Lian heard them but didn't say anything to refute them; he really had no idea about many things, and he didn't want to provoke them.
Xia tried to lower the tension and spoke freely, explaining casually, "It is a completely different land, created by some powerful cultivator. After passing through the portal, you can explore the land."
Lian gained a lot from these women. He didn't have any clue about these matters. Even in the White Spirit Sect, there was no discussion about them—no elder or leader spoke of it. He assumed the White Spirit Sect was not qualified to participate in these matters.
He then subtly tried to ask and gather more information about the portal and why his sect was unaware of it.
Mei Ling, sitting cross-legged with her eyes on the dark forest ahead, said, "This isn't exactly secret information within the sect, so there's no harm in telling you. But this exploration has a limited number of quotas, so only a few people can enter it. Your White Spirit Sect is low-level and probably doesn't qualify in this matter."
Chen, after hearing her, asked, "But I heard that very low-level sects also get a few—two or three—quotas, so the White Spirit Sect should have gotten some too."
Mei Ling stared at Liam and said, "She's right. Your sect might also have some quotas, but they were probably reserved in advance for certain disciples or relatives of your sect elders. Most of your disciples don't know much about it."
At last, she shook her head. "In lower sects, a few quotas are reserved in advance, and lower-level cultivators don't get a fair chance to compete for them."
Lian paused after hearing this. He felt it was likely true, but he couldn't do anything about it. Nor did he feel any strong emotion about it. He had only been here a short time—not enough to fully integrate into this world. But even if it was distributed fairly, would it have been his turn? Could the two- or three-person quota fall to him? He knew his limits, and he knew he was nothing special.
But he still felt that something was amiss. "If the spots were limited, wouldn't it be easy if a few powerful cultivators went? And if that happened, younger or low-level cultivators wouldn't have a chance, right? How come low-level cultivators are included in this?" He truly didn't understand. "If a few powerful cultivators went, exploring the area would be fast and easy."
Xia smiled. "That's where the twist comes in—and that's how we could have a chance to compete. Otherwise, how could it ever be our turn to explore? Basically, the portal only opens once every fifteen years. The founder of the dimension restricted entry to cultivators at Foundation Building level or below. Powerful cultivators can't enter. Relying solely on low-level cultivators makes the exploration process slow, and since the area is huge, even after fifty-seven years and three explorations, only a small portion has been explored so far. So the next opening is still a matter of competition among many sects in this region."
Lian had a look of understanding. 'Oh, that's why.' Then it is a very valuable experience—to gain rare resources and training for lower cultivators. There is no risk of higher cultivators bullying them, and they can try their luck and find their own opportunities. It also makes sense that the elders of the White Spirit Sect were reserving the quota. If their disciples and relatives can enter and gain the resources, they have a higher chance to progress in cultivation, which can increase their influence in the sect. If someone lucky obtains a Heaven-Defying object, their standing in the sect will rise even further.
Lian replied in an envious tone, "That's really amazing. So you all are searching for rare objects in this region?"
"Yes," Chen replied. "While collecting rare resources now for Contribution points and breakthroughs, we can also gain experience here and train. So even if it is a little risky in the inner region, we have to take the risk."
Xia, quietly watching Lian, tilted her head. "But even for us, it's very risky here in the inner region. How did you end up here? You shouldn't be able to survive this forest on your own. Well… your cultivation is…" At the end, her expression became slightly embarrassed, as mentioning his low cultivation was somewhat humiliating.
But despite her not saying anything further, Lian understood clearly. His strength was nowhere near enough to survive in this forest. Yet he couldn't tell the full truth. Surviving the fall was impossible, and the energy inside him couldn't be explained—even he didn't fully understand it. But even if he decided to tell the truth about it, the reason for his fall was not something to be discussed. It wasn't a glorious thing to admit. If he told the truth—how he had been caught having sex with another man's fiancée and had to run naked, his body exposed, chased to the edge of a cliff—he would have no chance of joining this group. He might even be hunted.
Lian hesitated. He knew he had to give a story that sounded plausible but didn't reveal too much. "Beasts… I was chased by some wild animals. I had to lure them away from the other group members, so I led them into the forest. And… somehow, while running, I… ended up in this inner region. Then I got lost. The inner region is dangerous for me, so I can't even properly explore to find the way back. I just found your group by luck."
Chen raised an eyebrow. "That explains the injuries. But still… you must have had incredible luck to survive this far."
Lian shrugged, hiding his relief. "I… just got very lucky, I guess."
Jian looked down on him. His explanation was really suspicious and doubtful, but seeing his injury and low cultivation, he didn't see him as a threat. So even with suspicion about his identity and claims, he didn't say much.
Luo smirked and looked down on him. "Don't try anything funny, idiot, otherwise I will personally feed you to the beasts."
Mei Ying frowned. "Okay, that's enough."
She then turned to Lian. "You'll have to prove yourself if you want to survive here with us. We are not a charity. You have to show your usefulness."
Lian nodded. "I understand."
Jian grunted. "And don't get in our way."
"I'll do my best," Lian said, swallowing the rest of his dried meat.
A pause fell over the group. The fire crackled, and the forest seemed to close in around them.
...….
....
Over the next two days, as they searched for the Blue Vein Herb, Lian's injury continued to heal. He also stayed close to the group, mostly the girls, offering quiet help wherever he could and providing assistance at every opportunity, his eyes always lingering just a moment too long on Chen's bouncing chest or Xia's bashful grin.
The girls began to accept him into the group because of his sensitivity, humanity, and helpful behavior, and they started to warm up to him. The guys, however, still looked down on him, always wary and feeling superior. But in this inner region, where danger was all around, they didn't go overboard in targeting him.
While their harvest over the past few days had been acceptable, by the third morning it was clear that their gains were steady but uninspiring. They had gathered only minor spirit herbs, small roots, and a handful of low-stage medicinal fungi, yet the resource they were truly searching for remained elusive. That day, as usual, the group spread out through the forest in search of rare treasures when suddenly, Mei Ling seemed to sense something.
She quickly walked slightly to the right and squatted down, seemingly searching for something. Then her face lit up with surprise and joy, clearly having found something extraordinary.
Sure enough, when she returned to the group before anyone else could ask, she whispered, "There might be a white sickle plant nearby."
Xia exclaimed, "What? Really?"
Chen stepped forward. "How did you know?"
Mei Ling crouched slightly, tracing the ground with a finger. "I found the footprint of a White Paw Bear. These beasts usually roam near these plants," she explained. "So there must be plants in this area. But stay alert. They don't charge like normal beasts. They hide to protect the herbs. One careless step and you'll be caught off guard."
The group nodded, tension settling over them as they moved cautiously through the forest. By afternoon, they had reached a wetland bordered by tangled reeds and mossy banks. When they neared the wetland, the plants came into view. Remembering Mei Ling's warning, they stayed hidden, searching for the white sickle plant first.
Finally, they spotted a White Sickle Plant, its leaves glistening near the water. But they didn't charge. Remembering Mei Ling's words, they searched instead for the White Paw Bear.
After some time of silent searching, they soon spotted it near the bushes on the right, crouching low among the brush, its white fur ghostly in the dappled sunlight.