Page 70

Qin Shu abandoned defense altogether, twirling her sword in a flashy arc before launching a fierce attack.

The rabbits tried to fight back, but they couldn't dodge in time. Forced to flee, they barely lasted a few moments before Qin Shu **cut them down one by one**.

With one down, the rest were even easier to handle.

When the last rabbit **collapsed**, the two girls **fell to the ground**, their heads pressed together as they caught their breath.

Compared to Qin Shu, **Hexin** was in much worse shape.

Before Qin Shu arrived, **she had been chased for ages**. Her whole body was **scratched up**, her face covered in visible wounds.

But that **didn't stop** her from staring at the sky with **sparkling eyes**, exclaiming:

**"Sis, swordsmanship is so cool! I'm definitely learning it when we get back!"**

Qin Shu **chuckled**, "See? I told you—**sword techniques are super useful.**"

Just as they were chatting, **Qin Shu's jade slip lit up again.**

She checked it and saw that the message was from **Chi Yu**.

A moment later, Hexin received **the exact same message**.

**"Chi Yu wants us to go pick mushrooms. Are we still roasting the rabbit?"** Hexin asked as she sat up from the grass.

Qin Shu thought for a moment before shaking her head.

**"Let's go pick mushrooms first. We can cook the rabbit later—maybe even roast some mushrooms for Chi Yu."**

Chi Yu had found a large patch of **Azure Light Phantom Mushrooms** in **Ghostwood Forest**.

These mushrooms were **rare**, growing **only in Ghostwood Forest** and commonly used to refine **Cooling Pills**.

Fire-attribute cultivators often needed Cooling Pills to **protect their meridians** when breaking through major realms.

Of course, **Qin Shu** had no use for them.

Her cultivation method **tempered her meridians** naturally, so she never needed such precautions.

Likewise, **Chi Yu**, after refining the **Body-Washing Gold Elixir**, had become a pure **fire-element** cultivator. Her body was constantly **nurtured by fire energy**, so Cooling Pills weren't essential for her either.

She probably just **wanted to gather them to exchange for sect points.**

As they walked, **Qin Shu explained** her meridian-tempering method to **Hexin**.

**"Think carefully about your training pace. Don't let meridian tempering delay your breakthroughs."**

If she **didn't reach Foundation Establishment** before turning **sixty**, she might never advance past the **Golden Core** stage without **some miraculous opportunity**.

Hexin **considered** this seriously, then nodded.

**"Sis, I've decided. From now on, I'll train at night like you! That'll give me at least three extra hours daily—I'll dedicate them all to meridian tempering!"**

The moment they stepped in, **a bone-chilling cold** washed over them.

Thankfully, both of them had **fire spiritual roots**.

By circulating their **fire energy**, they quickly **dispelled** the eerie chill.

Following **Chi Yu's directions**, they moved southwest and soon spotted **a massive patch of glowing mushrooms** sprouting from ghostly trees.

Chi Yu, already there, was **storing mushrooms in her spatial ring** when she noticed them approaching.

**"There are too many for me to gather alone,"** Chi Yu said as she walked over. **"Figured you guys might need some, so I called you over."**

Qin Shu flashed her a **grin**, **"Thanks! I'll roast a couple of mushrooms for you later."**

Chi Yu **paused** for a second, then chuckled.

Most cultivators wouldn't **dare** eat something as cold and eerie as these mushrooms.

But **Chi Yu** was a **fire-attribute genius**—what did she have to be afraid of?

After a moment, she suddenly asked: **"Why couldn't we contact you yesterday?"**

Hexin, who had also been wondering the same thing, **nodded rapidly**.

**"I was so worried! You said you were trapped in a formation? Are you okay?"**

Qin Shu **waved her hand dismissively.**

**"I'm fine. It was probably just a natural formation. I walked around a bit and eventually got out."**

She **downplayed** the whole experience, leaving out the **life-and-death struggles** entirely.

Instead, she looked around the **glowing mushroom field**, finding something **odd**.

**"Look at these trees,"** Qin Shu pointed out. **"The mushrooms grow on one side, but not the other. The outermost ring is the same. And..."**

She **took a deep breath**, feeling the air.

**"Doesn't it feel even colder here than outside?"**

Chi Yu **rubbed her chin thoughtfully**.

Meanwhile, Hexin **tilted her head in confusion.**

**"Huh? I don't feel anything. What cold?"**

Chi Yu glanced at the two of them and confirmed:

**"Little Junior Sister is right. It's noticeably colder here."**

She then turned to Qin Shu.

**"Do you think something's wrong?"**

Qin Shu's **gaze sharpened** as she scanned the surroundings.

She nodded. **"There might be something else lurking here."**

Chi Yu activated her **True Sight**, a unique ability of the **Fire Spirit Bird Clan**.

She **scanned the area** carefully—but saw **nothing unusual**.

**"No illusions. If something is here, it's a real threat. Stay alert."**

Qin Shu then **added a crucial detail**:

**"Azure Light Phantom Mushrooms are often found near Yin-Yang Underworld Vines. There might be one nearby, and we have no idea where it could pop out from."**

Chi Yu stared at Qin Shu for a long moment, **silent**.

Finally, she **understood.**

_This is why Master took her as a disciple._

It wasn't just luck—**Qin Shu had an exceptional mind.**

Her words had barely **fallen** when Chi Yu **drew her sword.**

Seeing this, Hexin felt **even more envious**.

That **sealed the deal**—she was **definitely** learning swordsmanship when she got back!

_"No self-respecting alchemist from the Xuantian Sect should be without a sword!"_

---

As the three of them **cautiously picked mushrooms**, a small **mound of earth bulged nearby.**

Qin Shu **froze**, sensing movement.

Immediately, she gripped her **White Jade Sword**, standing on guard.

The very next second—

**A jet-black Underworld Vine lashed out at them!**

Qin Shu and Chi Yu **reacted simultaneously**.

**"Take this!"** they shouted, slashing forward.

Hexin, standing nearby, **didn't even get a chance to jump in.**

After a moment, **another vine** shot out from the **left side.**

Seeing this, Hexin **panicked** and yelled—

The Underworld Vine was still a **wood-type creature**—naturally weak to fire.

Qin Shu was already **used** to her friend shouting attacks.

Chi Yu, however, **wasn't prepared**.

Her **swordplay faltered** for half a second.

Qin Shu **laughed aloud**, then swiftly **wrapped** one of her own vines around the Underworld Vine to **restrain it**.

Then, she turned to Hexin and **grinned mischievously**.

**"Sis, lend me a flame!"**

Without hesitation, Hexin shouted again—

**"FIRE SHOCKWAVE!"**

As the Underworld Vine **burst into flames**, **Qin Shu and Chi Yu retreated swiftly.**

The burning vine **immediately tried to burrow underground.**

Qin Shu **assessed** their surroundings and decided:

**"We've gathered enough. Let's leave some mushrooms for the junior disciples."**

Once they exited, Qin Shu noticed **Chi Yu hesitating**.

Raising a brow, she asked:

**"Senior Sister, what's on your mind?"**

Chi Yu looked **visibly conflicted**.

After a long moment, she **couldn't hold it in anymore**.

She asked, **dead serious**:

**"Junior Sister... why do you both shout when you attack?"**