This, this... isn't this nonsense?
At night, a Lotus Platform sped toward the northeast. On it, Ji Mo's right hand formed a sword-finger sign, held vertically before him. His forehead was pitch black, his expression indescribably conflicted.
He kept twisting his head to look at the two robust figures behind him—one particularly burly—wanting to say something but then helplessly swallowing his words.
Brother Xiong is helping me, even bringing along this master of Body Cultivation. What more can I say?
But as a clan heir, how could he recklessly court danger?
If Brother Xiong were to encounter an accident later, I'd truly regret it for the rest of my life.
Even then, Ji Mo could hear the two men chatting and muttering behind him.
"Young Master, flying in the sky is pretty fun too. Feels much faster than riding wolves."
"Don't keep calling me Young Master. I call you Third Uncle, you call me Hou Di," Wu Wang glared at General Xiong San. "Cultivators can scout around with their Spiritual Sense; you're directly exposing our identities."
General Xiong San scratched his head, muttering softly, "But isn't it because Brother Ji used some stealth and concealment methods?"
Wu Wang patiently explained, "Brother Ji is just an early-stage Nascent Soul Realm Cultivator, while we might have to face Immortal Realm experts. The hiding techniques of lower-realm Cultivators can hardly deceive those of higher realms. We must always be prepared for a great battle should we encounter strong enemies."
"Hehe," Xiong San excitedly rubbed his large hands together. "Being stuck at home protecting you by the Chieftain's order these years really stifled me!"
Wu Wang was speechless.
Ji Mo turned his head and said, "Brother Hou Di, this matter really has nothing to do with either of you. I'm planning to leave the Northern Wilderness right away."
"To be honest, Brother Ji," Wu Wang said earnestly, his eyes full of sincerity, "going to save Fairy Ling was not my decision. As for women—or rather, at this stage—I'm not too interested in them. If Brother Ji isn't going, please leave the method to contact them. General Xiong San and I will go."
"This..." Ji Mo was filled with emotion.
What kind of spirit was this?
The enthusiastic hospitality of the North Wilderness People was greatly exemplified in this Young Master.
It turns out, I'm not the only one concerned about the future of the Human race…
"Nephew Hou Di," Xiong San asked in confusion, "Was it really an order from Lady Cang Xue?"
"Hmm," Wu Wang frowned in thought, his Spiritual Sense already spread as far as possible. "I don't know the exact reason, but it couldn't possibly be because my mother found Fairy Ling's appearance outstanding and sent me to rescue her."
Xiong San tried to remember, then quickly grinned, shaking his head with a look of disdain. "The women of the Human Domain are so thin. Ugh."
Wu Wang suddenly asked, "By the way, Brother Ji, Wang Lin, who saved you earlier—is his Sect very influential?"
"A regular Immortal Sect," sighed Ji Mo. "It's quite difficult for a normal Sect to nurture such talent, and he had to suffer because of saving me... I feel ashamed for owing such a debt, unsure of how to repay it."
Ji Mo took a deep breath. His only choice was to stay fully alert, observing everywhere while controlling the Lotus Platform.
The Human Domain was truly far from the Northern Wilderness. Even Immortals crossing the West Sea and East Sea to reach this place would take at least three to five days, and high-level Immortals wouldn't easily enter dangerous territory for a few young disciples. If this was a trap, the Human Domain's combat power would surely be damaged. The consequences would extend far beyond just a few individuals or dozens of people.
At this moment, it all depended on him.
Ji Mo clenched his left hand, his gaze unwavering. But soon, he felt some regret... There was so much more he hadn't experienced, so many other-race girls he had yet to meet. Truly...
"Brother Ji, slow down and enter the woods ahead to the left. Stick to the ground."
Wu Wang suddenly spoke up. Ji Mo subconsciously complied, and the Lotus Platform swiftly descended from the sky, diving into the sparse thicket.
"Brother Xiong, what's happening?"
Wu Wang did not respond. He pulled out a Crystal Ball from the bag at his waist and lightly tapped it with his finger.
The Crystal Ball flashed faintly. Quickly, the images of thirty-six stars appeared, constantly shifting their formation until a blurry image emerged.
It was a pond where Ling Xiaolan lay on the shore, soaked to the skin. Three fresh and bloody claw marks, quite terrifying, stretched from her back to her arm.
Wu Wang pondered for a moment and then asked in a low voice, "Where has Grandma Yin gone?"
Ji Mo replied, "Perhaps she went to draw the ferocious beast away, or she was overpowered and told Fairy Ling to escape first."
"The Praying Star Technique shows she's still thirteen hundred li away."
Wu Wang said, "If my memory serves me correctly, that place is northwest of Bloody Soil Forest. Several ten-thousand-year ferocious beasts have been active there year-round, not far from where a thirty-thousand-year beast has been discovered to be dormant."
Ji Mo nodded immediately, looking at Wu Wang.
Wu Wang, puzzled, said, "Brother Ji, haven't you noticed anything unusual?"
"This... isn't it too quiet around here?"
"Let's continue on our way."
Wu Wang said, "Next, we will fly close to the ground. I will guide you on the direction. Don't go too fast, and don't go too slow. If we encounter other people, Brother Ji, you may rescue them yourself, but my assigned task is to save this Ling Xiaolan."
"For Brother Xiong to take action is already something I can't thank you enough for," Ji Mo said, looking at the Crystal Ball and vaguely understanding why Wu Wang had come along.
So, this is the Northern Wilderness's Praying Star Technique? Truly marvelous.
Wu Wang smiled. "The Praying Star Technique is the Northern Wilderness's trademark. Outside the Northern Wilderness, it's very difficult to sense the Star Power Origin. This is especially true for exploration and search Praying Star Techniques; their effectiveness is greatly reduced."
Ji Mo replied with an acknowledgment, his sword-finger sign gently swaying, and the Lotus Platform continued to speed low over the ground.
Now and then, Wu Wang would correct his direction, and the surrounding environment changed from an endless plain to a mountainous forest filled with rugged rocks.
Unconsciously, a faint mist filled the sky, and the night was occasionally pierced by the roars of ferocious beasts, with sporadic sounds resembling thunderous snores.
About an hour passed like this.
The earth had unknowingly turned a reddish color, and occasionally one could see the skeletons of huge beasts scattered in the forest, petrified by the ages.
"Stop."
Wu Wang suddenly spoke up. Ji Mo, whose entire body was tense, felt his sword-finger sign tremble, bringing the Lotus Platform to an instant halt, nearly sending all three of them flying off.
Xiong San gripped the two Short Axes he carried on his shoulders tightly in his palms. His usual joking demeanor vanished, and his expression became extremely solemn.
Ji Mo quickly asked, "Did that spherical magic treasure detect any abnormalities again?"
"We are still about three hundred li away from the pond where Ling Xiaolan is located," Wu Wang said. "Let's split up. You continue forward, and General Xiong San and I will take a detour. Scout all areas attentively. Avoid those easy to ambush, and don't worry about taking detours."
"Got it!"
Ji Mo was relieved by 'Brother Xiong's' plan and soon sped onward on the Lotus Platform, sticking close to the ground. However, when Ji Mo looked back, he saw Wu Wang and Xiong San standing quietly in place. Though full of doubts, he didn't dwell on it and pressed on towards Ling Xiaolan's location.
A moment later, the unmoved Xiong San asked softly, "Young Master, how are we getting there?"
But Wu Wang did not answer immediately. Instead, with his hands behind his back, he pondered for a while before saying, "No rush. Let's first see if he gets ambushed."
"Huh?"
Xiong San's eyes widened in surprise. "Could this pretty boy be planning to trick us?"
"It's very unlikely," Wu Wang said. "I will explain to General Xiong San later. I'm afraid I might have to impose on you a little."
Xiong San laughed and said, "Bring it on! I'll carry the Young Master!"
Before he finished speaking, Wu Wang grabbed his arm. Starlight gathered around them, rendering their figures invisible against the night, as if they had completely disappeared.
Wings of iridescent, flowing light opened behind Wu Wang. He lifted off with General Xiong San, seeming to merge with the stars overhead.
Although the Praying Star Technique borrowed power from the Star God, didn't extend one's lifespan, and its power diminished away from the Northern Wilderness, it was still... delightful.
...
Is this all going too smoothly?
In the jungle beside the pond, Ji Mo hid in the canopy of a tree. A Longsword, a feather duster, and a lotus flower floated around him as he gazed with some suspicion at the unconscious figure in the distance.
Ling Xiaolan, though seriously injured at the moment, was not in danger of losing her life.
And she was lying by the pond, looking for all the world like... like bait.
Ji Mo repeatedly scoured the area without finding any trace of the beast from before, nor any signs of a great battle.
If Ji Mo's guess was correct, it should have been Grandma Yin who lured the beast away, temporarily placing Ling Xiaolan in this location.
Where were the others?
Ji Mo exerted all his effort to spread out his Immortal Consciousness, but soon he sighed with some disappointment.
More than ten talents of the younger generation... Perhaps among them were prodigies capable of becoming Immortals.
After hesitating for a while, Ji Mo still decided to first rescue Ling Xiaolan; he would then sweep over at top speed and flee back the way he came.
Where is Brother Xiong? he wondered.
He looked around for a moment, only to feel that Brother Xiong was enigmatic, his Praying Star Technique for exploration quite outstanding.
Act now!
A glint of golden light flared in Ji Mo's eyes, his internal energy surged. Within his chest, a three-inch tall figure seemed to sit cross-legged, ready to burst out of his body at any moment.
Suddenly, Ji Mo halted his movement and stopped his energy flow. His Immortal Consciousness detected two figures fast approaching from afar. He fixed his gaze and was immediately overjoyed, leaping down from the tree canopy and moving forward a few steps to greet them.
Several afterimages flickered through the forest as a pure Qi spread. The two flying figures then appeared before Ji Mo.
"Grandma Yin! How are Wang Lin's injuries?" Ji Mo asked urgently.
The old woman supported a young cultivator with a horrifying wound on his chest. Wasn't this Wang Lin, who had taken a blow for Ji Mo earlier?
"His life is not in danger, but his Golden Core has been destroyed. It would be incredibly difficult for him to condense it again," sighed the old woman. "After I lured away the ferocious beast, I searched everywhere. In the end, I only found Wang Lin. Nephew Ji Mo, how are your injuries?"
"They're fine now," Ji Mo said, frowning deeply as he actively helped support the unconscious Wang Lin. "Grandma Yin, let's quickly meet up with Fairy Ling and leave. This calamity is due to my many oversights. I will definitely accept punishment when we return."
The old woman comforted Ji Mo with gentle words, then enfolded him and Wang Lin in her Mana, leading them flying towards the pond.
But they hadn't gone far before they both stopped again and looked toward the pond.
There, a Longsword materialized out of thin air, accompanied by dissipating starlight. It pressed against Ling Xiaolan's snow-white neck.
The familiar open-front robe, the long hair casually draped over his shoulders, and the slightly stiff smile on his lips nearly made Ji Mo's eyes pop out.
"Brother Xiong? What is this!?"
It was Wu Wang in disguise.
Wu Wang said with a smile, "Brother Ji, it seems that besides your high EQ and social adeptness, you only have the virtue of cherishing the fairer sex. If I'm not mistaken, Ling Xiaolan is very important to you all. Brother Ji, let go of Wang Lin and come forward. Grandma Yin, stay there and don't move."
As he spoke, Wu Wang thrust the Longsword forward, and a shallow mark immediately appeared on Ling Xiaolan's neck.
But Grandma Yin, her expression dark, took a step forward with her cane. She said coldly, "Youngster, don't be so arrogant! If you dare harm a seedling of our Human Domain's current generation, your clan will pay a price it cannot afford. Step back now!"
Wu Wang retracted the Longsword, muttering, "I really can't bluff you, can I? I came to rescue, not to harm; that wouldn't make much sense."
Ji Mo truly let out a sigh of relief and said with a wry smile, "Brother Xiong, your joke is really..."
WHIZ!
Suddenly, an axe tore through the air from the side, appearing out of nowhere and chopping straight towards Wang Lin's neck!
In the blink of an eye, Grandma Yin quickly struck out with a palm, grabbing Wang Lin by the shoulder and tossing him behind her.
But the axe was a feint. A large hand, quick as lightning, snatched Ji Mo.
Taking advantage of the force from Grandma Yin's palm strike, Xiong San's figure fully materialized, already holding Ji Mo by Wu Wang's side.
Wu Wang smiled. "Brother Ji, do you see? In Grandma Yin's eyes, you—the second seedling and a descendant of the loyal Ji Family—are far less important than Wang Lin, a cultivation talent from an ordinary Sect."
"Brother Wang Lin is injured..." Ji Mo began.
Wu Wang raised his hand to signal him to be silent, took a couple of steps forward with his hands behind his back, looked at Grandma Yin, and chuckled, "Senior, it seems you've been somewhat careless, leaving Fairy Ling here without even setting up a single Formation."
After a moment of silence, Grandma Yin sighed, "If I had set up a Formation, the Spiritual Power fluctuations would likely have attracted that ferocious beast more easily. I had no choice but to resort to this."
"Oh? Don't most ferocious beasts rely on sensing auras to search for prey? Even if that beast that attacked you isn't here, this area is where the ferocious beasts of the Northern Wilderness are most densely distributed."
Wu Wang narrowed his eyes and smiled. "Could it be, Senior, that you didn't go far just now?"
"Correct," Grandma Yin immediately responded. "I was searching nearby earlier."
"Where was the ferocious beast lured to?"
"The north."
"The north?"
Wu Wang smiled and said, "If I remember the map correctly from when I was seven, within a thousand li north of here, there are approximately thirteen ten-thousand-year ferocious beasts and one Chu Jian that is thirty-seven thousand years old. Ferocious beasts have their own territories and rules. If a new ten-thousand-year beast appeared and wandered around freely, this place should be quite lively by now."
Grandma Yin's face darkened, and she said coldly, "Perhaps that beast has a way to conceal its presence."
"Correct, that's what I was thinking," Wu Wang said indifferently. "Perhaps that beast is hiding nearby, concealing its presence, ready to pounce at any moment. Then I'd like to ask Senior another small question, which won't take too much of your time."
"Young Master Xiong, please speak freely."
"Why were Brother Ji, Fairy Ling, and this Brother Wang the only ones who survived?"
Wu Wang put his hands behind his back, and the face he had disguised also wore a hint of authority as he smiled and said, "Could it be that some power within the Human Domain wishes to groom this Wang Lin into a significant figure in the future, and deliberately arranged this trip to the Northern Wilderness? After sharing hardship on this trip, if things go smoothly, Brother Wang could later use some means to win the lady's affection and Brother Ji's trust.
When I arrived, I asked Suqing. The Tianyan Xuan Nu Sect has the Xuan Nu Heart Technique, which can greatly assist Dao companions in cultivation and duels. That's why this female cultivation Sect ranks among the Ten Great Immortal Sects and holds considerable influence within the Human Domain.
Brother Ji may not have an Immortal Sect background, but he's the scion of a renowned family. The youngest sons of such loyal and heroic families are often the most favored. Behind Brother Ji are likely the frontier generals and soldiers guarding the Human Domain.
With their help, as long as this Brother Wang's cultivation progresses by leaps and bounds... Tsk, what a fine strategy."
Ji Mo stared at Wu Wang, momentarily at a loss for words.
"What is Young Master Xiong talking about? I don't quite understand," Grandma Yin said coldly. "But I must say, Young Master Xiong, your speculations are quite fascinating. Let's not waste time here. Why don't we first return to Young Master Xiong's clan territory?"
A Crystal Ball appeared in front of Wu Wang as he spoke indifferently, "I don't want to let things of unknown origin into my home. Senior, don't be hasty. I'll first use the Truth-Seeking Words method of the Praying Star Technique to investigate the source of that wisp of ferocious beast aura in Wang Lin's Divine Soul. This aura is hidden quite deeply. Normally, one would have to peel open his soul to see it. But we have the Star God's special blessing..."
"Enough!"
Grandma Yin's face flushed with anger. She took a step forward, an immense aura erupting around her. The sound of surging waves echoed through the forest, and the Spiritual Energy between heaven and earth suddenly roiled!
"It is you who seeks death!"
At the same time, a figure swiftly weaved through the forest, and a faint scent of blood wafted through the air.
Xiong San whispered, "Young Master?"
"Go. Make it quick. Brother Ji and I will handle this old woman together."
"Yes!"
Xiong San agreed, lifted his Short Axe, and leaped into the forest, where he let out a furious roar.
GULP.
Ji Mo's Adam's apple trembled. At this moment, all he wanted to say was, he, a mere Nascent Soul Realm Cultivator... what had he done to deserve this?
"Brother Xiong, Grandma Yin's strength is comparable to that of an Immortal!"
"So what?"
Wu Wang's mouth curved slightly. Facing the tsunami-like Mana coming at him, he stood tall and unshaken like a sturdy pine.
The handsome Young Master stands amidst the clouds; with him, the Northern Wilderness has its sky!
He sweeps away all mighty foes, a carefree Immortal in the mortal world!
All spirits ultimately need a sovereign; a thousand paths will end, buried by ten thousand swords!
Charge forward, don't look back! A youth's spirit is at its peak; who cares if the earth crumbles and heavens fall!
"Mother, save me!"
Grandma Yin and Ji Mo were both startled. Suddenly, stars flickered high in the sky. A dazzlingly brilliant silver-white lightning bolt crashed down onto Grandma Yin's head; she had absolutely no time to dodge.