Cultivation System: Stronger with Age
Chapter 45 - 41 Dragon Blood Fierce Dog, Young Lady’s Ingenious Plan (Seeking Follow-up Reading)

Chapter 45: Chapter 41 Dragon Blood Fierce Dog, Young Lady’s Ingenious Plan (Seeking Follow-up Reading)

Lin Xuankong was deep in thought when he suddenly heard several dog barks nearby.

He turned his head and saw Xu Bei and two other Stewards, each leading a fierce, giant dog from behind.

These three enormous hounds were extraordinarily large, nearly reaching an adult’s chest in height.

Their bodies were covered in peculiar blood-colored patterns.

Their eyes gleamed fiercely as they opened and closed.

Furthermore, they had three nostrils, and their four paws shone with a dark lustre.

They appeared quite bizarre and exceedingly ferocious!

Steward Zhao Yufei, who had been praised by Chief Steward Jiang and had achieved great merit in war, walked at the very front.

Now, taking note of Steward Zhao Yufei, the Daoist Nun, even Lin Xuankong, accustomed as he was to the beauty of young ladies, couldn’t help but admire her silently. Although Zhao Yufei’s features weren’t as exquisitely perfect as Lii Xiaolan’s, at twenty-seven or twenty-eight years of age, she was at an age of full-blown charm. Combined with her curvaceous figure, long legs, and an ethereal moon-white Daoist robe, she possessed a unique, mature, and aloofly elegant charm, which inexplicably reminded Lin Xuankong of names from his past life’s memories like "Li Mochou" and "Zhou Zhiruo"!

Zhao Yufei walked towards the entrance of the council hall, turned to Xu Bei, and said, "The Hall Master has dispatched men to heavily guard both main roads of Great Marsh Prefecture. That Flying Thief will surely be unable to escape and will be caught sooner or later. It’s just a matter of who apprehends him first!"

Xu Bei cupped his fists and said with a smile, "If we manage to catch the Flying Thief this time with the help of Steward Zhao’s Dragon Blood Dogs, I will definitely not compete with Steward Zhao for the position of Silver Jade Steward. I just want to vent some frustration!"

Steward Huang quickly chimed in, "I also will not compete with Steward Zhao for the Silver Jade Steward position, only to catch the Flying Thief sooner!"

Nearby, Ma Rusong said respectfully, "I’ve heard that raising these Dragon Blood Dogs requires nearly a thousand Evil Lizard Essence Blood Pearls. Once matured, they possess considerable Spirituality and can even gain some abilities of Demons. Not only are they immensely strong, comparable to Transcendence Martial Cultivators, but their sense of smell is also extremely keen, making them excellent at tracking! For everyone to catch the Flying Thief sooner, Steward Zhao was even willing to entrust such invaluable treasure hounds to Steward Xu and Steward Huang. I, Rusong, am truly moved!"

Zhao Yufei waved her hand. "It’s just three Dragon Blood Dogs! Alright, let’s dispense with the idle chatter. Catching the Flying Thief quickly is what matters!"

As she spoke, she glanced at everyone present, her expression full of cold arrogance. Then, she, along with Xu Bei, Steward Huang, and their numerous Stewards, headed outside.

Judging by their expressions and words, it seemed they were certain they would be the ones to catch the Flying Thief.

After this group left the Martial Arts Hall, the remaining few Stewards and about thirty other Stewards looked at each other, secretly shaking their heads.

One Steward couldn’t help but remark, "Steward Zhao Yufei expended so much effort back then to raise these Dragon Blood Dogs. I always thought she was wasting Evil Lizard Essence Blood Pearls, but I never imagined they would prove useful today! With these highly spiritual Dragon Blood Dogs assisting them, I’m afraid the Flying Thief will be caught by them within a few days. The coveted Silver Jade Steward position will likely belong to Steward Zhao Yufei! It’s just, her arrogance..."

Another Steward with a dark reddish complexion said, "Zhao Yufei and Xu Bei are both directly under the Hall Master’s jurisdiction. Coupled with the fact that both possess Three-Seal Talent, it’s natural they’d be somewhat arrogant and look down on those of us with Two-Seal Talent! Especially Zhao Yufei; her Yin Talisman Technique Talent is Three-Seal, but her talent for cultivating her family’s ’Eight Gates Celestial Eye’ Abnormal Technique is said to be first-rate. It’s rumored that after only ten years of cultivation, she has already developed the Celestial Eye’s miraculous ability to confuse an opponent’s Heart Spirit! Such a genius is valued even more than Gu Bei City Steward. It’s said the Hall Master even intends to arrange a marriage alliance between his children and the Zhao Family. A bit of arrogance from her is understandable! However, if one of them, either she or Xu Bei, really becomes the Silver Jade Steward this time, they’ll likely become unbearably arrogant!"

After speaking, this red-faced Steward looked at Ma Jiang. "Steward Ma, what do you think?"

Ma Jiang frowned and said, "No matter who catches the Flying Thief, it’s a good thing! At the very least, it will show those filthy degenerates that the Yin Talisman Sect is not to be trifled with! As for the arrogance of Zhao Yufei, Xu Bei, and the others, it’s nothing new. If you’re unhappy, just tell them off to their faces. We all possess Third-Stage cultivation, all Stewards; who’s afraid of whom!"

The red-faced Steward laughed. "Senior Brother Ma always speaks his mind so refreshingly, hahaha! However, not everyone is like you, daring to scold those two so casually! You joined the sect early and are already in the Late Third Stage, almost reaching the Fourth Stage. The few of us don’t have such high cultivation! Moreover, the Zhao Family backing Steward Zhao Yufei, even if not comparable to the Guo, Feng, and Huang Families, isn’t far behind. How could those of us without deep roots dare to offend the Noble Children from prominent sect families!"

Listening to their conversation, Lin Xuankong couldn’t help but frown. These Dragon Blood Dogs seem quite extraordinary. Not only is their robust physique comparable to that of Martial Cultivators, but they even have an extra nostril—they must have an incredible sense of smell! If they’re truly as formidable as described, and the Dragon Blood Dogs excel at tracking, then this mission...

He couldn’t help but feel a surge of anxiety. Even if I’m not after those two hundred Forehead Scales, even if I don’t covet that Silver Jade Steward position, if they complete this mission before me, who knows when I’ll get another one! And who knows if the next mission will be even more difficult than this one?

Just as he was pondering, Ma Jiang spoke up, "It’s already approaching noon. You should all return quickly and make arrangements for your disciples! If Zhao Yufei and Xu Bei can catch the Flying Thief, it will naturally be of great benefit to the Sect. However, in matters like this, we can’t simply place all our hopes on others!"

Hearing this, Lin Xuankong and the others acknowledged the order and departed.

Lin Xuankong first went to the third warehouse. He carefully inspected the scene and thoroughly questioned several injured disciples before returning to his station.

After summoning his disciples and briefly explaining the situation, he assigned them various tasks that needed to be completed quickly. The assignments were detailed for each person, including secretly investigating every blacksmith and weapons shop in Great Marsh Prefecture, as well as the six martial arts halls and small gangs that taught Concealed Weapon Techniques.

Lin Xuankong knew very well that he absolutely could not give up on this mission, which was extremely important to him. Even if Zhao Yu and Xu Bei had numerous subordinates, hundreds each, and were aided by those highly spiritual Dragon Blood Dogs, and even if those dozens of other Stewards and fellow Stewards chose to give up competing with Zhao Yu and Xu Bei, he still had to strive to take the lead! Until the moment the Flying Thief was caught, he still had a chance! Why is it that only Noble Children like Zhao Yufei can hold this Silver Jade position, while someone like me, a poor person relying on personal effort, cannot!

After he finished arranging matters and returned home, Piaoxiang Tower had already delivered several dishes.

Lin Xuankong sat at the table, meticulously mulling over the Flying Thief situation while eating absently.

Lii Xiaolan glanced at him with some puzzlement. "Hmm, Chief Steward Lin, what’s wrong? Why do you seem so preoccupied?"

Lin Xuankong frowned and explained the situation to her. "...The Flying Thief left very few clues. For my part, making any progress will require meticulous, step-by-step investigation! Xu Bei, Zhao Yufei, and the others are all Stewards, with hundreds of men under them. I only have a little over forty. Our efficiency is vastly different. Plus, they have Dragon Blood Dogs to help them. Competing with them will be extremely difficult!"

After Lii Xiaolan finished listening, her eyes curved into crescents, and the corners of her mouth turned up. "I thought it was some earth-shattering catastrophe! It’s just catching a Flying Thief; that’s very simple!"

Simple? Lin Xuankong was speechless.

Lii Xiaolan noticed his expression and shot him a glare. "Fine, if you don’t want me to teach you how to catch the Flying Thief quickly, I won’t say!"

She shook her small head and continued to eat, relishing her food with a hearty appetite...

Watching the Young Lady’s playful demeanor, Lin Xuankong felt a surge of hope. That’s the Silver Jade position, nearly two hundred Forehead Scales, and an opportunity to cultivate the Yin Talisman Technique! If the Young Lady truly has a way...

"Well... tonight, I’ll have Piaoxiang Tower deliver your favorite dishes. Eight dishes!"

"Eighteen dishes!" Lii Xiaolan declared, driving a hard bargain.

"It’s a deal! Tell me, what method do you have?" Lin Xuankong’s eyes held a trace of hope and curiosity. If the Young Lady can help me catch the Flying Thief quickly, forget eighteen dishes; I’d even arrange an imperial feast for her!