Chapter 177: Chapter 177: 178 The Organization Hasn't Abandoned Us

“Elder, let me teach you the basic operation of cleaning the toilet.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Master, in the past two days, I have also summarized the advanced techniques in cleaning latrines. They are quite easy to learn.”

Defeated by the circumstances, the prodigies began to personally teach their own elders the use of various tools and how to handle the various emergencies that tend to occur in latrines.

The masters from powerful forces watched the proud smiles on their children’s faces and felt an inexplicable twist of heartache.

Their offspring were becoming proficient at something that truly pained the heart.

“Old Li, I hadn’t thought that at our age, we would have to do such humiliating work, and in front of our younger generation too—our late reputation is ruined!”

“Ah, quit it. Did you see Elder Yun Yan from Fire Qilin Cave? He’s also scooping manure. Just relax. In this latrine, everyone is equal.”

Atop Misty Peak.

Li Xiaobai had just penned another report.

“All the cultivators from several major forces who came to attack have been captured. To retrieve your disciples and sect elders, it’ll cost 1.5 million top-grade Spirit Stones per person!”

As soon as this message was released, Central Province erupted into chaos. Within a day, all their top masters had been captivated, Li Xiaobai brazenly taunted them, and the ransom had skyrocketed to 1.5 million stones.

It was an outcome that no one had anticipated. The masters of Fire Qilin Cave had been defeated. This Li Xiaobai was formidable!

“A giant hand that covers the sky appears in the Northern Region, suppressing all attacking cultivators with a single move!”

“Li Xiaobai shouts from afar, no tearing of tickets, but the price has gone up!”

“The forces in Central Province are keeping silent. Does this mean they are considering a compromise? Is the power structure of the Immortal Spirit Continent about to change?”

One news story after another flew everywhere, thrilling the onlookers with excitement.

They had all seen the image of the giant hand that covered the entire Northern Region, its cultivation level so incredibly high that one hand could cover an entire region. With such power, it was enough to dominate the Immortal Spirit Continent.

Perhaps only a few people on the heavenly rankings were qualified to battle against it?

In the Fire Qilin Cave, an eerie silence prevailed.

The Cave Master tapped his fingers lightly: “That giant hand that covers the sky, what do you all think?”

Great Elder furrowed his brow: “There was a faint trace of Immortal Spirit Qi on that giant hand.”

“Immortal Spirit Qi, could it be ‘that person’?”

The other elders were astonished, having never encountered such power, only having heard tales of it.

“Besides him, who else could it be? In nearly a hundred years, only he has successfully obtained Immortal Spirit Qi and vanished without a trace for so many years. We thought he was dead, but now he has reappeared in the Northern Region.”

The Cave Master’s eyes flickered with a chilly light, as he subtly touched his empty left sleeve. The battle from a hundred years ago had been quite brutal.

“There’s less than a year left until the next dispersal of Immortal Spirit Qi. This person showing up at this critical juncture, could it be that he wants to get involved in the struggle for Immortal Spirit Qi again?” the Great Elder pondered with a frown.

“This time, there’s no share of Immortal Spirit Qi for him.”

“I’ll go take a look. If it is indeed that person, I wouldn’t be at ease sending others.” the Great Elder said.

“Bring some Spirit Stones and first get Yunkun and Yun Yan out, then probe that person’s background. Fire Qilin Cave has had many issues recently, and it’s not advisable to start more, especially with the imminent Divine Beast Struggle and the trifling matters of marriage alliances that must be resolved within the next few days,” the Cave Master said calmly.

Great Elder nodded: “Understood. My mind is made up. The affairs of Fire Qilin Cave take precedence. I will choose a more clever servant disciple to handle the marriage alliance.”

…

At Misty Peak.

Li Xiaobai was supervising the laborers at their work.

These people weren’t bad, quite perceptive, learning to use their hands to work. Although a little dirty, the joyful smiles on their faces showed Li Xiaobai that his labor reformation was right. These people had grasped the true essence of life.

“Truly a group of hard-working and simple folks!” Li Xiaobai exclaimed.

“Indeed, all this could be attributed to the Peak Master’s great wisdom and his excellent leadership,” Yuan Fang looked at Li Xiaobai with great admiration, for he was his mentor.

Yun Yan, Yunkun, and others nodded and bowed, scurrying about, all smiles on the surface but cursing in their hearts. If it weren’t for fear of being put at a disadvantage, they wouldn’t bother putting so much effort into cleaning up a manure pit!

“Work hard and don’t always think that someone will come to rescue you. The only way you can get out is if someone pays to redeem you. If no one redeems you, you’d best give up hope,” Yuan Fang said with a stern yet restrained tone.

Yun Yan forcefully suppressed the rage in his heart as he trembled while cleaning the dung pond.

“Master, will we ever have a day to get out? Does Fire Qilin Cave have no intention of redeeming us?” Yunkun couldn’t help but ask.

“Not at all, my good disciple. We are the backbone talents of Fire Qilin Cave. They won’t abandon us; just wait a little longer, we will definitely get out!”

Yun Yan said.

Similar questions haunted every laborer: would their sect really spend Spirit Stones to rescue them?

One and a half million top-grade Spirit Stones was no small amount.

“Just hold on for a few more days. We must trust the organization; it will not abandon us!”

…

A day later, outside of the Holy Demon Sect, another group of people gathered. This time, the most authoritative figures from various sects arrived.

Many elders from other sects also watched from a distance, joining in the excitement, eager to see the true face of the owner of the giant hand that covered the sky.

“Li Xiaobai, I am the Great Elder of Fire Qilin Cave, the Fire Element Saint Hand, Lin Tian. Today, I am here to redeem the disciples and elders of our sect.”

At these words, the whole crowd was astir.

Fire Qilin Cave had actually chosen to redeem their people. Was this a sign of submission?

However, this was also within the expectations of everyone since the sect had top experts in house, and it was unwise to create conflicts. It was just unexpected that Fire Qilin Cave would act so directly, showing no intention of provoking that expert.

Today’s drama, it seemed, wouldn’t be too dramatic.

Inside the sect, in the bathhouse, the disciples were quite calm.

“Another group has come.”

“No worries, let’s see how the Peak Master handles it.”

“This bunch looks pretty good, they have a positive attitude.”

Li Xiaobai didn’t expect the newly arrived group to be so sensible, willingly paying up and following the rules.

He picked out Yun Yan and Yunkun from the latrine.

“You two, Fire Qilin Cave has come to redeem you. Follow me.”

Upon hearing this, the two were overjoyed. Indeed, the organization had not abandoned them; their days of anxious waiting had paid off.

“Sect Master Li, what about us?”

The other laborers looked anxious. They had been detained together, working hard, and now that their companions who had shared their lives day and night were being taken away, the latrines suddenly lost their appeal.

“Unfortunately, it seems that your tribes have no plans of redeeming you. It looks like you’ll have to stay here a bit longer.”

Li Xiaobai didn’t want to waste words and left with the two men.

A group of laborers with pale faces was left behind, staring blankly at the dung pit. Their worst fear had come true.

Outside the sect,

The old and young of Fire Qilin Cave had a tearful reunion; Yun Yan and Yunkun were filled with internal joy at finally seeing their kin.