Ghost Vine

Liu Qingqing threw her arms around Xi Siyu, her hands trembling slightly with lingering fear.

Xi Siyu sighed and patted her shoulder.

His gaze shifted to the other disciples. Their faces, deathly pale just moments ago, had improved considerably.

The disciples quickly steadied their breathing. Once their injuries had recovered, they climbed up from the ground and recounted everything that had happened, from beginning to end.

Xi Siyu looked helpless, his expression complicated. There was reproach in his voice, but also a trace of reluctance. He was deeply conflicted.

"Little Junior Sister, how could you be so reckless?"

The matter of the Magic Beasts had not yet been settled, yet she had left on her own. What if she had encountered danger?

Her strength was low, and the other disciples were not much stronger. They had even been injured because of her. Once they returned, their master would have to discipline her properly.

Little Junior Sister was far too fond of playing around. All she did was bring harm to those around her. It would be one thing if she had the strength, but she clearly did not.

Within the Crimson Reed Domain, they could still protect her to some extent. But other domains were filled with prodigies. If she ran into them someday, with her temperament, she would easily kick an iron plate.

The Flowing Cloud Sect disciples: It was not as if they had only learned this today. Every time, it was just empty words. Go teach her properly if you mean it! Stop hauling them out to suffer—they did not even dare refuse.

He put away the magical artifact in his hand. The Magic Beast disturbance here was abnormal. He had already sent word to the sect, and elders would come to investigate. There was likely something deep within the forest.

Fortunately, they had merely been injured this time and had not faced mortal danger. Otherwise, he truly would not know how to explain things to Eldest Senior Sister.

Liu Qingqing had never been embarrassed like this before. She pouted, full of displeasure.

She had wanted to argue, but when she saw Third Senior Brother's expression, she immediately lowered her head. This place was somewhere she had insisted on coming to, and when she thought of the Spirit Pearl in her storage pouch, her resolve only grew firmer.

How could one seek an opportunity without encountering danger? In any case, danger would not reach her. As for the others, they were only injured. Taking some pills would be enough.

Seeing this, Xi Siyu knew she had not listened at all. Next time, he ought to go out training with Eldest Senior Sister too. What a headache.

"Third Senior Brother, what are you thinking about?"

Liu Qingqing waved her hand in front of him and asked curiously.

"N-Nothing. It's good that you're all right, Little Junior Sister. Let's go. We'll talk after we get back."

He scratched his head. He truly was not good at lying. Forget it—he would wait until he reported this to their master.

Only after seeing everyone leave did Jiang Lu emerge from hiding.

She had originally been leaving in another direction. Who would have thought those people would take a detour through here even while fleeing? Fortunately, reinforcements had arrived, or they would all have been buried here.

As for saving them, was that supposed to be a joke?

Even the Late Qi Refinement cultivators on the other side had been no match for it, much less her.

Still, judging from their attitude toward Liu Qingqing, they did not seem as mindless as the rumors claimed. It seemed everyone knew Liu Qingqing's personality had some issues, yet they were still willing to tolerate her strutting about outside.

Others might not understand, but even Third Senior Brother, who was said to grant Liu Qingqing every request, did not seem to spoil her as mindlessly as the rumors said. No one else had noticed the helplessness and sighing at the corners of his eyes, but she had seen them clearly.

Perhaps this so-called group favorite was not quite what everyone imagined.

How insane—no, how mind-bending!

After they had all left, Jiang Lu collected the broken vines into her storage space. These were the branches and leaves of Ghost Vine, which fetched high prices outside for use in refining pills.

Ghost Vine naturally carried black qi. Anyone cut by it would swiftly fall unconscious, their entire body losing all sensation. Yet it was the bane of certain other demonic plants with similar attributes.

Pills made from it could detoxify poisons, and many cultivators bought them when venturing out for training.

However, its growing conditions were harsh. Unless one searched carefully, it was difficult to discover its existence. This time, it had likely attacked on its own because of the Spirit Pearl.

Now it had fallen into her lap. Those disciples looked down on such things, but she certainly did not. It was simply getting everything without lifting a finger.

Jiang Lu stood where she was, wearing a foolish grin.

Picking up leftovers felt amazing, and she had even gotten to watch some drama. A dark glint flashed through her eyes as she realized what had felt strange about Liu Qingqing.

It was the indifference she showed toward everything here. She had not truly integrated herself into this environment.

Unless she, too, was not from this world.

But...

Who cared?

It seemed she could still pick up some leftovers by following them around. She would observe them again in the future. Perhaps they would not even have any contact later on.

Only after not a scrap of vine remained on the ground did Jiang Lu leave. These vines could probably sell for several dozen high-grade spirit stones.

She planned to keep some for her own use. That way, when she went out training and encountered similar demonic plants, she would have nothing to fear.

When she returned to the group, the captain merely glanced at her and paid her no further attention.

At times like this, cultivators in the group would usually leave on their own to pick up leftovers. They simply turned a blind eye, since it was not as though anything important would be lost.

Jiang Lu discovered that half the cultivators in the group were gone. Only after asking did she learn that they had left to seek opportunities. No wonder no one had cared that she had been gone for so long—they had likely assumed she had gone searching as well.

Jiang Lu found a corner and continued meditating. Once everyone returned and the resources had been distributed, they could leave.

Only...

Thinking of the Magic Beasts that had been reduced to ash, what resources did they still have to divide?

"If you have nothing else to do, you may return on your own. All the Magic Beasts have been eliminated this time. As for resources, there definitely will not be as many as before. We will see what to do after the City Lord and the others make their decision."

The captain walked over and spoke to everyone.

Even if they went searching for opportunities, they would not find much. This place was only so large—if there were anything worthwhile, how could it possibly be their turn?

They might as well return early to cultivate and make plans ahead of time.

Jiang Lu's mouth twitched. Just as expected.

She then rose to her feet expressionlessly and left with the others.

Fortunately, she had followed the Flowing Cloud Sect disciples and picked up Ghost Vine. Otherwise, she would have gained nothing at all.

There were plenty of cultivation manuals in the Scripture Pavilion. She had now practiced alchemy to a decent extent and only needed to try refining second-grade pills. There was no rush for that.

She could begin cultivating the various offensive and defensive spells, as well as sword techniques. Otherwise, she would be far too passive outside.

Within the Medicine King Pavilion in West River City—

"Elder Ye, what wind blew you here?"

The branch pavilion master looked fawningly at the person seated in the chair.

The man was slender, with black hair gathered high by a single jade hairpin. His features were handsome, and his robes drifted gently with his movements.

He set down the teacup in his hand and chuckled.

"Is there anywhere I cannot go?"

At those words, the man's mouth twitched. Only Elder Ye dared speak such wild words. Then again, who told him to have the ability to back them up?

"Oh, listen to you. Naturally, you can go wherever you wish. Who could possibly stop you?"

After saying that, he secretly despised his own fawning behavior. But his strength was inferior to the other man's, so he could only wrong himself.