139: Hunter!

Pei Ning and the others heard Chen Xian's words and looked at Zhou Duoer, who was skipping ahead.

For a moment, they also began to doubt their own sense of reality.

If one were to say Chen Xian was heading to Flame Mountain so recklessly because he likely had some Magic Treasure protecting him.

But Zhou Duoer, this little girl who looked like she had only just touched the threshold of cultivation.

How could she have absolutely no reaction to this scorching heat?

Chen Xian saw that the others were covered in sweat.

He sneered inwardly.

Without the right tools, one wouldn't dare take on such a task!

He had a Fire Seed on him, which not only made him immune to flames but even allowed him to manipulate them.

Not to mention Zhou Duoer—she was a descendant of the Divine Phoenix Clan!

Her kind was born to play with fire.

She had a natural affinity for flames.

This bit of heat was nothing to her.

When the group stood at the foot of the mountain, thirty miles away from Flame Mountain.

Pei Ning and the others were already forced to use Spiritual Qi to protect their bodies.

Otherwise, if this heat continued, they would dehydrate sooner or later!

"Chen Xian, I'm afraid it will only get hotter further ahead. Going up there is no different from seeking death!"

Chen Xian said nonchalantly, "Alright, you guys just wait for me at the foot of the mountain. Duoer and I will go up!"

"You can't!"

Pei Ning said excitedly, "If you die up there, how are we supposed to report back?"

The ten Embroidered Uniform Guards also looked wary.

They had already been indulgent enough with Chen Xian back at the Thunder Pool.

If this fellow was still unsatisfied and wanted to climb Flame Mountain, they truly couldn't be soft-hearted anymore.

However, at this moment, Chen Xian said with a smile, "How about we make a bet?"

"Hmm?"

"If Zhou Duoer and I return safely after going up, then for the next few days, Duoer and I will be at your disposal. Once we leave the Shanhai Secret Realm, I will voluntarily return to the Capital with you. How about it?"

Chen Xian's words made the eyes of the Embroidered Uniform Guards light up.

It was only the second day in the Secret Realm.

They were already starting to find Chen Xian's uncontrollable streak a bit hard to bear.

If Flame Mountain could teach him a lesson this time.

Then wouldn't they be able to manage Chen Xian better?

Chen Xian looked at Pei Ning, whose expression was unreadable, and said with a smile, "Of course, I will also tell you everything I know!"

Pei Ning's heart skipped a beat.

Actually, since the two of them met in the Shanhai Secret Realm, there had been an unspeakable secret between them.

That was the mystery of Pei Ning's father's death.

Last time in the Lake Bottom Secret Realm, the information Chen Xian gave Pei Ning left her shocked when she went back to investigate.

This time, she had to get to the bottom of it.

It was for this very reason that she had volunteered to lead the ten Embroidered Uniform Guards to watch over Chen Xian!

It was also why she had repeatedly suppressed the Embroidered Uniform Guards from taking action against him!

Now, Chen Xian's cryptic words.

Made Pei Ning's heart stir.

"Words alone are not enough; you must swear by the Heavenly Dao!"

One of the Embroidered Uniform Guards said strictly.

"My Lady, don't you agree?"

Pei Ning nodded slightly.

Clearly, she agreed with this.

"Fine, but I also have one condition!"

"Speak!"

"Before we come down, you must ensure the safety of these two women!"

Gu Qingcheng and Zheng Yi almost burst into tears upon hearing this.

Just moments ago, when they learned Chen Xian insisted on climbing Flame Mountain, they were nearly in tears from worry.

Going up, they didn't have Chen Xian's ability.

Staying behind with the Embroidered Uniform Guards, the two of them felt no sense of security.

Now, Chen Xian's words were essentially providing them with a guarantee of safety.

Pei Ning nodded.

"They are daughters of Princes to begin with; of course we will protect their safety!"

"Good, it's a deal!"

After Chen Xian briskly made the Heavenly Dao oath.

He prepared to head up with Zhou Duoer.

The Tiangou and Moon Demon went along with them.

However, just as they were about to head up, footsteps were heard from the distance.

A large group of people could be seen approaching from afar.

Every one of them looked exhausted.

Before seeing Pei Ning and her group, they were all extremely wary, some even having their hands on their weapons.

However, after the leader saw the court uniforms worn by Pei Ning and the Embroidered Uniform Guards behind her.

He breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's not that group of lunatics; it's Fellow Daoists from the North Continent's Da Gan Dynasty!"

The whole group sighed in relief!

They relaxed, but Pei Ning did not.

Instead, she asked warily, "Where are you all from? Please state your names!"

"Central Continent's Crimson Flame Sect!"

"Southern Continent Ye Family!"

"Eastern Continent's Tianshui Pavilion!"

...Dozens of Sects and families reported their names one after another.

Chen Xian, who hadn't left yet, asked curiously, "You just said 'not them.' Are you all hiding from someone?"

"Your Excellency may not know this, but the Sects and families of the Western Continent have joined forces to form a Hunting Squad. They don't seek opportunities; they specifically hunt those who enter the Secret Realm!"

Chen Xian narrowed his eyes.

He hadn't expected someone to actually take such an alternative path.

One must know that whether the opportunities in the Shanhai Secret Realm are real or fake, many or few, is all uncertain.

But these prodigies entering the Shanhai Secret Realm are all genuinely wealthy people!

Especially those who enter the Danger Zone; they all come in with the mindset of taking a gamble.

And their strength is certainly no weaker than the Foundation Establishment Stage!

To have such cultivation within sixty years, whether it be the Sect or Family behind them, they must be at least second-rate or higher!

Only then could they afford to pour in so many resources.

Therefore, these so-called Hunters from the Western Continent really have a unique way of thinking!

Targeting these prodigies—it's like shooting fish in a barrel!

However, at this point, Pei Ning couldn't help but ask, "Even if those people from the Western Continent are banding together, I'm afraid they still shouldn't be a match for you all, right?"

Although the strength of the people before her was varied.

They weren't weak. How could they be so terrified of the Western Continent people that they turned pale at the mere mention of them?

"Sigh, you don't know. Among those Hunters from the Western Continent, there are several Disciples from the Five Poisons Sect."

"Poison users are the most ruthless and impossible to guard against!"

"Some of our Sects and families met with their foul play and were nearly wiped out!"

Chen Xian's heart sank.

People from the Five Poisons Sect had snuck in.

Would the Demonic Cultivators who followed the Five Poisons Sect to attack the dragon boat also be coming along?

"Fellow Daoists of the Da Gan Dynasty, are you interested in joining us? We don't seek anything else, just to band together for safety!"

"Otherwise, if you run into them, you will also suffer at their hands!"

"Exactly, those beasts are simply cold-blooded. They basically kill everyone and destroy the evidence!"

Pei Ning and the others looked at each other.

Logically, they would definitely be unwilling to get involved in such matters, but the madness of the Western Continent group also made them wary.

If they were truly surrounded and Chen Xian was in danger.

Wouldn't they be implicated as well?