"Miss Sang, this is your Earth Emperor Pill. Miss Sang?"

In Wuyin Mansion, the steward of Wanxiang Building held a medicine box and called out to Sang Xuewu, but received no response.

He looked at the first beauty of the West Continent with surprise, only to find her in a stupor, seemingly pondering, yet absent-minded, as if preoccupied with something.

He had no choice but to clear his throat again and say, "Miss Sang, this Earth Emperor Pill was delivered by the buyer who won the West Continent map as agreed. Our Wanxiang Building has already verified it, confirming it is indeed the Earth Emperor Pill without doubt."

He handed the medicine box in front of Sang Xuewu.

Finally, Sang Xuewu had a reaction. She reached out to take the Earth Emperor Pill handed to her and stored it into her Sumeru Bracelet without looking at it, "Thank you."

The steward of Wanxiang Building reminded in surprise, "Miss Sang, aren’t you going to check it?"

Sang Xuewu smiled faintly, "I trust the character of Wanxiang Building."

The steward nodded with a proud smile, standing tall and said, "Miss Sang, rest assured, this Earth Emperor Pill is of the rare perfect quality, entirely without flaw."

"Perfect quality!" Sang Xuewu’s eyes showed slight surprise.

Though she wasn’t skilled in alchemy, she knew that perfect quality was extremely rare among the grades of elixirs.

The steward nodded and asked, "Miss Sang, is there anything else you need?"

Sang Xuewu thought for a moment, raised her hand before the steward, and lines of characters formed by spiritual power appeared before his eyes. "Kindly, could Wanxiang Building provide these medicinal materials?"

The steward examined them closely. After the characters disappeared, he frowned and said, "These medicinal materials are all related to prolonging life." He looked towards Sang Xuewu, but she offered no explanation.

After a moment, he said, "We have some, but not all of these materials at Wanxiang Building. If Miss Sang urgently needs them, you could take a trip to the Flowing Guest Clan."

"Thank you. Would you kindly prepare two sets of the materials that you have in stock?" Sang Xuewu said.

The steward hesitantly said, "Miss Sang, these materials are quite valuable, and you want two sets of each, this..."

The steward’s concern made Sang Xuewu press her lips and immediately say, "You don’t have to worry, the Sang Family has been cooperating with Wanxiang Building for a long time. If my spirit stones are insufficient, you can deduct from the commission due to the Sang Family."

The steward of Wanxiang Building awkwardly smiled and agreed, "Yes, yes." However, he hesitated again and said, "Miss Sang, but can you make decisions regarding the Sang Family’s silver?"

Sang Xuewu’s face darkened, "Don’t worry, if anything goes wrong, I’ll take full responsibility."

Seeing her determination, the steward of Wanxiang Building said no more.

Sang Xuewu said to him, "If there are no issues, then please prepare the medicinal materials I need."

"Miss Sang, please wait a moment." The steward bowed and left, leaving Sang Xuewu alone.

Alone, Sang Xuewu’s expression again fell into that contemplative state, her heart unresolved.

...

Leaving Wanxiang Building, Sang Xuewu headed directly towards the Flowing Guest Clan.

On the way, her gaze constantly searched among the crowd, but she didn’t ’coincidentally meet’ the person she was longing to see.

’Mu Qingge, are you really the Mu Qingge I think you are?’ Sang Xuewu repeatedly questioned in her heart, but she couldn’t find the answer.

Sang Xuewu entered the hall of the Flowing Guest Clan, but the place was unexpectedly empty.

She walked to the service window and asked, "Why is there no one here?"

An attendant in the Flowing Guest Clan raised his head and was momentarily dazzled upon seeing Sang Xuewu. Only then did he ask, "Are you here to post a task or something?"

"I’m looking for medicinal materials, but why is there no one today?" Sang Xuewu asked strangely.

"Oh, most teams have gone to participate in the grand hunt. Miss, if you’re looking for medicinal materials urgently, you might want to try your luck at the grand hunt." The attendant suggested.

"Is the grand hunt about to begin? I recall it hasn’t been long since the last Flowing Guest Grand Hunt ended." Sang Xuewu questioned with some confusion.

The attendant explained, "Oh, this time it’s held early because a powerful dark horse emerged in our Flowing Guest Clan, rising from an unranked team to a Heavenly Level team within half a year. This grand hunt is arranged for them, it’s also their first battle since reaching the Heavenly Level, attracting many spectators out of curiosity."

"A new Heavenly Level Flowing Guest team? Doesn’t that mean the current Heavenly Level teams have reached four?" Sang Xuewu asked in surprise. Though she wasn’t one of the Floating Guests, she understood how difficult it was for teams to progress, especially within half a year from unranked to Heavenly Level.

The attendant proudly replied, "Indeed, there are now four Heavenly Level teams, namely Xuan Yue, Bailian, Giant Spirit, and the most popular Dragon Teeth which has repeatedly created legends in the Flowing Guest Realm, breaking promotion records."

"Dragon Teeth!" Sang Xuewu repeated the name.

The attendant seemed to have found an outlet, continuing to introduce, "Speaking of Dragon Teeth, they’re now known throughout the Flowing Guest Realm. Though they only have five hundred members, their teamwork is exceptionally high. Their task completion rate is even one hundred percent, disciplined and upright. Miss, you wouldn’t believe how many people flock to them in hopes of recruitment, leaving disappointed, and how many offer high pay hoping to hire Dragon Tooth Guards, only to have their hopes dashed."

"Why?" Sang Xuewu was somewhat shocked.

The attendant shook his head with pride, saying, "That’s because Dragon Teeth doesn’t recruit externally, neither do they take on temporary members. It’s said that even strong individuals from the Gray Realm’s Second and Third Layer were expelled when trying to join. Tsk tsk, in the Flowing Guest Realm, only Dragon Teeth have such guts. When accepting tasks, they are selective. If they think it’s unsuitable, they won’t take the money, nor will they do it."

"In this way, they only choose tasks they can complete, naturally achieving a one hundred percent success rate." Sang Xuewu frowned and said.

"You’re mistaken," the attendant, seemingly a fan of Dragon Teeth, immediately explained upon hearing Sang Xuewu’s doubts, "Dragon Teeth accepts tasks based not on difficulty but on their mood or preference. Many tasks rejected by them are very easy, while most tasks they accept are high-difficulty, some even unsolved for years."

"According to what you said, aren’t Dragon Teeth likely to be isolated due to acting differently?" Sang Xuewu asked.

The attendant nodded in agreement and sighed, "Yes! Though Dragon Teeth are arrogant, doing things their way, they certainly have skill. Still, they’re disliked by many, and quite a few conspire to embarrass Dragon Teeth in this grand hunt. So this grand hunt might be the most exciting yet, if I weren’t on duty, I’d have gone to watch."

After hearing his words, Sang Xuewu said a ’thank you’ and turned to leave.

The attendant of the Flowing Guest Clan didn’t expect her to leave so abruptly and called out, "Hey, are you going to post your task or not?"

"No need." Sang Xuewu’s voice drifted from outside.

She exited the Flowing Guest Clan and stood on the street, scanning the surrounding crowd. She couldn’t linger in Wuyin Mansion and had to rush to the grand hunt’s location, striving to collect all the needed medicinal materials this time.

Search after search, disappointment followed.

Eventually, Sang Xuewu’s eyes dimmed slightly with regret in her heart: ’If you are really the person I think you are, we will surely meet again!’

With resolution in her heart, Sang Xuewu headed towards the city’s teleportation array.

Not long after she left, Mu Qingge walked alone into the Flowing Guest Clan and entered the hall.

The attendant who had greeted Sang Xuewu paused and lost himself again upon seeing Mu Qingge. He hadn’t expected to encounter two individuals of outstanding appearance, as beautiful as celestial beings, in a single day.

The white-clad fairy just now had already left him unforgettable. Now another scarlet-clad gentleman entered, refreshing his aesthetic sense, momentarily making him forget his own presence.

"Why are there so few people?" Mu Qingge asked the same question as Sang Xuewu upon entering the Flowing Guest Clan hall.

Mu Qingge’s gaze swept around and landed on the attendant frozen in place. She walked over and tapped on the high table.

The crisp tapping sound woke the attendant from his awe.

He snapped back to reality and stammered, "What... what commands do you have, sir?"

"Why is it so empty?" Mu Qingge was here to gather news about the Dragon Tooth Guards, puzzled by the current situation.

What place or Flowing Guest Clan wasn’t packed with people? Such emptiness here seemed like the Flowing Guest Clan might be closing down.

Despite repeating himself, the attendant had no impatience, for the scarlet-clad ’lord’ before him was truly pleasing, wishing to elongate the conversation just for more visual delight.

Thus, he essentially repeated the explanation he had given to Sang Xuewu to Mu Qingge.

His tone still continued to praise the Dragon Tooth Guards.

Mu Qingge hadn’t expected that the emptiness in the Flowing Guest Clan was related to the Dragon Tooth Guards, and as she listened, her eyebrows arched in surprise.

When the receptionist, brimming with excitement, finished speaking, she asked, "What is the Grand Hunt?"

Uh...

The receptionist of the Floating Guest clan paused in shock, looking at Mu Qingge with disbelief, as if he couldn’t understand how such an oblivious question could come from her mouth.

The disdain in his gaze made Mu Qingge twitch the corner of her mouth and ask, "What? Do I have to know?"

"No, no, no..." the receptionist snapped back to reality and hastily denied, complimenting mentally, ’You’re so good-looking, whatever you do is right!’

"It’s not a problem that the Young Master doesn’t know. Let me explain it to you." The receptionist proceeded to explain to Mu Qingge, "The Grand Hunt is a large event among the Floating Guests. Generally, it’s held every five years. But this time, because of the appearance of Dragon Teeth, it’s been brought forward by two years. Each Grand Hunt takes place at the same location, which is at the intersection of the West Continent, Northern Continent, and Central Continent, at the Sunset Grassland and Canglan Mountain Range. The Grand Hunt lasts for a month. During this month, all Floating Guest teams are competitors; everyone can collect medicinal materials, ores, and hunt Spirit Beasts in the Sunset Grassland and Canglan Mountain Range. In short, they can participate in all activities. In the end, the top three teams will be determined based on their harvests. The teams that become the top three will receive the honor badge of the Floating Guest clan, cementing their status in the Flowing Guest Realm."

Mu Qingge understood that this Grand Hunt could be seen as the Dragon Tooth Guards truly entering the ruling echelon of the Flowing Guest Realm.

Their performance, good or bad, directly affects their influence in the Flowing Guest Realm.

Such a rare grand event is one she apparently shouldn’t and cannot miss!

Mu Qingge slightly squinted her eyes, already making plans in her heart.

The receptionist continued enthusiastically, "Moreover, during each Grand Hunt, many clans come to watch. They sign long-term cooperation agreements with some teams they favor. Once an agreement is signed, it means those Floating Guest teams will henceforth be linked to some clan forces, and for a long time, they won’t have to worry about funding for their team."

In the depiction by the receptionist of the Floating Guest clan, Mu Qingge had already envisioned a very grand scene.

With light in her eyes, she said to the receptionist with a face full of longing, "Thank you for informing me. However, I still want to know, if I want to go to the Grand Hunt location, how should I go?"

The receptionist replied clearly, "Just take the teleportation array to Liuhuo City, then it’s less than a thousand miles to reach the Sunset Grassland. The Grand Hunt will start in less than ten days, and many people are already gathering there to stake their claim. If the Young Master wants to join in on the fun, you must hurry. These days, tickets for the teleportation array to Liuhuo City are quite scarce; without two or three days, it’s difficult to buy one."

Mu Qingge smiled slightly, taking out a gold ingot and placing it on the receptionist’s tall table, then turned and left the Floating Guest clan.

"Tsk tsk, not only is the person so handsome, but also so generous, rare, very rare!" After Mu Qingge left, the receptionist picked up the gold ingot, weighed it in his hand, and praised.

After leaving the Floating Guest clan, Mu Qingge looked toward the Divine Hall.

She came to Wuyin Mansion just to look for information on the Sang Family in the Divine Hall’s archives. However, she accidentally met Sang Xuewu, a prodigy of the younger generation of the Sang Family.

Moreover, she learned that the Sang Family was right in Wuyin Mansion, so her goal was basically accomplished.

She had many chances to ask Sang Xuewu privately about her mother’s whereabouts. However, each time the question was about to leave her mouth, she abandoned the idea.

The answers she once urgently wanted were now close at hand, yet Mu Qingge felt she wasn’t as eager anymore.

Retracting her gaze, Mu Qingge walked towards her temporary residence.

Suddenly, a flash of fire appeared beside her, and Yuanyuan appeared next to her.

"What did you do with those three people?" Mu Qingge was not surprised by Yuanyuan’s appearance, instead asking directly.

"I gave them a good beating and threw them in a secluded place, ensuring they won’t wake up for three days." Yuanyuan smiled radiantly, his beautiful face was so bright, and the vermillion mark on his forehead was fiery and dazzling.

His mischievous expression made Mu Qingge smile faintly.

Yuanyuan suppressed his smile, frowned, and asked, "Boss, if you don’t want to cause trouble, why didn’t you let Brother Yin Chen alter their memories?"

He remembered last time in Lanwu City when he beat the debauched young master of the Mu Family, Yin Chen cleaned up the mess for him like so.

Mu Qingge shook her head, saying, "Even if the memories were altered, Ying Chuan’s tongue wouldn’t come back. The Ying Family would still investigate this matter. Given the Ying Family’s status as an Ancient Clan, I’m afraid Yin Chen’s Blinding Technique would be seen through. Since the outcome is inevitable, why bother to conceal?"

"Then... what if the Ying Family comes looking?" Yuanyuan said somewhat worriedly. Listening to Mu Qingge’s tone, the Ying Family seemed a bit hard to deal with.

Immediately, his eyes flashed fiercely, he said viciously, "I should have silenced those three people, leaving no evidence behind!"

Mu Qingge looked at Yuanyuan in surprise, nodding and saying, "Indeed, you’ve made progress!"

Being praised by Mu Qingge, Yuanyuan immediately became proud.

However, Mu Qingge immediately said, "If we really kill Ying Chuan, it would probably provoke the Ying Family’s ruthless revenge, fighting to the death. With our current strength, we are not enough to counter the whole Ying Family."

She also wanted to act swiftly, to relish in the thrill of revenge.

But she couldn’t indulge in a momentary impulse, causing everyone around her to fall into danger.

Mu Qingge sighed in her heart. She truly missed the days of freedom, though she had never truly possessed such days.

Whether in her past life or this life, her life had been spent amidst countless weighings of gains and losses.

The closer she got to the Sang Family, the more she felt as if she was returning to the feeling of being bound hand and foot in the Mu Family. Back then, her forbearance, her dormancy was due to the oppression of the Qin Imperial Family. And now, her choices and her judgments were also to avoid driving herself into a dead end.

She could kill Ying Chuan, and then start a life of being hunted down and escaping. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Yet, that outcome was not what she wanted.

Perhaps, a single Ying Chuan was not worth her paying such a price.

"Woman, I didn’t expect you weren’t stupid." A cold and proud voice resounded in Mu Qingge’s mind.

Mu Qingge immediately discerned that the one speaking was that creature resembling a rabbit, the monster.

Hmm, he said his name was Kong Xuan.

A name that sounded very narcissistic!

"Thank you for the compliment. However, if you replace ’woman’ with ’master,’ I think I’d be more willing to hear you speak," Mu Qingge replied lightly.

"Hmph." This remark was met with a snobbish cold snort from the monster.

"The Ying Family is not simple. For someone like you now, it’s a giant beast. Not making it a mortal enemy is the right decision," the monster paused before saying.

Mu Qingge’s eyes flickered. She quietly asked, "I didn’t expect you to know so much about the families of the Middle Ancient Realm."

"I don’t know a damn thing! Knowing the Ying Family is because I know their origin. Do you even know what an Ancient Clan is?" the monster unceremoniously shouted.

"I don’t know," Mu Qingge honestly answered.

To her, Ancient Clan seemed to be just an old family with a long history and gifted bloodlines.

"Hmph, if I hadn’t promised that person to protect you, I wouldn’t care if you lived or died!" The monster grunted discontentedly. ’That person’ naturally referred to Si Mo.

But Mu Qingge laughed and exposed it without hesitation, "It seems like it wasn’t about promising anything, but because if I die, you will die too, so you have to plan for your own life, right?"

"..." The monster was speechless, being cornered.

Mu Qingge sneered, "Stop putting on a facade. I don’t want to die, and neither do you, so speak straightforwardly, and don’t spout those superficial words."

Yuanyuan blinked at Mu Qingge, noticing the change in her expression, knowing she was communicating with someone else, so he remained silent, simply following her closely and curiously observing the surroundings.

"Ancient Clans are called Ancient Clans because the special blood flowing in them belongs to gods and demons," the monster’s words were groundbreaking.

Mu Qingge’s eyes suddenly narrowed. She had never thought that the Ancient Clans of the Middle Ancient Realm would have connections with gods and demons.

The monster continued, "One could say that the Ancient Clans are the continuation of god and demon bloodlines, hidden within the Human Clan, passed down from generation to generation, and no one knows when it will completely awaken."

"I don’t quite understand. If the origin of the Ancient Clans is so significant, why do the Ancient Clans in the Middle Ancient Realm have varying strength? And why is there also a trend of decline?" Mu Qingge asked with a puzzled frown.

"There are also strong and weak among gods and demons, naturally, their bloodline continuation also varies in strength. Moreover, if the god or demon of these bloodlines has perished, their inherited blood will fall asleep, and the difference in strength will naturally become more obvious," the monster explained.

Mu Qingge squinted her eyes, seemingly catching hold of something important. "If an Ancient Clan starts to decline, and the talents of its people are no longer evident, does it mean the god or demon who left the bloodline has already fallen?"

"You’re not exactly dumb. The bloodlines left by fallen gods and demons won’t disappear immediately but will fade over generations. With good fortune, a talented individual might appear in one generation, reawakening the bloodline, potentially entering the Divine Demon Continent and possibly reactivating the family’s bloodline. Conversely, if this Ancient Clan remains strong and prosperous, it indicates..."

"It indicates that the god or demon who left this family’s bloodline has not yet perished," Mu Qingge said with a somewhat heavy voice, her gaze acquiring a hint of sobriety.

’That’s right. The one who left behind the Ying Family’s bloodline is still living well on the Divine Demon Continent, so every generation of their descendants will have someone with outstanding talent. Moreover, from what I know, families like these have methods to communicate with their ancestors. If you really insist on a life-and-death struggle with the Ying Family...’ Hou sneered twice, adding in the end, ’I can’t save you.’

Mu Qingge took a deep breath.

Previously, she had underestimated the Middle Ancient Realm.

Primarily, her understanding of the God and Demon was far too vague, and she never knew that the Ancient Clan would have such connections with the God and Demon.

Hou’s words were undoubtedly meant to tell her that even if she had the ability to contend with the entire Ying Family of the Middle Ancient Realm, she was certainly no match for the God and Demon.

Moreover, she might face retaliation from the Divine Demon Continent.

The consequences, for her current self, would be catastrophic.

To challenge the God and Demon for a Ying Chuan? It’s indeed not worth the trade! Mu Qingge slowly shook her head.

’Right now, you’ve just silenced a useless descendant of the Ying Family, not yet forming a deadly enemy. I suggest you visit them to make amends, let them irritate you a bit, and then give them some elixirs to resolve this matter.’ Hou suggested.

However, his proposal made Mu Qingge’s gaze turn cold as she directly rejected, ’I’m not that cowardly. This matter was entirely Ying Chuan’s fault, and if the Ying Family is dissatisfied, they can come to me. Although I’m currently powerless against them, haven’t you heard the saying, "A gentleman takes his revenge, even after ten years"?’

’Have you never heard, "Take a step back and enjoy peace and quiet"?’ Hou countered.

Mu Qingge replied, ’I’ve only heard, "If you can’t endure, there’s no need to endure, and when there’s no retreat, courageously face the current."’

Hou fell silent.

After a long while, he snorted sarcastically, ’Stubborn.’ Then he quieted down.

Mu Qingge exhaled a breath, feeling somewhat heavy-hearted due to Hou’s words. The Ying Family’s influence was much greater than she had imagined. She wasn’t worried about her own safety, but rather concerned for Sang Xuewu, who had caught Ying Chuan’s attention.

She couldn’t understand why, but she just didn’t want that woman to be harmed at all.

Clearly, they had just met!

This strange feeling somewhat escaped Mu Qingge’s control, making her quite displeased.

After reuniting with Yuanyuan and Hua Yue, Mu Qingge directly announced her decision to change course to Liuhuo City. Though surprised, the others didn’t voice any objections.

"Xie Ya, gather as much information on the Sang Family and the Ying Family as you can," Mu Qingge instructed. Then she told Xuan Ya, "Collect information on other Ancient Clans of the West Continent, not too detailed, just an overview. Make sure to find out whether these clans are thriving or declining." Mu Qingge specifically reminded her.

Xie Ya and Xuan Ya accepted their tasks and departed.

Mu Qingge then said to Hua Yue, "Prepare tickets for the trip to Liuhuo City."

Hua Yue nodded and withdrew.

In the room, only she, Yuanyuan, and Xuan Kui remained.

Mu Qingge looked at Xuan Kui, scrutinizing him carefully, making Xuan Kui feel bewildered.

After a moment, she said to Xuan Kui, "I want to teach you a unique skill, but the condition is that you must pledge eternal loyalty to me."

Xuan Kui froze, incomprehensibly saying, "Young Master, Xuan Kui has already pledged eternal loyalty to you."

Mu Qingge shook her head, "No, I mean eternal loyalty to Mu Qingge, not the Young Master of the Mu Family." Her clear eyes fixed on Xuan Kui, observing every change in his expression.

Xuan Kui understood Mu Qingge’s words and fell silent in shock.

Mu Qingge didn’t rush him, just nodded and said, "It is indeed a tough choice for you. I can give you time to think about it. You can reply to me before we set out for Liuhuo City, and you may also discuss it with your sister."

"Thank you, Young Master." Mu Qingge’s concession made Xuan Kui feel secretly relieved.

Eternal loyalty to Mu Qingge versus eternal loyalty to the Young Master of the Mu Family—there was a vast difference. It was akin to asking Xuan Kui to abandon his original oath and betray his clansmen.

Mu Qingge valued those eyes of his and didn’t want to miss out on a good sniper candidate.

However, she wouldn’t enjoy being a good person in vain. What if, after she painstakingly trained him, he turned into someone else’s sniper?

Although Mu Qingge didn’t think she would lose, she honestly had no interest in the Mu Family Young Master.

Xuan Kui also left the room.

Yuanyuan lay on the table, looking up at Mu Qingge, asked, "Boss Mom, are you unhappy?"

Mu Qingge gently smiled and slowly shook her head.

Even Yuanyuan could see she was unhappy, showing just how bad her expression was at the moment.

’Qingge, don’t be intimidated by that big shot. If need be, you can seek out your man!’ Bai Xi suddenly spoke in Mu Qingge’s mind.

Find Si Mo?

Mu Qingge slowly shook her head, responding to Bai Xi’s suggestion in her heart, ’He’s already busy enough; I don’t want to trouble him further.’

Bai Xi sighed, ’Sometimes, you’re too strong. Actually, letting yourself be vulnerable and needing protection in front of the man you love isn’t a bad thing.’

Mu Qingge’s body stiffened, speechless.

She had long since gotten used to bearing everything on her own and dealing with it herself. She had long forgotten what it felt like to rely on others. When she first started, Si Mo’s secret protection was something she thought was only for his own interests, so she didn’t care and naturally leveraged it, determined to repay the favor someday.

And now, she had given herself entirely, making it perfectly legitimate, yet she found herself unsure how to rely on him.

Or perhaps, when she acknowledged the position of Si Mo in her heart, she thought more about how to help him and reduce burdens for him, rather than troubling him to do things for her.

"Boss Mom!" Yuanyuan suddenly came before Mu Qingge, hugged her, and said, "Don’t be afraid, Yuanyuan will protect you."

The beautiful young man made the most solemn promise of his life. He looked at Mu Qingge with an unprecedented seriousness.

He sensed Mu Qingge’s current worries, and the only thing he could do was to forever protect her and be with her.

Mu Qingge looked at Yuanyuan’s beautiful face, feeling a wave of emotion.

She raised her hand and tapped Yuanyuan’s forehead, smiling, "Thanks, Young Master Yuan."

’No problem! This Young Master was born for Boss Mom!’ Yuanyuan, seeing Mu Qingge smile, immediately returned to his usual self, becoming smug.

’Qingge, you still have me.’

’And me.’

’Master, don’t forget you also have the super invincible cute baby!’

Voices echoed in Mu Qingge’s mind, enveloping her heart with warmth.

’Hmph.’ An untimely disdainful snort echoed, which instead lifted a smile on Mu Qingge’s face.

Mu Qingge took a deep breath and said to all her companions in her heart, "Actually, I’m not afraid or worried. I just feel that the further I go, the stronger everything I face becomes, and the broader the world that unfolds before me. I haven’t worked hard enough and need more effort."

’If the string is too tight, it can break easily. Qingge, you’ve worked hard enough; sometimes you need to relax a bit.’ Yin Chen advised.

Mu Qingge nodded, revealing a relieved smile, and spread her arms, facing the sky outside the window, ’So, aren’t we going to the Great Hunt to relax!’

Seeing the Great Hunt as a relaxing activity?

Bai Xi rolled his eyes in his space, speechless.

With such a large scale of the Great Hunt, and so many forces appearing at the same time, the situation is bound to be even more complex. How can it be considered any sort of rest?

"The stronger she becomes, the more it makes one feel for her, doesn’t it?" In the space, Yin Chen glanced at Bai Xi and suddenly said this.

Bai Xi was taken aback, looking at Yin Chen, "I didn’t expect you to see so deeply."

Yin Chen gave her a sidelong glance, too proud to say anything further.

"Hey, you two, come over here to talk to me." Suddenly, from a certain place within the space, a voice giving an irresistible order fell directly into the ears of Bai Xi and Yin Chen.

Bai Xi and Yin Chen’s expressions changed simultaneously, yet they couldn’t resist and could only appear before Hou.

Hou had not taken human form but kept his ’rabbit’ appearance.

Despite being just a small creature of one or two feet, Bai Xi and Yin Chen dared not act rashly. The hierarchical differences in the Beast Clan were quite clear; such suppression from the bloodline was irresistible.

Hou lazily glanced at Bai Xi and Yin Chen, saying indifferently, "A bloodline-mutated Snow Fox King. And a Nine Extremes Sky-devouring Python. I recall, the Nine Extremes are immortality, water avoidance, inextricability of poison, fearlessness of fire, nine parts of the body, heaven devouring, earth splitting, time-space evasion, inner core revival. Little snake, which ones have you awakened?"

Bai Xi’s face turned ashen at Hou’s words. Having her cards laid bare made her feel extremely dangerous.

Especially the last of the Nine Extremes, which meant as long as the body remained intact, no matter how long a person had been dead, consuming her inner core would bring them back to life.

Such benefits were enough to put her in extreme danger and could drive all humans insane.

"Just immortality, water avoidance, inextricability of poison, and fearlessness of fire." Bai Xi replied in a deep voice.

Hou lifted his eyelid, casting a cold gaze at her. He mocked, "There’s a question that has perplexed me for a long time, perhaps you can answer it."

Bai Xi remained silent.

Yin Chen looked at her with some worry, internally calling for Mu Qingge, hoping she would appear to stop the pressure Hou was putting on them. But he was puzzled as no matter how he called out to Mu Qingge, there was no response.

Suddenly, Hou’s eyes turned towards him, sending a chill through his body.

"Little fox, don’t play tricks before me." Hou coldly warned.

Yin Chen’s breath tightened, his expression drastically changing.

Bai Xi’s gaze flickered, and she said, "Sir, what do you want to ask?"

Hou’s gaze shifted from Yin Chen to Bai Xi, a bit of a cruel smile appearing, "After I’ve dug out your inner core, can you still be immortal?"

Bai Xi’s eyes were filled with fright.

She couldn’t tell if Hou’s words were a joke or the truth.

She answered solemnly, "The immortality of the Nine Extremes Sky-devouring Python relies on the inner core being intact. If the inner core is destroyed, the Nine Extremes Sky-devouring Python ceases to exist in the world."

Hou’s golden eyes, like flames, suddenly brightened.

The gaze he directed at Bai Xi was filled with covetousness. In that instant, Bai Xi seemed to think she was doomed for sure, convinced that Hou would certainly dig out her inner core to heal his injuries.

Even though the ability to use her inner core for revival had not yet awakened.

"If you continue to treat them like this, I can also make sure there is no longer a Hou in this world." Suddenly, a cold voice intervened.

The three beasts looked up, only to see Mu Qingge, draped in blood-red attire, emerge from the darkness with her exquisite cold features.

Behind her followed Yuanyuan and Mengmeng.

Mu Qingge’s words narrowed Hou’s eyes, a cold light passing through the slits.

Yet a hint of warmth flowed through the hearts of Bai Xi and Yin Chen.

"Woman, are you willing to commit suicide for their sake?" Hou snarled coldly, naturally understanding the implication behind Mu Qingge’s ’make sure there is no longer a Hou.’

Mu Qingge couldn’t kill him but could kill herself. As long as she died, the curse power binding him would leave him with no escape but death!

That cruel curse!

Hou cursed inwardly.

Mu Qingge gave a cold, challenging smile, "You can try it. Moreover, one last thing, call me master."

Her clear and transparent gaze turned exceedingly sharp, threatening as she looked at Hou.

Hou stared at her without showing weakness, the flames in his golden eyes seemingly burning more fiercely.

"If you still want to continue consuming elixirs, you’d better not defy my orders." Mu Qingge narrowed her eyes, coldly adding.

This remark hit Hou’s sore spot.

He still needed Mu Qingge’s elixirs to recover his wounds and then exact revenge!

Under Mu Qingge’s relentless pressure, he finally conceded, gritting his teeth, "Yes, master."

Hou’s concession brought a cold smile to Mu Qingge’s face as she threw down an elixir bottle and said to Yin Chen and Bai Xi, "Let’s go."

Bai Xi and Yin Chen closely followed, and Mu Qingge added, "Mengmeng, watch over here. Without my permission, no one is allowed to approach, and those inside are not allowed to leave."

She intended to isolate Hou.

"Yes, Master Yin. Mengmeng promises to complete the mission!" Mengmeng replied promptly.

Hou’s gaze was dark, staring at Mu Qingge’s departing figure until she disappeared.

"Qingge, you should contract me now." After leaving Hou’s dwelling, Bai Xi suddenly said to Mu Qingge.

Mu Qingge looked at her in surprise, somewhat puzzled by her sudden decision.

Bai Xi was awakened and hatched with her blood, their bond was already very close, so the contract was but a formality.

Therefore, Mu Qingge had never paid it much mind, and Bai Xi had never mentioned it.

But now, Bai Xi had brought it up herself.

"I truly fear that leader might one day really dig out my inner core. Only if I truly become your contracted beast, as long as he doesn’t break the contract with you, he can’t harm me." Bai Xi confessed to Mu Qingge.

She needed Mu Qingge’s protection.

Mu Qingge did not refuse, merely nodding and saying, "Alright."

...

West Continent, Liuhuo City.

A thousand miles outside the city is the vast Sunset Grassland, and beyond the grassland stretches the endless Canglan Mountain Range.

Sang Xuewu walked within Liuhuo City, observing the bustling street scene, finding it difficult to adapt at once. This border town only livens up during the grand hunting event held every five years.

This was Sang Xuewu’s second time in this town.

The first time, she was ten years old, accompanying her elders from the clan to witness the grand hunt.

Time flies; it has already been eight years.

"Sang Xuewu! What are you doing here?" Suddenly, a surprised male voice sounded from behind her.

Sang Xuewu turned around and immediately saw members of the Sang Family standing amongst the crowd. The one who called her name was a handsome young man, yet still youthful between the brows.

"Yichen, I’m your sister." Sang Xuewu’s face darkened as she spoke to the young man.