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Black Wind Old Monster clearly did not expect that Qi Guoren would fall out with Dongfang Yunqing and the others. His face changed several times, darkening as he said, "This journey is perilous; perhaps these few won't dare to participate."
Upon seeing Black Wind Old Monster, Luo Xuefeng indeed considered withdrawing. However, the situation was changing rapidly, and retreating now would surely lead to death. Luo Xuefeng could only brace himself and say, "Since we have come, how can we not participate? Please, Daoist Qi, uphold justice."
Xunuo and the others naturally echoed, "We are willing to go."
Qi Guoren found himself in a difficult position. To ensure that this expedition proceeded smoothly, he needed to keep everyone united. Although Black Wind Old Monster was a significant help for this journey, allowing him too much leeway would undoubtedly introduce countless variables into their future actions.
Qi Guoren coldly stared at Black Wind Old Monster without speaking. However, his imposing demeanor clearly conveyed the message: either set aside personal grievances until after their trip to Chaotic Valley or confront him now and withdraw from the team.
Black Wind Old Monster also glared icily at Qi Guoren. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Since Daoist Qi has spoken, I shall naturally give you some face. You four must stay alive on this journey; when we return, I will take your lives then. Consider yourselves fortunate to live a little longer."
With that, he closed his eyes and fell silent.
The four of Xunuo exchanged glances. They understood that they had angered this fierce figure; although he might not dare to openly harm them on the way back and forth, his covert actions could still be enough to threaten their lives. Moreover, once this journey concluded, he would surely strike. Thus, even if they returned alive, it was a matter of fortune or misfortune. Nevertheless, having temporarily escaped the threat of death, Xunuo and the others visibly relaxed.
Although Qi Guoren was troubled by these internal conflicts, he knew that once they embarked on their journey, Black Wind Old Monster would be unable to act against them. Each member of the team had their role to play, like a well-functioning machine. If one person were missing, the machine would falter; removing four was out of the question. Black Wind Old Monster was also part of this machine; if it broke down, he would be digging his own grave.
As for what would happen upon their return, even if there were chaos and bloodshed among them, it had nothing to do with Qi Guoren. While he had some connections with Dongfang Yunqing, it was not to the extent that he would risk his life for him. Furthermore, Qi Guoren believed that even if he intervened, he could gain nothing good from Black Wind Old Monster. Now that Black Wind Old Monster had advanced to Eleven Layers—though it had only been recently—his formidable power made Qi Guoren have no thoughts of opposing him.
Seeing that the conflict had temporarily subsided, Qi Guoren hurriedly addressed Dongfang Yunqing: "Though you arrived a bit late, it hasn't delayed our schedule. We have decided to depart three days from now; you four should prepare quickly. If there are any items you lack, feel free to purchase them at the Market."
Dongfang Yunqing nodded in agreement and led Xunuo and the others out. They found an empty room to settle down in. This time, the four of them were like grasshoppers on the same rope, none daring to act alone. They discussed their situation with heavy hearts, realizing that leaving now would be tantamount to seeking death. They could only take it one step at a time, completing their journey to Chaotic Valley first, and then deciding on further actions based on the circumstances. In other words, they would leave their fates to destiny.
The four of them actually had nothing more to prepare. After a year of preparation, everything that could be arranged had already been taken care of. There was no way to obtain what was unattainable; even last-minute efforts would be futile. Besides, they had no desire to venture outside. Instead, they sat in the room, meditating and waiting for their departure.
Before long, the day of departure arrived. Qi Guoren shouted, and all the cultivators in the courtyard gathered together. Xunuo counted them briefly; there were a total of forty-eight people. Qi Guoren assigned tasks, and the team of forty-eight surged forward towards Chaotic Valley.
The first few days of travel posed little risk. They were still on the outskirts of Copper Sand Sea, where the heat was bearable and swarms of Crimson Fire Ants were not yet visible.
After five days, they truly entered the interior of Copper Sand Sea. The heat was overwhelming, and swarms of Crimson Fire Ants began to surround and attack them in waves. The entire team started working together, each fulfilling their roles.
Among this team was a cultivator with an unusual Spiritual Root—an Ice Spirit Root. Qi Guoren held high hopes for this individual and placed them at the forefront to attack and eliminate the Crimson Fire Ants. Qi Guoren quickly discovered Xunuo's Spiritual Root characteristics: among Xunuo's three Spiritual Roots—Gold and Fire—this area rich in Gold Fire Elemental Energy allowed for rapid recovery of magical power as if they were on a vast Spiritual Vein. Thus, Qi Guoren assigned Xunuo to assist Dongfang Yunqing and the Ice Spirit Root cultivator in recovering their magical power.
Initially, Xunuo was somewhat worried about whether he could provide magical power to two cultivators simultaneously. However, after two days he realized that it wasn't too difficult for him after all, and he couldn't help but admire Qi Guoren's keen insight.
As they pressed deeper into Copper Sand Sea, whenever they encountered a swarm of Crimson Fire Ants, they quickly formed formations and charged through before speeding away from the ant hordes.
After more than twenty days, this tactic gradually became ineffective. Almost as soon as they escaped one swarm of Crimson Fire Ants, they would run into another. What was even more alarming was that during one encounter with a group of Crimson Fire Ants in a stalemate, a swarm of mutated flying Crimson Fire Ants suddenly descended from above. Surrounded by two groups of ants, the cultivators felt on the verge of collapse. At this moment, Qi Guoren displayed his leadership qualities, instructing the attacking cultivators to focus their spells on eliminating the flying ants first.
After defeating the flying ants, Qi Guoren did not order everyone to fight their way out but instead commanded them to eliminate all the Crimson Fire Ants in place. Only after that did he ask Xunuo to set up an Earth Attribute formation so that everyone could rest. After a day’s rest for everyone’s magical power to recover, Qi Guoren whistled for them to regroup and set off again.
After traveling for a month like this, their team encountered another group of cultivators crossing Desert Sea. However, this group seemed unprepared and was in serious trouble, surrounded by two swarms of Crimson Fire Ants and clearly in a precarious situation. Upon seeing another group of cultivators approaching, they hurriedly signaled for help and moved closer.
In Qi Guoren's team, aside from those responsible for attacking Demonic Insects, maintaining defense, and providing magical support—tasks he coordinated—there were five Basic Skill Method Eleventh Layer Cultivators including Black Wind Old Monster tasked with ensuring that their team would not be attacked by other cultivators.
The team had just made a move to close in. The Black Wind Old Monster gathered his magical energy, and before him appeared the Golden Remnant Blade, which instantly surged to over ten feet in length. With a flash of golden light, it struck into the midst of the opposing group, scattering them in an instant.
Next, Xunuo witnessed a massacre of Cultivators by Demonic Insects. Tens of thousands of Crimson Fire Ants enveloped dozens of Cultivators, forming ant balls around them. They quickly breached the defenses of these Cultivators. Amidst the screams of agony, the Cultivators were reduced to mere piles of bones in no time.
Xunuo and the others felt a chill run down their spines. Qi Guoren, seeing this, hurriedly called for everyone to leave quickly while they had the chance.
As for the Black Wind Old Monster's brutal slaughtering behavior, Qi Guoren was rather indifferent. Given the circumstances, he would have certainly stopped anyone from approaching his team. The opposing group had suffered heavy losses by this point and was in a precarious position, likely seeking refuge with his team.
However, his own team had reached its limit in numbers. Any new additions could easily attract the Crimson Fire Ant King. Even if two teams were to merge here for a moment, it would be extremely dangerous. In Qi Guoren's eyes, that group was no different from the dead. He would first attempt to dissuade them; only if that failed would he resort to killing them without hesitation—unlike the Black Wind Old Monster, who acted with such ruthless decisiveness.
On their journey ahead, Xunuo's group encountered no more Cultivators heading toward Chaotic Valley. Instead, the swarms of ants grew increasingly dense, leaving them little time to rest. Although Xunuo felt exhausted, this continuous practice and recovery of magical energy greatly benefited his cultivation.
Along the way, Dongfang Yunqing quietly inquired among familiar companions about the purpose of the Black Wind Old Monster's journey.
The Black Wind Old Monster had previously declined Qi Guoren's invitation outright. Now that he had advanced to Eleven Layers, there was even less reason for him to take risks by entering Chaotic Valley. Other Cultivators had also heard about the enmity between the Black Wind Old Monster and Dongfang Yunqing's group. When Dongfang Yunqing asked about it, whispers circulated among them, revealing the situation to him.
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