Deng Qing waved his hand, "That won't do. I haven't done anything right yet, how can I take what my brothers risked their lives for?"
Xiao Jinglin was about to persuade him further, but Deng Qing pushed his hand back, saying, "If Brother Xiao continues to yield, it will only embarrass me."
Of course he wanted it.
Two petals of Qi Petal are far more valuable than one Qi Petal, but his relationship with Xiao Jinglin hasn't reached that level yet.
During the fierce battle, he was firmly protected and didn't even have to extend his hand forward.
Now that the war is over, it would be beneath our dignity to accept the concessions so readily.
Seeing his resolute attitude, Xiao Jinglin did not press the matter further. He put away his Qi Petal and urged everyone to continue on their way.
The further you go, the more Two-Petal Qi Beast you'll encounter.
Fortunately, the Xiao Family family's guards were indeed capable and worked together seamlessly.
When they encountered the Qi Beast again, the group split up and surrounded them, not giving them a chance to rampage.
With Pei Zhao, a Bone Tempering Fourth Layer, helping out, the clearing process didn't involve too much trouble.
Deng Qing never got a chance to make a move, so he simply observed carefully from the sidelines.
Before long, the group had walked another ten miles or so.
The Azure Qi beneath our feet grew thicker and thicker, even the low-lying grass and trees in the forest were tinged with a bright green.
Pei Zhao stopped everyone, "Take the Blazing Sun Pill first, and take a break."
The guards each took their medicine and swallowed it, and Xiao Jinglin also swallowed one.
Deng Qing didn't feel much burden, but he didn't want to appear special in front of others, so he took out a Blazing Sun Pill from his Waist Pouch and put it in his mouth.
He had kept most of the Blazing Sun Pill that had been distributed these days, and had accumulated quite a few in his Waist Pouch.
After everyone had rested for a short while, Pei Zhao stood up, about to signal them to continue on their way.
Deng Qing's expression suddenly changed, and he looked towards the Dense Forest to the Northern Side.
Almost simultaneously, Pei Zhao shouted in a low voice, "Watch out!"
The guards immediately dispersed, drew their weapons, and skillfully protected Xiao Jinglin and Deng Qing in the center.
Xiao Jinglin said, "No need to be nervous, they are most likely fellow travelers. There are unlikely to be any members of the Donghuang Cult in this area."
The group breathed a sigh of relief, but several powerful auras were rapidly approaching from within the forest.
Ten breaths later, seven Cloaked Figures emerged from the forest.
The three people in the center came towards us, while the other four were on the two flanks. They moved slowly, but formed a three-sided encirclement.
These people wore cloaks that reached their calves, and their hoods were pulled low, obscuring their faces. Only the different patterns embroidered on their chests distinguished their identities.
When Pei Zhao warned them in a low voice, Xiao Jinglin and his group all sensed something was wrong and became apprehensive.
Xiao Jinglin cupped his hands and said, "Gentlemen, have you come to the wrong person? I am Xiao Jinglin from Maoling."
The Cloaked Figures in the center, whose chest was embroidered with a Mountain Moon motif, pointed directly at Deng Qing. "You've come to the right place. We need to talk to him about something; it's none of anyone else's business."
Deng Qing's heart tightened.
Did I cause trouble in Heaven? Why are they all coming after me?
Xiao Jinglin cupped his hands and said, "Gentlemen, is there some misunderstanding? This is my good friend. Whatever he needs, I will take full responsibility."
The Mountain Moon Cloak-Wearer said coldly, "You can't handle this. If you know what's good for you, leave now. If you're stubborn, then you'll all stay here."
As soon as he finished speaking, the other six Cloaked Figures closed in simultaneously, and the encirclement tightened abruptly.
Xiao Jinglin cupped his hands in greeting, "Wait a minute, we'll step aside."
Before he could finish speaking, a Sphere suddenly slipped out of his sleeve, and he tossed it away.
The Sphere was no bigger than a pigeon egg, and was entirely grayish-white. When it fell to the ground, it cracked open with a snap.
"Brother Deng, hold your breath and head south!"
Xiao Jinglin's shout exploded along with the smoke.
The thick, grayish-white fog rolled and surged outwards, instantly enveloping an area of more than an acre.
This thick fog was almost viscous, condensed and did not disperse, as if a wall of fog had been created out of thin air.
In an instant, everything in all directions was swallowed up.
In the dense fog, visibility was only a foot or so; beyond that, nothing could be seen.
"Seize Deng Qing!"
"Don't get separated!"
"Watch out, don't hit me, it's me."
Footsteps and shouts rose up all around, and the sounds of clashing weapons followed.
Deng Qing held his breath, and the Blood Baleful Intent moved with his will, protecting his body. At the same time, he drew the Desolate Iron Sword with his backhand and held it horizontally in front of him.
Everyone heard Xiao Jinglin shout "South!"
At this juncture, only a fool would actually run south.
Deng Qing turned around, first moving eastward for a while, then turning westward, circling in the thick fog without rushing out.
Suddenly, a whooshing sound came straight at him.
Deng Qing swung his sword and slashed. With a clang, the object was split in two, and one half fell to his feet.
He bent down and picked up a piece, bringing it close to his eyes to see that it was half a Silver Coins.
Before he could figure it out, another soft sound came, and another Silver Coins grazed his side and fell.
Deng Qing immediately understood that someone could see him and was giving him directions.
He didn't linger. Following the direction from which the Silver Coins had flown, he took a few strides and rushed out of the fog.
Ahead, amidst the shadows of the trees, Xiao Jinglin was running briskly.
Deng Qing activated his Collapse Step and swayed to catch up.
They had only run a short distance when thick fog billowed behind them, and two Cloaked Figures rushed out one after the other. Upon seeing their backs, they immediately gave chase.
Xiao Jinglin glanced back, then raised his hand and released another Sphere.
With a snap, the Sphere struck the tree trunk and cracked, releasing a thick fog that enveloped the two Cloaked Figures.
Xiao Jinglin immediately changed direction, leading Deng Qing diagonally through the woods, and ran all the way.
Neither of them spoke, but they continued to run into the dense forest, covering more than ten miles in one breath, until they could no longer hear the sound of pursuit behind them, and then they stopped in a Dense Forest.
Xiao Jinglin leaned against the tree trunk, his chest heaving as he gasped for breath.
Only then did Deng Qing realize that one of his eyes was covered by a thin piece of crystal.
Seeing Deng Qing staring into his eyes, Xiao Jinglin smiled and said, "This thing is called the Dust Mirror, and it's used in conjunction with the Dust-Evolving Pearl."
Deng Qing then understood why Xiao Jinglin was able to find his location in the thick fog and even use the Silver Coins to guide him.
Deng Qing was not surprised that Xiao Jinglin had revealed these two strange items.
It's perfectly normal for a young master from the Xiao Family Maoling to carry some life-saving items.
Suddenly, a noise came from the woods to the Northern Side.
Deng Qing gripped the Desolate Iron Sword tightly and stared intently.
Xiao Jinglin said in a low voice, "Don't worry, it's Uncle Pei."
Sure enough, the next moment, Pei Zhao's figure emerged from the forest.
Pei Zhao quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Young Master, Young Master Deng, are you alright?"
Xiao Jinglin nodded. "Nothing's wrong. Where are the pursuers?"
"They've been lured away by Sun Hui others; they probably won't be getting here anytime soon."
Xiao Jinglin took a breath, "Uncle Pei, did you figure out who those people are?"
Pei Zhao shook his head, "I can't tell for now. However, these people's cultivation levels are at least at the Bone Tempering Third Layer Bone Tempering Fourth Layer."
Xiao Jinglin's expression grew increasingly grave. "To mobilize such a force at the Front Line specifically to surround Brother Deng, and even after I revealed my family's affiliation, they still wouldn't back down. These people are definitely not ordinary bandits."
Pei Zhao at Deng Qing, "Brother Deng, do you have any enemies?"
Deng Qing thought for a moment and said, "I suspect it's Huang Changhe; he and my master don't get along."
Pei Zhao shook his head. "It can't be him. At least not on the Front Line."
Deng Qing asked, "Why are you so sure, Mr. Pei?"
Pei Zhao said, "Those people moved in and out in an orderly manner, and their cooperation was extremely tacit. They had obviously been working together for many years and were clearly a well-organized force."
Huang Changhe has only been at the Front Line for a short time, and he can manage to temporarily assemble a few experts at the third or fourth level of Bone Tempering. But to assemble such a well-trained team is beyond his capabilities.
Deng Qing nodded silently, agreeing with this statement.
But if it wasn't Huang Changhe, then who could it be? When did I get involved with such a powerful figure?
Xiao Jinglin suddenly said, "Is it possible that someone doesn't want me to succeed, so they want to get rid of Brother Deng to prevent me from doing so?"
Pei Zhao still shook his head, "This time, we're going to secure the Wasteland Veins with Young Master Deng as an extra layer of insurance. His blood has already been given to the Command Center. Even if Brother Deng isn't here, we can still secure the vein."
To say that the other side wanted to sabotage the nailing operation by eliminating the Deng brothers is a far-fetched argument.
Xiao Jinglin remained silent.
Suddenly, there was a commotion coming from the Dense Forest on the east and west sides.
Xiao Jinglin exclaimed happily, "Is it Sun Hui and the others who are back?"
Pei Zhao's expression changed drastically. "No, they're pursuers!"
Xiao Jinglin exclaimed in surprise, "How is this possible? They've escaped this far!"
Before the words were even finished, five figures draped in cloaks darted out from the forest.
This time, the other party didn't even give a warning and rushed straight at the three of them.
"Brother Deng, let's go!"
Xiao Jinglin gave a low shout and threw out a grayish-white Sphere.
The Sphere exploded, and thick fog billowed out.
Pei Zhao had already positioned his sword to the side, and swung it to meet the approaching figure.
Deng Qing held his breath, protected his body with his Blood Baleful Intent, and followed Xiao Jinglin to the other side.
A clang of metal rang out behind them, followed by the sound of clothes rustling through the air, as the pursuers rushed into the smoke.
Xiao Jinglin kept moving and threw out several Sphere.
The grayish-white smoke burst open in clusters in the forest, almost merging into one.
Using the smoke as cover, the two constantly changed directions, dodging trees and rocks, and ran as fast as they could.
Deng Qing looked back several times, but could only see the churning thick fog. Before long, the sounds of pursuit behind him faded into the distance.
Xiao Jinglin still dared not stop, and ran for a while before leading Deng Qing into a crevice in the cliff.
A narrow clearing is flanked by two rock walls, with thick vines hanging down outside, barely enough to conceal one's figure.
The two stood close to the rock wall, listened for a moment, but there was no sound of pursuers outside.
Xiao Jinglin breathed a sigh of relief and gave Deng Qing a reassuring gesture.
Before long, the mountain vines outside the crevice stirred, Pei Zhao appeared.
Upon seeing Pei Zhao enter, Xiao Jinglin immediately asked, "How exactly did they find those guys?"
I was careful enough on the way, even trying to conceal my footprints, and I even deliberately walked around the sides of a pond. For them to catch up with me like that is just too strange."
Pei Zhao lowered his voice, "How we found the young master is probably how they found Brother Deng."
Xiao Jinglin was startled. "You mean, Blood-Inducing Jade?"
Pei Zhao nodded, "Most likely. Brother Deng has delivered blood to the Command Center. Given the size of their force, getting a little blood from them shouldn't be difficult."
Deng Qing frowned.
Your own blood, you think it can be used for this?
Why didn't Jian Ruyu mention such a huge hidden danger to me?
Seeing Deng Qing's pale face, Xiao Jinglin comforted him, "Brother Deng, don't worry. Blood separated from the body will lose its ability to lock onto the body within two or three days due to the weakening of bloodline power. Even if the opponent manages to capture it, it won't pose a long-term threat."
Deng Qing was slightly relieved.
What he feared most was that his blood would become a weapon, and that no matter where he went, people would be able to find it.
As for the current encirclement and attack, he wasn't too worried as long as no one at the Furnace Realm intervened.
Pei Zhao said in a low voice, "There's no point in running away together now. I suggest that you and Brother Deng separate."