There are many highlights in this four-way battle.
Although it attracted everyone's attention from the beginning, most people obviously cared more about its results rather than the process. Although the disciples participating in the event were all young, it was a "war" after all, and war would inevitably involve casualties and bloodshed. Except for the more chaotic and evil group of people in the cities, it could not be described as a "spectacle" in any way.
But Yun Xian actually brought some fun to this boring battle.
Everyone was happy except Liu Chang.
"Stupid, truly stupid!" He watched helplessly as Liu Shi returned empty-handed, not only losing thirty hemostatic herbs, but also allowing Yun Xian to profit three thousand points for nothing. His old face glowed green. "He could have swallowed such a clumsy trick in silence?"
Isn't he always good? Now that he has to stand on his own, he makes such a mess. It's really a disgrace to the Sword Sect!
"No one is dumb." Li Pei saw Xue Lingxiu and Yun Xian leave, and couldn't help but smile: "Isn't this a very impressive meal."
Now that she saw the momentum for cooperation between the two communities in the southeast, her attitude had also changed slightly. Besides, she had always had a good impression of Yun Xian. Who wouldn't like a quirky girl?
Liu Chang: “?”
Although he was old, he considered himself a man and did not want to argue with the female cultivator. He changed his target and looked at Su Chi who was standing beside him.
Although reaching the Spirit Severing stage, one has long since transcended the confines of the mortal body, and eating and sleeping are no longer essential, the constant surveillance of this secret realm still feels tedious. Liu Chang, already a hot-tempered and unstable person, saw Su Chi polishing his sword again, and a surge of irritation welled up within him. "Hey, Su Chi, you've taught me well!"
Su Chi paused while wiping his sword, then looked up with a dull gaze upon hearing this.
Liu Chang: "What's wrong?"
"No." Su Chi said, speaking truthfully: "I have only met Yun Xian once."
Liu Chang: "...Who asked you that?!"
Li Pei, watching from the sidelines, could barely bear it. She'd never cared much about a male cultivator's appearance, after all, the strongest were respected in the world of cultivation. But she realized it might be because she'd rarely seen a truly beautiful woman. Compared to Su Chi, Liu Chang looked like a raging old vegetable stem, the kind that would be painful to bite and annoying.
Liu Chang didn't feel annoyed. He turned to Master Mingguang. Master Mingguang met his eyes, clasped his hands together, and said devoutly, "Amitabha."
“…………”
If Master Mingguang leaves a distraction here and secretly leaves work, no one may notice.
In the outer circle of the cities, in front of the projection stone, the crowd gathered much more densely than at the beginning. This sudden incident, this dramatic scene, was unexpected. Everyone called their friends and stopped fighting to come and watch:
"This monkey's trick of stealing peaches is brilliant! A complete victory!"
"I usually ask you to read some books, but you don't listen. This is called stealing something for nothing. What kind of peach is this?"
"How does she know the habits of the Ice Shadow Lizard? She's really brave."
"What is this witch doing here? Does the Sword Pavilion have a grudge against the Demon Cult? She's leaving now! So easy to talk to?"
"You guys said before that sword cultivators hate evil and hate to see demons wreak havoc on the common people... Uh, now it seems like you just have a grudge against Yun Xian."
"Who knew she would be so... What I said before was right. Look at Su Chi's expression. The corners of his lips are slightly turned down. It's obvious that he is very dissatisfied with his fellow disciple's behavior. Did you see it?"
"I've been wanting to ask this for a while now. Did you use a square?"
Not far behind the crowd, above the restaurant, intricate beaded curtains blocked out the noise. A man wearing a conical hat was sitting by the window, holding his forehead and looking out with interest.
Warm wine from Hongyu Restaurant, melodious music from the zither and flute. This was the most extravagant restaurant in the city. People who came in and out were all in luxurious clothes. People with little money in their pockets didn't dare to look up when passing by. But this man, dressed as a rough man in a coarse cloth and shorts, with thick eyebrows and a high nose, sat in the highest room of the building with dignity. The servants who came and went took away his untouched Qingyang wine as if it was nothing.
Qingyang wine, one bowl costs three thousand taels, but there is no demand for it.
The person sitting opposite him seemed to notice his gaze and looked over as well, saying, "It was too risky. It was fate. If Liu Shi had come earlier, or if the person from Miao Shou Men had come later, this game would have been over."
The man raised his eyebrows, his true tone unclear: "Destiny?"
The man said, "He still has some cleverness, which is not that rare. Pavilion Master, there is a gradual decline in talent in all realms, especially in the Eastern Realm. If you really want to find talent, perhaps you should head to the Northern Realm..."
"Then find someone like Liu Shi." The Pavilion Master said casually, "Spend a thousand points to redeem his own herbs. His stupidity is natural, and has nothing to do with luck."
What he said was all true, so the man could only shut up: "..."
The undercurrents outside the secret realm had nothing to do with Yun Xian. She was riding a horse south with Xue Lingxiu.
The hastily put together carriage only had room for two people. Originally, it was just enough for Xue Lingxiu and Zhong Changyao, but now she, Qiao Lingshan, and Feng Ye were added. Zhong Changyao naturally gave way, but Yun Xian felt it was too stuffy inside and refused to sit. If she didn't sit, Qiao Lingshan wouldn't sit either, and Feng Ye... Feng Ye didn't have the courage to sit, so in the end the situation turned out like this.
Xue Lingxiu rode alone in the carriage, while the others rode on horseback.
In fact, Yun Xian was also very curious about where this horse came from. Could there be such a tamed monster in the desert? But after spending a few hours with it, she understood everything.
To be honest, Yun Xian had never seen anyone as petty as Xue Lingxiu in his life.
She originally thought that since he was a medical practitioner after all, it would be okay for him to be a little clean. It was just a minor problem that was harmless. At most, she could just wipe her hands and face clean before talking to him and not make them too dirty. But she found that things were far from that simple.
Young Master Xue Lingxiu cleansed himself every three hours and washed his hands every hour, always using the freshest running water. This was a desert, so how could there be lakes everywhere? So, he gave up a precious spot and brought in a water-attributed cultivator, who would create water even if there wasn't any.
He loved cleanliness, and it had nothing to do with Yun Xian—but not only did he love cleanliness, he couldn't stand seeing others being dirty. He'd make her rinse her mouth after she'd chewed an apple, and wipe her sword with a damp cloth (including between her fingers) after touching it. Not to mention sitting on a rock or the ground, he'd make her change her clothes before he was satisfied. Everyone in his team was expected to do the same, without exception.
The horse also occupied the space in the storage ring and was transformed using a talisman bought at a high price.
There were more trivial rules to mention. Yun Xian had been walking with him for half a day, and it hadn't even been a day yet. He felt that he had never been so miserable in his life: "Lingshan, even my mother didn't control me like this."
"Just bear with it." Qiao Lingshan said as she carried Feng Ye, who was still unconscious and clinging to her clothes, "After all, you were the one who asked to go with us first."
"Yes. I did have bad intentions towards him when I suggested we go together." Yun Xian said sadly, "But you don't have to treat me like this, right?"
Who can stand this every day?
Qiao Lingshan choked: "..." So you had bad intentions towards him! !
The group was heading towards the southern part of the secret realm, following the directions given by Zhong Changyao. Although Zhong Changyao always made decisions based on intuition, Xue Lingxiu was quite impressed by his luck after spending some time with him. He never went in vain, and wherever he went, he encountered adventures. In short, no matter where he went, he might as well follow his intuition.
Sure enough, not long after they started walking, they discovered traces left by the Snow Monkey.
In this secret realm, many monsters are either extremely large, such as the Ice Shadow Giant Lizard and the Iron-Eating Ant; or extremely small, such as the poisonous insects and snakes that took many people three days to discover they were bitten. After all, only the fittest survive. Monsters like the Snow Monkey that retain their original form must have their own special features.
The Snow Monkey is snow-white all over and has extremely thick fur. It relies on sound waves to attack and can even attract the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Its throat can also be made into a musical weapon. It is quite rare and its whole body is useful. However, its strength is not very strong. Even the Monkey King who commands the monkey group is only at the second level of the Golden Core.
However, the Snow Monkey is a social monster that rarely lives alone. It is agile and incredibly fast, lurking among the mountains, guarding the Infant Wonder Tree atop them. The Infant Wonder Tree bears fruit once every ten years, and has a miraculous effect on cultivators in the Golden Core stage, greatly increasing their chances of advancing to the Nascent Soul stage.
Such a rare treasure is naturally coveted, but those who wish to ascend the mountain to retrieve it must pass through the Snow Monkey's sonic array. A single monkey is not a formidable threat, but the overlapping sonic waves, combined with the advantage of the valley's constantly reverberating terrain, would force even a Nascent Soul cultivator to take shelter.
Of course, no matter how difficult it was, Zhong Changyao in the storybook always got it; it was because he obtained the miraculous fruit that he was able to get Jimo Shu to consume it after saving her; and things are always linked together. It was because the miraculous fruit was used by Jimo Shu that Zhong Changyao's cultivation was weakened and poisoned, which led to Mei Yanliu later using her body to transfer Qi to help Zhong Changyao ascend to the Nascent Soul stage...
Yun Xian patiently flipped through the book for a long time, but he didn't find out what specific method Zhong Changyao used. Instead, he almost got injured reading Jimo Shu's psychological activities on page after page.
Oh my God, this man actually saved me, but I’m a witch!
Oh my God, he is actually willing to give me such a treasure. I am a witch!
He is a very gentleman, very natural, very kind and very different. Could this be the person I have been looking for?
"..." Yun Xian put the storybook away and thought, what's wrong with the witch? Come on, you are the once-in-a-century Holy Maiden of the Demon Cult. Zhong Changyao is like this, no one in their village would want you.
Although she didn't want to admit it, when she saw Jimo Shu's eyes when she was selling vegetables, she felt that things were going to be bad.
It seems that Zhong Changyao may really get to eat this gigolo.
"The Sword Sect scored another 2,000 points. Did they kill two Jindan monsters?" It was already late, and the monsters were agitated. Everyone stopped to set up camp and rest. Xue Lingxiu finally got out of his carriage, motioning for someone to bring out a soft stool for him. He said coldly, "You're really meeting the challenge head-on."
The bonfire crackled, illuminating everyone's faces. Xue Lingxiu covered her mouth and nose with her folding fan and said, "Zhong Changyao, put out this fire."
Zhong Changyao was stunned for a moment, then stood up to put out the fire. His smile faded slightly under the hazy warm light. "I didn't think it through. The bonfire might indeed attract nearby monsters..."
"The smell is so bad, it makes my nose hurt," Xue Lingxiu said. "Isn't it enough to light a lamp? Why is this little oil so bad?"
Zhong Changyao: "..."
Yun Xian: “…”
She guaranteed that she saw Zhong Changyao's semi-permanent gentleman smile crack for a moment.
After lighting the lamp, Xue Lingxiu sat at the head of the group and briefly mentioned the future plans.
"The Infant Miracle Fruit has a miraculous effect on those who are halfway to the Nascent Soul stage. Although you two are only at the sixth level of the Golden Core stage and still far from the Nascent Soul stage, it may still be of great use."
"The rest of you will lead the way, and the three of us will go into the mountains alone. Don't worry, I'm well prepared. This is dark gel, which can temporarily block hearing, but its effect lasts for a stick of incense, so we must be quick. We only need to take three and return."
Xue Lingxiu's barrier at the ninth level of the Golden Core has been loosened, and he should be able to use this to break through to the Nascent Soul stage; and Yun Xian and Zhong Changyao can at least be promoted to the high level of the Golden Core stage, greatly shortening the distance to the Nascent Soul stage.
Medical practitioners in the Nascent Soul stage are rare even outside, and they have to be treated with respect. With such talent, it is no wonder that Xue Lingxiu is so arrogant.
Qiao Lingshan and Feng Ye were assigned to guard the gate. The three of them needed to sneak in, and if there were too many people, they might attract the attention of the Snow Monkeys and cause more trouble.
"Wait another two hours, when it's darkest, and then we'll set off."
Xue Lingxiu finished speaking, and without asking for anyone's opinion, he made his decision and returned to the carriage. As he stepped onto the shaft, he seemed to remember something and turned to Yun Xian, "I heard that in the sect competition, you fought against Zhong Changyao, and you won?"
Zhong Changyao's face froze.
Yun Xian wasn't polite either. Instead of saying "no, no," "just luck," or "neck and neck," he nodded and said as a matter of course, "Yes. What's wrong?"
"Hmm. Not bad." Xue Lingxiu seemed to be lost in thought, and then she said, "You guys need to work harder."
He didn't say it directly, but everyone understood what he meant - if something really happens, you two newbies probably won't be able to protect me now.
Zhong Changyao's lips twitched slightly, and after a long pause he said, "I understand."
This tone of voice, as if giving orders to subordinates as a matter of course... Why? Just because of his good family background? Isn't he and Xue Lingxiu equal?
Yun Xian looked fine, and replied casually, "I'm trying my best."
Xue Lingxiu entered the carriage and disappeared. Now the lantern illuminated the faces of Zhong Changyao and Yun Xian. Qiao Lingshan and Feng Ye beside them seemed to be whispering something, their eyes averting.
Zhong Changyao frowned when he saw Yun Xian playing with fire roasting apples out of boredom.
He had thought from the beginning that Yun Xian and Qiao Lingshan might question him about why he came to participate in the war on behalf of the Southern Realm. He also made up a reason why he had some understanding of the ecology of the secret realm. It was very tight and coherent, without any loopholes. But he never expected...
They didn't even ask.
Isn't this very strange? Seeing the reactions of these two people, it is as if they bumped into each other by chance in the vegetable market at dawn, smiled at each other and said, "What a coincidence, you are here too!", waved goodbye, took the vegetables home, and that was it.
...Could it be that she discovered something unusual?
Zhong Changyao frowned slightly.
Regardless, he is not one to sit still and wait for death.
"Miss Yun, it's been a while since we last met. Your cultivation has improved a bit." Zhong Changyao's expression changed slightly, and he smiled. "I recently obtained a sword manual with some unique moves. I'd like to learn from you. Could you please spare a moment to talk?"
Yun Xian paused while baking apples out of boredom.
What else do you want to say?
Don't hit a smiling person. Yun Xian stood up, threw the apple to Feng Ye to eat, and followed Zhong Changyao to the dark woods nearby.
Even the most ordinary trees in the secret realm have grown in all sorts of strange shapes in order to survive. From a distance, they look like ghosts. When Yun Xian and Zhong Changyao walked side by side past a tree as thick as two people could hug, suddenly -
Her left hand stuck to the trunk of the tree with a "snap".
It is unbreakable and indestructible, as if even the king cannot separate it.
Yun Xian: “?”
Zhong Changyao was halfway there when he realized the person was gone. He turned around in confusion and asked, "Miss Yun, what happened?"
It would have been fine if he didn't speak, but as soon as he opened his mouth, the resistance and disgust coming from Yun Xian's left hand came like a wave, so obvious that it was hard to ignore. Now, not only was it not letting him go, it was also forcibly pulling Yun Xian's body back.
Yun Xian: “…………”
Taiping, what did he do to you in the realm of swords?
Zhong Changyao became more and more confused: "Miss Yun, what on earth is going on..."
Yun Xian: "Sorry, I suddenly don't want to borrow it anymore."
Zhong Changyao: “???”
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