Chapter 48: Visiting Scarlet Moon... Again

Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Visiting Scarlet Moon... Again

"Northern Wind Eagle Tribe? Aren’t they natural enemies of the Blazing Fire Serpent Clan?"

[Yes, I know. However, they’re not only enemies of Yan Jin’s clan. They’re also hostile toward almost every snake tribe and clan.]

[If I remember correctly, they also have a history of hostility with the Thunder Crimson Python Clan.]

Ye Xuan listened to Qingyu before unfolding the map and examining the locations of his current position and Scarlet Moon Forest.

This was remarkably similar to what had happened before, when he and Qingyu had traveled from Yanlong City to that forest.

However, the circumstances were different.

During their first journey, he hadn’t known what Qingyu was planning. This time, he knew exactly what she wanted.

He had actually made other plans after learning the three Mortal-Stage techniques.

He intended to cultivate until his cultivation base was high enough to venture into the Eastern Mist Mountains or the Red Desert Plains of Xuejong.

However, he also had a responsibility to help Qingyu.

It would be better to focus on strengthening her abilities while looking for opportunities to cultivate and break through along the way.

He rolled up the map again and stored it in his bag of holding.

"All right. We’ll head there, but wait a little longer until I’ve finished learning these two techniques."

[Of course. I’ll wait for you.]

The young man sat cross-legged again and reopened the two scrolls.

He activated the Basic Comprehension Technique once more, allowing his body to absorb the essence of each technique.

Qingyu slithered back up to Ye Xuan’s neck and coiled her body around it.

Meanwhile, Ye Xuan concentrated on comprehending the techniques without allowing anything to distract him.

A few minutes later, a burst of spiritual qi resonated within Ye Xuan’s body. Qingyu felt it as well.

Ye Xuan opened his eyes and put away the Qi Cultivation Enlightenment Technique, having successfully learned it.

He then turned his attention to the Qi Weapon Manipulation Technique, hoping that his experience and understanding of the previous techniques would help him learn this one more quickly.

The essence within the scroll flowed into his body through his forehead until nothing remained.

After meditating and comprehending the technique for twenty minutes, another burst of qi rang out, signaling that he had successfully mastered the Qi Weapon Manipulation Technique.

[So fast? It seems you’ve become quite familiar with learning techniques, Ye Xuan.]

"I think so too."

Ye Xuan opened his eyes and extended his hand forward.

Spiritual qi gathered in his palm and immediately manifested into a red sword resembling a flaming blade.

The hilt felt sturdy and solid, while the blade was sharp and durable, showing no signs of wavering.

He tried swinging it sideways and thrusting it forward. It was much more flexible than his lightning sword.

However, he was well aware that its power was inferior to that of his lightning sword.

He would still keep the technique in case he needed it during a future battle.

Once everything was ready, Ye Xuan stepped out of the cave and onto the grass outside.

With little else left to do, he decided to leave the area around Yanlong City that very day and head straight for Scarlet Moon Forest.

His sword appeared beneath his feet and immediately carried him high into the sky.

It pierced through the clouds and cut across the heavens as he left Yanlong City behind.

Previously, it had taken Ye Xuan around three to four days to reach the forest.

Now, with his ability to fly on his sword, he could significantly shorten the journey.

[You don’t mind doing this, Ye Xuan?]

"Of course not," he replied. "I told you I’d help you. You’ve helped me so much, so now let me return the favor."

Hearing Ye Xuan’s words, Qingyu nodded happily. She let out a few soft hisses, expressing her gratitude to the young man.

With his flying sword moving at such a high speed, Ye Xuan believed he could reach the forest much sooner than before.

Even if he couldn’t arrive that night, he would likely get there by the following morning.

After flying for twelve hours, Guyang City appeared before him.

However, night was already approaching, so Ye Xuan decided he might as well continue his journey to Scarlet Moon Forest the next morning.

He descended into the small city, whose streets were far less crowded than those of Yanlong City or Yunlong City. Even so, the city was still bustling with activity.

Ye Xuan stepped onto the main street and noticed that shops selling cultivation supplies were still open, as were the restaurants and inns.

"We’ll head to the forest tomorrow morning. Do you mind waiting until then, Qingyu?"

[Not at all. You might need to rest or cultivate. I can wait.]

Just as Ye Xuan was about to approach an inn, he stopped when he heard a voice behind him.

"S-Senior?"

He turned around and saw two people approaching him, a man and a woman. Ye Xuan narrowed his eyes as he examined them.

The woman seemed familiar, but he didn’t recognize the man beside her. Although he recognized his face, he couldn’t recall his name.

"Do I... know you?"

"I’m Hao Yue. Two months ago, you bought food for me and Bai Ling’er."

Oh... She’s the woman who ran out of money.

Ye Xuan clasped his hands together and bowed.

"Forgive me for not recognizing you, Fellow Daoist Hao."

Hao Yue shifted her attention to Ye Xuan, examining him from head to toe. She remarked that his spiritual qi aura seemed different from before.

"You actually survived Scarlet Moon Forest... and even broke through to Foundation Establishment within two months," Hao Yue exclaimed.

"That’s impressive, Senior," the woman praised.

Seeing Hao Yue praise Ye Xuan made the man beside her click his tongue.

He folded his arms across his chest, seemingly eager to display his arrogance.

"Tch!"

"What’s so special about a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator?" the man asked.

"Of course it’s different. He managed to escape Scarlet Moon Forest and even achieved a breakthrough."

"If you tried the same thing, do you think you’d be as fortunate as he was?" Hao Yue retorted sharply.

The man’s fists clenched tightly when he saw Hao Yue taking Ye Xuan’s side.

In his eyes, Ye Xuan was nothing more than a wandering cultivator without a sect who relied on luck rather than strength.

"Forget about his luck. Just look at him. He’s a wandering cultivator. That means no sect was willing to accept him!" the man sneered.

"If neither of you has anything important to discuss with me, I’ll take my leave," Ye Xuan said.

He turned to enter the inn, but his indifference only made the man more eager to humiliate him in front of Hao Yue.

"Wait! I’m not finished with you, brat!"

The man approached Ye Xuan and grabbed him by the shoulder.

Qingyu noticed his actions, and her protective instincts immediately kicked in. She bit down on his hand.

"ARGHH!"

The man cried out in pain and tried to pull Qingyu away.

However, Qingyu coiled her tail around his hand and tightened her grip until it was almost crushed.

"You damn snake!"

"I’ll kill you!" the man roared.

Hearing his threat, Ye Xuan reacted immediately. He summoned his lightning sword and swung it toward the man’s arm.

SLASH!

Ye Xuan’s lightning sword severed the man’s hand, freeing Qingyu. At the same time, the man screamed when he realized his hand had been cut off.

His body collapsed to the ground as he writhed and howled in agony. Blood continued pouring from his severed arm.

Ye Xuan crouched down and extended his hand, allowing Qingyu to return to his neck as she had before.

"If you try to kill Qingyu, I’ll kill you first."

"No one is allowed to threaten her!"