CHAPTER 2109: CHAPTER 2107: A CHANCE ENCOUNTER WITH DU FEI

"As for the specific reason, you’ll have to think about it yourself," Feng Cheng said.

"What exactly is the Curse Tree?" Bai Ruozhu asked.

"It’s a tree affected by curse power, that can absorb evil aura and resentful energy, which is why you were able to absorb the black fog earlier. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been able to save those Jiuli people," Feng Cheng explained.

Bai Ruozhu didn’t know how that tree got cursed. Clearly, other trees bore red, yellow, and green fruits, and only this one bore black fruit?

"Will it have any impact on me while in my small space?" Bai Ruozhu asked.

"Initially, it will curse you, but now even if you try to remove it, you won’t be able to break the curse. Moreover, it’ll be hard for you to remove it. Even if it grows large, it won’t affect you much, and if you encounter the black fog again, the curse tree can help you," Feng Cheng said, reaching out to touch the Curse Tree but withdrew his hand.

"Just make sure the children don’t touch this tree; it’s harmful to their health."

Bai Ruozhu quickly called Xiaohei, Furball, and Tutu, telling them to ensure Dengdeng doesn’t touch the tree. The other two little ones couldn’t crawl yet, so there was no need to worry.

Feng Cheng listened to her arrangements and asked puzzled, "Why don’t you set up a barrier around the tree so nothing can approach it?"

Bai Ruozhu scratched her head, "I can only set up very simple arrays, which won’t last long."

"I meant your spiritual energy can create a barrier in your own small space. Don’t you know how?" Feng Cheng looked shocked, as if Bai Ruozhu was very foolish.

Bai Ruozhu’s mouth twitched, and she reluctantly said, "I don’t know."

"Just focus on what you want to do, concentrate your willpower, which is your mental strength, and you can achieve it," Feng Cheng explained.

Bai Ruozhu recalled that once, she simply thought about it, and fish automatically emerged from the pond, cleaned and sun-dried. That’s the power of will?

She closed her eyes, trying hard to imagine setting a barrier around the black tree, but there was no response for a long time.

Feng Cheng knew she wouldn’t succeed at first, so he took Dengdeng back the way he came, to play, avoiding disturbing her.

Bai Ruozhu tried for fifteen minutes, sweat covering her forehead, before she finally managed to create a very weak barrier. Although it wasn’t very effective, it was enough to keep the children away.

She wiped the sweat from her forehead, feeling quite happy despite the minimal success.

Upon returning to the pond area, she heard Little Dengdeng talking to Feng Cheng, "Big brother, are you very powerful? My mother can’t beat you?"

Feng Cheng nodded with a smile, "Yes."

Bai Ruozhu smirked; he shamelessly responded, acting like a big brother to a child while being over a hundred years old, without feeling embarrassed.

After staying a while longer, Bai Ruozhu finally exited the space, and Feng Cheng followed her out.

Outside, the monster’s roar had also ceased. It seemed exhausted from roaring, feeling bored perhaps. Yet, no matter how much it roared, it couldn’t enter the stone chamber.

...

On Jiang Yichun’s group’s way south, they stopped at a city.

Muyu returned from shopping and told Jiang Yichun, "Master, I’ve discovered some Jiuli people. They seem to have just left Jiuli not long ago. They might have news of the lady. Should we reach out to them?"

Jiang Yichun showed a look of joy, "Who are they? How did you find them?"

"It’s a woman in her forties who had a conflict with others, using Jiuli’s mechanical techniques, which is why the onlookers recognized her. She also admitted to being a Jiuli person."

Jiang Yichun looked at Gao Deng, "Let’s go have a look."

Gao Deng nodded, "Alright, it’s good to inquire about it. After all, even if we head south, we may not find the exact location of the Jiuli Clan."

Muyu led the way, and the group found the inn’s waiter, asking him to guide them to the Jiuli woman’s room.

The waiter led them to the outside of the room, gently knocked, and politely said, "Madam, a few guests wish to see you to discuss some matters. Is it convenient?"

A woman’s impatient voice came from inside, "I’m busy; tell them to leave!"

Jiang Yichun and Gao Deng exchanged a glance, both showing displeasure. But Jiuli people are often proud, so encountering a bad-tempered one is normal.

The person sitting inside was Du Fei, who had just escaped from Jiuli, not finding the person she wanted before encountering trouble. She had to battle with mechanical puppets, thus exposing her identity. Fortunately, there were few Jiuli people outside now; not many knew about her affairs, so she thought trouble wouldn’t soon find her.

Gao Deng cleared his throat and said politely, "Madam, my adopted daughter recently went to the Jiuli Clan. Have you seen her? We want to ask about her whereabouts."

Du Fei’s eyes darted around. Wasn’t it Bai Ruozhu who visited Jiuli recently?

She squinted, speaking to Bai Ruozhu’s adoptive father. She didn’t need to be courteous now. Her anger needed an outlet.

The door was opened, Du Fei put on a different expression, and courteously said, "Oh, familiar faces, please come in to chat."

Jiang Yichun’s group entered, exchanging greetings. Du Fei then learned the young man before her was Bai Ruozhu’s husband.

Du Fei secretly assessed Jiang Yichun, feeling a bit unpleasant inside. How could Bai Ruozhu attract such a good-looking man? Truly unfair.

But she noticed Jiang Yichun’s pale complexion and apparent Qi Blood deficiency, secretly cursing: Hopefully, this sick-looking man never recovers, so Bai Ruozhu soon becomes a widow!

With a smile, she said, "So, you are Ruozhu’s family. Why didn’t you go to Jiuli with her? I saw several Bai Family members there!"

Jiang Yichun calmly replied, "I had some duties, so we parted ways. Now that they’re done, I want to find her. Do you know how we can locate the Jiuli Clan?"

Du Fei showed a difficult expression, "I can’t tell you the Jiuli Clan’s location; it’s a clan rule. If you really wish to find her, write a letter, and I’ll deliver it for you. You can wait at a place, and she’ll find you after receiving it."

Jiang Yichun understood Jiuli’s rules and didn’t pressure Du Fei. He asked the waiter for a pen and ink, wrote a letter, and handed it to Du Fei.

Then he sincerely thanked her and took his leave.

Once outside the inn, Jiang Yichun quietly told Muyu, "Secretly keep an eye on that woman and see what she does next."

"Yes." Muyu accepted the task immediately and went around the back of the inn.

Gao Deng frowned, "Do you think there’s something wrong with her? Could she be an impostor Jiuli clan member?"

Jiang Yichun shook his head, "She should indeed be a Jiuli person, but she didn’t seem sincere about helping us. Also, when I mentioned Ruozhu earlier, I noticed a trace of hatred in her eyes."