186: Not washing hands

In the West City, Qi Liang gazed at the stone tablet before him, his eyes flickering. Beside him, Jiang Qinqin was also looking up at it intently, whispering, "Dragon Elephant Carrying the Tripod, the Tripod hides the sun and moon. What does this phrase mean...?"

"Who knows? Perhaps we will understand once we see it." Qi Liang shook his head.

This inscription was written in a mysterious and pretentious manner, making it difficult for people to understand.

"Call your people to gather in the West City. It's only the second day, and we have already lost several people. If this continues, I fear we won't obtain anything in the end."

Qi Liang's tone was slightly grave. He hadn't expected this Secret Realm to be so dangerous; only one night had passed, and five people were already unaccounted for. His manpower was already insufficient, and with no telling when the Secret Realm would end, every person was precious.

"Hmm."

Jiang Qinqin took out her Mother Stone to send a message. A moment later, her expression paused, "A Junior Sister saw people from Red Dragon Mountain heading toward the South City."

"South City..."

Qi Liang closed his eyes to ponder. He had also received news earlier that someone under his command had seen people from the Huai Lake Zuoqiu Clan also heading to the South City. What exactly was there, and why was everyone heading in that direction?

"Should we go?" Jiang Qinqin asked.

"No." Qi Liang replied without hesitation.

The Secret Realm had just opened and wouldn't end for a while. Even if there were treasures, there was no rush to snatch them. Let them fight like dogs first while he preserved his strength, waiting for the opportunity to play the oriole behind the mantis.

His people and Jiang Qinqin's people combined totaled around a hundred, which, although not comparable to Xu Sanyan, was sufficient.

"Ask where Fang Xiang is and call him over. If the three of us join forces, our chances of success will be greater."

"Alright."

Lin Fan followed behind Zuoqiu Yi, secretly sniffing his palm. It faintly still carried her natural fragrance, which made him unable to stop himself.

He decided: he wouldn't wash his hands this month!

Just then, Lin Fan felt the Child Stone in his robes heat up. He took it out to check.

"Once you reach the South City, do not approach the Begonia tree, and do not look directly at the ghost shadows beneath the tree."

Lin Fan frowned. Ghosts?

He had never seen a ghost since he started cultivation. Even in the Immortal Realm, such things were quite rare. There were those who practiced the "Art of Ghost Refining," but unfortunately, with his current cultivation, he was not qualified to see them.

The Art of Ghost Refining involved the Dao of Reincarnation and required extremely high cultivation to practice. At the very least, one had to reach the Soul Refinement Realm and have a preliminary understanding of the mysteries of the Divine Soul before one could dabble in it.

"What's wrong?" Zuoqiu Yi, having no sense of boundaries, leaned her head over to peek.

"Eh, are you also going to the Begonia tree?" Zuoqiu Yi saw the writing on the Child Stone.

"Yes, the Saint said there might be treasures there."

Lin Fan did not hide it, because he knew Zuoqiu Yi posed no threat to the Saint; comparing the two of them was actually giving her too much credit.

"You're going there too?" Lin Fan realized, a trace of secret joy in his heart. This way, they wouldn't have to part.

"Yeah," Zuoqiu Yi nodded, then took out her Child Stone, "There are ghosts! No, I have to tell Big Sister about this."

On the other side, Zuoqiu Hui looked at the message sent by her eldest sister and frowned, pondering whether to inform Xu Sanyan.

Zuoqiu Xin seemed to see through her third sister's thoughts and shook her head very subtly, signaling to keep it a secret.

Zuoqiu Hui ignored her completely. With her fourth sister's brain, one shouldn't expect any good ideas; she only knew that she wouldn't be hungry once she was full.

"Saint, I have something to report." Zuoqiu Hui ultimately decided to inform him.

Playing such small tricks was useless, and if discovered, it would easily cause disgust. It was better to inform him directly, which might also increase his favorable impression.

Xu Sanyan stopped and turned his head with a smile, "Oh? What is it?"

"Is the Saint planning to go to that Begonia tree?"

"Indeed."

"Does the Saint know that there are ghosts there?"

Xu Sanyan curled his lips, "How did you know that?"

Zuoqiu Hui replied straightforwardly, "My eldest sister told me."

"Hmm, I understand. Let's go." Xu Sanyan didn't say much more and turned to continue on his way, though he felt a bit strange inside.

He had just sent the message out, and it had made a round and returned to his ears through Zuoqiu Hui's mouth. He wouldn't believe it if there wasn't something fishy going on.

But it didn't matter; perhaps the Child Stone had fallen into the hands of an outsider.

Zuoqiu Xin glanced at their backs with an inexplicable expression, constantly speculating in her heart: Could it be... that the third sister was interested in this Demon Sect Saint? Otherwise, why would she be thinking of him at every turn?

But it had to be said that the Saint was indeed extraordinary in bearing, handsome in appearance, and his cultivation was outstanding. He was worthy of the third sister, but she didn't know if the clan elders at home would agree...

Zuoqiu Xin followed behind, wildly playing matchmaker in her head.

"Flowers blooming in the South City, treasures left in the Drum Tower—do you know where I heard this phrase?" Xu Sanyan asked softly.

"I suppose it was said by Brother Shen."

"Correct." Xu Sanyan looked at Zuoqiu Hui with admiration. This woman's demeanor was appropriate, her speech was graceful, and even when facing him, she acted with propriety, which made her very likable.

Just then, someone walked around the corner ahead. Upon seeing Xu Sanyan, their expression froze, and they suddenly became alert, "It's you?"

Xu Sanyan stopped and greeted with a smile, "Fairy Mo, what a coincidence."

"It is quite a coincidence. Farewell."

Mo Qianqian stepped back. Having no intention to chat, she quickly walked in another direction.

"Tsk... how rude." Xu Sanyan suppressed the corner of his mouth, not forcing her to stay.

The treasure had not yet appeared, and all parties were accumulating strength; no one would engage in meaningless attrition.

A gleam flashed in Zuoqiu Xin's eyes as she said pointedly, "I heard that Fairy Mo is the number one beauty in the cultivation world. Aren't you curious about the face beneath that veil, Saint?"

"Naturally I am curious, but it is just curiosity. No matter how beautiful, how beautiful can she really be? Spring flowers and autumn moons, everyone has their own preferences; one cannot generalize. In my opinion, you two Fairies are not necessarily inferior to her."

"The Saint truly knows how to make people happy." Zuoqiu Hui covered her mouth and chuckled, then quietly turned back to signal her fourth sister to shut up.

Even a fool could see through such petty tricks of instigation.

A breeze suddenly rose beneath Xu Sanyan's feet, carrying him forward, "Let's hurry. We don't know when the flowers of the South City will bloom; we mustn't let others beat us to it."

"Yes."

Zuoqiu Hui no longer held any expectations for the treasure. With Xu Sanyan here, it would never be her turn; unless all seven of their sisters were gathered to perform their combined attack technique, perhaps they might have a chance to contend for it.

In the East City, on a long street, Net Intent stood with one hand held vertically before his chest, looking at the three people before him with a calm expression, "The three benefactors are entangled with Karmic Obstruction. If it is not dispelled, I fear your lives will soon come to an end."

Tu Wanshan gripped the broadsword in his hand and snorted coldly, "Hmph, lives coming to an end? You dead bald donkey, I'd like to see how our lives will come to an end!"

"This humble monk is Net Intent, not a bald donkey," Net Intent said with a serious face, correcting him very straightforwardly.

"That you met this humble monk today is destined by fate; you are meant to have this tribulation. Let this humble monk perform the Undergoing Tribulation on your behalf."

As soon as he finished speaking, Net Intent struck out with a single palm. A massive golden palm shadow surged forward, appearing like the fury of a Vajra, intending to suppress the three of them.