Golden Finger 15

Chen Xing and Xiao Bao discarded the map and ventured forth, guided by their own instincts. Chen Xing, harboring a strong aversion to Yuan Zhao City, was determined never to enter it again.

Their journey featured frequent stops, taking over half a month to exit the Desolate Spirit Desert. It wasn't due to Xiao Bao's slowness but rather their terrible sense of direction. Whenever they felt no imminent danger, whether from exhaustion, cold, or heat, they took breaks.

Beyond the Desolate Spirit Desert lay a sharply divided landscape – yellow sand transitioning abruptly into a lush forest, as if sliced by a knife.

Astonished, Chen Xing exclaimed, "Incredible."

Feeling content, Xiao Bao stowed away his magical treasures and sniffed around, announcing, "There are treasures here!"

Chen Xing, now alert, asked, "Could there be danger if there are treasures?"

Xiao Bao hesitated, growing nervous, "Yeah, what if there's danger? I sense that the Refining Spirit Grass here is about to mature, attracting many cultivators!"

Chen Xing grasped the situation, "A spiritual herb? Not only cultivators, but such herbs usually have guardian beasts too. What if they see us as a meal?"

Despite the potential benefits for Qin Ji, Chen Xing prioritized her own safety.

Now, confusion enveloped Xiao Bao. He gazed at Chen Xing with a furrowed brow and stated, "Whether it's a spiritual beast or a monster cultivator, they wouldn't harm you as long as they haven't lost control of their senses. Young Master, you belong to the divine beast clan."

This was not in Chen Xing's inheritance.

Quickly providing an explanation, Xiao Bao said, "You were stolen before hatching and born within the Guiyuan Sect. Most creatures in Guiyuan Sect are the spiritual beasts of others. While there are monster cultivators, you've never encountered any. Even I wouldn't have noticed your disguise if it weren't for our relationship."

Spotting a contradiction, Chen Xing asked, "If guardian beasts are unaware of my identity, is there still a possibility they might attack us?"

Xiao Bao reassured, "But we can trade with spiritual herbs. Yours are far superior to those found outside, and for us, Young Master's herbs hold even greater value."

Cautiously, Chen Xing inquired, "Which ones?"

Having valuable plants in her Mustard Seed Space, she wouldn't agree to trade them away.

Xiao Bao clarified, "It's the ones on the hillside."

Relieved, Chen Xing said, "Although I'm reluctant, Qin Ji's well-being is more important. Let's go into the forest for the exchange. In the future, just call me Xingxing."

Xiao Bao nodded immediately, "I'll transform into my original form to guide Young… Xingxing.”

Chen Xing agreed, determined not to leave Qin Ji behind due to safety concerns near the Desolate Spirit Desert. Retrieving a rope and her cushion from her storage ring, she secured Qin Ji onto the cushion, attaching the other end of the rope to her wrist. Lifting Qin Ji into the air using the cushion, she began pulling him along as they walked.

With Xiao Bao now resembling a treasure-seeking mouse and having obtained Chen Xing's approval, he leaped onto her shoulder. Sniffing around, he guided the way.

The protective feature of the cushion created a shield around Qin Ji, allowing Chen Xing and Xiao Bao to maneuver freely without risking further injuries from occasional branches or tree collisions.

Entering the forest, Xiao Bao exclaimed, "Wow, there are so many treasures here, and some are about to mature!"

Chen Xing's eyes lit up, "That's wonderful!"

Xiao Bao, remembering the Refining Spirit Grass, informed Chen Xing of other spiritual herbs along the way, gathering them as they approached. Surprisingly, there were no guardian beasts, even around the Refining Spirit Grass.

With Chen Xing's cautious nature and Xiao Bao's sense that this situation differed from his inherited knowledge, they became increasingly careful. Ready to transform into the form of a spiritual snake at the slightest hint of someone approaching, Chen Xing paused when she detected a familiar scent. Glancing over, she felt a sense of perplexity.

A beautiful bird with feathers tinged with golden light against a red background perched elegantly on a tree branch. Not sizable, it gazed at Chen Xing with a tilted head.

Xiao Bao softly exclaimed, and the bird chirped towards the sky. Soon, several other birds of various colors flew over, glancing at Chen Xing, then at Xiao Bao and Qin Ji. They began chattering and communicating with each other.

Seeing them, Xiao Bao relaxed. Taking on a human form, he spoke, "You are associated with the Phoenix Clan."

The bird that approached transformed into a young man with red patterns under his eyes. He said, "You are affiliated with the Dragon Clan."

Xiao Bao proudly affirmed, "Yes."

Turning to Chen Xing, the young man asked, "And what about you? Why do you still have the scent of the Phoenix?"

Chen Xing, more puzzled than the young man, responded, "What scent of the Phoenix?"

Despite her incomplete inheritance, she couldn't be mistaken about her own race!

The young man gracefully hopped from his tree branch to Chen Xing's side.

Xiao Bao swiftly positioned himself in front of Chen Xing, cautioning, "What are you doing!"

The young man, displaying no malicious intent, took a few steps back and explained, "I just wanted to get closer and smell it."

After a moment's consideration, Chen Xing generously extended her hand, saying, "Go ahead."

The young man drew closer, inhaled, and then addressed the other birds in the tree, noting, "This is indeed the scent of a Phoenix."

The birds transformed into human forms, each adorned with exquisite patterns beneath their eyes. They regarded Chen Xing and Xiao Bao warmly, occasionally expressing affection towards Qin Ji. Notably, the least advanced in cultivation among them was at least at the Nascent Soul stage.

Despite their words, Chen Xing felt increasingly perplexed. She mentioned, "I sensed something familiar from all of you just now."

The young man inquired, "Could it be that you have received the blessing of the Phoenix?"

Feeling a distinct connection, different from her link with Master Zheng, she couldn't pinpoint the difference, stating, "I don't know. I hatched early, and my inheritance is incomplete, lacking many memories. Besides, I've only hatched for a year."

The young man's gaze towards Chen Xing became more affectionate, but he furrowed his brow, asking, "Heavens, where are your kin? How could they let such a youngster like you venture out alone?"

Feeling a newfound sense of connection, Chen Xing replied, "I haven't found my kin yet. I came from the Desolate Spirit Desert. Where is this place?”

After ensuring Chen Xing was unharmed, the young man said, "This is the Western Continent."

Chen Xing turned her gaze to the still-unconscious Qin Ji and inquired, "How long will it take to get from here to the Guiyuan Sect?"

Surprised, the young man replied, "This small world consists of only two continents, the Eastern Continent and the Western Continent, separated by a barrier. The Guiyuan Sect is on the Eastern Continent."

Chen Xing opened her mouth but then closed it; she hadn't fully grasped the situation.

Smiling, the young man explained, "To put it simply, the Guiyuan Sect belongs to the cultivation realm, while this place is in the demonic realm."

Xiao Bao, shocked, widened his eyes, unable to find words.

Chen Xing swallowed and asked, "Demonic realm?"

The young man nodded and continued, "I don't know how you crossed the barrier to come here. Two-thirds of the Desolate Spirit Desert is in the cultivation realm, and one-third is in the demonic realm. I thought you might be from another tribe."

Stunned, Chen Xing looked at Xiao Bao, wondering if they had encountered a barrier.

Xiao Bao asked, "Could it be the pressure we felt a few days ago?"

During that time, they thought the problem lay with the Desolate Spirit Desert. It seems they had crossed the barrier back then.

The young man was puzzled, "The barrier didn't hinder you, and the cultivation realm's grand array didn't stop you either?"

Chen Xing shook her head, remaining bewildered.

The young man pondered another possibility, "If it's someone from the divine beast clan, they can traverse all barriers."

Chen Xing played dumb, "So, even if we're just affiliated with the divine beast clan, can we do that too?"

After a brief pause, the young man suggested, "Maybe you've got the blessing of the divine beast clan. You're undoubtedly a unique existence."

Glancing at the surroundings, Chen Xing observed, "This doesn't feel like the demonic realm."

The young man clarified, "Folks from the Eastern Continent see it that way. Initially, the conditions here were tough, but thanks to the divine beast clan's influence, over time, it turned into a blessed land."

Chen Xing remained silent.

The young man proposed, "You might not be able to return immediately. Want to join our tribe for some rest? Also, the swordsman behind you seems close to death."

Hastily pulling the rope to bring Qin Ji closer, Chen Xing insisted, "He must not die."

The young man scrutinized Qin Ji and observed, "He's not just poisoned; there's resentment too. His Nascent Soul is almost shattered, and his dantian is ruined. It's a miracle he's still breathing."

Anxiously, Chen Xing grabbed the young man's hand, "Can he be saved?"

In response, the young man questioned, "Is he important?"

Chen Xing nodded emphatically, "We have a covenant."

The young man's gaze toward Qin Ji soured as he asked, "He dared to forge a covenant with a fledgling. What kind of covenant is it?"

Chen Xing replied, "A master-servant covenant!"

Not only the young man, but the others also glared at Qin Ji with murderous intent.

Chen Xing hastily proclaimed, "He's my servant! I put in effort to acquire him!"

The hostile expressions instantly softened. The young man and his companions looked at Chen Xing with approval, like parents witnessing a child's commendable accomplishment. As the young man redirected his gaze to Qin Ji, a hint of admiration crept in.

"Indeed, a steadfast and excellent servant. Take him to the tribe. Let's see if we can help him. If not, we might just transform him into a devil."