Chapter Eleven: Light Departure
Chapter Eleven: Light Departure
Setting out from this town to the north, there are three hundred more miles until the boundary of the miasma-infested North Ju Lu Continent. The most bordering region is the trial ground for the five disciples of the Du Xian Gate— The Chaotic Miasma Treasure Forest.
Beyond the miasma, the bare hills contrast sharply with the densely covered black forests, forming a distinct boundary.
As they approached the edge of the miasma forest, Jiu Jiu transformed into a different person, her gaze filled with vigilance, and her divine sense monitoring any movement within a radius of hundreds of miles.
As she flew low with the others, she expended immortal energy to create a white cloud, transforming the large gourd into a three-foot-long one, emitting a faint blue glow, ready to be used for attack at any moment.
Finally, reaching the edge of the miasma forest, Jiu Jiu descended from the white cloud, turned around, and looked solemnly at the five disciples.
"According to the rules, the duration of this trial is twenty days. If you choose to withdraw on your own before twenty days, it will be considered a failed experience, and you will face punishment upon returning."
Jiu Jiu blinked and suddenly adopted a lighter tone:
"Actually, it's just deductions from your monthly contributions and such, nothing serious. Prioritize your safety in the face of danger, and if you find it difficult, withdraw immediately. Don't try to be brave. I'll be waiting for you here. Since this training is for honing disciples, I won't follow you or act as your personal guard. This big guy will stay here, waiting."
Yuwenzong Ling arched his hand and said, "I am here by order to protect Princess Liu, please permit, Immortal."
Jiu Jiu casually responded, "Do you want to stay here yourself, or do you want me to tie you here?"
"General Yuwenzong, please wait outside, obey the arrangements of Senior Jiu," added Qin Xuan Ya, emitting a faint authority, clearly accustomed to giving orders from childhood.
"Understood!"
Yuwenzong Ling said in a deep voice, then frowned at Yuan Qing.
Yuan Qing immediately said loudly, "General Yuwenzong, don't worry. Even if it costs my life, I will protect Senior Qin Ya."
Qin Xuan Ya made no response, maintaining her usual icy expression. However, Li Changshou, who had been standing behind Jiu Jiu all along, observed Yuan Qing and Yuwenzong Ling for a while.
"It seems there's something fishy about these two."
Clearing her throat, Jiu Jiu continued, "I'll give you two pieces of advice. Firstly, help each other inside. Remember, you are fellow disciples. Avoid solo actions as much as possible. Yuan Qing, Qin Ya, your cultivation levels are higher, so if you have the capacity, take care of the others."
Yuan Qing laughed, "Senior Uncle, rest assured."
Qin Xuan Ya also said, "Understood."
Jiu Jiu, the immortal, continued, "Secondly, don't be too eager for opportunities, and don't risk your lives to find herbs. Precious spirit herbs are often guarded by fierce beasts. These beasts are not stupid; you are their best nourishment."
At this point, Jiu Jiu suddenly acted, her left hand moved like a phantom, lightly pinching Qin Xuan Ya's cheek. "Especially you, with such delicate and tender flesh!"
"Senior Uncle, please behave," Qin Xuan Ya frowned and said, while Jiu Jiu laughed.
"Wow, so smooth. I envy your natural beauty. I, Senior Uncle Jiu, can't compare. My skin is dry, and no one follows me around calling me Senior Sister Jiu, Senior Sister Jiu~ every day."
In the midst of laughter, Jiu Jiu took out five moon-shaped jade stones from her embrace and tossed them to the five disciples.
"Here, these are communication jades for seeking help. If you encounter trouble, crush them directly. I, Senior Uncle, will sense it and rush in for rescue. Using these jades means you give up on this training. Going back will only result in some deductions from your monthly contributions, nothing major. Now, go and be careful! Don't really die inside!"
The five disciples put away the communication jades, each bowing to Jiu Jiu. Then, they affixed miasma avoidance talismans to themselves, and led by Yuan Qing and Qin Xuan Ya, they headed towards the miasma forest.
Li Changshou followed a step behind because...
First, he affixed a miasma avoidance talisman to his Daoist robe. Then, he deftly lifted the hem of his robe, attached another talisman to the inside of his thigh, and added a third talisman to the back of his innerwear on the neck.
This way, he could be completely assured. No need to worry about the talismans falling off without reason. Just replace them every few days.
A gust of wind suddenly rose, and a foot flew over.
Li Changshou appeared to take two steps forward in a seemingly messy manner, easily avoiding the incoming flying kick.
Jiu Jiu scolded in frustration, "Why haven't you gone in yet? You, a Ninth Stage Nascent Soul cultivator, why are you so cautious in this place!"
"Take care, Senior Uncle," Li Changshou turned his head and arched his hand. His lips moved slightly, whispering something to Jiu Jiu through voice transmission.
Then he quickly caught up, trailing at the rear of the group.
As the miasma approached, the miasma avoidance talismans on the four in the front emitted a faint glow, each creating a shallow transparent film covering their bodies.
Li Changshou, on the other hand, had three layers of film attached, making his breathing a bit difficult. However, the air he forcefully inhaled was exceptionally fresh.
Wang Qi cleared his throat and said, "Brother Changshou, walk with me later. I'm just here to see the world. I don't have any specific herbs to find, so there's no need to disturb Brother Yuan Qing and them."
"Fine," Li Changshou gave Wang Qi a knowing smile. The two seemed to share some unspoken understanding.
...
Moving in the North Ju Lu Continent required avoiding aerial flight for those who had not yet become immortals. Within three zhang of the ground, the miasma was too dense, and it was an area where many poisonous insects and fierce birds were active. It was safer on the ground.
At this moment, the road under their feet was the only one, lined with scorched black trees lacking leaves, but exuding a different kind of vitality.
As the five walked, they expanded their divine senses, occasionally seeing one or two venomous beasts lurking in the dark, coldly staring at these intruders.
In this sunless environment, danger lurked everywhere.
The Chaotic Miasma Treasure Forest produced various precious herbs and dozens of poisonous plants. However, since this was the relatively safe border area, these herbs had already been picked by the demonic and human cultivators. For the five of them to find the herbs they wanted was a challenging task.
Moreover, the poisonous plant Li Changshou was looking for was not in the Chaotic Miasma Treasure Forest but in a deeper region.
As they walked, Li Changshou took out a sheepskin map the size of a palm. Looking at the markings he drew himself, he confirmed the direction he needed to take.
Firstly, he needed to find a suitable reason to separate from the group. Most importantly, he needed to ensure that Jiu Jiu, who was secretly following them in the air, would not interfere with his departure...
After about half an hour of walking, the front became increasingly dim, a rotting smell permeated the air, and the buzzing of poisonous insects became louder. Predators hidden in the dark, waiting for an opportunity to strike, began to fixate on these five fresh lives.
Floating marshes with floating bones, beautiful yet deadly flowers, and demonic spiders perched on tall trees, emitting sinister laughter...
The disciples of the Du Xian Gate were quite bold, walking faster and gradually adapting to this environment.
Li Changshou followed closely behind the four. At this moment, it was still far from the node he needed to adjust his direction. He didn't need to leave immediately.
Suddenly, a suppressed beast roar resounded, and the buzzing of insects in the forest suddenly increased. A murderous aura swept toward them from the front!
A venomous beast couldn't endure it any longer and was about to attack the group!
The one at the front, Qin Xuan Ya, immediately raised her hand to stop the others, and the large sword on her back began to tremble faintly.
To her left, Yuan Qing swung his right hand, and a green fairy sword appeared in his grasp, revealing a sharp edge.
The four focused their attention on the black shadow that hurriedly rushed from the left front. However, Li Changshou cast his gaze to the right, took a step forward, and stood behind Wang Qi. He whispered softly, "Be careful on the right."
Almost as soon as Li Changshou's words fell, a long black shadow suddenly rushed out from the left front!
It was a black-skinned leopard with ribs and wings, its front paws shining with a faint green light. As soon as it appeared, without saying a word, it viciously pounced towards the four!
"Evil creature seeking death!"
Yuan Qing shouted, and like a gust of wind, he rushed out from beside Qin Xuan Ya, a three-foot green edge extending eight inches of green light. His footwork left behind traces!
The sword light extended into a lengthened 'Z' shape. Just as the black leopard raised its claws, bursts of black blood had already sprayed towards the sky!
Directly beheaded!
Just at this moment, two black shadows suddenly rushed out from the right, directly attacking Liu Yan'er and Qin Xuan Ya...
"Let me handle this!"
Wang Qi shouted, rushed to Liu Yan'er's side, and his hands were already enveloped in flames. He pressed them towards the two leopards.
But before the flames erupted, a fiery red figure had flashed by. The large sword that had not been drawn from its sheath yet made a dull breaking sound as it swept across. The two leopards that were charging were simultaneously hit by the large sword, flying out like sandbags.
There was just a sweeping motion, and there was no subsequent pursuit. However, the two black leopards were sent flying into the air, and two fiery red lotus flowers burst out from within their bodies. Their bodies were directly shattered, and the debris and black blood were completely engulfed by the beautiful flames!
In the blink of an eye, the two leopards were gone...
Wang Qi smiled awkwardly, dismissed the magic in his hands, and obediently retreated to the side.
Li Changshou's eyes brightened.
"The Nine-Lotus Flame Force? Qin Xuan Ya actually cultivated it?"
Three leopards were instantly killed. The gazes of those hiding in the dark watching these five people were suddenly reduced by more than half.
The five people resumed their formation and continued to move forward until a fork in the road appeared. The five of them stopped tacitly.
Qin Xuan Ya turned around and said, "Senior Brother, Senior Sister, I will go in this direction to find the Yen Fire Clear Heart Grass. There are records in the sect that this spiritual herb has been found in this direction. Please take care, and don't go too deep."
Liu Yan'er also stated the herb she was looking for and chose another direction to walk.
At this point, the five began to 'split up.' Naturally, Yuan Qing would follow Qin Xuan Ya, as he was originally here to help and serve as a bodyguard.
Wang Qi came here to broaden his horizons and decided to help Liu Yan'er find herbs accordingly.
After that, the four people's gazes fell on Li Changshou.
"I will go this way and temporarily part ways with you," Li Changshou pointed in a direction different from the four. The others frowned slightly.
"Senior Brother Changshou, what kind of herb are you looking for?" Qin Xuan Ya asked.
Li Changshou replied seriously, "It's not easy to talk about this matter, but you don't need to worry. Take care, everyone."
Yuan Qing advised, "Senior Brother Changshou, why not go with Senior Sister Yan'er..."
Yuan Qing hadn't finished speaking when Li Changshou had already taken a step and walked in the direction different from the others, quickly disappearing around the corner in the forest.
"Really, good intentions are taken as donkey liver and lungs."
Liu Yan'er muttered discontentedly, while Yuan Qing and Wang Qi shook their heads slightly. They probably thought Li Changshou was just being stubborn due to face.
Qin Xuan Ya seemed thoughtful, turned around, and walked towards her chosen path, her figure carrying the large sword appearing even more delicate from behind.