294: Black Yan Peak

"Fellow Daoist Ning, may I ask where you are from?"

The two continued their journey.

Zhou Xiangyu hesitated for a moment, but still asked the question in his heart.

Now that the two were traveling together and had exchanged names, they were no longer strangers.

Therefore, Zhou Xiangyu finally asked the question in his heart.

"I..."

Hearing this, Jiang Ningchan paused slightly, her lips parted, wanting to speak but suddenly stopping, then returning to normal.

"I am from Muyang Prefecture."

Jiang Ningchan continued after a pause.

"Muyang Prefecture..."

Information about Muyang Prefecture that Zhou Xiangyu had seen in his Clan flashed through his mind.

Muyang Prefecture is located in Hua Prefecture, which is above Luo Prefecture.

Hua Prefecture is rich in various strange flowers, and there are many female Cultivators in the major forces within the Prefecture.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for being truthful."

Zhou Xiangyu's heart stirred slightly.

Jiang Ningchan's slight abnormality just now had fallen into Zhou Xiangyu's eyes.

But he didn't think much of it.

Looking at Zhou Xiangyu's believing expression.

Jiang Ningchan felt a little sad.

Knowing too much is often not a good thing.

Everyone envied her background, but if one was not in it, how could one understand the helplessness within?

The two traveled along the way.

Occasionally stopping to rest.

Their conversation, however, did not cease.

However, most of it was Zhou Xiangyu speaking and Jiang Ningchan listening.

Several days later.

The two crossed a mountain range and stopped.

Looking out.

It was a crimson land, desolate and lonely.

Just being on the edge, one could feel the Evil Qi permeating, making one's body and mind uncomfortable.

"This is the Ancient Battlefield Ruins."

Zhou Xiangyu took out a map from his Storage Pouch, opened it, and carefully compared it.

He spoke with a hint of joy.

Along the way.

Jiang Ningchan had already learned his destination from Zhou Xiangyu's mouth.

Therefore, she was not surprised.

"Fellow Daoist Ning, this is a Spirit Cleansing Pill. After taking it, you can resist the lingering blood Evil Qi of these Ruins."

Zhou Xiangyu put away the map in his hand and took out a transparent jade bottle.

He poured out two white Medicinal Pills.

One floated in front of Jiang Ningchan.

These were the Medicinal Pills given by his Clan when Zhou Xiangyu took on the task of collecting blood-essence grass.

Without this Spirit Cleansing Pill.

Being exposed to this blood Evil Qi for a long time could easily affect one's mind, causing them to lose their sanity and turn into a Puppet that only knows slaughter.

"Thank you."

Although Jiang Ningchan felt she didn't need it, she didn't refuse Zhou Xiangyu's kindness.

"Let's go."

The two took the Spirit Cleansing Pills and entered this crimson land.

"It is said that a heaven-shattering battle took place in this area, and the blood of countless powerful individuals spilled onto the earth, gradually giving birth to this blood Evil Qi."

"Although it's a rumor, and its truth is unknown, it's still necessary to be extra cautious."

Zhou Xiangyu's mind was tense as he spoke to Jiang Ningchan beside him.

After several days of getting along.

Zhou Xiangyu had already gained a considerable understanding of Jiang Ningchan.

Although her cultivation was profound, he couldn't see its depth.

But in many ways, she was not as good as him.

That's why he spoke to remind her.

Jiang Ningchan nodded, but said nothing.

Strands of invisible blood Evil Qi, as the two moved forward.

Constantly eroded their heart meridians.

Fortunately, with the protection of the Spirit Cleansing Pill, there was no discomfort.

Zhou Xiangyu breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Jiang Ningchan took in this world.

Crimson everywhere, ruins scattered, and venomous creatures occasionally appearing.

It was not a benevolent place.

Zhou Xiangyu took out the map again.

The place he was going to this time was a peak called Black Yan Peak, located at the edge of these Ancient Battlefield Ruins.

"Hmm?"

Just as Zhou Xiangyu was checking the map.

He heard a crisp, light exclamation from beside him.

Zhou Xiangyu quickly put away the map.

The two stopped tacitly.

Looking up.

Not long after.

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

They heard a series of frantic shouts coming towards their location.

Zhou Xiangyu's heart tightened.

The yishui fan appeared in his right hand.

As his left hand flipped, several Talismans were already poised and ready to be unleashed.

"Is this... Sha Mo?"

Rushing towards the two were three Cultivators with disheveled hair, crimson faces, and only shouts of "kill" coming from their mouths.

"Damn it!"

Zhou Xiangyu cursed inwardly.

These Sha Mo were Cultivators who had lost their sanity after being infected by the blood Evil Qi.

"Frost Flower Reflecting Snow."

As Zhou Xiangyu's full magical power circulated.

A wisp of cold air flashed by.

Jiang Ningchan's brow furrowed slightly.

She pointed with her delicate hand.

In the distance, at the feet of the three Sha Mo rushing towards them.

Three plum blossoms, seemingly condensed from ice, quietly bloomed.

"Kill..."

The frantic shouts had not yet ended.

Three giant plum blossoms suddenly expanded from beneath their feet.

Turning into three huge flower buds.

Inside the flower buds, the three Sha Mo were lifeless.

Jiang Ningchan withdrew her hand.

Her furrowed brow relaxed.

Zhou Xiangyu watched as the Sha Mo, clearly filled with powerful blood Evil Qi, which had been rushing towards them, quietly turned into ice sculptures.

He sighed inwardly.

A sense of inferiority quietly arose.

Even when facing those Clan members of his generation in the Zhou Family who had better talent than him.

He had never felt such emotions.

"There are always people better than you, and there is always a higher heaven. Besides, Fellow Daoist Ning's talent is astonishing, and her strength is powerful, which I already knew..."

As that feeling of inferiority arose, Zhou Xiangyu's heart tightened, and he whispered to himself.

In an instant, he had already returned to normal.

"Fellow Daoist Ning is even younger than me, and such talent is truly astonishing."

Zhou Xiangyu put away the Talismans and the yishui fan in his hand.

He glanced at Jiang Ningchan.

Then, he came before the ice sculptures.

"Strange..."

Zhou Xiangyu's expression was slightly puzzled.

Jiang Ningchan looked on, not understanding.

"These Sha Mo usually don't appear in this border area."

"The deeper you go, the stronger the Evil Qi, and the Sha Mo take pleasure in slaughter and feed on Evil Qi. Why would they appear here?"

Zhou Xiangyu explained to Jiang Ningchan.

If not for this, the Zhou Family would not have given the task of collecting blood-essence grass to these young Disciples.

Jiang Ningchan shook her head, also not knowing.

Although she was powerful, her knowledge was far inferior to Zhou Xiangyu's.

Since even Zhou Xiangyu didn't know, she didn't bother to expend mental effort.

"It's fine, our luck shouldn't be that bad."

Zhou Xiangyu didn't figure it out, so he didn't bother with it anymore.

This place was already not far from Black Yan Peak.

Listening to Zhou Xiangyu's words.

Jiang Ningchan's lips curved slightly, like a winter plum blossom, delicate and radiant.

However, in an instant, she quickly restrained herself, merely nodding to Zhou Xiangyu.

But Zhou Xiangyu did not notice this fleeting change on Jiang Ningchan's face.

No longer bothering with the three Sha Mo.

The two circulated their magical power and disappeared from their original spot... "Black Yan Peak has arrived."

A towering mountain peak, as black as ink, came into view of the two.

Zhou Xiangyu recalled the records about Black Yan Peak and then took out the map to compare it.

His face showed joy.

His mind relaxed.

After those three Sha Mo.

The two encountered Sha Mo twice more.

All were easily resolved by Jiang Ningchan.

If Jiang Ningchan had not been with him this time.

Zhou Xiangyu would have long given up this mission and returned to his Clan.

The appearance of such changes in these Ruins, whether good or bad, was not a good thing for him, a mere Qi Refining Fourth Layer (Cultivation Level) Cultivator.

"Thank you for your help, Fellow Daoist!"

Zhou Xiangyu bowed earnestly to Jiang Ningchan.

Jiang Ningchan nodded.

Her emotions, however, were completely different from when she was in the Jiang Family.

It made her feel somewhat lost, but she did not stop this change in mindset.

Now, seeing Zhou Xiangyu's earnest thanks, the towering snow mountain in her heart seemed to melt a little more, turning into a gentle stream flowing in her heart.