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Before Ning Ning could say anything, she saw He Zhizhou scan his surroundings, then, without any warning, leap forward and sprawl onto the ground. At the same time, he began to wriggle continuously using both his hands and legs, just like a frog.

That's right, wriggling.

Ning Ning couldn't bear to watch, so she shifted her gaze toward Xu Ye.

Unexpectedly, the youth who had been acting perfectly normal a second ago suddenly hunched his back and lowered his head, his hands waving incessantly on either side of his head. Occasionally, he would turn his head to lock eyes with her, his mouth wide open as he gasped for air, his eyes rolled back so far only the whites were visible.

Ning Ning's sanity plummeted. She asked cautiously, "What are you two doing?"

"Duh, swimming."

Xu Ye looked at her with an expression that clearly said she was an idiot: "You're just comfortable sitting on the boat—watch out! A giant wave is coming from over there!"

There was no giant wave, and there was no boat.

So you're poisoned too, brother!!! It turns out both of you are abnormal! Are you two the legendary Land Swimmers? I'm so scared!

On the other side, He Zhizhou continued his breaststroke, using both hands and feet. From time to time, he would turn his head to grin at her, lowering his voice to say:

"I'll tell you a secret: the Chairman told me that Optimus Prime and the Hulk have agreed to help us with the revolution. International friends are just the best! Once we swim across the Yalu River, the New China can be established!"

The two of them spoke over each other, shaking their bodies and limbs in different postures. The scene was, for a moment, extremely bizarre.

Ning Ning was willing to call this the cultivation version of Dawn of the Dead, a new remake of Train to Busan, or Resident Evil 10.

Just as she was wondering what to do, a voice she had never heard before suddenly reached her ears. It carried undisguised aggression, and the speaker clearly meant no good: "I see that your parcel is overflowing with spiritual energy, fellow Daoist. Could it be that you have found the legendary Heavenly Heart—"

The man didn't finish his sentence before he froze stiffly in place.

He had followed the trail of spiritual energy, and only at this very moment did he finally see the situation clearly.

Two sect disciples were acting as if they had suffered a cultivation deviation: one was wriggling forward on the ground, while the other looked exactly like a living corpse drained of its essence, his hands trembling like flower branches above his head, swaying as he stepped toward him.

This was too terrifying.

The young man shuddered and took half a step back.

He recognized the one on the ground was wearing the robes of the Xuanxu Sword Sect. He had heard rumors about Xu Ye of the Wanjian Sect—that the people in this sect were all extremely abnormal, and it was best to avoid them if possible, or suffer the consequences.

And the other one, who looked just like a living corpse—

Good heavens! It was actually Xu Ye himself!

He panicked, panicking like a child who had never seen the world.

Could it be that the madness of the Xuanxu Sword Sect was contagious?!

Witnessing this scene, which was comparable to a zombie outbreak, was none other than Zou Wu, a Talisman Cultivator from the Haoran Sect.

The moment they saw his sect robes, He Zhizhou and Xu Ye were both struck with sudden alarm. They forgot to keep paddling and, as if finally snapping to their senses, focused their energy and assumed defensive stances.

"Careful."

He Zhizhou used Voice Transmission to whisper, "That is Zou Wu, the Third Senior Brother of the Haoran Sect. The Haoran Sect and Niguang Island are known as the two tumors of this secret realm. The former steals any treasure they see, while the latter is skilled at schemes and has swindled countless people out of their belongings. Xu Ye and I were robbed by others from the Haoran Sect in the forest before, but in the end, every plan was designed by this guy."

Ning Ning blinked, stunned. "Bullying others and seizing their property—do the elders outside not care?"

In the secret realm, there are two rules known to everyone.

First, unless there is a legitimate reason, one must not maliciously harm other disciples; disputes must be settled through proper duels.

Second, to prevent anyone from hoarding massive amounts of loot, Storage Bags are not allowed inside Xiaochong Mountain. Everyone must use Brocade Pouches or bundles to carry their items.

If one sees others obtain a treasure and uses superior numbers to rob them, they will inevitably be punished upon leaving.

"Of course they find loopholes. Back then, we found a rare-grade wild Jade Spirit Fungus. We had just finished fighting off the guarding spirit beast and were about to pick it when they snatched it first. They even made up a bunch of nonsense, claiming they were the ones who arrived first."

He Zhizhou's face twisted into a bitter expression. "We couldn't do anything even if we were unconvinced, because they did indeed touch the Jade Spirit Fungus first. If we tried to take it back, we would be the ones in the wrong."

Seeing Ning Ning's look of realization, he continued to explain, "Later, Xu Ye told me that they often lie in wait near treasures. They wait for others to deal with difficult spirit beasts, then suddenly appear and snatch the loot without any effort."

Ning Ning nodded.

So, having a devious mind was fine; perhaps the audience outside the secret realm even enjoyed watching the disciples fight amongst themselves. As long as they didn't cross the line too far, they wouldn't be punished.

Zou Wu's expression was unkind, and he had pointedly mentioned that she possessed the Heaven Heart Grass. He was clearly here for this rare treasure.

"I am Zou Wu of the Haoran Sect."

Zou Wu gave a bright laugh. "To be honest, I discovered the Heaven Heart Grass earlier. However, by the time I went to inform my fellow disciples and returned, I found it had vanished. Surely, young lady, you understand the principle of 'first come, first served'?"

Outside the Profound Mirror, Tian Xianzi sneered.

Even a fool wouldn't believe such words.

Ning Ning responded unhurriedly, "Where exactly was the Heaven Heart Grass you saw growing?"

The man opposite her was truly thick-skinned, answering with a straight face, "Unfortunately, in my excitement, I forgot."

He paused, putting on a helpless expression. "The Heaven Heart Grass is nurtured by the spiritual energy of the secret realm and is extremely precious. If you insist on keeping it for yourself, then I'm afraid I have no choice but to..."

Before he could finish his sentence, he stopped abruptly.

Not far away, the pretty girl who looked harmless to humans and animals narrowed her eyes and smiled. In a split second, a massive, crushing sword intent surged from her side, charging straight toward his sea of consciousness!

"What do you think you're doing! Junior Sister Ning Ning is under my protection!"

He Zhizhou, carrying two large swords on his shoulders, wobbled on his feet and stepped in front of Ning Ning. "You demon, if you dare to act up again, watch out—I'll make sure you fall into the path of beasts during the Ascension Ceremony!"