Perhaps it was because Li Yang had reached the Ninth Stage of Spirit Transformation in just ten years, making him far too talented, or because Li Changshou's first stage of Refining Void cultivation made him seem less like a fallen genius.
That was why, in the Original Novel's plot, Youqin Xuanya's contrast between her icy demeanor and adorable cluelessness never appeared. Even Senior Brother Li Changshou's supposedly debilitating condition—where he convulsed whenever he touched a woman—never came to pass.
The group arrived at the northwestern border of the Eastern Continent of Divine Continent without a hitch. The enormous Gourd began to slow and descend toward the rugged mountains below. At that point, Fairy Jiujiu reminded them, "Stay alert, everyone. We're about to enter the territory of another continent.
"Listen up, all of you!
"Northern Juru Continent is no safe place. You came here to gain experience, so don't risk your lives fighting over treasures or Spiritual Medicines.
"I'll take you to one of the entrances to Northern Juru Continent. Remember this place. When you come here on your own in the future, don't be foolish and wander in just anywhere."
At her words, Li Yang and the other five stood up together, cupped their hands toward Fairy Jiujiu, and replied in unison, "We will heed Martial Aunt's instruction."
"Good." Fairy Jiujiu nodded in satisfaction.
Liu Yan'er then asked why Northern Juru Continent had an entrance, and Yuan Qing answered her question with something entirely unrelated.
In the end, Fairy Jiujiu explained the reason to them and gave them a good scare. Then she pointed to the town below and said, "That town is one of the entry points into Northern Juru Continent, forcibly opened by the experts of our Human Path...
"Once we get into town, I'll take you to buy some Miasma Averting Talismans and Detoxification Pills..."
After she finished explaining, they entered the town and stocked up on supplies.
When she saw that Li Yang and Li Changshou hadn't bought anything, she even paid for them out of her own pocket, while taking the opportunity to complain about their master, Old Daoist Qi Yuan.
Once they'd replenished their supplies, the group left town and headed toward the Chaotic Miasma Treasure Forest.
At the edge of the forest, Fairy Jiujiu gave them another reminder.
"By the rules, this trial lasts twenty days.
"The count starts once you enter the Chaotic Miasma Treasure Forest. If you leave on your own before the twenty days are up, you'll fail the trial and face punishment from the sect when you return."
She then took six crescent-shaped pieces of jade from her robe and tossed one to each of them.
"These are Communication Jades for calling for help. If you run into trouble, just crush one. I'll sense it and rush in to rescue you.
"Using a Communication Jade means you've given up on the trial. You'll only lose some of your monthly allowance when you get back, so it's no big deal.
"Go on, and be careful! Don't actually get yourselves killed in there!
"Also, Li Yang's cultivation is a little low. Keep an eye on him."
The disciples acknowledged her instructions, then entered the Chaotic Miasma Treasure Forest under Yuan Qing and Youqin Xuanya's lead.
As for Li Changshou, just as in the Original Novel, he plastered talismans all over himself at the entrance. Fairy Jiujiu got so annoyed that she kicked him inside.
At first, everyone traveled together through the forest, dealing with quite a few dangers along the way.
But when they reached a fork in the path, Youqin Xuanya suggested splitting up to search for medicinal herbs, and the group decided to separate.
Before they parted, however, they were considerate of Li Yang and invited him to come with them.
"Thank you, Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters. The herb I'm looking for isn't in this area, and I'll be going with my Senior Brother. There's no need to worry about us. Take care, everyone."
Without hesitation, Li Yang followed Li Changshou down another branch of the path.
Seeing this, the others shook their heads slightly.
"Never mind. With Senior Brother Changshou leading him, Junior Brother Li Yang should be safe."
The remaining four then split into two groups and left.
The six had divided into three teams, nearly enough to infuriate Fairy Jiujiu to death.
"Every one of them has little cultivation, yet plenty of confidence.
"A bunch of little brats! They're fearless like newborn calves, too young to know the taste of 'shit'!"
Fairy Jiujiu angrily took a couple of swigs of wine. Remembering how she'd been the same at their age, she calmed down a little, though the pressure still weighed heavily on her.
Fairy Jiujiu glanced at Yuwen Ling, who was some distance behind her. She'd wanted to have him follow Youqin Xuanya and Yuan Qing, but then she remembered the messages Li Yang and Li Changshou had sent before entering the Chaotic Miasma Treasure Forest.
'Martial Aunt Jiujiu, something feels off to me. Please keep an eye on that so-called garrison commander, Senior Sister Youqin, and Senior Brother Yuan Qing.'
'Martial Aunt Jiujiu, anyone whose background is unclear is suspicious. Don't trust him.'
After thinking it over, Fairy Jiujiu decided to play it safe. The six youngsters were still within the range of her Divine Sense, anyway.
So, just as in the Original Novel, she had Yuwen Ling stay close to her.
But this time, Li Yang had warned her. After weighing things up, she chose to keep watch over Youqin Xuanya and Yuan Qing's group.
That choice made Yuwen Ling frown slightly. It didn't fit their plan.
But it didn't matter. Once Fairy Jiujiu's attention was mostly elsewhere, a tiny bug disappeared under the cover of a Gray Cloud.
Elsewhere, Li Changshou didn't use Crimson Sun Poison Dragon Saliva to make a quick escape as he had in the Original Novel.
"Junior Brother, why did you tell us to slow down?"
He didn't understand. To be safe, they should leave quickly and use the Qi Concealment Art, the Trace Concealment Talisman, and other methods to escape danger.
"Senior Brother, what good would those things do us? Martial Aunt is definitely watching us, so we can only use the full extent of the cultivation we've shown her. That might mislead the enemy, but it won't help much.
"Besides, I already sent Martial Aunt Jiujiu a message telling her to watch that person. I'm sure you did the same, right?"
The two communicated entirely through voice transmission, so they could speak openly.
"Senior Brother, the Great Dao gives fifty, while Heaven's evolution takes away one. Nothing in the world is perfect. We just need to stay calm and wait."
Li Changshou furrowed his brow slightly. He understood what Li Yang meant, but it didn't quite match his own principles. Still, it was a good thing, and it wouldn't affect him.
"So you're certain that person is up to no good?"
"Absolutely!"
A while later, they both sensed the gaze watching them turn malicious.
"Looks like Martial Aunt's attention has shifted away from us."
Li Yang and his Senior Brother exchanged a glance.
"Looks like those people have set their sights on us."
"Secular royal power is truly revolting!"
Then...
"Earth Escape!"
"Wood Escape!"
They both used their escape techniques and vanished.
A short while later, fifty miles away, Li Changshou emerged from a patch of grass, while Li Yang appeared beside a tree.
"Thousand Mile Travel Talisman, activate. Let's go!"
Without bothering with anything else, they used their movement techniques and talismans to hurry away.
Soon...
"They're watching us again. What a nuisance!"
"Senior Brother, looks like my guess was right."
Li Changshou was clever. By now, he'd almost entirely figured out what was going on, and he felt a little helpless.
If he'd had any other choice, he wouldn't have risked coming to such a dangerous place. It completely contradicted his life's creed of staying hidden in the mountains until he died of old age.
But Master couldn't wait any longer!
So...
A cold glint flashed in Li Changshou's eyes.
"In that case, we'll escape beyond the range of Martial Aunt's Immortal Sense, and then...
Kill him!!!"
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