Upstream of the Earth Spirit Spring in the Spiritual Gathering Holy Land.
Ye Qing'er did not welcome them and spoke with arrogance.
Xu Mu and the others did not want to cause trouble, so they simply left. All the way, everyone had calm expressions and no one spoke, the atmosphere somewhat oppressive.
After an unknown amount of time walking, a new encampment appeared before their eyes.
This encampment was even larger than Mo Han's, with torches placed all around and numerous tents within.
"This is Ling Shu's territory, and also the second-ranked force upstream. If we can win them over, we will have the qualifications to oppose Wei Daolin."
Xu Jingchu's voice broke the silence. She turned to look at Xu Mu and the other two, then was about to step out from the bushes.
But in an instant, she was pulled back by Xu Mu.
"Wait." Xu Mu's voice was calm. He narrowed his eyes and looked towards the guards of the encampment, saying, "Take a good look, don't those people look familiar?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Jingchu seemed to recall something and her expression immediately turned grave as she turned to look.
At the entrance of Ling Shu's encampment, a group of cultivators dressed in black were standing there, smiling and talking to the guards.
Soon after, the guards respectfully took three steps back and quickly ran into the encampment, as if to deliver a message, leaving the others to wait at the entrance.
"These people are all Wen Boye's subordinates!" Xu Jingchu recognized a few of them and said gravely.
"Yes, the one leading them is Wen Boye's strongest subordinate, named Jia Ren. The man following Jia Ren is called Jia Yi. Both of them participated in today's pursuit."
Bai Lan said, clenching his teeth and pounding his knee, exclaiming in anger, "These two bastards, Old Kui died at their hands!"
"Who!"
"Oh no!"
Xu Mu and Qi Lan were quick-handed. One pulled Xu Jingchu, whose half-body was exposed, back, while the other quickly covered Bai Lan's mouth.
"Shhh." Holding Jia Ren in his arms, Xu Mu felt the softness of Xu Jingchu's body but had no improper thoughts. He immediately let go of her and reminded her not to make a sound.
Xu Jingchu looked around somewhat unnaturally, tidied her disheveled clothes, and then nervously crawled on the ground.
Bai Lan also regretted it immensely, but not because they were discovered, but because Qi Lan's grip was too strong. For a moment, he felt like he was suffocating, thankfully the latter let go in time!
"No need to panic, this is the mountains, wild beasts often appear nearby."
With a loud voice, a young man walked out from the encampment.
Xu Mu and the others looked towards the sound. They saw that the person was wearing a dark red plaid robe, flying cloud white boots, and was tall and imposing, standing out in the crowd.
"This person is Ling Shu," Xu Jingchu whispered a reminder.
"Brother Jia Ren, why are you looking for me in the middle of the night? Can't we discuss any important matters tomorrow?" Ling Shu asked loudly with a smile.
"My apologies for disturbing you, Brother Ling Shu. This matter is indeed urgent." Jia Ren stepped forward, cupping his fists, and briefly explained Wen Boye's intention to form an alliance with him, maintaining a very humble posture.
"An alliance?" Ling Shu was first stunned, and then immediately, with a cold and displeased expression, asked, "Since it's such a major affair, why didn't Wen Boye come himself and send a subordinate? Is he looking down on me, Ling Shu!"
"Boss Wen has many inconveniences now. He is injured, and..." Jia Ren paused, then looked around, leaned closer, and whispered something in Ling Shu's ear.
Ling Shu's expression immediately changed, and then he nodded thoughtfully.
"In that case, you can come in with me. This matter is too big, I need to think carefully."
Saying that, Ling Shu led the group into the encampment.
On the other side, Xu Mu and the others, hiding in the bushes a hundred meters away, had heard the entire conversation.
"I didn't expect them to get ahead of us. What do we do now?" Bai Lan asked, his face worried.
Their strength was already slightly weaker than Wen Boye's team. If the other party managed to invite other forces to form an alliance, they would likely only have the option to flee.
"There's nothing we can do. The key is to hurry to the next force. That's the strongest team upstream of the Earth Spirit Spring. Don't let someone get there first again!"
Xu Jingchu pondered for a moment, then turned and left, without any hesitation.
Everyone nodded and immediately followed.
This time, their travel speed was very fast. In less than half an hour, they arrived at their destination.
They saw a large-scale encampment here as well, with rows of military tents neatly arranged inside. Outside, countless patrolling guards held torches, illuminating every corner.
Clearly, this place was heavily guarded.
...
"Their leader's name is Wan Yan Zhenyao, a descendant of a great clan, from a family of generals."
Xu Mu raised his eyebrows in surprise. No wonder they were so orderly, and their aura was completely different from Mo Han's and Ling Shu's teams.
This indeed did not look like a team hastily formed by ability users seeking warmth, but rather a well-trained army, at least on the surface.
"Let's go see. I think we can succeed this time," Bai Lan said, clenching his fist and cheering himself on. Thus, Xu Jingchu was the first to step out from the bushes.
Their group walked in the faint torchlight without concealment, and soon, the guards at the entrance of the encampment discovered them.
"Halt, who goes there!"
"My name is Xu Jingchu. My team is from downstream of the Earth Spirit Spring. I have come to see your leader on this visit, as I have something important to discuss." Xu Jingchu said calmly.
"Please trouble this brother to go inside and inform him."
"You can go back. Boss Wan Yan said he won't see anyone today." The guard waved his hand and replied expressionlessly.
"Just go inside and inform him. Brother, give us a chance." Seeing this, Bai Lan approached with a smile, seemingly trying to curry favor.
But what he got in return was the tip of the guard's red-tasseled spear.
"Brother, don't be like this. Let's talk nicely, we can negotiate any conditions." Bai Lan carefully moved the spear tip away, then took something out from his embrace. The guard's expression changed, he immediately took several steps back, and then shouted loudly, "Suspected enemy attack, requesting support!"
As soon as he said this, Bai Lan froze on the spot.
Enemy attack? What a joke!
They were here to form an alliance, not to cause trouble. Moreover, there were only a few of them, how could they be an enemy attack!
Instantly, over forty ability users swarmed out of the encampment, all holding various weapons, ready for battle, their eyes coldly fixed on Xu Mu and the others.
Xu Mu was slightly stunned by this sight.
Because the group in front of him was too disciplined. The speed of their reinforcement was so fast, and they were so organized and calm, like battle-hardened veterans.
"This Wan Yan Zhenyao is quite interesting."
"Brother, what are you doing? We're really here to talk, not to cause trouble. Put away your sword quickly." Bai Lan said with a stiff smile, then raised his hands and slowly retreated.
"I said, the boss is not seeing guests tonight, nor tomorrow, nor the day after. Don't come again!"
The guard continued to say coldly.
"May I ask, brother, did you hear something that made you react like this? Why is Wan Yan Zhenyao not seeing people?" Xu Jingchu asked, unwilling to give up.
"You don't need to explain this to you. If he's not seeing people, he's not seeing people." The guard's expression changed. Just as he was about to speak, he was preempted by someone who suddenly walked out of the group.
The guard looked back at the person, then immediately became respectful. He bowed and said, "Brother Qian, you're here."
"Mm." The person nodded, then looked at Xu Jingchu and said, "Before you, Wen Boye's people had already come, and we didn't let him in either."
"We don't want to get involved in these matters, as the risks are too great. I advise you to go back quickly, and don't hold any illusions."
After saying that, Xu Jingchu's face turned pale.
So that's how it is. Wen Boye's people had already come, but they were also turned away, let alone them.
"Let's go. If we can't, we'll give up the Earth Spirit Spring and get points elsewhere," Xu Jingchu said to Bai Lan and the other two after being dejected for a few seconds, forcing herself to cheer up.
"No need to go. We can get in." Xu Mu and Jiang Sheng exchanged a look. Then, the latter chuckled and walked out from behind Xu Jingchu. Looking at the familiar back at the encampment entrance from a distance, he called out, "Hey, stop."
Hearing this, the figure stopped their departing steps but did not turn around, seeming somewhat hesitant.
"Presumptuous! How dare you speak to Brother Qian like that! Be careful, my brothers will tear your mouth apart!" The guard glared and shouted angrily at Jiang Sheng.
"Go to hell, Qian Qian! Are you sure you won't let us in?" Jiang Sheng then shouted loudly, directly calling out Qian Qian's name.
Immediately, everyone at the encampment gate was stunned. The angry curses were swallowed back.
Because they didn't expect that this arrogant person actually knew Qian Qian's name.
Perhaps they knew each other?
Finally, Qian Qian was able to confirm the identity of the person behind him. He turned around, and upon seeing Jiang Sheng and Xu Mu, he immediately started to laugh heartily.
"Hahahaha!"
The other ability users present looked stunned, seemingly unable to understand why the usually taciturn Qian Qian had become like this.
Swish!
Smiling, Qian Qian instantly rushed to Jiang Sheng and Xu Mu, then gave them a bear hug.
"Of course, you can come in. In fact, you are invited."
"Brothers, please come in!"