Chapter 307: Misty ridge-2

"Where is the Misty-ridge located?"

"It is located towards the southern borders of the Misty village. Frost lily is an incredible healing herb that is graded at level 5. It requires a place that contains a powerful concentration of water and ice element energy. The only place we could find them is in the extreme borders of ice element forbidden places."

"Fortunately, Misty-ridge is somewhat of a mutated region because the depth of the ridge has promoted the environment to produce huge amounts of ice energy, and the water-mist village is best one for the water element."

"The frost lily is one of the rare herbs which grows there, and it is the only place known that is nearby. We need to have some of the frost lilies present in that region."

"What would the frost lily help with?" The Keeper was intrigued with Li meng's choice.

"For our formation, we need a herb which could provide us with an incredible amount of healing Qi. Frost lily, not only has the healing properties, but it could supply the formation with incredible amounts of ice energy too, which would be helpful during the experiments as we want the body to survive."

"Ice qi does have the property to lower the erosion rate, but could the herb provide that much of power, and the additional condition of finding the right amount is also a concern of ours."

"Well, I would say that the power is perfect. As per the quantity, I guess we need around 100 stalks for the whole experiment, which given the ice resources in the Crimson lord world, would need an additional 30 stalks. We need some for future use too."

"Why not connect the ice pool directly?"

"The amount of energy which would be consumed is too much for the pool. Even the herbs would consume a lot of energy, but they would also help it grow if we could plant them nearby. I am also thinking of using half the amount to enhance the quality of water and ice element within the pool."

"Well, we could make the pool go up by around 2 levels if we could just incubate around 100 of these herbs within it. That is true, and given the period of development, I would say it would e better if we could find the required amount within the misty valley itself."

"We need to leave then."

"I need to make some preparation first. I would require a very powerful fire element armour, and I think I have the perfect place to look out for it."

"Are you thinking about commissioning a fire armour?"

"No. I have heard that the people of Emerald amethyst hall have a base in the place. They need a lot of ice and water element herb to practice their cultivation art, and they are one of the top players in the water-mist region."

"Are you going to buy one from them?"

"Are you crazy? Do you even know how much such an artefact would cost me? I am not going to spend money just for frost lily. Besides I am not looking for a very powerful artefact either, as the QI is helpful for my ice and water cultivation. It would be best if I could snatch one of them from one of the people belonging to the Amethyst hall."

"You are thinking of robbing a member of one of the top fire element cultivation grounds in the central plains."

"What is the best location to do so except for this place. The set-up is just perfect for my purpose and I would have no problem in covering up my tracks. I even found the perfect target."

"Who is it?"

"It is the newly appointed provisional holy son of the hall, who is in town."

"I hope you are taking into consideration the fact that this guy is a holy son. The title is called holy for a reason. The guards would at least be having a cultivation base of a whole realm higher than him. Anyone with the title of holy-son is a talented and powerful person himself."

"He is a peak Qi King expert, which makes him the perfect target for us. As for his guards, they wouldn't be accompanying him this time. He is out on a cultivation journey which is the basic requirement for the sect to make his title permanent. He needs to complete the task by his efforts and I am willing to make the bet that he is accompanied with some great equipment."

"I would also like to play it risky for once. When would I use all the defensive artefacts given to me by my master? A Qi monarch protection mark should be enough to kill some guards in the Qi Emperor level."

"What about his protection marks?"

"I wouldn't be providing him with enough time to use them. He is going to end up dead before he is capable of using any of the protective artefacts."

'And what if he was protected from shadows?"

"We are going to need a suitable environment to carry out the whole operation, and that is where my other plan comes into play. I am going to use poison."

'You can't create a poison potion powerful enough to deflect the power of Qi Emperors. You would be able to if you had upgraded your alchemy grade to another level higher."

"The poison is for the holy-son. I am going to abduct the bastard and steal all his treasures. Once I manage to take him, hostage, it would easy for me to threaten his protectors, if any that is."

"That is a good plan, but where are going to execute this plan of yours." An operation like this requires a perfect set-up as its base. 

"The Amethyst Hall is planning on an expedition to the misty ridge and it is kind of an important one. According to the information from the merchant guild, I think they are about to send their annual resource batch after this expedition, and this has to be an important one for them. Say, a holy-son would take part in something like that right?"

"He should take part in that." A holy-son wasn't just an honorary position. It was a position of power and respect and you need to show your contribution to the sect to be crowned with the title. This would prove to be a perfect situation to gain some contribution point.

"I do need to take care of the whole party. If I am not wrong they should also have a lot in reserve for the annual tax payment."

"You are eying their annual spoils too. Let me guess, you are going to use your hypothetical hostage to get the resources. That seems a feasible option, but the resource is surely protected by a Qi Emperor, and the hostage to be is just a provisional Holy son."

"Well, that is a way to go, but I have something else in mind. You see the poison would be used in more than one place."

Li Meng's plan was more sinister than it appeared. He was going to do permanent damage to the branch of the amethyst hall in the water-mist village.

"Well, let's get started. I would require the other reserve of bomb too. This event is going to end up with a bam."

...........................….

The merchant guild-

"I am surprised to see sir again on such short notice." The manager directly greeted Li Meng."May I know how I may be of help to you."

"I need another set of herbs along with some special information." Li Meng handed the list of herbs that went into the creation of the bombs and the poison he had in mind. It was a special variety of poison that was characterised by its slow reaction to the host.

"We have the herbs in our stocks. How much do you need?"

"About a dozen of each kind."

"What information would you like to get your hands on sir."The manager replied after whispering something in the worker's ear.

"I want every single piece of information you have on the emerald Amethyst hall. Your oldest record to your newest one. The more detailed, the better." The manager's expression changed into seriousness. 

"The Amethyst hall is quite a powerful group, and we don't have too detailed information. What I d have is going to cost you a fortune."

"I am willing to pay the required price to get the details." Li meng handed another pouch to the manager. The manager bowed without even inspecting the pouch, just when the worker walked in. He was carrying a small ring with him.

"This ring contains all the requested herbs and the plate that contains the required information. I hope you are satisfied." LI meng went through the outlines and was impressed by the details mentioned within the plate. He nodded at the manager.

"I would like to know if sir is open to undertake a special mission for our guild?"

"I would if the rewards are worth my time."

"The rewards can be discussed based on your contribution. The task is to collect frost lily. The higher the number of stalks you can collect, the better." Li meng didn't expect the guild to be looking for frost lily too. He understood behind the merchant's idea of hiring him since he was going to look for them eventually.

"I accept the task. Will meet you when the time comes."