The five of them packed away the transmission jade and each bowed to Xuanmo. Shangguan Yunzhu and Qingfeng took the lead, heading toward Juezhang Treasure Forest.
“Take care, Aunt.”
Lu Qiancha lagged half a step behind, turning his head to cup his hands toward Xuanmo in salute. Then, his lips moved slightly as he transmitted a whispered message to her.
After that, she hurried to catch up with the main group, hanging back at the very end of the formation.
At this moment, Baiyan suddenly spoke, addressing Lu Qiancha:
“Qiancha Shidi, you can follow me from here. I’m actually just trying my luck here; I’m not desperate to find any particular herb, so there’s no need to bother Qingfeng Shixiong and the others.”
Lu Qiancha smiled knowingly at Baiyan, who in turn raised an eyebrow at Lu Qiancha.
The meaning was clear—Lu Qiancha was being told not to be a third wheel between Shangguan Yunzhu and Qingfeng, to give them some space.
***
The five of them walked along the only path through the dense woodland, their Ling Shi cautiously scanning for ferocious beasts around them.
The forest was chaotic, filled with wild beasts not yet awakened to intelligence.
Because of this, the danger level was relatively low compared to other parts of Bei Juluzhou.
Most of the herbs here had already been gathered by both the Yao Clan and the Rénzú, so finding a single precious herb was quite difficult.
However, the herb Lu Qiancha was searching for wasn’t even in this part of the forest; it was deeper within Bei Juluzhou.
As they walked, Lu Qiancha pulled out a sheepskin map, inspecting the marks he had drawn to confirm his route.
But first… he needed a good reason to leave the group—and it had to be one that wouldn’t make Xuanmo, who was covertly following them from the sky, intervene.
After walking for more than half an hour, the forest ahead grew darker. Lu Qiancha stuck close behind the four, with no immediate need to break away as the place to change direction was still far off.
Suddenly, a suppressed beast’s roar echoed, and a ferocious aura surged out from ahead.
A wild beast was restless and about to attack them.
At the front of the group, Shangguan Yunzhu immediately raised her hand to halt their advance. The Broken Sword strapped to her back gave off a faint tremble.
Qingfeng flicked his right hand, summoning a green Immortal Sword into his grip, radiating a sharp, cutting aura.
At that moment, a three-meter-long black shadow burst out from the forest on the left front.
It was a black panther with fierce eyes, its front claws gleaming with a metallic luster. Without hesitation, it lunged viciously toward the four.
“Filthy beast, you’re courting death!” Qingfeng shouted lowly, the Immortal Sword in his hand becoming a streak of light. The sword’s azure glow traced a stretched 『之』 character in the air.
Just as the black panther raised its paw, its head was sent flying into the air.
At that moment, two more shadows darted out from the right forest, directly lunging at Zhuangyang and Shangguan Yunzhu.
“Let me block them!” Baiyan shouted, slapping the ground with both hands, causing the earth to ripple.
But before an earthen wall could rise, a bright red figure flashed by, the Broken Sword slicing through the two leopards like sandbags, sending them flying with a whoosh.
Shangguan Yunzhu didn’t pursue further, sheathed her Broken Sword, and glanced toward the black panther in the distance.
At this moment, a Phoenix Bird surged out from within the two panthers’ bodies. Their forms exploded, and the remnants were completely consumed by brilliant flames.
In the blink of an eye, no trace remained of the two black panthers.
Baiyan gave an embarrassed laugh, dispersing his spell and retreating obediently to the side.
Lu Qiancha was somewhat surprised by the scene.
“Crimson Feather Dust-Approaching Art… Shangguan Yunzhu has actually mastered this?”
The three black panthers were slain in an instant, and the number of gazes spying on the five from the shadows immediately dwindled by more than half.
The five reformed their formation and continued on, until they reached a fork in the road, where they stopped in tacit understanding.
Shangguan Yunzhu turned around and said, “Everyone, I’m heading this way to search for Chifeng Grass. The sect records mention that this kind of precious herb was found in this direction. Please take care and don’t go too deep.”
Zhuangyang also shared the herb he sought and said he would proceed along the other path.
The group then began to “split up.” Qingfeng naturally went with Shangguan Yunzhu—he was originally here as her helper and protector.
Baiyan, here to see the world, decided to assist Zhuangyang in his search.
Their gazes then shifted to Lu Qiancha.
“I’m taking this path,” Lu Qiancha said, pointing toward a different direction from the other four. They all frowned simultaneously.
Shangguan Yunzhu asked, “Qiancha Shixiong, what kind of herb are you looking for?”
Lu Qiancha’s expression turned serious. “It’s hard to explain, but there’s no need to worry. Take care of yourselves.”
Qingfeng advised, “Qiancha Shixiong, why not go with Zhuangyang Shixiong…”
Before Qingfeng could finish, Lu Qiancha had already stepped onto his chosen path, swiftly employing a simple footwork technique to vanish around the forest bend.
“Really, good intentions treated like donkey liver and lungs.”
Zhuangyang grumbled in displeasure, while Qingfeng and Baiyan shook their heads slightly, probably feeling Lu Qiancha was too prideful and stubborn.
Shangguan Yunzhu, however, looked thoughtful before turning to her own path.
“That little guy… couldn’t he just follow one of the pairs? Why split into three routes?”
Above Juezhang Treasure Forest, on a gray cloud, Xuanmo watched Lu Qiancha’s steps grow more distant, nearly cursing in frustration.
Among the five who came to Bei Juluzhou, four were treasured disciples cultivated intensely by the sect—it was unacceptable if anything went wrong…
They were bold to split into three groups when there were so few of them, giving Xuanmo a headache.
After some thought, Xuanmo turned to look at the bulky figure standing on the gray cloud behind her—Qiong Gong.
She had planned to have him follow Shangguan Yunzhu and Qingfeng to reduce her own burden, but as the words reached her lips, Xuanmo blinked lightly…
“Aunt, unknown origins always warrant suspicion; we mustn’t trust lightly.”
That voice echoed from Lu Qiancha’s whispered transmission when he left—although Xuanmo had been somewhat dismissive since she saw the large man as completely incapable.
Still, for some reason, she hesitated.
“Forget it. These five little ones are still within the range of my Ling Shi probe; no need to rush just yet.”
Riding the gray cloud forward, Xuanmo didn’t forget to call back, “Big guy, stay close to me.”
“Understood, Immortal.” Qiong Gong cupped his hands and replied in a deep voice, keeping a distance of three zhang as he followed behind Xuanmo.
The five had split into three different paths, naturally increasing the distance between them.
Xuanmo pondered and decided to follow behind Baiyan and Zhuangyang for the time being; she trusted Qingfeng and Shangguan Yunzhu more.
As for Lu Qiancha…
Though Xuanmo worried about him, it was impossible to only follow the pair—leaving the lone wolf without company would be too obvious.
She planned to rotate among the three groups, distributing the tailing and protection evenly.