Chu Tianshu was not seriously injured, only significantly thinner after most of his spiritual energy was absorbed by Granny Thousand Poisons. He would recover with some recuperation.
However, the three outer disciples had already stiffened into mummies.
Li Tianjue administered a pill to Chu Tianshu and helped him circulate his energy. After a while, he finally regained consciousness.
"Ugh? What happened? What's going on with me?" Chu Tianshu looked around blankly, appearing utterly confused. As he tried to get up, he weakly collapsed back down.
"Heh, you brat, you must have been dreaming of spring for half a month. You're so depleted, and we had to save you."
"How could I have? You smelly third brother, stop it! You're messing up my hair as soon as we meet!"
"Think I can't handle you now? Hmph!"
"Ah—"
As soon as he woke up, the two began to bicker, which soon escalated into a scuffle. Su Luo watched, unable to stifle her amusement, and smiled.
The matter in Yunmeng Village was finally resolved.
Li Tianjue led the three of them back and found Village Chief Liao Da'an and the other villagers. He informed them that the malevolent willow spirit had been eradicated. When the villagers who had been controlled by Granny Thousand Poisons also woke up, everyone finally believed they were safe.
However, they had lost a portion of their souls and could no longer return to their former selves. They were all listless and dull, never to recover. For them and their families, it was uncertain whether this was a blessing or a curse.
"Thank you, Young Master Li, for ridding our village of evil. Thank you so much..." Liao Da'an, along with a group of villagers, expressed their profound gratitude. As long as they could live, it was a stroke of luck amidst misfortune.
Due to Chu Tianshu's weakened condition, Su Luo and the others stayed in the village for a night.
The next day, he had recovered somewhat.
The group left some silver for the villagers of Yunmeng and then departed, returning to Qingxu Tian.
Of course, Li Tianjue did not inform the villagers about Granny Thousand Poisons to avoid causing panic. However, upon their return, an investigation was necessary. After all, Bai Qi's poisoning had occurred previously, and now Granny Thousand Poisons had emerged. They needed to ascertain if the Dark Demon Ridge had a scheme against Qingxu Tian.
"Second Senior Brother, you're so powerful, how did you fall into Granny Thousand Poisons' trap?" Su Luo asked as they walked.
Chu Tianshu, walking with a crutch made from a branch, recalled the event and blushed slightly. "I remember I arrived at Yunmeng Village that day and intended to keep a low profile. I only inquired about the situation from the village chief. Later, I accidentally saw that willow tree."
At the time, he hadn't thought much of it, only that the willow tree was thriving and seemed quite old. When he went to investigate inside that small thatched hut…
A gust of wind blew, and he passed out.
Su Luo pondered, "It must be that Granny Thousand Poisons drugged Second Senior Brother with something like a迷魂药 (soul-bewildering drug) when he wasn't paying attention. This old demoness has such strange techniques; not only is her cultivation high, but she's also so cunning. Who knew she would hide inside a willow tree!"
Li Tianjue's expression was grave. "Tianshu, if you're careless again next time, it will be too late to regret losing your life."
Chu Tianshu immediately sobered up. "Yes, Eldest Senior Brother. I understand."
It was indeed his carelessness. He hadn't expected that even in a small place like Yunmeng Village, there would be practitioners from the demonic sects of the Dark Demon Ridge.
"Heh, always boasting about how powerful you are, yet you lost to an old woman. How embarrassing!" Lu Jixing, on the side, narrowed his phoenix-like eyes, as if he wouldn't feel right if he didn't mock him for a moment.
Chu Tianshu glared. "How dare you speak of me? Who knows what kind of useless concoctions you've been refining, nearly ensnaring Eldest Senior Brother and Junior Sister. Ignorant! Unmotivated! Hopeless!"
"You!" Lu Jixing's sore spot had been hit, and his expression changed instantly.
"Second brother, do you know what you looked like when I rescued you?" he suddenly changed the subject, looking at Chu Tianshu with a mischievous glint.
"What do you mean?"
"You were held tightly in the arms of that old demoness! For a whole half a month, you were in that willow tree, a man and a woman alone... oh, and three corpses... Tsk, tsk, that must have felt wonderful, otherwise, why would you be too weak to walk? Hahahaha..."
Chu Tianshu's face changed dramatically, and goosebumps erupted all over his body.
The thought of that ugly old demoness holding him for half a month and absorbing his vital energy was a horrifying image.
He had been defiled! Ahhhhh!
"Lu Jixing, I'll kill you! Shut up!" Chu Tianshu raised his crutch and swung it at him.
"Hahahaha, can you even beat me? While you're down, I'll finish you off!"
Clang, clang, clang...
In this bout, Chu Tianshu was completely defeated.
Watching the two bicker and tussle, Su Luo suddenly curved her lips and looked smilingly at Li Tianjue, who was frowning. "Eldest Senior Brother, I've rescued Second Senior Brother and resolved the crisis in Yunmeng Village this time. How many sect contribution points can I get?"
"You're that eager to become an elder?" Li Tianjue gazed at her, as if trying to see through Su Luo's soul.
"Of course!"
Su Luo smiled brilliantly. "That has been my long-term goal."
Because only by becoming an elder could she avoid sect missions and receive a generous monthly stipend. Such a leisurely life of enjoying benefits without working was perfect for her!
Li Tianjue's eyes deepened. He walked with his hands behind his back and said faintly, "It's not impossible for you to become an elder. Although you joined the sect not long ago, you are exceptionally intelligent and have achieved several merits. However..."
Upon hearing that there was a possibility, Su Luo quickly followed. "However what? Eldest Senior Brother, tell me quickly?"
In her excitement, she momentarily overlooked Li Tianjue's uncharacteristic tone and the calculating glint in his fleeting mischievous gaze.
Hearing them discuss serious matters, Chu Tianshu and Lu Jixing also stopped their scuffle and curiously drew closer.
"Qingxu Tian has a total of six elders. The First Elder is usually responsible for guiding inner disciples in their cultivation difficulties and also holds a monthly lecture and Q&A session for outer disciples. The Second Elder is in charge of artifact forging, the Third Elder of alchemy, the Fourth Elder manages beast taming, the Fifth Elder handles mining affairs, and the Sixth Elder is responsible for spiritual plants..."
Li Tianjue looked at Su Luo meaningfully. "If you were to become the Seventh Elder, may I ask, what would you be responsible for in the sect?"
Su Luo was stunned.
So, being an elder was even more tiring...
If becoming an elder required so much arduous work, even with great power, she wouldn't want it. It would be better to remain an inner disciple.
Was there truly no way to have the best of both worlds?
Just then, Li Tianjue seemed to remember something. "By the way, the Resources Hall is short one person. Su Luo, would you like to try?"
Su Luo's eyes lit up. The Resources Hall?
Wasn't that where all the spirit stones, elixirs, cultivation techniques, weapons, and medicinal herbs of Qingxu Tian were kept? The Resources Hall was a super treasure trove! Besides beautiful women, she loved all sorts of treasures the most!
"Can I be in charge of the Resources Hall?"
Su Luo rejoiced for a moment, then became cautious. "Will that be very tiring?"
Li Tianjue said indifferently, "You will only be in charge, not necessarily doing all the work yourself. You will naturally have people under you to manage these things. You just need to oversee the management and ensure the Resources Hall operates smoothly. Currently, the Resources Hall is temporarily under my charge. If you are willing, after confirming with the six elders upon our return, it will be handed over to you."