"Since her lifespan is nearing its end, she is likely even more desperate to obtain the Tongtian Pagoda," Xiao Man said calmly. "This means they have probably secretly laid countless traps, waiting for me, this fish, to bite."
"Right, you mentioned the Qin family and your mother. Where is she?" Old Qin finally remembered Xiao Man's mother.
"She was captured by people from the Cangxuan Continent. I don't know who took her, but it must have been a cultivator at the Transformation God stage, capable of traversing the spatial rift between the Cangxuan Continent and my original continent, and they took my mother away."
"Could it be people from the Tianji Sect?" Old Qin mused. "If anyone can use a treasure to cross spatial rifts, it would be the Tianji Sect."
"Tianji Sect?"
"The Tianji Sect primarily focuses on artifact refining. My artifact refining skills were learned from the Tianji Sect. However, the Tianji Sect's greatest strength isn't artifact refining, but divination. Yet, divination goes against natural law, not only shortening one's lifespan but also easily leading to backlash. The price paid corresponds to the magnitude of what is divined. However, the results divined by the Tianji Sect have always come true!"
"Then, if someone were to ask the Tianji Sect to calculate my whereabouts, wouldn't they be able to find me with certainty?"
"Girl, you're overthinking it. The people of the Tianji Sect do not have long lifespans to begin with, and they are all as cunning as foxes. Why would they needlessly expend their own lifespan to calculate the whereabouts of a young girl? If someone were to insist they do so, they would become suspicious. If the mastermind behind it were from the Tianji Sect, it would be one thing. But if not, it would alert the Tianji Sect, leading them to intervene in the conflict, and the victor would be unknown."
Spiritual energy fluctuations emanated from within the cave. Xiao Man's heart stirred, and she turned her head. Qi Hong was the first to complete his advancement, rising from Qi Refining stage one to stage three, a significant jump of two levels, which was quite good.
Then Yu Da also advanced, reaching Qi Refining stage three as well. A deeper smile graced Xiao Man's lips. The foundation of this group was not bad, and the Xuan Fruit had indeed greatly benefited their cultivation.
Next, Shan Yun and Xi Wen also completed their advancements, but only Xiang Jian remained in cultivation.
"Captain, we've all advanced."
"Once Xiang Jian finishes his advancement, we'll go settle the score with the demonic apes."
"Yes, Captain."
Xiao Man had people guard the cave entrance while she went out to gather information. Xiang Jian was originally a Golden Core stage cultivator, but his Golden Core had been shattered, causing his cultivation to drop to Qi Refining stage three. After entering Wuji City, he had only recovered to Qi Refining stage five. She had been helping him regulate his condition during this time, and with the assistance of the Xuan Fruit, he should be able to reach Qi Refining stage nine.
"Senior brother, is there really Xuan Fruit here?" a female voice rang out. Xiao Man immediately concealed her presence.
"Yes, I discovered it last year when I came. The Xuan Fruit wasn't ripe yet, but by now, it should be. However, the Chixuan fruit tree is guarded by four demonic apes, one of which is a high-level demonic ape, making it difficult to deal with. When the time comes, we'll join forces and divide the Xuan Fruit equally."
"Senior brother, if there's only one Xuan Fruit, how will we divide it?"
"Don't worry. Last year, I saw from afar that the Chixuan fruit tree was laden with fruits, at least thirty of them."
"Thirty!" the group exclaimed in amazement. "Then each of us can get at least five."
"So, don't say I don't take care of you all. I found something good and brought you here."
"Yes, yes, Senior Brother Liu is the most righteous."
The group headed towards the valley where the Chixuan fruit tree was located. Xiao Man glanced at them. Fortunately, she had gone there early and uprooted the Chixuan fruit tree. If she had been any later, they would have had to contend not only with the demonic apes but also with cultivators coveting the Xuan Fruit from the shadows.
When the group arrived at the valley where the Chixuan fruit tree was, they found no Chixuan fruit tree, but instead encountered a group of demonic apes, poised for battle!
The leader was a high-level demonic ape, standing on a giant rock, seemingly waiting for something. Upon spotting the approaching group, it unhesitatingly charged at them with the other demonic apes!
Dozens of demonic apes pursued the six individuals, racing through the dense forest. The six had initially thought they were coming to obtain the cultivation-boosting Xuan Fruit, but instead of getting the fruit, they were now facing death!
"Help! Senior Brother, save me!" A slower-moving man was on the verge of falling into the demonic apes' grasp. The woman running in front drew her bow and arrow, hitting the eye of the nearest demonic ape, thus rescuing her junior brother from his predicament.
"Thank you, Senior Sister!" The rescued man wished he had wings to escape this dangerous place immediately.
"Senior Brother Liu, what's going on? Why are there so many demonic apes?"
Liu Hong looked back at the furious demonic apes, understanding immediately. "Someone got here before us and took the Xuan Fruit. These demonic apes are enraged and, unable to catch the thief, are taking their anger out on us."
"I see. Then the person who stole the Xuan Fruit must be quite capable to have snatched it from so many demonic apes."
"Initially, there were only four demonic apes guarding the Xuan Fruit. It seems the demonic apes suffered a loss and called for reinforcements. We need to find a way to escape quickly, otherwise, if we fall into the hands of these demonic apes, we will surely die."
"Demonic apes are fast and strong. In this dense forest, it's advantageous for us. The complex terrain can slow down the demonic apes, but it's also an obstacle for us. Moreover, with just a few of us, we are no match for so many demonic apes. Let's head towards the ruins of Luolan City. Most cultivators training in the Luolan Mountain Range will rest here. We can seek assistance there."
Liu Hong made a decisive move and headed for the ruins of Luolan City. Although it was a ruin, the demonic beasts in this area generally avoided Luolan City. Perhaps they would be safe once they entered its territory.
At this moment, Xiao Man also entered the vicinity of the Luolan City ruins. She had coincidentally discovered traces of human activity and decided to investigate. Upon arrival, she found quite a few people there.
Compared to the groups of people, Xiao Man, being alone, seemed somewhat out of place.
"Young man, you're alone?" a middle-aged man asked casually, poking at the fire in front of him.
"No, I got separated from my companions."
"Oh, are you from Wuji City, young man?"
"Yes." Xiao Man found a clean spot to sit and scanned the various groups present: the Lieyang Sect, the Canglang Sect, and a peculiar group led by a boy around thirteen or fourteen years old. However, the boy's cultivation was not high, only at Qi Refining stage seven. Those accompanying him didn't seem like members of any particular sect; they appeared more like guards.
The young boy suddenly looked up and met Xiao Man's gaze. Xiao Man, caught peeking, felt no embarrassment, merely smiled and averted her eyes.