Free Web NovelChapter 68: Chapter 68: I Prefer to Outsmart
That was one thing none of them could figure out. For a moment, everyone sensed a conspiracy brewing.
A moment later, Gu Jue spoke up. "Let’s wait until we’re back to report this to our sects. In here, the enemy is hidden while we’re exposed. There’s no point in discussing it further."
Everyone thought about it and agreed. No matter how much they discussed it now, they had no way of verifying anything.
But once they were out of the Secret Realm, they could report the matter to the Major Sects. The sects would surely confront the Qilin Sect directly, and any conspiracy would come to light.
Chi Yan nodded decisively. "Right. Going up Qishan is more important right now. Let’s get a move on!"
As they followed the mountain path upward, the group discovered a startling number of corpses.
"Corpses" wasn’t quite the right word, as most had been devoured by demon beasts, leaving only piles of white bones behind.
From the fresh flecks of flesh still clinging to the bones, it was clear they belonged to people who had died recently.
At this sight, even Gu Jue’s expression turned grave. "Everyone, be extra careful."
The area near the foot of the mountain only had some low-level spiritual grass and ore, all of which had been picked clean by those who came earlier.
The group walked for nearly a full hour before they finally spotted a Third-stage Spiritual Fruit tree.
Its fruit was ripe, but several Cultivators were dueling nearby, apparently fighting over ownership of the prize.
A Third-stage Spiritual Fruit had decent effects, so Lu Sangjiu and the others stopped as well.
The two groups who had been dueling noticed their arrival and immediately broke apart, eyeing them warily.
One of them shouted, "You all have an extraordinary air about you. I imagine you wouldn’t deign to fight us over a mere Third-stage Spiritual Fruit."
"I heard from others that some Fifth-grade Xuanjin Fruit is about to ripen further up the mountain. Why don’t you all head up and try your luck?"
Another person chimed in, "That’s right! If you’re late, you won’t get any. It’s not worth wasting time with us here!"
Liu Xi was clearly skeptical. "Then why don’t you go?"
The man grinned. "Do I look like I have that kind of skill? I’d rather not go get myself killed. I’m content to fight for this Third-stage Spiritual Fruit."
Lu Sangjiu had been observing their duel. They didn’t seem particularly powerful, so his words were credible enough.
As it happened, she was also interested in the Xuanjin Fruit, as it was one of the main ingredients for refining the Fiend Burning Pill.
It wasn’t exceptionally rare, but it was quite expensive. If she could pick some here, that would be perfect.
So she turned to Gu Jue and said, "Mr. Gu, I happen to need a Xuanjin Fruit. Since they say there’s some up there, I’m going to go try my luck. What about you all?"
Gu Jue nodded without hesitation. "Together."
Lu Sangjiu beamed. "Perfect!"
Liu Xi, however, was displeased. "Senior Brother, why are you so nice to her?"
Hearing this, Lu Sangjiu immediately retorted, "Who says that? Mr. Gu is clearly kindest to you. I’m sure it’s only because he sees you looking out for me, Liu Dao You, that he’s being nice to me as well. It’s a package deal, right?"
Liu Xi loved hearing that. She immediately lifted her chin proudly and linked her arm through Gu Jue’s. "Of course. I’m Senior Brother’s only junior sister."
Normally, throughout their journey, Gu Jue would neither respond to nor refute such comments from Liu Xi, acting as if he hadn’t heard, like a block of wood.
But for some reason, this time he gently freed his arm from her grasp and said coolly, "This level of intimacy is inappropriate for a senior and junior sister. Please have some self-respect, Junior Sister."
Liu Xi froze, her eyes instantly welling with hurt tears. "Senior Brother, what do you mean by that..."
Seeing things were going south, Lu Sangjiu quickly tried to smooth things over. "Mr. Gu must just be a little embarrassed..."
Before she could finish, Gu Jue stated seriously, "I mean that we are only a senior and junior sister. Do not cross that line."
Lu Sangjiu: "..."
’I knew Gu Jue didn’t like Liu Xi, but did he have to stage such a blatant rejection right in front of me? This is so awkward!’
Sure enough, hearing Gu Jue’s words, Liu Xi’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Senior Brother, you know how I feel about you..."
She stopped halfway, biting her lip, feeling utterly humiliated.
"...I hate you!" Liu Xi cried out before turning and running away.
Lu Sangjiu: "..." freewēbnoveℓ.com
She and Chi Yan, two gawking onlookers, exchanged a glance. Then, wincing, she turned to Gu Jue. "...Go after her! There are so many people here. She could get into trouble running off on her own!"
Gu Jue’s brow furrowed slightly, whether in regret for his harsh words or simple annoyance, it was hard to say.
In the end, however, he didn’t argue. He just said, "We will find you in a little while."
With that, he took off in the direction Liu Xi had run.
Chi Yan clicked his tongue and couldn’t help but mutter, "Girls are so much trouble."
When he saw Lu Sangjiu looking at him, he quickly clarified, "Not you, of course, Immortal! Hehe, you’re the most reasonable person I’ve ever met, Immortal!"
Lu Sangjiu couldn’t be bothered to respond, simply saying, "Let’s go. We’ll head to the Xuanjin Fruit Tree first and check out the situation."
’I hope Gu Jue manages to calm her down before they come back. I really don’t want to face that kind of awkwardness again.’
Lu Sangjiu and Chi Yan continued toward the summit. Along the way, they passed several groups fighting over Third and Fourth Rank Spirit Grass or ore.
Lu Sangjiu had little interest, and Chi Yan didn’t seem to care either, so they didn’t stop.
When they were about halfway up the mountain, they saw a large group of people in the distance, engaged in a chaotic battle with a pack of Single-horned Rock Rats. And right beside them stood a Xuanjin Fruit Tree!
There were seven fruits on the tree, emitting an alluring fragrance. They looked like they were about to ripen at any moment.
Among the pack of Single-horned Rock Rats was a peak Third Rank Mouse King. It was only about half the height of a person, but its movement technique was nimble, and it could also burrow.
When pursued, it would dive underground, then burst out again when its pursuers were unprepared, catching them completely by surprise.
With its subordinate Second Rank rats, it kept the Cultivators so tangled and flustered that they couldn’t gain the upper hand.
This Mouse King must be the Guardian Beast of the Xuanjin Fruit Tree. Who knew how long it had guarded the tree? It would never hand it over to others so easily.
Lu Sangjiu and Chi Yan hid behind a pile of rocks not far away, watching in secret. For the moment, no one had noticed them.
After a moment, Lu Sangjiu summarized the scene. "Four at Early-stage Foundation Establishment, three at Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, and six at Late-stage Foundation Establishment. Thirteen people in total. Aside from those in teams, the ones fighting alone are the ones we should really watch out for."
"After all, anyone who could make it this far alone must have strength that cannot be underestimated."
"Right now, everyone’s focused on dealing with the rat swarm before the fruit ripens, so they’re all holding back. But in a real fight, I imagine even the Early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators would be formidable."
Chi Yan nodded in firm agreement, then said eagerly, "Then let’s jump into the fight! If we wait any longer, there won’t be a fight left for us!"
Lu Sangjiu: "..."
’All right then. A head-on clash is the only thing a guy like Chi Yan would think of.’
’But there’s no telling when Gu Jue and Liu Xi will be back, and the fruit is about to ripen. We really can’t wait much longer.’
After a moment’s thought, Lu Sangjiu broke into a mischievous grin. "Instead of a head-on clash, don’t you think screwing people over from the shadows sounds a bit more fun?"
