Noticing the innocent expressions of the Shengyuan Academy disciples, Qing Yun paused to think, then added, “Martial King essence pills are typically used by Martial Kings for cultivation, but high-stage Heavenly Martial experts with strong enough endurance can use them too.”
“If you’re interested in trading for Martial King essence pills, you could head to Blackwind City. A fourth-tier primary spirit controller arrived there a few months ago and has been exchanging spirit cores in bulk—it’s quite popular.”
“That’s why we came here hunting spirit beasts, for the Martial King essence pills.”
At this, the Heaven Gate disciples’ eyes gleamed with interest.
“We’re indeed interested in Martial King essence pills. If it’s not too much trouble, Miss Qing Yun, could you guide us there?” Lin Xiao said decisively.
He wasn’t overly fixated on the pills themselves. Rather, the siblings clearly knew the route well, and with their guidance, they could leave this area quickly.
This would speed up their progress significantly. Once they were spread out from the other Shengyuan Academy disciples, they’d have the confidence to face any opponents they encountered.
Of course, he wasn’t naive enough to fully trust Qing Yun and her brother. People from the Chaos Lands likely weren’t as guileless as academy disciples.
But with their current strength, even if the pair had ulterior motives, they couldn’t stir up much trouble.
Surprised by Lin Xiao’s swift decision, Qing Yun and Qing Feng hesitated briefly. Seeing the group’s eager looks, they nodded with a hint of delight, “You saved our lives, and we can’t repay you enough. For now, consider this a small gesture of gratitude.”
At Lin Xiao’s signal, the group detoured around the python-wrecked path, moving forward discreetly.
With their strength, if they travelled at full speed, two thousand miles would take just two or three days.
But with Qing Yun injured, Lin Xiao had them rest for a while after putting some distance behind them before pressing on.
After travelling seven or eight hundred miles from Shengyuan Academy, Lin Xiao began letting the group hunt spirit beasts. Five days later, they reached a spot two or three hundred miles from Blackwind City.
Along the way, they’d gathered a decent haul—dozens, even over a hundred spirit cores.
The closer they got to Blackwind City, the more people they encountered. Thanks to their large group, though, no one bothered them.
Lin Xiao’s stance was clear: if others didn’t provoke them, they wouldn’t strike. The training demanded kill points, but that didn’t mean killing everyone in sight.
“Another two hundred miles, and we’ll reach Blackwind City. It has some order inside, but outside it’s pure chaos—bandits roam freely out here,” Qing Yun said warily, gazing at the endless grassland ahead, “The next hundred miles are flat and open, fully exposed and very dangerous. We’ll need to move at full speed. Night travel’s safer, so we could wait until evening to proceed.”
In such an open expanse, it was easy to spot targets. Anyone passing through to Blackwind City likely carried valuables, making it a prime spot for bandits.
But robbing and being robbed wasn’t a sure thing. Bandits who targeted a stronger group often ended up the victims—a common occurrence.
“Are there Martial Kings among the bandits here?” Lin Xiao asked calmly.
“Martial Kings rarely show up. In this area, the only Martial King around would be Blackwind City’s lord,” Qing Yun replied.
“Then we don’t need to wait for night. Let’s head out now. The spirit cores we have won’t even trade for two Martial King essence pills,” Lin Xiao said干脆ly.
Qing Yun and Qing Feng’s lips twitched. Most people feared being robbed passing through here, but Lin Xiao seemed to be inviting it?
Still, with their group of over fifty, it was hard to imagine any bandit crew daring to try.
Hearing Lin Xiao’s words, the Heaven Gate disciples perked up. They’d barely fought anyone these past few days and were itching to see just how tough the Chaos Lands’ martial artists were.
“Alright then,” Qing Yun nodded, seeing Lin Xiao’s resolve, and took the lead, guiding the group forward.
Not long after they entered the grassland, figures flickered in the distance. Spotting the size of Lin Xiao’s group, some retreated.
Without knowing their strength and facing such numbers, attacking rashly was a huge risk.
After travelling a dozen miles, though, some couldn’t resist. A band of thirty-plus charged toward them.
Kicking up fierce winds and dust, they barrelled toward Lin Xiao’s fifty-plus group. Closing in, the thirty spread out, surrounding them.
Each exuded a strong aura, aiming to intimidate the group.
But in doing so, they exposed their strength to Lin Xiao and his crew.
Of the thirty-plus, only a dozen or so were at the Heavenly Martial Realm; the rest were below it.
Their leader was at the ninth level of Heavenly Martial, but the others topped out at the seventh or lower.
Against an average group, they’d be decently strong. Unfortunately, they’d picked Lin Xiao’s crew.
“Want to pass? Toss over everything you’ve got!” the middle-aged leader bellowed, his ninth-level Heavenly Martial aura unleashed fully.
Lin Xiao’s lips curved into an eerie smile. A vast aura radiated from him.
Then, over fifty Heavenly Martial auras erupted in unison, whipping up a ferocious gale that swept outward in all directions.
“What—all Heavenly Martial experts?!” The middle-aged man froze, dumbfounded.
These were all young people—he’d assumed they’d be weak. But every single one was a Heavenly Martial expert? This lineup was downright terrifying!
Had he known, he wouldn’t have dared with a hundred times the guts.
The other bandits were equally stunned, faces paling in horror. Some trembled visibly. This wasn’t a robbery—it was suicide.
“Everyone, we’ve changed our minds. We’re leaving!” the middle-aged man shouted weakly, waving a hand and turning to flee.
Joking aside, with this kind of force, even as a ninth-level Heavenly Martial expert, he had zero courage to fight. If he didn’t run now, he might not get the chance.
“Failed to rob us and now you want to leave? Isn’t that a bit too casual?” Lin Xiao’s cold voice rang out, “Everyone, time to start racking up your kill points.”
