Xu Xiaoxiao's Immortal Cultivation Life (Transmigration)

Chapter 56 Escorting the Spiritual Plants Down the Mountain 5

After a short rest, the group set off again, though the road ahead remained fraught with danger.

Arriving at a desolate forest, the lush foliage completely blocked out the sunlight, making the surroundings gloomy and dark. The ground was covered with dead branches and fallen leaves, and each step made a "crunch" sound, as if stepping into the gaping maw of a giant beast.

Suddenly, a hissing sound broke the silence, as if many hidden creatures were moving about in the shadows.

Xu Xiaoxiao gripped her sword warily and whispered, "Everyone be careful, we're probably in trouble again."

As soon as he finished speaking, several pythons as thick as buckets sprang out from the trees and bushes, their tongues flickering, their eyes gleaming with an eerie light, and their foul breath aimed directly at the group.

One of the disciples jumped back in fright, nearly dropping his flying sword, and shouted, "This snake is so big, it's going to swallow us whole!"

Yang Qingfeng quickly stepped forward, formed hand seals, and golden light suddenly erupted from his body, transforming into sharp blades of spiritual energy. He shouted, "Don't panic, attack their vital point!"

As he spoke, he unleashed his spiritual power to slash at the snake's body.

Everyone quickly roused themselves and used their own methods.

Yuan Mengyao's whip moved like lightning, precisely wrapping around the snake's neck and tightening it; Xu Xiaoxiao was not to be outdone, changing her sword technique, her flying sword carrying spiritual power whistling through the air, aiming to pierce the python's vital points.

After a fierce battle, everyone's clothes were even more torn and their spiritual energy was almost depleted before they were able to barely repel the swarm of pythons.

Just as they were recovering from their shock, they found that their path was blocked by a wide and swift-flowing river.

The river water was murky, with whirlpools and surging undercurrents, making it look extremely dangerous.

One of the female disciples said with a pained expression, "How are we going to cross this river? We're not going to have to swim across, are we? I don't have that kind of ability."

Xu Xiaoxiao took out her boat again. "Don't worry, I have a solution."

As the group boarded the boat and sailed to the middle of the river, several giant, hand-like water plants suddenly emerged from the water and gripped the raft tightly, rendering it immobile.

Xu Xiaoxiao drew her sword and slashed fiercely, but found that the water plants were extremely resilient. She was so anxious that she was sweating profusely: "I can't cut these water plants!"

Yang Qingfeng quickly formed hand seals, shouted, and a wave of spiritual energy shot into the water, scattering some of the aquatic plants. He yelled, "Don't stop! Let's all exert our strength together!"

After overcoming numerous hardships to cross the river, Bright Moon City was now within reach.

However, a group of people with unfriendly expressions had gathered at the city gate. Among them were several familiar faces, who were the remnants of the bandits who had robbed the area earlier. They had colluded with local thugs to lie in wait for them.

Xu Xiaoxiao's eyes widened, and she said angrily, "These guys still won't give up!"

Yuan Mengyao snorted coldly: "Then let's teach them another lesson!"

Yang Qingfeng's expression was cold and stern. He summoned the sect's token, and lightning surged around him as he shouted, "You still dare to obstruct me? Are you truly not afraid of the majesty of my Returning Heaven Sect?"

Although the bandits were somewhat wary, they still surrounded them, brandishing their weapons, because of their superior numbers.

The two sides were about to clash. In the midst of the fierce battle, Xu Xiaoxiao used a new move based on the manual. A blue light flashed in her palm, and a vortex of spiritual energy trapped several people. Yuan Mengyao's spiritual whip flew, protecting the flanks of the group.

After a fierce battle, the group finally broke through the obstacles and rushed into Bright Moon City.

Xu Xiaoxiao collapsed to the ground, panting heavily: "Finally in. This journey has nearly killed me."

Yuan Mengyao handed over the water pouch and joked, "Just hang in there a little longer. Once we get to the Full Moon Inn and hand over the spirit plants, we can finally rest and collect our rewards to buy some nice things!"

Yang Qingfeng carefully put away the token and said in a deep voice, "Don't let your guard down. There might still be trouble around the inn. Stay alert and complete the mission."

After saying this, the group helped each other up and staggered toward the Full Moon Inn.

As they approached the inn, they saw a bustling crowd at the entrance, but Yang Qingfeng keenly sensed something amiss and gestured for everyone to stop: "Something's not right. There's something strange about this commotion. Don't go in rashly."

Xu Xiaoxiao squinted and looked around, then chimed in, "It is a bit strange. Although this is a large inn in the city and it's normal for there to be a lot of people coming and going, there's a faint sense of oppression in the atmosphere."

Yuan Mengyao pouted and muttered, "Who cares? Let's finish handing over the spiritual plants and leave quickly. I don't want to stay a moment longer."

As they were talking, a hunched old man carrying a tea tray walked out of the inn. He glanced at them seemingly unintentionally, but then stumbled, the tea tray tipped over, and the tea splashed onto the street.

Yang Qingfeng reacted quickly, using his spiritual power to stabilize the tea tray from a distance, and said softly, "Old man, please be careful."

The old man looked up, his gaze deep and unfathomable, quickly shoved something into his hand, and whispered, "Don't go in, it's a trap, leave quickly."

After saying that, he hurriedly returned to the inn.

Yang Qingfeng opened his palm; there was a crumpled piece of paper with the words "Hidden trap inside; the handover point has been changed to the dilapidated temple in the west of the city" written on it.

Xu Xiaoxiao's eyes widened, and she exclaimed in surprise, "Good heavens, we almost walked right into a trap! There hasn't been a moment of peace on this journey."

Yuan Mengyao frowned: "It seems that someone knew our itinerary in advance and set a trap. Could the dilapidated temple in the west of the city be another den of dragons and tigers?"

Yang Qingfeng put away the note and said in a deep voice, "I can't worry about that now. Just go to the ruined temple and be extra vigilant."

The group took a detour to the dilapidated temple, and along the way, they were wary of anything but grass or trees.

As soon as I arrived at the entrance of the dilapidated temple, I could hear faint sounds of arguing coming from inside.

Xu Xiaoxiao drew her sword and lowered her voice: "Listen, there's a commotion. Things might not be good."

With her spirit whip in hand, Yuan Mengyao took the lead and stepped forward. She saw several burly men surrounding a thin, scholar-like man. The scholar was protecting a bundle in his arms, his face full of anxiety: "This is a life-saving item, you can't take it away!"

Yang Qingfeng stepped forward and said loudly, "Gentlemen, isn't it inappropriate to bully the weak in broad daylight?"

The burly men turned around, saw them, were taken aback at first, then their faces turned fierce: "Mind your own business, who do you think you are?" With that, they threw punches.

Left with no other choice, the group fought back, and after a brief exchange, the burly men fled in disarray.

The scholar was moved to tears. He opened the bundle and found a strange jade pendant that emitted a warm glow and resonated somewhat with the aura of the spiritual plant.

The scholar cupped his hands and said, "Thank you all for your righteous help. I see that you all look anxious and seem to be in trouble. This jade pendant is a family heirloom, and it may be of some help to you. Consider it a token of my gratitude."

Xu Xiaoxiao waved her hands repeatedly: "This is too valuable, we can't accept it."

The scholar insisted on giving it to him, and Yang Qingfeng pondered for a moment before accepting it, saying, "In that case, thank you, young master. If you need anything in the future, you can come to the Returning Heaven Sect to find us."

After bidding farewell to the scholar, they entered the dilapidated temple and found a secluded corner to rest. Just then, a series of noisy footsteps and shouts came from outside the temple.

Yuan Mengyao's expression changed: "They've caught up! And they're so fast!"

Xu Xiaoxiao said anxiously, "What should we do? There's nowhere to hide here!"

Yang Qingfeng made a decisive decision: "Set up an array using the dilapidated temple and hold out until the handover personnel arrive!"

Everyone hurriedly set up their formation, but just as they finished, the enemy surged in.

Xu Xiaoxiao saw that the leader was the steward of the Treasure Pavilion, and gritted her teeth in hatred: "It's you again, you persistent ghost!"

The deacon sneered, "Hand over the spiritual plant and the jade pendant, and I'll spare your lives!"

During the fierce battle, everyone struggled to hold on with the help of the formation, their spiritual energy nearly exhausted.

At the critical moment, the back wall of the dilapidated temple collapsed with a roar, and a figure carrying powerful spiritual energy rushed over. It was the person in charge of the sect's handover.

The person in charge of the sect's handover was dressed in a black, close-fitting outfit. His posture was as upright as a pine tree, and the spiritual energy around him seemed to be a materialized cloud of mist, surging wildly, demonstrating his profound cultivation.

His face was cold and stern, with sword-like eyebrows that slanted upwards to his temples. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, exuding an imposing aura of someone who had been through countless battles. The longsword at his waist had an ancient hilt that faintly emitted fluctuations in sync with his spiritual power, clearly a divine weapon that had been meticulously forged.

Without a word, the newcomer joined the battle, quickly defeating the enemy in a few moves, and said loudly, "Fortunately, you haven't arrived too late. Are the spiritual plants alright?"

Yang Qingfeng breathed a sigh of relief and presented the spiritual plant: "I have not failed you in your mission."

Upon seeing Yang Qingfeng present the spiritual plant, the person in charge of the handover took it, probed it with his spiritual power, and after confirming that it was correct, his expression softened slightly. He looked at everyone and said in a booming voice, "This escort has been fraught with danger, and you must have suffered a lot. On behalf of Haoyue Manor, I thank you."

Yang Qingfeng cupped his hands and humbly replied, "It is my duty, and I dare not take credit. We encountered many unexpected events along the way, but fortunately, my junior brothers and sisters worked together to ensure that the spiritual plants were unharmed and that the important affairs of the sect were not delayed."

As he spoke, his gaze swept over Xu Xiaoxiao and Yuan Mengyao, who were dressed in tattered clothes and looked exhausted, and he was filled with relief.

Exhausted, Xu Xiaoxiao plopped down on the ground. Hearing this, she raised her eyelids slightly and muttered, "I ate way too much! Ever since I took on this mission, there hasn't been a moment's peace! From puppets and stone golems to strange birds and rat demons, I was even surrounded and chased by all sorts of guys when I entered the city. I almost lost my life..."

Yuan Mengyao patted her lightly and said reproachfully, "Don't keep complaining, we've made it through, haven't we?"

Then, facing the person handing over the manual, she said with a smile, "Although there have been many twists and turns, we have also gained a lot. With this manual, we can look forward to our future cultivation. It was all worth the effort."

The person handing over the items nodded slightly, a hint of approval flashing in their eyes: "You have gained something, and it is also an opportunity. This spiritual plant is of great importance. The manor plans to use it to refine rare pills to help the elites in the sect break through their bottlenecks. The sect will remember your contributions. When you return, you will be rewarded handsomely and given superior cultivation techniques."

Xu Xiaoxiao instantly perked up and jumped up to ask, "Really? Can you give me more magic treasures? My flying sword is almost worn out from all the cutting, and I'm really worried about not having a suitable weapon!" She thought that when she got back, she would trouble her senior brother to help her refine her sword and strengthen it.

Everyone was amused by her anxious appearance.

Yang Qingfeng cleared his throat and returned to the main topic: "I wonder what other arrangements the manor has for the future? So that we can make some preparations in advance."

The person handing over the reins straightened up and said solemnly, "After a few days of rest, the Master of the Manor will have another training mission. You all performed exceptionally well this time, demonstrating your full potential. The subsequent mission concerns the cooperation between the Manor and other sects. It will be quite difficult, but it is also an excellent opportunity for advancement. I hope you will not slack off."

Yang Qingfeng clenched his fist, his fighting spirit high: "I will live up to the expectations of the Master! You junior brothers and sisters will definitely complete the mission."

The group exchanged determined glances, filled with anticipation for the reward and eagerness for the new task, as they followed the person in charge of the handover on their journey home.

Along the way, the person handing over the reins would occasionally offer a few words of advice on cultivation, and everyone listened quietly, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.