The Elixir is for You, The Poison is for Me

#205 - Senior

Lu Jing looked surprised to see who it was and raised his eyebrows, saying, "Brother Jing."

Standing outside the courtyard at that moment was none other than Jing Xiang, the herb gatherer he and Xia Huai had encountered at the cave entrance.

However, the latter's face no longer held the amiable smile from before, appearing frighteningly gloomy.

Moreover, hanging at his waist was no longer the sickle for gathering herbs, but a black-sheathed iron saber. Even before the blade was drawn, it exuded an aura of grimness.

Lu Jing was certain that this blade had once drunk its fill of human blood.

And its owner was naturally no ordinary person.

"Look at the good you've done," Jing Xiang said, his hand on the hilt of his saber, gritting his teeth, enunciating each word.

"What have I done?" Lu Jing asked, puzzled.

"Didn't the professors at the academy teach you? Once the behavioral patterns of strange objects are disrupted, it's highly likely to trigger unpredictable consequences!"

"Apologies, but the academy hasn't started classes yet," Lu Jing said apologetically.

"… … … …"

Jing Xiang was choked speechless. He was too anxious and had actually forgotten about this. Hearing Lu Jing say this, he remembered that the two who had come this time were complete novices who had somehow wandered into the forbidden area.

He couldn't bother saying too much, and with a stern face, he said to Lu Jing, "While there's still time, quickly pack your things and leave with me."

"I can't leave," Lu Jing refused without a second thought.

"Don't let your eyes deceive you, kid. You have no idea how severe the situation is right now," Jing Xiang said coldly.

"I believe you, Brother Xiang, that you're not trying to scare me, but since we came here as two people, we should naturally return as two people," Lu Jing insisted.

Jing Xiang seemed to think of something, and a glint of light burst forth in his eyes upon hearing this.

Surprisingly, he didn't try to persuade him any further but compromised, nodding his head. "Alright, then let's go find the person first. After we find the person, you two leave immediately… That little girl is called Xia Huai, right? I saw her and her younger brother heading towards the mulberry forest west of the village earlier."

"But you must remember, because you broke the rules here, they will most likely be coming for you later," Jing Xiang cautioned. "If we get separated later, just escape towards the cave you came from."

"But didn't you say that we can only return to the academy through that cave after sunrise?" Lu Jing asked.

"That's right, but the people in this village will definitely not enter that cave. You'll be safe as long as you escape there, and then just wait there until dawn."

"Is it because they're worried that they'll age to death immediately if they go to the other side?"

Jing Xiang glanced at Lu Jing again upon hearing this, his eyes carrying a hint of surprise. "You've investigated quite quickly. I take back what I said earlier. People from the Department of Celestial Observation are indeed not simple, and even novices cannot be underestimated."

"Is Brother Jing still going to conceal his identity even now?" Lu Jing said. "Brother Jing, you… no, Senior, you must also be a member of my Department of Celestial Observation."

Jing Xiang didn't answer this question, but he wasn't as angry as last time. He merely explained Lu Jing's previous question.

"Time here is a hundred times slower than on the other side of the cave. Staying here for a year is equivalent to a hundred years passing outside. But you can't truly deceive the eyes of time. Once you return to the other side, those lost years will still leave traces on you."

"In the past, some people wanted to use the rich mystical power and unique secret brew here to cultivate, but unfortunately, unless you never leave, you'll find that doing so is not worth the cost once you return."

"I see," Lu Jing had similar questions when Xia Huai said that this place was a treasure land.

Because if this village was truly so beneficial for cultivation, why was it still listed as a forbidden area by the academy, and why hadn't it been developed and utilized on a large scale?

Now, he had finally found the answer. After all, no amount of rich mystical power and fine wine could compensate for the hundredfold passage of time itself.

As the two spoke, they had already used their lightness skill and were hurrying towards the mulberry forest.

In just a moment, they had arrived outside the forest.

Needless to say, Lu Jing's Mastery level Surging Waves was astonishingly fast when fully unleashed.

However, Jing Xiang on the side consistently maintained a lead of half a head.

He hadn't expected the new students of this year's academy to be so fierce. In terms of lightness skill alone, Lu Jing would probably leave him completely out of sight in just a few breaths.

Fortunately, he had activated the hand seal in time. One had to know that in a place with extremely rich mystical power, the effects of any spell cast would be greatly enhanced. Coupled with his lightness skill, he barely managed to suppress Lu Jing and avoid losing face.

The two then tacitly split up, each choosing a direction to enter the mulberry forest and search for Xia Huai.

However, after searching around, Lu Jing still couldn't see Xia Huai and her younger brother's shadows.

On the contrary, a fire quickly lit up outside the mulberry forest.

Seeing this, Lu Jing was about to hide in the shadows first, but unexpectedly, a gust of wind suddenly blew through the forest in the next moment, followed by the rustling sound of leaves shaking in his ears.

Lu Jing had already sensed that something was wrong, but before he could react, the leaves on a mulberry tree behind him suddenly burst into flames, and then the entire mulberry tree shone brightly, illuminating his position clearly.

At almost the same moment, he also heard the shouts of the villagers, "Found him, he's there!"

Lu Jing stopped in his tracks upon hearing this. With his lightness skill, he still had time to escape, but he didn't know what kind of people-finding spell the other side had cast, which could directly locate him in the mulberry forest.

In that case, there was not much point in fleeing around like a headless fly.

It was better to make contact with the other side first, to find out what their intentions were, and also to see if Xia Huai had fallen into their hands.

So, Lu Jing simply stopped moving and stood under the burning mulberry tree.

The firelight cast his shadow on the ground, swaying.

At this time, the figures outside the forest gradually became clear. They were all villagers of Worry-Free Village, but just a short time ago, they were still singing and dancing, but now they had all picked up the farm tools at hand and surrounded Lu Jing.

"Why doesn't the honored guest enjoy the singing and dancing in the village, but instead runs here alone?" a farmer-like man said loudly.

"Can't I take a walk alone?" Lu Jing retorted.

"It's dark at night, and we're worried that the honored guest will get lost in the forest. Why not come back with us? The village chief has prepared other hospitality for the honored guest."