"The trade was his idea, so let's sort out what we've got, then check the list they'll send over. If something matches, we'll make the exchange."
That was Jian Jing's suggestion.
Their luck hadn't been bad. First came Qing Mian's stash, then Mao Wu's, after that they fought the Human-Faced Demon Tree, and finally they managed to hold down the Black-Whip Electric Eel. Digging through that creature's lair had been their biggest haul yet.
And at the trade gathering, everyone had gone around to swap for things they'd need in the future. What was left in their hands were all valuable items. If they wanted to trade with the Cheng Zu Squad, they'd have to see whether that squad's goods were worth it.
The journey had been tense, but since no one had chased them down, everyone could finally breathe easier. With the return time already fixed, they started sorting through their spoils, planning to exchange just a few more resources before leaving.
Now that they had some breathing room, the group gathered together to share news from after they'd split up.
Jian Dan greeted everyone, then said she was going to take a walk. This time, Xiao Yue didn't follow. Instead, he was nestled in Jian Jing's arms, eyes closed like he was napping, but in truth he was probing into the sealed inheritance of his bloodline.
When Jian Dan reached the spot where they'd first rushed into the forest, she raised her head at the gloomy sky. Carefully sensing, she found that the Xianyuan energy in the air was much more active than when they'd first entered.
"Master, Cotton Candy leveled up!"
Ever since helping Jian Dan deal with Mao Wu, Cotton Candy had been in a silent standby state. Now, out of the blue, the little cloud's voice echoed in her mind, bringing good news. She couldn't help but smile.
"Congrats! Is it because the Xianyuan energy here's stronger?"
"Yes, Master, you're sharp."
"So, what kind of ability did you get?"
"I can become your clone now!"
Jian Dan chuckled and lifted a hand to gently pat Cotton Candy, who was still stuck to her hair bun.
"Good, when we're back, show me."
Just then, footsteps came from behind. Jian Dan turned and saw it was Jian Jun.
"Senior Sister, why'd you come out here?"
"I saw you went to scout the area, so I thought I'd check too." A faint smile graced Jian Jun's refined face.
Before her words even faded, the sky changed again. Gray clouds rolled and opened up, spitting out insect corpses and broken magic tools. The downpour lasted a full five minutes before the rift sealed.
But this time, after it closed, no fiery stone rain followed. They waited over a quarter of an hour with nothing. Jian Dan frowned and said to Jian Jun, "Senior Sister, this time it's all insect corpses, no immortal remains. And the firestone rain that should've come afterward didn't appear."
"You've got a sharp eye. You're right. I've been trapped in the inner region for three years and haven't seen this place. The changes in the outer region are huge."
"I don't get it. This place is supposed to be part of the Immortal Realm. Why would they throw insect corpses here? And if immortals fell, shouldn't their remains have been gathered separately?"
Looking at the sky that had grown gloomy again, Jian Dan seemed to be talking to herself, though the words were aimed at Jian Jun.
"My guess is this place was struck by accident back then. Later, for some reason, it became a battlefield disposal site. Someone even set up spatial passages to bring in people from different continents." Jian Jun tapped her folding fan lightly against her palm as she spoke her thoughts.
"Is it to collect resources? To spread word of the insect disaster? Or was it chaos in the beginning, and they just went along with it?" Jian Dan fired out question after question.
"No one knows. Only if we ascend to the Immortal Realm can we find out the truth."
Jian Jun's voice stayed unhurried.
"Senior Brother, I think this place is more like a warning. If only we knew the contents of that jade slip left by the immortal in the Waterside Pavilion, maybe we could piece something together."
"You gave the jade slip to the Tan Song siblings." Jian Jun's words weren't a question, but a statement.
"Yeah! Borrowed a tiger's might for a while. At least up till now, no one's been following us anymore. All we need to do is wait quietly for the return passage to open."
"If you want to know what's inside the jade slip, just watch how the Tan Song family moves next."
"Senior Sister's right. We've got time, so let's wait and see."
"That Cheng Zu's Squad seems to have something in mind. We'd better be cautious about trading with them."
"I don't plan on swapping anything with them. When their list arrives tomorrow, we'll judge their sincerity then. Senior Sister, after all this time here, how've your gains been?" Jian Dan smiled, changing the topic.
"Not bad. Can't heal my injuries, but once I'm back on Lingyun Continent, breaking through to Mahayana won't be a problem." Jian Jun spoke with confidence.
As the two kept watch on their surroundings, they traded news, filling in the gaps for each other.
Meanwhile, deep in the inner region, the Tan family had gathered immortals to deliver Eastern Immortal King's decree. The crowd grew noisy.
Some believed it, some didn't. Besides, fulfilling this order required everyone to contribute their own resources, which made many unhappy.
Tan Songyong watched coldly for a while. When the voices died down, he finally said,
"Xianwang's command has been taken up by my Tan Song family. We won't decline and will carry it out. But this order isn't just for us, it's for everyone stationed here.
How you act isn't my family's concern. I've only passed on the decree. And one more thing, the ground beneath us is rising. We're slowly returning to the Immortal Realm.
Think for yourselves. When something really happens, don't blame my Tan Song family for not warning you."