Yang Chengji and Tian Can entangled the giant serpent, after which Mo Tiange and Ling Yunfei also made their move. Under the combined efforts of the four, the giant serpent quickly fell into a disadvantage. It shook its body, splattering black water everywhere, forcing the four to retreat cautiously, not daring to be careless.
This black water was too formidable; it could actually corrode a cultivator's body. They still hadn't found a way to counter it and could only yield. Having suffered a loss earlier, the giant serpent also knew the four before it were powerful. Its pitch-black eyes stared at them, neither continuing the attack nor retreating.
Six people and one serpent stood in a stalemate, neither side daring to act rashly.
Suddenly, the serpent blinked its eyes and darted to the left. To its left was precisely the Carefree Tree.
"Be careful!" Ling Yunhe broke out in a cold sweat, his jade blade flying from his hand to slash at the giant serpent.
But the next moment, they saw the Carefree Tree's green branches move, whipping towards the giant serpent.
The serpent barely dodged, plunging into the swamp with a "plop" and disappearing without a trace.
After waiting a while, the giant serpent did not reappear. Sensing through divine sense that it dove deeper and deeper until it finally vanished, the six finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"What is that thing?" Ling Yunfei panted. "Why did it try to stop us from picking the Carefree Fruit?"
Mo Tiange was also puzzled. Generally, a sentient treasure had a relatively close relationship with its guardian spirit. Although the guardian spirit might eat the spiritual treasure, compared to outsiders, the sentient treasure would choose the guardian spirit that had protected it for many years. But the actions of the giant serpent and the Carefree Tree just now were not like that at all.
Under the threat of the four, the giant serpent had darted towards the Carefree Tree. This action should have been to eat the Carefree Fruit, which was normal. Many guardian spirits would make such a choice when they could no longer protect it. But the problem was, the Carefree Tree had actually whipped it, causing it to flee injured, instead of choosing to eliminate them, the later arrivals.
The six looked at each other. Finally, Ling Yunfei said, "What exactly is this thing?"
"I don't know," Ling Yunhe, having been corroded by the black water, had calmed down. He said, "This isn't a guardian spirit. It seems to harbor hostility towards the Carefree Tree."
"That's not strange," Tian Zhiqian said. "The aura of this swamp isn't Spiritual Qi. Yet, a sentient object like the Carefree Tree actually grows in the swamp. Logically, these two auras should be opposed. So, a plausible explanation is that this giant serpent came to destroy the Carefree Tree."
Yang Chengji looked at the surrounding swamp, then at the Carefree Tree, frowning. "Since they are opposed, why does this Carefree Tree grow in the swamp?"
"..." No one could answer that question. In this world of cultivation, there were too many mysterious things. Even a Nascent Soul Cultivator couldn't possibly know the answer to everything.
"Enough talk," Tian Zhiqian said. "Didn't we say the Carefree Fruit can burrow into the earth and escape? If we don't pick it now, what if it runs away?"
His words jolted them awake. Ling Yunhe said, "Brother Tian is right. Let's act quickly."
During this time, Ling Yunhe had already taken a pill to temporarily stabilize his injuries. He now took out a silver net from his Qiankun Bag and walked towards the Carefree Tree.
Apart from him, the other five watched intently.
Mo Tiange, Yang Chengji, and Tian Can were watching Ling Yunhe. They had always heard the Carefree Fruit was a sentient treasure but didn't know how it manifested sentience. Meanwhile, Ling Yunfei and Tian Zhiqian were nervously watching the three of them, guarding against a sudden attempt to snatch it.
As Ling Yunhe approached, the green Carefree Fruit atop the tree began to sway, as if sensing danger. The entire tree started trembling. Ling Yunhe became even more cautious. The Carefree Fruit was like a living thing; it could burrow into the earth and escape. That meant it could run away. If it escaped now, all their previous efforts would be in vain, their achievements wiped out in an instant.
Atop the tree, the green fruit swayed more and more violently. Suddenly, it detached from the top and fell downward.
The hearts of all five people leapt into their throats at that moment. They stared intently at that Carefree Fruit, almost wanting to rush forward immediately.
At that moment, Ling Yunhe moved. Although half his body was corroded, his agility was unaffected. The small silver net spread out. He grabbed one corner of the net with one hand and flung the netting out.
A soft "thud" sound, and all six people let out a sigh of relief.
The small silver net had precisely blocked the Carefree Fruit from the soil the moment it was about to burrow in, scooping it up.
Ling Yunhe closed his eyes for a moment, wiped the sweat from his forehead, walked forward, lifted the small silver net, and stored the Carefree Fruit in his Qiankun Bag.
"Thank you all for your assistance," Ling Yunhe turned around, a smile appearing on his face. "Your tasks are now considered complete. As for the remuneration, once we return to the Ling family, I, Ling, will certainly pay in full."
"Hmph. I hope Fellow Daoist Ling keeps his word," Yang Chengji said coldly.
At the final moment, no one went back on their word to fight for it, which made Ling Yunhe and his two companions feel extremely fortunate. To be honest, whether it was Yang Chengji, Mo Tiange, or Tian Can, if any one of them had acted, it would have been very difficult for them. Ling Yunhe had just been splashed with corrosive black water; half his body was inconvenient to move now. And Tian Zhiqian and Ling Yunfei's ability to adapt was somewhat lacking.
Fortunately, no one made a move. They hadn't chosen the wrong people.
"Three Fellow Daoists," Ling Yunhe smiled at Mo Tiange and the other two. "Since the commission is complete, we can leave the Carefree Valley. Will you leave separately or accompany us out?"
Tian Can glanced around and said indifferently, "Does Fellow Daoist Ling think, in the current situation, we can leave separately?"
They were deep in the swamp, surrounded by strange monsters and corrosive black water. If they left alone, the danger would increase greatly.
Tian Can's tone wasn't very good, but Ling Yunhe wasn't angered upon hearing it. He nodded and said, "That was my oversight. How about this: we head back first and part ways near the exit. What do you think?"
Mo Tiange thought for a moment and nodded. "That works." This was probably the best way to handle it. In the Inner Valley, separating would be highly dangerous. But they still lacked trust in each other and wouldn't dare turn their backs on others when leaving. In that case, it was better to separate not far from the exit and go their own ways.
Subsequently, Yang Chengji and Tian Can also indicated they had no objections.
"Good then," Ling Yunhe said. "Let's head back now."
Having obtained the Carefree Fruit, Ling Yunhe was eager to return. Ling Yunfei remained absent-minded. Tian Zhiqian followed silently. Adding Mo Tiange and the other two, who had completed their task and were somewhat listless, they headed towards the exit.
When they entered, they had spent much effort. Leaving was much simpler. They didn't need to search deliberately. If there were Demon Beasts or obstacles, they just avoided them. It took only one day to reach the exit.
The fissure emitting filthy aura was not far away. Yang Chengji was the first to stop. "Fellow Daoists, let's stop here."
Ling Yunhe turned his head and asked, "Is Fellow Daoist Yang parting ways with us now?"
Yang Chengji nodded. His youthful face was pale and stern, his tone still cold and hard. "Fellow Daoist Ling, in a few days, I, Yang, will only come to your door to collect the remuneration. I hope Fellow Daoist Ling will have it prepared by then."
Ling Yunhe smiled slightly. "Fellow Daoist Yang, rest assured. I will certainly await your esteemed visit."
Yang Chengji nodded, glanced at the others as a form of farewell, turned around, and disappeared among the chaotic rocks.
After Yang Chengji left, Ling Yunhe looked at Mo Tiange and Tian Can. "What about you two Fellow Daoists? Will you leave with us?"
Mo Tiange glanced at Tian Can and said, "Leaving separately is a bit troublesome. Does Fellow Daoist Ling mind if I take advantage of your convenience?"
Ling Yunhe was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, then smiled. "How could I mind? It's just a small effort."
Finally, it was Tian Can. He lowered his gaze to look at his hand, which had been corroded by the black water, and said indifferently, "Since Fellow Daoist Qin said so... would the three of you mind adding me as well?"
Upon hearing his words, Ling Yunfei and Tian Zhiqian's expressions showed surprise. They both looked at Ling Yunhe simultaneously.
Ling Yunhe was also somewhat surprised. Mo Tiange was one thing, but he had thought Tian Can would choose to leave like Yang Chengji. After all, along the way, Tian Can's attitude towards them hadn't been very friendly.
But he quickly reacted, nodding with a smile. "Of course we don't mind. In that case, let's go."
The group of six, now only missing Yang Chengji, continued towards the Inner Valley's entrance.
Standing before the fissure, Ling Yunhe released his spirit beast, the vulture Xiaohei. This vulture had been injured in the swamp and was now somewhat listless. Ling Yunhe felt a bit distressed. He fed it a pill before saying, "Xiaohei, bear with it a little longer. Once we return, I'll definitely hunt many Demon Beasts for you to eat."
The vulture raised its head, let out an unpleasant "caw," then took flight, hovering above their heads.
Death Qi slowly spread from its body, enveloping the five people. Then, surrounded by this mass of Death Qi, the five exited the valley mouth.
Landing on the empty ground in the valley, the Death Qi on their bodies slowly dissipated. The vulture Xiaohei let out a weak cry and perched wearily on Ling Yunhe's shoulder. Ling Yunhe lovingly stroked its head and was about to put it back into the spirit beast bag—
At that very moment, a white light flashed behind him. A burst of Spiritual Qi, swift and fierce, sliced towards Ling Yunhe.
Ling Yunhe's back tightened. He stumbled backward, dodging this Spiritual Qi light. He turned his head to see who was so brainless as to attack at this moment. Was it that Qin Wei or Tian Can?
But when he turned his head, what he saw was Ling Yunfei, a Pair Flying Swords dancing beside him, their sword light dazzling, once again pointing at him.
Simultaneously, Tian Zhiqian shouted, pointed with Spiritual Qi, and the Jade Plate began spinning rapidly.
Along with his shock, he also felt a sense of relief. But the next moment, his relief vanished, replaced only by doubled shock.
Tian Zhiqian's Jade Plate stopped. Ling Yunhe felt the Spiritual Qi around him stagnate, enveloped by a spirit-restraining formation.
"You..." The blood drained from his face. He looked at the two people before him, trembling, almost unable to speak like an old man. "You... why..."
On Ling Yunfei's face, which had always lacked steadiness, an expression as sharp as a blade's edge appeared. His gaze was like a blade, fixed on him. And Tian Zhiqian stood before him, eyes lowered, expressionless.