"I'm sorry for breaking your item." Bai Qingya felt a little embarrassed, knowing that if this piece of fine jade hadn't suddenly cast a protective light shield at the crucial moment, she would never have escaped the clutches of the Lust Demon.

Ji Changkong felt a twinge of pain too, but he shook his head with a smile. "It's better broken. I won't rely on external objects anymore."

"When we reach Tianshui City, I'll help you select a spirit treasure at the Spirit Treasure Assembly at the Pavilion of Treasures as compensation." After a moment's thought, Bai Qingya offered a brilliant smile, seemingly unwilling to owe Ji Changkong this favor.

"No need." Ji Changkong stood up, stretching his limbs. He felt sore all over, but the circulation of Yuan Power within him was normal. He immediately realized that although he had struck against many rocks along the way, he hadn't sustained grievous injuries. "I already owe your father a life. Saving you this time balances that out; you shouldn't dwell on it."

"My father is my father, and I am me. You repay your debt to him; I will repay what I owe you!"

Bai Qingya smoothed a damp lock of hair from her eyes. "The Spirit Treasure Assembly is held once every twenty years. At that time, cultivators from all sides will gather at the main hall of the Pavilion of Treasures in Tianshui City to exchange spirit treasures. The Pavilion will also display treasures from their collection, which can be purchased with Yuan Stones or exchanged for other spirit treasures. You seem new to the world outside; why not come and witness the event with me?"

"That sounds good." Ji Changkong hadn't had any specific destination for this journey. Hearing about such a grand event in Tianshui City sparked an immediate interest in seeing it for himself. Tianshui City was the capital of the Water Cloud Kingdom; he had long heard of its prosperity and desired to see the majesty of a major city. Since the Spirit Treasure Assembly was being held there, he readily agreed.

"Mmm..."

Bai Qingya moved her arms and legs, seemingly aggravating her injuries. She gritted her silver teeth and let out a low moan, forcing a bitter smile. "Those two demons from the Western Regions are truly formidable. My father blocked the majority of the force for me; I only endured about twenty percent of the Slaughter Demon's power, yet I’m severely wounded, affecting my internal organs."

Whoosh!

Ahead, the waterfall roared down with fierce urgency, its crystal-clear droplets splashing everywhere, hitting the various-sized rocks before the two of them.

To save someone is to save them completely. He had promised to escort Bai Qingya to Tianshui City, and naturally, he couldn't abandon her halfway. However, the horse was nowhere in sight, and Bai Qingya was gravely injured, making travel inconvenient. At this rate, time would be wasted, and who knew when that Lust Demon might track them down again.

"Here are some medicinal herbs. Chew and swallow these immediately; they will certainly benefit your injuries." From his spatial pouch, Ji Changkong retrieved several exotic flowers and rare grasses, carefully stored in small vials, and handed them to Bai Qingya.

Ji Wanyun had been meticulous. The rare herbs she gave Ji Changkong were all packed in individual vials. Some vials contained water, others held damp soil to ensure the flora wouldn't wilt quickly. For those that couldn't be stored long, she had air-dried and ground them into powder to preserve their medicinal efficacy to the greatest extent.

"Three-Leaf Crimson Orchid! Purple Thorn Immortal Crown Flower! Verdant Essence Grass!"

Bai Qingya gasped, looking in disbelief at the three herbs she held in her hand. She stared blankly at Ji Changkong. "You—how can you casually possess such spiritual herbs?"

Smiling faintly, Ji Changkong asked, "Are they useful for your injuries?"

She nodded repeatedly, her face alight with surprise. "Of course, they're useful! The Three-Leaf Crimson Orchid replenishes blood and fluids, the Purple Thorn Immortal Crown Flower nourishes the spirit, and the Verdant Essence Grass will triple the recovery speed of my internal organ injuries! Heavens! How do you possess so many treasures?"

Glancing at the spatial pouch in Ji Changkong's hand, Bai Qingya inquired curiously, "That must be a spatial pouch you're holding, right? I never imagined you were so wealthy and generous!" She shook her head with a wry smile, mocking herself. "No wonder you said you didn't need me to repay the favor by buying you a spirit treasure at the Assembly... You must be incredibly rich and wouldn't think much of what I offer!"

"As long as it helps your injuries, that's what matters. Take them quickly. Heh heh, I'm waiting for you to recover soon so you can show me the splendor of the Tianshui City Spirit Treasure Assembly." Ji Changkong chuckled, saying no more. He began stretching and circulating his Yuan Power on the spot to nourish his body.

Her bright eyes shone with intense curiosity. After gazing deeply at Ji Changkong for a long moment, Bai Qingya pursed her lips and smiled gently. She opened the small vials Ji Changkong had given her one by one. After a slight hesitation, she took out the herbs and chewed them raw, swallowing them down. Then, ignoring Ji Changkong standing nearby, Bai Qingya coiled her long legs, sat down in the natural stone alcove behind them, and silently began circulating her Yuan Power to refine the medicinal properties within her body.

...

Thump! Thump!

Footsteps sounded against the rocks in front of the waterfall. Ji Changkong, near the stone cave entrance behind the cascade, changed expression instantly. His mind grew as still as water, achieving the "State of Self-Awareness," instantly capturing every subtle change in their surroundings within his consciousness.

A group of five individuals approached, their Yuan Power fluctuations clearly noticeable, moving around outside the waterfall as if searching for something.

"Jia la gu tai..."

The group conversed in the dialect of the Western Regions. Two of them gradually neared the waterfall, appearing ready to pass through the curtain of water to check the situation here.

Bai Qingya’s bright eyes snapped open, and she looked sharply toward Ji Changkong. A brilliant light flickered in her pupils, as if seeking his counsel.

Ji Changkong raised a hand in a 'hush' gesture, signaling that he would handle the situation.

Bai Qingya’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. After a moment of hesitation, she nodded softly.

Thump! Thump!

The footsteps grew closer, and the approach was cautious, as if fearing an ambush from behind the waterfall.

Sensing carefully, Ji Changkong was certain the two approaching men were roughly at the Three Talents Heaven Realm. In his State of Self-Awareness, he could estimate their cultivation based on the fluctuations of their internal Yuan Power. Having dealt with Jiu Lingxue before, Ji Changkong was not afraid of cultivators of the same rank.

Just as the two from the Western Regions neared the waterfall, Ji Changkong's eyes turned cold. Without warning, he attacked, unleashing the Surging Waves Art in an instant.

Splash!

The sound of surging waves crashing echoed out, strangely synchronizing with the roar of the descending water. The visible ripples, upon encountering the spray from the waterfall, seemed to gain an immediate boost in power. The surging waves and the water flow suddenly intertwined.

Three waves of fierce tidal surges violently rushed outward!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three heavy impact sounds followed one after the other, louder than the last. Water splashed before the waterfall, and the water droplets, like shattered stones, slammed forward.

"Ah... ah..."

Two pained cries burst out, followed by two distinct plops. The two approaching men were struck by his triple-layered Surging Wave Palm Force and knocked directly into the pool below.

"Gu tai ga la..."

The other three Western Region cultivators shouted wildly from a distance, rapidly moving closer by stepping on the surrounding rocks.

Ji Changkong suddenly retreated a step, crouching low. He turned back toward Bai Qingya and said calmly, "Go! I'll carry you!"

Bai Qingya’s face flushed, and she hesitated.

"Hurry! That Lust Demon might be nearby! If he gets here, we won't be able to leave!" Ji Changkong urged anxiously.

Bai Qingya seemed genuinely terrified of the Lust Demon's methods. Mentioning him finally made her stop hesitating. Blushing, she climbed onto Ji Changkong’s back, her heavy twin peaks pressed tightly against his back.

Cupping her slender legs with his hands, Ji Changkong dared not linger and quickly rose, rushing out.

The cascading water struck his body, causing Ji Changkong to pause briefly. In just an instant, carrying Bai Qingya on his back, he burst through.

Once past the waterfall, the three approaching cultivators from the Western Regions instantly appeared in his sight. Before they could close in, Ji Changkong leaped upward, planting one foot on a large boulder, then pushed off again, skillfully bounding away.

Hopping across the nearby rocks, in just a few breaths, he carried Bai Qingya ashore.

The surrounding scenery was beautiful—unknown grasses grew lushly, and ancient trees boasted dense foliage. Warm sunlight stubbornly pierced the thick leaves, falling onto Ji Changkong and Bai Qingya.

Having no mind to linger over the scenery, Ji Changkong, while supporting Bai Qingya, maintained complete focus. He released his spiritual senses, constantly monitoring the surrounding Yuan Power fluctuations, while circulating the Yuan Power within him to sprint at full speed. He darted through trackless thickets and dense woods, as nimble as a wild forest leopard.