First update of the day, I'll check the second update for any typos.
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After walking in the Blackwind Mountains for several days, Yang Kai was surprised to find that they hadn't encountered any dangerous beasts along the way. He had been full of worries, as powerful beasts were common in the Blackwind Mountains. With his current strength, if he really encountered one, he would only be a burden to Xia Ningshang.
However, Xia Ningshang was clearly well-prepared. She used some method to lead Yang Kai away from these jungle overlords. Their route was unpredictable, sometimes heading east, sometimes west, often making large circles. Despite this, they were extremely safe. Occasionally, they would encounter a few second or third-tier beasts, but Xia Ningshang would easily drive them away with a few moves.
After careful observation, Yang Kai finally understood that Xia Ningshang was using a green bracelet on her wrist to detect the presence of powerful beasts. Whenever a beast that even she found challenging appeared ahead, the bracelet would emit a green glow.
She had never worn this bracelet before. The only ornament she had was a blue gemstone on her forehead. Therefore, this bracelet must have been specially prepared for this trip. It was definitely a secret treasure! Yang Kai had some discernment, and this secret treasure was probably given to her by Shopkeeper Meng.
What was Shopkeeper Meng's background? Yang Kai was increasingly puzzled. He was just a shopkeeper of the Contribution Hall, yet he had such a talented disciple like Xia Ningshang and even bestowed her with a secret treasure. This bracelet was not something an ordinary person could possess. Although he didn't know its rank, Yang Kai estimated it was at least a Tier Earth secret treasure. Such a level of secret treasure was rare in the Lingxiao Pavilion.
Compared to Yang Kai and Xia Ningshang's smooth journey, the Blood Battle Gang members trailing behind them were having a tough time. Over the past few days, they had engaged in over a dozen battles, big and small. If it weren't for their considerable strength, they would have become the beasts' prey long ago.
Wen Feichen, a True Essence Realm fifth-layer expert, was not in good condition. They had just encountered a peak fifth-tier beast. A peak fifth-tier beast was equivalent to a peak True Essence Realm human, far surpassing his strength.
A grueling battle ensued. Although they managed to drive the beast away with their numerical advantage, the Blood Battle Gang lost a Fusion Realm expert!
Wen Feichen was furious.
This time, the Blood Battle Gang had only brought eight people, with Wen Feichen being the only True Essence Realm expert. Below him were four Fusion Realm experts, and the rest were all Qi Movement Realm. Among them, Long Hui was the weakest, only at the first layer of Qi Movement Realm.
They had thought that as long as they followed Yang Kai and Xia Ningshang from a distance, they wouldn't encounter much danger. But who knew that the two had some method to avoid these beasts, while they, who were trailing behind, kept encountering battles.
Now, they had even lost a Fusion Realm expert! How could Wen Feichen not be angry?
But it was too late to turn back now. They had already lost one person; could they abandon the mission halfway?
After a brief rest, Wen Feichen harshly ordered Nu Lang, "Move forward, we need to set off!"
Nu Lang looked at the severed limbs on the ground, his mind in a daze. The Blood Battle Gang had just lost a person; how could the minor characters from the Wind and Rain Tower be safe?
Two disciples from the Wind and Rain Tower had been swallowed by the fifth-tier beast, leaving only half an arm on the ground.
He finally understood why he had felt uneasy that night. The Blood Battle Gang wasn't bringing them to find Yang Kai out of kindness; they were clearly using the Wind and Rain Tower members as cannon fodder!
But even though he understood, he dared not complain, let alone resist! Exploring ahead, he might still have a chance to survive, but if he resisted now, it would mean certain death!
With a pale face, Nu Lang led a group of Wind and Rain Tower disciples forward, following Wen Feichen's instructions, sometimes heading east, sometimes west, without losing track of Yang Kai and Xia Ningshang.
At this moment, Yang Kai, who was following Xia Ningshang, suddenly stopped and turned to look in a certain direction, his eyes gleaming with joy.
"What's wrong?" Xia Ningshang asked, turning back and stopping.
"Is it dangerous over there?" Yang Kai pointed to one side.
"It should be safe; I don't sense any traces of beasts," Xia Ningshang said, looking down at her bracelet.
"Let's go over there," Yang Kai said without hesitation, dashing forward.
Although Xia Ningshang didn't know why he was so happy, she followed him.
After walking about a hundred paces, Xia Ningshang suddenly felt a wave of heat, making her face flush. Looking around, she saw a sunny spot where clusters of palm-sized, bright red flowers were blooming.
There were quite a few flowers, at least a dozen or so.
Yang Kai was picking the flowers without hesitation, plucking them one by one.
A moment later, Yang Kai returned with a bountiful harvest and said, "Do you recognize what these are?"
"Blood Essence Sunflower, a Tier Earth lower-grade material. So you came here for these," Xia Ningshang realized.
"Tier Earth lower-grade!" Yang Kai raised an eyebrow. "Not bad."
He could feel that the yang energy contained in each Blood Essence Sunflower was no less potent than a Three Yang Fruit. It was because the Yang Source Seal on his chest had reacted that Yang Kai had come to this place, and indeed, he had found a great harvest.
This area was already deep within the Blackwind Mountains, where natural treasures were likely abundant. However, their purpose this time was to help Xia Ningshang, so Yang Kai couldn't afford to wander around looking for them.
That would waste too much time and come with significant risks.
But since he had sensed them nearby, he couldn't let them go.
"Do you want me to refine them into pills for you?" Xia Ningshang asked.
"Not yet, let's refine them when we rest tonight."
This little senior sister's alchemy skills were extraordinary, but refining pills always consumed essence energy. Walking through the dense forest, Yang Kai felt it was better to be cautious and not waste resources.
"Alright," Xia Ningshang nodded. "We're not far from the place. It should take about two or three more days to get there, so we have plenty of time."
Perhaps it was due to good luck, but after several days of walking with no reaction from his Yang Source Seal, Yang Kai found a dozen Blood Essence Sunflowers. Just a day later, he found more yang-attribute natural treasures.
However, this time his luck wasn't as good. These yang-attribute herbs were being guarded by a third-tier beast.
Yang Kai had no choice but to ask Xia Ningshang to drive the beast away so he could collect the herbs.
One day, as the two crossed the forest, they suddenly came to the edge of a massive valley. Xia Ningshang took a deep breath and said, "Junior Brother, we're here!"