t asked us to do anything, nor has he told us anything. Where exactly is the Yan Fu fruit core?”

Wan Die asked.

“No need to rush.”

As Yu Shiqie spoke, she glanced at Yang Zheng, who silently pulled out a grimy compass and placed it on the table.

It was precisely the Taixu Compass that he had won from Chen Lang.

“This compass, in a strict sense, is a damaged fruit-specific tool that, in its original state, could accurately pinpoint the location of the Yan Fu fruit core. However, it requires over 90% Feng Shui Skill expertise. Zhao Xin.”

Yu Shiqie signaled Zhao Xin, who rubbed the back of her neck before standing up.

Li Yan examined Zhao Xin carefully. She wore black dungarees, still quite fashionable at the time, with a white-checked felt hat. Compared to last time, there was not much change in Zhao Xin, except she seemed more mature and restrained.

She extended her hands, and a white vapor rushed out from behind her, striking the compass. The needle on the compass began to spin swiftly, but some parts of the text were obscured by stains, making it difficult to discern the exact direction displayed.

“The reason Zhao Xin was added to the special talents list is that she learned Special Expertise: Ghost God Mirror in one of the Four Realities, the Scale of True Martial. This expertise is especially suited for the Bai Ze heritage. As for the effect, it allows conversion of expertise into other percentages on an unequal basis, but only for text-based skills.”

Yu Shiqie pointed at the Taixu Compass: “Right now, Zhao Xin’s Ghost God Mirror expertise is at 59%. Every 1% of Ghost God Mirror expertise can be converted into 1.5% of Feng Shui Skill expertise, meaning she can instantly become a Feng Shui Master with a Feng Shui Skill expertise approaching 90%.”

Cha Xiaodao nudged Li Yan: “Look at others’ special expertise.”

“But it seems like it’s still not enough,”

Mo interjected.

“`

Any specialization reaching integer levels is a chasm, and though the effect of the Ghost God Mirror is defying the heavens, if it doesn’t meet the 90% usage requirement, it is still useless.

“I have a way.”

Jin Ye suddenly spoke up.

He picked up the Compass and scrutinized the stubborn stains on it, even licking them with his tongue, before observing the other materials that composed the Compass.

He took out a bottle of spray from his personal space and evenly coated the surface of the Compass. Once it was evenly distributed, his face bulged and deformed, sprouting many black and white hairs, and in a short while, Jin Ye’s head had actually turned into that of a panda!

Inheritance: Panda’s Fang.

The nostrils of the panda head shot out two whirling red flames, circling the Compass. The temperature in the room instantly rose by several degrees.

Yu Shiqie explained to the others, “Jin Ye is the Proxy Traveler of Ou Yezi, but he also possesses the inheritances of four other auxiliary abilities, all with very high Awakening Degrees. The Panda is one of them. It’s a pity that he didn’t become a member of the Yan Zhao Club last time, but he is still listed among the special talent list. Jin Ye himself is a professor appointed by a top university’s material science department in Harbin. With a smelting specialization reaching 96%, in the entire Yan Zhao Club, Jin Ye is one of the very few who can craft legendary-level weapons.”

Ren Ni, who had become familiar with Jin Ye these days, was not reserved and asked with a smile, “Brother Ye, how old are you this year? You’re already a professor.”

“Thirty-two. Any problem?”

“Your face looks pretty young.”

Ren Ni recalled his biker-like dress sense and could only lament that looks can be deceiving.

Jin Ye gave him a side-glance and then actually put the Compass in his mouth and started chewing it. Despite his teeth crunching, the surface of the Compass made a sound like crisps being eaten.

After a while, the panda head spat out the Compass, which was now devoid of stains, indicating that changes had occurred.

[Taixu Compass]

Quality: ???

Comprising twenty-eight layers both internally and externally, this new-style Compass was devised by the Taixu Monk in combination with the talents of famous Feng Shui masters from generations past. There is only one of its kind in the world.

Exclusive item to the tree!

Cannot be taken out of this Yan Fu event.

Dragon Seeking: Can accurately pinpoint the location of the Earth’s energy Dragon Veins in the Nine States.

Usage Requirement: Feng Shui Skill specialization above 70%.

“All set.”

Jin Ye licked his teeth. Unbeknownst to the others, he had transformed back into human form.

Unexpectedly, Yu Shiqie shook her head, “It’s useless to just find the location of the Fruit Core. According to Feng Shui terminology, the location of the Earth’s energy Dragon Vein is equivalent to a Feng Shui formation, and the Yan Fu Fruit Core is the most malevolent anomaly within this formation. A mere sneeze from it could cause the earth to quake, and turning over in its sleep could bring about a century-rare typhoon. Should it throw a fit, all of us might not be able to subdue it even if we acted together.”

Everyone turned their gaze towards Ren Ni; since there were three people on the special talent list and he was the only one not yet utilized.

Ren Ni swallowed nervously and quickly gestured with his hands.

“No need to look at him, Ren Ni was originally Mr. Zhao’s trump card against Sifan and has nothing to do with the Yan Fu Fruit Core. There are two ways to extract the Fruit Core. One is for Mr. Zhao to do it himself, and the other, well, professional matters should be left to the professionals.”

Li Yan had been silent for most of the time, but now she finally spoke out, “What does that mean?”

“Let’s let Earth Endurance explain it. After all, they’ve been monitoring this event from beginning to end for many years.”

After saying that, Yu Shiqie tapped on the table.

Ren Yi walked in with a smile, bowed to everyone, then took out a remote control and pressed a button. A projector slowly descended from the wall.

“The story is long, beginning with the legend of Jiang Wenhai chasing the Dragon Veins…”

Ren Yi gave an overview of the story that Chen Lang had previously told.

“Originally, the Taixu Monk, a remarkable Feng Shui master of his time, used the Righteous Pavilion to lock the Dragon Vein in order to continue the Jiang lineage. Later, the Jiang family was driven to Taiwan, and the Taixu Monk had passed into nirvana. The Earth’s energy Dragon Vein had since vanished without a trace. Perhaps it was fate that the whereabouts of the Dragon Vein ended up once again in the hands of someone with the surname Jiang.”

After that, Ren Yi opened a slideshow; it showed a man in his early twenties, full of youthful vigor.

“Jiang Wenhai, later renamed Xue Wenhai, he is the inheritor of Heavenly Marrow Feng Shui, a rather niche practice, but the mastery of the twelve-volume Feng Shui Skill is indeed genuine. He is ruthless and very good at networking. He made a fortune in the cold chain business in Hong Kong, even becoming one of the first Chinese entrepreneurs to join the Hong Kong Jockey Club, with the British backing him. We have been tracking him for a long time and speculate that he may have already mastered the location of the Dragon Vein. But he is cautious, and over the years, we couldn’t determine the precise location. We can only approximately confirm it’s near Da’ao Village, and his adopted daughter, Ye Shiru, was born nearby. Furthermore, we discovered that Xue Wenhai has been secretly purchasing corpses from around the world, even bribing hospitals, courts, and prisons to steal the bodies of executed criminals or making it appear as accidental deaths. He has only one goal: to collect Life Fiends. As for his purposes…”

Ren Yi clicked the remote.

“Mr. Xue, I don’t quite understand all these things you Chinese people talk about…”

“Mr. Rong, we’ve known each other for many years, and you should be well aware of my capabilities. I can responsibly tell you, if you don’t believe me, we will face nothing but a lose-lose situation.”

The quality of the video was very blurry, and it wasn’t clear where Ren Yi got it from, but the audio was crisp and clear.

“But you once told me that Hong Kong is a treasure land, filled with gold everywhere, with, with a sleeping dragon blessing us.”

“Yes, I did say that. But Mr. Rong, even people who doze off eventually wake up. And we’re talking about a dragon here. It has been sleeping beneath us for over twenty years. Decades ago, it flew from Nanjing to here, and now it is time for it to leave. I wouldn’t hesitate to bet my thirty years of experience as a Feng Shui Master with you that once the Dragon Vein awakens, whether it be you, your business, or me, none of us will have good days ahead.”

“What do you plan to do?”

“A dragon has two eyes; the left is called Qian, and the right is called Kun. When the left eye is open, it’s day; when the right eye is open, it’s night. I will use the Fierce column as a medium to refine a moon, placing it on the left of the Dragon Vein, and the Auspicious column as a medium to refine a sun, placing it on the right of the Dragon Vein. When the Dragon Vein opens its left eye and sees the moon, it will think it’s night; when it opens its right eye and sees the sun, it will believe it’s day. By confusing day and night like this, I believe we can hold on for another fifty years.”

“`