"Oh? You know?"
Xu Yi's eyes lit up, then a hint of suspicion flickered within them.
The Fire Sap Fruit was considered a rare treasure on the Kyushu Continent, its quantity scarce.
Why would this disciple named Wang Sen, who knew the whereabouts of the Fire Sap Fruit, not report it to the sect and bring it back, but instead leave it where it was?
Xu Yi found it rather peculiar.
Wang Tiechui noticed Xu Yi's suspicion and cupped his hands, saying earnestly, "Senior, you misunderstand. I only heard that the Fire Sap Fruit had appeared in a certain location, but I haven't seen it myself. Therefore, I cannot guarantee you will find it there; I can only provide you with a clue."
As Wang Tiechui finished speaking, he immediately lowered his head, preventing Xu Yi from seeing his shifty eyes.
He had lied.
He had actually seen the Fire Sap Fruit and had reported its location to the sect without any concealment. The sect had later dispatched people to collect all the ripe Fire Sap Fruits.
It had been nearly two hundred years since the last harvest, and he thought it highly likely that new Fire Sap Fruits had matured in that location.
This information should have been a secret of the Daqi Sect and not casually revealed to outsiders. However, the senior had saved his life. After a moment of hesitation, Wang Tiechui decided to tell the truth, omitting only some less important details.
Xu Yi suspected Wang Tiechui was withholding information but had no intention of delving deeper. The most important thing now was to find the Fire Sap Fruit; the process was secondary.
"Can you lead us there now?" Xu Yi asked.
Wang Tiechui replied loudly, "Of course!"
Wang Tiechui had been eagerly anticipating this moment, a glint of ambition shining deep in his eyes.
He wanted to become stronger.
This was an excellent opportunity sent by heaven, and he was determined to seize it.
"You'll come with us first; we'll need you to guide the way shortly."
"Alright."
Wang Tiechui responded obediently, his heart filled with curiosity about where the senior intended to take him.
When Xu Yi's spiritual energy enveloped him, he offered no resistance. A dozen breaths later, he landed on a wide stone platform, staring dumbfoundedly at the three bloody figures on the ground, his eyes filled with terror.
These three people...
He looked closely and quickly recognized them as the three cultivators who had accompanied the senior previously. Their condition had been unusual even then, but nowhere near as disheveled as they were now. What had they been through?
Xu Yi exchanged a glance with Ji Buwang, their gazes not falling on Long Haotian and the other two, but on a dark stone bottle positioned not far from them.
This stone bottle had been deliberately placed outside the defensive array Xu Yi had set up, so its appearance had not triggered any alert.
Xu Yi was certain that this stone bottle had appeared only after she and Ji Buwang had left.
The image of the bearded cultivator flashed before her eyes.
To verify her guess, Xu Yi beckoned, retrieving the stone bottle. She removed the stopper, brought the opening close to her nose, and took a gentle sniff.
Phoenix Blood Grass, Earth Dragon Vein, Seaweed Flower...
Xu Yi's eyes grew brighter, and a pleased smile curved her lips.
This unassuming stone bottle contained a spirit pill capable of rapidly healing external wounds for cultivators – the Reshaping Pill.
The Reshaping Pill had been quite popular two thousand years ago, but as one of its main ingredients gradually became scarce, it slowly faded from public view.
Although Xu Yi possessed spirit pills with similar efficacy to the Reshaping Pill, she still felt a surge of pleasant surprise. This was because the stone bottle emanated the goodwill of the bearded cultivator.
But why would that bearded cultivator suddenly leave behind a spiritual medicine?
Xu Yi could only lament once more how peculiar the bearded cultivator's actions were.
Xu Yi poured the Reshaping Pills from the stone bottle into her palm, exactly three pills.
However, she then poured the pills back into the stone bottle, placed it in her storage ring, and retrieved her own self-refined pills to administer to Long Haotian and the other two.
She simply couldn't feel at ease with things given by others; her own spirit pills were the most reassuring.
After taking the pills, Long Haotian and the other two showed no signs of waking.
Their bodies were severely depleted, and they would not be able to recover for at least a month.
Xu Yi used her spiritual energy to clear the blood scabs from their bodies, and then, along with Ji Buwang, established multiple layers of defensive shields around them, ensuring their safety.
"You can lead the way now."
Xu Yi smiled slightly and looked at Wang Tiechui.
Wang Tiechui had observed all of Xu Yi's actions, deeply impressed by her benevolence. He inwardly vowed to cling to this powerful patron.
"Senior, please follow me!"
Wang Tiechui was no longer timid as he had been when first rescued; his entire demeanor exuded an irrepressible excitement.
Xu Yi smiled, exchanged another glance with Ji Buwang, and slowly followed behind Wang Tiechui.
Although she had saved Wang Tiechui, she still couldn't be entirely sure whether his actions were sincere or feigned, and therefore kept a wary eye on him.
Perhaps only when she had obtained the Fire Sap Fruit would she be able to fully trust him.
Wang Tiechui was indeed very familiar with the Burning Flame Mountain. Although Xu Yi had led him to a completely unfamiliar area, and the lava covered most of the mountain paths, within half an hour, he had navigated his way with practiced ease to the places he used to frequent.
Upon reaching familiar territory, Wang Tiechui's confidence grew even more.
Leveraging Xu Yi's spiritual energy for support, he floated in mid-air, carefully observing every spot he passed and comparing it with his memories of the route.
Finally, after another half an hour, he stopped and confidently pointed behind him, saying, "Senior, if I recall correctly, the Fire Sap Fruit appeared within that area."
He expected this statement to bring a smile to Xu Yi's face, but instead, she raised an eyebrow and asked, "Are you sure?"
Xu Yi's unusual reaction unsettled Wang Tiechui.
He turned to re-examine the lava-covered mountainside behind him, then surveyed his surroundings before turning back and nodding with utmost seriousness, "I am certain."
Beneath the lava-covered rocks was a hidden cave, which he had discovered by chance years ago.
Before leaving, he had sealed the cave entrance with a spiritual talisman provided by the sect and had never reopened it.
However, the location was deeply imprinted on his soul; he was absolutely certain he had not made a mistake.
"But the place you're pointing to has nothing but rock and lava," Xu Yi said slowly.
"That's impossible!" Wang Tiechui retorted instinctively, then, realizing his impolite outburst, he quickly lowered his head and apologized, "Senior, I didn't mean it like that. I just... I am very sure the Fire Sap Fruit appeared inside. I haven't made a mistake!"
He kept muttering "impossible" in his heart, utterly confident in his judgment.
However, Xu Yi's next words shattered his confidence.
"But a tremor just occurred in Burning Flame Mountain. Rocks fell, and lava erupted. How can you be sure that the location you mentioned hasn't shifted?"
Wang Tiechui stared blankly at Xu Yi, stunned into immobility.