Realizing she had little time left, she turned and headed south. Li Qingjiu snapped back to reality, and as the silhouette of the young man was about to disappear, he quickly followed.
But no one noticed that the shattered shadow stone in the bloodstain recorded the last scene…
Two figures weaved through the ancient forest, finally spotting the pure white flower on the cliff face, seemingly waiting for the sunset to fully bloom its radiance…
Jin Bao'er, however, looked around with a frown. It wasn't that she was overly suspicious; after all, rare treasures were often accompanied by guardian beasts. Although the Mu Ling Flower was ordinary for most, it was still extremely rare and vital for both beasts and cultivators with damaged Golden Cores.
Seeing Li Qingjiu also looking at the Mu Ling Flower with surprise, it was clear his objective was also this item…
“Where did you come from, brat? We found this first. Get lost!”
A menacing voice echoed from not far away. Jin Bao'er turned her head and quickly noticed the camouflage on the hillside, realizing someone had already been waiting here for an opportune moment…
“Senior, what are you talking about? Since we’re here, we naturally can’t leave empty-handed, right?”
The person hadn't expected Jin Bao'er to be so insistent. The pressure of the Golden Core stage quickly spread, directly suppressing Jin Bao'er, who was only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment. Li Qingjiu also felt the immense pressure. Even a gap of one or two levels was an insurmountable chasm at this moment…
Jin Bao'er stood rooted to the spot, biting her lip fiercely, her face growing colder and weaker under the gloom. Even though she had advanced faster and more steadily than in her previous life, she was still as insignificant as an ant facing those powerhouses, devoid of any dignity.
Perhaps sensing that their cultivation was no match for his, the person scoffed disdainfully.
“Two mere Foundation Establishment brats dare to compete with me for the Mu Ling Flower? Hmph! Scram!”
The potent pressure from the Golden Core stage forced the two to retreat repeatedly, and it also alerted the beast behind the Mu Ling Flower.
The cultivator quickly withdrew his pressure, not forgetting to warn the two. Jin Bao'er was finally free of restraint and retreated rapidly. The sweat subtly dripping from her forehead and her pale face indicated how difficult it had been for her…
She sat on a rock, trying to calm the turbulent spiritual energy within her. Seeing this, Li Qingjiu was also distressed.
“What should we do? Forget about that old man, we can’t even beat the guardian beast. Stealing isn't really an option either. Are we just going to go back empty-handed? That would be too embarrassing!”
As his incessant murmurs reached Jin Bao'er’s ears, she looked up, her eyes fixed intently on the Mu Ling Flower, her tone firm and calm.
“Who said we’re giving up?”
Li Qingjiu froze, his murmurs instantly stopping. He exclaimed in surprise.
“You have a plan?”
For some reason, he always felt that the young man before him was no ordinary person!
Jin Bao'er didn’t respond but closed her eyes again to meditate. This posture left Li Qingjiu completely bewildered. However, he didn’t ask further. After a day of pursuit, he had probably come to understand the young man’s taciturn nature.
It wasn't until the sun set and the surroundings plunged into darkness that the Mu Ling Flower slowly unfurled its petals, its faint warm white light gradually illuminating the area.
And behind the flower, a long, emerald green snake slowly emerged…
This scene was quickly discovered by those hiding in the shadows. Clearly, several people were wary of the green snake.
The Mu Ling Flower was considered mature only when fully open. At this moment, it was still slowly stirring, which greatly excited the Golden Core cultivator and the five youths beside him. One of them accidentally made a sound…
“Squeak…”
The sound instantly alerted the green snake, which fixed its gaze on the hillside…
The disciple could only remain stiff and motionless. The Golden Core cultivator was also furious. Seeing their position exposed, he no longer concealed himself, tearing off the camouflage with a powerful surge of aura!
“Beast, seeing that your cultivation is not easy, if you leave quickly, I can spare your life!”
That arrogant attitude amused Jin Bao'er immensely. As both were of the Golden Core stage, a gifted beast would surely be stronger than this old man. Yet, he brazenly tried to force the beast to leave~
Shameless!
The disciples behind the cultivator were even more proud and admiring, looking as if they had already won.
The green snake opened its mouth, its forked tongue flicking out with a “hissing” sound, its threat unmistakable. Its golden vertical pupils were filled with disdain.
Soon, the cultivator, enraged, charged forward and engaged the beast in combat. His disciples also continuously ambushed the green snake. The prolonged battle left no one at an advantage!
Only when the Mu Ling Flower had two petals left to open before maturing did the green snake become anxious. This spiritual flower was most potent within the time of one incense stick after full maturity; afterward, its spiritual energy would dissipate, making it less precious!
However, its basic effects would still remain, though its benefit to beasts would be significantly reduced.
Seeing this, the cultivator seized the opportunity and, along with his disciples, launched a coordinated surprise attack on the beast. With a scream, the beast crashed onto the cliff face!
The situation was clear! The beast had lost, its vertical pupils constricting sharply as it stared at the cultivator, as if remembering its enemy! Just as it turned to flee, the cultivator suddenly spoke.
“A Golden Core stage Green Snake Beast. I’ve heard its gall is a supreme antidote, priceless and hard to find~”
This statement directly shifted the gazes of several disciples towards the battered green snake fleeing away. In their eyes, the Mu Ling Flower was already a certainty. If they could obtain the snake gall as well, wouldn't that be the icing on the cake! Greedy eyes were cast towards the green snake…
The group charged forward again, ready to dissect the snake for its gall. The green snake, which had already abandoned the Mu Ling Flower, was enraged at their attempt to kill it. The pressure of the Golden Core stage directly stunned the disciples. It unleashed immense power, and the cultivator, not expecting the green snake to still possess such strength, couldn't dodge in time and was struck hard by its tail.
The tide turned again. Li Qingjiu watched with great interest, occasionally complaining to Jin Bao'er about the cultivator's greed, unaware that Jin Bao'er’s brow was furrowed.
Although the cultivator was hit, his stamina and spiritual energy were still superior to the green snake's. If this dragged on, the green snake might die! And even she wouldn't fare well against an injured cultivator!
Jin Bao'er, who had been contemplating a surprise attack, hoping for a mutual destruction and to reap the rewards, saw the green snake defeated. Its skin was covered in numerous wounds, and while the cultivator also had injuries, they were far less severe, with only half his spiritual energy depleted!
Just as everything seemed one-sided, the green snake let out a sudden cry towards the sky, its vertical pupils widening…
Sensing this, Jin Bao'er's pupils contracted instantly, and she retreated at full speed! This was something she was all too familiar with…
Golden Core self-destruction!!