Chapter 30: Don’t Throw Away the Magical Treasures
Xie Bailu sighed at her loss, but her feet were flying.
Xiao Xing popped its head out. “Master, aren’t you going to use the Divine Movement Art?”
Xie Bailu said, “It’s not dangerous now. How can I bear to consume you again? Don’t worry, Xiao Xing. I will grow up and be able to protect you. See, I was able to defeat three people by myself today.”
There was an element of acting in her words, but Xiao Xing had indeed been a reliable companion during this time. She really didn’t want it to be consumed too much.
Xiao Xing was almost moved to tears. Not only was its master a child of fortune, always able to protect it and run with it in extremely dangerous situations, but she was also very good to it, always thinking of it. She was so good!
In the long years of the past, Xiao Xing had, actively or passively, acknowledged some masters. Except for its first master, the rest had only treated it as a handy tool. Let alone chatting with it and making it happy, they were usually too lazy to even say a word to it.
It had gained intelligence and could take form, so of course, it also had some little thoughts and would feel lonely. Except for the beginning, when it was in a bad mood and dissatisfied with Xie Bailu as its new master because it was afraid of being destroyed, now it only felt that it was very lucky to have found such a good new master.
It hoped that its new master could smoothly improve her cultivation and be its master forever.
Considering that her appearance had most likely been exposed, Xie Bailu covered her face with a white cloth and continued to run in the predetermined direction.
She didn’t know why Ling Song had suddenly chased after her, but according to their agreement, the time was not up yet, so he shouldn’t have gone back on his word. Since they were playing a game, they should have the spirit of the game.
Xie Bailu felt that Ling Song’s pursuit might be related to the rumors about them, but from his performance, he probably didn’t want to end their game yet. Otherwise, why would he secretly give her spirit stones?
After the two of them had run for a while, Xiao Xing suddenly said, “Master, wait! I sense an elemental crystal! It’s the wood elemental essence stone!”
Xie Bailu’s steps faltered. “In which direction? How far?”
Xiao Xing said, “Northwest, maybe… maybe a few dozen li?”
Xie Bailu thought for a moment and still rushed in the direction Xiao Xing had pointed.
She felt that there was a trap. Last time, when Xiao Xing had sensed the water elemental essence stone, it had been no more than two li from the lake. But this time, it could sense it from so far away. She suspected that someone had done something.
She could probably guess that someone had obtained the wood elemental essence stone by chance and, now that they had heard the news of the Five-Star Cauldron, wanted to use the wood elemental essence stone to attract it.
These days, the matter of her and Ling Song had been spreading like wildfire. People all knew that the Five-Star Cauldron was in her hands, but many were not sure if Ling Song was by her side.
Therefore, the Golden Core cultivator just now had sent people to test her. Only after confirming that Ling Song was not there did he dare to show himself. It was a pity that his luck was bad, and Ling Song had actually come.
Otherwise, if it were only Zong Sheng, Zong Sheng would at most have taken her away. It would have been difficult to kill that Golden Core cultivator, and the other party could still have kept his life.
She suspected that this wood elemental essence stone was also a bait to lure her over with the Five-Star Cauldron. If the person behind the scenes confirmed that she was alone, they would snatch the Five-Star Cauldron and kill her to silence her. If they saw that Ling Song was also there, they would activate the corresponding trap.
The wood elemental essence stone was also a good thing. It was not worth it to just gamble on one possibility. Of course, they had to consider the possibility of getting rid of Ling Song as well! No, it was more like they had to get rid of Ling Song. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to rest easy even with the Five-Star Cauldron.
Xie Bailu felt that as long as the person behind the scenes who was luring her was not a fool, it was impossible for them to not have prepared anything. Then it would be meaningful for her to walk into the trap.
After all, she and they had a partial overlap in their goals. She also wanted to kill Ling Song.
Although Ling Song had given her spirit stones and seemed to have protected her several times, he just wouldn’t let her go and let them be at peace. Then she had no other choice.
Xie Bailu whispered to Xiao Xing about the abnormality of the wood elemental essence stone and told it her plan.
Xiao Xing felt it was a bit dangerous, but it didn’t object. It was too used to seeing its master walk out of a dangerous situation onto a broad path.
Meanwhile, the battle between Ling Song and Zong Sheng was also coming to an end.
Zong Sheng was only at the early-stage Golden Core, while Ling Song was already at the late-stage Golden Core. There were two minor realms between them. Ling Song didn’t even need to self-harm to temporarily increase his cultivation like when he fought with other Nascent Soul cultivators.
At this moment, Ling Song was no different from before. His posture was leisurely, and a faint smile hung on his lips, like a graceful young master in a chaotic world.
But his words were not very pleasant. “Zong Sheng, you haven’t improved at all.”
Zong Sheng, who was opposite him, even with the protection of the magical treasures of the Zong and Ling families, was already covered in wounds. Even his handsome face had a cut, staining half of his face red, but he was still holding on and straightening his back.
Hearing Ling Song’s words, he was annoyed for a moment, then smiled. “Brother, have you forgotten? The last time we met, I was still at the Foundation Establishment stage, but today I’m already at the Golden Core stage. I have talent and the resources of the family. Sooner or later, I will surpass you. But what about you? You could die outside at any time.”
Ling Song was not provoked at all and smiled leisurely. “Really? My talent is higher than yours, and I cultivate faster than you. What will you use to surpass me? In a fantasy?”
The path Zong Sheng was on was the path arranged by the major families for their talented disciples. Protected by many magical treasures, sparring with people in a safe environment, slowly growing, and gradually being able to stand on their own.
But Ling Song was different. He was always on the verge of life and death. He could die in any battle. Therefore, his understanding of cultivation was far superior to Zong Sheng’s. One was a domestic dog that had received formal training and grown up according to the rules, and the other was a wild wolf that had grown up wild and would die if it didn’t improve.
Zong Sheng’s face twitched for a moment, but he quickly relaxed his clenched fist. He checked the magical treasures he had left and said with a grin, “Alright, I admit I’m not as good as you. Brother, we’ve already fought. Isn’t it time to see mother? Mother really wants to see the female cultivator who has stolen your soul.”
Seeing that Zong Sheng had finally been defeated, Ling Song also sheathed his sword. “If you want to see her, go see her yourself.”
He sensed Xie Bailu’s location and chased after her.
Only then did Zong Sheng quickly lean his long knife on the ground to support his body and quickly take out a pill from his storage bag and stuff it into his mouth.
He rarely fought with Ling Song, because every time they fought, he would lose a large number of magical treasures, just like now. Two years ago, when he had just advanced to the Golden Core stage, he had also been very proud. He was only a few years later than him in achieving the Golden Core stage, and there wasn’t much of a difference. But every time they fought, all his pride would be shattered.
He slowly wiped the blood from his body and sneered. He wanted to see when Ling Song would die with that kind of fighting style!
After his Dantian calmed down, Zong Sheng also chased in the direction Ling Song had left.
This person, he had to bring him before his mother!
Xie Bailu, who was being thought of by the two brothers, was now almost at the sensed destination.
This was a valley, full of trees. The tall canopies blocked the sunlight. As far as the eye could see, there was no one else, and no flaws could be seen.
And the wood elemental essence stone was on a certain tree in the valley.
Xie Bailu thought of how Xiao Xing had gone offline after receiving the water elemental essence stone last time. She asked and understood that it could choose not to recycle it for now if it was prepared. Only then did she follow Xiao Xing’s senses and walk forward.
Soon, she was standing in front of a large tree. Looking up, a light green stone was embedded in the huge trunk.
And, she could see traces of it being violently embedded.
She pretended not to see and dug out the wood elemental essence stone with her dagger.
Nothing happened.
She pondered. Was it because Ling Song hadn’t arrived, so the trap hadn’t been activated, or was the wood elemental essence stone violently embedded here a long time ago?
She looked at the surrounding traces. They were very new, so the latter answer was not valid.
Then it was because Ling Song hadn’t arrived.
Then if she turned and left now, wouldn’t the other party have lost the wood elemental essence stone for nothing?
Xie Bailu decided to give it a try and really turned to leave.
Several arrows with spiritual energy shot towards her. She quickly retreated, using the tree as a shield to block the arrows. Then, a few cultivators with bows and arrows appeared.
With a single glance, she could see that the cultivation of these cultivators was not high. They surrounded Xie Bailu and said sternly, “Hand over the Five-Star Cauldron, or…”
Xie Bailu said, “Alright, can I go after I hand it over?”
The other party was suddenly stunned. They had never seen such a cooperative victim.
The few of them exchanged a look, a little unsure of how to proceed. Was she so cooperative because Ling Song was not nearby?
And Xie Bailu had already held out the Five-Star Cauldron. “Come and get it.”
The few of them didn’t dare to go forward at all.
It was the person who had spoken first who said, “You must have a scheme! Can you guarantee that you won’t come back to snatch it after you hand over the Five-Star Cauldron?”
Xie Bailu was speechless. “…” Listen to what you’re saying. This is the cultivation world. It’s not a children’s game. Do you dare to believe me if I make such a guarantee?
But she could understand that the other party was probably just acting for the sake of it, so she cooperated and replied, “I can guarantee it! Then can you guarantee that you won’t harm me after you take the Five-Star Cauldron?”
The few people on the other side looked at each other, feeling that this play was getting more and more awkward.
According to their imagination, they should have jumped out to snatch the Five-Star Cauldron, and she would refuse. Then they would fight, and she would be injured, and the person behind her would appear. After that, it would have nothing to do with them.
But at this moment, she said she was willing to give it, so they had lost the reason to fight.
The leader took a few deep breaths and decided to just follow the plan. He shouted, “Brothers, let’s go! The Five-Star Cauldron will be ours if we get it!”
As soon as his voice fell, with a “thud,” the Five-Star Cauldron was thrown to the ground between the two sides by Xie Bailu.
She said, “You can have it.”
Their charging figures suddenly stopped. After a few suffocating breaths, the leader was quite quick-witted and immediately shouted, “This must be a fake! She tricked us! We can’t let her go!”
But before they could charge up again, Xiao Xing, who had understood Xie Bailu’s thoughts, drilled out of the Five-Star Cauldron and shouted, “I am the spirit of the Five-Star Cauldron! Which bastard said I’m a fake?”
The leader was speechless. “…”
It was the first time they had seen an artifact spirit. Ordinary weapons would not give birth to an artifact spirit, and an artifact spirit that could curse like this was even rarer.
The leader still wanted to insist that the artifact spirit was a fake, but that would be too obvious. He could only look around in a panic. “Where’s Young Master Ling? Didn’t he come with you?”
Xie Bailu answered honestly, “He’s on his way. He just had a fight with his brother and let me go first. He should be catching up by now.”
The leader suddenly became alert. “Why would you say that honestly?”
Xie Bailu put on a “I’m so smart” expression. “Of course I’m stalling for time. When Ling Song comes, none of you will be able to run.” It would be best if Ling Song couldn’t run either.
Ling Song’s reputation was out there. A cultivator who didn’t have some confidence in their own strength wouldn’t easily attack him. From the performance of these people, they were indeed waiting for Ling Song to fall into their trap. But the other party’s strength was not at the point where they could suppress Ling Song, so they had to resort to these little tricks.
This was what Xie Bailu liked the most. Only when both sides were almost evenly matched could she reap the benefits. If Ling Song won, that would be fine. He probably wouldn’t kill her for the time being, so it didn’t matter if she ran or not. If Ling Song was about to lose and be killed, she could still use the Divine Movement Art to run quickly. The others hadn’t left a spiritual sense imprint on her. Once Ling Song was dead, no one would be able to find her. She could run to some place and hide, and her future would be stable.
This attitude of Xie Bailu’s was what they found normal. Just as they were thinking about whether they should attack immediately, she suddenly looked up and laughed, even waving her hand exaggeratedly. “Ling Song, I’m here!”
The few of them looked over and indeed saw a cultivator in red flying over. They felt a sense of relief, but also a feeling of wanting to vomit from nervousness.
Ling Song landed in front of Xie Bailu. His peripheral vision caught sight of the Five-Star Cauldron lying on the ground. He raised his hand and brought it over, stuffing it into Xie Bailu’s hand. “Why are you throwing things around? Or are you not planning to run anymore?”
Xie Bailu took the Five-Star Cauldron and stuffed the wood elemental essence stone she had just gotten into Ling Song’s hand. “To offset my life.”
Who knew if this wood elemental essence stone had been tampered with, like for positioning? She was hoping to succeed this time, so she couldn’t keep this hidden danger in her hands.
Ling Song was stunned for a moment, then laughed lowly. “What if I don’t take it?”
Xie Bailu raised her chin, revealing her neck, which still had some faint red marks from being choked. “Then kill me.”
Ling Song saw the finger marks and his face darkened. The good mood he had just been in was gone.
He put away the wood elemental essence stone and looked at the surroundings with a fierce expression. “What’s going on here?”
Xie Bailu hadn’t answered yet when the surrounding trees suddenly changed their positions, and the few people on the other side also showed a look of joy, their figures hidden by the moving trees.
Only then did she say slowly, “They seem to be using me as a bait to lure you into an array.”
Ling Song turned to look at her, a faint smile in his slightly raised eyes. “Are you that happy?”
Xie Bailu smiled. “What you’re saying is, if you’re unlucky, why wouldn’t I be happy?”
He also smiled. “You’re also in the array.”
Xie Bailu said, “Then you can just watch me die.”
If he wants to play a game, he won’t let her die at the hands of others.
Ling Song looked at her intently, his smile gentle. “Have you ever thought that the more you provoke me, the more miserable you’ll die when I get tired of you?”
Xie Bailu said without showing any weakness, “Then have you ever thought that you might not even live to get tired of me?”
She was a gambler now, betting everything for her life.
The determined light in Xie Bailu’s eyes made Ling Song stunned for a moment. He suddenly wrapped his arm around Xie Bailu’s waist and leaped away. His palm flipped, and Shishang appeared in his palm. With a single swing, he cut off the suddenly attacking vines. But in the instant that the falling vines blocked their vision, a person with a sword leaped out, and a cold sword qi shot straight at Xie Bailu’s face.
Ling Song twisted his waist, letting Xie Bailu narrowly dodge. The sword qi went far and cut down a tree that was the size of two people’s embrace.
All of this happened too quickly, and Xie Bailu didn’t even have time to react. She hid in Ling Song’s arms, following him as he moved left and right, dodging the attacks that came with the movement of the array, and also had to be on guard against someone hiding in the dark to sneak attack.
Xie Bailu felt that it was very dangerous to be with Ling Song. The sneak attacks were all aimed at him. She said, “Why don’t you let me go? I’m holding you back. I’m so embarrassed.”
Ling Song dodged the attack and even had time to give her a faint smile. “You’re so considerate.”
Xie Bailu smiled sweetly.
She had just observed that if no one was controlling it from behind, the intensity of this array’s attacks was not high. The reason Ling Song was in such a perilous situation was because the master of the array was targeting him, and there were also cultivators sneak attacking.
Another sneak attack came, and the target was Xie Bailu, who was being protected in Ling Song’s arms. He simply did as she wished and sent her away with spiritual energy, and went to meet the sneak attacker himself.
As soon as Xie Bailu stood firm, she quickly said, “Xiao Xing, can you understand this array?”
Xiao Xing said, “This is a five-element array. I’ll teach you a variation of the Divine Movement Art that can help you dodge all attacks.”
Just as Xie Bailu was about to agree, a hand reached out from the side and pulled her into an embrace. She looked up and saw Zong Sheng’s scarred, handsome face.
He had a big, pleased smile on his face. “I knew I could catch you if I secretly followed my brother.”
Xie Bailu was speechless. “…” Ling Song’s tail is not clean!
Because she knew that Zong Sheng didn’t want to kill her, but to take her to the Ling family, she wasn’t afraid of being caught. Anyway, she was used to being caught. If she was caught, she wasn’t afraid. She would just find a way to run again.
Seeing Zong Sheng take out an array disk-like object, as if he was going to take her and break the array directly, Xie Bailu suddenly thought of something. Just in case, she shouted to the distant Ling Song, “Ling Song, don’t throw away the magical treasures you don’t want! I can use them!”
It would be best if he lost and died. But what if he won and gave her the spirit stones of those people and threw away all the magical treasures? She had to give him a heads-up in advance.
The red figure in the distance paused, and then Ling Song’s voice, with a hint of a smile, came from the air. “Alright.”