Chapter 22: Finding the Organization

"Whew..."

Lu Ling breathed a sigh of relief, taking a moment to calm her emotions. Looking back, she saw Song Junyu sitting cross-legged nearby, eyes closed in meditation.

Seemingly sensing the shift in the air, Song Junyu opened her eyes. "It’s time to go. We still have one more person to find."

Meeting her calm gaze, Lu Ling felt her own confidence gradually return. "Right. But your injuries..."

Song Junyu arched a brow and moved her arm carelessly, replying, "It's nothing."

In the time that had just passed, she felt her internal strength solidify further. Every time she pushed herself through such ordeals, she felt this way; it was surely inseparable from the power of the Xuan Gate. Besides, the ancestor had left behind some medicinal pills, which were more than enough for her needs. The battle to defeat Zhao Sui had firmly stabilized her progress through the two levels she had recently ascended. She had now reached a realm on par with Wang Xinglong, bringing her one step closer to Foundation Establishment.

Neither of them dawdled. As they passed Zhao Sui's corpse, Lu Ling set it ablaze, burning it until nothing remained but a foul, lingering stench and the completely stiffened carcass of the spirit beast, leaving the air finally silent.

Far away, behind a rock, something stirred. A moment later, several heads poked out.

"Is... is it gone?" one asked, trembling.

"Gone, it's gone."

"What should we do? Should we wait a bit longer, just in case..."

As the words fell, everyone looked toward an older man. He stared at the spirit beast's carcass for a long time before issuing an order: "We'll drag the beast back; it should fetch a good price."

"Big Brother, have you lost your mind?! That was left behind by those two demons! It’s evidence of the people they killed!"

"Exactly! Their methods... they were utterly ruthless. If they find out we did this..."

The man called Big Brother shook his head, his gaze firm. "They won't. The one who was killed was Zhao Sui."

"He was a local thug hated by everyone in the Outer Sect. Two people who dare to kill a man like that surely won't care about such trifles. Besides, don't you want to trade for spirit stones to cultivate?"

At the mention of the final sentence, the others swallowed hard. Their eyes locked onto the spirit beast's meat, filled with longing and hope. Heaven knows how long they had been walking since entering through the right gate, and this was the first piece of valuable spirit beast remains they had encountered! This examination ground seemed to offer absolutely no opportunities at all!

Now that there was a chance to earn spirit stones, how could they possibly let it slip away?

Song Junyu and Lu Ling were naturally unaware of this. Not only did the examination grounds naturally dampen perception, but they were also miles away. They were currently walking toward the center, though they had no idea which direction that truly was. The terrain was a repetitive cycle of woods and flatlands, with nothing to distinguish one area from another; were it not for the occasional unique rock or tree, it would have felt like walking in an infinite loop.

Gradually, Song Junyu felt the activity around them increase. It seemed they were nearing a crowd. Just as she was about to warn Lu Ling to stop, she heard an arrogant voice ring out: "Hilarious! When I was training, you were still in your mother's womb!"

"Want to bully me with numbers? Come and try!"

His voice carried with incredible force. Song Junyu and Lu Ling exchanged a glance and darted toward the source. Who else could it be but Wang Xinglong?

In a clearing not far away, Wang Xinglong was bruised and battered, fists clenched, shouting loudly. Opposite him stood at least five or six people.

Hidden behind a tree trunk, Song Junyu watched the scene, feeling somewhat speechless. Even if these people were mediocre, they were all at the third to fifth level of cultivation. Two fists could hardly fight four hands; if a real brawl broke out, Wang Xinglong would only end up getting beaten. Why did he always turn into such a brainless hothead the moment he was on his own?

In the center of the opposing group stood a woman. Her features were unremarkable, and she looked entirely plain. However, her aura was intimidating. She flicked the whip in her hand and threatened coldly, "A fat melon like you wants to play the hero saving the damsel?"

"Truly laughable."

Hearing himself called a "fat melon," the small flame of anger in Wang Xinglong’s heart flared up. He clenched his fists, his expression darkening. "Ridiculous! You were the ones who broke the rules first. I was just reminding you—you take kindness for malice!"

The lead woman sneered, "Self-righteous fool. Brothers, teach him the rules on my behalf!"

As she finished speaking, several attacks were launched in quick succession.

Song Junyu, observing from the sidelines, narrowed her eyes, gauging the moment to strike. After all, they had traveled together, and he was reliable enough; she couldn't just let him be bullied like this. However, this woman—why did she seem familiar?

Song Junyu pondered for a moment to no avail. Seeing Wang Xinglong preparing to use his "treasure," she flashed out from her hiding spot. Lu Ling followed right behind without a word.

"Bang! Bang!"

The incoming attacks were instantly deflected into the sky. One or two of the lower-level cultivators even let out cries of pain.

"Who goes there!"

As the dust kicked up by the struggle settled, Wang Xinglong prepared to offer a grateful bow to his rescuers, but the moment his eyes cleared and he saw who it was, they lit up instantly.

"Liu Yu?!"

Song Junyu glanced down at him. "What is going on?"

Wang Xinglong immediately cupped his hand to his mouth, leaned in, and whispered, "That girl Zhaodi... she was captured by this group. I asked them to release her, and they refused."

Song Junyu furrowed her brows and looked back at the woman.

"Oh? The fat melon found someone to back him up?" Qian Lin shifted her feet, full of disdain.

"Who are you calling names? You white-faced witch, you look all twisted and crooked—do you really think just because you’re standing in the middle, you’re the boss here? Bah!"

No woman could endure someone picking apart her appearance. Qian Lin was no exception. She trembled with rage, her voice turning shrill. "You—all of you, get him!"

But just as the disciples were about to move, they were stopped by a silver spear slamming into the ground with imposing force.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Lu Ling stepped out from behind Song Junyu, her face restored to its clean, sharp, and spirited look. As if only just recognizing the person in front of her, she said loudly with feigned surprise, "Oh my, isn't this our Senior Sister Qian?"

"Lu Ling?" Qian Lin’s expression turned grim.

Both had come from the Outer Sect, but Lu Ling was favored by the elders, always receiving more resources than her. She had long viewed Lu Ling as a thorn in her side; meeting her now was like enemies encountering one another with eyes burning with hatred.

Song Junyu felt the stifling atmosphere and sighed inwardly. *Lu Ling... what kind of life does she live every day? She has almost as many enemies as I do.*

Seeing the opening, Wang Xinglong seized the chance to stir the pot further: "So you are the famous Senior Sister Qian from the Outer Sect?"

"You've been cultivating for years and are still stuck in the Qi Refining stage. I heard that the disciples who entered the sect at the same time as you have all moved on to the Inner Sect, haven't they?"

"Oh my, I'm so sorry. My mouth—why is it always so loose?"