"Alright, Junior Brother, they've all left!"
After the Core Formation cultivators had departed, Zhang Ying approached Lin Chen.
She had known Lin Chen for quite some time and naturally understood that Lin Chen had let those people go not out of any desire to inflict suffering upon them.
It was because he genuinely had no spiritual energy left!
When she had stepped forward to cover for Lin Chen earlier, she had noticed him discreetly swallowing a Grade Three Spirit Replenishing Pill to restore his spiritual energy.
That was why she had deliberately stalled for time.
However, the technique he had just used was incredibly draining of spiritual energy!
If those cultivators had insisted on avenging Wu Quan Gui, it was likely they themselves would have ended up dead!
"Phew, Senior Sister, could you carry me for a bit? We need to leave here immediately!"
"Oh, and pick up Wu Quan Gui's storage bag. That old fellow's storage bag must be full of good stuff!"
Lin Chen slumped onto the ground, completely drained.
He had been pushing himself to the limit just to use the first stance of the Spiritual Sword Art.
Now, he didn't even have the strength to stand, let alone fight!
"Mhm, sure!"
Upon hearing Lin Chen's words, Zhang Ying agreed without a second thought.
Although Wu Quan Gui had been reduced to ashes, his storage bag had remained.
After picking it up, Zhang Ying carried Lin Chen on her back and headed into the distance.
All night long, Zhang Ying dared not stop, her only wish being to travel as far as possible.
She knew very well that once those cultivators from the Blazing Fire Sect found their brethren, they would immediately seek revenge.
The further they traveled now, the safer they would be.
It wasn't until dawn that Zhang Ying finally stopped in a dense forest.
"Alright, Junior Brother, we've traveled all night. Are we safe now?"
Zhang Ying put Lin Chen down and asked.
"Mhm, I think so."
"Please keep watch for me, Senior Sister. I need to circulate my energy to heal and recover my spiritual energy."
Lin Chen sat down cross-legged without any hesitation.
This was a secret realm, which was undoubtedly very dangerous.
The sooner he could recover his cultivation, the safer he would be, right?
"Okay, don't worry, I'll guard you."
Hearing Lin Chen's words, Zhang Ying nodded and stood up to keep watch.
Her own spiritual energy had been heavily depleted from setting up the Eight Gates Trapping Armor Formation.
She also needed to replenish it.
But she couldn't help it. Lin Chen had dared to fight against a Half-Step Nascent Soul realm expert for her sake, which was truly moving!
Unbeknownst to Lin Chen, a brightly colored venomous snake was slowly slithering towards him within the dense forest.
The snake flicked its tongue, and its eyes even held a hint of human-like intelligence.
There was no doubt that this snake had gained sentience!
Under the cover of the grass, the snake revealed no spiritual energy and crept towards Lin Chen.
It positioned itself by Lin Chen's hand, its gaze fixed on his throat.
If it could just drink this person's blood, it would surely break through to the Foundation Establishment stage!
Then, it could truly soar and become a demonic beast!
With this thought, the snake became even more excited. It coiled its body and lunged towards Lin Chen's throat.
"Fellow Daoist, be careful!"
However, at that critical moment, a figure lunged towards them.
The snake, unable to react in time, bit the person's arm.
"Huh? Who is it?"
Zhang Ying, who was ahead, was the first to react. With a flip of her hand, a spiritual sword appeared, pointed directly at the person who had just lunged.
Only then did Zhang Ying realize that the person who had lunged was somewhat familiar.
"It's you? You, a mere Qi Refining stage cultivator, trying to attack my Junior Brother?"
Seeing Old Huang in front of her, Zhang Ying was stunned.
The lowest cultivation level among the participants in this Southwest Grand Competition was Core Formation. A Foundation Establishment late-stage cultivator like him participating was already a rarity.
But this Old Huang in front of her?
With a mere first-layer Qi Refining cultivation, he was here to seek death?
"Cough, cough, cough, Fellow Daoist, you've misunderstood. This beast..."
Old Huang coughed out a mouthful of blood and pointed at the venomous snake beside him.
The snake flicked its tongue, its eyes filled with venomous hatred.
If this human hadn't suddenly intervened, its strike would have been successful!
"Is that a Striped Serpent? And a Rank Two demonic beast?"
Upon seeing the Striped Serpent, Zhang Ying broke out in a cold sweat.
Good heavens, she had been so focused on what was in front of her that she had forgotten about the existence of demonic beasts in this secret realm!
If the Striped Serpent had managed to bite Lin Chen's throat, he would truly be dead!
"I apologize for what happened earlier. Please don't blame us!"
Old Huang gritted his teeth. After saying this, he immediately fainted.
Lin Chen could understand what was happening around him, but he was at a crucial point in his cultivation and did not open his eyes.
A mere Striped Serpent, once he completed one cycle of his cultivation technique, he could treat Old Huang's snake venom!
Zhang Ying stared intently at the Striped Serpent, daring not to be negligent.
Her spiritual energy was also low. If she were to fight this Striped Serpent to the death, she might not be its match in this jungle!
The Striped Serpent, in turn, eyed Zhang Ying and did not dare to make any rash moves.
It could sense that the aura emanating from her was stronger than its own.
Now that its whereabouts were exposed, it had lost its natural advantage!
Approximately ten minutes later, Lin Chen slowly opened his eyes, having emerged from his healing.
Upon waking, Lin Chen immediately took out the Nine Profound Spirit Needles from his storage bag and inserted them into Old Huang's arm.
It had to be said, the Striped Serpent's venom was indeed potent. After only ten-odd minutes, the toxins on Old Huang's arm had almost spread to his heart.
Keep in mind, no matter how poor Old Huang was, he was still a genuine Qi Refining stage cultivator!
Yet, this snake venom was so powerful!
"Wretched beast! Die!"
Lin Chen casually flicked a steel needle, which pierced the Striped Serpent's tongue, instantly killing it.
"Lin Chen, he saved you just now. Otherwise, the consequences would have been dire!"
Seeing Lin Chen kill the Striped Serpent, Zhang Ying quickly explained to him.
"Mhm, I know."
Lin Chen nodded, his expression filled with a hint of helplessness.
For this person to participate in the Southwest Grand Competition with a mere first-layer Qi Refining cultivation, there must have been some unavoidable reason.
And now, he had saved Lin Chen's life. This meant that, out of gratitude, even if Lin Chen didn't want to, he would have to help him!