Chapter 130: Run

The next morning, after eating a few slices of lotus root, Chu Tianfeng effortlessly broke through to the ninth level of Qi Refinement. Once his cultivation stabilized, he ventured into the swamp to spar with the crocodiles again. That night, he found a small hill nearby, ate a few more lotus root slices, and his cultivation surged once more, advancing to the tenth level of Qi Refinement—the Great Perfection of Qi Refinement.

With his cultivation rising two levels in quick succession, Chu Tianfeng felt no discomfort; on the contrary, he felt remarkably comfortable. His true essence grew denser, and his spiritual sense expanded dramatically, extending to about five hundred meters. He was confident that with his current strength, he could easily challenge either of the two Wang elders one-on-one.

Having been relentlessly pursued by the two old men recently, Chu Tianfeng had long harbored a deep-seated fury, genuinely eager to settle the score with them.

After stabilizing his cultivation again, Chu Tianfeng focused on mastering invisibility techniques, practicing as he moved. In his leisure, he amused himself by teasing the crocodiles and killing them to harvest their demon cores.

With his improved cultivation, his Rocket Technique no longer felt feeble as before; even level-two crocodiles could not withstand his relentless barrage. Crocodiles generally preferred to live in groups of three to five and would gang up on any intruder.

Chu Tianfeng specially targeted smaller groups; whenever the number of crocodiles did not exceed three, he would boldly charge forward to challenge them. After half an hour of continuous Rocket Technique assaults, he would only be satisfied once the crocodiles were reduced to bloody pulp, after which he would happily carve their thighs and extract demon cores, just as he did when dealing with wolves.

It had to be said: there were a great many crocodiles in the swamp. Those above level two numbered at least in the hundreds. Chu Tianfeng spent two or three days killing dozens and collecting dozens of demon cores.

Calculating the time, he had been in the valley for nearly ten days, with the Medicine Valley and Desert still unexplored.

The very name Medicine Valley stirred excitement in Chu Tianfeng; he imagined it was abundant with spiritual herbs, perhaps even those required by Foundation Establishment or Golden Core practitioners. He looked forward to it eagerly.

As for the Desert, Chu Tianfeng knew little and had little interest. Of course, if time permitted, he might venture inside just for a look.

Afterward, Chu Tianfeng quickened his pace, no longer lingering to tussle with crocodiles.

That afternoon, the water puddles finally vanished, replaced by rolling hills lush with verdant trees. Occasionally, near the hills and among the trees, one or two sprigs of spiritual herbs would emerge, delighting Chu Tianfeng.

However, most of these herbs were suited for Qi Refinement practitioners and thus of little use to Chu Tianfeng now.

He gathered these herbs out of habit, or perhaps simply because he couldn't resist.

In half a day's time, he collected more than ten sprigs of spiritual herbs, but only one kind was usable for him: Silverroot.

This herb was an auxiliary ingredient for Foundation Establishing pills but not essential—more of a convenience. Chu Tianfeng had gathered five sprigs.

That night, he again enjoyed a meal of braised fish and white rice, feeling the pleasant warmth spread through him, before climbing into a large tree to sleep.

Early the next morning, he resumed work as usual.

To enhance the efficiency of gathering herbs, he also enlisted Xiaya’s help, and the two of them searched together.

——————

About two miles from Chu Tianfeng’s path lay a narrow valley, where a group of five were collecting herbs.

If Chu Tianfeng were here, he would surely recognize them.

Two from the Long family: Long Fei and Long Yue; three from the Wang family: Wang Lianyao, Wang Liankai, and another external ally.

Long Fei appeared seriously injured, pale-faced and supported by Long Yue, resting beneath a large tree at the valley's entrance.

Meanwhile, the three Wangs busied themselves gathering spiritual herbs in the valley.

This narrow valley was gloomy, sunlight hardly penetrating, yet the spiritual energy was unusually abundant, and so were the herbs.

Within half a day, the three Wangs had dug up over ten varieties of herbs.

At noon, to avoid the Long siblings, they set up a makeshift kitchen within the valley to cook.

Long Yue and Long Fei remained at the valley entrance. Though Long Yue wished to walk with Wang Lianyao, Long Fei’s injury made movement difficult, so she stayed by his side.

Watching the smoke drifting from the valley, Long Yue sighed helplessly and took out some biscuits from her pack. The siblings nibbled absentmindedly.

The Wangs’ meal was more lavish: they had gathered many mushrooms and caught two large snakes. Wang Lianyao and Wang Liankai skinned the snakes hanging from a tree while their companion boiled water.

“We’re pretty lucky today—not only did we find so many herbs but caught two snakes. Finally, we can enjoy a good meal!” the one boiling water said.

“Heh, with Brother Yao here, we’re sure to feast well,” Wang Liankai chimed in.

Wang Lianyao sliced open a snake’s belly, discarding its entrails, “Too bad there’s no wine, otherwise it would be perfect.”

“I heard Long Fei brought several jin of monkey wine. I wonder if he’s finished it yet,” the water-boiling man glanced toward the valley entrance.

“Don’t mention it—that bird already drank it all,” Wang Liankai flicked fresh blood from his hands. “Brother Yao, is it true that Long Fei and Chu Tianfeng have a good relationship?”

“Hmph!” Wang Lianyao severed the snake’s head with a sharp chop. “One day, I’ll make them pay dearly!”

After discarding the snake’s head, he chopped the body into countless small pieces, placing them in an iron basin nearby.

They were completely unaware that thousands of ants inhabited several caves in the valley. These ants had a natural attraction to the scent of blood.

These were no ordinary ants—their bodies were nearly as large as porcelain bowls, and their attack power was formidable.

As the three Wangs butchered the snakes, the blood frenzy instantly roused the ants.

They swarmed out from multiple caves, surging toward the three men.

Unaware of the looming death, Wang Lianyao and his companions continued their jovial chatter.

“Heh, Brother Yao, Long Fei is probably done for. That kid got bitten by a five-step snake; he won’t last long,” Wang Liankai sneered.

“Brother Yao, I think Long Yue has a thing for you. Why don’t you...,” the water-boiling man trailed off, withdrawing his gaze from the valley entrance to Wang Lianyao, “It’s been a while since any of us have seen a woman. After you’re done with her, maybe we could have a turn.”

Wang Lianyao snorted coldly. “What’s the point of a Long family woman? Honestly, I have my eye on Feng Mingshuang from the Feng family. Even if Long Yue were handed to me, I’d...”—he frowned slightly—“What’s that sound?”

Wang Liankai also pricked up his ears in confusion.

Indeed, the surroundings were filled with a rustling noise, like light rain falling through the forest.

“Is it raining?” the water-boiling man added firewood to the flames.

“No, run!” Wang Lianyao was the first to spot the swarm of black ants not far off. His expression changed drastically.

Wang Liankai quickly realized the danger; though he’d seen such ants before, never in such numbers. He fled in terror.

The water-boiling man didn’t even have time to gather his things as he quickly stood and fled.

The three men ran with all their might toward the valley entrance.

However, the ants’ nests were scattered not only throughout the valley but even near its entrance.

Soon, the three Wangs realized they were surrounded.

“Climb the trees!” Wang Lianyao shouted, leading the way onto a branch. He swung forcefully and leapt to another tree.

Wang Liankai and the other followed suit, evading the ants by leaping and tumbling through the branches like monkeys.

After several minutes, they finally escaped the ants, reaching an open grassy area.

Within dozens of meters, there were no trees, only waist-high weeds.

Fortunately, the valley entrance was not far ahead, and amidst their fear, they felt some relief.

Suddenly, the man boiling water screamed in agony.

Clearly, ants were here too.

“Bad, shoot!” Wang Lianyao shouted, drawing his pistol.

Bang!

An ant blocking the exit exploded immediately.

The others quickly drew their guns, firing rapidly.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The water-boiling man shot the ant clinging to his left leg.

Gunshots rang out, bullets flying in all directions.

“Trouble!” Long Yue heard the noise at the valley entrance and stood up. “They’re in trouble; I’ll go see!”

Long Fei frowned. “Sister, their cultivation surpasses yours, and their gear is better. Do you really need to help?”

“I’m just going to check,” Long Yue glanced at Long Fei, hesitating. “But...”

“If you’re going, go. I can hold on,” Long Fei forced a bitter smile.

“All right! I’ll help you up the tree first.” Long Yue lifted Long Fei onto a branch of a nearby tree.

After settling him, Long Yue leapt down and rushed into the valley.

However, after only forty or fifty meters, she saw a dark mass ahead.

Ants—giant ants!

Terrified, Long Yue retreated, screaming urgently, “Brother Yao! Brother Yao!”

From over a hundred meters away, three figures came running.

One staggered, clearly injured.

They burst from the weeds and leapt onto the trees, swinging swiftly through the branches.

Long Yue quickly climbed up as well, turning back toward Long Fei.

The giant ants pressed closely behind, surging in waves toward the valley entrance.

“Run!” Long Yue hoisted Long Fei and sprang away.

At this moment, Long Fei saw the three Wangs and the vast swarm of ants closing in.

“Go on without me, sister,” he said weakly.

He knew the ants were fast; if Long Yue carried him, their speed would slow, and they might be caught.

He was aware of his condition. Though his cultivation was high enough to barely protect his heart vein, the poison had spread extensively, severely damaging his internal organs. Even if he escaped, he doubted he’d live long.

Better to stay behind alone, buying Long Yue some time.

“Don’t say that. If we die, we die together,” Long Yue insisted, still carrying him. “Hold on. Our Long family has no cowards!”

Just then, a gunshot rang out from behind, followed by a piercing scream.

“What’s happening?” Long Fei turned to look back.

Two figures swiftly dropped from the trees behind, landing beside him before flying ahead.

“Brother Yao!” Long Yue shouted.