"What is happening?"
Zhang Lingrui immediately asked.
The Huaxian Gate female cultivator's expression changed sharply, and she shouted: "Leave here at once! This miniature city has already recognized its master. The owner is claiming the city. If we do not leave now, we will be trapped."
"Move!"
Cao Yi shouted and his figure flashed as he decisively left the spot.
The others quickly followed. Only the two Golden Core Huaxian Gate female cultivators lingered a moment, reluctant to leave, but they were a step too slow. They could only accept their fate and retreat swiftly.
The instant everyone stepped out of the city gate, the entire city accelerated its shrinking, finally becoming no larger than a palm before collapsing into a beam of light and vanishing.
The entire mountain interior, losing the city's support, began dropping rubble. It was clear the area was collapsing.
"Leave this place first."
The group changed direction and hurried away.
Not long after, a lone figure silently followed. Yet the smug expression on her face was too obvious.
Wei Yunqing's lips curved slightly. Finally, her luck seemed to turn in the secret realm. Moments ago, she had been chased by a third-rank Earth Dragon. The next moment, she had stepped onto a teleportation array and been whisked out of the cave.
Before she could even determine her location, the evil soul in her sea of consciousness sent a voice: this was the city's center. By refining the array pillar within the mansion, she could claim the entire city as her own.
Wei Yunqing hesitated, then asked tentatively:
"Are you serious? I can refine the city?"
"Why would I lie? You simply lack experience. The portable cities of ancient cultivators and the high-level law houses share similar principles, but no law house can compare to a city. How could a single house compete with an entire city?"
Wei Yunqing's heart stirred. This was a treasure beyond measure. Unable to resist, she refined the array pillar under the evil soul's guidance, claiming the city as her own. She then discovered the Haoran Sect, Yunmen Temple, and Huaxian Gate cultivators exploring within the city.
To avoid trouble, Wei Yunqing remained hidden. She stored the city within her crimson bracelet, then silently followed the group. It was safer to move with them than to act alone.
Unaware to her, the restrictions imprisoning the evil soul had subtly changed after she followed its advice. The evil soul had become unusually obedient, no longer attempting to break free. It trusted that the female cultivator would release it voluntarily.
Meanwhile, Yun Xi, upon entering the bamboo forest, realized she was alone again. Her divine sense was limited to a radius of two li. The dense forest prevented her from seeing everything, leaving her uneasy.
She efficiently pulled Dian Dian from the spatial pocket.
"Master, what do you need me for?"
"Dian Dian, use your nose. Sniff for anything unusual or valuable."
"Yes, Master!"
Dian Dian eagerly complied, twitching its nose before pointing in a direction:
"Master, there is a pleasant scent this way. Let's check it out."
Yun Xi nodded. She looked up at the sky, blocked by dense bamboo, then changed course toward the direction Dian Dian indicated.
After entering the bamboo forest, her protective spiritual shield remained active. Separated from the three Yuányīng Zhēnjūn, she cast another protective shield over herself before continuing.
After about the length of an incense stick, Dian Dian halted her.
"Master, go this way."
Yun Xi adjusted her path. After fifteen minutes, Dian Dian pointed again. Two more times, the same pattern repeated. Eventually, Yun Xi stopped. Even Dian Dian sensed something was wrong.
"Master, this treasure is leading us in circles. It is guiding us deliberately."
Dian Dian's whiskers twitched in irritation.
Yun Xi gently rubbed Dian Dian's head:
"It seems this treasure has awakened. That makes things tricky."
Dian Dian blinked its black eyes and asked:
"Master, should we continue the pursuit?"
Yun Xi thought for a moment and decided to let it go. She wanted the rare materials, but the bamboo forest made her uneasy. She did not want to be led into a trap.
This was an area for Nascent Soul cultivators to explore and train. She was not yet invincible. She said:
"Do not pursue it. If it leads us into danger, what then? Let's find the three Zhēnjūn first. If we cannot, we will leave the bamboo forest. This place makes me uncomfortable."
"Understood, Master."
Dian Dian promptly agreed.
Yun Xi waved her sleeve, releasing the Flying Mist Butterflies to scout ahead. Areas beyond her divine sense were left to them, while Fei Xia stayed within her sleeve to maintain contact.
After about the length of another incense stick, Dian Dian communicated:
"Master, it is following us."
Yun Xi responded without breaking stride:
"Let it follow. Ignore it."
Dian Dian scratched its ear:
"Understood."
Though obedient, its nose kept twitching, tracking whatever trailed them.
After adjusting directions several times based on the small Flying Mist Butterflies' feedback, Dian Dian could no longer hold back:
"Master, it is getting closer."
Yun Xi stopped and turned toward the direction Dian Dian indicated.
Five breaths later, two jade-green bamboo leaves shifted. Dian Dian leapt before Yun Xi could speak. Landing, it sprinted toward the shaking bamboo and pounced with all four claws.
Thick bamboo became the battlefield. Yun Xi watched, letting the fight conclude quickly.
After a moment, Dian Dian appeared before Yun Xi with a snapped bamboo section in its mouth. It transmitted proudly:
"Master, this creature has been following us. It is a bamboo spirit, though a bit clumsy. It brought its core with it, making it easy for Dian Dian to catch."
Yun Xi smiled and summoned the green bamboo segment into her hand, examining it. The bamboo was solid, with a flowing liquid inside and streaks resembling tears on the surface.
She asked tentatively:
"Are you the master of this bamboo forest? Are you following me to accept me as your master and leave together?"
The bamboo finally moved, swaying its leaves twice, though Yun Xi could not understand its meaning.
Dian Dian intervened, showing its claws:
"Master asks a question. Reveal your true form."
Perhaps sensing Dian Dian's threat, the bamboo shifted and transformed into a small, plump white child wearing a green bellyband and a tiny topknot, fitting neatly into Yun Xi's palm.
Tears streaked the child's face as it cautiously asked:
"Fragrant Sister, can you save my grandfather?"