Refining the Mountains and Rivers

When Mu Xuan woke up, she found she was in this cave. She also found that there was a man as well as a restless wild pig.

At first glance she recognized that this wild pig was the one that had appeared before her just as she fell unconscious. Thus, that dreadfully grotesque expression it had before also reappeared in her mind.

In particular, what caused Mu Xuan to collapse was that all the items on her body had been taken away. A horrifying thought crossed her mind, one that left her deathly pale!

Luckily, the agitated and restless Big Pig had no interest in bothering with this nonsense. He coldly shouted, "Stop being so disgusting, this grandpa pig has no interest in you!"

Mu Xuan relaxed. She glanced at Qin Yu. If it was him, although she would still feel grief and indignation, she felt as if she could accept it.

Big Pig smiled with anger. This young girl, was her brain filled with nothing but tofu? Could she not take a look at her current situation before indulging herself in such fanciful thoughts!?

After severely scolding Mu Xuan, he made her sit to the side quietly. Big Pig only hoped that Qin Yu would wake up soon. If he suffered an accident, then this pig would also suffer bad luck.

Thus, when Qin Yu woke up and revealed a smile, Big Pig was extremely excited. "Master, my most respected master, my most formidable master, you are finally awake!"

This warm and close attitude left Qin Yu puzzled. He reached out a hand and pushed away the pig head that came sniffing close to him. "How long was I unconscious for?"

"A little less than half a day."

Qin Yu relaxed a little; he was glad he didn't screw things up. He stood up and looked at Mu Xuan. She hurriedly got to her feet, her expression ill and nervous.

After some hesitation, Qin Yu said, "I was the one who rescued you and I have already taken the reward for doing so; it is the bracelet you carried with you. Now, the account between us has been settled. You may take your things and leave."

Big Pig's lips twitched. You were clearly the one who was cruel and wanted to abandon her, and wasn't it me who decided to go and help her? You took all the sentiment and advantages; consider yourself sufficiently ruthless!

Mu Xuan widened her eyes and nodded. She immediately composed herself and bowed repeatedly. "Thank you senior, thank you senior!" She knelt down and picked up all her things before hurrying away, afraid that Qin Yu would go back on his word.

The sound of footsteps travelled far away before turning back. Seeing the ambling Mu Xuan return to the cave, Qin Yu couldn't help but furrow his eyebrows. "You aren't leaving?"

Mu Xuan was given a fright. She quickly said, "No, that's not it…my…my injuries are heavy right now…and…I'm not familiar with this area…senior…could you…"

Qin Yu's eyebrows tightened even further. "You should have some sort of help-requesting token with you, right?"

Mu Xuan lowered her head, her face flushing red.

Qin Yu was left speechless. It seemed this girl had forgotten to bring the most basic of items. Without this sort of common knowledge, she still dared to come out with others to search for treasures. No wonder she had been tricked!

Seeing Qin Yu's gloomy face, Mu Xuan was even more depressed. "Senior, rest assured…I wouldn't waste your time…I live at Parasol Tree Mountain…if you bring me there you will definitely receive a generous reward…moreover…moreover…"

She couldn't finish her words; she even began to drip sweat.

Qin Yu's thoughts turned. The place where this female cultivator lived was sure to have a great number of cultivators.

The blood flame fruit could repair the mortal body and destroy the curse strength. But, it was too strong and giving it to Old Man Zhou as it was would be too risky.

At best, he could supplement it with other materials and refine it into a pill with a temperate potency…if so, he might as well take this female cultivator home and search for an alchemist while he was at it…

"How far is Parasol Tree Mountain from here?"

Mu Xuan had an uncertain look. "I don't know exactly where it is, but it is around 20,000 miles east of the mountain valley."

As she spoke to here she carefully looked up, her heart racing.

Qin Yu didn't seem to realize her look. He quietly calculated the time. Then he loudly said, "Let's go!" He began to walk out of the cave, Mu Xuan following close behind.

Suddenly, a loud buzzing sound came from all around. Purpleback bluewing ants flew in from all directions.

Mu Xuan screamed, her complexion paling further.

Qin Yu lightly said, "These are just spirit insects I raised."

With a thought, the ant swarm picked up the group and howled away in the direction of Parasol Tree Mountain.

Looking at the surprised Mu Xuan who had an expression of awe on her face, Big Pig humphed to himself. This girl was far too naïve!

Qin Yu's ant swarm was far larger than this. Not only did he frighten her and prevent her from talking, but he also hid the majority of his strength to deal with any future unexpected situations…hm, what a sinister young man!

…

Ten miles away from Parasol Tree Mountain, the ant swarm landed in a gap between the mountains. Qin Yu said without expression. "You've arrived."

Mu Xuan had a grateful expression. "Thank you for bringing me back senior." Seeing that Qin Yu had no thoughts of conversing with her, she respectfully bowed and took several steps away.

But just as she took several steps, Qin Yu's voice lightly sounded out, "You got lost in the mountains and I brought you back here. That's it. That's everything."

A cold sweat immediately formed all over Mu Xuan and she shivered from an invisible coldness. It was only when she walked far away that she felt a little bit warmer.

This senior was scary…he must be dreadfully strong. It seemed that senior-apprentice brother Qi and the others wouldn't be returning.

Mu Xuan shook her head. With her cultivation, she couldn't have done anything to them. Even if others were to investigate what happened, no one would suspect her.

After determining that Mu Xuan had left, Qin Yu gave Big Pig a kick. The latter coughed out loud and his body began to rapidly shrink until he was reduced to the size of a mouse. Then, he climbed up Qin Yu's body and sat on his shoulder.

There were certain dangers in searching for a destiny so he had to form a disguise for himself. For instance, if he were to carry a miniature pig on his shoulders that was emanating monster energy, others would think he wasn't some common person and he would be able to save a great deal of trouble for himself.

After ordering the ant swarm to hide, Qin Yu walked towards Parasol Tree Mountain.

…

Mu Tong looked up at the golden characters of Sky Declaring Pavilion written atop the black signboard, a confused look on his face.

To specifically send someone to request him to come, was there another auction?

But that didn't seem right. With his status and identity, he didn't have the qualifications to be informed alone.

He shook his head and suppressed these thoughts. When he walked into the building, someone stepped forth and said, "Fellow daoist Mu has arrived. Please follow me."

The one who spoke was a man with a pale face and thin figure. His slender eyes gave a sharp and astute feeling. He glanced over Mu Tong for a moment before furrowing his eyebrows. However, he soon hid this expression away.

Mu Tong was flattered. This person across from him was a chief manager-level character of Sky Declaring Pavilion. Even he had only seen this person at the auction several times and he never received such treatment before. He hurriedly smiled and bowed in return, but his heart was racing.

If everything happening was so unusual, there had to be something wrong!

They entered an extravagantly decorated private room. When Mu Tong saw the three people inside drinking tea, he could no longer hide the shock on his face. He took half a step forward and bowed, "Mu Tong greets Elder Liu Zang, Grandmaster Qi, and Miss Feng Qing!"

No, this wasn't right. There had to be something wrong today. Mu Tong remained in a still bowing motion, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Elder Liu Zang was a true authority-possessing Elder in the sect. The difference between this Elder and a young deacon like him was far too great.

Grandmaster Qi was the most renowned alchemy grandmaster in the surrounding regions of Parasol Tree Mountain. He had broad social connections and was able to speak on even terms with the sect master.

As for Miss Feng Qing, she was the chief manager of Sky Declaring Pavilion. No one knew her true identity. However, the Sky Declaring Pavilion that was spread over the First Moon Mountain Range was in itself an extremely terrifying super influence, thus as its public spokesperson, no one dared to underestimate her.

The three of them had gathered here together, waiting for a minor figure like him. Yes, that was right. In front of these three people, Mu Tong was well aware that he was nothing but a minor character who was far too common and humble.