"The medicine I used earlier was a mix of 100% pure poison extract and a Qi-draining pill. It only scared it into thinking its cultivation was fading. That was just an illusion. If it had held on a bit longer, it would have realized the truth. But my formation was an illusion array, which helped convince it."
Zhu Yanyi took out a bottle of Meng Po's soup and gulped it down. "Sigh, but scaring it away is still a big achievement."
The people present could only react with a helpless smile. Only Zhu Yanyi could bluff an ancient fierce beast.
"Fifteen, aren't you afraid Xiangyao will find out the truth?" Jian Feiyan asked curiously.
"I am afraid, but Xiangyao is a fierce beast. Though the name sounds bad, it’s still just a beast. Beasts have simple minds. They can’t compare to normal humans. So I’m not worried Xiangyao will be more cunning and sinister than us." Zhu Yanyi said with a grin.
"You are indeed cunning and sinister," Ouyang Tianyun said.
"You are indeed cunning and sinister," Yi Yunfei said.
"Indeed cunning and sinister," Sikong Xuran said, taking a sip of wine.
"Cunning and sinister…"
Everyone repeated it in a line. Zhu Yanyi’s face darkened. "If you aren’t cunning or sinister, then you go deal with Xiangyao."
"Hehe, no, no. Junior Sister, you are the best. You are the most upright and righteous heroine in the world," Mi Xiao said.
"Yes, you are very upright, very brave, and amazing," Hong Mei said, giving a thumbs-up.
Zhu Yanyi scanned them with a look. "I can hear your insincerity. But it’s okay. I won’t blame you. After all, I am so kind, honest, cute, fair, and brave."
"Ugh~" Everyone gagged in unison.
Zhu Yanyi stared blankly.
Although Xiangyao’s appearance made their future seem a bit bleak, they weren’t afraid. Compared to that, chatting and laughing like this was much more interesting.
Seven days later, they reached the first jump point. Before jumping, they checked the flying boat and its supplies. Confirming nothing needed replenishing, they jumped directly.
A jump point used spatial voids to transport the flying boat to its destination. Such points weren’t random; they required careful surveying to establish.
Passing through the first jump point, they entered a vast plain.
Looking down from the flying boat, they saw red flowers, green willows, and beautiful mountains. It was a very pretty place.
"This place is really beautiful," Zhu Yanyi remarked.
"This is the Pingchuan area. It looks pretty, but it’s actually dangerous. Few people walk below because you never know which plant might eat you, or what strange animals might appear. However, this place also nurtures many medicinal herbs. Students from our Sage Academy come here to find medicinal seeds, but always in groups. Going alone is very risky," Yi Yunfei explained.
"Beautiful things are only for looking, not for having. Otherwise, it’s dangerous," Zhu Yanyi sighed.
"Fifteen, are you afraid of danger? You even bluffed Xiangyao," Mi Xiao said casually.
Zhu Yanyi coughed. "Bluffing Xiangyao and fearing danger are two different things. I am an ordinary person, so naturally, I fear danger."
In truth, Zhu Yanyi had already achieved the Supreme Jade Body. She didn’t need to fear anything in the Pingchuan area. But some things couldn’t be said openly. Besides, a strong body didn’t mean a fearless mind. Sometimes, feeling fear was natural.
"Generally, even when we come to Pingchuan, we don’t go deep. It looks pretty, but there’s an inexplicable poisonous gas. Even with antidotes, some gases are useless," Sikong Xuran explained.
Zhu Yanyi looked at the scenery below. "Is the poisonous gas you mentioned that colorful mist down there?"
Looking down, Zhu Yanyi saw a lush forest full of life. Above the forest, there was a ring of colorful mist, looking particularly beautiful.
Others saw it too. "Probably," Yi Yunfei said. He seemed to recall something. "I remember visiting Pingchuan before. I knew there was poisonous gas, but I couldn’t see its color. I didn’t expect to see this colorful mist from the air. I guess this is that inexplicable poisonous gas."
"I should explore this place when I have time," Zhu Yanyi said.
"Places with such mysterious poisonous gas must have rare poisonous medicinal materials. I need some for refining medicine. After dealing with the Lucky Forest, I’ll go down to check on the way back. Maybe I’ll get lucky and find rare herbs."
Everyone paused. Sikong Xuran looked at Zhu Yanyi. "Junior Sister, don’t mess around. It could cost lives."
Zhu Yanyi raised an eyebrow. "Since I said it, I’m prepared. Besides, don’t worry. Even if I die, it’s fine. My husband is in the Underworld, so I won’t truly die."
Everyone paused again. Could one brag about this?
Ouyang Tianyun coughed twice. "Let’s talk about this on the way back. Maybe you won’t want to visit then. Let’s drop the topic for now."
Ouyang Tianyun felt sorry for Yan Aohan. The dignified Lord Yan had met a fool like Zhu Yanyi, cleaning up her messes every day. She wondered if she would cause more trouble in the future.
Unfortunately, Ouyang Tianyun wasn’t Yan Aohan’s mind-reader. Otherwise, she would know Yan Aohan loved cleaning up Zhu Yanyi’s messes. She enjoyed it.
"The Pingchuan area is six hundred miles long. You must protect yourself when entering. The situation changes often. Some places suppress cultivators’ cultivation, and some traps prevent exit," Sikong Xuran said seriously. She mainly wanted to warn Zhu Yanyi to stop her from wandering off recklessly.
"Years ago, my senior brother entered this place and never came out. We still don’t know if he’s alive or dead."