Fei Yin looked at Wu Yuan, his eyes filled with gratitude. "You have to bypass Meng Gui's people without alerting them, then find your way to the Plum Blossom City." He started. "This is where the bigger danger starts. You'll be the only righteous cultivator and will be surrounded by the demonic cultivators." He took a deep breath, feeling distressed for Wu Yuan even though the other still hasn't started to do the mission. "You also have to find the place where Meng Gui hid the antidote while making sure no one notices you, or that you won't be caught in their fire and get killed." His face darkened. "Then, when you have found the antidote and stole it, you have to hold yourself back not to retaliate and use your qi for them not to find out you are a righteous cultivator. Lastly – " his eyes dimmed. " – you have to survive as you return, while keeping the antidote safe in your hands." He finished.
A long silence fell.
"… what's the second option?" Wu Yuan asked. It's not that he is a coward. Just that…
Fei Yin sighed. He knows that this mission is die and die, not do or die. Not to mention there's only one of him, but Wu Yuan has to be flexible in any situation that may arise. And Wu Yuan has no 'flexible' in his vocabulary. Thus, Fei Yin knows this mission is impossible.
"The second option is to leave now and find the antidote elsewhere." Fei Yin answered.
Wu Yuan fell silent. This is as hard as the first option. Not to mention they don't know how vast the Heilong Realm is, but they also are righteous cultivators. They don't have any connection in the Heilong Realm, aside from Meng Gui. Thus, finding another antidote will definitely take a long, long time. Not to mention that they can't be delayed here since everyone, including the missing Chen Jing and Wu Fan are waiting for them, but Cheng Sheng's situation is the most perilous. He only has ten days.
But, this choice… "What should we choose?" they both asked each other.
The first choice is for Wu Yuan. The second choice is for Fei Yin – if he could risk delaying Cheng Sheng's condition.
Wu Yuan made a pause. Actually, he also can't delay Cheng Sheng's condition. So – "I can go – " he said. Actually, the first choice isn't completely a sure death. Him being a sect leader isn't for nothing.
But – "No." Fei Yin spoke. "The second choice." He said.
Wu Yuan didn't speak. Honestly, he initially thought Fei Yin is belittling him after he heard Fei Yin chose the second option. But, for only one second. The next second, he remembered – they are in the Heilong Realm, which is fraught with danger. They can't risk their life just to save their pride. And, no one is questioning one's pride here. Wu Yuan knows Fei Yin isn't that kind of person, as Fei Yin is also a disciple of the Xinfaxian Sect – the sect which they, the Youxiwang Sect, is families with.
He heaved a sigh. "When shall we leave?" he asked Fei Yin, indicating that he is agreeing with Fei Yin's decision. This is harder for Fei Yin.
"After Meng Gui returns." Fei Yin answered.
"Why?" Wu Yuan asked. "Isn't it more dangerous if Meng Gui is here?"
"I still want to try to steal the antidote from him." Fei Yin answered, his voice resolute.
Wu Yuan realized it. If they can't steal the antidote today, then there is still tomorrow. "I understand." He said.
Fei Yin smiled. "Thanks." He said.
Wu Yuan can try stealing the antidote in another day. If it is impossible stealing the antidote from Meng Gui, then they will leave.
"I'll ask his people when might the battle end." Wu Yuan spoke. After all, they don't know anything about the Heilong Realm, so it's better to ask someone who knows about it than just blindly guess for what will happen next.
"I'll trouble you." Fei Yin said.
Wu Yuan nodded and opened the door, then closed it before he left.
Fei Yin looked at the closed door before he turned to Cheng Sheng. "Is this what you mean by another way to not be swept by the Heilong emperor's plan?" he asked him and caressed the fair cheek of Cheng Sheng. "You could have told us, you know." He sighed before he dropped a kiss on Cheng Sheng's forehead. "Sheng… I hope you can tell me everything…" he said and closed his eyes as he hugged him tight.
Huilong Continent, South Region.
Shu Mu, Xiao Le, Xi Ming and Xi Xing coughed because of the thick smoke that they inhaled when the demonic cultivators burned everything to escape them after they found that they can't defeat the four of them even if they have seventeen people.
Xi Ming is already strong as one of the disciples that passed in the Intersect Competition – albeit the Intersect Competition was abruptly stopped after the blitzkrieg of the demonic cultivators in Zhongyang. Shu Mu, although regretfully lost in the Intersect Competition, is diligent in his cultivation. Thus, his strength is subpar to Xi Ming. Xi Xing, although introverted and underestimated, but he is really underestimated! He is stronger than he looks! So, don't think that he is weak as he looks. He is a rabbit that will bite when provoked!
Then, there's Xiao Le. You think he is a pushover because he looks like one? On the contrary, he is aggressive… when he fights. He's not only a sword cultivator, but also a mage! He is Cheng Sheng's apprentice! Thus, like Xi Xing, he isn't weak even if he looks like one.
The demonic cultivators ate a loss. Not only they underestimated Shu Mu, Xiao Le, Xi Ming and Xi Xing and became overconfident because they outnumber them, but they also are judgmental, thinking that only Shu Mu and Xi Ming who looked strong are the only strong ones. They didn't know that the other two – Xiao Le and Xi Xing, are actually fiercer!
Xi Xing's fast attacks and Xiao Le's double attacks with his sword and talismans made the demonic cultivators more miserable. If there were lesser demonic cultivators, Shu Mu and Xi Ming thought that, with how fierce Xi Xing and Xiao Le, they could even leave a group of demonic cultivators to Xi Xing and Xiao Le to deal with to temper them more. Inexperience is a taboo in the cultivation world. That's why Xi Ming left the Shanliangde Sect, and relented to Xi Xing when Xi Xing insisted coming with him. Shu Mu also thought this, that's why Xiao Le is here now with them.
Xiao Le took out some Wind Talismans and threw them to blow the smoke away. "Thanks." They told him as they waved the smoke that blown their way.
Xiao Le watched as the Wind Talismans fell from the air after they have finished their task. Before they could hit the ground, he threw a Fire Talisman. They watched as the three talismans turned to ashes.
"Vicious… they're so vicious!" Xiao Le said, raging, as they looked at the corpses littered on the ground.
They aren't just the demonic cultivators' corpses, but they are also the corpses of ordinary people. It turned out, these demonic cultivators abducted some people! Who knows what atrocious things they did to them! Shu Mu, Xiao Le, Xi Ming and Xi Xing didn't dare think of the possibilities and just closed their eyes to utter a silent prayer for the souls of the deceased.
Fortunately, Shu Mu's fellow disciples aren't among them.
"Shu Mu." Xi Ming called after they prayed.
"I know." Shu Mu spoke, indicating he also noticed something. "The demonic cultivators are lesser in number than what we expected." He frowned.
Xiao Le's eyes went wide. Suddenly, he gasped when he thought something. "Could it be… they all went to the Southmost Region… to deal with Cheng-shixiong?!" he exclaimed.
"There's a high probability." Xi Ming spoke.
Xiao Le's heart sank.
Shu Mu patted his back. "Don't worry. Sect leader Xie, elder Fan, Li Tian, Feng Mo and the others are all going there." he told Xiao Le. "Also, Cheng Sheng might be inside the Heilong Realm now. Since there's that barrier that appeared, he might have sealed the pathway leading to the Heilong Realm – sealing Wu Ran's path to Heilong Realm, to buy him, Fei Yin and Wu Yuan some time." He explained.
Hearing Shu Mu's explanation, Xiao Le's worry finally eased. "Thank you, Mu-ge." He said and smiled.
Shu Mu smiled back before he turned to Xi Ming and Xi Xing. "My fellow disciples aren't here." He said.
"Shall we chase those demonic cultivators, or go elsewhere?" Xi Ming asked.
Xiao Le has placed a Tracking Talisman on the back of the demonic cultivators that escaped, so they could find them. Since they left in a hurry, they didn't notice the Tracking Talisman on them.