Chapter 108: Li Dabao

“Alright! From now on, follow me and we’ll conquer the world together! Hahaha…” Jiang Yan felt utterly delighted. The Ten-Thousand Sword Cave was truly a remarkable place!

It wasn’t nearly as dangerous as the senior sister had described, and he had immediately obtained three divine-grade swords.

Heh, no wonder he was the mighty Long Aotian!

With that, Jiang Yan, fully satisfied, led Yun Yun out of the Ten-Thousand Sword Cave.

However, Yun Yun wasn’t in a hurry to return to the Qilin Sect; she hadn’t had her fill of adventure yet. She looked up at Jiang Yan, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. “Brother Yan, can we take it a little slower on the way back to the sect?”

“A little slower? Sure. I’ll take you sightseeing on the way back,” Jiang Yan replied thoughtfully. This trip to the Ten-Thousand Sword Cave had gone quite smoothly. Taking a bit longer to return and showing this little girl the wonders of the cultivation world wouldn’t hurt.

Life, after all, needed a little relaxation now and then, didn’t it?

…

On their way back, Jiang Yan once again took out his black motorcycle, and Yun Yun excitedly sat behind him.

“Wahaha, Brother Yan, can you go faster?” Yun Yun’s laughter echoed through the valley.

“Hold on tight, little one! Watch me show you real speed!” Jiang Yan skillfully attached three acceleration talismans to the motorcycle. Instantly, the speed surged, the scenery blurring into streaks on either side, the wind roaring as if slicing through the air.

Just as they were reveling in the thrill of speed, suddenly, a figure appeared blocking their path.

Jiang Yan slammed on the brakes. The motorcycle skidded, sparks flying along the ground, before finally screeching to a halt.

Yun Yun stumbled and bumped her forehead against Jiang Yan’s sturdy back, wincing in pain as she muttered, “Ouch, Brother Yan, why did you stop so suddenly?”

Before Jiang Yan could respond, the figure ahead spoke:

“This mountain is under my protection; this path is mine to control. Hold up! If you want to pass, hand over all your valuable treasures!”

Jiang Yan blinked in disbelief. Was he seeing things? The one speaking was… a giant panda?

And not just any panda—a gaunt, scruffy one wearing tattered clothes, utterly devoid of any cute charm.

Tsk tsk. In the modern world, giant pandas were national treasures, rare and precious. Yet here in the cultivation realm, this one had become a downtrodden bandit?

“Brother Panda,” Jiang Yan tried to reason, “we’re just passing through and don’t carry any valuable treasures. Please let us pass.”

He thought to himself, if it weren’t necessary, he really didn’t want to harm a national treasure.

Unexpectedly, the panda didn’t budge. Instead, it spread its arms wide, blocking the way even more resolutely, snorting, “Kid, open your eyes and see clearly. I’m Li Dabao! Don’t try your smooth talk on me. Judging by your gear, you’re dripping with wealth. If you don’t give me a cut, you won’t be passing!”

Jiang Yan’s lips twitched. Li Dabao, huh? That name was… quite straightforward.

Suddenly, he’d become someone’s ‘Big Treasure’…

“Brother Yan, I’ll talk to him,” Yun Yun said suddenly, her eyes shining.

“Alright, go ahead,” Jiang Yan said, unconcerned. He had confidence in Yun Yun’s abilities.

Yun Yun jumped off the motorcycle, stormed toward the panda with determination, and looked up at him mockingly: “You dare block my way? Are you asking for a beating?”

Watching this, Jiang Yan suddenly thought—by the looks of it, Yun Yun appeared more like a bandit than that lanky panda!

The giant panda’s eyes widened as he appraised the delicate, adorable little girl. He tried to look fierce: “Little missy, I advise you to make your brother see sense and hand over your treasures, or you’ll be crying later.”

“You’re asking for it,” Yun Yun retorted bluntly, her tiny fist swinging straight at the panda’s belly.

Caught off guard, the panda stumbled back several steps, shock written all over his face.

He hadn’t expected this little girl to be so formidable.

Looks like he had no choice but to resort to his trump card!

With a thud…

Before Jiang Yan and Yun Yun’s eyes, the giant panda—Li Dabao—knelt down.

Bawling with tears and snot, he wailed, “Why is my life so hard? The little ones in my clan are starving. I’m forced into this. Who knew my first robbery would be against you two…”

Yun Yun wasn’t buying it. She stepped forward and gave Li Dabao a harsh knock on the head, coldly saying, “You should feel lucky that the first time you come out to rob someone is us. You’re so weak, with anyone else, you’d be dead by now.”

Jiang Yan crossed his arms and nodded silently; every word she said was true.

“I… I have no choice. Please, kind sirs, help save my clan. I’m willing to serve you however you wish to repay your kindness.”

He then kowtowed three times.

Jiang Yan chuckled lightly, “Oh really? Acting now? Don’t give me that! You have hands and feet and the skill to block the road—why can’t you find food in the mountains?”

Yun Yun nodded in agreement. “Exactly. Brother Yan’s right. You’re just too lazy!”

Li Dabao grimaced and explained, “Heroes, you don’t understand. Overnight, all the mountains here turned barren. Every spiritual bamboo withered and died.

My clan has depended on cultivating spiritual bamboo for generations, but now there isn’t a single blade of grass left. If it weren’t for a small stockpile of food, we’d all be starving. Most of my clan are elders and children; we strong ones dare not venture far to seek bamboo in other mountains.”

Jiang Yan furrowed his brows, puzzled. “If that’s the case, why rob travelers and demand treasures? Those treasures are useless to you, I assume?”

Li Dabao sighed heavily, helplessly, “Ah, because the pig demon chief from the neighboring mountain claims to have spiritual bamboo—but demands treasures in exchange.”

A flicker of curiosity appeared in Yun Yun’s eyes. She asked, “Do you know why your mountain turned barren?”

“Our clan’s shaman said our mountain’s spiritual energy was stolen.”