Lin Xiao flew towards the group at a leisurely pace. He swept his gaze over the astonished crowd and cupped his hands politely. “Greetings, everyone.”
“How are you still alive here?” A young man in grey robes was the first to speak.
He looked about the same age as Lin Xiao, with ordinary features and an unremarkable aura. Among the group, he had the lowest cultivation, only Seventh Layer Martial Emperor.
Compared to the other three youths, he appeared far less impressive. One was around twenty-five and also Seventh Layer, another twenty-seven or twenty-eight at Eighth Layer, and the last was nearly thirty and had already reached Ninth Layer Martial Emperor.
Each of these four young men was clearly a supreme genius, comparable to the very best talents of Yang Province’s three great powers.
Even Lin Xiao was inwardly shocked. Just who were these people?
Could they be from one of the major forces?
“The teleportation array malfunctioned and I suddenly appeared here. I was just about to ask you all for directions,” Lin Xiao replied to the grey-robed youth, his tone polite as he addressed the whole group.
“So the array went wrong… no wonder.” Understanding dawned on everyone’s faces. With countless beast-clan experts in this area harbouring deep hostility toward humans, the only way a First Layer Martial Emperor youth could still be alive was if he had only just arrived.
The grey-robed youth’s eyes flickered. He smiled at Lin Xiao and said, “We are from the Wang family of Southern Yan Province. I am Wang Qi. This is Zixi Forest, an extremely dangerous place. Brother, if you have nowhere better to go, you may travel with our Wang family group for now. Our team can still hold its own against the beast clans here.”
“The Wang family of Yan Province?” Lin Xiao was stunned.
The Wang family was one of the eight great clans of the Central Continent. Given the strength and cultivation on display, it could only be that Wang family, not some lesser clan of the same name.
People from the Wang family of Southern Yan Province had also come to Sacred Province?
Was it for the Continental Spirit Controller Grand Competition, or had they come specifically for this forest?
“It seems Brother has heard of our Wang family,” Wang Qi teased lightly.
“One of the eight great clans? I doubt there are many on the entire Central Continent who haven’t heard of you,” Lin Xiao said with a sigh. His gaze swept across the others. Wang Qi was certainly enthusiastic, but he wondered what the rest thought.
Most teams rejected outsiders. A First Layer Martial Emperor was, to these Wang family members, completely unremarkable and would only drag them down. He was curious how the others truly felt.
Contrary to his expectations, not one person objected. One of the half-step Martial Saint elders even said, “One more person makes no difference. Whatever the young master wishes is what we wish.”
“In that case, I shall trouble you all,” Lin Xiao replied with a courteous salute. He was in unfamiliar territory and had much to learn. Since they were willing to let him tag along, he was happy to accept.
It seemed the eight great clans were not all filled with arrogant people. This greatly changed Lin Xiao’s impression of them.
Still, he did not lower his guard completely. There were no conflicts of interest between them yet, and great clans could turn hostile in an instant when profit was involved.
Since they had shown goodwill first, Lin Xiao would naturally respond in kind unless something else arose.
He was also rather surprised that Wang Qi, the one with the most ordinary bearing, was actually the Wang family young master. Even half-step Martial Saints deferred to him. His status within the family must be quite high.
“Haha, no need to be so polite, Brother. We’re only helping in passing,” Wang Qi laughed. He waved his hand, signalling the group to continue onward. Lin Xiao followed quietly, flying low with the team.
“May I know Brother’s name?” Wang Qi asked warmly as they flew side by side.
“Lin Xiao. Just a rogue cultivator,” Lin Xiao answered.
Wang Qi smiled. “There are outstanding rogue cultivators as well. Brother Lin Xiao, are you also heading to Spirit Pool Island to watch the excitement?”
Lin Xiao was slightly surprised but nodded. “Yes. I was just about to ask Brother Wang how to get to Spirit Pool Island.”
“It isn’t too far. A few teleportation arrays and we’ll be there,” Wang Qi replied.
“…” Lin Xiao fell silent.
A few teleportation arrays and it still wasn’t far?
What kind of arrays were those?
Even province-level arrays counted as teleportation arrays…
“We are also heading to Spirit Pool Island to join the festivities. We came from the Wang family branch in Sacred Province. Recently, however, we heard news that a Zitan Spirit Lotus is maturing in this forest, so we came to investigate. Who would have thought the beast clans have grown bolder and bolder, showing great hostility toward humans? Any human they encounter here is attacked on sight.”
Wang Qi explained, “Our goal this time is to search for that Zitan Spirit Lotus. Things will probably become even more dangerous. Five thousand li ahead, within a thousand li to the side, lies the edge of the forest. Brother Lin Xiao, you can leave from there when the time comes.”
“Zitan Spirit Lotus?” Lin Xiao’s eyes brightened.
Zitan Spirit Lotus was not the name of any specific herb. It simply meant a spirit lotus growing in Zitan. An ordinary spirit lotus planted in special waters could produce effects as different as heaven and earth.
Seeing the light in Lin Xiao’s eyes, Wang Qi gave a wry smile. “Brother Lin Xiao, you’re welcome to come if you wish, but when the time comes we probably won’t be able to look after you.”
“I’m merely curious,” Lin Xiao said. “What is so special about that spirit lotus?”
“The lotus itself isn’t particularly special, but rumour says the Zitan is extraordinary. It naturally produces water infused with rich spiritual qi. A spirit lotus grown there possesses tremendous medicinal power.”
Wang Qi continued, “It is said that high-tier Martial Emperors can refine it directly to break through, and there is more than one stalk.”
Lin Xiao’s eyes gleamed even brighter. If high-tier Martial Emperors could use it to break through directly, could he do the same?
“However, we are probably not the only ones who received the news. This is beast-clan territory. Several nearby major beast clans will surely send people as well.”
Worry appeared in Wang Qi’s eyes as he added, “So this trip will be far from safe.”
The three other youths glanced at Lin Xiao, pity in their gazes. They were certain this youth had been tempted.
They had no objection to bringing him along the way, but befriending a mere First Layer Martial Emperor? Impossible.
Thus they did not bother speaking to him.
With their strength, carrying one extra person posed no danger, but when they reached the Zitan they certainly would not protect him. If he followed, he would be courting death.
Yet throughout the world, countless people threw their lives away for opportunities. No advice could stop them, so none of the three bothered to speak.
At that moment, just after Wang Qi finished, a sharp, wise glint flashed in his eyes.
“Danger approaches!” he declared.
