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, 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 in full detail.

Xi Siyu looked helpless, his expression complicated. His tone carried reproach, yet also a trace of reluctance to be harsh. He was deeply conflicted.

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

The matter of the Magic Beasts had yet to be settled, yet she had left on her own. What if she had encountered danger?

Her strength was lacking, and the other disciples were not particularly strong either. They had even been injured because of her. Once they returned, Master would have to properly discipline her.

Junior Sister was far too fond of fooling around. She only brought harm to those around her. It would have been one thing if she had the strength to back it up, but she did not.

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

The Flowing Cloud Sect disciples: It wasn't as if this was the first day they had known! Every time, it was only empty words. Why not actually teach her? Stop grabbing them and putting them through the wringer—they did not even dare refuse.

He put away the magic artifact in his hand. The beast riot here was abnormal. He had already sent word to the sect, and elders would naturally come to investigate. There was likely something in the depths of the forest.

Fortunately, they had only been injured this time and had not suffered any life-threatening danger. Otherwise, he truly would not have known how to explain it to Eldest Senior Sister.

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

She had wanted to retort, but upon seeing Third Senior Brother's expression, she immediately lowered her head. Since she had decided this place was somewhere she absolutely had to visit, and with the Spirit Pearl in her storage pouch in mind, her resolve only grew firmer.

How could one seek fortune without encountering danger? In any case, danger would not touch her. As for the others, they had merely been injured. Taking medicinal pills would be enough.

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

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

Liu Qingqing waved her hand before him and asked curiously.

"N... nothing. It's good that you're alright, Junior Sister. Let's go. We'll talk after we return."

He scratched his head. He truly was not good at lying. Forget it. He would wait until they reported to Master.

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

She had originally been leaving in another direction. Who knew those people would take a detour through this place while fleeing? Luckily, reinforcements had arrived, or they would all have been left here for good.

As for her going to save them? Give her a break.

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

Still, judging by 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 problems, yet they were still willing to tolerate her swaggering about outside.

Others might not understand, but even the Third Senior Brother from the rumors, who supposedly granted Liu Qingqing every request, did not seem to dote on her as mindlessly as rumored. Others had not noticed the helplessness and sigh in his eyes, but Jiang Lu had seen them with perfect clarity.

Perhaps this so-called group favorite was not quite what people believed it to be.

How deranged—no, how brain-burning!

After they had all left, Jiang Lu stored the broken vines in her spatial storage. These were the branches and leaves of Ghost Vine, which were bought at high prices outside for refining Dan.

Ghost Vine carried black qi. Anyone scratched by it would swiftly fall unconscious, losing all sensation throughout their body. Yet it was the bane of certain demon plants with similar attributes.

Dan refined from it could detoxify poisons, and many cultivators purchased them when venturing out for training.

However, its growth 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 had simply come to her without any effort at all.

Jiang Lu stood where she was, grinning foolishly.

The feeling of picking up leftovers was just too good. She had even gotten to enjoy some juicy gossip. A dark glint flashed through her eyes as she realized what had been strange about Liu Qingqing.

It was her indifference toward everything here. She had not integrated herself into this environment at all.

Unless she, too, was not from this world.

But...

Who cared?

It seemed there were still scraps to pick up by following behind them. She would watch for now. Perhaps there would be no further contact in the future anyway.

Only after not a single 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 encountered demon plants of this kind while training outside, she would have no need to fear them.

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

At times like this, cultivators in the group would usually leave on their own to pick up scraps. The others simply turned a blind eye. In any case, they were not losing anything important.

Jiang Lu discovered that half the cultivators in the group were gone. After asking around, she learned 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 were distributed, they could leave.

Only,

Thinking of the demon beasts that had been reduced to ashes, what resources did they even have left to divide?

"If you have nothing else to do, you may return on your own. The Magic Beasts have all been eliminated this time. As for resources, there certainly 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 came over and said this to everyone.

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

They might as well return early to cultivate and make plans sooner.

Jiang Lu's mouth twitched. Just as expected.

Then, expressionless, she got to her feet and left with the others.

Fortunately, she had followed behind the Flowing Cloud Sect disciples and picked up Ghost Vine. Otherwise, she would have come away empty-handed.

There were many cultivation methods in the Scripture Pavilion. She had now practiced alchemy to a decent level and only needed to attempt refining second-tier Dan. 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.

Inside the Medicine King Pavilion of West River City—

"Elder Ye, what wind has blown you here?"

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

That person was slender, with jet-black hair tied high using only a jade hairpin. His features were handsome, and his robes drifted gently with his movements.

He set down the teacup in his hand and gave a soft laugh.

"Is there anywhere I cannot go?"

Upon hearing this, the man's mouth twitched. Only he dared speak such wild words. Then again, he had the ability to back them up.

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

After saying that, he secretly despised his own fawning self. But his strength was inferior, so he could only let himself suffer this indignity.