She had become separated from Qin Xi.
Realizing this, Mo Tiange sighed.
In this Ruins of All Immortals, who knew how many strange things lurked? Every step required careful thought. In such a situation, without a trustworthy person by her side, it was truly difficult to move an inch.
Jing Xingzhi was someone Qin Xi considered roughly trustworthy, but that might not be the case for her. This man was a typical utilitarian. Don't be fooled by his habitual flattery towards women—he had thrown her countless flirtatious glances along the way. But deep down, he measured everything by strength. If she were to become a potential burden, he would unceremoniously leave her behind.
Thinking of this, Mo Tiange steeled herself. No matter what, she had to persevere and find Qin Xi.
"Fellow Daoist Jing, what are your thoughts on our current situation?"
Hearing her question, Jing Xingzhi remained in his lazy, slouching posture. "This fog is problematic."
Nonsense! She knew that too! Seeing that Jing Xingzhi was merely humoring her, Mo Tiange replied bluntly, "With Fellow Daoist Jing's knowledge and experience, you surely know more than just that?"
Jing Xingzhi, however, smiled and glanced at her. "I also know this fog greatly affects Divine Sense. Fellow Daoist Qingwei, your Divine Sense won't be of any use here."
Mo Tiange's gaze flickered, but she said nothing more. Jing Xingzhi's current attitude was clear: he wanted to see what she could do. If she had a solution, he might exert his full effort. If not, he probably wouldn't want to drag along dead weight.
Realizing this, Mo Tiange lowered her head in thought.
Fog. Divine Sense. Sudden disappearance.
She asked, "Fellow Daoist Jing, what did you feel when we got separated just now?"
Jing Xingzhi thought for a moment. "Feel... I didn't feel much. It was like I spaced out for a bit, and when I looked back, you were both gone."
Mo Tiange nodded. "It seems this fog numbs our Divine Sense, causing our perceptions to malfunction."
Jing Xingzhi gave a perfunctory nod.
Mo Tiange continued, "I'm afraid it's more than that. Even if it numbs our Divine Sense, there's no reason we wouldn't be able to find each other once we realized the problem. It probably also misleads our senses."
Hearing this, Jing Xingzhi finally gave her a more serious look.
Mo Tiange didn't know what that look meant. She went on, "If that's the case, then we can't trust our Divine Sense or our senses."
Jing Xingzhi chuckled. "If so, does Fellow Daoist Qingwei have a solution?"
His attitude was casual, clearly not believing Mo Tiange could resolve their predicament.
Without a word, Mo Tiange retrieved a flying sword from her Qiankun Bag and began carving something on the ground.
In truth, Jing Xingzhi understood clearly in his heart. Qin Xi had exceedingly high standards. Since this junior sister of his could be accepted as a disciple by Dao Lord Jinghe and earn his special regard, she must have some extraordinary qualities—he didn't believe that fellow Qin Shoujing would fancy a good-for-nothing. Yet, he didn't think too highly of Mo Tiange either. The so-called title of 'genius' was often inflated. Those who cultivated quickly weren't necessarily strong in combat. Those with high comprehension weren't necessarily quick-witted in emergencies. However, when he saw what Mo Tiange was drawing on the ground, his expression turned serious. "This is..."
Mo Tiange put away her flying sword and took out a Sound Transmission Talisman from her robes. This talisman was a Thousand-Mile Sound Transmission Talisman, prepared precisely for situations like getting separated. However, she didn't have many on her, so she hadn't used it immediately upon getting lost, lest it be wasted in vain within the mist.
The Sound Transmission Talisman ignited with a fiery red light, about to shoot through the air, but after flying no more than a few zhang, it fell back down.
Jing Xingzhi was disappointed. "Even Sound Transmission Talismans are ineffective?"
Mo Tiange was only stunned for a moment before she drew her flying sword again and continued carving on the ground.
What she was drawing was the orientation of an ancient Bagua Formation Diagram, learned from the Xuanji Formation Book. Currently, within the mist, the naked eye could only see a few zhang ahead. If they walked randomly, they would be like headless flies, unable to discern direction. If they followed this Bagua Formation Diagram, they would at least know which direction they were walking and wouldn't stray off course. Even if it led to a dead end, they could retrace their steps.
After completing the Formation Diagram, Mo Tiange carefully observed the surrounding scenery, confirmed there was no danger, then chose a direction and took the lead.
Jing Xingzhi looked down at the diagram she had drawn, said nothing, and followed.
This time, the two did not get separated. Now aware that the mist numbed Divine Sense, both proceeded with caution.
After walking a stretch, Mo Tiange drew the Formation Diagram again, repeating the process several times.
Since Sound Transmission Talismans were useless, they could only leave markers. Although Qin Xi couldn't be considered proficient in formations, he should recognize her handwriting. If he saw it and followed the Formation Diagram, they could reunite.
Drawing and walking in this manner, she and Jing Xingzhi traveled farther and farther...
Qin Xi quickly realized he was lost. Moreover, when he turned around, both Mo Tiange and Jing Xingzhi were gone.
He felt no panic. With a flourish of his Three Yang True Fire Sword, he surrounded himself with its aura, closed his eyes, and expanded his Divine Sense.
But soon, he discovered his Divine Sense couldn't spread out at all. Even Sound Transmission Talismans were unusable.
Realizing his predicament, Qin Xi thought for a moment and did the same thing as Mo Tiange—took pills and meditated. Unfortunately, during this period of calming his mind, no one came to tap his shoulder.
After a long while, he opened his eyes and found his Divine Sense still couldn't penetrate the mist. It seemed the fog itself blocked Divine Sense, rather than the Divine Sense being disturbed or corrupted by the fog.
He sat for a while longer, but the solution he chose was completely different from Mo Tiange's. He wasn't skilled in formations, so he didn't think of using one as a marker. Instead, with a wave of his sleeve, he wielded the sword light of his Three Yang True Fire Sword, burning it towards the mist.
Under the assault of the fiery sword light, the mist dispersed, but when he paused slightly, it surged back.
Qin Xi stopped. This mist was similar to the earlier ethereal smoke. Though not corrosive, it likewise showed no fear of his sword light. After some thought, he raised the sword vertically and ran two fingers of his right hand along the blade. Blood flowed out, emitting a dazzling radiance.
He hadn't been entirely truthful with Jing Xingzhi. Extreme Yang True Fire could be used for combat.
The Three Yang True Fire Sword once again unleashed its sword light. Under the Extreme Yang True Fire, the mist was finally burned away bit by bit, revealing a clear field of vision.
Qin Xi ceased the Extreme Yang True Fire and proceeded cautiously.
He hadn't gone far when a thunderous "BOOM!" echoed.
Qin Xi listened intently, his expression changing instantly. That was the sound of a magical battle! And a significant one at that—at least involving Nascent Soul stage or higher cultivators.
He only deliberated for a moment before activating his movement technique and rushing towards the source of the sound. He was already separated from Tian Ge, but he was certain they weren't too far apart. This commotion was too loud; Tian Ge would surely hear it too. Then they could meet up at the source.
Flying headlong for a while, he failed to notice the mist around him growing thinner and thinner until he finally ran out of the mist-covered area.
But this didn't bring Qin Xi any relief, for the moment he emerged from the mist, he was locked onto by several strands of Divine Sense.
This place was a massive volcanic crater. It was said this crater was left behind by some earth-shattering fire spell used by an ancient immortal millions of years ago, with flames that had never extinguished. There were even legends that the fire within this volcano was comparable to the Samadhi True Fire among the Three Great True Fires. Unfortunately, all these years, no one had ever been heard to successfully take the True Fire from within.
Now, standing on the edge of this volcanic crater were two groups totaling four Nascent Soul Cultivators. One side had three people, the other was a single cultivator shrouded in black energy.
Qin Xi swept his gaze over them and frowned, for the lone Nascent Soul Cultivator was none other than the Tianji Region's number one late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator—Venerable Songfeng!
Though his face remained calm, inwardly he groaned. He wasn't afraid of other Nascent Soul Cultivators. After all, he was the esteemed disciple of Dao Lord Jinghe, and his cultivation wasn't weak. Others would usually give him some face. Even if they didn't, if he couldn't win, he could always flee. But this Venerable Songfeng was an exception! This person held grudges against both his master and himself, and his abilities were exceptional. Last time when he left Taikang Mountain, he had almost been killed by Venerable Songfeng. If he hadn't activated a secret technique in time and been met by Nascent Soul Cultivators from his sect, his life would have ended there. And now, to encounter this person again within Tianmo Mountain... He could only hope Tian Ge wouldn't come here. Otherwise, it would be even harder for the two of them to escape.
"Oh?" Venerable Songfeng spotted him, sounding quite surprised, then chuckled darkly. "Heaven treats me well today! Qin Shoujing, you little brat actually delivered yourself to my doorstep!"
In that instant, Qin Xi's gaze swept over the three Nascent Soul Cultivators facing Venerable Songfeng, and his heart settled somewhat. These three were all mid-stage Nascent Soul: a young-looking female cultivator, a middle-aged scholar, and a refined-looking Daoist priest.
He recognized all three. The young female cultivator and the middle-aged scholar wore elegant white robes with sleeves embroidered with green hairpins and clouds. They were a pair of Dao Companions from the Biyun Sect. The female cultivator was named Ding Luan, the scholar Feng Xiao. In the Tianji Region, they were known as the Luan-Feng Immortal Couple, the only pair of Dao Companions in Tianji whose cultivation both exceeded the mid-stage Nascent Soul level, making them quite famous. The refined Daoist priest was surnamed Ji, addressed as Priest Ji, and hailed from the Tiandao Sect.
These three all had some friendship with his master, and their relationship was passable. Judging by the current situation, they had already fallen out with Venerable Songfeng. In that case, they would likely protect him to some extent.
Thinking this, he smiled slightly, ignoring Venerable Songfeng, and instead politely bowed to the three Nascent Soul Cultivators. "Senior Ding, Senior Feng, Senior Ji, it has been a long time. I trust the three Seniors have been well?"
Seeing his courtesy, Ding Luan already replied with a graceful smile, "Qin family lad, what are you doing here? Where's your master?"
Speaking of age, Qin Xi was now around two hundred years old. Among Core Formation cultivators, he could still be considered young, but he wasn't at an age to be casually called 'lad'. Yet, this Ding Luan, though she appeared youthful, was truly seven or eight hundred years old. Calling him 'lad' was still showing him regard.
Qin Xi said, "This junior came to Tianmo Mountain precisely on my master's orders. My master is not far away and will arrive shortly." This was naturally a fabrication, meant to tell Venerable Songfeng that his master was here!
Hearing this, Venerable Songfeng snorted coldly. "Qin Shoujing, do you think I'll believe whatever nonsense you spout? It's best you delivered yourself today. After dealing with these three, I'll conveniently finish you off as well, to avenge my poor disciple!"
Before Qin Xi could reply, Feng Xiao sneered, "Old man Songfeng, aren't you afraid of biting your tongue with such big talk? Do you truly think you're the Tianji Region's number one cultivator, invincible wherever you go? You're just one person. The three of us may have lower cultivation than you, but we're not to be trifled with!"
"Hah!" Black energy surged around Venerable Songfeng, his tone contemptuous. "What Luan-Feng Immortal Couple? I truly don't hold them in regard! I wonder whose tongue will be bitten!"