“This… this is just too… ugh!”
On the scorched ground, pools of red and yellow unidentified fluids mixed together, emitting an unbearable stench.
Zhang Jun tried his best to hold it in, but he couldn’t. He bent over and started retching violently.
The others, witnessing this grotesque scene, felt their stomachs churning. As soon as Zhang Jun’s retching reached their ears, they couldn’t help but follow suit.
Yu Zhao, Mu Ye, and Zhou Jin Yue turned away in disdain, stepping further from the group.
“Senior Sister…”
After throwing up until there was nothing left, Zhang Jun weakly raised his head, pitifully looking at Zhou Jin Yue.
The sight was too much for him.
The others looked similarly drained, their exhaustion causing Zhou Jin Yue to shake her head in disapproval.
“Junior Sister Yu, how did you manage to leave nothing of the fourth-rank demonic beast behind, not even a complete corpse?”
Hearing Zhang Jun’s question, Yu Zhao smiled faintly. “It’s not due to my own strength, but because I had a Water Attribute Spirit Treasure in my possession.”
Everyone suddenly understood.
Spirit Treasures, crafted by Nascent Soul cultivators, contained a single attack of a Nascent Soul cultivator. These were often used as life-saving measures in dire moments. However, crafting Spirit Treasures was an intricate and resource-intensive process, even for Nascent Soul cultivators. Thus, they had become exceedingly rare.
None of them expected Yu Zhao to possess such a rare item, let alone one perfectly countering the Scarlet Flame Lion.
The Scarlet Flame Lion had indeed died unjustly.
“I always thought Junior Sister Yu was overlooked on Lone Moon Peak, but it seems I was mistaken. Master Qing Yan must value her deeply to bestow her with a Spirit Treasure for protection.”
Someone’s casual comment resonated with the group’s thoughts.
In their minds, Yu Zhao had always been a neglected and pitiful disciple, unloved by both master and peers.
It seemed all those rumors were lies.
Where did such harmful gossip even come from?
Ye Cong Xin’s jealousy flared, her eyes reddening.
How could their master be so biased?
He gave Yu Zhao a Spirit Treasure but only handed her an assortment of useless junk!
She had naively believed their master cared for her more than others. Now, it was clear Yu Zhao held a higher position in their master’s heart.
If that were the case, she no longer needed to hesitate.
She was determined to claim Master Qing Yan’s luck for herself!
Among everyone present, only Lan Zi Yu doubted the origin of the Spirit Treasure.
He knew their master, Master Qing Yan, was neither gentle nor attentive, much less someone who would waste time crafting a Spirit Treasure for a disciple’s safety.
However, he said nothing, only casting a deep, probing glance at Yu Zhao.
Yu Zhao let the group speculate, offering no explanation.
No one would ever imagine the Spirit Treasure wasn’t from Master Qing Yan but from her Third Senior Brother, Su Ming.
This treasure was the key to her confidence in saving Zhou Jin Yue.
Yu Zhao even regretted not being ruthless enough back then, failing to extract more items from Su Ming.
“Those feeling unwell can rest here. Those who are still capable, come with me to clean up the battlefield.”
Zhou Jin Yue’s words were met with a chorus of groans.
“Senior Sister Zhou, the Scarlet Flame Lion is in pieces. There’s no point in cleaning up, right?”
“Exactly, its body is completely shattered. There probably isn’t much of value left.”
“Senior Sister Zhou, let’s just leave. If we stay here any longer, I might throw up everything I ate yesterday.”
The disciples of the Five Elements Dao Sect weren’t exactly short of resources. They would rather abandon potential gains than search through a pile of mangled remains for valuable materials.
Zhou Jin Yue raised an eyebrow. “This trip was meant to train you. If you can’t handle even this, how will you survive in the cultivation world?”
She pointed at Yu Zhao and Mu Ye, who were already working. “Both Junior Sisters are braver than you. Aren’t you ashamed to retreat now?”
With Zhou Jin Yue’s firm stance, the group had no choice but to sulkily get to work.
At first, the gruesome task made them uncomfortable, but as they adapted, they began to focus on their search. They even grew excited when they found something intact, like a single piece of unbroken beast bone.
Mu Ye crouched down, carefully extracting liquid from the blood vessels of a dark red mass.
Drop by drop of dark golden liquid flowed into her jade bottle, turning the surrounding flesh pale.
When she finished collecting the liquid, she turned to Yu Zhao, shaking the bottle triumphantly. “This is Lion Heart Blood, more valuable than the Seven-Colored Deer’s blood. Once we return, I’ll refine a batch of blood-replenishing pills and share some with you.”
“Thank you in advance,” Yu Zhao replied with a nod.
“No need for thanks. Come, let’s collect some of its tail too.”
What appeared chaotic and repulsive to others was heaven to alchemists.
Mu Ye, like a mouse falling into a jar of rice, was utterly absorbed in her work.
An hour later, the group reconvened.
Though many appeared pale, their eyes sparkled with determination.
Zhou Jin Yue nodded in satisfaction.
Breaking through their psychological barriers meant they had taken a significant step forward.
This trip to Dragon Roar Valley was worth it, despite the dangers…
Wait, danger?
No, it had been thrilling but safe.
Zhou Jin Yue suddenly recalled Yu Zhao’s earlier divination results.
They matched this outcome exactly.
It was eerily accurate!
The last traces of unease in Zhou Jin Yue’s heart faded completely.
A bright smile spread across her face. “While you were cleaning the battlefield, I scouted ahead. The Scarlet Flame Lion came from the west. We’ll head that way. If we find nothing in two days, we’ll return to the sect. Any objections?”
“None,” the group replied in unison.
“Good. Let’s move out.”
Zhou Jin Yue shot forward like an arrow, quickly disappearing from view.
Mu Ye watched her disappear, full of admiration. “Senior Sister Zhou is amazing. She always leads from the front. Being with her feels so secure.”
Yu Zhao silently agreed.
Zhou Jin Yue had the most charisma of anyone she knew.
As a friend, you’d never worry about her betraying you.
Mu Ye glanced at Yu Zhao. “You’re not bad either. You might not realize it, but you’re much calmer than the others. Meeting you and Senior Sister Zhou on this trip is the luckiest thing that’s happened to me. If you ever visit the Green Wood Sect, I’ll make sure you’re well-stocked with pills.”
Yu Zhao’s eyes lit up.
She had heard the Green Wood Sect was built atop a premium fire vein, which was split into 108 branches with alchemy rooms built above each.
For someone like Yu Zhao, whose water-aligned spiritual roots hindered her control over fire, the Green Wood Sect’s alchemy rooms would be invaluable for crafting her Illusory Tides Technique artifact.
Without hesitation, Yu Zhao accepted Mu Ye’s invitation, silently marking the Green Wood Sect on her future itinerary.