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Chapter 9: The Disfigured and Blind Sect Leader (9)

Guided by Wen Renming's directions, the people of Piao Miao Pavilion quickly joined up with Ying Zhao. They continued flying southeastward, only to see vast forests for a long time.

After about half a day of travel, the group finally stopped for a short rest. This journey made Ying Zhao realize the vastness of this secret realm; despite half a day of flying on swords, they still couldn’t see the end.

Xiao Lie chose a clearing with a broad view for everyone to land. The surroundings were dense with trees, seemingly

Era

ancient, with vines hanging all around.

Once everyone from Piao Miao Pavilion had landed, Xiao Lie walked up to Ying Zhao with a displeased expression, asking:

"Yun Ping, where did you go earlier? You disappeared in the blink of an eye. I tried contacting you with the communication talisman for so long, but you didn’t respond!"

Xiao Lie glanced angrily at Wen Renming beside him. Ying Zhao calmly stepped in front of Wen Renming and said with a cheerful smile:

"Senior Brother, I was simply admiring the beauty of this realm and got distracted. Surely you wouldn’t be mad at me for such a small matter?"

Ying Zhao's smile momentarily stunned Xiao Lie, who thought to himself that, despite his ulterior motives toward Ying Yun Ping, with such beauty, a romantic endeavor might be worth it.

Thinking of Ying Yun Ping's past tenderness toward him, Xiao Lie eventually softened. However, seeing Wen Renming reaching to hold Ying Zhao's wrist, with Ying Zhao showing no resistance, a flash of displeasure crossed Xiao Lie’s eyes.

He looked at Wen Renming as if he were staring at a dead man, sneered, and said to Ying Zhao:

"Why would Senior Brother ever be mad at you? After all, you are my most cherished junior. I will always take good care of you."

Upon hearing Xiao Lie's words, Wen Renming's grip on Ying Zhao's wrist tightened, but his expression remained unchanged. In Xiao Lie's presence, he changed to intertwining his fingers with Ying Zhao's.

Xiao Lie, noticing their clasped hands, addressed Wen Renming with a hint of annoyance:

"Wen Renming, how much farther until we reach the location of the 'Qingyuan Jue'? We've been flying in this secret realm for most of the day, and it's been nothing but forests. Don't tell me you're deceiving us?"

The tone of Xiao Lie's voice was filled with arrogance. He was but a common disciple of the Piaomiao Pavilion. Even with extraordinary talent, he should, by seniority, refer to Wen Renming as the Sect Leader. His brash address and blatant disregard showed he didn't hold Wen Renming in high esteem.

Wen Renming, however, seemed utterly unfazed by Xiao Lie's attitude, even wearing a smile as he replied:

"Patience, friend Xiao. I sense that the 'Qingyuan Jue' is not far. Another hour or so of sword flying should bring us close."

Hearing this, Xiao Lie didn't press the matter further. He was about to turn away when a shout from a Piaomiao Pavilion disciple rang out from behind:

"Look over there! Isn’t that a cluster of Zixiao flowers on the ground?"

The Zixiao flower was a rare and highly prized spiritual plant in the cultivation world. If one could obtain such a flower, it could be traded for a top-quality spirit stone, an invaluable treasure.

Hearing the disciple's exclamation, everyone turned to look, and sure enough, there was a dense cluster of Zixiao flowers, with a rich aura swirling around them.

Another disciple then pointed at a tree nearby and shouted:

"Look! Isn’t that the rare Zhu fruit on that tree?"

Everyone was amazed to discover so many treasures in this secret realm, their surroundings drawing gasps of wonder.

Xiao Lie, hearing their discussions, hurried over and, verifying their claims, waved his hand, collecting both the Zixiao flowers and Zhu fruits into his storage bag.

None expected Xiao Lie to act so swiftly, leaving nothing for them. However, as the leader of the expedition and with the highest cultivation level and status, they were outraged but dared not voice their grievances.

Xiao Lie, unaffected by their reactions, said to the group of Piaomiao Pavilion disciples who were watching him:

"What are you all staring at? If we can find Zixiao flowers and Zhu fruits so easily here, there must be other treasures around. Use this break to explore. Find any spiritual plants and treasures and gather them all for the Piaomiao Pavilion."

Everyone agreed with Xiao Lie's reasoning and dispersed, searching every inch for valuable spiritual plants.

Ying Zhao observed all this with cold eyes. Although Wen Renming had previously told Nan Zheng that anything they found in the secret realm was theirs to keep,

most cultivators would only take a thing or two. Unlike the Piaomiao Pavilion's people, who seemed to want to sweep the entire secret realm clean, a truly unsightly display of greed.

Seeing this, Ying Zhao felt a surge of displeasure. She turned to look at Wen Renming, who still wore a warm smile, showing no reaction to the Piaomiao Pavilion's actions.

It seemed as if they were merely gathering common vegetables instead of priceless treasures. Leaning in, she whispered to Wen Renming:

"Wen Ren, they're practically emptying this realm into their pockets. This secret realm belongs to your Wen family. Aren’t you bothered?"

Hearing Ying Zhao's words, Wen Renming simply smiled and shook his head.

"They're just worldly possessions. No need to be concerned."

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