Chapter 57 Declaration

"Hmm? You're angry?"

Ouyang Yue looked at him with a mocking expression. Xu Yuanlang remained silent for a moment before she spoke.

"Since they can tamper with pills, do you think that powerful sects have tampered with other things? For example, cultivation techniques?"

"you mean……"

Cold sweat broke out on Xu Yuanlang's forehead. Ouyang Yue revealed a charming smile, hugged her jade-like legs with both hands, and rested her chin on her knees.

"You'll have to find the answer to that question yourself."

Xu Yuanlang's body trembled as he struggled to stay upright.

I obtained my cultivation technique from the Qingming Sect, so I should be able to tell if there's anything wrong with it.

No, he might not even realize it himself. He quickly calmed himself down, because just because of Ouyang Yue's words, he had become somewhat anxious and uncertain.

"Forget it, even if there's a problem, I wouldn't be able to discover it in a short time, and what Ouyang Yue said might not even be true!"

Thinking of this, he quickly put aside his distracting thoughts and spoke.

"Ouyang, now that I have won this contest, can you tell me how I can help you?"

Ouyang Yue took out a piece of animal hide from her storage bag and unfolded it. It was covered with lines of varying shades, and upon closer inspection, it looked very much like a map.

"I once received a treasure map, which indicated that there was a Golden Core cultivator's cave deep in the Black Dragon Swamp."

I've explored this place before. The outer area is fine, but once you go inside, even someone at the Foundation Establishment stage will be suppressed to the Qi Refining stage.

What's more troublesome is that there's more than one such treasure map. I'm worried that other cultivators might enter, and I'm really outnumbered and outmatched. So I'm looking for a decent Qi Refining Realm cultivator to accompany me inside.

Unfortunately, apart from you, I don't think much of any other Qi Refining Realm cultivators.

"A...a...treasure map?"

Xu Yuanlang's first reaction upon hearing her words was that they were absurd, utterly absurd.

In the Xu family, all clansmen who were sent away to work were given a serious warning before leaving the family: never trust any so-called treasure maps on the market.

Nine times out of ten, those things are fake, specifically designed to prey on people's greedy nature to lure you in. If you believe them, spending tens of spirit stones to buy one will likely result in a wasted trip.

Even more serious is that it might be a trap set by demonic cultivators, tribulation cultivators, or other families. Once you step into it, there is only one way out: death.

"I've been inside once already, and I'm pretty sure there's something inside; it's not empty."

When Ouyang Yue spoke, he could only sigh. Even if it was a den of dragons and tigers, it seemed he had no choice but to venture in for the sake of the Dan Yan Qi.

"Alright, in that case, I'll make the preparations."

Xu Yuanlang cupped his hands in greeting, and Ouyang Yue thought for a moment before speaking.

"I will give the orders from now on. You no longer need to participate in the daily work of guarding. Just focus on your cultivation."

They are still in Baiyun Pass, and it will take another year to reach Black Dragon Swamp. Time is running out, so Xu Yuanlang must do his best to cultivate and try to break through to the eighth level of Qi Refining.

If I can break through, and with my own methods, my strength within the Qi Refining Realm should be among the top.

"Thank you so much, Ouyang!"

Ouyang Yue snorted coldly after hearing his words, her voice carrying a hint of arrogance.

"Don't hold me back."

Upon receiving the order, Shen Xi arranged a large carriage for him, somewhat enviously placing him inside.

"This kind of large vehicle is prepared for Foundation Establishment cultivators. You've gotten a great deal, kid. The vehicle is engraved with arrays all around, and there are spirit stones placed in the hidden compartments."

The concentration of spiritual energy is comparable to that of a second-tier spiritual vein.

Xu Yuanlang looked up and saw that he had been wondering where the spiritual energy in the car came from, but now he couldn't help but admire the generosity of Baiqi Trading Company.

"This is Miss Ouyang's great kindness, and I am deeply grateful."

Indeed, although Ouyang Yue wanted his help, a single wisp of Dan Yan Qi should have been enough. Now, she was telling him all sorts of secrets, providing him with a large carriage so he could cultivate in peace, and even saving him the responsibility of guarding her.

He was filled with gratitude. Upon hearing his words, Shen Xi's expression subtly changed. He pursed his lips, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, you shouldn't be thirty years old yet, right?"

Xu Yuanlang looked at Shen Xi with some surprise, seemingly not understanding what he meant.

"Fellow Daoist's cultivation speed is extremely fast among Foundation Establishment families; calling him a genius would not be an exaggeration."

Shen Xi began to speak on his own, and Xu Yuanlang's smile faded. He realized that Shen Xi's words were not meant to praise himself.

"But the world is vast, and Miss Ouyang possesses a spiritual body. She has already achieved Foundation Establishment before she was even sixteen years old."

Such a cultivation speed is unparalleled even within the Qingming Sect.

However, her cultivation speed is still not the fastest in the business community. I think those who have gone the furthest and achieved the Golden Core stage or even higher are definitely them.

Although I was lucky enough to reach the Foundation Establishment stage, I am very clear that there is absolutely no possibility of walking alongside them in the future.

It's normal that Miss Ouyang has a strange fondness for you. After all, she rarely goes out, so it's not unusual for her to be attracted to a talented young man.

Fellow Daoist Xu, there are some things I shouldn't be saying, but I feel it's better for me to say them.

Shen Xi's face turned deep and cold. Xu Yuanlang quietly clenched his fist and looked at him as he slowly spoke.

"Please have some self-awareness and don't have any other unreasonable thoughts."

"I have the self-awareness to know my place!"

Xu Yuanlang closed his eyes and slowly exhaled a few breaths before suddenly opening them. Even in the darkness, his eyes shone brightly as he stared directly at Shen Xi without fear, a gaze that made Shen Xi feel somewhat uncomfortable.

"But Captain Shen, I think you're wrong!"

"oh!"

Shen Xi's expression changed, and a terrifying aura belonging to the Foundation Establishment Realm suddenly emanated from his body. Xu Yuanlang felt as if he had fallen into the deep sea, and even breathing became difficult.

"What's wrong?"

Despite his Foundation Establishment Realm aura, Xu Yuanlang stared at Shen Xi, his voice trembling but still calm as he spoke.

"I'm destined to be the one who comes last. I'm not going to walk alongside anyone; I'm going to surpass everyone!"

Xu Yuanlang's voice sounded like the resounding clang of a great bell or a great tripod to Shen Xi.

boom!

More than everyone?

Shen Xi's body trembled, then he lowered his head to look at Xu Yuanlang, who still held his head high despite the oppressive aura of his presence, staring intently at him defiantly.

"Really? More than anyone else! Haha!"

Shen Xi's aura suddenly disappeared, and Xu Yuanlang gasped for breath. At this moment, Shen Xi was laughing wildly, but there was no excitement in his voice.

"Perhaps I should kill you here!"