"This way." Following Fuyaozi's prompt, Mo Tiange led Qin Xi through a stretch of forest, circling around to the side of the cliff.
Beneath the cliff face, strange rocks stood in dense clusters, creating a rather complex terrain. Yet it was barren, showing no signs of any spiritual treasures growing there. Presumably, few would choose this path.
"This place is treacherous. Be cautious and do not act rashly," Fuyaozi's voice came from within the Fusheng Sword.
Mo Tiange gave a soft acknowledgment and relayed the message to Qin Xi.
Qin Xi frowned slightly and swiftly released his divine sense. "This place..." he hesitated before continuing, "has latent Demonic Qi. Are we truly to go this way?"
"Let's go."
Mo Tiange answered with action, stepping forward into the stone forest.
Within this spatial rift, there were strange restrictions. Flying recklessly would likely lead to falling victim to them without even realizing it, dying without a proper burial ground. Therefore, all the Nascent Soul cultivators who had entered this place, regardless of their cultivation level or how many companions they had, were cautiously skimming close to the ground as they flew.
Seeing her so certain, Qin Xi said nothing more and followed her in.
After carefully observing their surroundings, Mo Tiange took out the Lotus Umbrella and opened it.
At first glance, the foot of the mountain was quiet and unremarkable, but the treacherous aura hidden within was unsettling. Fuyaozi had previously warned that this was a shortcut but concealed dangers; they must curb their curiosity and not casually touch anything.
As for the Lotus Umbrella, it inherently had the effect of repelling Demonic Qi. After leaving Xiyi, Mo Tiange had also, as Fuyaozi requested, cultivated techniques to suppress Demonic Qi and had refined her various magical treasures again, imbuing them with the function of countering Demonic Qi. Thus, the current Lotus Umbrella was exceptionally powerful in its demon-suppressing capabilities.
Mo Tiange suddenly realized that, whether in techniques or treasures, she was gradually becoming the bane of demonic cultivators. From now on, wouldn't she have a great advantage when encountering them? Thinking of Nie Wushang's previous remark about being too lazy to make an enemy of her, she couldn't help but smile again. If Nie Wushang knew, she would surely be glad for her foresight, wouldn't she?
"What are you smiling about?" Qin Xi asked.
"Thinking of Nie Wushang. It's quite amusing," Mo Tiange replied, then released her hand. The Lotus Umbrella floated above the two of them, a faint fluorescent light descending to envelop them, isolating the strange aura.
Qin Xi didn't inquire further. He looked up at the Lotus Umbrella and said, "It seems you've encountered quite a few Opportunities over these fifty years. I recall this item didn't possess such power back then."
Mo Tiange didn't hide it from him and spoke of the matters concerning Fuyaozi.
The two chatted idly as they walked, slowly making their way through more than half of the stone forest.
Suddenly, Qin Xi halted his steps. "There are people ahead."
Mo Tiange was taken aback. "Someone else actually took this path?" To the left was the cliff, to the right the forest; it was difficult to discover. If not for Fuyaozi's hint, the likelihood of ordinary people finding this place was very low.
Qin Xi said, "So many people entered this rift space, and all are Nascent Soul cultivators. It's not strange that someone happened to find this place."
Mo Tiange nodded. "Let's continue. Pay them no mind."
"Mm." Qin Xi had no objection. With True Person Yuan Mu's earlier words, he reckoned the cultivators who came here would not dare, nor would they, attack them.
A moment later, Mo Tiange's divine sense also detected the fluctuations of Spiritual Qi from a battle. She frowned. "Could they be fighting over something?"
Qin Xi said, "Most likely." Having entered this place, they were all here to seek Opportunities. The so-called Opportunities also included exotic treasures. Presumably, these two groups of cultivators had discovered a treasure beneficial to cultivation and were fighting over it.
Even so, Mo Tiange and Qin Xi continued forward at an unhurried pace, neither speeding up nor deliberately avoiding the area.
Over there, they seemed somewhat wary of the newcomers and paused their battle.
"There are quite a few people," Qin Xi frowned slightly. "Six individuals..." But he said nothing more, and he and Mo Tiange maintained their original direction as they flew.
Not long after, the figures of six Nascent Soul cultivators came into view. Among them were three at the mid-stage and two at the early-stage, all showing signs of having just fought, with unstable spiritual auras. One among them was severely injured. Not far from them grew an inconspicuous Withered Vine, emitting a faint spiritual aura.
"Fellow Daoists!" Before they could speak, one among the six called out loudly.
Mo Tiange and Qin Xi stopped their flight several zhang away. Qin Xi spoke, "Fellow Daoists, what advice do you have?"
The Nascent Soul cultivator who had spoken was at the mid-stage, appearing around fifty years old, dressed like a wealthy mortal commoner. Only the feathered fan magical treasure in his hand, with its inner-gathered radiance, added a touch of immortal air.
He smiled and cupped his hands. "This one is Nan Guitian of the Danxia Sect. The two of you must be Fellow Daoist Qin and Fellow Daoist Mo, the wielder of the Fusheng Sword, correct?"
Qin Xi's expression remained indifferent as he nodded in return. "Correct."
The two of them were already known to everyone present. Nan Guitian's question was merely perfunctory. He then said with a hearty laugh, "This spatial realm is so vast, yet we actually encountered you two Fellow Daoists. What fate. May I ask where you two are headed? Would you care to travel together?"
Mo Tiange frowned inwardly. These six were clearly hostile; the air still held the lingering fluctuations of Spiritual Qi from their battle. Yet now this Nan Guitian was inviting them to join...
Before she and Qin Xi could reply, another Nascent Soul cultivator snorted coldly. "Fellow Daoist Nan, what is the meaning of this? The outcome between us is undecided, yet you're already so eager to win over Fellow Daoists Qin and Mo?"
Hearing these cold words, Nan Guitian showed no change in expression, still wearing a welcoming smile. "Hehe, whether I ask now or later makes no difference. Why is Fellow Daoist Qi in such a hurry?" The implication in his words, mocking the other's inferior strength, was clear to all.
The cold-faced cultivator confronting Nan Guitian showed anger and was about to speak when Qin Xi said, "Fellow Daoists, my humble wife and I are merely passing through. We won't linger. Farewell."
Having said that, he swept a faint glance over the Withered Vine behind the six, exchanged a look with Mo Tiange, and the two flew away without pause.
"Fellow Daoist Qin..." Nan Guitian called after them but received no response. His expression, however, relaxed with relief. Turning his gaze to the Withered Vine, it immediately grew fervent. On his smiling face, a murderous aura surged.
After putting some distance behind them, the two slowed their speed and walked silently for a stretch. Qin Xi said, "It seems many will die."
Mo Tiange frowned and sighed. "Indeed." That Withered Vine looked inconspicuous but faintly contained pure Wood Spirit Qi. If she wasn't mistaken, that vine was at least ten thousand years old, precisely when the Wood Spirit Qi was at its fullest and about to begin withering. The Wood Spirit Qi within, whether absorbed for personal use or crafted into a magical treasure, would be of great use.
No wonder several Nascent Soul cultivators from both sides would fight so fiercely, risking their lives for such a treasure.
Upon reaching the Nascent Soul stage, cultivation speed became extremely slow. Only spiritual treasures like this would have a noticeable effect. And if made into a magical treasure, it would become a heaven-shaking spiritual treasure.
This foot of the mountain was merely an ordinary location within this spatial rift, yet it actually grew such a spiritual treasure. One could imagine how many treasures this place possessed!
However, the appearance of spiritual treasures was an Opportunity, but also a calamity. The majority of Yunzhong's Nascent Soul cultivators had entered this spatial realm, yet who knew how many would leave alive?
The two only uttered this sigh of emotion and did not concern themselves further, continuing on their own path.
This was the rule of the cultivation world: survival of the fittest. To become a great cultivator who stood above others and sought the Dao of immortality, one must survive in such brutal competition.
Including themselves, it was the same.
"Be careful here!" The Fusheng Sword on her back trembled slightly, and Fuyaozi's voice came through.
Mo Tiange alertly released the Primordial Chaos Qi Art. Seeing her action, Qin Xi immediately, with a "shing" sound, summoned the Three Yang True Fire Sword.
The radiance of the Three Yang True Fire Sword flashed, its powerful aura descending. The Lotus Umbrella floating above the two instantly lit up with a dazzling light.
"There's Demonic Qi!" Mo Tiange turned her palm and unfurled the Heaven and Earth Fan.
Under Fuyaozi's guidance, the Lotus Umbrella had been modified and was now highly sensitive to Demonic Qi. The slightest trace would trigger an alarm.
"Don't move," Fuyaozi immediately cautioned. "The Demonic Qi here is exceptionally strange. The more powerful the Spiritual Qi you release, the more severe its backlash."
Mo Tiange was startled and relayed this to Qin Xi.
Qin Xi frowned. "What should we do then?" If that were the case, wouldn't they be unable to use their techniques despite having them?
Fuyaozi said, "Use the Demon-Subduing Art I taught you, combined with your aura-concealing technique."
Mo Tiange hesitated slightly. "Master, what about my Senior Brother..."
Fuyaozi said indifferently, "Since you trust him, then teach it to him."
"Thank you, Master." Mo Tiange was pleased.
The Demon-Subduing Art was an ancient set of techniques, its content rather simple. With Qin Xi's current cultivation level and Mo Tiange's explanation, it didn't take long for him to master it thoroughly. The two followed Fuyaozi's instructions, put away their magical treasures, and used the Demon-Subduing Art combined with their aura-concealing techniques. Indeed, the Demonic Qi that had just surged dissipated considerably.
Mo Tiange couldn't help but smile self-deprecatingly. She had been too clever by half just now. The moment Fuyaozi warned her, she immediately released the Primordial Chaos Qi Art, causing Spiritual Qi fluctuations. Then Qin Xi released the Three Yang True Fire Sword, which provoked the surge of Demonic Qi.
The further they went, the more scattered Demonic Qi there was. It wasn't dense, but it densely surrounded the two.
Mo Tiange found it increasingly strange as she walked. "This Demonic Qi..."
"What?" Qin Xi asked casually, looking up to survey their surroundings.
Mo Tiange frowned, pondered for a long while, and then said, "Don't you find this Demonic Qi familiar?"
"Familiar?" Hearing this, Qin Xi focused for a moment and exclaimed in shock, "Origin Demonic Qi!"
"Correct." Though faint, the aura of this Demonic Qi was identical to Origin Demonic Qi.
"You actually know of Origin Demonic Qi?" From within the Fusheng Sword came Fuyaozi's surprised voice.
"Mm," Mo Tiange said. "Master, do you recall I once encountered a martial cultivator who ultimately turned to demonic cultivation? The Demonic Qi she devoured was Origin Demonic Qi."
"...So that's how it is."
"Master, so the strange aura you mentioned here is actually Origin Demonic Qi? What exactly is going on?"
Fuyaozi was silent for a moment before saying, "Since you know of Origin Demonic Qi, there's no harm in telling you in detail. Indeed, this so-called Origin Demonic Qi is the strangest aspect of this spatial rift."