Miao Yilan had never come into contact with this object, and asked, "Can you grab it directly with your hands?"

Lan Qiaoyan demonstrated immediately, pinching that red Insect Extreme Crystal between two fingers. It could be grasped, but once in hand, it could no longer twirl about lively, losing a bit of its ingenuity.

Despite that, it still retained its brilliance and nobility.

After Miao Yilan pinched it between her fingers, she examined it over and over again, full of admiration. Suddenly, as if struck by an idea, she ran off quickly with the object in hand.

The few people inside the hall looked at each other in bewilderment, not knowing what she was up to.

Not long after, Miao Yilan ran back in, holding something in her hands.

It turned out to be a transparent pen holder, made of crystal or something of the sort, which she had inverted onto a tray. The two combined, the red Insect Extreme Crystal was sealed within. After a bout of vain collisions inside, it automatically returned to the center and floated in place, twirling gently, emitting a noble red light. It was quite beautiful.

At first, Lan Qiaoyan had thought that if the Insect Extreme Crystal were made into jewelry, it would surely look nice.

Now it seemed that a good thing was a good thing regardless, and her daughter had turned it into an equally attractive decoration.

Finally taking her eyes off the Insect Extreme Crystal, Miao Yilan smiled at Shi Chun, thanking him, "Thank you. I really like this gift."

It wasn't just polite talk; she truly liked it, a sparkle of joy in her eyes.

Having given so many gifts before, Shi Chun had never heard her expressly say she liked a gift he had given. Instantly, he replied cheerfully, "No need to thank me. I'm glad you like it."

He genuinely didn't know what to give, nor did he know what would adequately express his gratitude for Lan Qiaoyan's lifesaving grace in Zhixu City, especially as they seemed to have everything and whatever they gave felt slightly inadequate.

This time, both mother and daughter liked it, and both he and Wu Jinliang were happy too.

Just then, a servant appeared at the door, reporting, "Madam, the patrol has sent someone."

Lan Qiaoyan stood at once, saying to Shi Chun, "Please sit for a moment, I'll go have a look. It should be news about those people hiding in the mountains you mentioned." With that, she turned and left.

Outside, two men stood side by side in the yard, just as Lan Qiaoyan had expected. They had come to report back on the situation with the people hiding in the mountains.

Indeed, there had been people harboring evil intentions, and they had already been captured, totaling eleven in number.

For them, the capture was easy, immediate, and the interrogation just as prompt. Those who did not come clean were bold enough to be killed on the spot, failing to realize who resided in this place.

The detainees didn't hide anything, penitently disclosing their origins. In fact, they were none other than Shi Chun's old acquaintances, led by Chu Jingtang, who had just been expelled from their sect.

The reason they followed Shi Chun was simple: revenge.

At first, unable to find Shi Chun's whereabouts, they later speculated that he would appear after the Sky Rain Meteor Conference concluded. They hid outside the training ground, lying in wait. As they hoped, once Shi Chun departed, they followed.

In truth, once they entered this forest, with its tranquil environment and absence of people, it would have been an excellent opportunity to strike. However, having witnessed Shi Chun's skills before, and knowing that even Mulan Qingqing was no match for him, they doubted whether their combined strength of eleven would be sufficient.

So, they continued to follow, seeking the right moment to assassinate, never dreaming they would be caught by the local defense personnel.

After listening, Lan Qiaoyan thought of something and asked, "Did they follow the target here to the Protection Array and hide since late morning, waiting until dark?"

One of the patrolmen replied, "Yes, they said that after the Sky Rain Meteor Conference ended, Shi Chun and the others came straight here. According to the timing of the journey, they should have arrived by late morning. Does the Madam think they're lying?"

Lan Qiaoyan waved her hand slightly. That wasn't her point, but she recalled her previous encounter with Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang. She had asked if they had waited long, and they said not long, claiming they only arrived after dinner, patting their bellies pretending to be freshly full when in reality they had been waiting with empty stomachs for most of the day.

Thinking back on the events that unfolded in the projection of the Sky Rain Meteor Conference, and reflecting on their daring spirit, unafraid to challenge the heavens, what did it matter who they faced or what background they had?

Yet, in her presence, they seemed self-aware and, at the same time, self-effacing.

Remembering that scene brought a slight sting to her nose. It was clear the two foolish boys genuinely didn't want to bother her. Perhaps it was her own family who had overthought some things.

"Madam, how shall we deal with those eleven people?" one of the patrolmen asked for her decision.

Regaining her senses, Lan Qiaoyan said, "Keep them detained for now. We'll communicate further later."

"Understood. With your permission, we take our leave." The two men bowed and exited.

Returning to the hall where the three young people were talking and laughing, Lan Qiaoyan sat down and informed them about Chu Jingtang and the others' intentions to assassinate.

Surprised, Shi Chun and the others didn't seem too concerned about the assassination attempt, but were rather shocked to hear that Chu Jingtang and his group had been expelled from their sect.

Lan Qiaoyan said, "The men have been detained. How do you want to handle this?"

Wu Jinliang was practically too intimidated to speak in front of her.

Shi Chun thought for a moment and asked, "How long can a person be detained?"

Lan Qiaoyan said, "They've already been expelled from the sect. If no one fishes them out... How long do you want to detain them?"

Shi Chun could tell that she had the power to influence the situation and hesitated, "If it's not too much trouble, a minor punishment as a severe warning. Detain them for a year and then release them. Just cool their anger, that should be enough."

In reality, he had other plans. He was preparing to settle matters at Wukang Mountain before rescuing them.

But he wouldn't reveal his true intentions. Once people knew he was going to fish out those eleven, who knew what might happen? He feared that people with intentions might do something to those eleven.

This wasn't about whether he trusted Lan Qiaoyan or not. Gratitude was one thing, but each matter should be addressed separately.

Lan Qiaoyan asked, "Aren't you afraid they'll try to assassinate you again once they're out?"

Shi Chun replied, "I've offended plenty at the Sky Rain Meteor Conference. There are plenty who want to kill me, but they couldn't assassinate me."

Lan Qiaoyan thought about it and agreed; the kid had some skills. Hadn't those eleven guys been discovered by him before they even got close?

Since he didn't care, she didn't say more and agreed to send a message to detain them for a year.

Shi Chun and his companion didn't linger there long.

After getting up to bid farewell, Shi Chun inquired about Miao Dingyi. Hearing that he had business to attend to and wouldn't be back so soon, he expressed his regret for not being able to meet and then left.

They took a carriage back to the bustling district of the royal capital, enjoyed a feast to celebrate a profitable day, and then returned to their lodgings at Wukang Mountain, giving Bian Jixiong a debrief.

As expected, Bian Jixiong shared the original sentiment and planned to return to Wukang Mountain together the next day.

Somewhat later, Miao Dingyi returned home to find his wife and daughter guarding a small, shimmering red crystal column.

"I'm back."

"Daddy."

The mother and daughter greeted him upon his arrival.

Miao Dingyi sat down beside them and glanced at the glowing crystal column curiously, "What is this?"

Lan Qiaoyan was surprised, "Haven't you seen it before?"

Miao Dingyi smiled, "There are so many things in the worlds, too numerous and varied. Who could recognize them all? So, what is this?"

Pointing at the floating and spinning object inside the crystal column, Lan Qiaoyan said, "Isn't it obvious? It's an Insect Extreme Crystal."

"Oh, Insect Extreme Crystal. But why is it red? Hmm? What?" Miao Dingyi suddenly straightened up, looking shocked and doubtful, "Insect Extreme Crystal? You say this is an Insect Extreme Crystal? How do you know it's an Insect Extreme Crystal? Have you seen a red one?"

The mother and daughter were both surprised and amused at his outlandish reaction.

Miao Yilan laughed, "Dad, this is a gift from Shi Chun. He got it from the West Pole venue."

Lan Qiaoyan added, "He said he found it by chance in the Moon Sea when he was forced to enter it. It looked very unusual, so he brought it back as a gift for Lan Lan. I've told you about that kid before. He's always like this, thinking of picking up special things wherever he goes to bring back as gifts for Lan Lan."

All of a sudden, Miao Dingyi couldn't sit still. He stood up swiftly, disassembled the carefully secured crystal column and base, recaptured the glowing Crystal Stone, and, after confirming it, rapidly grasped it in his hand, extinguished the red light, and then turned to Lan Qiaoyan with an angry face. He looked as though he was about to scold her, but then he couldn't find the words and sat down again, pinching his temples with a headache.

Seeing him angry yet helpless, Lan Qiaoyan comforted him, "I know you said to keep a distance from him, but there's no need to go to such extremes. If there's been contact between both sides, nobody could fail to investigate anyway. We really like this object, and I think it would make beautiful jewelry."

Upon hearing this, Miao Dingyi turned his head in utter disbelief, looking at her as if he didn't know his own wife.

Lan Qiaoyan sighed, "I know the Red Light Worm Extreme Crystal is rare, and rarity makes it valuable. It's inappropriate to accept such an expensive gift, don't worry. I won't take it for nothing. I'm waiting for you to help estimate its value. I'll find a way to reimburse him later."

Miao Dingyi's expression twitched for a while, then he patted his forehead with a bitter smile, realizing what was meant by 'ignorance is bliss'. He said helplessly, "Reimburse him? Where will you find so much money to give to him? Even if you gave him everything we own, it still wouldn't be enough!"

At this, both mother and daughter were taken aback.

Miao Yilan tentatively asked, "Dad, is it very expensive?"

Miao Dingyi flipped his hand to reveal the Red Light Worm Extreme Crystal, "Stirring up most sects on the Shengshen Continent, harnessing over a million people, with over three hundred thousand Disciples dead. The real objective was actually just for such a crystal, for this red one. How much do you think it's worth?"

There were secrets he hadn't wanted to reveal, but he didn't expect them to involve his own family. He had to make it clear.

The mother and daughter were utterly stunned.

After a while, Lan Qiaoyan tried to clarify, "Are you saying that the Sky Rain Meteor Conference was actually formed to find this red Insect Extreme Crystal?"

Miao Dingyi said, "It's very hard to find, and no one knows how to locate it. It's only known to exist in the Moon Sea, and even high cultivation is of no use. The previous dynasty tried using people to stack various possibilities, resulting in heavy casualties. This time, to avoid damaging their own Primordial Energy, they used people from the sects. Spreading out the numbers, the impact on each sect wasn't too severe. It's a top secret that can only be done, not spoken about!"

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