"Fellow Daoist Qin" noticed someone approaching, and the two of them quickly stopped their conversation. Then, Tian Can's voice sounded from outside.
"Fellow Daoist Tian Can?" Mo Tiange called out.
Receiving a reply, Tian Can entered through the tree hole entrance and nodded to the two of them. "It seems Fellow Daoist Ling's injuries are no longer a problem."
Ling Yunhe once again revealed that amiable yet distant smile. "Thank you for your concern, Fellow Daoist Tian Can. What about the others? How are they all?"
"They're fine." Tian Can's only visible pair of eyes paused on the two of them for a moment before shifting away as if nothing was amiss. "Fellow Daoist Yang says he's already fine."
"That's good." Ling Yunhe nodded, once again smoothing the spiritual qi within his body before standing up. "Then let's regroup."
After Ling Yunhe walked out, Tian Can's gaze fell upon Mo Tiange. Mo Tiange smiled indifferently. The conversation she just had with Ling Yunhe had no impact on her alliance agreement with Tian Can. If Ling Yunhe didn't turn hostile, she and Tian Can wouldn't need to oppose him. If Ling Yunhe truly had other intentions, she certainly wouldn't just wait for death because of his few words.
Each harboring their own thoughts, the three of them exited the tree hole.
This tree hole was the one they discovered when they found Ling Yunhe. This large tree grew between an area of spiritual qi and an area of demonic qi, yet it wasn't affected by either the spiritual or demonic energies. Having grown here for who knows how many years, it had formed a natural tree hole, perfect for placing the severely injured Ling Yunhe.
As for the others, Yang Chengji had gone alone to a demonic qi convergence area to heal. After settling Ling Yunhe, Ling Yunfei had been meditating in a nearby spiritual qi area.
Thinking of this, Mo Tiange felt somewhat amused. She had come to see Ling Yunhe like this, with Tian Can following closely behind. And with Ling Yunhe carrying injuries, wasn't Ling Yunfei worried at all? She always felt that Ling Yunhe seemed to trust Ling Yunfei too much—trusting him as if he were his own limbs, not only harboring no suspicion whatsoever but even, it seemed, never having thought of using means to win him over... She hoped such trust would be rewarded.
"Second Brother!" Seeing Ling Yunhe, Ling Yunfei rushed over in pleasant surprise. "You're really alright?"
Ling Yunhe smiled at him. "Yes, Fellow Daoist Qin's medicinal pills truly have miraculous effects."
"Indeed, we must thank Fellow Daoist Qin." Ling Yunfei bowed respectfully to Mo Tiange.
Mo Tiange said calmly, "Fellow Daoist Yunfei, there's no need for such courtesy. I provided the pills, but I also received something from you in exchange." Ling Yunfei's previous healing pills had been ineffective, so he had exchanged some materials with others. In the end, it was Mo Tiange who produced her own pills.
The two brothers exchanged a few more words. Ling Yunfei excitedly went to find Yang Chengji himself. Soon, the six of them regrouped.
"Fellow Daoist Yang, how are your injuries?" Ling Yunhe asked Yang Chengji with concern. Most of the demonic qi around him had dissipated, revealing a pale, unruly face.
This wasn't the first time Mo Tiange had seen Yang Chengji's true appearance, but she still found it quite interesting. When surrounded by demonic qi, Yang Chengji had always maintained a steady, mature image. Yet it turned out he was still such a youth with a hint of immaturity—the contrast was too great.
"No hindrance." Yang Chengji's voice was low, his expression wooden. "If Fellow Daoist Ling wishes to continue moving, we can do so at any time."
"Mm." Ling Yunhe looked at the others. "In that case, I won't waste words. We've already delayed for several days. Staying longer in this Carefree Valley, even with the God-Restricting Bead, will affect our cultivation bases. Let's set off now and talk as we walk."
"Brother Ling, what about your injuries?" Tian Zhiqian asked. "Although you've suppressed the wounds, if you need to fight, won't you be somewhat powerless?"
"It's fine." Ling Yunhe said. "Fellow Daoist Qin's pills are truly remarkable. Now my Dantian and meridians are both protected. If I take some more healing pills, fighting won't be a problem. At most, there will be some trouble after returning."
"Is that so?" Tian Zhiqian looked at Mo Tiange in surprise. "I never imagined Fellow Daoist Qin not only possesses outstanding magical treasures but also such miraculous spiritual pills." He had originally thought they were just some powerful healing pills, never expecting they could actually treat Dantian and meridian injuries...
Mo Tiange smiled without speaking. Among those present, who didn't have some spiritual treasures? She wasn't the only one.
After a simple agreement, everyone packed up and set out on the road again.
Ling Yunhe said that the Carefree Fruit could grow anywhere within the Inner Valley of Carefree Valley. Moreover, it could burrow into the earth and escape, like a living creature. Therefore, aside from traversing the entire Carefree Valley, they had no other method. And Carefree Valley was too large; this search process would absolutely not be easy. Before encountering the Three-Headed Giant Ape, they had just entered the Inner Valley and hadn't covered much ground. Starting now, there were many places to search, and they couldn't waste any more time.
Since Ling Yunhe and Yang Chengji both carried injuries, they stayed at the rear. Ling Yunfei and Tian Can took the lead to clear the way. They, along with Tian Zhiqian, walked in the middle, while Mo Tiange remained at the very back.
After walking for a while, Tian Zhiqian turned his head to look, deliberately pausing his steps to wait for Mo Tiange to catch up. "Fellow Daoist Qin."
While vigilantly paying attention to the surroundings, Mo Tiange nodded calmly. "Fellow Daoist Tian, is something the matter?"
Tian Zhiqian hesitated for a moment before speaking. "A few days ago, when we encountered the giant ape, I saw your magical treasure seemed to be a formation tool?"
Mo Tiange said, "It can't really be considered a formation tool. It just possesses illusion formation capabilities."
Tian Zhiqian's eyes lit up. "Such magical treasures are quite rare. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Qin could discuss it with me in detail?" He quickly added, "If it's inconvenient, Fellow Daoist can just discuss the Dao of Formations with me. We can forget about the treasure itself."
Before Mo Tiange could say anything, Ling Yunhe, walking ahead of them, turned his head and laughed. "Fellow Daoist Qin, my friend Tian here has few hobbies in life, but he loves delving into the Dao of Formations. Now that he's seen something that piques his interest, if you don't talk to him about it, he'll be itching for days. If there's no secret that cannot be passed on, Fellow Daoist, please speak of it."
"There's nothing that can't be said about this," Mo Tiange said with a slight smile. "It's just that during the refinement of the magical treasure, some formation-laying methods were incorporated. A formation master like Fellow Daoist Tian will understand how it works just by hearing about it."
Subsequently, Mo Tiange briefly explained the illusion formation aspect of the Heaven-Earth Fan to Tian Zhiqian. In truth, the Heaven-Earth Fan's illusion formation wasn't considered particularly exquisite. However, it was a Natal Magical Treasure that could be continuously nurtured within the Dantian. If there were any unsatisfactory aspects, they could be constantly modified. Therefore, even if she told Tian Zhiqian now, he couldn't necessarily break the Heaven-Earth Fan's illusion formation based on that. After all, the Dao of Formations emphasized practicality. The foundational principles of the Five Elements and Yin-Yang were thoroughly understood even by Qi Refining stage formation masters. But to apply them to formations required profound comprehension and subtle control over spiritual qi. In this regard, the Heaven-Earth Fan's advantage was obvious—it could be altered according to its master's will. Every time the illusion formation was deployed, it could be different. As long as the foundation of the illusion formation was grasped, the Heaven-Earth Fan could change in myriad ways, effortlessly (as one wishes).
Tian Zhiqian listened with eyes shining, nodding repeatedly. "Most cultivators from our Five Elements Valley have Natal Magical Treasures that are formation tools, but none are like Fellow Daoist Qin's, suitable for both movement and stillness, combining offense and defense, not only able to deploy formations at any time but also capable of breaking enemies with spells. Fellow Daoist Qin originally possesses such profound attainments in formations. These words have benefited me greatly. Thank you, thank you." As he spoke, he bowed repeatedly.
Mo Tiange smiled slightly. "Although I have a family legacy in the Dao of Formations, I am ultimately not a formation master like Fellow Daoist Tian. Being able to refine such a treasure is still due to the guidance of elders, not the work of one person alone."
"Oh?" Tian Zhiqian grew even more excited. "Might I ask where Fellow Daoist Qin's home is? Could I pay a visit?"
"This..." Mo Tiange shook her head with difficulty. "Fellow Daoist Tian should know that I have long resided in the Outer Sea Region, quite far from Yunzhong. I'm afraid it would be inconvenient."
"Oh..." Tian Zhiqian's face showed disappointment.
"Brother Tian," Ling Yunhe turned his head and laughed, "at most, after our task is accomplished, we can invite Fellow Daoist Qin to stay at the Ling family for a while. The two of you can exchange much on the Dao of Formations. It's the same."
"Well said." Tian Zhiqian became happy again, repeatedly cupping his hands towards Mo Tiange. "Fellow Daoist Qin, please don't refuse. I still wish to invite Fellow Daoist Qin to our Five Elements Valley to spar more with my fellow disciples!"
Mo Tiange smiled. "Being able to exchange with the formation masters of the Five Elements Valley would also be my honor."
"Then it's settled!" Tian Zhiqian, afraid she might go back on her word, quickly added.
"..." Mo Tiange smiled helplessly. Although she was proficient in the Dao of Formations, she might not necessarily match a specialist like Tian Zhiqian. But upon hearing there were formation application techniques he didn't know, he became as eager as if starving and thirsty, urgently seeking instruction. He truly was an true fanatic (obsessed person).
"Second Brother," Ling Yunfei turned his head back, speaking somewhat hesitantly, "ahead... there seems to be something."
Mo Tiange had already noticed this earlier. The energy fluctuations ahead were unusual. Ling Yunhe's spiritual sense was no worse than hers, so he must have discovered it long ago. But his expression remained normal, so he likely already had a plan.
Sure enough, Ling Yunhe said calmly, "I know. Continue."
"Oh." Ling Yunfei turned his head back and continued clearing the way.
After walking for a while longer, a Stone Forest of strange, towering rocks appeared before them. Ling Yunfei and Tian Can stopped.
"Second Brother, this is..."
Between the strange rocks of the Stone Forest, there were visible spiritual lights and demonic lights, as well as floating light particles of filthy qi.
In Mo Tiange's lifetime, she had never seen such a bizarre and strange scene. Within the Inner Valley of Carefree Valley, spiritual qi, demonic qi, and filthy qi were distributed in an interlocking pattern, like boundaries drawn on a chessboard, each with its own territory, not interfering with each other. In the Outer Valley, the three energies were mixed together, creating chaotic energy that caused the auras of cultivators like them to become unstable upon entry, requiring the God-Restricting Bead and Tian Zhiqian's formations to exert their usual strength.
But within this Stone Forest, it was completely different from both the Outer Valley and other places in the Inner Valley. To say its energies were mixed—the three energies had all transformed into lights, dancing in the air, each particle distinct. To say its energies were stable—yet these spiritual, demonic, and filthy qi lights were fused together, making it impossible for a normal person to step into.
The scene before them was like pouring three pigments into water, stirring them until they mixed into a new color, already indistinguishable from each other. Yet looking carefully, these lights of the three energies were each distinct, separated by similar distances, as if woven into a net that blocked everyone's path.
"How do we get past this?" Tian Can muttered to himself. He looked around; there were no other paths nearby. Flying up into the air, he discovered this net reached high into the sky. Even if they could fly over, it would certainly exceed the distance Ling Yunhe could sense. In that case, if the Carefree Fruit was within the Stone Forest, they wouldn't be able to sense it.
"Fellow Daoist Ling, you have a way, right?" Tian Can asked.
Ling Yunhe nodded. "Of course."