126: Sincerity

Mu Wanqing raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, but she didn't rush to agree. Instead, she asked in a flat tone, "Why do you think we have the ability to lead you out of this dangerous place?"

Hearing this, Su Zi realized there was a good chance. She quickly shuffled forward half a step on her knees and said earnestly, "You are able to be in this crisis-ridden Secret Realm without a single wrinkle on your clothes, and not a single one of you is injured. Such strength is certainly beyond that of ordinary Cultivators! Only by following you do we have any hope of survival!"

Beside her, Su Yan added, "We sisters have previously seen the direction of the Central Stone Tower from afar and know which way to go! If you are heading to that stone tower, we are willing to be your guides, only asking to be allowed to travel with you!"

Mu Wanqing turned her head and exchanged looks with Ye Hao, Xiao Lingxian, and the others.

Xiao Lingxian spoke up at the right time, "Senior Sister, the two of them are so pitiful. Since we have plenty of time anyway, why don't we take them with us? Having two more people means more support."

"That's right, Senior Sister." Ye Hao immediately nodded in agreement, his gaze falling on the faces of Su Zi and Su Yan where the tear marks had not yet dried. His tone softened a bit, "Looking at their delicate and pitiful appearance, they don't seem like bad people who would lie. By taking them along, we can also avoid some detours."

As the four of them discussed it, Mu Wanqing quickly made a decision. She kept a straight face and said in a serious voice:

"In that case, you two stay obediently by our side. As long as you are honest and obedient, you will be able to leave this place alive in three days."

As she spoke, Mu Wanqing extended her slender right hand, and two spirit fate crystals flew into her palm.

Su Zi breathed a sigh of relief as if a heavy burden had been lifted. With tears shimmering in her eyes, she thanked them with sincere emotion, "Thank you, Fellow Daoist! Thank you all for being willing to lend a helping hand! We sisters will definitely be obedient and never cause you any trouble!"

"I will lead the way for you right now, towards that Central Stone Tower!"

Mu Wanqing nodded and moved in the direction the woman in the light purple dress pointed. After everyone left, a scrap of light purple fabric fell to the ground... In another part of the Secret Realm, within a valley of rugged rocks.

A boulder several dozen feet high stood majestically. A man of sturdy build stood with his hands behind his back at the top of the rock, his black robes snapping in the wind. His features were rugged as if carved by a knife, and his wheat-colored skin glowed with healthy luster.

This person was the Saint of the Myriad Manifestations Holy Land, Feng Chenxiao.

"Saint!" A grey-clothed Disciple hurried to the base of the boulder, knelt on one knee, and said urgently, "Many Cultivators have been discovered in the eastern valley. They are specifically lying in ambush at the edge of the soul-confusing miasma, waiting for those Cultivators who flee out of the miasma in a panic to immediately strike, killing and looting their spirit fate crystals!"

Upon hearing this, Feng Chenxiao's brows instantly tightened. A look of heavy pity appeared on his face, and he said with a look of grief:

"It is merely a competition for the Heavenly Selection Grand Ceremony, why must they act so ruthlessly? To harm the lives of innocent Cultivators just for a few spirit fate crystals, how cruel, how tragic!"

"Saint, the Sect Master instructed that we shouldn't cause too much of a stir in the Secret Realm this time."

Feng Chenxiao rubbed his forehead as if he were extremely angry, his face full of heartbroken sorrow. "To watch innocent Cultivators being slaughtered and turn a blind eye—how can I, Feng Chenxiao, sit idly by and watch such evil occur?"

He took a deep breath, his tone suddenly becoming firm. "Where are those ambushing Cultivators? If we head over now, we might still catch them."

The Wanxiang Pavilion Disciple could only advise again, "Saint, it would be better for us to find that Central Stone Tower sooner."

"Enough of your nonsense!" Feng Chenxiao barked, his tone carrying an unquestionable authority. "Humans are not plants; how can they be without emotion! Since I already know of this matter, there is absolutely no reason for me to sit by and do nothing!"

"Lead the way, quickly!"

At this moment, another Disciple arrived to report, "Saint, we have captured a Medicine Pavilion Disciple. How should we handle him?"

Upon hearing this, the grief on Feng Chenxiao's face instantly vanished, replaced by a warm smile. "The Medicine Pavilion and my Wanxiang Pavilion have always been on good terms. Quickly invite this Fellow Daoist over; I wish to speak with him personally."

"Yes, Saint!"

Soon, a Medicine Pavilion Disciple was brought over.

Feng Chenxiao leaped down from the boulder and walked slowly to the young man. With a warm smile on his face, he said softly, "Fellow Daoist, there's no need to be nervous. I only heard you were a Medicine Pavilion Disciple, and the Elders in my sect specifically instructed me..."

Before he could finish his sentence, his right hand suddenly shot out. A wisp of pitch-black Spiritual Qi condensed on his fingertip and pierced into the Medicine Pavilion Disciple's forehead as fast as lightning!

The man let out a short, muffled groan, and his body slumped down. Black blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, and his breath ceased instantly.

Feng Chenxiao slowly withdrew his hand. Looking at the corpse on the ground, the warm smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by a faint sigh. His tone was full of 'pity':

"Alas... Fellow Daoist, do not blame me. This Secret Realm is so dangerous; being alone, you would have met a violent death sooner or later anyway. I am merely helping you find release, to spare you from more suffering."

The surrounding Wanxiang Pavilion Disciples were already accustomed to their Saint's true nature and were not surprised in the least.

Feng Chenxiao raised his hand and waved it, his tone returning to its previous state of compassion. "Let's go. Take me to see the deeds of those evildoers."

...Outside the Arena Stage!

The spectating Cultivators were still focused on watching the drama unfold.

The mutual scheming of over five hundred Prodigies, combined with the bloody killings brought by the Yao Beasts, was greatly impacting everyone's minds.

In particular, those with poor cultivation Aptitude were enjoying the show immensely.

Chen Xuan continued to ask, "Since the Cultivators who leave this Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven will be bound by a Slave Seal, what did you mean by inviting me to the Profound Realm back in Qionglu Hall, Fellow Daoist?"

As soon as these words were spoken!

Qi Yue's gaze instantly turned cold. She hadn't expected there to be such matters between the Sect Master and these Mysterious Realm Emissaries.

Qin Tianxing said with a serious expression, "Brother Chen, if I say I had no such intention, would you believe me?"

"Those with truly Heaven-Defying Luck cannot be bound by a mere Slave Seal. Even among the Prodigies who have left this Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven over the years, there have been a few who would rather be shattered jade than intact pottery."

"Instead of that, it is better to express true sincerity. That would be the best course of action."

Chen Xuan did not answer, but instead changed the subject, "If Wanqing and the others win this Heavenly Selection Grand Ceremony and are chosen by the people on those three high platforms, what would happen if they refuse to go to the Profound Realm?"

Qin Tianxing thought for a moment and said solemnly, "As I told Brother Chen before, no matter how good a Sharp Weapon is, if it doesn't suit you, it's better to have it broken as early as possible."

"Of course, I will do my best to protect Brother Chen's talented Disciples."

Chen Xuan nodded slightly and looked toward Xiao Yun.

He had once asked Xiao Yun this question, but at that time, the answer Xiao Yun gave was that there was no rule stating it must be so. Those Prodigies who went to the Profound Realm were all yearning for a broader world and the more distant Great Dao.

At this moment, Xiao Yun was so embarrassed he wished the ground would swallow him whole. He could only cup his hands in apology, "This Junior's knowledge is shallow and I have misled Senior Chen. I deserve to die."

Chen Xuan waved his hand. "Forget it. Bringing Wanqing and the others here for experience was my idea in the first place."

Looking at it this way, it seemed he would have to make contingency plans early.