Chapter 130

Chapter 130

Upon hearing Hu Shuangyan's words, Wen Qiao and Ning Yuzhou subconsciously looked into his eyes.

His pupils were lighter in color than ordinary people's, seemingly a light brown or perhaps golden-brown. Since he hadn't used his eye power at this moment, his eyes appeared perfectly normal, showing no signs of peculiarity.

However, Hu Shuangyan's expression was very serious, indicating that he wouldn't joke about such matters.

Hu Shuangyan maintained steady eye contact with them, not averting his gaze due to their scrutinizing looks.

Under their watchful eyes, however, beads of sweat formed in his palms, making them somewhat damp—a clear sign of the tension he felt inside, which belied the calm exterior he presented.

After a moment, Ning Yuzhou asked, "Why do you wish to follow us? Do you know what having unique eyes signifies?"

A helpless look appeared on Hu Shuangyan's pale face as he let out a bitter smile. "How could I not know? The bloodline of the Hu family has bestowed upon us these unique eyes. It is said that our Hu ancestors once possessed a mysterious power that was concentrated within our eyes, allowing descendants to cultivate eye techniques. Between my brother and me, only I have been fortunate enough to awaken my unique eyes. If the world were to learn of this, it would surely invite covetous desires, and at that point, even these eyes would be at risk..."

At this point, he glanced at his elder brother before continuing, "Since I awakened my unique eyes, my elder brother has made many sacrifices to protect me. What my brother mentioned earlier was incorrect; in fact, the Peng family targeted us because they coveted my unique eyes, wanting to take them for themselves."

"Take them?" Wen Qiao couldn't help but speak up. "How so?"

"According to the Peng family's intentions, they wished to gouge out my eyes. Then, they could use our Hu family's unique eyes to cultivate eye techniques..."

Wen Qiao felt her heart skip a beat, instantly understanding the Peng family's plan.

Unique eyes were a continuation of one's bloodline, something others couldn't use. If one were to utilize unique eyes to cultivate eye techniques, it would indeed be a method of cultivation.

Hu Shuangyan had been observing them discreetly. Although he couldn't discern much from Ning Yuzhou's expression, Wen Qiao was quite easy to read. She immediately understood his thoughts, causing him to relax internally, knowing that his gamble had paid off. Their willingness to trade a top-grade Spirit Penetrating Pill for two Yellow Crystal Ants showed that these two individuals were good-hearted. If it weren't for the Peng family pushing them to this point, he wouldn't have taken this risk.

Hu Dayan had been watching his younger brother, wanting to stop him, but he knew that his brother always had his own ideas. He was smarter than himself, and there was simply no way to prevent him.

Hu Dayan was utterly dejected, his entire being seeming to collapse as his shoulders slumped downward.

In a calm voice, Hu Shuangyan explained, "The reason I've chosen to follow you both is twofold: Firstly, you have shown us kindness; secondly, the Peng clan has left us with no choice but to flee. My brother and I have reached a dead end. The Peng family will not give up easily; if they fail this time, they'll certainly try again. If we remain in Yellow Sand City, we might not even know how we'll meet our end. It's better to leave with you both. Lastly, your abilities suggest that you are worth following..."

As he spoke, Hu Shuangyan subtly glanced at the Eighth-Order Azure-Winged Demonic Wolf.

No one was unfamiliar with the Azure-Winged Demonic Wolves in the Shifting Desert. More than two years ago, the merchant convoy Hu Shuangyan was part of nearly suffered complete annihilation at the hands of an Azure-Winged Demonic Wolf attack. At that time, he was also severely injured, giving him a deep understanding of the strength of these creatures.

If his guess was correct, these two individuals had entered the Shifting Desert more than two years ago. They had likely just emerged from the desert recently, not only surviving but also managing to commandeer an Azure-Winged Demonic Wolf to carry them.

This demonstrated that these two were far from simple, able to casually produce top-grade spirit pills, suggesting they were no ordinary people.

Upon hearing Hu Shuangyan's words, Wen Qiao initially frowned, intuiting that his unique eyes were going to be problematic.

She then reconsidered. These were gifts bestowed by one's bloodline to future generations, a kind of inheritance from the ancestors. Those who should be condemned were the greedy individuals who coveted the treasures of others, not those who received the gifts of their families.

Wen Qiao thought about herself and Ning Yuzhou. They too were recipients of the blessings of their ancestors' bloodlines, fortunate enough to awaken divine bloodlines. They had always worried that one day someone might discover their divine bloodlines and attempt to take them.

They lived cautiously, never daring to display any powers related to their divine bloodlines in front of others.

They had been lucky enough to avoid discovery, gaining entry into the Crimson Dawn Sect and becoming disciples of a top-tier major sect. Hu Shuangyan, however, had unfortunately revealed his unique eyes at some point, inviting danger upon himself.

He was truly a person fallen on hard times.

After Hu Shuangyan finished speaking, he awaited their decision.

Ning Yuzhou asked, "Are you not afraid that we are akin to the Peng family, coveting your unique eyes?"

Hu Shuangyan composed himself and replied candidly, "If that is the case, I can only accept my fate. At worst, it's just my life. Our Hu family was once a prestigious clan, but due to our unique eyes, we attracted misfortune. Family members died under various schemes, and in the end, only my brother and I remained. We hid under assumed names in this remote Yellow Sand City, yet we still couldn't escape detection. Our unique eyes were discovered, leading to covetous desires and attempts to take them..."

"So, we can only take a gamble."

A gamble on the integrity and principles of these two individuals, betting that they did not covet the Hu family's unique eyes.

If they won the bet, the brothers would have a place to stay. If they lost, it would cost them their lives.

Hearing these words, a contemplative look appeared on Ning Yuzhou's face as he asked, "Both of you want to follow us?"

Hu Shuangyan hesitated, about to speak, when Hu Dayan interjected, "Of course. Since Shuangyan is following you, I must go with him. I'm the older brother, and I need to protect him." Pausing for a moment, Hu Dayan continued, "Anyway, we can't stay in Yellow Sand City. It might be better to leave here and seek our fortune elsewhere."

"Big Brother..." Hu Shuangyan tried to speak but was interrupted.

Hu Dayan waved his hand. "Shuangyan, don't try to dissuade me. Only the two of us are left in the Hu family. If we don't support each other now, we may never get another chance."

At this point, a pained expression appeared on his face.

Hu Shuangyan lowered his head, no longer attempting to persuade him.

Ning Yuzhou glanced at the two of them and said, "Let's go."

The Hu brothers froze for a moment, quickly realizing his intent. They were instantly overjoyed.

The group then leaped onto the back of the Azure-Winged Demonic Wolf. Fortunately, the Eighth-Order Azure-Winged Demonic Wolf was massive in size, capable of comfortably carrying four adults without feeling crowded.

Sitting atop the Azure-Winged Demonic Wolf, the Hu brothers were somewhat nervous.

The Azure-Winged Demonic Wolves were renowned in the Shifting Desert. This particular one was an Eighth-Order demonic beast, equivalent to a cultivator in the Essence Spirit Realm, surpassing their own cultivation levels by a large margin. How could they possibly remain calm?

"Do you really decide to leave with us?" Wen Qiao turned around to ask them.

The Hu brothers were resolute in their decision. Hu Dayan, being honest and straightforward, smiled. "You two are kind-hearted people. I trust you."

Hu Shuangyan, however, was more calculating. Unlike his brother, who was easier to understand, he wore a slight smile that appeared harmless. Wen Qiao couldn't help but glance at him. Perhaps she was accustomed to Ning Yuzhou's demeanor, where he always maintained a noble appearance while harboring complex thoughts. She felt that the more refined someone seemed, the more convoluted their inner workings might be, making them particularly difficult to comprehend.

Noticing that the brothers were injured, and considering the possibility that they might become allies in the future, Wen Qiao took out a bottle of spirit pills and handed it over. "Tend to your wounds."

Hu Dayan accepted it, subconsciously opening the bottle. Upon seeing that it contained top-grade Qi Benefiting Pills, he couldn't help but stare in astonishment.

More than two years ago, when he brought home the Spirit Penetrating Pill exchanged for the Yellow Crystal Ants, he didn't expect it to be a top-grade Spirit Penetrating Pill. A top-grade Spirit Penetrating Pill was different from an ordinary one; thirty spirit stones couldn't purchase it. The two Yellow Crystal Ants and the Ant Fragrance Fruit combined were not worth a single top-grade Spirit Penetrating Pill.

They couldn't imagine which family's spendthrifts would actually trade top-grade Enlightenment Pills for two Yellow Crystal Ants. Yet, since they were the beneficiaries, even if they thought the two were wastrels, they were still delighted.

Little did they know that another bottle of top-grade Qi-Nourishing Pills followed, leaving them numb with astonishment.

Hu Shuangyan couldn't help but ponder more deeply, feeling certain that they didn't lack for top-grade spirit pills. Otherwise, they wouldn't have tossed over a bottle so casually. The identities of these two...

***

The Azure-Winged Demon Wolf flew until it was still some distance from the edge of the flowing desert, then stopped.

Beyond lay Yellow Sand City. To avoid drawing attention to Yellow Sand City and to minimize trouble, not letting the Azure-Winged Demon Wolf appear in Yellow Sand City was the right choice.

"Thank you. You've been through a lot these past few days," Wen Qiao said, handing a bottle of spirit pills to the Azure-Winged Demon Wolf as a token of gratitude.

Seeing her give out a bottle of spirit pills without hesitation to a demon beast, the Hu brothers couldn't help but be secretly astounded, simultaneously understanding that one of the two must be an alchemist.

After the Azure-Winged Demon Wolf left, they headed toward the desert's edge.

Finally reaching the desert's border, none of them entered Yellow Sand City but instead departed straight away, heading for the Stacked Verdant Mountains.

Along the way, Hu Dayan asked, "Miss Min, where are you two headed?"

"The Stacked Verdant Mountains," Wen Qiao replied.

Hu Dayan was surprised. "Isn't that the territory of the Crimson Sky Sect?" He wore an envious yet yearning expression. "The Crimson Sky Sect is one of the Three Sects. I hear their disciples each possess formidable strength; even the outer sect disciples aren't to be trifled with, let alone the inner sect disciples..."

Listening to Hu Dayan's incessant chatter, the other three present remained silent.

The two Crimson Sky Sect's personal disciples were very calm.

Hu Shuangyan looked at the duo thoughtfully before suddenly saying, "I heard that a few years ago, the Sect Master of the Crimson Sky Sect unexpectedly took on two personal disciples, a man and a woman. The male disciple's surname is Ning, and the female disciple's surname is Min..."

Hu Dayan stared at them in shock. "Y-You can't be the personal disciples of the Sect Master of the Crimson Sky Sect?"

"Yes," Wen Qiao answered frankly.

The Hu brothers were immensely startled, taking quite a while to accept their identities.

To people like them, the disciples of top sects were the pride of heaven, not their kind. Even if they met on the road, the other party might not deign to spare them a glance. They would never intersect.

Who knew that those unreachable top sect's personal disciples would suddenly appear by their side, even being taken under their wing.

Hu Dayan suddenly exclaimed, patting his brother's shoulder and laughing joyfully. "Shuangyan, you do have foresight!"

Hu Shuangyan wanted to laugh, but his expression was somewhat peculiar. Unable to resist, he asked, "Young Master Ning, Miss Min, are you returning to your sect?"

"Yes." Wasn't that obvious? Wen Qiao glanced at him again, feeling that these refined people truly had many thoughts.

Hu Shuangyan was slightly lost in thought, no longer speaking.

Due to the sect's summons and uncertainty about any potential urgency, they hurried along the way, shortening a half-month journey to just five days.

Five days later, they arrived near the Stacked Verdant Mountains.

Ning Yuzhou arranged for the two to stay in the market of the Stacked Verdant Mountains, giving them some spirit pills and spirit stones to aid in their cultivation, before departing with Wen Qiao for the Crimson Sky Sect.

Upon arriving at the Crimson Sky Sect's mountain gate, they showed their identity tokens while observing their surroundings, finding nothing unusual.

The disciples guarding the mountain gate recognized the pair and exclaimed in pleasant surprise, "Junior Brother Ning, Little Junior Sister, you're back."

Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao looked over and discovered that the guards were actually disciples of the Heavenly Artifact Peak, explaining why they called Wen Qiao "Little Junior Sister" alongside the disciples of Heavenly Cloud Peak and Heavenly Spirit Peak.

The two nodded in acknowledgment and proceeded to board a flying crane, heading toward Heavenly Cloud Peak.

Upon reaching Heavenly Cloud Peak, they leaped off the flying crane's back when a figure darted over, accompanied by a clear voice: "Junior Brother Ning, Little Junior Sister, you're back."

Lifting their heads, they saw Sheng Yunshen, greeting him warmly.

Sheng Yunshen excitedly pulled the two close, complaining, "Where have you two been these past three years? You disappeared without a trace and didn't even come back to see me..."

His rambling revealed a profound sense of grievance.

Ning Yuzhou glanced at him and smiled. "Congratulations, Senior Brother Sheng, on advancing to the Primordial Void Realm."

Sheng Yunshen appeared somewhat proud. "Of course, my father said I had to reach the Primordial Void Realm before going out to train with you two. I had no choice but to seclude myself and cultivate. After two years of seclusion, my cultivation finally broke through to the Primordial Void Realm. What about you two? Hey...Little Junior Sister, you're also in the Primordial Void Realm?"

Sheng Yunshen wore a look of shock.

Wen Qiao nodded, consoling him, "Senior Brother Sheng, there's no need to feel disheartened. You're still very powerful."

Sheng Yunshen instantly fell silent, feeling greatly discouraged.

Thinking back to when they first met in Cangwu Town, Wen Qiao was at the Martial Essence Realm, while he was at the Martial Vein Realm. But how long had passed, and her cultivation had already caught up with his. That was too fast, wasn't it? As for Ning Yuzhou, although his cultivation speed was also swift, with Wen Qiao's excellence ahead of him, it paled in comparison. People generally had a greater impression of his skills in auxiliary techniques, hoping for his cultivation advancement so he could better refine pills or artifacts.

As if the blow wasn't enough, Ning Yuzhou nonchalantly explained, "A'chuo possesses a top-grade Heavenly Spirit Root; cultivating quickly is only natural. There's no need for you to compare yourself to her."

In other words, why should ordinary mortals compare themselves to divine beings?

Sheng Yunshen was speechless.

At that moment, a voice came from behind. "What are you all doing here?"

The trio looked up and saw Qin Hongdao and Yi Xuan standing halfway up the mountain, clearly having come looking for them after knowing they returned but not seeing them.

"Senior Sister, Senior Brother Yi," Wen Qiao and Ning Yuzhou greeted the two.

Qin Hongdao strode over, patting the two of them. "Good job. You both gained something from your trip outside. Come on, Master and Mother are waiting for us in the hall."

Yi Xuan nodded to them, revealing a rare, faint smile.

The senior brothers and sisters arrived lively at the grand hall halfway up the mountain.

Upon entering the hall, they indeed saw Master Sheng Zhenhai and his wife seated there. Delighted to see their disciples return, he smiled and said, "You've been away for several years, and all of you have made progress in your cultivation. Good, good."

After everyone was seated, Sheng Zhenhai said, "The sect summoned you back this time because the Thousand Islands Mystic Realm is about to open."

"The Thousand Islands Mystic Realm?" Wen Qiao asked in puzzlement, "Master, is this Mystic Realm in the Thousand Islands Sea?"

"Indeed," Sheng Zhenhai stroked his short beard under his chin, "The Thousand Islands Mystic Realm opens once every three hundred years, and you are fortunate to coincide with this opening. Practitioners below the Primordial Realm can enter it."

Having heard this, everyone present understood why the sect had summoned them all back.

A secret realm that opens only once every three hundred years would indeed be a pity to miss.

"You will set out for the Thousand Islands Sea in a month's time," Sheng Zhenhai couldn't help but advise them. "Though the Thousand Islands Secret Realm is filled with countless opportunities, it's fraught with peril. Each time it opens, only one in ten cultivators who enter survive. You must all prepare yourselves mentally. If you choose not to go, that's fine too; this isn't a mandatory mission from the sect."

Yet, none of the five people present showed any sign of backing down.

Cultivators defy the heavens, and every time they transcend a realm, they must face countless dangers and accumulate numerous opportunities. Knowing there was a chance at such an opportunity, how could they possibly halt in the face of danger?