Chapter 42: Forest

Having a multitude of individuals to exploit and command would undoubtedly make things significantly easier.

Seeing Xu Yang's nonchalant expression, the person shook his head in disappointment, realizing he couldn't dissuade him, but still couldn't help but offer a final warning.

"Still, I must advise you: if you haven't reached the Nascent Soul stage of cultivation, do not enter. There are no great opportunities inside, but dangers are truly abundant."

Xu Yang nodded and replied, "Thank you, but my decision is final. There's no need to persuade me further." As he spoke, Xu Yang handed the person a bottle of spiritual medicine. "This can help you regenerate severed limbs," he said. "Take it."

With his words spoken, Xu Yang walked towards the spot the person had indicated.

The person remaining stood there, holding the pill Xu Yang had given him, a look of disbelief on his face. "What kind of spiritual medicine is this?" he muttered. "Besides a Resurrection Pill, what other medicine can regenerate severed limbs?"

Suddenly, his breath hitched as if he had just realized something profound. "What the... that person just now seemed to only be at the Qi Condensation stage."

***

When Xu Yang reached the spot the man had pointed out, he found it to be bustling with people.

"Brother, are you looking for a team?" Xu Yang casually approached a group and, with a brilliant smile, addressed their leader.

The person glanced at Xu Yang and, upon seeing that he was only at the Qi Condensation stage, nearly choked.

"Go away, go away! A mere Qi Condensation stage nobody actually dares to venture into that forest? You're practically asking for death!" The person flatly rejected Xu Yang.

Undiscouraged, Xu Yang continued searching for another team to join.

However, after being rejected by several teams in a row, Xu Yang's expression soured.

These people clearly look down on Qi Condensation practitioners. What's wrong with the Qi Condensation stage? Don't they have rights?

Ling Qingshu looked at Xu Yang's exasperated face and couldn't help but remark:

"Old Ancestor Xu, you've hidden your cultivation too well. I think even if you wanted to maintain a low profile in this area, the Golden Core stage would be more appropriate."

Xu Yang grew even more embarrassed. After a moment of silence, he said, "I haven't hidden my cultivation at all. My cultivation is genuinely at the Qi Condensation stage."

Ling Qingshu rolled her eyes at him. "Such a formidable Old Ancestor Xu, claiming to be at the Qi Condensation stage? Who would believe that?"

It seemed Old Ancestor Xu was simply too accustomed to being discreet.

"Let's go try another team," Xu Yang said calmly. "If that doesn't work, we'll just go with the two of us."

They approached another team, whose strongest member was an old man cultivated to the second level of the Nascent Soul stage.

In this world where strength reigned supreme, the most powerful individual in a team was always its leader.

"Hello, may I join your team?" Xu Yang stepped forward, asking with a bright smile.

This old man, Zhong Qi, was a rare rogue cultivator.

As a rogue cultivator, reaching the second level of the Nascent Soul stage was already exceedingly rare.

However, this was also his limit, as his lifespan was nearing its end.

His current obsession was how to raise his cultivation. If he succeeded, he could break through the limitations of his lifespan and live for hundreds of years longer.

Therefore, upon hearing that a peerless spiritual medicine had appeared in this location, he rushed here, realizing it might be his last opportunity in this lifetime.

This time, he had formed a team and recruited many individuals to assist him, accepting anyone who wished to join.

Yet, when he saw that Xu Yang was only at the Qi Condensation stage, he still spat out a mouthful of water.

Although he was desperate for any recruits, he never anticipated that a mere Qi Condensation stage practitioner would show up.

Wasn't this some kind of joke?

Suddenly, his gaze shifted to Ling Qingshu, who was standing behind Xu Yang.

Instantly, a bright gleam sparkled in his murky old eyes.

"Excellent, welcome to the team, young hero," Zhong Qi said with a chuckle. The wrinkles on his face creased together, making him appear remarkably benevolent.

While Zhong Qi had lived for a long time, his age was utterly insignificant compared to Xu Yang's.

Any trick Zhong Qi attempted in front of Xu Yang would be pure delusion.

Xu Yang completely observed every slight emotional fluctuation from Zhong Qi.

"This person is rather interesting," Xu Yang sneered inwardly. Although Zhong Qi seemed to harbor ill intentions, Xu Yang felt not a shred of fear.

If he behaved himself, that would be the end of it. But if he tried any tricks, Xu Yang wouldn't mind teaching him a painful lesson.

"May I inquire about the young lady's esteemed name?" Zhong Qi asked, his gaze not on Xu Yang but fixed entirely on Ling Qingshu.

Ling Qingshu felt a shiver of discomfort being lecherously stared at by this ancient, almost-dying pervert.

"My name is Ling Qingshu," she said, retreating behind Xu Yang to evade Zhong Qi's gaze.

Zhong Qi noticed Ling Qingshu deliberately distancing herself but showed no anger or remorse.

Soon, they would enter the forest. Xu Yang, a mere Qi Condensation practitioner, could easily be dispatched.

As for Ling Qingshu, a Golden Core stage cultivator, she was nothing more than an easy target before his Nascent Soul power.

***

After gathering a few more individuals, Zhong Qi led everyone towards the forest.

Leaving the city, they proceeded deeper into the forest.

Since Xu Yang was only at the Qi Condensation stage, everyone completely ignored him.

Meanwhile, Ling Qingshu's striking beauty drew a crowd of eager admirers.

Xu Yang paid them no mind. He sensed a rich fragrance of spiritual medicine ahead, indicating the presence of a spiritual plant.

Whether by coincidence or not, the direction they were heading was precisely where the spiritual medicine's fragrance emanated from.

This worked out perfectly; Xu Yang wouldn't need to leave the team and could simply continue moving forward with them.

After walking for about ten minutes, a lotus pond appeared before them.

The lotus pond appeared remarkably wild and untamed. Its surface was far from clear, consisting of murky, blackish water densely covered with green duckweed, making it look like a patch of grass at first glance.

Numerous lotus flowers and leaves dotted the water's surface. While some lotus leaves had withered and lost their vitality, many blossoms still appeared vibrant and full of life, showing no signs of decay.

This was just an ordinary small pond, with nothing particularly special about it.

However, a group of sharp-eyed cultivators noticed a single white lotus flower at the center of the pond.

This lotus flower was remarkably unique: a pristine white, without a single blemish. Its crystalline white petals hadn't fully opened, still poised to bloom.

A gentle breeze rustled the petals, causing the flower to sway gracefully, and a faint, pure fragrance wafted through the air.