Jian Dan used the force of that last strike to retreat quickly. Her toes tapped against the ground as she leapt back step by step, slipping into the jungle last. Only then did the others finally breathe in relief. The Purple Sky Sect disciples and the Bai sisters noticed she wasn't restricted by the suppression on divine sense and spiritual power. Their eyes lit up.
On the rocky plain, the Black-Whip Electric Eel's writhing body was still locked in a fierce clash with that inch-long sword light, leaving it no time to care about anything else.
"Senior Brother, let's leave quickly. I've already drawn my sword, so the main body will definitely sense it."
"Alright! We're going!"
Jian Mao took the lead. None of them were clueless rookies, and everyone knew this was the critical moment. They had to retreat fast.
"Siyuan, Kuang Dao, you two cover the rear and erase our tracks. Bai sisters, get rid of our scent!"
Jian Dan's voice was low but firm.
"Yes!"
The four named immediately responded and moved with practiced coordination to wipe out signs of their presence.
Meanwhile, at the trading grounds, the Black-Whip Electric Eel that had been feasting suddenly paused for three breaths. It seemed to have received its subordinate's warning. With a snap of its whip, it dragged its prey underground and disappeared.
The group, spared from certain death, didn't dare linger. Terrified that it might return, they pulled their wounded along, grabbed what they could, and left in a hurry.
After Jian Dan's team departed, Lady Di's squad also left the next day. If the Fu Hu Squad went after them, they'd be the scapegoats. Leaving early let them dodge the disaster.
Jian Mao pushed the pace as fast as possible, only stopping briefly to confirm directions. Hou San stayed close at his side, helping to pick the safest route. The group traveled without pause, hating the fact that they couldn't use their spiritual power. If they could fly on their swords, they'd be long gone. The Bai sisters, knowing how dangerous the Black-Whip Electric Eel was, scattered brown powder as they went. Now and then, a bead of white frost struck a tree at a fork in the path.
Less than half an hour later, the ground trembled. Everyone knew what that meant. The eel's main body had returned. No one needed reminding. They all picked up the pace, darting through the jungle.
"Chuan, did you sweep your tail clean?"
Jian Dan asked, her tone edged with unease.
"Relax, I never mess things up!"
Fine. Up to now, Liu Chuan had never failed her. Her tense heart eased a little.
"Woman, I found a piece of 'Wood of Spring's Renewal' in their lair. I'm keeping this one. The rest I don't want!"
Jian Dan arched a brow. Liu Chuan had barely escaped with his life, and already he was staking a claim. Clearly this 'Wood of Spring's Renewal' was valuable. She didn't answer outright, instead asking through divine sense,
"One piece? How big?"
"Just about this big."
His reply was a bit guilty. He'd snatched the eel's most precious treasure.
That whole stretch of wasteland was guarded because of them. With half its body rooted like a plant, the beast still needed wood-attribute nourishment. A piece that large was half its life.
For Liu Chuan, it was pure energy, a perfect tonic to restore and strengthen himself. That's why he'd blurted it out. But this sharp-eyed woman caught on immediately. If he'd played it down, the treasure would already be his.
So after answering, he shut up fast. His sudden silence only confirmed Jian Dan's suspicion. She didn't bother pressing him further.
"When we reach a safe place, we'll talk it through."
The moment he heard her, Liu Chuan knew he had no chance of keeping it for himself. He immediately wrapped the roots of his spirit body around the crystal, greedily absorbing its nourishing energy while he could.
Back at the lair, the Black-Whip Electric Eel's main body discovered its subordinate nearly sliced in half by that sword light. With a furious crack, it lashed out with its thickest whip to block, but the inch-long sword glow severed it clean.
Now it understood the danger. It hurled more black whips at the glow. After a quarter of an hour, the light finally dissipated. Only then did the surviving eel creep forward.
The main body knew something was wrong. It dove underground and found its most precious 'Wood of Spring's Renewal' gone. The eel left behind to guard had been shredded, its body in useless fragments. With a resounding crack, the enraged main body whipped the ruined guardian against the wall until it fused back into itself. Then it scoured the lingering aura, fixed the intruders' escape direction, and gave chase. Its treasure had to be reclaimed.
By then, Jian Mao's group had already burst out of the forest. In front of them, a raging river cut across the land. A rickety suspension bridge swayed over the torrent, looking dangerously unstable.
"Boss Mao, this river separates the middle perimeter from the inner zone. Crossing costs spirit stones." Hou San whispered to Jian Mao.
Jian Mao turned to glance at his junior sister. "Let's go. Once we enter the inner zone, that thing won't dare follow."
This time Hou San took the lead. He'd crossed before, so he knew the procedure. He stepped onto the bridge first, hurrying across. By coincidence, the guard on duty today recognized him. After registering their group, he demanded the toll, one spirit stone per head.
Jian Dan handed over her storage pouch. Inside were exactly fifteen spirit stones. Once counted, the guards let them through.
Only when they crossed did the group finally breathe again.
The inner zone was like a small fortress. Towering walls etched with formation patterns, armored guards at the gates, patrols marching in disciplined squads.
"Boss Mao, Fairy Lu, this is the real inner zone. But there's another entry fee, two stones per person."
Hou San explained. No wonder Qing Mian had only ever brought him alone. The cost was crushing.
"Is there a place to stay inside?"
They couldn't keep coming and going every day. They'd be staying here for some time, searching for someone.
"Yes, we usually rent small cave dwellings off the main streets. They're simple, but they'll do."
"Safe?"
"It's the inner zone. There are immortals around, so it's secure enough. If disputes arise, they're settled in the arena. Or, once outside again, it's every man for himself."
"Senior Brother, once we're inside, have Hou San take us to their usual spot. We'll rest for a day before moving."
As Jian Dan spoke, she made a subtle gesture. Jian Mao caught the meaning immediately.
Hou San stepped forward again to pay the toll. The guards noticed the group's unfamiliar faces and asked,
"You new here?" Hou San understood instantly and laughed.
"Yeah, our squad's been treasure-hunting in the outer zone, saved up a few things. This time we came to trade and see the city's splendor."
"Got a shop you're headed to?"
"A friend recommended Muqing's shop. Said the owner's fair and easy to deal with, so we came to check it out." Jian Dan smiled as she added.
"Oh, that shop's not bad. It's run by the Tan Song family, their rates are decent."
The guard said it casually, but the group took note.
Once waved through, they entered the city quietly. Jian Dan urged Hou San to find a lodging right away, not wasting a single moment.