Chapter Sixty-Two: Did You Understand My Warning?

Six apprentices at the Qi Refining stage had come to the Far Northern Glacier to cultivate, and Ding Chunxue found this rather unusual. Ding Chunxue often brought Hong Jian and Chen Zaizhi to the Endless Sea for training because the techniques he practiced were sufficient to sustain the consumption of two Qi Refining cultivators. Such an experience was invaluable for any cultivator; many who had already established their foundation lacked combat experience and their use of true energy was mere theory. In moments of real crisis, they could not act as calmly as these two unestablished youths.

The six people on the opposite boat did not have a master accompanying them, so naturally, they could not enjoy similar benefits. They operated their vessel by relying on the Immortal King Swan, expending no true energy at all—how could they cultivate under such circumstances?

Yet, as disciples of the Divine Transformation stage, they could not be regarded as ordinary juniors. Though Ding Chunxue was puzzled, he did not ask directly. Instead, he recalled that earlier he had failed to notice the presence of the Immortal King Swan, which possessed a Core Formation level of strength. This was quite inappropriate—it seemed the other party had used some method to conceal its aura. Otherwise, the low-level beasts within several miles would have fled in terror, and these six would have been left to wander only along the glacier’s periphery.

On the opposite boat, Qi Xiuning saw that the people on this side were old acquaintances. She was now the personal disciple of the Sect Master of the Talisman Diagram Sect. The old address of “Senior Brother” and “Junior Sister” was no longer appropriate. For a moment, she couldn’t think of what to say, so she nodded reservedly to Hong Jian and Chen Zaizhi as a greeting, then turned to Leng Yu and the others, saying, “Senior Brothers, let’s make the most of our time and go cultivate.”

Hong Jian, having finally encountered Shi Qingxiang once again, could not bear to let him leave so easily. In her urgency, she called out, “Hey…”

The youths on the other boat, not knowing whom she was addressing, including Shi Qingxiang, all turned their heads to look at her. Hong Jian felt a bit embarrassed; the words were on the tip of her tongue, but she suddenly realized that she had no way to expose the truth about the Divine Transformation recruitment in front of so many people and warn Shi Qingxiang. What to do?

Hesitating for just a moment, the tallest among the six, Ji Nanpu, suddenly spoke, “Attention, two beasts are closing in from behind.”

“Let’s take them out first,” Leng Yu called.

Ding Chunxue had already noticed that the approaching creatures were two unicorn angersharks, similar in size to the ones before. He felt a slight stir in his heart and remained on his own flying boat to observe.

The Qi Refining youths truly did not seek his assistance. Ding Chunxue couldn’t distinguish who was who, but Hong Jian recognized each of them. She saw that Lin Suoyue, who had joined Xing Wuyia’s tutelage, took the lead. He moved to the stern, aimed at the leading unicorn angershark, and struck down in the air. With a loud bang, some unknown technique hit the beast’s head, and the shark suddenly sank, even its spiked horn vanishing beneath the water.

Two figures sprang from the sides of the boat—it was Qi Xiuning and Ji Nanpu. Each unleashed a technique, and the beast was struck twice more. Two muffled booms echoed from beneath the surface, and bubbles churned up as if the water were boiling.

In the blink of an eye, all six youths had made their moves. Ding Chunxue was shocked to discover that each of them had cultivated martial skills. Due to their different spiritual roots, the techniques varied, but one thing was common—even Qi Xiuning, who possessed water spiritual roots, attacked with ruthless decisiveness, leaving no room for mercy. It didn’t take long for the unicorn angershark to be dismembered by their combined assault, and a heavy scent of blood hung over the sea.

Witnessing this scene, Hong Jian and Chen Zaizhi both turned pale, though their thoughts diverged greatly.

Chen Zaizhi lowered his voice and asked Ding Chunxue, “Senior Brother, have they all established their foundation?” He could hardly believe it himself. Leaving aside the others, Qi Xiuning was only at the fifth layer of Qi Refining during the sect’s examination, and even with his own unexpected injury, she only ranked fifth. How could they have advanced so rapidly? The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth; had he not suffered an inexplicable injury to his divine sense, he too would have been among them.

Ding Chunxue shook his head. The true energy fluctuations from the six youths could not deceive him: “The one who acted first is at the ninth layer of Qi Refining, the others are about the same as you. The boy in moon-white robes and that little girl are slightly weaker, but still at the seventh layer. Their techniques aren’t particularly advanced, but their killing intent is strong—they seem to have been training in this area for some time.”

Shi Qingxiang was the one in moon-white robes. Hong Jian felt a sting in her nose. More than two years ago, when she first met him, he was already at the seventh layer of Qi Refining. Now, he was still at the same stage, but his technique had changed—the Demon-Taming Vine was gone. Undoubtedly, all this was arranged by Dai Mingchi and others to prepare them for their mission among the demonic cultivators. After mastering the Talisman Diagram Sect’s teachings, they were likely sent to sea to learn the path of slaughter from Xing Wuyia.

There was no time left. Even if she revealed the truth to Shi Qingxiang now, he could not withdraw.

Perhaps the six of them already knew, but had no other path to follow.

Lin Suoyue and the others quickly slew the two beasts and prepared to sail away. Hong Jian realized that if she didn’t act now, it would be too late. Suddenly, the phrase “Shi never forgets even the smallest favor” rang in her ears. She called loudly, “Wait! Shi Qingxiang!”

Shi Qingxiang turned back in surprise, and Ji Nanpu stopped the boat. Hong Jian no longer hesitated and leapt from her brocade-sailed vessel onto their larger boat.

Shi Qingxiang came forward with a slight smile, “Junior Sister Fang, it has been a long time. Did you call me for something?”

Under the curious stares of those nearby, Hong Jian hesitated, then reached into her storage pouch and took out a delicate yellow flower, handing it to Shi Qingxiang. “May I ask if you recognize this flower?”

So much time had passed. Though she hadn’t deliberately sought them out, she had identified nearly all the spiritual herbs and fruits brought out from the sect’s secret realm. Even those obtained from Jian Hui were not particularly rare treasures. Only a few flowers picked from the misty valley’s stone walls had unknown uses. Now, she hoped to stall Shi Qingxiang, hoping to find an opportunity to hint at the danger ahead, so she brought out the flower.

Shi Qingxiang took the flower, examined it closely, gently rolled the petals between his thumb and forefinger, and smelled it. He had studied Jian Hui’s “Thousand Herbs and Thousand Remedies Classic,” and after careful inspection, he truly recognized it. He said, “This should be a high-grade ‘Illusion Orchid.’ If you had several more, you could brew them into wine. Once that wine enters the bloodstream, even a Core Formation cultivator might temporarily be unable to use their powers. It’s quite rare—where did you find it?” As he spoke, he handed the Illusion Orchid back to Hong Jian.

Hong Jian took the flower, a thousand words stuck in her throat. She shook her head, then took out the “Blessed Territory” she had just touched from her storage pouch and pressed it into his hand. “You said last time you liked this—so it’s yours.” Besides this, she had nothing else. She only hoped that with “Blessed Territory” in his possession, Shi Qingxiang might have a better chance of survival when he reached the other side of the Endless Sea.

This… was almost like exchanging tokens of affection between a man and a woman.

Leng Yu watched with a mischievous grin, whistling loudly. Xie Yaofei and Ji Nanpu laughed along with him.