Chapter 51: Is this... a pitcher plant? (Part 3)

"Shuisheng!"

Seeing that he was still safely alive, Yan Ning was overjoyed, feeling as though a heavy stone had been lifted from her heart.

The other predatory cage also burst open, revealing a half-digested skeleton. The skeleton was still wrapped in clothing, yet it was a ghastly and horrifying sight to behold.

Judging by the style of the garments, it undoubtedly belonged to that particular guard.

Zhang Xuan stared in astonishment at the withered husk of the predatory cage, utterly bewildered. Moments later, his gaze shifted to the Ice-Prison Eagle, which had been reduced to a mummified corpse.

He finally understood. The reason this kid had managed to escape alive was entirely due to a magical treasure in his possession—one capable of turning living beings into mummified corpses.

Just how many incredible treasures did this punk actually own? The Ice-Prison Eagle, the boundary-stone ring, the moisture-sucking magical treasure... Envy and greed once again flared fiercely in his heart.

As for Ning Xuanbo and his granddaughter, they exchanged glances.

Meanwhile, Shuisheng was still standing inside the withered predatory cage. It was not that he did not want to step out, but rather that the "water droplet" had not yet had its fill. A few seconds later, the mutant pitcher plant began to wither completely throughout its entire body. At first, it could still thrash and shake violently, but eventually, it could no longer move at all, finally transforming entirely into something resembling dry hay.

Only then did he quietly retrieve the "water droplet" back into his palm. He then used his superpower to knead the residual, completely depleted moisture in the air into a water sphere the size of a bowl, and with a swift pull, froze it into the shape of an ice sword.

Using superpower to transform water into ice was one of the most fundamental abilities of a water-attribute superhuman. Since he currently lacked a weapon, he would use this as one.

Looking at the mutant pitcher plant, which had completely turned into a tall, withered plant devoid of any vitality, Zhang Xuan felt an agony that pierced his heart.

It was all over. He had tried to steal a chicken only to lose the rice used as bait; his losses were catastrophic. Not only was the opponent still alive, but he had also failed to acquire the boundary-stone ring, killed a guard from the Yan family, and thoroughly offended them. More importantly, would this level-5 youth equipped with such mysterious methods simply let him walk away just like that?

Regardless of whether the other party would let him go or not, a wise man does not fight when the odds are against him; he had better make his escape first.

Taking advantage of the moment when Yan Ning was inspecting the gruesome remains of her subordinate, he turned abruptly. The wooden staff in his hand rapidly generated a green vine, which he lashed out like a flying grappling hook, latching onto a distant tree. Pulling hard with all his might, he prepared to propel himself rapidly away.

If he managed to launch himself across, he should be able to escape. Once safely away, he would figure out a way to have his clan handle this situation. So thought the second young master of the Zhang family.

However, out of the corner of his eye, he seemed to notice that just as he was about to be pulled away, that young man inexplicably reached out his hand and made a sharp pinching gesture in his direction. Upon the youth's palm, a single water droplet seemed to flash with brilliant light.

Almost instantly, the second young master of the Zhang family felt a sharp, piercing pain deep within a certain part between his legs.

Without time for second thoughts, he was yanked away, flying over the courtyard wall and landing within the old residential complex on the other side. Upon hitting the ground, casting all other thoughts aside, he fled in panicked desperation.

...

"Grandpa, how did he manage to do that?" Although Ning Xiaoquan had kept her eyes glued to the entire battle without blinking once, she still failed to understand.

"I don't know." Ning Xuanbo shook his head, his eyes fixed on the palm of Shuisheng's hand, where what appeared to be a droplet of extremely pure water lingered. He fell into deep thought.

...

"Everyone, get over here!" Yan Ning issued the order through her intercom earpiece with a voice tinged with sorrow. Moments later, the other two guards arrived. Upon seeing the corpse of their companion, they stood in silence. This earpiece was a close-range, instant communication device; previously, due to the distance, they had not heard the sounds transmitted through it.

"Zou Zhimin has been murdered! Search the residential complex inside. There's a youth with a pale, greenish-white complexion—Zhang Xuan from the Zhang family. Don't let him get away!" Yan Ning pointed in the direction of Zhang Xuan's escape and gave the order.

The two guards hurriedly leaped over the courtyard wall and gave chase in that direction.

Yan Ning made a phone call to report the situation to the eldest miss.

"He possesses a magical treasure capable of draining all the moisture from living bodies?" The eldest miss found it incomprehensible. "What kind of item is that?"

"I couldn't see it clearly," Yan Ning replied. "I'll ask him later."

"There's no need to ask. It was probably also given to him by Mei Yulang for self-defense," Yan Ruobing said. "Such a magical treasure only further proves that he has a deeply entrenched relationship with Mei Yulang. Continue to step up your surveillance on him. Also, handle the funeral arrangements for the deceased properly."

"Understood, Eldest Miss!"

...

Shuisheng cleaned the dried, coagulated mucus off his pants, and recalling the perilous situation he had just faced, he still felt a lingering fear.

Arrogant and greedy though Zhang Xuan might be, scions of major clans truly possessed decisive trump cards at their disposal. In comparison, his own self-defense methods were far too scarce; relying solely on the "water droplet" to bail him out was simply not enough. Look at the little guy now—it was currently in a well-fed and satiated state and wouldn't feel hungry again for several days.

He returned to the shop carrying the carcass of the Ice-Prison Eagle.

"Is our trade still valid?" he asked the Ning family grandfather and grandson.

"Naturally, it is valid," Ning Xuanbo replied. "Would you like cash or an electronic currency transfer?"

It seemed this old man was truly accustomed to seeing the world; even with a person lying dead at the doorstep of his shop, there was not the slightest trace of panic on his face, and business proceeded as usual.

"Electronic currency," Shuisheng said. "However, I would like to take a look at the immortal crystal skill contained within that immortal crystal."

Ning Xuanbo handed over the greenish immortal crystal, which still bore traces of blood.

...

Immortal crystals were crystals that had a certain probability of forming within the bodies of powerful elite magical beasts from the foreign world of Wangxian Continent, also known as magical crystals, containing a certain degree of immortal power. On the Blue Planet, powerful transcendent beasts possessed a similar probability of producing such crystals, which were referred to as transcendent crystals. The vast majority of immortal crystals and transcendent crystals did not contain transcendent skills; less than 10% of them had a chance of yielding any. Legend had it that this was an ability evolved by magical beasts and transcendent crystals to better pass down their innate skills to the next generation. Young beasts that obtained the magical or immortal crystals of the older generation could directly learn the corresponding skills.

"How does one examine and cultivate an immortal crystal skill?" Shuisheng asked.

"Hold it, channel your superpowers into it, and perceive it with your mind; you will roughly understand the nature of the immortal skill contained within. If you wish to practice it, intensify your mental perception and the output of your superpowers until you reach your limit," Ning Xuanbo explained.

Shuisheng grasped the immortal crystal, closed his eyes to perceive it, and simultaneously channeled his superpowers into it with all his might.

Moments later, Ning Xuanbo's expression changed: "You are..."

Indeed, Shuisheng's actions demonstrated that he intended to directly absorb and master the immortal crystal skill contained within.

Every immortal crystal possessing an immortal crystal skill could only be absorbed and studied once, after which it would be rendered utterly worthless, akin to waste. Ning Xuanbo had wanted to purchase this immortal crystal himself; it was said that descendants of certain prestigious clans who lacked cultivation talent would pay exorbitant prices to acquire such immortal crystals, as they could save countless grueling hours of cultivation.

A powerful and warm surge of energy entered his bloodstream, bringing an endless sense of exquisite comfort. After some time, Shuisheng's entire body trembled as he suddenly felt that something new had been added to his consciousness.

An aura of bitter cold. This was the innate skill of the Ice-Prison Eagle. It could freeze weak enemies stiff, and against powerful foes, it could also exert a certain degree of obstruction and control.

Now, he had initially mastered it. Of course, to achieve any significant destructive power, continued practice would still be necessary.

Opening his eyes, he saw the grandfather and grandson of the Ning family gazing at him with resentful eyes.

"This immortal crystal has already been ruined; we can no longer acquire it," Ning Xuanbo said. "Young man, you just missed out on two million."

Shuisheng had already made up his mind; he would rather master one rare skill than have all that money. Life and victory were far more precious than wealth.

If one lost their life, what good was money? Would it be burned as an offering to oneself in the underworld?

In the end, Shuisheng sold the Ice-Prison Eagle in exchange for two hundred thousand Donghua dollars. After a moment of thought, he handed fifteen thousand of it over to Yan Ning.

"What is the meaning of this...?"

"Captain Yan, I am truly sorry. That guard brother sacrificed his life to protect me... Please take ten thousand of this sum and deliver it to his family... As for the other five thousand, please help me pass it on to the family of Inspector Ni Ximei..." Shuisheng said.