207: Earthworms? Aren't those slaves?

Young Master, has Sister Liuli gone out for training?

“Mm.”

“Young Master… someone died in the city.”

Shen Li, who was seated amidst the azure sea tide generating screen, did not even lift his head, then replied, “Who?”

Outside, the scorching sun was just right. Shen Li had been evolving his Divine Ability for quite some time, and now it was the height of summer.

Inviting Moon wiped the cold sweat from her temples, her slender swan neck incredibly fair, and her clear eyes looked at that towering figure, filled with reverence.

Slowly lowering her head, she said softly, “It was that Cultivator from the Dan Hall who came to our City Lord’s Mansion earlier…”

Shen Li’s hand, which was turning the yellowed family letter, suddenly stopped, and he slowly stood up.

The azure sea tide generating screen quietly dissipated…

He said indifferently, “Understood.”

That Dan Hall Cultivator seemed to have some connection with the Yin Nether Sect… but the connection wasn’t deep, and he hadn’t left any contingency plans… so he just died like that?

After thinking it over, it must be that some Cultivator from the Yin Nether Sect feared he would be discovered and eliminated him early to silence him?

Forget it… if he’s dead, he’s dead. There’s nothing more to say.

Shen Li thought for a moment, then continued to instruct, “Go and pack your things.”

“Is Young Master going on a long journey?”

Shen Li waved his hand and said slowly, “I need to return home for a trip.”

It was previously said that Outer Sect Disciples could return home within five years, but in the blink of an eye, it had already been seven or eight years since he came out.

He originally planned to return home in five years, but then he encountered the Yellow Sand Celebration. After the celebration, he still needed to sort out the matters of Black Ridge City and evolve his Divine Ability.

Therefore, he temporarily forgot about this matter.

However, with everything settled… and no significant immortal opportunities around, he might as well go home and take a look.

On one hand, this year is the Immortal Seed Grand Ceremony of the Shen Family, where all branches are inspecting the Spiritual Roots of their various Disciples.

Previously, the Shen Family had sent letters, but Shen Li had tossed them aside to gather dust.

He wasn’t interested in such things.

It wasn’t until the family letter arrived that Shen Li finally realized… this year, his younger sister from the Shen Family was also participating.

Not going back now would be inappropriate.

As the saying goes, returning home wealthy without showing it is like walking in fine clothes at night. If he doesn't go back and show off properly, wouldn't his Dao Foundation have been formed in vain?

Moreover, the branch headquarters of the Four Seas Merchant Guild is also in Qingyang, and it is said that the Magical Artifact is almost forged.

Furthermore, he needs to make a trip to Qingchi Mountain to obtain that eighth-grade rare item.

The last thing… is to inquire about the situation in the Yang Domain. For this matter, he needs to consult the Great True Person in Qingchi Mountain.

He also wanted to find Grand Master Shenqian, but the Immortal Palace is formless; unless the Great True Person actively summons him, he couldn't find the entrance no matter how hard he thought.

So Shen Li, having been still for too long, felt the urge to move.

This trip did not require much fanfare; he came with a few people, and he would return with the same few people.

It was just him and Qiu Ya, no one else.

Inviting Moon and Reaching for the Stars wanted to follow, but… Shen Li really didn't have the habit of bringing burdens, nor did he need a vase to fill the scene.

Speaking of a vase… was there anyone more like a vase than him?

Apparently, there wasn't.

Before leaving, Shen Li still had one thing to do.

With a thought, he arrived above the Earth Silkworm!

“Stop!”

The Earth Silkworm was in the middle of a transaction.

Calling it a transaction… it was more like extortion.

The Half-Step Dao Foundation Earth Silkworm knew that its shed skin was in Shen Li’s hands and that Shen Li had achieved Dao Foundation… and was too lazy to bother with it, feeling somewhat disheartened for a time.

It started to slack off.

It no longer cultivated, and whenever it was bored, it would go out and extort merchant caravans.

“That… Mountain God, Mountain God… We… we paid the toll last time.”

“Last time?”

The Earth Silkworm’s voice was somewhat teasing.

“Oh, I remember you… Wait, I let you pass last time, didn’t I?”

“Huh?”

The caravan leader was immediately bewildered.

Then, with tears in his eyes, he handed over a pouch of Ore, his heart bleeding.

“Sir… do you think this many Spirit Stones are enough?”

The Earth Silkworm nodded in satisfaction.

“That’s more like it…” Then its dense compound eyes looked at the carriage. Inside the foremost carriage, a timid child was peeking out, watching the mountain-like monster before him, filled with fear.

The Earth Silkworm chuckled, its compound eyes fully open, staring intently at the girl.

Immediately, a burst of wailing and crying erupted.

“Hahahahaha! So much fun!”

Thump.

“Ow! Who the hell hit me! Don’t want to mess around here anymore, huh?!”

Thump.

“Still hitting, huh? My head isn’t made of dough, you just wait for me.”

Thump.

“Why are you kneeling?”

“Greetings, Immortal Master Qingxuan.”

Thump.

The Earth Silkworm also knelt down.

Shen Li slowly landed behind the Earth Silkworm, then waved his hand, signaling the caravan to leave.

The Earth Silkworm swallowed its saliva and said, “I was just bored.”

Shen Li smiled slightly. “No harm, it’s not hurting lives, but Fellow Daoist, your playful nature is too strong.”

The Earth Silkworm lay helplessly on the ground.

“I bet you wouldn’t achieve Dao Foundation within the time limit, but I didn’t expect you actually did… I guess my shed skin won’t be returned, and cultivation is useless… so I’m too lazy to cultivate.”

Shen Li retorted, “Fellow Daoist, what kind of person do you take me for? Am I, Shen Li, someone who goes back on his word?”

Hearing this, a glimmer of hope appeared in the Earth Silkworm’s eyes, and then it said ecstatically, “I knew it, the Shen Family is the leader of the Righteous Path, how could they be someone who goes back on their word? It’s just that you, sir, have too many matters on your plate, and important people are forgetful.

You just forgot for a moment.”

“Yes.”

The Earth Silkworm said with surprise, “Right? I just knew it.”

“I said yes, I, Shen Li, am someone who goes back on his word.”

A bitter string sound came from the wind… it was the aura of regret.

The Earth Silkworm softly lay back on the ground, saying weakly, “You didn’t come here just to humiliate me and play with me, did you?”

“….Where did you learn these words?” Shen Li’s mouth twitched.

The Earth Silkworm’s eyes sparkled with stars.

“Earlier, a caravan of girls came… that figure, that appearance, that scent… I heard them talking about whips, flower pillars, jade maidens, Guanyin, and such.”

“?”

Shen Li looked up at the sky… for a moment, he didn’t know what to say.

He could only interrupt the topic and say, “Fellow Daoist… I need to go out for a trip.”

“Oh, I’ll help you keep an eye out. Of course, if an Immortal Master wants to deal with you, I’ll be the first to run.”

“By the way, can you ask those girls to lift the Restriction on the pavilion… every time I hear it, just when it gets mesmerizing, there’s no continuation, it’s quite annoying.”

“After I return, I’ll give your shed skin back to you.”

“If they could open the windows… to let me observe, that would also be good… You humans, why do you have so many tricks?”

Then, the Earth Silkworm seemed to hear something unbelievable and said with surprise, “What? You said you’d give me my shed skin? Are you crazy?”

“Not only will I give it to you… I’ll also help you cultivate.”

“?”

Shen Li took out the Moonlight Talisman Seed.

“Eat it.”

The Earth Silkworm hesitated and said, “Can I not eat it?”

“Fellow Daoist, cultivation is difficult…”

“Not difficult. I cultivate by relying on the Earth Veins, it’s very fast.”

“Fellow Daoist, I am helping you.”

“No need at all.”

“Are you going to eat it or not? If you don’t, I’ll throw away the shed skin and not give it to you.”

“….You should have said that earlier.”

“Sigh… I knew it, you were preparing a trick.”

“Now it’s good, a short-term worker turned into a long-term tenant slave.”

“Humans are indeed cunning.”

“What are you talking about? You and I are Fellow Daoists, once Fellow Daoists, always Fellow Daoists.”

“But you have to promise me one condition.”

“What?”

“Have them open the windows.”

“That’s illegal…” Shen Li said seriously. “Can’t do it.”