“Alright, hurry up and collect this Phantom Snow Lotus. If not for this lotus, we wouldn’t have needed to tear off the mask with that wench.” The leading black-clothed man said helplessly.
“Hmph, what kind of thing is she, relying on the Marquis Manor’s status and insisting we yield to her.” The slanted-eyebrow man said dissatisfied.
“These Marquis Manor people always talk about propriety and shame, but in reality, they’re the most shameless ones.”
“Setting up a grand competition – who knows how many people will die.”
“Enough, what’s the point of all this talk? Let’s pick the lotus. Whether we can advance to the 7th layer of Qi Refining depends on this lotus.” The leading man said impatiently.
“Big Brother, let me pick it.” The slanted-eyebrow man said eagerly.
The leading black-clothed man nodded. The slanted-eyebrow man couldn’t wait to go into the water. Just as the man was about to approach the Phantom Snow Lotus, an overwhelming pressure descended, “Big Brother, save…” Before the man could finish speaking, he was swallowed whole.
The sudden change startled the two people on the shore, and Xiao Jingting watching from the tree also felt his heart pounding wildly.
“Ink Water Mystic Snake.”
Xiao Jingting secretly felt fortunate that he hadn’t made a move on the Phantom Snow Lotus because he was worried the three brothers might suddenly return. If he had acted earlier, he’d probably be in the snake’s belly by now.
Earlier, when Ouyang Mingyue and the three brothers were fighting fiercely, the snake hadn’t made a sound. Now it suddenly emerged.
While Xiao Jingting’s heart was racing, his mind spun rapidly. Looking at the Ink Water Mystic Snake’s strength, it should be around the 9th layer of Qi Refining. The Phantom Snow Lotus in this lake was probably prepared for the Ink Water Mystic Snake’s Foundation Establishment.
The Ink Water Mystic Snake looked at the other two men with fury and charged toward them.
The two men fled quickly, and the Ink Water Mystic Snake angrily pursued them.
Xiao Jingting quickly leaped down from the tree and rushed toward the Phantom Snow Lotus. Caution was necessary, but to go far on this cultivation path, an adventurous spirit was also needed. Opportunity doesn’t knock twice – once that snake returned, it would have nothing to do with him.
“Bastard, stop right there!”
Just as Xiao Jingting succeeded, a clear shout rang out.
Xiao Jingting’s heart immediately jumped. One after another, none of these characters were peaceful. Ouyang Mingyue had actually returned – that girl had probably been watching all along.
Sensing Ouyang Mingyue’s presence, Xiao Jingting turned and ran without another word.
Although Ouyang Mingyue was injured, this woman had a full set of magical treasures and shouldn’t be underestimated. Moreover, for this woman to return, she probably had some confidence.
Seeing Xiao Jingting flee, Ouyang Mingyue immediately gave chase.
Xiao Jingting darted into the forest and ran with all his might, using up three Swift Movement Talismans in succession before finally shaking off Ouyang Mingyue.
Xiao Jingting threw the Phantom Snow Lotus into the spirit spring, and the notification sound in his mind finally quieted down.
Xiao Jingting quickly changed his clothes. Thinking of Ouyang Mingyue, Xiao Jingting felt somewhat fortunate that when picking the lotus, he had used some disguise techniques just in case.
After this experience, Xiao Jingting once again embarked on his journey to find spirit herbs. Xiao Jingting concealed his cultivation to the 5th layer of Qi Refining. When some overconfident people came knocking, Xiao Jingting casually took their identity badges.
…
Eight days after entering the forest, Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng unexpectedly met up.
“Third Brother, I finally found you.” Seeing Xiao Jingting, Xiao Jinfeng finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Xiao Jingting was also somewhat happy to see Xiao Jinfeng, “Second Brother, you were worried about me!”
Xiao Jinfeng nodded, “Yes! To exchange for pills, everyone has gone crazy. There’s been constant slaughter these past few days, with countless deaths. I was very worried about you.”
Xiao Jingting patted his chest, “Brother, don’t underestimate me like that! Actually, I’m quite the expert too.”
Xiao Jinfeng smiled helplessly, “You, an expert? You’re really deluding yourself. You don’t know – the Marquis Manor’s Miss Ouyang Mingyue was almost killed by three demonic cultivators. Miss Ouyang is a 7th layer Qi Refining existence! She nearly lost her life too. But I heard those three demonic cultivators didn’t get off easy either – two were eaten by a demon snake, and one escaped with his life.”
“There’s an Ink Water Mystic Snake in the forest killing people everywhere. Now everyone in the jungle is in constant fear!”
Xiao Jingting: “…”
“How is Miss Ouyang now?” Xiao Jingting asked tentatively.
Xiao Jinfeng glanced at Xiao Jingting, “Why are you asking about this?”
Xiao Jingting smiled awkwardly, “I’m just asking casually, out of curiosity.”
“These great family misses have countless life-saving items on them. Although she nearly had an accident before, she should be lively and energetic again by now.” Xiao Jinfeng said, “By the way, I heard someone snatched food from the tiger’s mouth and stole Miss Ouyang’s Phantom Snow Lotus. That guy really has guts.”
Xiao Jingting: “…” That gutsy person is standing right in front of you, Second Brother. You really have eyes but can’t see.
“That guy is probably in danger.” Xiao Jinfeng said.
Xiao Jingting asked puzzledly, “Danger?”
Xiao Jinfeng nodded, “Yes! When leaving, the Marquis Manor will definitely inspect everyone’s spatial rings. At that time, whoever is carrying the Phantom Snow Lotus will definitely be resented by Miss Ouyang.”
Xiao Jingting: “…” He had the jade pendant space, which should escape inspection. In other people’s eyes, his jade pendant was just ordinary spiritual jade.
“Second Brother, have you encountered Big Brother?” Xiao Jingting asked.
Xiao Jinfeng shook his head, “No. I heard he formed a team with several people from his academy to do missions. He should be fine.”
“That’s good.” Xiao Jingting said. If Xiao Qingyan died, the original owner’s parents would make a fuss.
“How many identity badges have you obtained?” Xiao Jinfeng asked.
Xiao Jingting took out a few scattered identity badges and waved them. Xiao Jinfeng frowned and gave more than ten to Xiao Jingting, “Take these.”
Xiao Jingting accepted them without ceremony. After all, he was also a 6th layer Qi Refining expert – it wouldn’t look good if his points were too low during settlement.
…
After Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng joined up, it was truly a union of the strong. The two working together killed many demon beasts and obtained quite a few identity badges.
“Twilight Mist, main material for refining Yangyuan Pills.” A series of sounds rang out in Xiao Jingting’s consciousness again.
Xiao Jingting rolled his eyes. This jade pendant only knew how to report good things but not dangers, causing him to nearly fall into traps several times before.
“Third Brother, which way should we go?” Xiao Jinfeng asked.
“Let’s go east.” Xiao Jingting said.
The two had no particular goal. Since Xiao Jingting said to go east, Xiao Jinfeng had no objections.
Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng came to a lakeside and saw one 6th layer Qi Refining cultivator, four 5th layer Qi Refining cultivators, and several 4th layer Qi Refining cultivators huddled to one side with fearful expressions. Among the 4th layer Qi Refining cultivators, Xiao Jingting spotted Sun Miaomiao.
“Sun Miaomiao actually survived.” Xiao Jingting said with some surprise.
Xiao Jinfeng nodded, “Yes!” There had been constant slaughter in the secret realm with countless deaths. Very few 4th layer Qi Refining people had survived until now.
Xiao Jingting saw the blooming Twilight Mist by the lake. The Twilight Mist flowers were pink with a layer of mist covering them, quite beautiful.
Beside the Twilight Mist flowers, several gray doves were circling.
“Twilight Mist flowers can be refined into Yangyuan Pills, which can be used by cultivators from the 7th to 9th layers of Qi Refining and can be used repeatedly to improve cultivation.” Among the precious spirit herbs distributed by the Marquis Manor for this competition was Twilight Mist. If a cultivator continuously had Yangyuan Pills to take, their cultivation progress would inevitably be extremely fast. One mature Twilight Mist plant could be exchanged for one Yangyuan Pill.
“Junior brothers and sisters, in a while you’ll go lure those doves away. Once we pick the Twilight Mist, you’ll naturally get your share.” A handsome-looking young man said with a beaming smile.
“Senior Brother, we don’t want the Twilight Mist anymore. Please let us go.”
“Junior brothers and sisters, wealth comes from taking risks. How can you lack even this little courage?” The handsome youth frowned, displeased.
Sun Miaomiao grabbed the youth’s hand, “Senior Brother, you’re so capable. Why must you have us lure away those gray doves? Facing them head-on, you’d definitely win easily.”
Xiao Jingting rubbed his nose. Sun Miaomiao was grabbing the man’s hand with her chest almost pressing against him. Xiao Jingting thought: No wonder Sun Miaomiao could survive until now. Being so flexible and adaptable, naturally she could stay alive.
The youth shook off Sun Miaomiao’s hand, “Junior Sister, no need to say more. The doves are so formidable that even Senior Brother doesn’t dare be careless. I can only trouble Junior Sister.”
Sun Miaomiao’s eyes were full of panic, her face on the verge of tears. The handsome youth looked at Sun Miaomiao with some reluctance but sighed and ignored her.
Xiao Jingting looked toward Xiao Jinfeng, “Second Brother, what do they mean?”
“These gray doves have poor eyesight but extremely keen sense of smell. If I’m not mistaken, those people want to use human lives to lure the gray doves away.”
“How would they lure them?” Xiao Jingting asked.
“The doves are bloodthirsty. They just need to make a few cuts to draw blood.” Xiao Jinfeng said.
Xiao Jingting was stunned. What a terrifying world! Human lives were like grass.
The 6th layer Qi Refining man stood up and fixed his gaze on Sun Miaomiao and the others.
“Second Brother, should we intervene?” Xiao Jingting asked. Xiao Jingting had no good feelings toward Sun Miaomiao, but watching someone die before his eyes, especially being pecked to death by birds, still made him uncomfortable.
Xiao Jinfeng nodded, “Let’s go.”
“Who’s there?” Sensing two auras no weaker than his own, Guo Hao suddenly turned around and looked toward Xiao Jingting’s direction as if facing a great enemy.
Several 5th layer Qi Refining cultivators quickly gathered around Guo Hao.
Sun Miaomiao was overjoyed to see Xiao Jinfeng and Xiao Jingting. After her joy, remembering how she had just flirted with someone and been rejected, Sun Miaomiao felt extremely embarrassed.
Although deeply ashamed, the joy of survival still overcame her shame.
“Jinfeng, Jingting, it’s so good to see you.” Sun Miaomiao quickly moved behind Xiao Jinfeng and Xiao Jingting.
Several 4th layer Qi Refining cultivators, seeing that Sun Miaomiao knew the two and that their cultivation levels were impressive, also moved behind them.
Guo Hao looked over Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng and laughed, “So it’s Young Masters Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng! I’ve long admired your names.”
Xiao Jingting raised an eyebrow, “The feeling is mutual.”
“I was just worrying about how to obtain the Twilight Mist. With you two here, perhaps we can join forces.” Guo Hao smiled.
Xiao Jingting secretly admired how quickly Guo Hao changed his tune.
“Join forces? How?” Xiao Jinfeng asked.
“There are six gray doves total. Let’s split them half and half – you take three, we take three. We’ll also split the Twilight Mist half and half. How about it?” Guo Hao asked.
Xiao Jingting glanced at Xiao Jinfeng, who nodded back at him.
In the forest, the strong preying on the weak was common. Although Guo Hao was somewhat ruthless, just he and Xiao Jinfeng indeed couldn’t handle so many gray doves.
“He was just going to use us to attract the gray doves.” Sun Miaomiao frowned.
Guo Hao smiled, “Miss Sun is overthinking. I was just joking with you. I never really intended to have Miss Sun lure the demon beasts. Miss Sun is like a celestial fairy – how could I bear to? Besides, how could you outrun gray doves? If the doves returned, wouldn’t my efforts be wasted?”
Guo Hao squinted. He had indeed planned to have Sun Miaomiao and the others lure the demon beasts, but it was too dangerous. With Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng’s help, although some of the spirit herbs would have to be shared, the safety would be greatly improved.
“Enough, stop the nonsense. Prepare yourselves – let’s begin.” Xiao Jinfeng said.
Guo Hao nodded, “Second Young Master Xiao really is impatient. Let’s do as you say.”
jingting: what’s with these people and their killing spree