Light as a Feather After Leaving the Group

Light as a Feather After Leaving the Group

From this town, another three hundred li north lay the boundary of the Miasma in the Northern Julu Continent. At its outermost edge was the training ground for the five Du Xian Sect disciples on this journey—

Treasure Forest of Chaotic Miasma.

The bare Desolate Mountains outside the Miasma stood in stark contrast to the sprawling black forests within its cover, forming a clear boundary between them.

As they drew closer and closer to the edge of the Miasma Forest, Jiu Jiu seemed like a completely different person. Her gaze was filled with vigilance, and her immortal senses monitored every movement within several hundred li.

As she led them flying low through the air, she expended immortal power to form a white cloud. She shrank the Large Gourd to three feet long and carried it on her back. Pale blue light swirled at its mouth, ready to be unleashed to spray someone at any moment...

At last, they reached the edge of the Miasma Forest. Jiu Jiu landed the cloud, turned around, and looked solemnly at the five disciples.

"According to the rules, this training will last twenty days.

The count begins when you enter the Treasure Forest of Chaotic Miasma. If you leave on your own before those twenty days are up, this training will be considered a failure, and you will face punishment from the sect when you return."

Jiu Jiu blinked, and her tone suddenly became much lighter.

"Really, they'll just deduct your monthly allowance or something. It's no big deal. When you encounter danger, preserving your lives comes first. If you feel it's too much, come back out immediately. Don't try to act tough.

"I'll wait here. Since this training is meant to temper disciples, I naturally can't follow behind you, much less serve as your personal bodyguard.

"This big fellow will stay behind too and wait here."

Yuwen Ling cupped his hands and requested, "This general was ordered to protect Her Highness the Sixth Princess. I ask that Immortal Elder permit—"

Jiu Jiu said calmly, "Do you want to stay here willingly, or do you want me to tie you up here?"

"General Yuwen, please wait outside. Everything must follow Martial Uncle Jiu's arrangements," Youqin Xuanya said from the side. A faint authority emanated from her as well; clearly, she had given plenty of orders since childhood.

"This general accepts the order!"

Yuwen Ling answered in a deep voice, then frowned as he glanced at Yuan Qing.

Yuan Qing immediately declared, "General Yuwen need not worry. Even if I must risk my life, I will protect Junior Sister Xuanya."

Youqin Xuanya gave no response, maintaining her usual expression of a surface-level iceberg.

Meanwhile, Li Changshou, who had been standing behind Jiu Jiu all along, let his gaze move between Yuan Qing and Yuwen Ling for a while.

As expected, there's something fishy about these two.

Jiu Jiu cleared her throat and continued, "I have two pieces of advice for you.

"First, support one another inside. Remember that you are fellow disciples. Avoid acting alone whenever possible. Yuan Qing, Xuanya, the two of you have higher cultivation. If you have spare capacity, look after the others."

Yuan Qing smiled. "Rest assured, Martial Uncle."

Youqin Xuanya also said, "This disciple accepts the order."

Immortal Jiujiu continued, "Second, do not be overly greedy for fortuitous opportunities, nor should you risk your lives searching for herbs.

"Precious Spiritual Medicine is often guarded by ferocious beasts. Those beasts are not stupid—each of you is their finest tonic."

As she spoke, Jiu Jiu suddenly moved. Her left hand blurred like a phantom as she lightly pinched Youqin Xuanya's cheek. "Especially a top-grade delicacy like you, all tender skin and soft flesh!"

"Martial Uncle, please conduct yourself with dignity," Youqin Xuanya said with a frown, while Jiu Jiu let out a string of strange chuckles.

"Wow, so smooth! I'm so jealous of someone born with such beauty. This Martial Uncle can't compare—my skin is all dry and rough. And there isn't anyone following me around every day, calling, 'Junior Sister Jiu Jiu, Junior Sister Jiu Jiu~'"

Amid her laughter, Jiu Jiu took out five crescent-shaped jade stones from her robes and tossed them to the five disciples.

"Here. These are communication jades for requesting aid. If you run into trouble, crush one directly. This Martial Uncle will sense it and rush in to rescue you.

"Using a communication jade means you have voluntarily abandoned this training. When you return, they'll merely dock some of your monthly allowance. Nothing serious.

"Go on, go on! Be careful, all of you!

"Don't actually die in there!"

The five disciples put away the communication jades and each cupped their hands in salute to the Wine Immortal. They then attached Miasma-Averting Talismans to themselves. With Youqin Xuanya and Yuan Qing leading the way, they walked toward the Miasma Forest.

Li Changshou lagged half a step behind because he...

First attached a Miasma-Averting Talisman to his Daoist robe, then efficiently lifted the hem of his robe and placed one on the inner side of his thigh. He also stuck a third Miasma-Averting Talisman to the back of his neck beneath his clothes.

That way, nothing could go wrong. He would not have to fear a Miasma-Averting Talisman falling off for no reason. He only needed to replace them every few days afterward.

A gust of wind suddenly rose, and a bare foot came flying in with a kick from the side.

Li Changshou seemingly took two disorderly steps forward, yet easily evaded the incoming kick.

Jiu Jiu cursed in exasperation, "Why aren't you getting in there already?! Remember to stick close to the others! You're at the Ninth Stage of Spirit Transformation!

"You're so cautious—why did you even come to this rotten place?!"

"Take care, Martial Uncle," Li Changshou said, turning to cup his hands. His lips moved slightly as he sent Jiu Jiu a message.

Then he quickly caught up and trailed at the very back of the group.

The Miasma swept over them. The Miasma-Averting Talismans on the four people ahead emitted a faint glow, each creating a thin, transparent membrane that clung to their bodies.

Li Changshou, on the other hand, was impressive. Three layers of membranes covered his entire body, making it somewhat difficult even to breathe.

But the air he sucked in with effort was exceptionally fresh.

Wang Qi cleared his throat and said loudly, "Later, Senior Brother Changshou, come with me. I'm actually just trying my luck here and don't have any particular herb I must find, so there's no need to disturb Junior Brother Yuan Qing and the others."

"Good," Li Changshou replied with a knowing smile. Wang Qi raised his brows at Li Changshou in return, and the two seemed to have reached a tacit understanding.

Perhaps this was the awareness shared by fellow third wheels.

When moving through the Northern Julu Continent, those who had not become immortals had to avoid flying whenever possible. The Miasma was far too dense three zhang above the ground, and that was where many poisonous insects and ferocious birds were most active. The ground was safer instead.

At this moment, there was only one path beneath their feet. On either side stood blackened trees that looked as though they had been burned. Most had branches but no leaves, yet they pulsed with a strange kind of vitality.

The five walked along the path, spreading their spiritual senses as far as possible. From time to time, they spotted one or two poisonous beasts hiding in the darkness, coldly watching these intruders.

The sky was dark, and danger lurked everywhere.

The Treasure Forest of Chaotic Miasma produced several types of Precious Medicine and dozens of poisonous herbs. Yet because this was a relatively low-risk border region, its medicinal herbs had already been harvested almost clean by Qi Refiners of the Demon Race and the Human Race. It would be quite difficult for the five of them to find the herbs they sought.

What was more, the poisonous grass Li Changshou was looking for was not in the Treasure Forest of Chaotic Miasma at all, but in a deeper region.

As he walked, Li Changshou took out a palm-sized sheepskin map. Looking at several marks he had drawn on it, he determined which direction he needed to take next.

First, he needed to find a suitable excuse to leave the group.

More importantly, he had to ensure that Martial Uncle Jiu, who was secretly following them from the sky, would not stop him from leaving...

After walking for about half an hour, the forest ahead grew increasingly dim. The smell of decay filled the air, swarms of Poisonous insects buzzed madly, and predators lurking in the shadows began to fix their eyes on these five living creatures.

Swamps with floating bones, dazzling yet deadly flowers and fruits, Demon Spiders perched atop tall trees and letting out shrill, sinister laughter...

The Du Xian Sect disciples were skilled and bold. They moved faster and faster, gradually adapting to this environment.

Li Changshou followed closely behind the other four. The point at which he needed to change direction was still far away, so he was in no hurry to leave the group.

Suddenly, a beast's roar, heavy with suppressed ferocity, rang out. The buzzing of Poisonous insects in the forest abruptly intensified, and a baleful aura surged toward them from ahead!

A poisonous beast could no longer resist and was about to attack their party!

Youqin Xuanya, at the front of the group, immediately raised a hand to stop them. The Greatsword on her back began to hum softly.

Yuan Qing flicked his right hand, and a green immortal sword instantly appeared in his grasp. A sharp, intimidating edge burst forth from his entire body.

While the four ahead were distracted by a black shadow darting out from the forest to their left, Li Changshou turned his gaze to the right. He took a step and positioned himself behind Wang Qi, speaking in a low voice.

"Watch the right."

Almost as soon as Li Changshou finished speaking, a black shadow over a zhang long suddenly sprang from the forest on the left!

It was a Black-skinned Leopard with a pair of wings growing from its ribs. A faint dark green glow shone from its front claws, and the moment it appeared, it pounced viciously at the four without a word!

"You beast, you're courting death!"

Yuan Qing shouted lowly. His body shot out from beside Youqin Xuanya like a gust of wind. The three-foot Green Peak Sword in his hand extended eight inches of green radiance, and his footwork left afterimages in its wake!

The sword light flashed into an elongated zigzag. The Black Panther had only just raised its claw when streams of black blood were already spraying into the sky!

Its head and body were severed in one strike!

At that moment, two black shadows suddenly sprang from the forest on the right, pouncing directly at Liu Yan'er and Youqin Xuanya...

"Let me handle this!"

Wang Qi shouted, rushing before Liu Yan'er. Flames had already enveloped both his hands as he pressed them toward the two leopards from afar.

But before the fire could erupt, a fiery red figure flashed past. The still-sheathed Greatsword tore through the air with a dull roar, striking both charging leopards at once and sending them flying like sandbags.

It was only a single horizontal sweep, with no follow-up attack. Yet as the two Black Panthers were sent airborne, two fiery red lotuses burst from within their bodies. Their bodies exploded apart, and their remains and black blood were completely consumed by the brilliant flames!

In the blink of an eye, not even scraps remained of the two Black Panthers...

Wang Qi gave an embarrassed laugh, dispersed the spell in his hands, and obediently stepped aside.

Li Changshou's eyes lit up.

Nine Lotus Departing Fire Force... Youqin Xuanya actually cultivated it successfully?

The three Black Panthers had been slain in an instant, and more than half of the gazes spying on the five from the shadows immediately vanished.

The five resumed their formation and continued onward. Youqin Xuanya and Yuan Qing began using simple movement techniques, while the three behind them easily kept pace.

Until a fork appeared ahead, and the five stopped in unspoken accord.

Youqin Xuanya turned around and said, "Senior Brothers, Senior Sister, I will go in this direction to search for Flame-Averting Heart-Clearing Grass. There were records in the sect that this Spiritual Medicine had been found in that direction.

"Please take care of yourselves, and do not venture too deep."

Liu Yan'er also named the herb she was seeking and intended to take another path.

The group immediately began to split up. Yuan Qing naturally intended to go with Youqin Xuanya; he had come as a helper and a guardian for a beauty.

Wang Qi had come to broaden his horizons, so he decided to help Liu Yan'er search for her herb along the way.

Then the other four turned their gazes toward Li Changshou.

"I'll take this path. I'll be parting from you all for now," Li Changshou said, pointing in a direction different from the other four. They all frowned at once.

Youqin Xuanya asked, "What kind of herb is Senior Brother Changshou searching for?"

Li Changshou answered seriously, "It is not convenient to say. But there is no need for concern. Take care of yourselves."

Yuan Qing advised, "Senior Brother Changshou, why not travel with Senior Sister Yan'er—"

Before Yuan Qing could finish, Li Changshou had already stepped onto the path he had chosen. He used a simple movement technique beneath his feet, his robes fluttering while his long hair remained still, and quickly vanished around a bend in the forest ahead.

"Really, taking a good heart for a donkey's liver and lungs."

Liu Yan'er muttered in dissatisfaction. Yuan Qing and Wang Qi also shook their heads slightly, likely thinking that Li Changshou was merely too proud to accept help.

Only Youqin Xuanya appeared thoughtful. She turned and walked down the path she had chosen, her slender figure looking even more delicate with the Greatsword on her back.