Reborn as a Happy Wife in a Rural Family
Chapter 199: Ice Silkworm

Chapter 199: Chapter 199: Ice Silkworm

Ice Silkworms, as recorded in the *Classic of Poison*, resemble earthworms. They are about the size of a middle finger and have translucent, crystal-like bodies. Moreover, Ice Silkworms are inherently venomous. Their Ice Silkworm Poison is ranked as the fifth deadliest toxin and also serves as the bane of other poisons, having an effect comparable to that of the Ten-Thousand Poison.

Gu Qingli guessed that it was probably the effect of consuming the Ten-Thousand Poison.

Thus, Ice Silkworms are also known as the "ultimate poison." Besides their "ultimate poison" trait, another notable characteristic of Ice Silkworms is their "ultimate cold."

Consequently, those infected by Ice Silkworm Poison often develop a layer of ice on their bodies. If they don’t detoxify in time, they’ll either die from excruciating pain or be frozen to death. They will not survive longer than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

Moreover, the silk produced by Ice Silkworms is an exceedingly precious item—a priceless treasure.

Jewelry and jade, typically considered valuable by most, paled in comparison to Ice Silkworm Silk.

Ice Silkworm Silk is impervious to water and fire. When made into soft armor, it not only repels water, fire, and poison but also offers impenetrable protection from blades.

It was the treasure most coveted by those in the martial arts world.

Not only was Gu Qingli overjoyed, but even Xiao Yunjing was moved.

His first thought was to make a suit of soft armor for Gu Qingli and her son.

Thus, he ordered the Secret Sect members to search for more as they journeyed.

Later, after learning where Ice Silkworms preferred to hide, Wuyou and the others indeed found several Ice Silkworm chrysalises.

Even some other members of the Secret Sect found some.

They handed over all they found, none daring to keep any for themselves.

"Yunjing, Ice Silkworms are suited to living in snow and ice. Let’s bring some snow and ice into the Space," Gu Qingli said to Xiao Yunjing during a rest break. "Not only do Ice Silkworms require snow and ice, but the Ten-Thousand Poison also needs such an environment to grow."

If only they could find a Heavenly Mulberry Tree as well.

"Alright, Li’er, take out the tools." Xiao Yunjing understood that Gu Qingli wanted to raise Ice Silkworms in the Space.

Gu Qingli retrieved the tools they had used to dig mud at the bottom of the great sinkhole. Xiao Yunjing then called a few Secret Sect members to help dig up snow and ice.

They stopped digging only when Gu Qingli felt they had gathered enough.

「Four days later, the group reached the entrance of a canyon.」

The terrain here resembled a strategic pass, where one man could hold off ten thousand. A formidable chasm stretched before them. To cross, they had to pass through a narrow, recessed canyon mouth.

However, the blizzard there was so fierce that even the Secret Sect members struggled to maintain their footing.

"Stop." Xiao Yunjing raised his hand, signaling everyone to halt. "If we proceed, Gu Qingli’s palanquin will be torn apart by the wind, and people could be blown away."

He found an alcove in the cliff face, sheltered from the blizzard, and had the Secret Sect members carefully set down the palanquin.

Xiao Yunjing drew aside the palanquin’s curtain and extended his hands. "Li’er, let me carry you. There’s a narrow passage ahead, and the blizzard is too strong for the palanquin."

"Alright," Gu Qingli nodded.

As Xiao Yunjing carried her out, she swiftly stored the palanquin in her Space.

"Huh? What’s that? Yunjing, quickly, carry me in there to see what it is!"

Gu Qingli tugged on Xiao Yunjing’s sleeve. Just as she stored the palanquin, she had glimpsed something resembling a tree inside the alcove. A gust of wind, though not strong, had blown in, causing a slight movement where she had looked.

This cliff alcove was quite high and somewhat deep, shaped like a funnel. It was easy to overlook what lay within if one wasn’t paying close attention.

Carrying Gu Qingli, Xiao Yunjing walked deeper into the alcove. The snow inside wasn’t too deep, and they soon arrived.

Before them stood a tree about five and a half feet tall.

The tree was crystalline and translucent, almost indistinguishable from the ice and snow around it, blending seamlessly with the snow-covered cliff wall.

Only a part of it was visible.

Without careful observation, one would never notice a tree there.

"A Heavenly Mulberry Tree!" Gu Qingli reached out and touched its ice-like leaves.

A layer of snow covered the leaves, and as she touched them, the snow rustled off. Gu Qingli couldn’t suppress her excitement. They had searched for days without success, only to unexpectedly find the Heavenly Mulberry Tree here!

"Li’er, let’s dig it up quickly. It’s freezing out here," Xiao Yunjing urged.

"Alright."

Gu Qingli retrieved shovels from her Space and called over Yun No. 20 and Yun No. 18 to do the digging.

The two men took the shovels and began to dig. Xiao Yunjing, still holding Gu Qingli, stepped back a few paces to watch.

They had barely dug a few times when suddenly, an Ice Snake, over three feet long, darted out from beneath the tree.

The Ice Snake didn’t attack Yun No. 20 or Yun No. 18, but shot straight towards Gu Qingli in Xiao Yunjing’s arms.

"Master, watch out!" Yun No. 20 shouted. It all happened too fast; by the time he reacted, the Ice Snake had already lunged.

Xiao Yunjing and Gu Qingli had been focused on the tree.

Since consuming the snow lotus, Xiao Yunjing’s cultivation had increased significantly, and no subtle movement or sound could escape his heightened senses.

When he saw a gleam of light shoot upwards, it was too late to dodge. In that fraction of a second, while still holding Gu Qingli with one arm, his other hand shot out with incredible speed and snatched the blur of light.

He found an Ice Snake in his grasp. With a squeeze, it shattered into countless icy fragments that fell to the ground.

Gu Qingli’s mouth hung open; she hadn’t even processed what happened before Xiao Yunjing had neutralized the threat.

She looked back at the stern-faced Xiao Yunjing. Her man was so powerful! She had thought they were in trouble this time.

"Yunjing, you’re amazing!" MWAH! After her praise, Gu Qingli planted a kiss on Xiao Yunjing’s cheek.

Yun No. 20 and Yun No. 18 were also in awe of their master’s skill; they knew they couldn’t have caught the Ice Snake with such speed.

But when the two saw Gu Qingli openly kiss their master, they averted their eyes. Sure enough, their master shot them a pointed look.

They quickly turned back to digging up the tree.

If there was one Ice Snake here, there wouldn’t be a second.

Ice Snakes are the coldest of cold-blooded creatures and do not live in groups, unless it’s a family. However, adult Ice Snakes are solitary.

While Ice Snakes don’t live communally, they will attack in groups. When faced with a strong enemy, they swiftly summon nearby Ice Silkworms to launch a ferocious swarm attack.

As for why it had suddenly attacked Gu Qingli and not Yun No. 20 or Yun No. 18, who were closer, Xiao Yunjing and Gu Qingli guessed it was because she had discovered the Heavenly Mulberry Tree. If someone came to dig up its lair, it would naturally attack the one responsible.

Xiao Yunjing wiped his hands clean on the snow. His stern expression vanished, replaced by a tender gaze as he looked at his wife, who was praising him.

Gu Qingli’s eyes were filled with admiration for him.

Xiao Yunjing felt a little smug. A surge of power coursed through him, making him willing to go through hell and high water for his wife. So this was what it felt like to be praised and admired by one’s own wife.

It took Yun No. 20 and Yun No. 18 about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn to completely unearth the Heavenly Mulberry Tree.

Gu Qingli accepted it into her Space with a beaming smile. Now there would be Heavenly Mulberry leaves to feed the Ice Silkworms, and the little protective vests for her babies were looking hopeful! HEHEHE...

Seeing her smile, her eyes crinkling with joy, Xiao Yunjing lovingly ruffled her hair.

"Let’s go." Xiao Yunjing gave the order, sending Secret Guard No. 8 and his team ahead first.

Wuqing and her three companions followed.

Then came Xiao Yunjing and Gu Qingli, with Yun No. 20 and Yun No. 18 bringing up the rear.