Chapter 32: Blood tracking talisman

After running for a while, everyone in the group started to grow exhausted. Just then, Instructor Xiao, with a worried expression on his face, addressed the children, "Don't stop now, children. We can survive as long as we leave the forest."

Despite their considerable effort, they had only managed to put some distance between themselves and Hall Master Liu Mei, still able to see her in the distance. The reason for their slow progress was the overwhelming spiritual pressure emanating from the fourth-tier beast. It was impossible for these Body Forging Stage kids to resist the spiritual pressure of such a formidable creature.

A fourth-tier beast was equivalent in strength to a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, making it virtually impossible for Hall Master Liu Mei to defeat. Just as they thought they had created some distance, a thunderous roar echoed from behind them, reigniting the terror that lurked just a step away. Witnessing his students frozen in fear, Instructor Xiao shouted, "Do you want to die, brats? Don't stop, no matter what happens." He took a deep breath as if attempting to suppress his fear. "And whatever you do, don't look back," he commanded, his tone cold but resolute, his gaze fixed on Hall Master Liu Mei's side.

Overwhelmed by fear, nobody dared to look back, suppressing their curiosity and obediently following Instructor Xiao's lead. However, Tang Jian was different. Having already faced death, he feared nothing. He remained behind, turning his head to steal a glimpse while the others left him behind.

What he saw would have made any ordinary person faint on the spot. A black leopard-like creature towered before Hall Master Liu Mei, standing at an imposing height of 60 to 62 meters, with eyes completely devoid of color. It effortlessly held the Sea Serpent as if it were a mere plaything, its gaze instilling fear even in the seemingly invincible Hall Master.

Struggling to overcome her fear, Hall Master Liu Mei retrieved a small mirror adorned with mysterious engravings. Just as she was about to unleash an attack, someone interrupted Tang Jian. "Student Tang Jian, what are you doing? Everyone has already left. Do you want to stay here and die?" It was Zhou Duan.

Zhou Duan's hands trembled with fear as he struggled to maintain composure. Despite the risk to his own life, he returned to search for Tang Jian. Trembling, Tang Jian pretended to be scared, using the excuse, "You see, Student Zhou Duan, I was just looking back and couldn't move after locking eyes with the beast."

Believing Tang Jian's trembling and fearful demeanor, Zhou Duan remarked, "It's a good thing I found you, Student Tang. It would have been disastrous if you got lost like this. I'm surprised a three-year-old like you didn't wet his pants after facing the beast." Zhou Duan wore a mocking smile.

Still acting as though he was scared out of his wits due to the beast, Tang Jian approached Zhou Duan and tightly gripped his hands. "Student Zhou Duan, we need to leave this forest quickly, or else we'll die here," he said, his voice quivering.

Moved by Tang Jian's earnest plea, Zhou Duan thought that Tang Jian was merely a child who sought his protection to survive. A mischievous smile crept across Zhou Duan's face as he freed his hands from Tang Jian's tight grip and firmly grasped Tang Jian's shoulders. "Since we're here, Student Tang Jian, why don't we sneak into the forest and search for the Green Viper's egg?" Zhou Duan suggested, his smile full of mischief, while his hands trembled with nervous excitement and anticipation.

Tang Jian was taken aback by Zhou Duan's audacity. A five-year-old like him was willing to risk his life for a mere beast's egg. Was it bravery or recklessness? Regardless, Tang Jian didn't dwell on it. He stopped trembling and asked, "Isn't that too risky, Student Zhou Duan? We could die if something goes wrong."

Zhou Duan released his grip on Tang Jian's shoulders and turned to face the west, pointing towards something. "You see, Student Tang Jian, about 4 li (approximately 2 kilometers) from here, there's a small pond. Near that pond is where the Green Viper's corpse was found. If we reach there, the egg will be within our grasp," he confidently declared.

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

Four li didn't seem like an insurmountable distance, so Tang Jian nodded, albeit with a hint of hesitation. Zhou Duan couldn't contain his excitement upon Tang Jian's agreement. With a genuine smile, he exclaimed, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go before it's too late."

Both of them sprinted with all their might, refusing to look back. Tang Jian appeared hesitant, as if searching for the beast egg in such a dangerous situation troubled him. However, in reality, he was exhilarated and maintained this facade to deceive Zhou Duan into thinking he was just an ordinary boy.

As they ran, Zhou Duan drew closer to Tang Jian. "You know, Student Tang Jian, I was considering sneaking away silently when Instructor Xiao attempted to merge with the beast's soul. But thanks to this beast's interference, we managed to escape like this. Instructor Xiao will believe that we got separated while running and won't punish us," he explained sincerely, gasping for breath.

Tang Jian, feeling the exhaustion from running for so long, understood that their bodies, despite having stronger spiritual roots than regular children, couldn't match the stamina of cultivators. Concerned about both their conditions, he retrieved two pills from his small pouch. He handed one pill to Zhou Duan and kept the other for himself.

Perplexed, Zhou Duan asked, "What are these pills for, Student Tang?"

Tang Jian smiled genuinely and replied, "These are stamina pills. I bought them from a trusted store. They have no side effects, so you can take them without worry." To assure Zhou Duan of their safety, Tang Jian promptly swallowed his own pill. Observing Tang Jian's actions, Zhou Duan followed suit without suspicion.

Moments later, they arrived safely at the pond. Zhou Duan placed his hands on his waist, looking at Tang Jian with gratitude. "Thanks for the pill, Student Tang Jian. I don't feel tired at all, despite running for so long."

Tang Jian gazed back at Zhou Duan, his smile genuine. "It's nothing, Student Zhou Duan. You don't need to thank me like this," he replied, maintaining his facade of a naive but kind-hearted child.

Realizing that they still had to search for the beast's egg, Tang Jian asked, "Even though we've reached the pond, how are we going to find the Green Viper's eggs in the middle of the night?"

Zhou Duan's smile grew brighter as he responded, "Don't worry about that, Student Tang Jian." He retrieved a talisman from his pouch and showed it to Tang Jian. "This is a blood-tracking talisman. With its help, we'll be able to locate the eggs without much difficulty," he explained, projecting an image of competence.

Tang Jian clapped his hands in appreciation and expressed genuine sincerity. "You truly are dependable, Student Zhou Duan. I would have missed out on such a great opportunity if it weren't for you."

Proudly, Zhou Duan puffed up his chest at the praise. "No need for formalities, Student Tang Jian. Let's just call each other by our surnames," he suggested, feeling elated by Tang Jian's words.

Tang Jian nodded with a sincere smile, accepting Zhou Duan's request. After their brief conversation, Zhou Duan retrieved a bottle filled with the blood of the Green Viper and dropped a drop of it on the talisman. A red string materialized from the talisman, pointing in the northwest direction.

Filled with curiosity, Tang Jian posed a question to Zhou Duan, "Does this string guide us toward the beast's egg?"

Zhou Duan turned to Tang Jian, holding the talisman, and replied, "Exactly, Brother Tang. This talisman tracks the bloodline descendants of the target. We just need to follow this red string, and it will lead us to our destination."

"As you say, Brother Zhou. Let's not waste any more time and follow it," Tang Jian said, his gaze fixed on the red string.

Zhou Duan nodded in agreement and began following the red string's lead. Tang Jian followed suit, reaching out to touch the red string, only to find his hand passing through it as if it were an illusion.

After realizing that the red string was intangible, Tang Jian's brows furrowed in confusion. He tried once again, but his hand passed through the string as if it were a mere illusion. "Brother Zhou, the string... it's not solid," Tang Jian remarked, his voice filled with bewilderment.

Zhou Duan turned his attention to Tang Jian's failed attempt. A perplexed expression appeared on his face as he contemplated the situation. "That's strange," he muttered. "The blood-tracking talisman should manifest a tangible string that guides us."

Tang Jian's eyes widened with realization. "Could it be that the talisman is malfunctioning?" he questioned, a hint of concern lacing his words.

Zhou Duan shook his head, a determined glint in his eyes. "No, the talisman is renowned for its accuracy. There must be something else we're missing," he replied, his voice filled with determination.

The duo stood near the pond, pondering their next move. Tang Jian's gaze wandered across the surroundings, hoping to find a clue that would unravel the mystery. Suddenly, his eyes landed on a series of ancient runes carved on a nearby stone.

"Zhou Duan, look!" Tang Jian exclaimed, beckoning his companion to join him. "Those runes... they might hold the key to understanding the talisman."