“……” “Another spirit beast has joined the pack!” That makes one hundred and twenty in total!” “What on earth does he have on him?” to attract this many spirit beasts? Could it be that 'Blood Scale Tung' used for hunting them?” “How is that possible? If he really had the ‘Blood Scale Tung’ on him, surrounded by this many spirit beasts,” he’d have been reduced to ashes long ago! Besides, he couldn’t possibly have brought the ‘Blood Scale Tung’ in! In my opinion,” he must have found something magical in the illusion space!” “Hmm, that makes sense!” “……” “Look at him, he hasn’t stopped moving.” He’s covered at least dozens of li by now.” “This fellow, why doesn’t he fight when he bumps into other disciples from the Spirit Tamer City, just leading this massive swarm of spirit beasts around? What exactly is he trying to do?” “Could he be looking for someone?” “Looking for someone?” “Damn it, they’re all running again!”

Not long after, Nie Kong stopped dead where those people had been fighting, frowning deeply. A mob of feral, violent spirit beasts roared around him, their cries nearly piercing the very sky.

Nie Kong had encountered situations just like the one before many times on his journey.

Just as some people in the Lingxiao Altar had suspected, Nie Kong was indeed looking for someone! He was searching for those inner-city disciples, but after wandering relentlessly through the rugged mountains and ridges with this company of spirit beasts for so long, he had seen plenty of outer-city disciples—yet not a single inner-city one, as if they had all gone into hiding.

Nie Kong felt utterly speechless. When he didn't want to find them, they appeared; now that he did, they were nowhere to be seen.

“Could it be they were scared off from a distance, just like those others?”

Muttering softly, Nie Kong slapped the back of his head hard. He was truly dense to have forgotten that point—even though the inner-city disciples were stronger, they weren’t fools. Not scrambling away immediately upon sensing so many Grade Three spirit beasts—did they plan to stay put and wait for death?

With that thought, Nie Kong suddenly stored the ‘Blood Scale Tung’ into his ‘Pet Pack’ and sprinted forward at full speed. The hundred-plus spirit beasts roared in place for a moment, their eyes gradually clouding over with confusion... but the bewilderment was quickly replaced by savage aggression, and they scattered with fierce howls...

“Sheep! You run fast!”

On the bank of the emerald-green river, a figure suddenly leaped into the splashing current. With a plop, they vanished instantly, leaving Miao Ge stamping her foot in frustration.

That inner-city disciple from earlier was utterly infuriating—claiming to possess a cultivation level of ‘Spirit Fusion Seventh Grade,’ yet repeatedly trailing behind her to launch sneak attacks. If she hadn't been following the riverbank, where the abundant Water Spirit energy made her sensory abilities exceptionally sharp, allowing her to detect that scoundrel’s movements beforehand, she might have already exited the illusion space and given up hope for this year's inner-city quota!

Having been attacked several times, Miao Ge was thoroughly annoyed. After dealing with a spirit beast she encountered, Miao Ge deliberately feigned severe spiritual energy depletion, successfully luring the man out. In reality, Miao Ge had secretly consumed a ‘Jade Softening Pill’ that could temporarily boost her cultivation by two grades.

After a fierce battle, the man was severely wounded. Unfortunately, just as Miao Ge was preparing to press her advantage and force him to use his ‘Jade Pattern Butterfly,’ the scoundrel proved remarkably slippery, leaping into the water and fleeing, wasting a great deal of Miao Ge’s time, energy, and a precious spiritual medicine.

Her beautiful eyes fixed unblinkingly on the river surface, Miao Ge estimated the man had simply drifted downstream. After quickly assessing her surroundings, she immediately sat down cross-legged.

The spiritual medicine she had taken earlier could temporarily raise her cultivation grade, but the aftereffects would manifest immediately once the effect wore off. At this moment, Miao Ge’s chest rose and fell rapidly, fine beads of sweat dotted her usually smooth forehead, and a sickly flush appeared on her delicate, fair complexion.

“I hope that bastard really got away,” Miao Ge thought grimly, grinding her teeth. She knew using the ‘Jade Softening Pill’ without companions was extremely risky. But she had no choice—the inner-city disciple trailing her was too hateful, and Miao Ge couldn't guarantee she would detect him every time.

If he succeeded in a sneak attack, Miao Ge’s situation could become far worse. Weighing the risks, Miao Ge finally decided to take the gamble. Though she managed to injure him in the end, he still escaped. This risky maneuver was not a complete success, leaving Miao Ge feeling very uneasy.

However, with the aftereffects of the ‘Jade Softening Pill’ already kicking in, Miao Ge had to tend to herself first. Glancing around cautiously, she retrieved a white jade bottle from her robes, poured out one crystal-clear, lustrous pill, and gently placed it on her tongue.

“Splash!”

A tremendous noise erupted from the river, sending water spraying outwards. A blue shadow shot out and landed lightly on the bank—it was a young man about twenty-six or twenty-seven years old. He had thick, dark eyebrows but extremely small, rat-like eyes. His cheeks were gaunt, and he sported a thin mustache.

This young man’s appearance was quite distinctive and easy to remember, though the impression he gave was decidedly unpleasant.

“Fei Tong, you weren’t injured…”

Seeing the man leap from the river, Miao Ge’s expression shifted, and her right hand immediately gripped the ‘Jade Pattern Butterfly’ hanging from her waist.

Fei Tong stroked his mustache and chuckled, “Junior Sister, I’m truly sorry. I forgot to mention, my cultivation isn't Spirit Fusion Seventh Grade... it’s Spirit Fusion Ninth Grade!”

“You...”

Hearing the man admit to possessing Ninth Grade Spirit Fusion cultivation, Miao Ge instantly understood. This fellow must have intentionally fallen into her trap, then deliberately allowed himself to be ‘severely wounded,’ before jumping into the river. Perhaps even the times she had discovered him earlier were intentional maneuvers on his part.

Update complete, calling for Monthly Tickets!! Ahem, brothers and sisters, the lead on the Monthly Ticket chart is still not large enough. The fans of the book trailing me are too formidable; being chased by them makes me feel insecure, so I have to shamelessly beg for Monthly Tickets again. Tomorrow there will be at least four updates. Please cast all your tickets for Medicine King; thank you, thank you.

In the forest, two figures chased each other fiercely, one following the other!

Miao Ge initially felt the joy and excitement of having narrowly escaped disaster, but gradually, she couldn't stay happy because Nie Kong had his left arm hooked around her legs, carrying her slung over his right shoulder.

As a result, Miao Ge’s head hung backward, suspended like a saddlebag over Nie Kong’s shoulder. With every bounding step Nie Kong took, her full, round chest repeatedly thumped against his back. The intense pressure made her body tingle, and her heart hammered wildly in her chest.

Acting out of necessity in the emergency was acceptable; she could endure it. But what Miao Ge found most unbearable was Nie Kong’s right palm aggressively gripping her backside!

That sensation was incredibly strange. Miao Ge’s cheeks flushed red, and her ears grew hot. Just as she considered asking Nie Kong to move his hand, she felt too ashamed to speak.

Glancing up and seeing they were still about twenty meters ahead of the man in green, Miao Ge finally patted Nie Kong’s waist, forcing down her shame, and said, “Nie Kong, stop running! That inner-city disciple behind us isn't much stronger than you. With your strength, you could hold him off for a while. Once my body recovers, the two of us working together can easily take him down. Why are we running so miserably?”

Noticing Nie Kong hadn't responded for a moment, Miao Ge patted him a few more times. “Nie Kong, Nie Kong, did you hear me? I’m talking to you!”

“Quiet!”

Smack! A heavy slap landed squarely on Miao Ge’s round, upturned buttocks. Nie Kong didn't stop his movement, but he scolded her somewhat irritably, “You foolish girl, get tangled up with him? Are you looking for trouble? Didn’t you see him send out a signal before chasing after us?”

“You...”

Nie Kong’s slap left her bottom stinging, and it nearly made her heart leap out of her throat. Miao Ge felt even more mortified. She was about to retort sharply, but found herself speechless because the fellow had indeed released a flare of light.

“You bastard!”

Miao Ge’s face was red, and she pinched the beauty mark at the corner of her lips, cursing him with suppressed anger. “Just wait until the Six Halls Grand Competition is over; I’ll settle scores with you. I haven’t even dealt with you poking my chest in public yet, and now you dare slap my butt... Saving me once only cancels out one debt at most!”

Seeing Miao Ge quiet down, Nie Kong also focused his mind, continuing to calculate distance and time.

The green-robed man behind him looked surprised. He couldn’t figure out what kind of spirit technique this person was using to run so fast while carrying someone on his shoulder. Furthermore, in this dense forest, he moved as if he were treading on flat ground. If the pursuer hadn't exerted his full power, he would have surely lost them already!

“Hm?”

The green-robed man suddenly froze. He noticed Nie Kong abruptly stop and turn around.

Could he be planning some trick?

The green-robed man subconsciously halted his steps, then let out a self-deprecating laugh. If those other people knew he was being so cautious of an outer-city disciple, wouldn't they laugh themselves silly?

With that thought, the green-robed man continued toward Nie Kong, but his pace slowed considerably.

“Nie Kong, what are you doing?”

Miao Ge slightly raised her upper body, looking astonished.

Nie Kong didn't answer. Instead, he smiled faintly at the green-robed man opposite him and said, “Senior Brother, you’ve run for so long, aren't you tired? Why don’t you catch your breath and rest a bit before continuing.”

Hearing Nie Kong waste time chattering with the man while completely ignoring her inquiry, Miao Ge lowered her voice anxiously, “Nie Kong, why are you dawdling here? He sent out a signal the moment he saw you. He’s definitely notifying that Luo Sheng. If Luo Sheng catches up, you won’t even be able to escape.”

“Quiet!”

Nie Kong patted Miao Ge’s little behind again, dismissing her concern with a light chuckle. “It’s good that Luo Sheng is coming. I was just afraid he wouldn’t!”

“You... you...”

Miao Ge twisted her delicate body, so exasperated by Nie Kong that she could barely speak. Nie Kong, you lunatic! Everyone else is trying to avoid Luo Sheng, but you actually want him to show up? Are you tired of living? Do you think having the Jade Pattern Butterfly means you can't die?

“Nie Kong, you are quite interesting.”

As the two were murmuring, the green-robed man chuckled, “I appreciate your kind offer, but for me to rest easily, you must first seal your ‘Spirit Soul Three Apertures.’ What do you say?” As he spoke, fiery red spiritual energy began to gather in his palm—he was a Fire Spirit Master.

Nie Kong’s lips curved into a strange smile: “I advise you to rest first, otherwise, how will you enjoy the delicious meal I’ve prepared for you?”

“Delicious meal?”

The green-robed man paused, his gaze sweeping over Miao Ge, who was slung over Nie Kong’s shoulder. He laughed heartily, “Are you planning to give this Junior Sister to me?”

Then, he nodded playfully, “Yes, yes, she is very pretty, and her figure is excellent—not too fat, not too thin. She truly is a delicacy. However, I, Hong Guang, have never been interested in women. Even if you stripped her naked and placed her before me, begging me to partake, I would still send her away.”

“Bastard!”

Seeing the man regard her as mere prey, Miao Ge’s blushing face turned pale with rage. She struggled on Nie Kong’s shoulder. “Nie Kong, put me down! Hold him off for a moment. I’ll recover quickly, and then I’ll make this scoundrel understand what regret means!”

“Can’t you just be quiet for once!”

Nie Kong patted her rear end with exasperation, which only fueled her anger, nearly making her faint. Just then, Nie Kong looked at the green-robed man opposite him and smiled, “Senior Brother Hong Guang, is it? Your mindset isn't very healthy. Haven’t you noticed anything unusual about the surroundings?”

“What’s unusual?”

Hong Guang scoffed. He figured Nie Kong was stalling for time to recover his spiritual energy, and he, too, wanted to stall until Luo Sheng and the others arrived. After all, finding Nie Kong was already enough to earn him a huge favor from Luo Sheng; there was no need to fight Nie Kong to the death.

However, as Hong Guang chuckled and looked around, he couldn't help but freeze.

He had been chasing Nie Kong, yet he hadn't noticed how unusually dense the sounds of beast roars had become. Hearing spirit beasts cry out in the illusion space wasn't strange, but there were simply too many calls!

“Thump! Thump...”

Dull thuds suddenly echoed from the distance, as if someone were striking the ground with a giant hammer. Soon, the vibration could be clearly felt through Hong Guang’s feet, and this tremor was increasing in speed at an astonishing rate, as if legions of troops were charging toward them.

“Nie Kong, run!”

Miao Ge, draped over Nie Kong’s shoulder, finally sensed the anomaly around them. Suddenly, her pretty face turned deathly pale, and she cried out in alarm.

“Run from what?”

Nie Kong laughed loudly, looking at the equally pale Hong Guang with a strange expression. “Senior Brother Hong Guang, see? Your delicacy has arrived!”

“How could this many spirit beasts appear?”

Countless pairs of glowing red eyes suddenly materialized in the surrounding forest. Hong Guang muttered to himself, his face filled with horror. A moment later, he looked at Nie Kong in disbelief. Based on his words, it seemed he had known about the massive number of spirit beasts here all along? He deliberately led him toward this area—wasn't he afraid of suffering the consequences?

“Nie Kong, you’d do something so self-destructive?” Hong Guang gritted his teeth. Seeing the spirit beasts charging crazily around him, he gave up cursing Nie Kong. Spotting an open gap between the spirit beasts in the forest, he unhesitatingly turned and bolted.

Nie Kong didn't pursue, merely watching with a faint smile.

But while he remained calm, Miao Ge couldn't tolerate it. “Nie Kong, you bastard, it’s too late to run now.” Seeing a thick, black python swimming over with a loud rumble, Miao Ge’s face shifted from white to blue, goosebumps covering her skin. She frantically reached for the ‘Jade Pattern Butterfly’ at her waist.

“If you leave now, you’ll have to wait for next year’s Six Halls Grand Competition!” Nie Kong smiled, quickly restraining her small hand.

“You... you...” Waiting for next year’s competition is better than dying now... Ah!” Suddenly, her vision went dark as the giant python’s gaping maw lunged toward her, blotting out all surrounding light. Miao Ge couldn't help but scream and squeeze her eyes shut tightly.

Miao Ge was close to tears. After the effect of the ‘Jade Softening Pill’ wore off, using any spiritual power would cause her entire body to soften and weaken. Although the medicine she took afterward could shorten the duration of this aftereffect, unfortunately, it was still present.

If she sent spiritual power into the ‘Jade Pattern Butterfly,’ it wouldn't matter how weak her body was; she would exit quickly anyway. But Nie Kong was holding her hand. Now, facing the python’s attack, she had virtually no power to resist and could only wait for death.

However, the expected sensation of her body being pierced by the python’s fangs never arrived.

Miao Ge awoke and cautiously cracked open a tiny slit of her eyes. She saw that the giant python had vanished. As for the other spirit beasts, when they reached Nie Kong and her, they paused briefly before surging past them on both sides, completely ignoring them.

“How is this possible?” Miao Ge was dumbfounded, and her entire body felt limp, unable to muster any strength.

“Not scared anymore?” Nie Kong laughed heartily.

“Ah!”

A scream suddenly rang out. Miao Ge looked past Nie Kong’s side. Though the scenery was upside down, she could clearly see Hong Guang, who had just fled, sprinting back even faster. Amidst the flurry of movement around him, she could see the figures of spirit beasts crossing paths, biting and snapping at him.

Nie Kong called out in a clear voice, “Senior Brother Hong Guang, how does this delicacy taste?”

Seeing Nie Kong smiling brightly, Hong Guang, while desperately dodging the spirit beasts’ attacks, shouted furiously, “Nie Kong, why aren’t these spirit beasts attacking you, but are hunting only me?”

“Senior Brother Hong Guang, perhaps your charm is too great!”

Nie Kong said solemnly.

“Nonsense!”

Hong Guang was furious enough to explode. He threw both fists out, and blazing fire spiritual energy sent the bulky body of one spirit beast flying into the air. Clearing the obstacles before him, Hong Guang lunged directly toward Nie Kong, but after taking only a few steps, several more spirit beasts blocked his path...