Chapter 7: Narrow Road of Enemies

  Roughly counting, there are more than 6,000 high-level Shadow Crystal Cores, over 3,000 mid-level ones, and thousands of low-level ones.

  The groundhog's fur and sharp teeth are also valuable, especially the latter, which is used to make weapons that are a favorite among forest hunters.

  These crystal nuclei were not particularly needed for Ling Wu Shuang, so they were all given to Hong Shu and others. Everyone was overjoyed and didn't decline with pretentiousness. To know that in peacetime, such a small team encountered ordinary beast tides, and they only had the share of escaping with their lives, even if the whole army was destroyed, how could they say they could collect spoils of war? Today's harvest can at least offset their gains for a year.

  "Being able to stir up such a large beast tide, there must be a reason for it." Hong Shu looked around, his rich experience allowing him to think of something, his expression serious. "I think, this nearby area must have a powerful Xuan Beast, at least a high-ranking Sacred Domain Xuan Beast."

  Ling Wushuang pinched his chin, his eyebrows furrowed in thought as he said, "I'm afraid it's not that simple."

  There was a Ling Wu Shuang's elixir, and the time for everyone to dress their wounds was extremely short. About half an hour later, they set off again, and after a night of rushing, they arrived at the main force's campsite.

  "Master, we're here." Uncle Hong looked at the dense crowd in the distance and let out a sigh of relief.

  Ling Wushuang gazed out, amidst the dense and lush forest, a vast expanse of open space emerged, with simple tents pitched on the ground. Estimated to be around four to five thousand people, everyone's attire was different, with the most prominent being the Flying Eagle Totem garments, which belonged to the Wanderer Tribe. Apart from that, there were also Iron Wolf Totems, belonging to the Iron Wolf Tribe.

  "We just went around the outskirts with a small team and picked up quite a few good things"

  "This place is indeed a treasure land, but going further inside can be dangerous"

  "Have all of your tribe's people arrived?"

  "Most people have arrived, and there is a small group still on the way."

  ……

  Forest hunters, in groups of three to five, chatted and prepared for the upcoming exploration of the dangerous terrain. Some tribes had already sent out vanguard squads to scout ahead, but they didn't dare venture too deep and therefore didn't gain much.

  "Musō, my father is over there, let's go quickly," said Senji Kuroba, and then he rushed towards the vagabond tribe's group.

  Ling Wushuang smiled and nodded, following closely behind. Her divine sense spread out, and among the several thousand people here, a small portion were Tianxuan, most were high-ranking Dixian, at least ten Shengjie, and... Ling Wushuang's eyebrows furrowed slightly, there were even a few dots she couldn't see through!

  Ling Wushuang carefully investigated and secretly kept it in mind.

  The people of the vagabond tribe, stationed in an important position, all wore hunting attire with flying eagle totems, neat and orderly.

  "Master, you've finally returned!" War Xiu had just walked over when a burly man strode forward, punching him on the shoulder and sizing him up before bursting into hearty laughter: "Good kid, you're already a 4th-rank Saint now, right?" The man sighed in amazement, "You've made progress again! I'm afraid that after some more time passes, you'll surpass me. Your rate of improvement is truly astonishing."

  Never thought that Young Master's trip outside for nearly half a year would actually result in another increase of one rank.

  Zhan Xiu smiled wryly and said, "Wei Shu, that's because you've never seen a real pervert."

  With You by his side, hearing such words, he really felt ashamed.

  "Uh..." Yi Shu didn't understand what Zhan Xiu said, and was stunned for a moment. Could it be that there's someone who can surpass Young Master? However, during this time, he had heard rumors of a talented young girl from the East who could rival Young Master.

  Zhan Xiu smiled and shook his head, not explaining further. He pointed to the person who had just arrived beside him and introduced: "Yi Shu, this is a friend I met on this trip, Ling Wushuang."

  "Haha, so you're the young master's friend. My name is Zhang Yi, and if you don't mind, just like the young master, you can call me Uncle Yi." Uncle Yi looked at the white-clothed girl beside Zhan Xu with some surprise in his eyes.

  Although the young master is naturally cheerful, there are not many people who can be considered his friends.

  "Yi Shu" Ling Wu Shuang nodded slightly and smiled calmly.

  Yi Shu finished speaking and suddenly thought of something. His thick eyebrows furrowed, and he paused abruptly, "Wait... what did you say her name was, Young Master?"

  Ling Wu Shuang smiled and repeated it again, unclear about what was going on with the war repairs.

  "Ryū Musō" Zhang Yi's expression slightly condensed, quickly sizing up the girl in front of him. As a mid-tier Saint, he couldn't see through her strength, but he could confirm that she was at least a Saint without a doubt. After a moment, he asked somewhat uncertainly: "Could it be that you are the Executor of the East Lin's Four Great Families?"

  Two months ago, he happened to be within the borders of Donglin, so he had heard about the merger of the four major families in Donglin two months ago. The one who issued the order was a talented young girl from the Ling family, Ling Wushuang.

  Of course, there must be more than one person called Ling Wushuang, but a 16- or 17-year-old girl has reached such an unfathomable level of skill. As far as he knows, there is only one person who fits this description!

  "Uncle Yi has good eyesight." Ling Wu Xiang smiled and nodded slightly, from the very beginning, she had never intended to conceal her identity and purpose.

  "As expected", Zhang Yi nodded thoughtfully.

  The four major families are developing rapidly, and their current strength is so strong that it's not an exaggeration to say they're the number one family in terms of talent. Their future prospects are also boundless. However, the person in charge is just a little girl, which is quite unexpected.

  "Are you the one who issued the Four Great Families' edict?" Zhan Xiufu furrowed his brow, looking at Ling Wusuo with some astonishment.

  He had heard about the merger of the four major families in the East, but because he had been training in various dangerous places for half a year, he didn't know much about it.

  Ling Wushuang met Shi Xiu's somewhat surprised gaze with an innocent blink of her eyes, "You didn't ask either."

  In this world, news travels extremely slowly. As forest hunters, they spend most of their time wandering in the dangerous parts of the forest and only have a deep understanding of this region. Exchanging information with the outside world is relatively slow, so it's normal that these people don't know about the four major families.

  "Alright." Zhang Yi smiled slightly and patted Zhan Xi's shoulder, "Your father has been thinking about you for a long time. He's over there, go to him quickly."

  "Good", Warlord nodded.

  Zhang Yi finished speaking and saw the person walking towards him, smiling and greeting, "Old Hong, haha, it's been a few months since we last met, so the young master has met your squad"

  Hong Shu quickly stepped forward, seeing a familiar face, his mood was quite good, and he joked: "This time we have to thank Wu Shuang this little girl, otherwise our team would have been finished halfway, my old bones would have already been in the belly of the ground mouse"

  "You've encountered a Shadow Mouse horde!?" Zhang Yi was shocked and hastily asked: "What are the casualties?"

  As they spoke, Zhang Yi had already made mental preparations. With such a small team, encountering an ordinary group of ground shadow mice and not handling it properly could lead to complete annihilation.

  "Haha, don't worry, we're over a hundred people now, and all the injuries on our bodies have fully recovered. Moreover, we've also obtained several thousand high-grade Shadow Mouse Crystal Cores." Old Man Hong smiled so widely that his mouth couldn't close.

  "This is still a high-level Shadow Mouse group!" Zhang Yi's eyes widened in shock as he stared at Uncle Hong, "What's going on!?"

  Miraculously, no one was injured, and they even gained a large batch of precious crystal nuclei.

  "Haha, it's like this..."

  Zhang Yihong and others converged, exchanging information at the same time, Zhan Xi had already walked into a not far away tent.

  Ling Wushuang, however, did not choose to follow Zhan Xiu at this time. Instead, she turned around and familiarized herself with the surroundings. After all, it had been a long time since the father and son had seen each other, and they must have had a lot to talk about. It would be inappropriate for her to interrupt them at this moment.

  The surroundings were dense with forest hunter tribes or small factions, where people gathered to exchange valuable items they needed, or engage in some minor sparring matches to pass the time.

  Everywhere is crowded and bustling, it's also unusually lively.

  "If I'm not mistaken, we're close to the Sun and Moon God Spring." Ling Wu Xiang's fingertips stroked his chin as he gazed in one direction, lost in thought.

  Is the dangerous place these people are searching for related to the place that Jun Yan and the others are looking for? But if there really is something inside that the forces of the Supreme Border want, how would they let these people gather here? Or perhaps, someone from that side has already mixed in with this group.

  "This thing of mine is not for sale, you'll have to offer something good in exchange"

  Just as Ling Wu Shuang was deep in thought, a loud shout from a big man interrupted her train of thought.

  Ling Wushuang's eyebrows slightly furrowed, and she gazed casually around, after a clear look, her eyes lit up slightly, it was actually another divine flower, although not comparable to the Two Instruments of Ancient Wood, but also extremely precious. Moreover, she happened to lack such things, with this, as an auxiliary medicine, she could refine a kind of divine elixir!

  The people gathered here are from all walks of life, and there are indeed all kinds of people. The wealthy landlords and local tyrants have gathered in large numbers, with many treasures in their hands. For a time, it has formed a large trading venue. However, most people use the treasures in their hands to exchange for things they want or need more, after all, many things are priceless.

  The Dahua's hand held a flower, with one stem growing three petals, in an earthy tone, looking like it had withered away. It was indeed a divine flower of the same level as the Double Lotus, the Dry Butterfly Flower.

  "The man in front of Da Han who took out 500,000 taels of gold was also very wealthy."

  However, the big man seemed unwilling, his muscles tense all the way down, gripping the thing in his hand, stubbornly saying: "To obtain this thing, I almost died at the mouth of a Sacred Domain Mystic Beast. I don't need money, no matter how much money it is, you want it? Then take out a Saint's Elixir Pill and exchange it with me."

  "'Sacred Elixir Dan Medicine'?" The people around them couldn't help but gasp in shock.

  Those who wanted the divine flower in Han's hands also sneered: "You only have a divine flower, it's uncertain whether you can refine it into a sacred pill, and even if you can, can you find a sacred medicine master to help you refine it?"

  "It's useless even if you hold it in your hand, can't you just swallow it directly?"

  "Get rid of it, you're not an alchemist, what's the point of clinging to this thing for dear life?"

  ……

  People around added fuel to the fire, joining in the disturbance.

  That big fellow, seemed to be somewhat moved by the persuasion, he licked his lips and was about to speak when a pair of white hands appeared before his eyes, holding a jade-like pill. The woman's voice, as clear and cold as a jade pendant striking together, rang out, "This is a Sacred Heart Pill, I'll trade it with you."

  "Ah!" The big Han's eyes stared at the thing in front of him, a fragrant and overflowing elixir, with dense dan patterns on its surface.

  He was overjoyed, nodding his head like a garlic press, "Exchange, exchange". After speaking, he still muttered to himself, "It's really a sacred elixir"

  He was just trying his luck, but unexpectedly, there really is someone here who has the Saint's Elixir.

  The person who wanted to buy the dry butterfly flower looked a bit ugly and couldn't help but mock, muttering, "This little girl actually exchanged precious sacred medicine for an unripe flower, what a fool"

  "Could it be that this little girl is an alchemist?"

  "How is it possible? It must be a young lady from a large family with an alchemist at home."

  …。

  The people around him saw Ling Wu Shuang take out the sacred elixir, and their eyes almost burst into flames. These people needed precious elixirs the most.

  Ling Wushuang smiled slightly, ignoring the people around her. Just as she reached out to take the dried butterfly flower handed over by the big man, a low and husky voice came, with an air of subtle intimidation that made the big man catch his breath, "The thing in your hand, I'll take it."

  As soon as he heard the words, he knew that the person who came was an old man. Ling Wushuang looked over with a hint of surprise and saw a grey cloak, but couldn't see his face. However, the two medicine boys following behind him made Ling Wushuang recognize the person instantly.

  "Speak, how much money is needed?" The old man's words were very calm, with a determination to get what he wanted, and no emotional ups and downs could be heard.

  "I, I don't want to sell, I want to exchange for a Saint's Elixir Pill." The big man, seemingly suppressed by the old man's aura, didn't think much and stuttered out these words.

  "This is a sacred elixir pill, take it." The medicine boy behind the old man smiled somewhat disdainfully, and with great arrogance took out an elixir pill and handed it to the big fellow. "Hand over what's in your hand to me."

  "Another Sacred Tier Dan Medicine!" The people around them couldn't help but gasp in amazement, however, judging from the old man's demeanor, he should be a prestigious alchemist.

  Everyone's eyes were fixed on the person in front of them, clenching their fists and rubbing their palms, eager to rush up and befriend him. After all, getting to know an alchemist was equivalent to having the opportunity to obtain precious elixirs.

  The medicine boy finished speaking and wanted to reach out for the thing in the big man's hand. The big man, at this time, finally reacted, quickly withdrawing his hand, looking somewhat embarrassed at Ling Wusuo, "But I've already exchanged it with this little girl."

  Ling Wushuang's lips curled up with a faint, enigmatic smile, her hands clasped around her chest as she stood to one side, quietly observing the scene unfold. When she saw the two medicine boys glance over, her willow eyebrows rose slightly.

  "It's you!" The medicine boy grasped the air with one hand, already feeling annoyed and ashamed. As soon as he saw Ling Wusuo, his anger surged to his face, and he furiously shouted, "It's that damned woman again!"

  "What a coincidence" Ling Wushuang smiled slyly, "Isn't it me?"

  The old man turned to face Ling Wusuo, his eyes clearly burning with anger. He stared at her for a moment before turning to the big man and saying, "Hand over what's in your hand to me, and I'll consider it a favor you've done for me."

  This time Zhan Xiu wasn't there, but he wanted to see what this damned stinky girl was being arrogant about in front of him.

  He also counted it in his previous account!

  The old man's dignified demeanor as an alchemist was unmatched, and the people around him were instantly moved to tears when they heard his words. The affection of a divine alchemist was something that couldn't be begged for.

  "But, I've already exchanged with this little girl." The big man was a bit stubborn and his words of refusal made the people around him almost spit out blood, scolding him as an idiot for not grasping such a good opportunity.

  "You really don't know what's good for you!" A young apprentice behind the old man suddenly flared up, "Do you know who my master is? My master is the Medicine Saint of the Sacred Hall!"

  "What!?" The people around were suddenly in an uproar, and the name of the Medicine Saint was like thunder in their ears.

  The Medicine Saint of the Holy Temple, holds an extremely high position in the temple, second only to one person and above all others. He is a figure at the level of a Holy Master. In his earlier years, his strength had already reached the peak of a 9th rank Saint. More importantly, he was a genuine and authentic Saint Medicine Master!

  "My goodness, Yao's human feelings are not wanted by idiots"

  "Even the people from the holy temple have arrived, this time's danger is no trivial matter"

  People around have their own thoughts.

  "That... that" The big man's face turned red with embarrassment, clutching the thing in his hand like a hot potato. He glanced around, then turned and shoved the thing into Ling Wusuo's hands before turning and walking away, disappearing into the crowd in an instant.

  Ling Wushuang took a look at the thing in his hand and smiled with interest.

  As expected, it's a person from Sheng Tang, and Yao Sheng's strength is on par with Sheng Lin. Now that they're fighting head-on, she won't have the upper hand.

  Seeing that person fleeing in a hurry, the Medicine Saint's face stiffened, his complexion becoming extremely unsightly. He fiercely swept his sleeve and let out a cold snort before turning to look at Ling Wu Xuan, saying indifferently: "Little girl, last time I gave you that Two Instrumented Ancient Wood Grass, this time don't think about getting more."

  The tone was light and casual, Medicine Saint said it was only natural, as if what Ling Wu Xue had in his hand was something he owned.

  Ling Wushuang suddenly smiled and said, "I'm telling you, old man, even if you're who's who, there should be a order of arrival, shouldn't there?"

  As soon as Ling Wushuang's words came out, a murmur of voices could be heard vaguely around her. This little girl, does she know who the person in front of her is? She dares to say such things. If Yao Sheng takes a liking to what they have in their hands, not only will he not ask for money, but even if it's given to him for free, they would be willing.

  "You——" The Medicine Saint's face twitched.

  Yao Sheng didn't expect that after Ling Wu Xiang knew his identity, he would still be so calm and collected. The words he spoke even had a sarcastic tone to them.

  "You stinky girl, you really don't know how to live!" The two medicine boys already didn't like Ling Wusuo, and wherever they went, being chased by people, seeing Ling Wusuo's indifferent attitude made them even more furious.

  "This is the last time I'll say it, are you going to give it or not?" The Medicine Saint slowly spat out these words, his entire aura quietly releasing and approaching, the people around him turned pale and couldn't bear it, continuously retreating.

  Ling Wushuang smiled faintly, her red lips lightly uttering two words, "Not... giving..."

  The Divine Doctor's face suddenly turned cold. It was no longer a fight for one spiritual herb, but his dignity had been provoked and violated.