623: Deep into the mountains

Zhu Qiqi took the sachet Xiao Lingchen handed her.

She held it in her hand.

A wave of emotion swelled in her heart:

“Xiao Lingchen, this fellow, is actually quite thoughtful.”

Although she and Xiao Lingchen were now Dao Companions, and what needed to happen had already happened.

But in Zhu Qiqi’s view, everything between her and Xiao Lingchen was more a transaction than a matter of deep affection.

At this moment.

Xiao Lingchen was showing her such concern.

It couldn’t help but touch Zhu Qiqi’s heart a little.

Furthermore, having seen Xiao Lingchen’s concern for Yun Zhanyi and others before, she understood that Xiao Lingchen might not be entirely as the rumors described.

At least.

He genuinely cared for his Dao Companion.

All of a sudden.

Zhu Qiqi’s impression of Xiao Lingchen improved significantly.

Zhu Qiqi put the sachet into her embrace, looked at Xiao Lingchen, and said:

“Thank you.”

Xiao Lingchen smiled and said:

“We are already Dao Companions, why the need for thanks?”

“Be careful after we go in.”

“If you encounter danger, remember to call me; I will protect you.”

Zhu Qiqi snorted lightly:

“It’s more like I’ll protect you; I’m an Immortal!”

Xiao Lingchen said:

“What if you are an Immortal? After suppressing your cultivation and entering the Kunlun Mountains, you’ll still have to rely on me.”

At these words.

Zhu Qiqi was instantly unable to refute him.

“Understood.”

“I’ll be careful!”

With that said.

Zhu Qiqi’s thoughts stirred, and the cultivation aura on her body suddenly plummeted.

She clearly dropped from her original Earth Immortal Fifth Level to Crossing Tribulation Ninth Level.

Then she looked at Xiao Lingchen and said:

“Let’s go!”

Xiao Lingchen nodded.

Then, together with Zhu Qiqi, he entered the Kunlun Mountains!

The Kunlun Mountains were isolated by a powerful Formation barrier.

Upon entering the Kunlun Mountains, the surrounding scenery underwent a dramatic change.

Here, ancient trees reached to the sky, and green fields were like lush carpets.

It greatly resembled a primeval forest.

It made sense.

The Kunlun Mountains were once the location of Immortal King Buzhou’s Dojo.

After Immortal King Buzhou’s Ascension, this place was occupied by various Vicious Beasts, and ordinary people hardly dared to venture in easily.

This led to the rampant growth of spiritual plants here, making it look as it does today, which was normal.

“You lead the way!”

Xiao Lingchen said to Zhu Qiqi.

Zhu Qiqi had entered the Kunlun Mountains before; comparatively, she was more familiar with the Kunlun Mountains.

Naturally, she would lead the way.

Zhu Qiqi nodded.

Then she led Xiao Lingchen deeper.

And this journey lasted a full half-month!

This half-month allowed Xiao Lingchen to deeply understand just how vast the Kunlun Mountains truly were.

Both he and Zhu Qiqi had a fast pace.

At their speed, they had been traveling for half a month and still hadn't reached the end!

Fortunately.

Perhaps it was precisely because they had sachets made of taowu grass that no accidents occurred along the way.

Although they encountered many Vicious Beasts, they were rarely attacked by them.

“The Vicious Beasts here are clearly stronger than those we first encountered, almost all of them are at the Crossing Tribulation Eighth or Ninth Level of strength.”

“We should now have reached the central region of the Kunlun Mountains.”

At this moment.

Zhu Qiqi analyzed.

Xiao Lingchen nodded noncommittally:

“We haven’t found the immortality spring along the way, so it seems we need to go deeper!”

Along this path.

The two were fully focused, constantly searching for traces of the immortality spring.

But they found nothing.

The qiankun mirror also showed no reaction.

They couldn't find any trace of Qing Yu either.

The two had no choice but to continue deeper.

Zhu Qiqi said:

“That’s the only way; from now on, we need to be even more careful.”

“The Vicious Beasts in the central region have already reached the Crossing Tribulation Eighth or Ninth Level of strength; if we go deeper, it’s not impossible to encounter ancient Vicious Beasts of Immortal Rank strength!”

“The last time I led my Disciples from Burial Flower Valley deep into the Kunlun Mountains, we encountered ancient Vicious Beasts of Immortal Rank strength, and we were utterly helpless, losing many Disciples before we managed to escape!”

Xiao Lingchen nodded, then said:

“Give me your sachet for a moment.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Qiqi.

Felt puzzled.

But still complied.

Xiao Lingchen took the sachet from her hand, then took out his own sachet.

And then he actually put the taowu grass from his sachet into hers.

After doing all this.

Xiao Lingchen then returned the sachet to Zhu Qiqi.

Zhu Qiqi watched this scene.

She couldn’t help but be stunned:

“What are you doing?”

Xiao Lingchen said:

“You also said that going deeper might lead to encountering ancient Vicious Beasts of Immortal Rank strength.”

“At that time, it will certainly be extremely dangerous, and in a critical situation, it’s not impossible for us to get separated.”

“I’m giving all this taowu grass to you, so that even if we get separated, you’ll have a few more chances to save your life.”

The greater the dosage of taowu grass, the better the effect of repelling Vicious Beasts.

Xiao Lingchen giving all the taowu grass to Zhu Qiqi would prevent more powerful Vicious Beasts from getting close.

Zhu Qiqi looked at the sachet in her hand, and for a moment, she was anxious:

“You gave all the taowu grass to me, so what about you?”

“What if we really get separated, won’t you be in great danger?”

Xiao Lingchen smiled and said:

“It’s fine!”

“I have many ways to escape, there won’t be any problems!”

“Besides, we might not necessarily get separated, right?”

“Alright, alright, let’s hurry up and get going!”

“There are more than just the two of us in these Kunlun Mountains; if we arrive late, it’s not impossible that the immortality spring might be taken by someone else!”

As he spoke.

Xiao Lingchen took the lead, continuing deeper into the Kunlun Mountains.

Zhu Qiqi held the sachet, watching Xiao Lingchen’s retreating figure.

“This fellow, he really is…”

Zhu Qiqi shook her head.

But then, a glimmer appeared in her eyes.

A strong sense of security suddenly welled up in her heart.

For ten thousand years, Zhu Qiqi had always adhered to the belief that it’s better to rely on oneself than on others.

When encountering difficulties, she rarely sought help from others.

And no one had ever protected her.

Today.

Xiao Lingchen’s concern for her made her feel a different kind of sensation.

She found that she quite liked this feeling.

A faint smile involuntarily appeared on Zhu Qiqi’s face.

Subsequently.

Zhu Qiqi also caught up with Xiao Lingchen.

Zhu Qiqi suddenly realized.

Although she was older than Xiao Lingchen, next to him, she seemed particularly delicate.

And she felt even more secure!

Zhu Qiqi suddenly said:

“Since you’ve given all your taowu grass to me, why are you still walking so fast?”

“What if you get attacked by a Vicious Beast later!”

As she spoke.

Zhu Qiqi suddenly took Xiao Lingchen’s hand and said:

“Honestly, stay by my side; don’t get separated from me!”

It must be said.

This was the first time Zhu Qiqi had initiative (proactively) taken Xiao Lingchen’s hand.

Her sudden action.

Made Xiao Lingchen pause for a moment.

Xiao Lingchen also smiled, then tightened his grip, and said:

“Okay!”

“I’ll definitely stay by your side; I won’t get separated from you!”