Chapter 37: The Ghost Sect and Blood Sec (2/2)
Actually, he felt comfortable that way, and didn’t try to start conversations with any of the other teenagers. He intentionally trailed behind, following from a distance.
An Ying had apparently received some tips from the elders of the Spiritual Treasure sect, as she would take out a map every now and then, examine it, and then point in a certain direction.
From the look of things, she had already identified the location of the python, which could be used in exchange for the Heaven Comprehending Pill.
Under An Ying’s leadership, the trial takers from the Spiritual Treasure sect continued to march through the cold and silent wastelands.
There were no sun, moon, or stars in the Green Illusion dimension. There were no days or nights. In fact, without a special device that could be used to mark time, it would be hard to determine the exact date and time.
Nie Tian couldn’t possibly have such a device, since he was from the Nie clan. Therefore, he had no clue of how long they had been wandering in the wastelands.
However, based on his judgement, he was fairly certain that they had traveled in the cold and silence for at least two days.
During that time, they didn’t run into any spirit beasts; all they saw were a handful of spirit beast skeletons.
At one point, An Ying suddenly stopped in place and gestured to the vague shadows of some distant glaciers. “We’ve almost reached the border of the wastelands,” she explained. “Those glaciers in front of us are our destination. That frost python could be lurking in them. From now on, everyone must be careful.
“The wastelands were originally the domain of several fierce tribes, but they were wiped out long ago. That’s why we have been safe along the way.
“However, once we leave the wastelands and enter the glaciers, we should prepare ourselves for possible encounters with the Green Illusion dimension’s spirit beasts. Those spirit beasts only exist in the Green Illusion dimension, and they regard all outsiders as enemies. Once they see us, they will immediately attack.
“After all, they are smart enough to know that all of the high grade spirit beasts have been killed by cultivators from our sects.
While talking, An Ying suddenly lay her eyes on Nie Tian.
Nie Tian stared blankly at her, not sure why she suddenly focused her gaze on him at that point.
An Ying smiled. “From now on, we may come across spirit beasts at any moment, and they will most likely attack those who walk in the forefront. The landscape of the glacier area is very complicated, so it will be hard to know where the spirit beasts are hiding, and from which direction they will launch attacks.”
Upon hearing her words, Zheng Rui and Pan Tao’s faces immediately filled with unfriendly intentions.
An Ying squinted and snickered. “Nie Tian, you’re not a member of our sect, yet you’ve taken one of our sect’s command medallions to get here into the Green Illusion trial. Therefore, you owe us something in return. The task of finding the path ahead naturally falls upon you.”
All of a sudden, every trial taker’s gaze converged on Nie Tian.
When those boys and girls from various clans stared at him, their eyes were full of malice.
Obviously, they took it for granted that Nie Tian, as the outsider, should be the one to take the risk and explore the road ahead of them.
Nie Tian smiled wryly. “Can I say no?”
“Sure.” An Ying laughed again, and this time it seemed more sincere than before. “You’re welcome to disobey my orders. As long as you’re ready to part ways with us and travel alone in the Green Illusion dimension.”
Nie Tian rubbed his nose and nodded. “Alright, I’ll do it.”
A wise man knew when to bend himself. Considering his ignorance regarding the Green Illusion dimension, he knew that if he left the Spiritual Treasure sect’s group, he would be no different than a blind man.
Moreover, An Ying had a map that could lead them to the four second grade spirit beasts, that being another important reason for him to stay with the group.
Once he left An Ying, he would be like a headless chicken, unable to find directions in the vast Green Illusion dimension.
He might not even be able to find his way back, and thus end up getting stuck in the Green Illusion dimension.
Therefore, even though he knew perfectly well that An Ying was targeting him, he could only bear with it temporarily, and pay her back in the future.
“Good boy,” said An Ying with a content smile. “Go on ahead and lead us into the glaciers. Show us whether the spirit beasts in the Green Illusion dimension are as ferocious as the sect elders have told us.”
Nie Tian acted obediently. “Sure”
He stepped up his pace, and had soon walked from the very back of the group to the front.
Under An Ying’s urging gaze, he strode out into the vanguard position. An hour later, they were out of the wastelands, and had reached the border of glacier area, which was the turf of the spirit beasts.
ROOOOAR!
The minute they entered the glacier area, angry roars of the spirit beasts started to ring in their ears.
ROAR! HOWL!
All of a sudden, one after another, numerous spirit beasts jumped out from behind jade-like frozen trees. Hatred flashed in their eyes as they abruptly launched attacks and threw themselves towards Nie Tian at the same time.