Chapter 49: Trouble

Xu Yang glanced at the group and said, "You can leave now. I won't trouble you, so don't follow me."

The Golden Core cultivators breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

However, as they tried to leave, they suddenly realized something.

They were just Golden Core cultivators. Without Xu Yang's protection, traveling through this forest was practically a death sentence.

"Wait, don't send us away! If you do, we'll die!" the Golden Core cultivators began to plead.

"Whether you live or die has nothing to do with me," Xu Yang said indifferently, a cold smile tugging at his lips.

Though Xu Yang wasn't going to hold a grudge against them for betraying him earlier, he found it laughable that they now wanted to stay by his side and seek shelter.

"Hurry up and leave. I'll give you three seconds to disappear from my sight. If you don't, I'll make sure you disappear from this world."

Xu Yang still wore that calm expression, but the spiritual energy gathering in his hand made it clear that if the Golden Core cultivators didn't leave, he would send them straight to the afterlife.

The Golden Core cultivators immediately felt their hearts leap in fear. Reluctantly, they fled as fast as they could.

Xu Yang turned around and looked at Bai Ningmei, feeling a little annoyed.

He wasn't exactly thrilled about people coming to him with trouble, but considering Bai Ningmei hadn't directly caused trouble for him earlier, he was somewhat inclined to help.

"You might as well tell me what happened," Xu Yang said.

"What?" Bai Ningmei still hadn't fully processed what was happening and asked in confusion.

"I'm asking you, do you know those people? Why did they come, and why did they try to kill you?" Xu Yang rubbed his forehead, asking her.

Bai Ningmei, after hearing the question, began to show a hint of surprise and excitement.

Was Xu Yang asking her about this because he intended to help her?

Given the power Xu Yang had displayed earlier, Bai Ningmei felt that if Xu Yang were to help her, her family might be saved.

She then began to speak, her expression gradually darkening with hatred and sorrow.

However, after listening to her story, Xu Yang felt a heavy weight on his chest, unsure of what to make of it.

Bai Ningmei was the victim, but those who came to kill her weren't exactly bad people.

This incident was tied to something that happened thousands of years ago in Tianwu County.

Back then, a vicious beast, the Mad Crocodile Demon, a terrifying creature at the Cave Heaven (Dong Tian) stage, appeared in Tianwu County, wreaking havoc killing countless beings.

The sects of Tianwu County had no choice but to unite and fight the beast.

However, the Mad Crocodile Demon was incredibly powerful, and even many late-stage Nascent Soul experts couldn't defeat it.

In the end, several experts at the half self-Cave Heaven realm sacrificed their lives, unleashing Cave Heaven power to seal the Mad Crocodile Demon in Tianyang Mountain.

Tianyang Mountain, with its abundant yang energy, maintained a temperature of over fifty degrees year-round, with some areas reaching several thousand degrees. The powerful yang energy could suppress the demon, which was of an extreme yin nature.

Moreover, on Tianyang Mountain stood a sect, Tianyang Sect, where all disciples practiced a yang-based cultivation technique.

This sect was also established many years ago, with only one purpose: to guard Tianyang Mountain for generations and ensure that the demonic beast remained sealed within the mountain.

However, now the seal had weakened, and the blood of a person with pure yang blood was needed to repair the seal and prevent the beast from escaping.

The Mad Crocodile Demon had been sealed for a thousand years, harboring deep resentment. Once the demon beast escapes, no one would be able to stop it. The entire Tianwu County would be devastated.

Therefore, the Tianyang Sect, along with other major forces in Tianwu County, began to capture and slaughter people with pure yang blood to gather their blood and reinforce the seal.

The Bai family, due to their bloodline, was entirely composed of individuals with pure yang blood. In one night, hundreds of people from the Bai family were killed.

Only a few dozen people, by various means, managed to escape, but they were still hunted by the powerful forces of Tianwu County.

"So, that's what happened." Xu Yang fell into deep thought.

This situation couldn't really be labeled as right or wrong.

In this world, there's no such thing as absolute right or wrong, only strength and weakness.

The major forces of Tianwu County, considering the greater good, killed hundreds to save thousands, so they had no hesitation, no guilt about their actions.

As for the people with pure yang blood, naturally, they weren't willing to die without a fight. Their reluctance was understandable.

"Master, do you think there's any hope for our Bai family?" Bai Ningmei quietly asked.

Xu Yang lowered his head and thought for a moment, then suddenly raised his head and smiled, saying, "Don't worry. I can ensure the safety of your Bai family."

Xu Yang maintained his indifferent expression, as if everything were perfectly natural.

"But... the entire Tianwu County wants to kill my Bai family," Bai Ningmei said, lowering her head again.

Xu Yang smiled faintly and said, "Don't worry. A mere Tianwu County, I'm not afraid of it."

Hearing Xu Yang's bold words, Bai Ningmei was stunned.

To disregard the entire Tianwu County like that... how strong must this senior be?

In Xu Yang's eyes, although Tianwu County seemed vast, it was really just a few large sects and dozens of Nascent Soul cultivators.

Nascent Soul cultivators were no match for him. No matter how many came, Xu Yang could easily defeat them. For Xu Yang, Tianwu County was nothing.

"Thank you, Master. Your kindness is beyond words..."

Bai Ningmei was overwhelmed with emotion, eager to express her gratitude, but suddenly felt the sharp gaze of someone on her. She turned and locked eyes with Ling Qingshu, whose look seemed like she wanted to kill her.

This...

Bai Ningmei swallowed the words she was about to say.

Xu Yang glanced at Ling Qingshu but didn't say anything.

"Alright, let's talk about this later, after we leave here. As for the rare elixir that Yu Sanniang mentioned, we still don't know where it is. Let's go and look for it," Xu Yang said, frowning.

So far, Xu Yang hadn't seen any trace of the rare elixir.

The only thing he had gained was a bunch of impending troubles and some herbs that could be used to make Foundation Establishment Pills.

...

After searching the forest for about two days, Xu Yang finally found the rare elixir that Yu Sanniang had mentioned in a dark cave.

When Xu Yang saw the elixir, he couldn't help but feel that this trip had been a waste.