Chapter 11 (2/2)

There seemed to be no daylight in the forest, and danger lurked in every corner.

The Chaos Treasure Forest contained several types of treasures and tens of different types of herbs. However, since they were at the extreme end of the forest, where the risks were the lowest, 70 to 80% of the herbs had already been taken away by human cultivators and demons. It was undoubtedly going to be quite difficult for the five to find the spiritual herbs they wanted.

What’s more, the herb that Li Changshou was looking for was not within the Chaos Treasure Forest. It was located deeper into the region.

As they walked, Li Changshou retrieved a map made of sheepskin, which was as big as his palm. He looked at the different markings he had made on the map and confirmed the direction he had to travel in later on.

First, he had to look for a good reason to leave the group. Most importantly, he had to ensure that Aunt-Master Jiu, who was stealthily following them in the sky, would not step out to stop him.

After about an hour, the forest became even darker—the stench of something rotting filled the air. Groups of insects were crying out, and the predators hidden in the darkness kept their eyes on the five living and breathing beings, waiting for the opportunity to pounce.

In the swamp scattered with bones, there were seductive but poisonous flowers and fruits seated on high trees, and demonic spiders laughing cruelly.

The few disciples from the Immortal Du Sect were considered skillful, daring people. As time went by, they walked quicker and grew accustomed to their surroundings.

Li Changshou followed closely behind the four of them. At that moment, he was still far from the place where he had to change direction. Thus, he felt no urgency to leave the group.

All of a sudden, they heard the stifling roar of a beast. The poisonous insects’ crying was suddenly amplified, as a ferocious and fiendish energy aura surged towards them!

A poisonous beast could no longer resist—it was going to attack them!

Youqin Xuanya, who was right in front of the group, immediately raised her hand to stop everyone from moving forward. The huge sword on her back began to tremble slightly.

Yuan Qing gently shook his right hand, and a green immortal sword flew into his palm. He looked especially threatening, ready to attack at any moment.

Just as the four people in front of him turned their attention to the black figure rus.h.i.+ng out of the forest on their front-left, Li Changshou turned to the right. He took one step forward, stood behind w.a.n.g Ji, and said, “Be careful, on the right.”

The moment Li Changshou finished speaking, a ten-feet-tall, black figure jumped out from their front-left!

This was a black-skinned leopard, which had two wings growing out of its back. Its front claws flashed black and green. The moment it appeared, it jumped towards the four of them at once!

Yuan Qing shouted in a low voice, “Evil Beast, you’re courting death!” A gentle breeze blew past Youqin Xuanya as he rushed past her. An eight-inch beam of green light shot out of the edge of the three-foot sword. His footwork released many remnant images underneath his feet!

Out of the sword-light emerged an elongated ‘Z’. Just as the black leopard raised its claws, its black blood shot towards the sky!

At once, its body was cut into multiple different pieces!

At that moment, two black figures jumped out from the front-right side of the forest and headed straight for Liu Yan’er and Youqin Xuanya.

“Let me!” shouted w.a.n.g Ji, rus.h.i.+ng to Liu Yan’er’s side. Flames now surrounded both of his hands, and he waved them at the two black leopards, attempting to force them back.

However, before his flames exploded, a fiery-red figure brushed past him. The sword that she hadn’t unsheathed before cut through the air. As the sword brushed past them, the two black leopards immediately flew backward, like two huge sandbags.

It was just a single wave of the sword. There was no follow-up move. Yet, the two black leopards were already high up in the sky. Two fiery-red lotus flowers appeared in the leopards’ bodies. They exploded, blowing the bodies into pieces. The flames completely swallowed the remains and black blood!

In the blink of an eye, nothing remained of the two black leopards.

w.a.n.g Ji smiled awkwardly, retracting the b.a.l.l.s of flames in his hands and stepping backward.

Li Changshou’s eyes brightened. ‘This Youqin Xuanya has mastered the Nine Lotus Li Fire Skill?’

The three black leopards had been killed in the blink of an eye. The number of eyes that were fixed on these five disciples from within the darkness halved.

The five of them took their places once again and got on their way. Youqin Xuanya and Yuan Qing began to display simple footwork, but the three people behind them could keep up easily.

That was until a fork appeared in the path. Then, the group came to a stop at the same time.

Youqin Xuanya turned around and said, “Senior Brother, Senior Sister, I am going in this direction to look for the Fire-Loathing Enlightenment Herb. It was recorded in our sect that people have spotted this herb in this direction. Please take care of yourselves. Don’t go too far in.”

Liu Yan’er also said that she was searching for a herb, and was headed in the other direction.

The group began to split up. Naturally, Yuan Qing was going to stick with Youqin Xuanya. He had come specially to help and protect her.

w.a.n.g Ji was there to experience the outside world. At the same time, he agreed to help Liu Yan’er look for the herb she wanted.

Thus, the four of them all turned to Li Changshou.

“I’m going this way. I have to separate from all of you now,” said Li Changshou while pointing in a completely different direction.

Youqin Xuanya asked, “Senior Brother Changshou, what herb are you looking for?”

Li Changshou answered seriously, “It’s not convenient for me to say. However, don’t worry about me. Take care.”

Yuan Qing tried to persuade him. “Senior Brother Changshou, why not go with Senior Sister Yan’er—”

Before Yuan Qing could finish speaking, Li Changshou took one step towards the path he chose. He employed simple footwork and floated away, his hair not even dancing in the wind. Still, very quickly, he disappeared around the corner into the forest ahead.

“Really, he’s taking our good intentions for granted,” Liu Yan’er muttered irritably.

Yuan Qing and w.a.n.g Ji shook their heads as well. They guessed that Li Changshou was just being proud, and he wanted to prove himself too badly.

Youqin Xuanya, on the other hand, seemed to have something on her mind. She turned around and began walking on the path she selected. Her back view, coupled with the sword on her back, looked more delicate than before.

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