We received new information and also found the clues we wanted to know.

Jiang Wuyuan and Zhuang Yaoqing then bid farewell and left the territory of the Wood Spirit Clan.

Jiang Wuyuan pretended not to see Xun Wu, who still chose to follow them even after revealing her true form.

Otherwise, there's not much else to do.

They can't be driven away, they can't be beaten, and they can't be reasoned with.

"I just messaged Zhuge. He's almost here. Shall we wait for him?" Zhuang Yaoqing said as he put down his bracelet.

Jiang Wuyuan nodded: "Go to Chunfang City."

“You’re right, we still don’t know how to get to Wuxiang City.” Zhuang Yaoqing stroked his chin. “We need to go to the city and ask around for information first.”

So Zhuang Yaoqing sent another message to Zhuge Wangran saying that they were going to Chunfang City and would meet there.

After sending the message, Zhuang Yaoqing happily put down the bracelet.

Wait, did they forget something?

He went through his recent schedule in his mind and realized that he had indeed forgotten something.

—The little girl who still lives in the cave of the Three-Headed Mystic Python.

He turned his head slightly to look at Jiang Wuyuan: "Brother Jiang, shall we go back to the cave of the Xuanwen Python again?"

Jiang Wuyuan paused slightly as he continued his journey.

He turned around and glanced at Zhuang Yaoqing's serious expression.

Unfortunately, faced with the choice between the future of a Dragon Kingdom soldier whose very essence was damaged and the future of a half-human, half-snake creature that had been dead for millions of years and was now just a projection, Jiang Wuyuan knew which choice to make.

"You have one-third of this Wood Spirit Liquid; you can use it as you see fit."

"But—if it were truly alive in this world, I would wholeheartedly agree with your approach, Brother Zhuang." Jiang Wuyuan withdrew his gaze. "But it's just a projection."

Zhuang Yaoqing was taken aback by what he was said, but then he realized what he meant.

yes.

He was just too fixated on it.

“You’re right,” Zhuang Yaoqing smiled. “I was just deluded.”

Let's go to Spring Palace City.

——

As a peak Martial Emperor, Zhuge Wangran travels very quickly.

Even so, it still took several days of bumpy travel to get there.

At that time, Jiang Wuyuan and Zhuang Yaoqing had already found out the specific situation of Wuxiang City.

The three agreed to meet at a tavern.

To be precise, there were four people.

Xunwu continued to follow them, but remained oblivious to his surroundings, playing the role of an invisible person.

"Zhuge!"

"Brother Zhuge."

As soon as Zhuge Wangran entered the room, Zhuang Yaoqing saw him and immediately called him over.

"Xiao Zhuang, Brother Jiang Xue... it's been a long time." Zhuge Wangran tossed the copper coins in his hand up and down. "No, wait, just a few days?"

"When Brother Zhuge helped us last time, you also got a share of the Wood Spirit Liquid we obtained." Jiang Wuyuan's original intention was for the three of them to split it equally.

If it weren't for Zhuge Wangran's divination, the two of them would probably have had to conduct a thorough search.

This significantly reduced time costs, and Zhuge Wangran deserves a share of the credit.

"Thank you very much, but I will hand it in as well." Zhuge Wangran winked at Jiang Wuyuan, "After all, no one in my family has suffered any injuries to their core essence."

By the way, it seems that the one from the Ruan family...

Jiang Wuyuan nodded: "Yes, I will set aside a portion of my share for Brother Ruan."

"As long as you know what's going on," Zhuge Wangran smiled, her gaze suddenly falling on Xunwu beside her. "And who is this?"

Zhuang Yaoqing immediately replied, "Let me introduce you. This is a disciple of the Tianji Sect, named Xunwu."

"Young Master Xun, this is also a friend of ours, named Zhuge Wangran."

"Young Master Zhuge, it's a pleasure to meet you." Xun Wu finally spoke, but his gaze fell on Zhuge Wangran with a strange expression. "If I may ask, Young Master Zhuge, do you also practice divination?"

Upon hearing the words "Tianji Sect," Zhuge Wangran knew he had met a kindred spirit.

He nodded: "Yes, but I am not a disciple of the Tianji Sect."

"I see." Xunwu understood what she wanted to know, and then fell silent again, continuing to play the role of a background character.

Jiang Wuyuan had grown accustomed to his unwavering stance.

"Tell me, what are your plans for the future?"

"I've come all this way, you can't just kick me out now, can you?" Zhuge Wangran smiled.

"Have you heard about the Heavenly Pool on your way here?"

"The Absolute Heaven Pool? There isn't one."

Zhuang Yaoqing then explained it to him, and finally concluded: "In short, it is beneficial to cultivation."

"Is that so? Then it seems I can make a trip." Zhuge Wangran was very tempted, but then he glanced at Zhuang Yaoqing and asked, "By the way, Zhuang, didn't you say you didn't care about cultivation? You're going for this kind of opportunity?"

"We've inquired along the way and know we'll be traversing quite a few wilderness areas. I'll collect some medicinal herbs along the way; after all, I came to this secret realm solely to collect medicinal herbs."

Zhuge Wangran smiled and saw right through him: "You're actually reluctant to part with Brother Jiang, your henchman, aren't you?"

"Hey, you!" Zhuang Yaoqing quickly glanced at Jiang Wuyuan's expression. Seeing that he remained calm and continued eating the side dishes in front of him, he felt relieved. "Don't talk nonsense, or I'll sue you for defamation."

"It's nothing, just a transaction." Jiang Wuyuan chewed a couple of times, finished the last bite of food, and left ten gold coins on the table. "Let's go."

Zhuang Yaoqing couldn't tell whether he was happy or unhappy.

He was happy that Jiang Wuyuan didn't find him troublesome and decided to abandon him, but he was unhappy that this big shot still only treated him as a trading partner.

However, what he didn't know was that after obtaining the Heart of Water, Jiang Wuyuan had already tacitly agreed to a settlement of money and goods.

After all, that's the Heart of Water.

Zhuang Yaoqing was not tempted at all; on the contrary, he handed over such a treasure directly to him.

For this reason alone, there's no need to mention protection fees or anything like that.

Seeing that the two were about to leave after eating and drinking their fill, Zhuge Wangran rubbed his still hungry stomach from the long journey and reluctantly followed them.

Before leaving, he asked the shopkeeper to pack ten meat pies for him.

——

Spring Palace City is located in the Southern Region, but it is not far from the Western Region.

The four of them kept traveling, and their progress was not slow.

Zhuang Yaoqing, the only one who might have been a hindrance, now has a flying sword as a mount and is incredibly fast.

............

Seven days later.

In an unnamed mountain forest.

"Based on the map and our travel speed, we should arrive tomorrow." Zhuang Yaoqing carefully examined the map in his hand. "We just need to cross two more mountains."

"The competition for spots in Jue Tian Chi doesn't start for another three days, so we still have time," Zhuge Wangran said with high spirits.

Along the way, thanks to his ability to seek advantage and avoid harm, Jiang Wuyuan truly experienced the benefits of traveling with someone who could divine.

Let alone danger, I've barely encountered any magical beasts above the fifth rank.

They say that wherever there is a miraculous medicine, there it is.

Unfortunately, Jiang Wuyuan himself did not have the talent to communicate with the Heavenly Dao, otherwise he really wanted to learn it.