After passing through the teleportation array, the six of them emerged into a dense forest. Teleportation into the Chuyun Secret Realm was randomized; if one were unlucky enough to be teleported directly into the maw of a demonic beast, then dying there could only be chalked up to misfortune.
The moment they exited the array, the four tenth-level cultivators—Li Lin and his companions—simultaneously released their magical tools. They formed a protective circle around Li Xue and Yiyi, scanning their surroundings with vigilance. Only after confirming there were no traces of demonic beasts or other cultivators nearby did they retract their weapons, though they remained in their defensive formation.
Yun Mingxian took the lead, with Li Lin and Ji Rufeng guarding the flanks and Yu Ming bringing up the rear. Li Xue and Yiyi were positioned safely in the center. Seeing the gravity of the situation, the two women grew tense as well. Li Xue released her Five Elements Flying Shuttle, while Yiyi summoned a purple silken ribbon to shield herself. The five-colored radiance emanating from Li Xue’s shuttle left Yun Mingxian and the others stunned.
"Is... is that the Five Elements Flying Shuttle?" Yun Mingxian asked, his voice thick with shock.
"Yes, it is. It’s a flying sword bestowed upon me by Daoist Yuqing," Li Xue replied.
Yun Mingxian swallowed hard, his eyes wide. It took him a long moment to recover his composure.
Ji Rufeng and Yu Ming were somewhat bewildered. To them, the Five Elements Flying Shuttle merely looked magnificent and radiant; they couldn't discern its true nature.
"The Five Elements Flying Shuttle is a magical treasure forged thousands of years ago by a Nascent Soul Daoist of the Yunjing Sect!" Yun Mingxian explained. While this wasn't exactly a secret, the appearance of a magical treasure in the hands of a disciple at the eighth level of Qi Condensation was staggering. Furthermore, the cost and effort required to actually drive such a treasure at her level were unimaginable.
Ji Rufeng, Yu Ming, and Yiyi were equally dumbfounded. Seeing their stunned expressions, Li Xue found it somewhat amusing. "Whether it’s a magical treasure or a magical tool, isn't it meant to be used? Why overthink it? Besides, the Five Elements Flying Shuttle can only be driven by someone with five spiritual roots. If even one is missing, it won't work."
Li Lin nodded in agreement.
Hearing this, Yun Mingxian and Yu Ming felt a surge of respect. They realized this woman possessed a broad mind and a solid temperament; she wasn't the fragile, overprotected flower they had initially imagined. Their opinion of her improved instantly. Li Lin and Ji Rufeng, however, felt a touch of pride—her character was hardly something ordinary people could compare to.
"Sister Li is right. Treasures and tools are meant for use; as long as they suit the user, that’s what matters," Yu Ming added. "Sister Li, you don't need to expend so much spiritual power to keep your tools active for defense. Do you have any defensive talismans?"
"Oh, right!" Li Xue realized he was correct. Such tools should be reserved for combat; keeping them active constantly was a waste of spiritual energy.
"We have talismans!" Yiyi pulled out a mid-grade defensive talisman and slapped it onto herself. She immediately felt much more relaxed.
The others twitched slightly at the sight of her using a mid-grade talisman so casually. What a spendthrift! Mid-grade talismans were usually reserved for life-and-death battles; in the Chuyun Secret Realm, one could even withstand a blow from a Rank 3 demonic beast with such a thing. However, no one said anything. As the Sect Leader’s woman, it wouldn't be surprising if she had Talisman Treasures, let alone mid-grade talismans. Seeing Li Xue use a low-grade talisman felt much more normal by comparison.
The six of them maintained their formation as they moved forward. As they walked, Li Lin explained the surroundings to Li Xue. "This place is called the Mistwood Forest. We should be in the southeastern part of the secret realm. The main threats here are Rank 1 Black Bees and Rank 1 Poison Spiders. The primary medicinal herbs are Yufu Grass and Green Spirit Mushrooms. If we’re lucky, we might find some high-grade specimens." All four of the men had been here during the previous opening and had studied detailed records of the area.
Suddenly, Yun Mingxian froze. The group stopped instantly, entering a state of high alert.
"Green Poison Spiders. It looks like there are Green Spirit Mushrooms nearby. Haha, I didn't expect us to find some so soon!" A sharp glint flashed in Yun Mingxian’s eyes. He performed a hand seal and pointed forward, instantly blasting a clearing in the brush ahead.
The other three released their magical tools, sweeping the area with practiced efficiency. Li Lin used his Purple Smoke Furnace; the cauldron expanded, belching out a white mist that enveloped the Green Poison Spiders lurking in the trees. Ji Rufeng unleashed his flying sword, creating an Ice Sword Array that covered a three-meter radius around him. No spider could get close, and he kept Li Xue and Yiyi safely within the array's bounds. At the rear, Yu Ming wielded a black flying sword that wove a lethal web of light, shredding any spider that dared approach.
"Watch out for the Green Poison Spider King!" Yun Mingxian shouted, his hands moving without pause as he launched a Fireball Technique. Li Lin and Yu Ming seized the opening to attack as well, while Ji Rufeng remained focused on protecting the two women.
"Um, should we go help?" Li Xue asked, watching the three of them battle the Spider King. She felt a restless urge to join in.
"No need. the three of them are more than enough to handle it," Ji Rufeng said with a smile, noticing the two women's eagerness.
Before long, the trio had slain the Green Poison Spider King. It was a Rank 2 demonic beast, equivalent to the late stage of Qi Condensation, but it stood little chance against the combined assault of three experts.
Finally, at the base of the massive ancient tree where the Spider King had made its lair, they found a cluster of Green Spirit Mushrooms. They were packed tightly together in great numbers, and several were indeed high-grade. The entire group was delighted; it seemed their expedition was off to an excellent start.
