Zhang Fan was speechless. This youth was probably a disciple from some prominent family, rarely venturing out. He had merely heard some rumors and rushed into Star Lake Forest, not even knowing his own purpose.
"The universe is vast and boundless, with dangers and opportunities everywhere. But not every opportunity is suitable for you. Blundering around like this, you'll lose your life sooner or later," Zhang Fan said.
The brief encounter made Zhang Fan realize that this youth was a person of extremely pure intentions, which was why he spoke a few more words.
"What's there to fear? I inquired before coming. The most powerful demonic beast in Star Lake Forest is just a White Cloud Tiger that has survived three Nascent Soul tribulations. It poses no threat to me. Even if I can't defeat it, escaping is still easy."
Facing Zhang Fan's lecture, the jade-crowned youth appeared unconvinced and said with full confidence.
Zhang Fan shook his head. This youth was indeed too naive. Based on the information he had gathered, how reliable could it be?
Although his body was robust and could likely withstand being gnawed by a Golden Core realm demonic beast without serious injury, this youth, a stranger to him, had guarded him while he was unconscious. To Zhang Fan, this was no small favor.
Zhang Fan flipped his hand, retrieving a bottle of spirit pills from his Star Phenomenon space. He handed it to the jade-crowned youth and said, "Thank you for guarding me these past few days. This bottle of spirit pills is a small token of my gratitude."
"You can refine pills?"
The jade-crowned youth did not reach out to take it. Instead, he stared at Zhang Fan with a hint of surprise and asked.
Practitioners of the Pill Dao, much like those of the Formation Dao, were extremely rare in the Myriad Domain Starry Sky. Although their combat power was generally weaker, their status was significantly higher than cultivators of the same level due to their different cultivation paths.
It was like True Lord Tian Hua, who, during his Golden Core stage, could associate with some Nascent Soul cultivators as equals.
"A little," Zhang Fan replied humbly.
"Alright, since you are an alchemist, I won't be polite."
The jade-crowned youth took the spirit pills, uncorked the bottle, and took one out. After examining it for a while, he recognized it with astonishment. "It's actually a Heaven-grade Blood Spirit Pill."
The gaze the jade-crowned youth cast upon Zhang Fan changed slightly. He hadn't expected Zhang Fan to be so generous, and he was also somewhat shocked by Zhang Fan's alchemical skill.
It was indeed rare for someone in the mere Golden Core realm to be able to refine Heaven-grade spirit pills.
...
"There's movement over there."
"Let's go take a look."
Just as Zhang Fan was about to bid farewell again, two whistling sounds came from the dense forest in the distance. Within a few breaths, two figures could be seen darting through the jungle, rapidly approaching Zhang Fan and the youth.
Leading the way was a middle-aged man in a blue robe with star patterns. Beside him walked a young woman in yellow with a rather refined appearance.
"What is this?"
As the two approached, their eyes fell upon the corpses of several Shadow Leopards, all cut in half. Giant ancient trees within a radius of dozens of feet were also severed at their trunks.
Judging by the cuts and the surrounding destruction, it seemed all caused by a sharp sword energy.
Such formidable power could only be wielded by a cultivator of the Nascent Soul stage.
"I presume both of you are here for the opportunity in Star Lake. May I ask your names?" the middle-aged man asked politely after observing the tragic scene.
"My name is Liu Mu," the jade-crowned youth replied.
"Zhang Fan," Zhang Fan responded faintly after glancing at the two.
"So, you are fellow Daoist Liu Mu and young friend Zhang Fan. The competition for this opportunity is unusually fierce. Fellow Daoist Liu Mu, your strength is not bad. How about we travel together?" the leading middle-aged man inquired.
Liu Mu was about to agree but suddenly remembered that he didn't even know what the opportunity in Star Lake Forest was. He felt somewhat hesitant, unsure of what to do.
"Actually, we are not here for the opportunity in Star Lake Forest. But recently, it's been rumored all over Great Rock Star. What exactly is the opportunity in Star Lake Forest?" Zhang Fan said.
"Oh?"
"You two don't know?"
The man in the star-patterned robe appeared surprised and then said, "A few months ago, a Golden Core cultivator accidentally entered Star Lake and discovered that the lake was filled with rolling lava. The entire Star Lake was already covered by magma. However, within the magma, they found Earth Core Saliva. Some demonic beasts, unafraid of death, swallowed the magma and absorbed a small amount of the Earth Core Saliva. Some beasts died, but others greatly increased their strength."
"Earth Core Saliva?"
Zhang Fan was slightly taken aback. No wonder.
Earth Core Saliva only forms in volcanic craters. It is a spiritual herb that grows deep within the earth. When engulfed by a volcanic eruption and roasted for thousands or even tens of thousands of years by the lava, it refines into the extremely precious Earth Core Saliva.
If the erupting magma contains even a trace of Earth Core Saliva, it can be concluded that a large amount of Earth Core Saliva has formed beneath the lava.
"I see young friend Zhang Fan is also in the Golden Core realm. If you could obtain some Earth Core Saliva, perhaps you could form your Nascent Soul."
The man in the star-patterned blue robe didn't pay much attention to Zhang Fan's strength but thought Liu Mu was powerful and worth recruiting.
After all, the competition for Earth Core Saliva this time was extremely fierce. All three major Nascent Soul families on Great Rock Star had sent representatives, and even some powerful individuals from outside Great Rock Star were participating. Since he hadn't seen Liu Mu before, he assumed they were cultivators from outside Great Rock Star.
"So, it's Earth Core Saliva..."
Liu Mu, who had been quite interested, became somewhat disappointed upon hearing the blue-robed man's words. He had already broken through to the Nascent Soul stage, and Earth Core Saliva had little use for him.
Zhang Fan glanced at Liu Mu and said, "Earth Core Saliva indeed has little use for you. If you're not interested, you can leave Star Lake Forest early."
He had initially planned to leave Great Rock Star to find Qin Luoshui and the others. However, Earth Core Saliva was indeed of considerable help to him at his current stage, so he decided to go and check it out.
"Are you planning to go alone?"
Liu Mu stared at Zhang Fan in surprise. He had witnessed Zhang Fan's cultivation and knew he was no ordinary Golden Core realm cultivator. But he also knew Zhang Fan was injured.
"Yes."
Zhang Fan nodded. Although his Golden Core had not fully recovered, his combat power in body refinement would not be affected.
Even though he was still in the early stage of Minor Accomplishment of the Divine Body, he was far stronger than when he first broke through to Minor Accomplishment. With his physical body alone, he could contend with an ordinary second-tribulation Nascent Soul expert.
Liu Mu hesitated for a moment. He recalled that Zhang Fan was the first person he had met since arriving in the Wu Shan Star Domain. And simply for observing him for a few days out of curiosity, Zhang Fan had gifted him a bottle of Heaven-grade Blood Spirit Pills, making him feel indebted.
"Never mind, I'll accompany you."
Liu Mu thought that although Earth Core Saliva wasn't of much use to him, he had nothing else to do anyway, and it would likely be quite lively. He might as well join in.
...