After the banquet ended, following the prearranged plan, a group of contestants were led to Spirit Valley by Kunling Mountain disciples.
Yan Yao and Lu Youming, who managed Spirit Valley, were already waiting at the entrance.
Yan Yao was the same as always. After registering all who entered and exited, he disappeared without a trace.
Lu Youming was still responsible for receiving guests, leading everyone on a night tour of Spirit Valley. The specific hospitality did not require his attention. The Kunling Mountain disciples who had accompanied the banquet earlier would handle it.
The Kunling Mountain disciples who came in to accompany them had also received instructions early on. After entering Spirit Valley, they must keep every contestant within their sight. Not a single contestant could disappear from their view. Every three people were responsible for five guests.
Qin Fujun naturally knew this. It was called accompaniment, but in reality it was surveillance. Therefore, she logically followed by Yu Qing’s side, occasionally speaking to explain things.
Yu Qing perfunctorily dealt with her in speech. Mainly he did not know what to say. It was not his first time coming to Spirit Valley. What Spirit Valley allowed outsiders to see, he had pretty much already seen. The explanations he should have heard, he had already heard.
First-timers were amazed by the various exotic flowers, strange plants, and spiritual vegetation in Spirit Valley. It truly broadened their horizons. Even Kui Kui, who was used to running wild in the mountains, felt he had greatly expanded his knowledge. He praised that it was indeed worthy of being the world’s number one great spiritual plant sect.
On the mountaintop, Xiang Lanxuan stood side by side with the elder immortal-like Huan Yushan, the great elder Huan, looking down at Spirit Valley with its brilliant lights.
Xiang Lanxuan was watching the movements in the valley.
The corner of Great Elder Huan’s eye was secretly sizing up Xiang Lanxuan. He was secretly wary of the interest this great envoy repeatedly showed towards Spirit Valley. The truth was, she visited Spirit Valley somewhat too frequently.
Represented by him, the Kunling Mountain higher-ups similarly had a guilty conscience. The moment they heard this great envoy was coming to Spirit Valley, they immediately came personally to accompany her.
When the group of visitors was almost at the end of Spirit Valley, Yu Qing discovered some changes here. There was actually an extra tree, a tree without leaves.
Lu Youming also brought everyone to the tree. Pointing at the tree, he said to everyone, “Everyone might as well reach out and check to see if this tree is withered dead.”
Hearing this, everyone roughly understood what was meant. They went forward one after another to check by hand. Yu Qing also conveniently broke off a branch to examine and discovered it was indeed withered.
Someone also stretched out a palm and pressed it against the tree trunk. After investigating with magic, they nodded to everyone, “It is a withered tree.”
After everyone confirmed it, Lu Youming signalled for everyone to step back slightly to make room.
Everyone knew the main show was about to come. They stepped back one after another, including Yu Qing. All waited with anticipation.
Lu Youming nodded to the side. A Kunling Mountain disciple beside him lit a red lantern in his hand. Towards a certain direction, he raised it and drew circles, sending out a lantern signal.
Everyone was carefully looking in the direction the signal faced. Suddenly, a humming sound came from the air. Something seemed to be surging in the unseen realm. The dull vibrating sound made eardrums hurt. Everyone hurriedly used magic to resist.
Qin Fujun immediately reminded Yu Qing by his ear, “It is the Spirit Valley great formation strengthening its operation.”
Before long, that uncomfortable feeling disappeared. In the unseen sky above, a faint mist seemed to appear, making the moonlight somewhat hazy. Slight breezes blew through the valley again and again.
Apart from this, everyone did not seem to feel any other difference. That withered tree was still silently in its original spot. They waited for quite a while without any reaction.
Suddenly, someone pointed to the ground leading to the end of Spirit Valley and shouted, “Quick, look. Flowers are blooming, flowers are blooming.”
Everyone’s gazes turned to look. They saw something on the ground seemed to be slightly wriggling. Looking closely, it was actually stalks of orchid grass blooming flowers at a speed visible to the eye.
The delicate weak plants were growing at a speed visible to the eye. The grown plants were growing flower buds at a speed visible to the eye. The plants that had grown flower buds were blooming at a speed visible to the eye.
Not long after, under the moon ahead was already a sea of orchid flowers. Various coloured orchids swayed slightly in the wind. The fragrance that permeated over made people feel refreshed. Adding the hazy soft moonlight, it felt as if Spirit Valley’s atmosphere had suddenly become romantic.
The group walked towards the sea of flowers one after another. Some bent down to feel whether it was real or fake. Some picked a flower and sniffed lightly. Even Xiang Zhen was no exception.
Qin Fujun turned her head to look at the man beside her. She was a bit surprised. Everyone else had gone over. Only this Tanhuar did not go to explore the flowers. Instead, he was staring at the sky. The moon was not in that direction either. She did not know what he was looking at.
She discovered this kind of man was indeed different from the common run.
Standing on the mountaintop and carefully observing, Xiang Lanxuan also noticed this scene. Her magical eyes slightly narrowed, fixing on Yu Qing’s abnormal reaction.
Among the guests wandering in the orchids everywhere, some wanted to walk towards the mountain pass to see what was happening at the end. They were immediately blocked by the Kunling Mountain disciples guarding the gap. They said there were guardian spirit beasts over there. In short, that was not a place for visitors.
“Quick, look at the tree.”
Someone with sharp eyes suddenly shouted. Everyone turned their heads one after another.
Yu Qing, who was still standing by the tree, tilted his head and discovered the abnormality. He saw that on the withered tree’s branches, buds had silently emerged. The buds were also slowly opening at a visible speed, slowly unfolding small leaves, expanding bit by bit.
Everyone ran back to the tree one after another to watch this scene of withered wood meeting spring again.
This scene truly gave the guests enormous shock. Only today did they know the name of the world’s number one great spiritual plant sect was well-deserved. Only today did they know the strength of the number one great spiritual plant sect in planting. Discussions arose one after another, exclamations everywhere.
The accompanying Kunling Mountain disciples felt rather proud.
Yu Qing’s attention was not on these things. From time to time he looked towards the upper part of the canyon, because he knew what was up there.
His Observation Word Formula saw that after the so-called Spirit Valley great formation started, in the void above the canyon, the unseen airflow sped up its flow rate, blowing towards the gap area here.
He did not dare to confirm whether the orchid blooming here and the withered wood meeting spring were related to the wind blowing from that void place.
If so, did that not mean Kunling Mountain could control the secret realm above?
He could not figure it out for a moment. He knew the answer to this question probably still required finding the vine demon below the abyss.
Before long, that withered tree had already become lush and green, full of green leaves covering its crown.
This was also considered the climax of tonight’s banquet. After appreciating this astonishing scene, it also ushered in the end of the song and dispersal of people. Under the Kunling Mountain disciples’ indication, the guests collectively left Spirit Valley.
After the messy crowd was gone, Xiang Lanxuan flew down and landed in the valley. She landed beside the great tree where withered wood had met spring. She walked around it in a circle. After walking to a certain position where Yu Qing had stood before, she also looked up and tried looking from the angle Yu Qing had looked at. She did not discover any abnormality, so she had no choice but to leave after pondering secretly.
Great Elder Huan, who had been accompanying all along, quietly watched this scene.
The Kunling Mountain of the next early morning seemed different from usual. It was much quieter. The large numbers of guests walking everywhere were gone. The military officers transporting spirit rice were also gone. The situation of sentries everywhere was also lifted. The mountains were clear and the waters beautiful.
Or rather, this was Kunling Mountain’s normal state.
Yu Qing and Xiang Zhen saw Kui Kui off at the door. Kui Kui was leaving. Both sides bid farewell to each other.
Before leaving, Kui Kui took off a beast tooth carved with beast patterns from his waist and threw it to Yu Qing. Pointing at the beast tooth, he said, “In the future when you come to the Great Wilderness Plain, if you have the chance you can come to the Kui Clan. When my clansmen see this tooth, they will naturally bring you to see me.”
Yu Qing cupped his hands in thanks.
Kui Kui looked at Xiang Zhen and snorted, “You are a blockhead. You do not need it.”
Xu Yi, who was responsible for seeing them off, smiled and said, “What about me?”
Kui Kui scoffed, “Your Kunling Mountain has great wealth and power. Wherever you go you can find people. You do not need a token of trust to find me. Alright, let us go.” He directly reached out and grabbed Xu Yi to push him away. He said go and went, not even turning his head back.
Yu Qing and Xiang Zhen stood at the edge of the mountain watching all the way. They only saw that after the two going down the mountain gradually walked far away, they met a few people on the mountain road, passing by each other.
Yu Qing knew at a glance who those few people were. Qin Fujun was bringing Nan Zhu’s three people.
After waiting a while, Nan Zhu, Mu Aotie, and Baili Xin came carrying a gourd, bundles, and a bow.
There was no need for politeness when meeting one’s own people. Rather, Qin Fujun smiled and indicated the people she brought, “Brother Zhang, I did not break my promise, right?”
She herself was also carrying a bundle in her hand. It looked like she was also going to stay here to accompany the guests.
The result was indeed so.
Nan Zhu also used looking at the room as an excuse. As soon as he entered the garden, he asked where Yu Qing lived. Then he pulled Yu Qing into the room to mutter, “Old Fifteen, what are you doing? Taking first place is one thing. The conference ended but you did not leave. How come you stayed?”
Yu Qing, “They insisted on keeping me here. I thought about it and simply went with the flow. Think about it. If we went out, we would still have to sneak back in. After going out, we would still have to first contact Qian Wutong. Otherwise, sneaking such a long way is too dangerous. Previously we already nearly encountered danger.
Now that the conference has ended, we know nothing about any changes in Qian Wutong’s driving route and the items he transports. The transport route being too long also makes accidents more likely.
Also, if the route is too long, it is harder to grasp the timing of transport. Having him transport things late at night easily arouses suspicion.
Living here means living right beside the destination, saving the troublesome risky transport segment.
Furthermore, if we keep coercing Qian Wutong, whether he will develop other thoughts is also a problem.”
Nan Zhu frowned and thought about it. He felt it made sense, but still worried, “That woman surnamed Qin, did you not previously say she might have become suspicious of you? Following by our side, she probably has no good intentions. If she has her heart set on watching, how do we act?”
Yu Qing, “So first stay and see the situation before speaking. If it truly will not work, then take the Qian Wutong route. I say, leaving aside the Qin woman, that Baili Xin is obviously watching us closely. How did you bring her again? The conference has already ended. You did not make her leave, and still let her follow us. What for?”
Nan Zhu snorted, “You still have the nerve to say. Who told you to take first place? Who told you to stay? She is afraid you will use the name Zhang Zhichen to cause trouble here. She insists on following and watching.”
Yu Qing immediately looked towards Mu Aotie keeping watch at the door. The latter nodded, indicating it was indeed so.
This person could not be shaken off. Yu Qing’s face darkened.
Nan Zhu patted his shoulder, “Where is the five hundred million prize money? You previously said you would give each of us one hundred million. Do not think about keeping it all to yourself.”
Mu Aotie also immediately stared over with fiery eyes.
Yu Qing spread both hands, “They simply did not give it to me.”
Mu Aotie at the door spoke out, “Stop that.”
Nan Zhu also darkened his face, “I say Old Fifteen, has your conscience now turned completely black?”
“I really did not lie to you. I was tricked by them…” Yu Qing immediately told them about Zhao Dengzi and Li Chenghu coming to his door.
The process did not sound like something made up. Nan Zhu’s pair of hands were almost rubbed raw. His teeth were almost ground to bits, “They all look like people above others, but in reality they are all dogs. We earn money through life and death. They are really nice. With a few light words they swept it all away. I say Old Fifteen, are you not very capable? Five hundred million. Is this money really just given away like this? Do you not want to vent your anger?”
Yu Qing nodded to show agreement, “You teach me. This time I will listen to you.”
Nan Zhu wanted to speak but stopped. In the end he was speechless.
“Baili Xin is coming.” Mu Aotie at the door gave a warning.
Footsteps also came. After Baili Xin arrived, she looked at the house and said, “There are rooms. I will still stay together with you.”
It was obvious she was going to watch without letting go.
Yu Qing tilted his head to indicate Nan Zhu should entertain her. Anyway, this dead fatty liked to crowd near her.
Sure enough, Nan Zhu immediately crowded over. With a smiling face he asked Baili Xin which room she wanted to live in, saying he would help clean up.
Yu Qing then indicated for Mu Aotie to leave with him.
After the two reached a quiet corner in the garden, Yu Qing said in a low voice, “She is unwilling to leave even after the conference ended. This woman definitely has a problem. What do you think?”
Mu Aotie, “Currently she cannot be shaken off. She is holding our shortcoming. If we want to shake her off, we must wait until after leaving Kunling Mountain.”
Yu Qing, “Then do not shake her off. Take her into that place together. After entering, do not give her the chance to come out again.”
He tilted his head to indicate the Spirit Valley side.
Mu Aotie understood. Slightly shocked, “Old Seven probably will not agree.”
Yu Qing, “At this time, to still indulge Old Seven would be unreasonable. If he does not agree, then do not let him know. You and I coordinate well, help him make the decision. Afterwards, whether he wants to hit or scold, let him find me.”