Refining the Mountains and Rivers

A girl and her uncle were in a peaceful training chamber. Because of her uncle's gloomy face, the air was thick and heavy. But, the girl across from him had a stubborn expression written all over her. Even in the face of his oppressive eyes, she had no intention of backing down.

Finally, a sigh echoed throughout the chamber. "Mu Xuan, you must promise me that you will place your own security at the highest level of priority. The pressures of the family's prosperity shouldn't be shouldered by you."

The young girl had a surprised expression, "Thank you uncle! Don't worry, the treasure searching squad is extremely strong this time and several of the participants are famous young powerhouses of the sect. It was only with great difficulty that I was able to get a spot…uncle, you're too great!"

Mu Tong opened his hand to reveal a dark blue bracelet. It was unknown what type of material it was forged from, but its surface gleamed with starlight.

"Take this bracelet with you. Don't refuse me."

Mu Xuan stuck out her tongue and obediently received it. When she placed it on her wrist, she felt her spirits lifted and her body also seemed to become much lighter.

Mu Tong waved his hand. "Go, go. Remember to be careful in all things. Never try to show off!"

Moments later, the members of the treasure searching squad all gathered together beneath a pavilion outside the sect. The leader was a solemn and quiet young man. They boarded a boat-like flying magic tool and flew up into the skies.

…

After going deep into the mountain range, Qin Yu encountered dangerous situations multiple times. A giant silver eagle flew around the ant swarm several times before finally retreating in fear.

This caused Qin Yu to adjust his previous assessment. This was only an ordinary mountain range and yet there were so many formidable monster beasts here. The cultivation level of this world might be higher than he had imagined.

A shadow appeared in Qin Yu's heart. If he wanted to obtain a blood flame fruit, it clearly wasn't going to be as simple as he imagined. Taking a deep breath, he suppressed the nervousness in his heart. He kept comparing his surroundings with the images he received from the queen bee.

"It should be around here."

The ant swarm circled around a little and a black mountain peak appeared in sight. Qin Yu's eyes brightened. He ordered the ant swarm to immediately change directions.

Soon, a mountain valley covered in thick fog appeared. Looking around, he determined that this was the mountain valley where the blood flame fruit tree grew.

Qin Yu carefully observed the area. The terrain here wasn't too low and there appeared to be something suspicious about the fog. It caused him to recall the natural array formations that the queen bee said were here. He gave up any idea of crossing through the fog for the time being.

With a thought, the ant swarm quickly landed, placing him and Big Pig on the ground. But at this time his complexion changed.

Shallow traces could be seen everywhere as if they had been made by sharp weapons. From the edge of the valley they were short and light, but the further into the valley they were, the deeper they became.

A small number of purpleback bluewing ants flew forward. They were acting as Qin Yu's eyes. After submerging into the fog, they soon discovered signs of battle.

Qin Yu's face darkened. Some people had come here even earlier than him and had entered this mountain valley.

But, the traces of battle were new and there were still fluctuations of strength in the air that had yet to dissipate.

Qin Yu's eyes sparkled and he relaxed. Perhaps this wasn't a bad thing at all.

He allowed the small number of purpleback bluewing ants to explore the path ahead. Giving Big Pig a kick, the two of them lightly stepped into the valley.

Big Pig's ability to sense danger ahead of time was useful in situations like these.

Big Pig shook as he followed behind Qin Yu. Seeing the increasingly terrifying signs of battle all around as well as the massive number of monster beast corpses cut to shreds, the smell of blood flooded the senses. Big Pig cried without tears.

Rather than leaving peaceful days they had come all the way to this perilous place. He must have sinned in his past life!

If he had a choice, he would have turned around and run. Because due to his naturally gifted talents, in Big Pig's senses, this mountain valley was no different from the open mouth of a giant monster.

This place was too terrifying. In particular, in the depths of the mountain valley there had to be something absolutely horrifying. He had to find a way to make Qin Yu leave this place ahead of time. As a loyal and kind Pig King, he had to be responsible for his master's safety!

As Big Pig was preparing a number of excuses, Qin Yu seemed to have already sensed his intent. Qin Yu spoke up, and although his voice was very low and light, it caused Big Pig to feel as if he fell into an icy lake.

"Don't even try to speak nonsense. If we can't obtain a blood flame fruit then you'll stay here as a burial gift for Old Man Zhou."

Big Pig shivered. He was well aware that with Qin Yu's tone and expression, he wasn't joking at all. This fellow really would do that!

He furiously shook his head, tossing away all his previous thoughts into the depths of hell. He gave Qin Yu a firm and decisive look before turning his fat buttocks and rushing ahead. Still, in his heart he was streaming with tears.

Oh dear heavens, what evils did my ancestors commit? Why must a pig's life be so hard?

Before taking several steps, Big Pig came to a sudden stop. His small eyes stared at the fog in front.

There was movement ahead!

Qin Yu signaled for the ant swarm to pause. Although he didn't move forward, he was able to see through the purpleback bluewing ants and know what was occurring up ahead.

…

Over a dozen young cultivators all had their backs against each other. They were desperately trying to stimulate a treasure that looked like a withered branch. It released a light green light that formed a giant bowl, sheltering the people within.

The surrounding fog fiercely tumbled. Strange figures of monster beasts appeared all around them. They were all condensed from the fog and wildly attacked the barrier of green light. The green bowl of light was like a little boat in the storm, about to capsize at any moment.

"Senior-apprentice brother Qi, this array formation is naturally formed from the heavens and earth and possesses endless strength. If we cannot break through, we will exhaust our strength sooner or later…" The female cultivator didn't finish her words, but her pale complexion sufficiently proved how scared she was.

The one called senior-apprentice brother Qi was a handsome young cultivator. Even in this situation he maintained a calm demeanor.

"I have a rare treasure that can be directed to temporarily tear through space and break out of this array formation. Help me defend; I need some time to prepare."

Everyone seemed to obtain some other information from these words. The restless crowd relaxed a little.

Mu Xuan looked at this senior-apprentice brother Qi who was able to comfort the group with just a few words. Her eyes lit up with admiration. He was truly worthy of being someone in the top 20 ranks of masters within the sect. When would she ever have his level of strength?

As the young girl was lost in her envy and daydreams, she didn't realize that two senior-apprentice sisters who were supposedly on good terms with her had started to open up some distance with her.

Shua -

Qi Shengtian's eyes flashed open. He pointed a finger and radiant golden light gushed out from his fingertip. As he did this, his complexion paled.

Mu Xuan froze where she was. Her wide eyes were filled with disbelief. The golden light drilled into her body, leaving her unable to move anymore.

"Junior-apprentice sister Mu, I'm sorry. If we are lucky enough to return to the sect, we will request that they reward your family for your honorable sacrifice."

Qi Shengtian had a faint expression as he spoke. He lifted a hand and slashed the air in front of him. Black light flashed and a spatial crack appeared.

"Let's go!"

Whoosh -

Whoosh -

Everyone rapidly flew in. This included the two senior-apprentice sisters who had warmly called Mu Xuan a sister yesterday. Neither of them even glanced back at her.

The spatial crack healed over. In the green light, the only one remaining was Mu Xuan. With the supply of magic power rapidly diminished, the light that the withered branch released also began to quickly die down.

"So I was nothing but a chess piece chosen ahead of time, one that could be tossed away at any moment…uncle, I'm sorry, I didn't listen to you…"

Mu Xuan's eyes filled with fear and despair.

…

When the purpleback bluewing ants completed their first evolution, while their strength wasn't heaven-defying, they actually had a faint trace of the Ancestral Monster's aura. Through their eyes, Qin Yu could see things that weren't visible to his own.

For instance, this formidable heaven and earth array formation. In truth, it would erupt with different killing powers depending on the strength of the intruder. And more importantly, after using up a massive amount of energy, the strength that the array formation had saved up would be exhausted soon.

"With the support of the strength that is already poured in, she should be able to survive this. What a lucky young girl." Qin Yu whispered. He looked deeper into the valley and said, "But some people don't have such luck."

He avoided the scope of the naturally formed array formation and continued to venture deeper into the valley. Of course, the premise of this was all because of the fact that the array formation had already been triggered. Otherwise, even the purpleback bluewing ants wouldn't have been able to discover where the boundaries of the array formation were.

Fierce explosions pierced through the fog, accompanied by screams of horror and strange howls.

The purpleback bluewing ants that explored the path ahead only had time to glance around the depths of the mountain valley once before they were swept away by a blood red tentacle. Their life auras were immediately lost.

Qin Yu's complexion changed. He brought the ant swarm with him and fled backwards. Luckily, the crimson tentacles didn't chase him; they were still fighting the group of cultivators that had broken into its territory.

Qin Yu calmed down. The scene that had appeared when the fog momentarily disappeared had imprinted itself into his mind. A tree with crimson colored fruit was peacefully growing on the edge of the cliff. Three fire red fruits were hanging low on a branch. But at this time, the ground that was covered with bones had been torn to shreds by a formidable strength. Countless blood-red tentacles crazily danced in the air, bringing with them a swift and terrifying aura. A young cultivator was caught in these tentacles and had been torn apart, blood and pieces of his organs splashing down all around…

Qin Yu wasn't sure what these blood-red tentacles were, but they were undoubtedly powerful. Even if he used the full force of the purpleback bluewing ants to face it, there was still no hope of success.

He rejoiced in his heart. It was fortunate that there was a crowd of cruel and merciless cultivators drawing the strange creature's attacks, otherwise the one facing the barrage of blood-red tentacles would be him right now.

While watching such evil people die was something joyful and relaxing, Qin Yu couldn't summon up any happiness at all.

There was almost no chance of defeating such formidable and terrifying blood-red tentacles. Even if these people all perished here, that still didn't change the fact that he couldn't take any of those blood flame fruits.

Without blood flame fruits, Old Man Zhou would die. Could it be that he could only stare on helplessly as that kind and lovable old man, a benefactor who had saved his life, died?

According to common sense, in a situation where he had determined that he couldn't obtain any blood flame fruits, then to avoid being sucked up into anything more dangerous he should hurry up and leave as the group of cultivators were putting up a last ditch struggle to survive. The further he went the better it would be. But after thinking for some time, Qin Yu decided to remain.

Perhaps it was stupid of him, but as long as he didn't leave, there might be a chance.

Qin Yu knew that if he didn't do his best in trying to save Old Man Zhou, he would regret this for the rest of his life. It might even influence his future cultivation.

"Then I'll risk it one more time…"

He muttered beneath his breath with a firm look on his face!