Chapter 831: Forbidden Box

Xiao Tianquan's killing intent subsided.The chill behind the ink painting disappeared, but the doubts in his heart grew deeper.What exactly is this Xiao Tianquan looking for?Is the water bandit related to him?Does he recognize Shui Yanluo?Ink painting recalled the various signs of Xiao Tianquan along the way.This time exterminating the water bandits, at least on the surface, Xiao Tianquan had no issues and didn't secretly perform any small actions.He executed all the tasks arranged by Xia Diansi without any compromise.When killing the water bandits, he genuinely killed, showing no mercy.He even killed more ruthlessly than others.Ink painting frowned."Xiao family, Xiao Tianquan... a bit strange."Afterward, he thoroughly searched the remaining secret rooms, obtaining one array diagram and finding several stolen goods.That was it.What was to be searched was searched, what was to be found was found, and what could not be found could not be found.Ink painting then sat on a high platform with good scenery on the island, looking at the distant hazy moonlight, the rippling water of the Smoke Water River, and waiting for news from Uncle Gu and Sister Xia.About an hour later, Gu Changhuai and Xia Diansi returned.Both were travel-worn, with cold and stern expressions.Ink painting sighed, guessing in his heart that Shui Yanluo had escaped again.Gu Changhuai's face was somewhat grim. "There was still a secret passage on the island. Shui Yanluo left a hand behind and escaped through the secret passage...""We chased after him, but Shui Yanluo is too good with water. Once he touched the water, he was like a flood dragon, his Dao Law even stronger, his body movement faster, riding the wind and waves in the river, coming and going freely.""But he was injured before and lost vital energy, ultimately still at a disadvantage. Just when he was about to fall into a desperate situation, Shui Yanluo suddenly swam towards the neighboring third-grade river domain...""Third-grade?" Ink painting was a little surprised."Hmm." Gu Changhuai nodded.Ink painting thought, "In a third-grade domain, wouldn't that Shui Yanluo be... even less a match for you and Sister Xia?"After all, Shui Yanluo was only at the peak of Foundation Establishment. With the suppression of the Heavenly Dao, he could maneuver against Uncle Gu and Xia Diansi, who were in the Golden Core realm.Wouldn't entering the third-grade territory be seeking death?Gu Changhuai's gaze was cold and sharp. "This evil beast indeed sought death. Once he entered the third-grade water domain, there was no cultivation restriction. I used the power of Golden Core, and with just one wind blade, I chopped off his arm."Ink painting was somewhat surprised.Gu Changhuai seemed to understand Ink painting's thought, glanced at him, "You don't really think that I, a Golden Core, can't beat a Foundation Establishment, do you?"Ink painting repeatedly shook his head, awkwardly saying, "How could I."Gu Changhuai's expression was not pleased, then he frowned and said:"Seeing that the next wind blade could take Shui Yanluo's life... at that very moment, someone made a move to save him."Ink painting's gaze slightly narrowed. "Who?"Gu Changhuai shook his head, his expression grave. "This person's cultivation is very deep, but they hid their head and tail, not using any of their own Dao Law. After saving Shui Yanluo, they dived into the water and then disappeared, no matter how we searched, we couldn't find them.""As if there was a layer of mist covering everything...""Mist..." Ink painting's heart trembled.Xia Diansi, who had not said a word beside them, sighed at this moment:"Although Shui Yanluo escaped, it is good that the bandit stronghold is broken and the water bandits are also exterminated. This trip to exterminate the bandits can be said to be quite effective, and the Dao Court Si will have rewards afterward."After she finished, she looked at Ink painting again, her voice softening a bit, "Thank you for your help in exterminating the bandits this time. I will apply for more merits for you from above."Ink painting said, "Thank you, Sister Xia."Xia Diansi was already accustomed to being addressed as "Sister Xia".Especially this action, she truly saw Ink painting's array talent and attainment. In her heart, Xia Diansi was even less resistant to Ink painting calling her "sister"."I still have some aftermath matters to handle. Take care of yourself. After dawn, we will return home." Xia Diansi said."Hmm." Ink painting nodded.Xia Diansi gave Ink painting a warm look, then left.Ink painting was still a little curious, and quietly asked Gu Changhuai, "Shui Yanluo ran away, Sister Xia doesn't seem anxious?"Gu Changhuai gave Ink painting a faint look.Ink painting also stared back at Gu Changhuai.Gu Changhuai was helpless, then sighed and said:"Shui Yanluo is a fish, but also bait. Now that a bigger fish has taken the bait, it's naturally not a bad thing.""Although this big fish swallowed the bait and ran away, it at least surfaced.""This is the boundary of Qian Xue state, and the Dao Court is still planning. The fish has surfaced, no matter how big, we are not afraid. What we are afraid of is that it hides at the bottom of the water and doesn't show its head."Ink painting suddenly understood, and nodded.For the Dao Court and the Xia family, the extermination of the water bandits this time was not the end, but just the beginning.The future situation is probably more complex.He also doesn't know if he can muddle through and fish in troubled waters...Ink painting was just thinking when Gu Changhuai suddenly asked him, "Right, why did Shui Yanluo chase you with red eyes to kill you?"Ink painting was startled.Because I stole his life root...Gu Changhuai silently looked at Ink painting.Ink painting coughed and vaguely said:"Because... he was secretly packing things to run and was caught by me, so he was ashamed and angry and wanted to kill me. Uncle Gu, you know, people like Shui Yanluo have very small hearts..."Gu Changhuai knew that Ink painting was talking nonsense as soon as he heard it.But then he thought, it seems very normal for these bandit types to want to kill Ink painting.Sometimes he even couldn't help but want to strangle this kid.Gu Changhuai suddenly had some empathy, and then no longer pursued the question."I also have matters. You stay here honestly, and we'll go back together later." Gu Changhuai said."Hmm." Ink painting agreed.Afterward, Gu Changhuai also got up and left.Gu Changhuai and Xia Diansi both went to deal with the aftermath.All around was empty, except for the crisscrossed corpses of the water bandits, only Ink painting was left by himself.He was a little bored, so he continued to jump onto the high platform and sit on the edge of the platform, looking at the distant scenery.Half an hour later, it was Mao time.The east was already breaking white, and the sun was gradually rising, dispelling the water mist on the island. The bright sunlight shone on the ground full of water bandits' corpses.Ink painting sat on the high platform, silently watching the sunrise.And at his feet, the water bandits covering the ground were no longer visible.Another hour passed, and the aftermath work of the Dao Court Si was completed.This was faster than Xia Diansi had expected.Because Ink painting had turned over the small island once earlier, they only needed to count heads, tally the stolen goods, summarize, and bring it all back to the Dao Court Si.Ink painting had turned everything over very cleanly, saving them a lot of effort.Xia Diansi sighed in her heart.After tallying, the people were assembled.Some water bandits who were not dead were also knocked unconscious, tied with chains, and escorted back to the Dao Court Si.Afterward, the crowd boarded the spirit boat and returned home.When they came, it was still night, the river water was cool, and everything was dim, a little oppressive.When they went back, it was already morning, the sunlight was bright, sprinkled on the river surface, and the waves sparkled.The crowd felt slightly more relaxed.Only Xiao Tianquan remained silent, not knowing what he was thinking.After traveling for another half hour, the spirit boat docked, and the group stepped onto the ground, feeling more stable in their hearts.After returning, they would treat the injured and comfort the casualties. The matter of surrounding and annihilating the water bandits could then temporarily come to an end.Fighting and killing inevitably involve casualties.Cultivators who served in the Dao Court Si year-round also understood this point.Although Ink painting felt regretful in his heart, he had already done everything he could do.Otherwise, if they couldn't break the Eight Gates Eight Trigrams Array, fell into the array set by the water bandits on their stationed island, and engaged in a bitter battle with the water bandits, the casualties of the Dao Court Si would have been more serious.Compared to the results of exterminating the bandits, the casualties this time were already considered very small.Afterward, there was nothing more for Ink painting to do.He planned to return to the sect first and research the good things he had just obtained. Just at this moment, he heard a voice say:"Xia Diansi, should we check the storage bags one more time?"As soon as these words came out, the crowd was startled.Xia Diansi was also a little astonished.Gu Changhuai's gaze turned somewhat icy as he looked at the speaker.The speaker was none other than Xiao Tianquan.Xia Diansi said faintly, "Haven't we checked?"According to the rules of the Dao Court Si, all cultivators of the Dao Court Si are not allowed to bring their own storage bags when executing tasks.When executing special tasks, the Dao Court Si will provide a unified storage bag for the Diansi and Zhisi to store their spirit tools and some spirit stones and pill rations specially supplied by the Dao Court Si.After the task is completed, the storage bag will be confiscated and verified one by one.This is to confirm that the internal cultivators of the Dao Court Si will not secretly hide "stolen goods" and line their own pockets when executing tasks.This rule naturally cannot prevent "hiding privately" one hundred percent, but it can prevent eighty or ninety percent without problem.This is also enough.No rule can be one hundred percent effective. Being able to prevent most embezzlement is already considered very effective.Before on the small island, Xia Diansi naturally also followed the convention and checked all the cultivators' storage bags."They have been checked, but not all..." Xiao Tianquan said, and then silently glanced at Ink painting, "This little brother's storage bag hasn't been checked."He had a serious expression, with a "official business" attitude.Xia Diansi couldn't help but frown.Gu Changhuai's expression was cold, "He is not a person of our Dao Court Si."Xiao Tianquan said solemnly, "Although he is not a person of the Dao Court Si, since he is working with the Dao Court Si, he should follow the rules of the Dao Court Si..."Xiao Tianquan looked at Gu Changhuai, his eyes showing a sharp light, "Could it be that Gu Diansi wants to shield this little brother?"Gu Changhuai's eyelid twitched slightly, his gaze even colder.The atmosphere became a little stiff for a while.Xia Diansi turned her head and looked at Ink painting, her expression difficult.Logically speaking, it should be checked.But Ink painting's situation was special. If no one mentioned it, no one would be so insensible as to think of checking the storage bag of a small cultivator like him.But now that Xiao Tianquan had mentioned it, it had to be "raised to principle".Otherwise, she, a Diansi of the Xia family, would also be hard to convince the crowd.The Xia family is full of geniuses, and the pressure of competition among disciples is also very high.She could command everyone, but behind the scenes, she would inevitably suffer from people's gossip and criticism.However, to actually check Ink painting...Xia Diansi looked at Ink painting, her gaze inquiring.Ink painting touched the thumb on his right hand, which was connected to his flesh and blood, the Najie that others couldn't see, nodded and said:"Everyone has been checked, I naturally cannot be an exception."He had a frank expression and readily handed the storage bag to Xia Diansi.Xia Diansi looked at Ink painting with some surprise. Afterward, her divine sense sank into the storage bag and took out everything inside.There were spirit stones, but not many.Some spare pills, but they had the sect mark of Tai Xu Men on them, and some had the mark of the Gu family.These pills were sent to Ink painting by Elder Murong and Wen Ren Wan.Besides, there were also some spirit swords, spirit tools, array coal, etc.But at first glance, everything had proper origins, and there were no "stolen goods" from the water bandits.The only unusual thing was the array diagrams.A large pile of array diagrams, densely packed, layer upon layer, stacked together.And the composition of these array diagrams was also very complex.There were those from Tai Xu Men, Shangguan family, Wen Ren family, Gu family, and some that were searched from the island.From the entry-level first grade to the advanced second grade, they were all present and covered a wide range.The five elements of metal, wood, water, fire, earth, the Gen Mountain Array in the Eight Trigrams, the Li Fire Array, the Dui Marsh Array, the Kan Water Array, and some Yuan Magnetic class arrays, etc., were all included.The crowd gasped slightly.Even cultivators who didn't understand arrays also roughly knew the profound complexity of these arrays.And the more they understood arrays, the more they understood the difficulty of studying these array diagrams.Being able to carry so many complex array diagrams, this little brother must have an extremely broad inheritance of array learning, and moreover, his array attainment must be not bad. His perseverance and dedication in learning arrays are also different from ordinary people. In the future on the array path, he is likely limitless.The gazes of a crowd of Zhisi towards Ink painting became very respectful.Xia Diansi was also a little amazed.A whole storage bag of array diagrams...No wonder he had such high array attainment at a young age.Good talent, high comprehension, and so diligent in learning, truly rare at his age...Xia Diansi breathed a sigh of relief.She had indeed felt a little uneasy in her heart before.She had thought that Ink painting was young after all, and his determination was insufficient. After turning over the small island, he would more or less "deduct" a little.This is also human nature, and even some Diansi cannot avoid being vulgar.But she didn't expect that Ink painting's heart was so upright and frank, not taking a penny of ill-gotten wealth.As for these array diagrams... their origins were originally complex and difficult to verify.Even if there were indeed some array diagrams that Ink painting searched from the island among them, at this time, no one would dare to gossip.Array masters were originally respected by people.It is also reasonable for an array master to take a few array diagrams.Furthermore, the array on the small island was broken by Ink painting, and he didn't ask for any special reward. Taking a few array diagrams is naturally just and right.It was she who used the heart of a villain to measure the belly of a gentleman.Xia Diansi felt some inexplicable guilt in her heart and looked at Ink painting with higher regard.If this child were to enter the Dao Court Si in the future and become a Diansi with an upright heart and unyielding integrity, he would probably also achieve great things.Xia Diansi praised in her heart, then looked at Xiao Tianquan and said indifferently:"Xiao Zhisi, how is it?"Xiao Tianquan's gaze had patrolled over Ink painting's storage bag several times. In the end, he seemed a little unwilling but still cupped his hands and said:"No problem."Afterward, he bowed to Ink painting again, smiling, "It was Xiao's presumption. Please don't blame me, little brother."Ink painting said with a smile, "It's alright, it's alright."Seeing that Ink painting didn't mind, Xia Diansi nodded slightly and instructed:"Alright, let's go back."Afterward, the crowd returned smoothly, without any twists and turns along the way.But Ink painting was already able to confirm...This Xiao Tian Gou was indeed looking for something.Moreover, this thing was extremely important.Even at this juncture, he had to jump out untimely, risking offending Uncle Gu and Xia Diansi, to check his own storage bag."Because if he doesn't check now, once we return to the boundary of Qian Xue state, each will go back to their own homes, and Xiao Tian Gou will never know whether I really searched for something on the water island...""What thing does he want to find from my body?""What thing is so important?""Could it be... that jade box of Shui Yanluo's?"Ink painting stroked his thumb again. After pondering for a moment, his gaze condensed."No matter what, I've noted this account...""Publicly targeting me, and even daring to show killing intent towards me, wanting to kill me..."Ink painting's gaze was slightly cold.When they arrived at the boundary of Qian Xue state, Xia Diansi and the others returned to the Dao Court Si.Although Gu Changhuai didn't speak, he still personally sent Ink painting back to the mountain gate of Tai Xu Men.He seemed to have also seen something, but didn't say more, only admonishing Ink painting:"Be careful of the Xiao family. Cultivate well in the sect and don't run around no matter what.""Hmm, rest assured, Uncle Gu." Ink painting said.Gu Changhuai nodded faintly, turned, and left.Ink painting then showed the Tai Xu Order and entered the mountain gate alone.After returning to the sect, it was just noon.Ink painting first found Elder Song to cancel his leave, then returned to the disciple residence, bathed and burned incense, removed the aura of blood, and changed into the Tai Xu Men dao robe. Then, as if nothing had happened, he ran to class.The teaching elder knew that Ink painting had Old Mister Xun backing him and was a "special case" in the sect, so he didn't say more.Other disciples also knew that Ink painting often went out to "paint arrays", and over time, they were all accustomed to it, so they didn't feel unexpected.Just like that, Ink painting finished laying out and painting arrays to exterminate bandits in the morning, and obediently attended class in the sect in the afternoon.In the evening, after finishing his meal, Ink painting accompanied Yu Er in practicing arrays for a while, then returned to the disciple residence, closed the door and windows tightly, sealed the array, and then carefully took out the jade box he had snatched from Shui Yanluo from his Najie.The jade box was very heavy in his hand. From the outside, it seemed to be made of an unknown, water-blue jade material.On the jade box, there was still a picture engraved.In Shui Yanluo's secret room, Ink painting didn't have time to look carefully. At this time, back in the sect, he had leisure to examine it carefully.Stern prisons, ferocious torture instruments of all kinds, sinners tormented by various tortures, struggling, shouting, wailing.A water-blue jade box, a bloody prison picture.Containing a thick baleful aura within it."This is... a visualization picture?"Ink painting was a little doubtful.He released his divine sense, fully concentrated, staring at the prison picture on the jade box for a long time, but there was no abnormality.No evil spirits emerged.It seemed that there were no wronged souls or ghosts residing in the picture.Except for the cold baleful aura, Ink painting didn't perceive anything else."Not a visualization picture? Just a box?"Ink painting frowned, and tried to open the jade box again.But after several attempts, the jade box remained motionless.Ink painting narrowed his eyes and looked closely. Only then did he discover that this thing looked like a "box" but had no seams, no lid, no lock, just like a whole piece of "seamless" jade stone brick..."Not a visualization picture, no evil spirits.""No lock, no seam, can't open.""Even less knowing what's inside."Ink painting was at a loss for a moment."Should I find a way to catch Shui Yanluo again and ask?"This thought just emerged and was then dismissed by Ink painting.Shui Yanluo was saved by a Golden Core and didn't know where he was hiding. It was really not easy to catch him now.Even if he was caught, it would probably be useless.With Shui Yanluo's temper, if he knew that his jade box was robbed, he would definitely hate to swallow Ink painting alive, chew his bones into pieces, and it would be absolutely impossible for him to tell the secret of this jade box.Then what should he do with this jade box?He couldn't just look at it dryly, could he?Ink painting was curious in his heart, and suddenly felt a sense of urgency.He really wanted to open the jade box and see what was inside.Ever since he comprehended a bit of heavenly mechanism algorithm and understood some causality, Ink painting occasionally had some inexplicable "intuition".At this time, he vaguely had this intuition that this jade box was very likely extremely important to him...Could it be...Ink painting's heart slightly jumped, and he felt a sense of expectation."If I can't find Shui Yanluo, then I can only find another person."Another successor of the Shui Prison Gate.Several days passed, and on the rest day, Ink painting took the time to visit the Gu family again. This time, he didn't find Gu Changhuai, but found Yu Canghai.This Elder of the Shui Prison Gate might now be the only surviving Golden Core of the Shui Prison Gate.Yu Canghai saw Ink painting and was instead very polite, cupping his hands and bowing:"Little friend, long time no see."He was a Golden Core, and Ink painting was at Foundation Establishment, but he treated Ink painting like a peer.After all, in front of Ink painting, this disciple of a major sect with a "strong background" and "deep connections", he, this fallen Golden Core of the Shui Prison Gate, didn't dare to be arrogant in the slightest.Ink painting also exchanged a few words of greeting, then beat around the bush, asking some questions about the Shui Prison Gate, especially the form of inheritance of the Shui Prison Gate.But Yu Canghai, being deeply scheming, answered appropriately and was airtight.Neither did he seem evasive, nor did he offend Ink painting.But he also didn't say more, to avoid leaking sect secrets.Ink painting couldn't get the information he wanted, his gaze slightly flashed, then he lowered his voice and quietly asked, "A few days ago, I went to catch Shui Yanluo..."Even Yu Canghai, who was deeply scheming, jumped in his heart at this moment, suddenly stood up, his expression shocked.Seeing Elder Yu's expression like this, Ink painting knew that Uncle Gu hadn't told him about Shui Yanluo.Yu Canghai wanted to ask but didn't know how to open his mouth. Finally, he said tremblingly:"This evil beast... he..."Ink painting sighed, "He's not dead, he escaped."Yu Canghai was very disappointed and sat down dejectedly."But Shui Yanluo seemed to have something in his hand that was very strange..." Ink painting frowned and said."Something?" Yu Canghai frowned."Hmm," Ink painting nodded, pretending not to know, and described to Yu Canghai: "It's a jade box, water-blue in color, with a pattern engraved on it. The picture is of a prison, and the people in the prison are suffering torture, their expressions painful and desperate..."Before Ink painting finished, he discovered that Yu Canghai's eyes suddenly widened, his whole person was horrified and soul lost, and his body couldn't stop trembling:"Shui... Shui Prison Forbidden Box..."Ink painting's eyes slightly moved.So this was its name.