Chapter 993: Chapter 520: Spiritual Pearl Appears (2) "You didn’t cooperate with them, did you suffer a lot?" As soon as he asked this, everyone stopped talking, and their gaze fell on Huang Shan’s face again. Huang Shan gave a bitter smile and then nodded. "They spared no effort in trying to make me cooperate." "What did they do to you?" "They did a lot, fire torture, water torture, even lightning torture..." As they heard him list the various punishments, everyone’s eyes widened. Any one of these punishments could be fatal, yet Huang Shan had endured them all! And under such conditions, he still didn’t comply with the people from Purple Mist Peak, truly a testament to his unyielding spirit! While everyone felt immense sympathy, Huang Shan smiled and said, "There’s no need to worry, I’ve long gotten used to these punishments; otherwise, I couldn’t have endured. Don’t forget, I came from the Soul Refining Cave, where the punishments are much harsher than those at Purple Mist Peak." When old wounds were once again touched upon, everyone felt even more sympathy for him. "Huang Shan, from now on, our Stone Village will do its utmost to protect you!" "Yes, we’ve already tidied up your home, go take a look." Huang Shan was led to his doorstep and pushed the door open himself. Everything in the yard had been neatly arranged; the items were perfectly organized and in their places. Everyone walked through the door with him, and when he opened the room door, tears suddenly welled up in Huang Shan’s eyes. Gu Sheng glanced around the room, it was arranged cleanly and warmly, with brand new bedding on the bed, looking very cozy. He understood why Huang Shan was crying, so he lightly patted his shoulder. "Don’t cry, things will get better and better." Perhaps overwhelmed with emotion, Huang Shan turned and hugged him tightly. "Brother Sheng, I finally have a home again. I thought I would never have a home in this life, but unexpectedly, I have one again." "From now on, this is your home. You can wed and raise a family here, generation after generation. No matter when, Stone Village will always acknowledge the name Huang Shan." Upon hearing this, Huang Shan cried even harder. At night, everyone in Stone Village finally gathered together for a lively reunion dinner. After three rounds of drinks, the Third Elder asked Gu Sheng, "Is everything settled?" Hearing this, Gu Sheng lightly sighed. "We massacred Purple Mist Peak; the Peak Master of Purple Mist Peak won’t let this rest. Besides, the goblins escaped and will surely seek revenge in the future, so we can’t just sit and wait." After Gu Sheng finished speaking, everyone’s expressions turned grim. "We now have adversaries on two sides, if they jointly attack, our chances of surviving are slim." "Third Elder, don’t worry, we returned to Stone Village just to let you know we’re safe. We’ll be leaving soon in the next couple of days." "Gu Sheng, that’s not what I meant. Whether it’s Purple Mist Peak or the goblins, they’re coming for Stone Village. You led everyone to protect us, and we’re extremely grateful. You’ve endured so much; we should handle the matters ahead together. I’m just worried about them teaming up, nothing more." After he finished speaking, Gu Sheng smiled. "I understand your point and didn’t take it to heart. However, their focus is on us; it’s better we solve this ourselves than implicate everyone else. Whether it’s Purple Mist Peak or the goblins, we can handle them." "That won’t do. This is an issue involving all of Stone Village. You’ve already shouldered enough, we can’t push everything onto you." As soon as the Third Elder finished speaking, everyone nodded in agreement. While people were voicing their concerns, a large bird suddenly descended from the sky, landing directly on Gu Sheng’s shoulder. Seeing the note tied to the bird’s leg, Gu Sheng took it down and carefully read it. After reading, his eyes lit up. "Brother Sheng, what’s up?" "A Spiritual Pearl has been discovered in South Mountain, and major sects are heading there, including the Sect Leader of Purple Mist Peak." Upon these words, everyone became instantly excited. "Gu Sheng, the Spiritual Pearl you mentioned, is it that rare one that only appears once in a hundred years?" "Yes, a Spiritual Pearl can enhance one’s strength by ten years, it’s something extraordinary." "Yes, yes, I’ve also heard a bit about the Spiritual Pearl. There are said to be ten Spiritual Pearls in the world; if all are gathered, not only can one gain a hundred years of power, but also summon a Divine Dragon as a mount. However, I only heard this through hearsay, not sure if it’s true." "I’ve heard something similar, I only know that enhancing one’s power is true, as for the Divine Dragon, it’s probably a rumor." "This hasn’t been confirmed, but it’s possible. Just like this Spiritual Pearl, it’s been a rumor for centuries, and now it has appeared. Although only one, the appearance allows one to use the Spiritual Energy of the pearl to locate other pearls. The century-old rumor may finally be proven true." Carefully pondering, Gu Sheng thought it made sense too. "Third Elder, do you want to seek the Spiritual Pearl?" Upon hearing this, the Third Elder smiled and waved his hand. "No, if this were a few years ago, I would definitely have investigated, but since Elder Shi passed away, I no longer want to participate in the fighting of Jianghu; I just want to live in peace guarding Stone Village. What use is cultivation level to me at this age? There’s nothing more blissful than living with family." After the Third Elder spoke, many nodded in agreement. After inquiring several times, only Shi Lou and Huang Shan were willing to chase after the Spiritual Pearl’s whereabouts. After some thought, Gu Sheng decided to take them along. Firstly, everyone was interested in the Spiritual Pearl, and secondly, both Purple Mist Peak and the goblins were targeting them. Leaving Stone Village would also be a way to protect the others there. Moreover, the Sect Leader of Purple Mist Peak was already on his way to find the Spiritual Pearl, providing an opportunity for them to confront him directly. "Alright, we’ll leave tomorrow then." Hearing this, Shi Lou excitedly nodded repeatedly with the others. "Brother Sheng, if we truly get the Spiritual Pearl, it’ll be yours; just let us have some of the treasures alongside it." "Yes, there’s only one Spiritual Pearl, it’s all yours, Brother Sheng. We can divide the treasures, and it’ll be enough for us to live well." Hearing everyone’s words, Gu Sheng frowned. "Everyone is going for the Spiritual Pearl, if we secure it, I can’t keep it all to myself." "Brother Sheng, you’ve got it wrong. We’re going to help you get the Spiritual Pearl, our target isn’t the pearl, it’s the treasure alongside it. It’s said that every pearl is surrounded by treasure, that’s our aim." After Shi Lou finished speaking, Huang Shan nodded. "If it’s just the Spiritual Pearl, we wouldn’t go, but with treasure involved, I want to explore." They quickly distanced themselves from the Spiritual Pearl, not wanting to have anything to do with it. Gu Sheng felt helpless and was about to speak further but was stopped by everyone. "Brother Sheng, let me reiterate, if we obtain the Spiritual Pearl, it’s all yours. If you insist on sharing, we won’t go." "Yes, if you insist, we won’t go. I’ll stay in Stone Village with the Third Elder." While Gu Sheng felt helpless, the Third Elder patted him on the shoulder. "Gu Sheng, go on, if you get the Spiritual Pearl, just split the treasure among them. Stone Village will rely on you in the future, so obtaining the pearl is justifiable." With the Third Elder’s approval, Gu Sheng could only nod. Looking at everyone, he felt warmth in his heart. The next morning, Gu Sheng and the others prepared to leave. Just before they set off, the Third Elder and others hurried over, carrying a large box. "Wait, Gu Sheng, take this box with you." Looking at the box, Gu Sheng was puzzled. "Third Elder, what is this?" "Spirit Stones, not many high-level ones, don’t disdain them; it’s just a small token from everyone, you’ll give us peace of mind by taking it." After speaking, everyone nodded in agreement. Just as Gu Sheng was about to refuse, the Third Elder strongly pushed the box into his arms. "Take it, if you don’t, we won’t sleep peacefully." In the end, Gu Sheng accepted the box.