Golden Finger 13

Chen Xing harbored no interest in the intricacies and resentments entangled in human cultivation. Nevertheless, when faced with imminent danger and the potential for harm, she would revert to the form of a spiritual snake. Coiling up with Xiao Bao, she sought refuge within the sleeve of Qin Ji. If alone, she would undoubtedly choose to conceal herself around his neck. Chen Xing believed that the area around a person's neck was a vulnerable spot, and anyone would instinctively protect such vital parts to avoid harm or death.

While Chen Xing believed that Qin Ji cared about her safety, she acknowledged that human instincts don't change. When confronted with danger, the first instinct is undoubtedly self-preservation.

These thoughts remained concealed, and whether Qin Ji had taken notice of them remained unknown.

Master Zheng remained entirely oblivious to Chen Xing's discreet actions.

Even though Xiao Bao didn't comprehend what was happening, he was obedient. In Xiao Bao’s perspective, anything undertaken by Chen Xing was considered correct.

Despite being designated as a safe area in the Desolate Spirit Desert, the arriving cultivators maintained a vigilant stance. Danger lurked everywhere, yet Qin Ji seemed to navigate through them effortlessly..

After Master Zheng inspected the formation, he frowned and remarked, "Several formations have been severely eroded and need repair. It might take a few days."

Given Qin Ji's role as the captain, the others maintained silence, directing their gaze toward him.

Formations were not Qin Ji's forte, and he struggled to assess the credibility of Master Zheng's statements. After thorough inquiry, he recorded the details on a jade scroll. Selecting two cultivators, he tasked them with delivering the jade scroll back to Yuanzhao City. Furthermore, Qin Ji gleaned what he needed from Master Zheng's words, acknowledging the significance of repairing the formation but recognizing it wasn't an immediate priority.

Master Zheng suggested, "If possible, arrange for a runic mage from Yuanzhao City to assist me. Additionally, I require some more materials." He handed over another jade scroll detailing the necessary supplies. "Try to deliver them within the next three days."

Observing Master Zheng closely from Qin Ji's sleeve, Chen Xing discerned nothing unusual. Withdrawing back, she remarked to Xiao Bao, "After leaving the Guiyuan Sect, I feel like I've lost weight."

Xiao Bao agreed, "Your appetite has been poor, hence the weight loss."

Qin Ji, undeterred by Master Zheng's demeanor, suggested, "Master Zheng, let's first identify issues with the surrounding formations, find solutions, and once the materials arrive, we can proceed with the repairs."

Master Zheng seemed somewhat surprised but did not object.

Suddenly, an unforeseen event occurred as the sky darkened. While the others prepared to set up tents, an explosion erupted from the formation area. Qin Ji's immediate response was to control Master Zheng, both as a protective measure and a precaution. However, the four cultivators, who had been silent and reserved, moved against Qin Ji and forced him to retreat.

Chen Xing quickly stowed Xiao Bao back into the spirit beast pouch and pressed herself tightly against Qin Ji.

Despite Qin Ji activating a signal talisman, it seemed obstructed by an unseen force, providing no warning whatsoever.

Master Zheng remained silent. Suddenly, his aura surged, revealing that his cultivation had reached the Divinity stage.

Although the chosen resting spot for Qin Ji and the others was a distance from the boundary, for cultivators, the travel time was negligible, especially since they hadn't set up any formations at their resting spot, providing no barriers.

Chen Xing sensed something amiss in the surroundings and anxiously exclaimed, "Qin Ji, let's leave."

Qin Ji became aware of the situation, scanning the varied appearances of the demonic beings. His grip on the sword tightened, and his expression turned solemn. Besides him and Master Zheng, there were ten other cultivators in the group. Two had been dispatched to deliver a message to Yuanzhao City, leaving eight. Among these eight, four had betrayed them, and the remaining four had a cultivation level only at the later stage of the Golden Core. They had already retreated behind Qin Ji, and he said, "The rest of you, leave."

The four people didn't hesitate; those who hesitated wouldn't survive in the Desolate Spirit Desert. They formed a small formation and withdrew.

Master Zheng and the remaining four people did not obstruct them. In the blink of an eye, the demonic beings had arrived. Strangely, though, these demonic beings didn't target Master Zheng's group. Instead, they collectively advanced towards Qin Ji.

Qin Ji stood his ground, wielding his sword against the approaching demonic beings.

Unfortunately, the four people couldn't escape; they were already surrounded by a formation.

It was a conspiracy right from the start. The boundary here had already been breached, and everything was arranged. Master Zheng turned out to be a member of the demonic clan, or, in other words, had allied with them.

Qin Ji seamlessly wielded his sword, and the four individuals, acknowledging the futility of escape, rejoined the struggle against the encroaching demonic entities. Their endurance, however, could have waned sooner if not for the relatively modest strength of the incoming foes.

Had Master Zheng chosen to intervene, their stamina might not have held. Surrounded by the demonic entities, Master Zheng and the four cultivators advanced towards the boundary.

A voice urgently called out, "Master Zheng!"

Yet, Master Zheng pressed forward without a backward glance. Shortly after, he crossed the boundary, venturing into a different continent that had always piqued Chen Xing's curiosity.

Sensing Qin Ji's mounting injuries, Chen Xing, determined, wriggled out from his sleeve. Undergoing a transformation, enlarging her form, she swiftly lashed out at the surrounding demonic entities with a powerful tail.

As Chen Xing emerged, she felt a gaze upon her, devoid of malice. Eager to investigate, she was interrupted by a spider-like demonic being lunging towards her.

Qin Ji deftly severed the creature's front four legs with his sword, commanding, "Go!"

With a swift response, Chen Xing soared over Qin Ji, who instinctively crouched on her back. Attempting to rescue others, she found only one severely injured individual barely clinging to life. Without hesitation, she enveloped them with her tail and ascended into the sky.

At a certain altitude, Chen Xing encountered resistance. Turning her head, she used her tail to strike the grand formation's top, creating a resounding crack.

Qin Ji anxiously glanced at the person entwined by Chen Xing's tail, relieved only when he confirmed their secure confinement. He worried momentarily that the person might not have succumbed to the demonic beings but to the lash of Chen Xing's tail.

Uninterested in prolonging the battle, Chen Xing slipped through the fissure she had created.

Qin Ji retrieved a signal talisman, infused it with spiritual energy, and tossed it into the air. This time, the signal successfully transmitted, and the explosive talisman descended below.

Chen Xing fled without looking back, seeking safety away from both the boundary and Yuanzhao City, where danger loomed.

Though Qin Ji's condition was somewhat better than the other person's, it wasn't good by any means. Fatigued, he rested on Chen Xing's back, his posture tightening rather than easing as he gripped his sword.

Chen Xing didn't ascend too high, but she moved swiftly. The Desolate Spirit Desert was chilly at night, yet she showed no signs of complaint or intention to stop.

Decades spent in the Desolate Spirit Desert left Qin Ji unable to identify their current location. He suggested, "Let's return to Yuanzhao City."

Lost herself, Chen Xing retorted with determination, "But I don't know the way back."

Qin Ji scanned the surroundings with his spiritual sense and proposed, "Let's descend first."

Chen Xing snorted, carrying herself with pride, convinced she had rescued Qin Ji. Following his suggestion, she gently placed the person she had been holding onto the ground. Transforming back into her human form, she stepped on the yellow sand, retrieved a thick cloak from her storage ring, wrapped herself in it, and, after a moment's thought, handed another thick cloak to Qin Ji.

Qin Ji did not refuse. Having taken medicine, the bleeding had stopped, but the wounds were far from healed. Crouching down, he ensured the person on the ground was alive, fed them a pill, efficiently set up a tent, moved the individual inside, and covered them with a thick blanket.

Uncertain about the person's state, whether prolonged unconsciousness from severe injuries or exhaustion from Chen Xing's actions, Qin Ji couldn't blame her; after all, she had saved their lives.

Chen Xing entered the tent and, only after that, released Xiao Bao, remarking, "Xiaobao, I'm hungry."

After Qin Ji consumed two pills, he left the tent to set up defensive formations. With the sky fully darkened, the Desolate Spirit Desert became even more dangerous than during the day. Qin Ji hesitated to let Chen Xing take the risk of continuing the journey and needed to find the direction back to Yuanzhao City.

Once Qin Ji finished arranging the defenses and returned to the tent, he heard Chen Xing animatedly recounting the battle against the demonic beings and how she had saved him.

Xiao Bao exclaimed, "Young Master is so powerful!"

Chen Xing, feeling proud, responded, "Of course."

Qin Ji sat near the door, observing the situation outside.

Chen Xing approached and remarked, "Your injuries are quite severe."

Qin Ji nodded, fully aware of the need for rest but unable to afford it with a heavily wounded and unconscious person in tow. Despite knowing that Chen Xing and Xiao Bao could take turns keeping watch, he hesitated to burden Chen Xing, considering her recent heroics and occasional remarks about being a fledgling. As for Xiao Bao, despite his keen awareness of treasures, his reactions were at times sluggish.

Chen Xing tilted her head, looked at Qin Ji, and said, "You go tend to your wounds first. I'll keep an eye on things here."

Qin Ji nodded. The lingering demonic energy in his wounds needed time to dissipate, even with the aid of pills from Yuanzhao City designed for such purposes.

Chen Xing sensed the place was secure but remained unsure if this feeling was accurate. Choosing silence, she sat by the door, keeping watch outside—a stark contrast to the previous night's campfire chatter. She wondered if Master Zheng had a split personality.

Qin Ji prepared to administer medicine to the unconscious person, expelling the residual demonic energy. As he lifted the individual, a dark dagger plunged into his dantian.