Chapter 056

Chapter 56: Raising Their Guard

Walking at the front, Hua Xuan Zi overheard the Wei siblings’ conversation and gently reminded them, “With your current cultivation, it’s best not to enter the back mountain lightly. Although the Grand Righteous Sect manages it, the area is vast and filled with powerful demon beasts. Even we only move around its edges and rarely dare to venture deeper.”

Yun Xi nodded in understanding, replying, “Thank you for your guidance, Senior Sister. My elder cousin and I are quite aware of our limits, so we only take missions within the sect grounds. That task of growing spirit rice at the Outer Five Peaks scared us nearly to death.” Saying so, she patted her chest as if still shaken.

Hua Xuan Zi, who often helped at the Task Hall, had clearly heard of the incident. She sighed softly, “Such a pity—all the spirit fields on that peak were completely ruined. Honestly, I’ve never heard of such a disaster before. To this day, the disciple named Chen Feng hasn’t shown himself. He must’ve fled long ago.”

Wei Yun Xi’s lips curled slightly as she thought [He became nourishment for those fields long ago. Still, he deserves the blame. After all, he was the one who harbored murderous intent first.]

Zong Hao also chimed in, following Hua Xuan Zi’s words, “With such a serious crime, he must’ve run far away by now. Fortunately, Senior Sister Hua warned us, and we met Senior Brother Fan Si, our benefactor, who advised us to harvest early. Though we lost some spirit stones, at least we managed to complete the task. Otherwise, my sister and I would’ve faced disaster.”

Hua Xuan Zi waved off the thanks, feeling a little guilty. “It was my suggestion that you grow spirit rice in the first place. Thank goodness you two were smart. If something happened, I would’ve felt terrible.”

“How could we blame you, Senior Sister?” Yun Xi reassured earnestly. “You suggested the task out of kindness, but it was still our choice to accept it. We can’t blame someone who only meant to help.”

Hua Xuan Zi felt her heart warm at Yun Xi’s clear sense of right and wrong. Although Yun Xi was young, her mind was open and fair. Hua Xuan Zi knew this younger sister was someone worth befriending.

Senior Brother Zhao also silently approved of Yun Xi’s words, while Senior Brothers Qian and Li voiced their agreement, creating a pleasant atmosphere within the group.

After traveling another hour, Senior Brother Zhao suddenly announced, “Let’s rest briefly here. Everyone, adjust your condition. We’ll soon reach the sand gerbil nest we scouted earlier.”

He continued, clearly laying out their plan, “Once there, Junior Brothers Qian and Li and I will draw out the sand gerbils. Junior Sisters Hua and Wei Yun Xi, you two quickly enter their nest and harvest the golden sand grass. Junior Brother Wei Zong Hao, you’ll guard the entrance. If a large group of sand gerbils returns, immediately warn the two junior sisters and help them retreat. Although these gerbils individually aren’t strong, a swarm could overwhelm us. Stay vigilant.”

“Understood!” the group responded in unison, showing no objections to this clearly prearranged plan.

They scattered briefly to rest under a giant tree, some meditating, others whispering quietly.

Yun Xi tugged at Zong Hao’s sleeve and said, “Zong Hao, I get nervous easily. Come with me to relieve myself behind those trees.”

Zong Hao frowned suspiciously, knowing his little cousin was not someone who got anxious easily. Still, he informed Senior Brother Zhao before following Yun Xi into the nearby woods.

Once out of sight, Yun Xi quickly activated an isolation array disc and revealed her discovery to Zong Hao.

Zong Hao’s chubby face scrunched anxiously, “Then what should we do? Should we find a chance to slip away from the group midway?”

Yun Xi shook her head firmly. “If they’re not after us, they’re targeting Senior Sister Hua or the others. If we leave now, we might alert whoever’s trailing us. We don’t know their strength or identity. On our own, we’d be easy prey.”

Zong Hao thought for a moment before nodding. “You’re right. In that case, we should stay alert and stick together, especially when performing the mission.”

“Senior Brother Zhao’s plan keeps us together, so at least he seems unaware for now,” Yun Xi noted.

“True,” Zong Hao added, “I think Senior Sister Hua is also in the dark. I noticed she’s close to Senior Brother Zhao. If he knew something, he would likely warn her. They have the highest cultivation in this Temporary Squad, so it’s unlikely they’d plot against each other.”

“Brother Zong Hao, we must be extra careful,” Yun Xi urged softly. “Whoever’s following us may strike while we’re busy harvesting, catching us off guard.”

Zong Hao nodded seriously. “I understand.”

After quickly reaching an understanding, they returned to the group. Seeing everyone ready, Senior Brother Zhao called out, “Let’s move!”

They resumed formation and pressed onward towards the inner areas. The trees here grew taller, the brush thicker, and occasionally, low-level demon beasts darted by. Luckily, the squad’s qi-refining late-stage auras kept these minor threats at bay.

After another half-hour, Senior Brother Zhao raised his hand, signaling them to halt. The group quietly took cover behind gray boulders, observing a distant cave at the base of a cliff, where numerous sand gerbils scurried in and out.

Yun Xi stared at those golden-skinned creatures, each the length of a child’s arm, their large white incisors sharp and menacing. Her scalp tingled unpleasantly—she hated rats, especially these cultivation-enhanced rodents.

Senior Brother Zhao silently gestured to Qian and Li, who swiftly moved to another spot. Moments later, a wisp of white smoke drifted toward the gerbil cave.

The gerbils paused, sniffing the air intently. After chirping loudly, they rushed as one toward the source of the smoke, nearly trampling each other in their urgency. Despite stumbling, they quickly righted themselves and pushed onward, their thick hides showing remarkable resilience.

Yun Xi quietly marveled at their tenacity. Such was the survival instinct of even first-level demon beasts.

Only after fifteen minutes did the stream of gerbils thin out significantly. Hua Xuan Zi urged, “Junior Sister Wei, let’s go!”

“Yes!” Yun Xi replied immediately.

“Junior Brother Wei, lend us a hand and guard the entrance. Alert us immediately if you see them returning in force,” Hua Xuan Zi instructed.

“I’m ready!” Zong Hao drew his spirit sword in readiness.

“Move!” With Hua Xuan Zi’s order, the trio sprang from cover, quickly reaching the cave entrance.

Unwilling to waste time, Yun Xi flicked out ten fireball talismans, incinerating the remaining stray gerbils. They rushed inside without pause.

“Junior Sister Wei, over here!” Hua Xuan Zi pointed urgently at a patch of golden sand grass shimmering brilliantly beneath rays of sunlight filtering through stone cracks.

Yun Xi noticed it immediately—its golden sheen was impossible to miss.

Swiftly, Hua Xuan Zi cast an entangling spell, bundling the panicking gerbils together like skewers of candied fruit. Before they could squeak, she’d already stored them neatly into her storage pouch.