Within Ten Zhang

When Zhao Gongming suggested using his vital blood to locate the Sky-Howling Dog, Yang Jian didn't immediately mention that he had no vital blood left.

His intention was to see what attitude the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden and the Nine Nether Pure Maiden would take.

If these two female cultivators found excuses and absolutely refused to go to a private place to test again, then it could be basically concluded that they had undeniable suspicion.

Unexpectedly, the other party actually agreed to this seemingly unreasonable request, only proposing one condition.

At this point, Yang Jian knew he absolutely could not finish negotiating the terms with them and then, at the crucial moment, throw his hands up and say, "Can't test, the test kit is gone, no, the vital blood is gone."

He could see that the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden and the Nine Nether Pure Maiden were both figures with profound backgrounds. The reason he didn't ask about their lineage was that he worried once he knew their origins, some things would be difficult to say, and he couldn't push them too hard.

Doing so would make people think that after knowing their background, he was still so aggressive, showing disrespect to their sect, which would lead to endless trouble.

Therefore, he pretended to be confused and avoided asking.

Even so, Zhao Gongming, standing beside him, glared at Yang Jian with dissatisfaction.

The Three Ladies of the Auspicious Clouds clearly looked disappointed, while the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden and the Nine Nether Pure Maiden sneered at Yang Jian, their expressions unfriendly.

Yang Jian rubbed his forehead; the atmosphere became awkward for a moment.

Only Di Xin secretly let out a long sigh of relief. It was good that there was no vital blood; it was a great thing and a big step towards safety.

After a brief silence, Lady Yunxiao spoke again, "Regardless, the Sky-Howling Dog is within ten zhang. My idea is to find all the Daoist cultivators within this range and then find a way to retrieve the treasure."

Speaking of which, she looked at the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden and the Nine Nether Pure Maiden, "You two fellow Daoists cannot leave for now either. This is not solely targeting you two, and you understand the gravity of the situation..."

The Nine Heavens Profound Maiden and her sister had come to investigate the whereabouts of the Monster Summoning Banner. Seeing so many fellow Daoists meeting with misfortune one after another, they also felt it was very strange. Both of them could imagine that their master's Monster Summoning Banner and these people's treasures might have fallen into the hands of the same person.

In the end, their ultimate goals were the same.

The two women's eyes met, and they both nodded, agreeing to the proposal.

Seeing that the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden and her sister no longer objected, Lady Yunxiao pointed into the crowd, "This fellow Daoist, please come out."

At her gesture, Di Xin was startled.

The direction Lady Yunxiao pointed was towards their group.

He hadn't used any Magic Power, yet she could still tell he had cultivation?

It was simply unbelievable!

Fortunately, his cultivation was very low, so they wouldn't suspect him of being able to steal their treasures without them noticing. Perhaps he could easily get away with it.

No!

In a flash of thought, Di Xin realized that although Lady Yunxiao was pointing in his direction, the focus of her gaze was not on him.

He could sense whether others were looking at him or not.

Moreover, Lady Yunxiao's finger was raised slightly higher.

Di Xin suddenly had an epiphany. Following her finger, he looked back and saw a beautiful woman in red Daoist robes standing in the crowd behind him.

Hu Ximei!

Di Xin immediately recognized her. She must have arrived a little later than him and was standing further back, so he hadn't paid attention.

In the crowd, Hu Ximei didn't move. She was a demon, and Zhao Gongming and the others present were Daoist cultivators. Many Daoist cultivators prided themselves on punishing evil and promoting good, expelling demons and ghosts, and would often attack demons when they saw them.

For a moment, she didn't know how to respond.

Especially after arriving here, she had a general understanding of what had happened. This matter involved their lost precious treasures. Who would dare to get involved in such murky waters?

"This fellow Daoist, could it be that you have a guilty conscience and dare not come out?"

Seeing Hu Ximei not move, Lady Yunxiao's expression sank.

"My dear sister, it's alright to come out. Today we are only investigating the treasure, and nothing else matters. If anyone has ulterior motives, I will protect you."

While Hu Ximei hesitated, the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden spoke up at the opportune moment.

When Goddess Nuwa saw Hu Ximei, the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden and the Nine Nether Pure Maiden were hidden in the clouds above, knowing she was a minor demon sent by their master. However, Hu Ximei did not recognize the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden and the Nine Nether Pure Maiden.

Hu Ximei knew she couldn't hide forever, and since the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden had vouched for her, she stepped out.

The reason Lady Yunxiao pointed out Hu Ximei was that after the four of them arrived, they saw this woman approaching from a distance to watch, and she had used some Magic Power.

However, according to common sense, Lady Yunxiao didn't think Hu Ximei was suspicious.

If this person had stolen the precious treasures, she would never have come to join the crowd voluntarily.

Therefore, she didn't ask Hu Ximei anything and continued to search among the crowd within ten zhang.

There were two to three hundred people within this range, shoulder to shoulder, densely packed.

Lady Bixiao, Lady Qiongxiao, Zhao Gongming, Yang Jian, and the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden sisters were also searching the crowd, as their goal was the same: to find the treasure.

However, after searching, apart from Hu Ximei, they did not find anyone else with Magic Power.

If the two Qi Cultivators, one in red and one in white, were not the thieves, then the real thief must be in the crowd.

Yang Jian and Zhao Gongming's group had already come to a conclusion in their hearts, but they couldn't identify the culprit because the other party wasn't revealing their Magic Power.

The Nine Heavens Profound Maiden and the Nine Nether Pure Maiden, however, were very clear in their minds. The two of them had already determined that the thief must be in the crowd, as they knew very well whether they themselves had stolen it or not.

Therefore, their gazes were sharp, and they searched very carefully.

"Hmph, what more is there to investigate? Once I capture them all and turn them to ash, the magical treasure will naturally appear."

Just then, the dignified-looking Lady Bixiao suddenly snorted impatiently. With a movement of her hand, a magical treasure appeared in her palm, emitting a faint green halo. Its edges curled outwards, resembling a miniature incense burner.

"No, that will harm the innocent!" Lady Bixiao hurriedly reached out to stop her, her expression instantly changing drastically.

Who would have thought that Lady Bixiao would snort coldly again, "There is no other way. If they are to blame anyone, they should blame the one who stole the treasure!"

As she spoke, she channeled her Magic Power into the miniature incense burner, and the green light above it gradually intensified.

Gasps erupted from the crowd, causing a wave of panic.

Di Xin was also startled. He wondered if he should flee right then, but at that very moment, two options suddenly appeared before his eyes.

[Option One: Flee immediately. Quest Reward: Immortal Beast Azure Ox.]
[Option Two: Stay put, give up resistance, do not use Magic Power. Quest Reward: Qi Refining Sacred Book Immortal Yuan Records]

With the System's prompt, he immediately understood. Although he appeared panicked, he didn't move. He merely watched the green light of the magical treasure grow stronger and stronger, when a stroke of inspiration suddenly struck him.

He thought of a treasure almost as famous as the Golden Flood Dragon Scissors, but he wasn't sure if this small incense burner emitting green light was it.