Chapter 481: I'm Talking to Xiaoyu, Why Are You Interrupting?

"We're almost there."

As the two pressed deeper, the temperature within Bai Ku grew increasingly scorching.

Yu Zhiwen followed behind Xu Xiaoshou with curiosity.

Even without knowing their destination, she could tell from the rising heat that there was definitely a treasure ahead.

It was likely an extraordinary fire-attribute supreme treasure, one that might even stir her own desires.

The issue was, they had both entered Bai Ku with only vague knowledge.

In fact, Xu Xiaoshou knew even less than she did.

Yet, how was he managing to head straight toward a goal, so confidently assuming a treasure awaited?

And not just that—along the way, Yu Zhiwen hadn't seen him make a single mistake.

Every place they passed, big or small, yielded treasures, and he scooped them all up without fail.

"Does he have a map of Bai Ku's treasures?"

Yu Zhiwen recalled how, after his seclusion, Xu Xiaoshou had said, "Xiao Yu, we're going to strike it rich." Maybe he really had some special method, like cracking a 'Bai Ku treasure map.'

"Someone's coming."

As she pondered, Xu Xiaoshou suddenly halted, then smoothly reached back and pressed down on the head of the distracted person behind him.

She awkwardly retracted her foot and stepped back, squatting down with a puzzled look at the young man in front of her, as if wondering if he had eyes in the back of his head.

Xu Xiaoshou shook his head and sighed.

"Why do you people trailing behind always zone out?"

"This is Bai Ku—lose focus for a second, and you could die!"

Yu Zhiwen secretly rolled her eyes: "Isn't that because you're leading the way?"

With you up front guiding us, who has the energy to scout for dangers? It's been like a tour—gazing at scenery, watching fights, no excitement at all, so people's vigilance drops big time.

Is that my fault?

Of course, it's your fault, Xu Xiaoshou!

"Received slander, passive value, 1."

"Received slander, passive value, 1."

Xu Xiaoshou didn't bother arguing with the girl. He crouched down too, and the two hid under a massive, fiery-red maple tree.

The tree was extraordinarily tall and wide, clearly thriving in Bai Ku's heat.

Even with them tucked behind it, there was still plenty of space to move.

After leaving the wasteland and crossing the barren zone, this sudden cluster of trees suggested their destination was just ahead.

Xu Xiaoshou looked out.

"Gao Yan Feng, fire attribute, seventh-grade spiritual tree, grows in clusters near fire-attribute supreme treasures, heat-resistant, bitter taste, can dispel spiritual flesh odor, but excessive consumption leads to fire poison."

As his gaze swept over the vast forest ahead, the information naturally surfaced.

Xu Xiaoshou was a bit surprised.

A seventh-grade spiritual tree!

Along their journey, he'd seen pitifully few spiritual herbs, mainly because Bai Ku's environment wasn't suitable for most to grow.

But Gao Yan Feng seemed perfectly adapted to this intense heat.

In a place where even his Zongshi-level body felt the burn, this spiritual tree flourished impressively!

"With so many seventh-grade spiritual trees surrounding it, the central area ahead must have even higher-level fire-attribute spiritual herbs, or even a fire-attribute supreme treasure."

Yu Zhiwen said, glancing at Xu Xiaoshou with curiosity. "How did you find this place?"

"Fire-attribute stuff, you know."

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled. "I'm pretty sensitive to these kinds of treasures."

"What about the ones we encountered before?"

Yu Zhiwen pressed on. "We meandered all over—it's not like you deliberately took detours and still stumbled on treasures, right?"

"How do you know I didn't?"

Xu Xiaoshou spread his hands. "My luck's just that good. What can I do about it?"

Fine.

If he didn't want to say, so be it!

"Received curse, passive value, 1."

"Hide."

Xu Xiaoshou pressed the girl in front of him down, and just as she was about to speak, he grabbed her and whooshed up into the dense branches above.

"Tianji Array!"

He murmured, and Yu Zhiwen's star pupils shifted, instinctively turning toward a direction, sensing someone approaching.

With a wave of her hand, the leaves rustled and concealed them both, blending into the surroundings.

"Damn it!"

Soon, a grumbling voice echoed from below.

Xu Xiaoshou released his perception.

He saw five figures fleeing in disarray below—three men and two women, all young.

This team was strong; among them, two were Zongshi experts, a man and a woman at the back.

The other three were all upper Lingjing level.

From their somewhat tattered clothes, they didn't seem from the same Ling Gong or family; more like a makeshift team.

Just like Xiao Yu and himself.

"If nothing goes wrong, ahead should be 'Ling Rong Ze,' but that ghostly spirit array is terrifying—it almost burned me to a crisp."

The speaker was the innate-level man in the lead.

He had a square face, his eyebrows gone, and only a patch of hair left.

He spoke as he reached the spot right under Xu Xiaoshou and stopped.

The others paused too, panting heavily, leaning on trees with their chests heaving.

"Our team lacks a spirit array master. If we had one, we could've cracked that place and claimed all the treasures inside."

"From the looks of it, we're probably the first to arrive."

"Exactly." The one who recovered first was the Zongshi man.

Unlike the others' disheveled state, he was the only one with intact clothes.

His face bore no scorch marks, giving him a refined air.

He glanced at the man and woman panting the hardest and said seriously, "Chen Chen, Xu Jing, I told you that fire-attribute spirit array isn't simple—don't mess with it."

"But you didn't listen. Now look, trouble happened, and Qin Er and I had to clean up."

Chen Chen looked sheepish and quickly said, "Luo Ge, we just got carried away for a moment..."

"Enough." Luo Yu Po waved it off, shaking his head. "I don't mind, but..."

He paused, looking at the woman beside him in a light yellow dress that had been half burned away, barely covering her. He said gently, "Qin Er, are you okay?"

Even as he tried to keep his tone soft and control his gaze, his eyes slipped down, catching a glimpse of the exposed skin.

Qin Er covered her chest, her face turning cold.

"I'm fine. You all turn around; I'll change clothes."

Chen Chen, whose eyes kept darting, was about to speak when Xu Jing pinched his ear.

"What are you looking at? Turn away! Qin Er jie is hurt because she saved you—how dare you stare?"

"I'll beat you to death, you believe me?"

With that, she slapped him a few times and dragged him by the ear farther away, out of sight.

Qin Er turned to Luo Yu Po, who awkwardly turned his back.

The shorter, silent man also turned and walked away.

Qin Er let out a breath and started rummaging for replacement clothes from her ring.

These people were indeed her temporary teammates.

Even though her family's trading house had branches everywhere and secured some Bai Ku slots in various regions, her luck wasn't great.

Once inside Bai Ku, the communication jade slips failed.

Even the backup methods were damaged in a sudden sneak attack by white skeletons.

So, along the way, she couldn't find any of her own people.

Only these few she met by chance were willing to team up.

At first, it was just her and the silent Du Cheng; later, they met Chen Chen and Xu Jing, and the four got along fine.

But after Luo Yu Po joined, things got harder to control.

Both being Tianxiang realm, when he insisted on joining, her leadership was largely taken over.

Plus, he seemed to have ulterior motives.

In short, from people like him and that look in his eyes...

Qin Er could tell at a glance what he was thinking.

She even suspected the danger at "Ling Rong Ze" earlier was his doing.

"Spirit array master, huh?"

Qin Er snorted.

She wasn't one herself, but she'd seen plenty.

Even if Luo Yu Po hadn't shown it, his habits in gestures gave him away.

She didn't call him out because she hadn't found her own people yet and didn't want to cause a rift.

With a light layer of spiritual energy shield, blocking outside eyes and spiritual senses, Qin Er shook out a new white dress. Seeing no odd reactions from the four, she let go of her chest and was about to tear off her tattered clothes.

Rustle, rustle!

Sudden sounds came from above.

Qin Er was startled and looked up.

But all she saw were maple leaves and the tree canopy—nothing else.

"Wind...?"

She hesitated, turned her back to the tree, and placed her hand back on her chest, ready to rip off the clothes again.

Rustle, rustle!

More wind through the leaves sounded from above.

Qin Er couldn't stay calm anymore.

"Who's there?"

She called softly, flinging a burst of spiritual energy toward the canopy.

"Go!"

But the energy only knocked down a string of maple leaves, creating a small gap—nothing was there.

"Qin Er?"

Luo Yu Po's anxious voice came from ahead. "Are you done changing?"

He sounded worried and seemed about to rush over.

Qin Er stared at the canopy with its small opening.

If someone was there, her attack should have exposed them, even if it was a spirit array.

But why...

No one?

An illusion?

Qin Er called out loudly, "Not yet, give me a moment."

Luo Yu Po stopped, hesitating before turning back.

"Oh, okay."

"If you need help, just call—I's right here."

Qin Er ignored him, glanced up again, and without another word, pulled at her clothes, tearing them halfway down.

Sure enough...

Rustle, rustle!

The faint sounds came again from above.

This time, the person in the canopy seemed unable to hide.

After the rustles, thuds followed, then an "ouch," and a figure flew out.

Qin Er was on guard.

She quickly covered herself with spiritual energy and stared warily at where the figure landed.

"Who is it?"

Who could spy from the canopy and still evade her attack as if it hit nothing?

What kind of technique was that?

Space-attribute?

With a bang, the figure hit the ground, scattering red maple leaves.

Qin Er looked closely, her surprise growing.

A woman?

The woman landed with an angry expression, her red lips pouted in fury, and her willow brows furrowed.

Even in anger, she had a unique charm.

Qin Er was already beautiful, often called one of Tian Sang City's twin flowers alongside the city lord's daughter.

But seeing this woman, she felt inferior.

Especially those star pupils—just looking at them, even as another woman, she almost lost herself.

"You're..."

Beauty has no faults.

Though angry about being spied on, seeing this fairy-like figure drop from the sky, Qin Er's irritation faded. She asked softly, not wanting to offend.

But Yu Zhiwen didn't respond.

She glared furiously at the Gao Yan Feng canopy and snapped, "Xu Xiaoshou, get down here!"

Qin Er was stunned.

Xu Xiaoshou?

Which one?

That Xu Xiaoshou?

No!

Qin Er paused, following the direction of the woman's finger.

Someone in the canopy?

She whipped her head around but saw nothing.

"Received suspicion, passive value, 1."

The next second, from the seemingly empty canopy, a casual voice drifted down.

"Xiao Yu, that's not right. I told you not to peek, but you kept going. I had to kick you down for your own good. Think about it!"

Yu Zhiwen froze on the spot.

This...

Who was the one desperately peeking down there just now?

And almost falling out!

If she hadn't reacted quickly and pulled him back, he would've been exposed long ago!

"You're talking nonsense!"

Yu Zhiwen was fuming.

"Received rebuke, passive value, 1."

"Nonsense?"

The voice from the canopy returned, now a bit colder, full of righteousness. "When your eyes were about to pop out and you were about to fall, wasn't I the one who pulled you back?"

"Even so, you won't learn your lesson?"

"I covered your eyes, and you still wanted to look?"

"Don't think just because you're a woman and we're the same gender, you can be so rude. With me around, justice will always prevail!"

These lofty words made Yu Zhiwen so angry she nearly jumped up to smack Xu Xiaoshou's head.

She breathed heavily, realizing she couldn't win an argument with him.

So, with a wave, she dispelled the Tianji Array in the canopy, exposing everything.

But as the array vanished, the person above still didn't show.

Yu Zhiwen's star pupils widened, spotting the faint array patterns still circulating in the canopy. Now she was truly pissed.

"Received curse, passive value, 1."

"Received thoughts, passive value, 1."

That ethereal voice floated down again.

"Xiao Yu, have you realized your mistake?"

"We're here waiting for opportunities, for treasures."

"Fate gives, we take; if not given, we don't. Everything should follow the natural order."

"As cultivators, we must be upright and honest. Such sneaky behavior is shameful."

"Today, have you learned your lesson?"

Qin Er: ...

"Received curse, passive value, 2."

The two women exchanged a silent look, seeing the helplessness and understanding in each other's eyes.

Sometimes, even strangers can connect with just a glance, knowing exactly what kind of person the other is.

It's that intangible thing called aura, drawing souls together on a deeper level.

"Who's playing tricks up there? Get down here!"

The others rushed over upon hearing the noise.

Luo Yu Po eyed the swaying canopy and spotted the spirit array above. He shouted, "Qin Er, are you okay?"

After yelling, he turned to the woman beside him, his gaze sliding down again.

"I'm fine."

Qin Er's eyes were cold as she stepped away, moving behind Yu Zhiwen.

"You change first; we'll deal with this shameless guy together later!"

Yu Zhiwen whispered to the woman behind her and waved another Tianji Array to hide her.

Luo Yu Po was shocked and turned back.

That Tianji Array made the person and even her shadow and aura vanish from sight.

"What kind of array is this?"

"This girl is also a spirit array master..."

Before he could finish, his eyes locked onto Yu Zhiwen, unable to look away.

What kind of celestial being had descended?

Flawless skin, shy and lovely face.

Like a fresh flower bud at dawn, soft and timid.

But when angry, like defiant new green under rain and frost—captivating, evoking pity, sharing her hates and loves.

Luo Yu Po was entranced.

Is there anyone this beautiful in the world?

Not to mention, those star pupils alone made one feel like falling into a starry river.

The scene fell silent.

Clearly, the three behind Luo Yu Po had also noticed Yu Zhiwen.

They were all stunned by her beauty.

From what she'd said earlier, this fairy-like woman seemed to prefer her own gender?

Chen Chen was tormented inside.

There are so few beautiful women in the world.

Why must they keep it all for themselves? Can't they share a bit?

Smack!

His head hurt.

Chen Chen looked over to see Xu Jing glaring. "What are you looking at?"

"Nothing, nothing—I wasn't looking; I was just listening..."

Chen Chen shrank back, his eyes darting to the canopy as he said righteously, "You up there, come down!"

"Close your eyes!"

"Oh."

Luo Yu Po pulled his gaze away, about to approach and talk, when Qin Er emerged from the Tianji Array, now changed.

This left him torn. After a struggle, he subtly shifted to Qin Er's side.

"How about it? Those two..."

Qin Er didn't answer, just looked toward the canopy.

"Come out."

Yu Zhiwen paused, seeing Qin Er on their side, and echoed, "Come out."

Luo Yu Po knew what to do now.

"Brother, peeking while someone changes is shady, but with all of us here, you can't hide anymore."

He paused, his eyes turning cold as he stared up, spiritual energy surging.

"Get down!"

No response.

Even as they shouted, the canopy only rustled with the wind—no answer.

Chen Chen was confused. "Is there really someone up there?"

Xu Jing smacked his head. "Are you dumb? That voice came from above."

"But... there's no one."

"You're dumb! We just went through a spirit array— this is the same trick!"

"But I didn't even see the array patterns..."

"Huh?"

Chen Chen flinched, thinking Xu Jing would hit him again, but she just sighed, her energy deflating.

"I didn't see them either..."

"Received suspicion, passive value, 4."

Luo Yu Po stared in shock as the spiritual patterns in the canopy faded, turning into something like the earlier invisibility technique.

Even the patterns were gone from his sight.

Now, he felt like he'd met his match.

These two spirit array masters used methods he'd never seen or heard of.

"You up there, who are you? Care to come down and talk?"

Luo Yu Po's tone softened.

But still no response, making him feel ignored.

"Speak up!"

He yelled angrily, yet nothing came back.

The wind rustled, and the atmosphere grew awkward.

Xu Jing pressed Chen Chen's head down, making sure neither looked at Luo Yu Po.

Even so, Luo Yu Po's face burned with embarrassment.

The thought of being ignored in front of two beauties made him furious.

Whoosh!

His spiritual energy flared, and he was about to strike.

Right on time, the voice from above finally returned, though the person stayed hidden.

"Xiao Yu, stop messing around. We should go."

Luo Yu Po froze and turned to Yu Zhiwen.

This group realized that, unexpectedly, this fairy-like woman was with the one in the canopy.

Yu Zhiwen felt their hostility.

But recalling how she'd been shaken off while covering Xu Xiaoshou's eyes, her anger reignited.

"You come down first," she demanded.

"Why should I? So they can get a look before we leave? Is that necessary?"

Xu Xiaoshou retorted.

"It is."

"Is it? That's ridiculous, unnecessary."

"You're the ridiculous one!"

Xiao Yu snapped: "It wasn't me looking; it was..."

"Was it me? Fine, I admit it was me. Can we go now?"

"Received curse, passive value, 1."

Luo Yu Po couldn't take it anymore.

This guy in the canopy was unbelievable.

How could he talk to a fairy like that?

He thrust his palm, sending spiritual energy flying. "You brat, get down here first..."

Boom.

But a golden light burst from above, piercing through the energy palm and hitting Luo Yu Po's chest in an instant.

It stopped.

Then exploded.

Boom—

The golden shockwave blasted everyone back.

Luo Yu Po, closest and unprepared, was sent flying.

"You..."

He flailed in the air, barely stopping, but his energy churned, leaving him weakened.

"What about me?"

The lazy voice from the canopy returned, now directly confronting Luo Yu Po. "I was talking to Xiao Yu, and you, you hypocrite, butt in for what?"