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**
At the side, when Xiao Yan saw the expression on the man's face, a faint sneer appeared on his otherwise calm features. Looking at the guy's expression, it was obvious that she had no interest in him at all.
But this Song Qing still refused to face reality. Truly, a pathetic simp.
Soon after, Xiao Yan's gaze shifted toward the "Lin Feng" standing beside Xiao Yixian and the other women. That soul clone's aura was almost identical to the real Lin Feng's. Even Song Qing and the others hadn't noticed anything unusual.
However, under Xiao Yan's soul perception as an early-stage Spirit Realm expert, that clone gave off a distinctly illusory feeling. Moreover, even without using soul perception, he could tell something was off.
There was no trace of a Heavenly Flame on that "Lin Feng." That alone was far from normal. After all, Lin Feng did indeed possess a Heavenly Flame.
"I wonder where the real Lin Feng went. And what has he been doing all this time?"
Thinking of that, Xiao Yan couldn't help falling into thought.
As for Song Qing's little speech earlier, although Cao Ying had no interest in that so-called alliance, many of the other, slightly weaker contestants were extremely intrigued. They all knew perfectly well that no one would truly lend those help out of goodwill.
It was nothing more than mutual exploitation — using each other's strength to intimidate that Rank 8 magic beast. But having no other choice, what could they do? Even knowing the truth, they still had to agree they simply had no alternative.
Besides, everyone here was aware of Song Qing's identity in the Pill Tower. His proposal, compared to those earlier ones made by nameless juniors, seemed far safer and more reliable. Thinking this, many of them quickly stepped forward and shouted one after another.
"Young Master Song, I'll join!"
"Count me in!"
"Me too!"
In an instant, the once-orderly camp became crowded and noisy because of Song Qing's words.
As for Xiao Yan, he simply watched the scene quietly. After all, no matter what, even he was wary of that Rank 8 magic beast deep within the Ten Thousand Medicinal Mountain Range. So, this idea of forming an alliance — he actually agreed with it.
However, just as everyone grew excited about finding a safer way into the mountains, the clone Lin Feng had created using the Three Thousand Lightning Illusion Body suddenly trembled.
Immediately after, he closed his eyes, beginning to receive the information sent from deep within the mountain range. Moments later, after finishing the reception, the clone turned to the four women and spoke briefly.
"You're saying Lin Feng wants us to head to the very depths of the Ten Thousand Medicinal Mountain Range — to the lair of that Rank 8 beast?"
Upon hearing what the clone said, Cao Ying frowned slightly, puzzled. She couldn't understand how Lin Feng had suddenly become "friends" with the leader of the mountain's magic beasts.
"The main body indeed said so. There's no mistake."
The clone explained, his tone firm. As a split-off part of Lin Feng's soul, he would never doubt the original's judgment.
At that moment, Xiao Yixian stepped forward. "Let's go take a look. Even if it's a trap set by that beast leader, I'm confident I can kill it head-on with sheer strength!"
"Well, all right then."
Hearing Xiao Yixian's confident words, the other women exchanged glances and nodded. After all, they all knew that Xiao Yixian was a powerhouse close to the Nine-Star Dou Zun level.
Although they didn't know the exact strength of the beast leading the Ten Thousand Medicinal Mountain Range, they were certain the Pill Tower wouldn't leave behind a creature too strong as a test.
Therefore, Xiao Yixian's strength would surely be enough to face that leader. As for Cao Ying and Dan Chen, both had their own trump cards. Even if they encountered a Dou Zun, they had some confidence in escaping alive.
As for Ye Xin Lan, being merely a Dou Huang, she could only follow along with the group. Seeing that none of them objected, Xiao Yixian turned toward Lin Feng's clone. "In that case, you lead the way."
"Alright, follow me."
The clone nodded, then sensed the position of his main body before swiftly flying toward the depths of the mountain range. The four women followed closely behind, their graceful figures flickering through the air.
"They're leaving? Did they get some kind of special information?"
Having kept his eyes on them all along, Xiao Yan couldn't help guessing when he saw Xiao Yixian and the others depart. Judging from their reactions, they had clearly learned something that prompted them to suddenly head into the Ten Thousand Medicinal Mountain Range.
However, considering his own lack of strength, Xiao Yan chose not to follow. Even if he tried, with their power, they would definitely detect his presence. Once that happened, he'd only end up embarrassing himself. So, he sensibly stayed put instead of playing the fool.
Meanwhile, Song Qing — who had been staring at Cao Ying the whole time — panicked the moment he saw her leave. However, since the matter of the alliance had yet to be settled, Song Qing could only suppress his irritation and start handling the necessary arrangements.
Afterward, he hurriedly led his group to—well, to their deaths, no, to "venture into" the Ten Thousand Medicinal Mountain Range in search of medicinal ingredients.
What none of them noticed, though, was that once they departed, a small and completely ordinary-looking bird quietly took off from a nearby branch, darting swiftly toward the depths of the mountain range.
Because the bird appeared so plain and unremarkable, not a single person gave it any attention. At the same time, several dozen li behind the group, atop a distant hill, stood a black-robed man with his hands clasped behind his back.
The look in his eyes as he gazed toward Xiao Yan and the others was strangely eerie. Even the corners of his lips had unknowingly curled into a sinister smile.
"Xiao Yan, since you've obtained Yao Chen's Flame Mantra, you won't be escaping this time."
At the summit of the hill, the black-robed man murmured in a low voice, his words carrying a deep, murderous chill as they slipped silently into the air.
As someone who knew some of the inside secrets about the Flame Mantra, he understood perfectly well the immense value of this mysterious cultivation technique left behind by the last Dou Di of the Dou Qi Continent — Tuo She Ancient God.
Moreover, he faintly guessed that if one were to fully obtain this Flame Mantra, which Tuo She Ancient God had deliberately left within the Light and Shadow Space, there might very well be a way to become the next Dou Qi Continent's new-generation Dou Di.
After all, in the Dou Qi Continent, when a powerhouse passes down the cultivation technique they've personally trained in, it usually signifies that they intend to leave behind their inheritance.
Since that cultivation technique was one Tuo She Ancient God himself practiced, it undoubtedly held extraordinary mysteries. Otherwise, Tuo She Ancient God would never have been able to rely on it to ascend all the way to the legendary Dou Di Realm!
Besides, it wasn't as if a Dou Di powerhouse would idly leave behind a random technique just to mess around with future generations.
"Xiao Yan, this time I refuse to believe anyone will save you again. Back then, that old ghost Yao Chen ambushed me inside the Light and Shadow Space and stole the Flame Mantra. This time, I, Mu Gu, will reclaim it here in the Pill Realm!"
As he recalled how, more than a hundred years ago, Yao Chen had shamelessly ambushed him within those ancient ruins to seize the Flame Mantra, Mu Gu's chest seethed with fury. He swung his sleeve sharply, then turned and vanished into the void, disappearing from the hilltop altogether.
...
"What? Xiao Yan has joined forces with other contestants?"
Deep within the Ten Thousand Medicinal Mountain Range, upon receiving the report from his subordinates, Xiong Zhan's thick brows instantly furrowed.
He quickly turned around and shot toward his residence like a cannonball. With the support of his Dou Zun-level strength, it took him less than ten minutes to return to the open ground where the medicinal materials were being stored.
"Brother Lin Feng! Something's happened with Xiao Yan!"
Upon seeing Lin Feng, who had just finished sorting the herbs and was teasing Zi Yan, Xiong Zhan immediately shouted loudly.
"Xiao Bear, why are you yelling so loud?!"
Zi Yan, whose playful mood was abruptly ruined by his booming voice, scolded angrily.
Hearing that, Xiong Zhan's expression turned aggrieved. He'd only wanted to inform Lin Feng about Xiao Yan's situation — how did he end up angering this little ancestor again?
Seeing this, Lin Feng rubbed Zi Yan's silky purple hair helplessly and said, "You're almost an adult now, so mind your tone. You can't keep acting like this, understand?"
"Hmph, fine, I'll be more careful next time," Zi Yan muttered quietly, pouting, but still obeying since it was Lin Feng speaking.
If the elders from Dragon Island were here to witness this, their jaws would have dropped to the ground. They would probably beg Lin Feng to return to Dragon Island as Zi Yan's personal instructor — because no matter how they lectured her back then, Zi Yan never listened.
But with Lin Feng, she instantly turned into an obedient little girl. The contrast was truly unbelievable.
After gently chiding Zi Yan, Lin Feng turned to Xiong Zhan with an apologetic smile. "Brother Xiong Zhan, sorry about that. This girl's a bit rude — please, continue."
Hearing this, Xiong Zhan's affection for Lin Feng skyrocketed.
Among magic beasts, powerhouses were usually arrogant and harsh toward the weak. To receive such courtesy from a human cultivator — that was rare indeed. Remembering his purpose, Xiong Zhan quickly explained Xiao Yan's current situation to Lin Feng.
After listening carefully, Lin Feng fell silent for a moment, lost in thought. Then, he raised his head and said, "Brother Xiong Zhan, could you send some magic beasts to separate Xiao Yan's group from the other contestants? That way, the rest won't suffer too many casualties."
Of course, his true intention was to prevent Xiao Yan and Song Qing from using the other contestants as shields to escape.
If Xiong Zhan's beasts scattered the groups apart, then when the Hall of Souls attacked Xiao Yan, that guy would have nowhere to run — neither to the heavens nor the earth. Unless, of course, he crushed his spatial stone and gave up his qualification to compete in the Pill Gathering.
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