Rose understood the personalities of her fellow disciples better than anyone else; Kawada was born with a man's nature. Normally, the two addressed each other as sisters. They only addressed each other as brother and sister when facing outsiders. These were some secrets between them, unknown to outsiders.
Furthermore, senior brother Bai Yin hates being called effeminate. Zhang Guodong's next words, which surprised him, immediately placed Bai Yin's impression of Zhang Guodong among the most disliked people.
Bai Yin was furious, exuding murderous intent. Zhang Guodong took a step back to be on guard, one hand hanging down, ready to hold a handful of talismans at any moment.
But Purple Rose's intervention prevented a conflict from escalating. This junior sister could actually control this senior brother? The "relationship" between these two is quite something! A fleeting, ambiguous glance from her made Purple Rose frown.
This kid doesn't look like a good person either! That look in his eyes is just asking for a beating. However, if they want to contact the outside world, they need someone familiar to guide them, so she suppressed her anger.
Why was Zhang Guodong specifically chosen as their guide? Purple Rose is no simple woman; she's cunning and calculating. The main reason is that she sees Zhang Guodong's cultivation level as low, at least not enough to pose a threat. But if it were someone of a higher level, it wouldn't be that they could control him at will, but rather that he could kill them with a flick of his wrist.
Bai Yin snorted coldly and turned her head away, not wanting to look at Zhang Guodong again. Even that gesture of turning her head away and the snort made Zhang Guodong feel uncomfortable.
Good heavens, I almost got into trouble again!
Purple Rose smiled sweetly, her beautiful eyes sparkling, and said in a melodious voice, "My senior brother has a bad temper, little brother, please don't take offense!"
That "little brother" made Zhang Guodong's manhood tingle. Why call me "little brother" of all things? "Little brother" isn't referring to me, it's my little brother. But regardless, the woman's voice was undeniably alluring. Her curves were perfectly proportioned.
As expected of female plant cultivators, each one of them is extraordinary. Their pristine appearances, once they become alluring, possess immense power, capable of greatly disturbing even the most discerning mind.
Zhang Guodong quickly composed himself, his mind becoming increasingly alert and fearful.
"I wonder what brings this senior sister to stop me?" Zhang Guodong said indifferently. The terms used among plant cultivators—senior brother, junior brother, senior sister, junior sister, senior, etc.—were quite formal.
"I wonder if the little brother is from the outside world? Or is he familiar with the outside world?" Purple Rose said softly with a smile in her eyes.
"So what if it is, and so what if it isn't? I have to get going. Please state your purpose!" Zhang Guodong couldn't figure out what the other party wanted. Yi Yi, remembering not to delay, said coldly.
Besides, the bald man escaped. Even if we chased after him now, the chances of success are slim. But there's always a glimmer of hope.
“Hehe, little brother, don’t worry. We mean you no harm. To be honest, we’ve been in the Plant Cultivation Realm for many days, but we know absolutely nothing about the outside world. We were just looking for someone familiar with it to guide us. Once we have some understanding of the outside world, we’ll pay you one hundred low-grade spirit stones. What do you say?” Purple Rose was confident she could get Zhang Guodong to agree. The thinness of spiritual energy in the outside world made all Plant Cultivators feel the danger, especially low-level Plant Cultivators like Zhang Guodong. One hundred low-grade spirit stones was a considerable sum.
As for the connection between Zhang Guodong and the bald man's escape, Purple Rose quickly dismissed it. What a joke! The bald man is a master of cunning; he's a master of underhanded tactics. This kid is nowhere near his level; they're incomparable.
But just when Purple Rose thought Zhang Guodong couldn't refuse, Zhang Guodong was surprised and said, "Although there are many crystals, I have something to attend to right now and I'm afraid I can't help you!"
They actually rejected me?!
"You little brat, you won't listen to reason, so you'll have to suffer the consequences! Junior sister, let's teach this kid a lesson!" Bai Yin, who was listening nearby, was furious when she saw that Zhang Guodong had actually refused. This kid is too ungrateful!
"Something wrong?" Purple Rose frowned, her heart skipping a beat. Could this kid really be related to Baldy? Or was Baldy's escape earlier due to this young man? Otherwise, no one would be foolish enough to wander aimlessly in the mountains. The scene of Zhang Guodong entering the ravine flashed through her mind.
Purple Rose felt her deduction was surprisingly convincing. She couldn't help but gasp. This young man before her actually made the bald man use the Blood Escape Technique?!
A thought struck her, and she tentatively asked, "If the little brother is chasing a bald man, then there's no point in chasing him anymore; he can't catch up with him now."
Then her eyes were glued to Zhang Guodong's expression. Sure enough, she saw his wariness!
Bai Yin scoffed from the side, "Junior sister, are you kidding me? This level 18 kid chased that bald guy so hard he had to use Blood Escape Technique?"
Zhang Guodong snorted coldly and ignored him.
"You know Baldy? Where is he now?!" Zhang Guodong, seeing that the other party seemed to have guessed something, didn't intend to hide it anymore. His priority right now was to find Baldy and kill him, so he asked nervously.
Right now, the bald man must be somewhere healing his wounds, completely powerless to resist.
Who knew these two actually knew each other? That's good news.
Thinking about it, it made sense; it would be strange if these two hadn't noticed the bald man passing by. However, the two didn't stop him, and Zhang Guodong was wondering whether they were friends or foes.
However, their expressions and tone didn't suggest that baldness had anything to do with them. He breathed a sigh of relief.
"Of course I know him! Baldy is our mortal enemy. We've clashed several times, but he's always managed to escape!" Purple Rose said with a hint of resentment. "Could it be that little brother also has a grudge against Baldy? I just saw him use Blood Escape Technique, but unfortunately, we couldn't catch up in that situation and could only let him go."
Zhang Guodong couldn't help but feel disappointed. Although the outcome was already set in stone, it was truly a pity that these two hadn't tried to stop it.
"Does this senior sister know where the bald man is hiding? Please tell me!" Zhang Guodong hurriedly said.
But to Zhang Guodong's disappointment, Purple Rose told him that Baldy's Hand: the precious treasures of Six Lambs and Their Breath, he would have to keep them out of his sight one day. It's basically impossible to play the second part.
Zhang Guodong thought she was referring to the aura that had confused Da Jinjiao Ojue earlier, but it wasn't.
Purple Rose patted her storage bag, revealing a small incense burner in her hand. She handed it to Zhang Guodong, giggling, "Little brother, you don't have any incense made from this Dust-Reducing Grass? Here, I'll give you one. Having it with you can help you escape and confuse your opponent's judgment!"
"How could I possibly accept that?" Zhang Guodong said modestly, but without opening it to check, he simply put it away. It's always better to be cautious in front of strangers.
However, the scent of this fragrant offering is indeed easily confused with the scent of a cultivator. The purple rose refers to the precious treasure, the Breath-Cleansing Talisman, a mid-grade talisman paper, something even more valuable than the Dust-Reducing Grass in this incense tower.
The bald man was afraid he wouldn't be able to shake off Zhang Guodong, so he used the expiration charm that could be used ten times.
"Senior sister, please call me Zhang Guodong or Guodong. I don't know how to address you, senior sister. That bald guy robbed my senior brother and me, but unfortunately, he escaped despite being seriously injured by my senior brother. My senior brother and I split up to search, but I didn't expect him to get away!" Zhang Guodong was extremely unwilling to accept this. The bald guy had actually escaped, but the two didn't seem to be lying to him; his frustration was understandable. He shifted his attention to the two of them. After all, encountering a pair of plant cultivators deep in the mountains was no easy feat.
He made up a little lie in his story, saying that there was an extra senior brother.
That makes perfect sense; it's possible to seriously injure the bald man!
As expected, Purple Rose and Bai Yin's expressions tightened slightly upon hearing this, and their gazes towards Zhang Guodong became much more benevolent. Bai Yin, in particular, glared at Zhang Guodong with a hint of resentment. This kid actually has a senior brother? He was capable of severely injuring the bald man; they were naturally no match for him.
“Then I’ll call you Guodong, little brother. You can call me Senior Sister Liu, or Sister Rose. This is my senior brother, Baiyin!” Purple Rose was slightly pleased and introduced them in a friendly manner.
Bai Yin snorted, as if to greet him?
Shuangwanyi, Liu Meigui, invited Zhang Guodong to their temporary cave dwelling, and Zhang Guodong readily agreed. If he didn't go, he would seem too cowardly, which wouldn't align with his earlier statement that his senior brother was also in the mountains.
The stone cave, about ten meters high, was easily climbed by Zhang Guodong, who pursed his lips. Purple Rose, however, was waiting for Zhang Guodong, seemingly ready to help him up as well.
But to their surprise, Zhang Guodong left Daqing below and, with a light step, ascended ten meters higher, landing steadily behind the stone cave. Bai Yin's mouth gaped open in astonishment.
Liu Meigui was no exception. Her phoenix eyes were filled with surprise.
Is this still an 18th-level Plant Cultivator? Truly extraordinary!
The two men looked at Zhang Guodong with even greater respect.
The cave entrance was large and well-lit. A gentle breeze blew through, making it cool and dry, completely devoid of the humid heat of the mountain forest. Inside, two mats were laid out, covered with two large, smooth, snow-white animal hides. These hides did not resemble the fur of any outside animal; they were likely from wild beasts of the Plant Cultivation Realm.
Apart from this simple floor mat, there was nothing else.
Zhang Guodong glanced at them and smiled slightly, "Senior Sister Liu and Senior Brother Bai seem to be enjoying themselves quite a bit. Actually, compared to the city, these mountains are truly a paradise."
Bai Yin gave a snort in that effeminate manner, but Liu Meigui covered her mouth and laughed, saying, "Brother Guodong is so humorous. Oh, you don't know how lonely your sister is in the mountains. In these mountains, you have to be careful of enemy attacks all the time. It's a life of constant fear. Your sister has longed for the outside world for a long time."
Zhang Guodong didn't believe that.
However, upon realizing that the other party came from the Plant Cultivation Realm, a thought suddenly struck her, and she asked, "Senior Sister Liu, as far as I know, the only way to get from the Plant Cultivation Realm to the outside world is for powerful experts to work together to open a temporary sealed passage, or to use the power of the Inheritance Hall held by the Grand Elder of Fengdu City. How did you manage to get out?"
"Brother Guodong, you actually know all this? Your master probably told you, right? However, while the above two points can forcibly open the sealed spatial barrier, someone discovered a weak point in the spatial rift leading to the outside world within the Plant Cultivation Realm. Although this weak point is constantly changing, and the void is extremely dangerous, with only one in ten surviving, my sister and senior brother managed to get through!" Liu Meigui was slightly surprised, a look of fear appearing on her face. It was clear that traversing that weak point was incredibly difficult, a matter of life and death.
Zhang Guodong hurriedly asked, "Does Senior Sister Liu know how many plant cultivators have gone to the outside world now?"
"Not much, but not little either. If you want to know, Guodong, you can go to a certain place to find out," Liu Meigui said with a slight smile, mysteriously.
Liu Meigui confirmed that Zhang Guodong was indeed an outsider.
"Oh? Where?"
"Those who have come out, some with the support of seniors, are said to be establishing a replica market in the outside world as soon as possible. That should be a gathering place for plant cultivators. My senior brother and I are fortunate enough to know this news, but unfortunately, we haven't received the official announcement yet."
A counterfeit market?
An external market? This is huge news! Zhang Guodong, the imitation market operator, naturally knew what was going on. But establishing an imitation market in the outside world had a different significance. With its roots firmly planted elsewhere, was the power of the cultivation world beginning to infiltrate the secular world?
"Senior Sister Liu, how did they notify you?" Zhang Guodong asked.
Liu Meigui glanced at Zhang Guodong in surprise, thinking to herself, perhaps his master hadn't told him about this? After all, Zhang Guodong's cultivation level was only level eighteen at the moment.
“Communication talismans can be used in the plant cultivation world, and they can also be used in the outside world. Brother Guodong, do you never use communication talismans?” Liu Meigui asked in surprise.
"There's a phone line outside, so I forgot about the communication talisman!" Zhang Guodong blushed slightly and broke out in a sweat. He had almost forgotten about the communication talisman!
He naturally possessed communication talismans, and had even bought quite a few. In the world of plant cultivation, a single communication talisman could be used an unlimited number of times. Moreover, they were very cheap, costing only two low-grade crystals each, so he bought a large quantity, which were all stored in his Peach Blossom Spring space.
Liu Meigui and Bai Yin were confused; they didn't know what a telephone was. They figured it must be a connection between different worlds. Zhang Guodong gave a brief explanation, which surprised and intrigued them even more.
Heavens, can mortals in this world actually go into the void? Even the great masters of the cultivation world cannot know what the outer heavens are like.
The two mistakenly believed that outer space was emptiness. In reality, there are similarities between the two, as well as differences. Zhang Guodong couldn't explain it in detail.
His understanding of the void was limited to the countless turbulent currents he encountered when returning to the outside world through the temporary sealed passage, indicating its extreme danger. However, outer space was eerily silent, and he couldn't make any contact with it.
Zhang Guodong and Liu Meigui exchanged communication talisman marks for future contact. Bai Yin, however, was quite dissatisfied with Zhang Guodong, so he didn't insist.
Knowing what Liu Meigui and her brother were thinking, Zhang Guodong thought for a moment and readily agreed. Making a friend is always better than making an enemy. Furthermore, and most importantly, Zhang Guodong wanted to know about the existence of the textile market.
However, it's inconvenient to bring the two of them out of the mountain this time because of the presence of mortals. Furthermore, Zhang Guodong needs to speak with Xuan Qingban. Xuan Qingbo is currently the most powerful cultivator on their side, even surpassing the two of them. But these two are not weak either; if they join forces, it's uncertain who will prevail. They don't want to invite trouble.
Bai Yin was very dissatisfied, but Liu Meigui readily agreed, seemingly trusting Zhang Guodong a lot.
At the very end, Liu Meigui surprisingly took out thirty low-grade crystals, saying it was part of Zhang Guodong's deposit so he wouldn't have worked for nothing. Zhang Guodong hesitated for a moment, but then accepted them.
Why not take advantage of the benefits? This way, the other party will feel more at ease.
As soon as Zhang Guodong left with Daqing, Baiyin complained, "Rose, aren't you afraid that kid will run away? I don't think he's a good person. You even gave him crystals. You know, once a crystal is gone, it's gone forever, and there's no way to replenish it!"
Liu Meigui smiled slightly and said, "Senior brother, Zhang Guodong is no simple man. Look at him, he didn't show the slightest joy when he saw those crystals. This means he looks down on those crystals. Also, this man is very shrewd. I prefer to believe the former."
"Then you still believe him? What if he just runs away?"
“Even if he doesn’t keep his promise, it’s only thirty low-grade crystals. I’m worried that it’s his senior brother and master who will suffer the most. Alas, the spiritual energy in this mortal world is too thin,” Liu Meigui said quietly.
When Zhang Guodong returned to the gentle slope, Zhao Qiang, Zhu Ben, and Hong Qiang were still there. Upon seeing him, they immediately surrounded him, looking worried.
"I heard a loud noise earlier, did something happen? Are you alright?" Zhao Qiang asked with concern.
"I'm fine. I don't know what happened over there, but just in case, I didn't go!" Zhang Guodong lied. He couldn't let them know these things, so he had to say this.
Zhao Qiang and the others didn't suspect anything and quickly moved on after a few words. The affairs of the Plant Cultivation World were too fantastical for them to even imagine.
During Zhang Guodong's absence, Zhao Qiang and his men had some success, but none of them had caught anything large. Zhang Guodong chatted with them for a bit, then started hunting seriously.
The bald man ran away and won't be coming back. Zhang Guodong was helpless, so he simply stopped thinking about it. As for the two fellow disciples, Liu Meigui and Xuan Qingban, whom he had encountered by chance, Zhang Guodong would discuss it with Xuan Qingban after returning home.
In the mountain stream, Zhang Guodong was somewhat dissatisfied with Bai Yin's comment about robbing him with willow roses, but at least there was nothing else that would make him want to kill her. He'd stall for time!
With Zhang Guodong joining the team, Zhao Qiang's hunting efficiency has greatly improved.
In the afternoon, Zhang Guodong single-handedly caught eight rabbits, five pheasants, a baby boar, and a large wild boar! However, he didn't kill the baby boar; instead, he was shot in the leg and captured alive. This amazed Zhao Qiang and his companions, who were incredibly impressed by Zhang Guodong's marksmanship.
The wild boar appeared in the dark. It's rare to encounter them during the day. But this one actually came out for a stroll at dusk and was shot in the head by Zhang Guodong. This guy was huge, weighing at least 180 pounds, and it was a male wild boar.
Zhao Qiang's haul wasn't small either, but he didn't hunt any large ones.
Unfortunately, it was getting dark, so they had to hurry back, and even lit several torches as a precaution. With the torches on, most of the dangerous creatures in the dense forest dared not approach easily.
Moreover, everyone had learned their lesson this time. On the way back, they all burned themselves with realgar powder, so even snakes dared not approach. They returned safely and smoothly to the pool in the Water Curtain Gully.
"Guodong, Qiangzi, you guys are back? Hey, good heavens! Come on, hurry up, you guys go carry the prey over here!" A sound came from the jungle, and Zhang Guodong and three others appeared. Uncle Quan took a closer look and recognized them. Unexpectedly, the four of them were carrying loads full of prey.
Zhang Guodong, in particular, had a large wild boar strapped to his shoulder with a plastic sheet on it, and was pulling another animal along with his other hand. Zhao Qiang and the others, on the other hand, also carried quite a lot, with rabbits and pheasants piled together, their bodies and hands covered in food.
Fan Dun, Lao Zhao Liu, and the others hurriedly took the belongings from Zhang Guodong and the other three, exclaiming in surprise.
"I guarantee that Qiangzi's group has hunted the most!" someone said.
"Uncle Quan, I don't plan to kill this baby. I'll take it back and see if I can raise it," Uncle Quan said, preparing to take the rope from Zhang Guodong's hand. But Zhang Guodong said with a smile.
There's another male carrying a cub in the Peach Blossom Spring space, but I don't know if this one is female. If it is, they could be paired up.
"Haha, whatever you want. You have plenty of prey here; you can distribute it as you see fit!" Uncle Quan paused for a moment, then laughed. "Did you encounter any danger?"
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