After Transmigrating into a Book as a Cannon Fodder Character, The System Turned out to be Completely Unreliable! - Chapter 52

Chapter 52 : The Five-Colored Crystal Stone

“If that’s the case, then I can tell you the story of Lotus Town.”

“Then this junior thanks you, elder.”

“A long time ago…”

This place was just an ordinary little town, nothing special. A hundred years ago, a merchant caravan passed through here and tried to take control.

They wore black robes. No one knew where they came from—only that upon arrival, they became the new rulers of this place.

At first, everything seemed normal. But ever since their Tenth Prince brought back crystal stones from Rong Kingdom, a different currency began circulating here. It became known as the second Rong Kingdom, except the leader here didn’t like joy, and outsiders weren’t allowed to stay overnight.

Still, it attracted many cultivators and immortal seekers who came to exchange crystal stones.

Among the rarest was the Five-Colored Crystal Stone. No one had seen it, only heard of it. It was said that anyone who obtained the Five-Colored Crystal Stone, regardless of their cultivation stage, could break through to the Nascent Soul stage—approaching divinity.

“That powerful?” asked Ye Lingxi, the gossip-lover.

The old man chuckled. “Of course. But again, that’s only hearsay—no one’s actually seen it.”

“Then how do you know about it?” Ye Lingxi asked curiously. And it wasn’t just her—everyone was curious.

“Because I have one of those crystal stones in my hand.”

“What did you say?!”

Everyone was shocked.

Ye Lingxi was the first to crawl over and ask, “Elder, are you serious?”

“As real as it gets. Why else do you think I’m locked up here?”

It made sense now—Lian Qi must’ve discovered he had the stone and locked him up. “So that’s how it is… but how did you get it?”

“A little girl gave it to me.”

“Huh?” Everyone looked at each other. “Are you joking? How could a little girl have such a powerful crystal stone?”

“Mind your business.”

Ye Lingxi: “…”

That tone really reminded her of Grandpa Lan.

“So what happened after that? How did Rong Kingdom really fall? Was it because that princess made a deal with that boy?”

The old man said, “No. It was deceived by evil.”

Uh… that explanation was no better than saying nothing.

“How long have you been locked up here?”

The old man thought for a moment. “Not long. Around three months.”

You’re still alive? That’s a miracle.

“Didn’t you think about escaping?”

“Of course I did. But I’ve lost most of my spiritual power. Even if I had some, it’s useless here.”

Ye Lingxi: “…”

Makes sense.

“Well, seems he’s not going anywhere. Let’s discuss what to do,” Ye Lingxi said.

The old man panicked. “Hey hey hey, you little rascal—”

But they ignored him. “One moment, we’re talking.”

“When you’re done discussing and if you really get out, you’d better take me with you!” He pressed himself against the bars, reaching out to them.

Ye Lingxi replied, “Got it. Hang on.”

“You heard him just now—he has a Five-Colored Crystal Stone. If we bring it back, wouldn’t Uncle Bai also have a chance to be saved?”

Lan Mushu thought for a moment. “Based on the effects he mentioned, if we can’t find the Hundred-Spirit Herb, this could be worth a try.”

Ye Lingxi said, “The Hundred-Spirit Herb is probably impossible to find, so let’s try the Five-Colored Stone.”

“Alright.” Lan Mushu nodded. “But I still want to find my senior brother.”

Ye Lingxi: “…”

So stubborn. That old man literally just said the more you chase certain things, the more fate tells you not to—for your own good.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Nothing,” Ye Lingxi replied with a wide grin. “You’re making a very wise decision.”

Getting the Five-Colored Crystal Stone and searching for someone—best of both worlds.

“But how do we confirm the crystal stone he has is real?” Ye Lingxi asked.

Lan Mushu bit her lip, unable to think of anything for the moment.

Jing said, “I’ve got an idea. Let’s pretend to rescue him, then bring him and the Five-Colored Crystal Stone back together.”

“Good idea. I support it.”

“But… isn’t that a bit wrong?” Lan Mushu asked.

Ye Lingxi said, “What’s so wrong about it? What if he’s just some crazy old man spouting nonsense?”

“What if it’s fake?”

“Well…” That would be troublesome.

Ye Lingxi really didn’t want to go through this again.

Lan Mushu said firmly, “Then we’ll continue searching for the Hundred-Spirit Herb.”

Ye Lingxi: “…”

Knew it.

Ye Lingxi gave her a toothy grin but said nothing.

Jing noticed their differing reactions and, while unsure why, could tell they weren’t thinking the same thing at all.

“Are you done discussing?” came the old man’s voice from the next cell.

Ye Lingxi stood up. “We’ve decided. We’ll help you escape. The problem is—we don’t know how to get out.”

The old man had perked up his ears to hear their plan but was disappointed.

“…”

“You don’t even know how to escape and were acting all mysterious.”

Ye Lingxi scratched her head, a little embarrassed. “Well, you’re the one with the skills.”

Everyone: “…”

“I have an idea. Just break through the wall on your side. Then we can figure something out together,” the old man shouted from the other side of the wall.

Ye Lingxi looked at the others, and after exchanging glances, said, “Is that okay?”

“It’s fine. I tried already. You see that hole over there? I made that.”

Ye Lingxi ran over and peered through. “Why is it so small?”

“Because I barely have any spiritual power left. I could only open that much. I just wanted more space to roll around when I sleep.”

Everyone: “…”

Hey, have some shame, will you?

“Alright, we get it. Move back—we’ll smash this wall open,” said Ye Lingxi. She and Lan Mushu released their spiritual energy together and blew the wall to pieces.

At last, the two sides saw each other.

Dust flew everywhere. The old man coughed and waved it away. “You didn’t have to hit it so hard.”

As the dust settled, Ye Lingxi got a clear look at the man. “It’s you? I can’t believe it’s really you!”

“You two know each other?” Lan Mushu asked.

Ye Lingxi quickly interrupted, “Sort of—we met once before.”

Grandpa Lan recognized her too and said, “You’re that hot-tempered girl who gave us free pastries.”

Ye Lingxi: “…”

Is that really the best way to describe me?

“What are you doing here?”

“Obviously, I came here for fun.”

Ye Lingxi had been hoping to get the Five-Colored Crystal Stone from this guy. Who knew it’d be him? She wasn’t sure whether he made it up just to escape with them.

“Didn’t expect we’d meet again, little thief.” Grandpa Lan greeted her.

She paused, then smiled. “What nonsense are you talking about? Don’t forget, you’re the one who helped unlock my divine sense.”

Ye Lingxi quickly covered his mouth. “Don’t bring up embarrassing stuff.”

Grandpa Lan nodded. “Alright, alright.”

Ye Lingxi asked, “About that Five-Colored Crystal Stone you mentioned earlier—is it real?” Before she could finish asking, he turned to the disguised Ji Fuyu (Jing), held her face in his hands, and smiled. “This child is…”

He froze for a second.

“What about them?” Ye Lingxi asked.

He replied, “Adorable. I can already tell—they’ll grow up to be something else.”

Ye Lingxi raised a brow. Not bad. He’s got a good eye. The person behind that face really does grow up to be something—a demon queen.

Then he moved past Jing to Lan Mushu. He froze, his smile faded briefly, then he suddenly embraced her. “So pretty. Let me give you a hug.”

Ye Lingxi pulled him off. “You pervert, let her go!”

Grandpa Lan clung on like glue. “Hello! Hello!”

He greeted her like an old friend. Lan Mushu was caught off guard, but seeing his behavior triggered something. “Xiao Xi… could he be the elder you mentioned before?”

“Uh…” Ye Lingxi didn’t know how to explain. “He…”

“Yes, yes, that’s me! How have you been?”

“Me?” Lan Mushu pointed at herself. “I’ve been well.”

“That’s good. I’m doing fine too.”

Lan Mushu: “…”

“Him?” Lan Mushu asked Ye Lingxi.

Ye Lingxi covered her face, then pointed to her head—He’s got a screw loose.

Lan Mushu asked, “Do you know the Hundred-Spirit Herb?”

“Hundred-Spirit Herb?” Grandpa Lan thought for a moment. “Never heard of it.”

“You’ve never heard of it? But Xiao Xi said the Hundred-Spirit Herb she had came from you!” Lan Mushu grew anxious and questioned him.

He was shocked and grabbed Ye Lingxi. “You have the Hundred-Spirit Herb? Where is it?!”

“Didn’t you give it to her?” Lan Mushu said.

Ye Lingxi made a gesture for her to stop asking.

“I’ve never given it to her.”

“Then why were you so worked up just now?”

“Because the name sounded powerful, so I wanted it,” Grandpa Lan explained.

Lan Mushu clearly didn’t buy it. “You must know something about the Hundred-Spirit Herb’s whereabouts, don’t you?”

“I don’t.”

“Fine. Even if you don’t know about the Hundred-Spirit Herb, then do you know about my senior brother, Fu Guang?!”