"Senior Brother Zhang."

Zhang Yuan had just stepped out of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion when he heard a voice calling from behind—it was Mu Feifei.

He stopped and turned around to ask, "Junior Sister Mu, what can I do for you?"

Mu Feifei smiled slightly, "Senior Brother Zhang, shall we have a chat?"

Zhang Yuan pondered briefly and nodded, "Alright."

The two found a nearby tea shop and sat down.

Zhang Yuan ordered a pot of fragrant tea, while Mu Feifei took some beef from her waist pouch to feed the chipmunk.

The chipmunk sat on the table, munching on the beef jerky with great enjoyment.

Pouring a steaming cup of tea for Mu Feifei first, Zhang Yuan smiled and said, "You’ve raised this Treasure Hunting Rat really well!"

"It’s just a small skill,"

Mu Feifei modestly replied, "Not as impressive as your sharp archery skills, Senior Brother."

Zhang Yuan chuckled and decided to be straightforward, "Junior Sister Mu, is there something you need?"

He hadn’t known Mu Feifei for long, and they were merely teammates with no other relationship.

So Zhang Yuan was a bit curious. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

He wondered what she wanted to talk about.

Of course, whatever Mu Feifei’s purpose, it certainly wasn’t about romance!

"Senior Brother Zhang,"

Mu Feifei raised her tea cup and said, "Thank you for looking out for me several times; I won’t forget it!"

In Xiao Hong’s team, Zhang Feihu was supposed to protect Mu Feifei.

But Mu Feifei hadn’t thanked the wrong person.

Because during their previous explorations of Mo Yuan, there were several instances where Zhang Yuan stepped in to help Mu Feifei out of trouble.

Given the unique environment of Mo Yuan, unexpected situations arose frequently, and Zhang Feihu couldn’t shield Mu Feifei from all dangers.

With Zhang Yuan being the closest to Mu Feifei in the team, he naturally couldn’t sit by and watch her get into trouble.

Though Zhang Yuan never bragged about it, Mu Feifei surely understood.

Zhang Yuan chuckled, "We’re teammates, it’s only natural, no need to thank me."

Mu Feifei took a sip of tea and sighed, "Xiao Hong is a good person, but he thinks too much. Leaving was the right choice. Xiao Yan is not easy to deal with; joining their team isn’t good."

"Hmm?"

Zhang Yuan was intrigued and asked, "Junior Sister Mu, do you know Xiao Yan?"

"Yes."

Mu Feifei nodded slightly, "Xiao Yan is from the Xiao Clan in Qianjing, which is a Celestial-Human Royal Family. The clan has generations of secret techniques. Senior Brother Zhang, you’re someone with great ambitions, it’s best to keep your distance from him."

Zhang Yuan nodded imperceptibly, "I understand, thank you for the warning, Junior Sister."

Though Mu Feifei’s words were cryptic, the warning was unmistakable, and Zhang Yuan was not one to ignore wise counsel; he was now forewarned and cautious.

Out of curiosity, he asked, "What is a Celestial-Human Royal Family?"

Zhang Yuan knew a bit about Celestial Beings, but this was his first time hearing about Celestial-Human Royal Families.

Through Mu Feifei’s explanation, he learned that so-called Celestial-Human Royal Families are prominent clans that have married into Celestial families, with considerable power in Daqian.

In the Daqian Imperial Capital, Qianjing, there are dozens of such Celestial-Human Royal Families like the Xiao Clan!

Each of them possesses the power to dominate local county governments.

"Although even Celestial Beings dare not cause trouble in the Upper Scenic Celestial,"

Mu Feifei finished by saying, "But in Mo Yuan, the rules of Upper Scenic Celestial don’t apply."

A moment later, Zhang Yuan bid farewell to this remarkably intelligent young woman.

Mu Feifei might seem straightforward but was actually extremely insightful and shrewd.

Zhang Yuan remembered her advice well in his heart.

In the following period, Zhang Yuan continued his studies and cultivation at the Martial Pavilion.

Until he exhausted his last bit of Daoist Merit.

The currency within the Martial Pavilion, and throughout the Upper Scenic Celestial, is Daoist Merit.

With Daoist Merit, one can obtain cultivation techniques, elixirs, talismans, weapons, heavenly materials, and earthly treasures, as well as the teachings of high-tier experts.

If not, one can only stand aside.

During this period of martial arts cultivation, Zhang Yuan made significant progress and naturally would not give up halfway.

Thus, he geared up and headed back into Mo Yuan.

This time, Zhang Yuan set off alone, without joining any team.

In reality, Mo Yuan is not a place suited for solo ventures. Instead, its misty, vast canyon is unfathomable and full of dangers. Without a team’s support and cover, it’s easy to fall into inescapable crises.

Over the centuries, those brave enough to venture alone into Mo Yuan often never returned.

Of course, there’s never a shortage of people who defy odds or are supremely confident in themselves.

Zhang Yuan was counted among them.

But he was not reckless.

Moreover, he possessed a trump card that others did not.

Caw—

With a clear cry, the Red-eyed Crow burst through the obstructing mist, diving into the depths of the canyon.

Through its perspective, Zhang Yuan determined the route to explore Mo Yuan.

Visibility within Mo Yuan was low; Yin Evil Qi was ubiquitous, and some areas even had miasmic gas.

Not only that, but the environment there could change unpredictably at any moment.

The path discovered yesterday could vanish by tomorrow, erased by the living beings in Mo Yuan!

The Level 5 Red-eyed Crow was mostly unaffected by these harmful environmental factors.

It was the best scout for Mo Yuan!

However, back in Xiao Hong’s team, Zhang Yuan would never reveal this trump card.

Mu Feifei’s Treasure Hunting Rat was sufficient.

Now, returning solo to Mo Yuan, it was only natural to wield his trump card.

With the Red-eyed Crow scouting ahead, Zhang Yuan advanced cautiously, meticulously expanding his search range.

For Zhang Yuan, the greatest gain from following Xiao Hong’s team was not Daoist Merit.

But rather the wealth of experience in exploring Mo Yuan.

Xiao Hong’s expertise in this field was commendable, and Zhang Yuan learned a lot from him, putting it to use now.

A patch of verdant leaf grass growing amid the rocky crevice caught his attention.

This leaf grass, blending inconspicuously among thick vines, was nondescript, but in the Red-eyed Crow’s special eyesight, it emitted a life or spiritual glow distinct from the surrounding vegetation.

Thus, it immediately caught Zhang Yuan’s sight!

Retracting the Red-eyed Crow, Zhang Yuan held his Iron-Clad Bow and moved towards this potential heavenly material and earthly treasure, reaching the destination shortly.

Towering ancient trees and jagged boulders surrounded him, pervasive with a chilling aura, the thin mist creating shadowy outlines.

Zhang Yuan didn’t hastily dig up the Spirit Grass. He paused, narrowed his eyes, and, while clutching the Red-eyed Crow’s unique vision, carefully observed the surrounding landscape.

According to past experiences, heavenly materials and earthly treasures always had fierce beasts or mysterious guardians nearby.

The latter might even be using the former as bait!

Though the Red-eyed Crow hadn’t detected any danger, its scouting ability had its limitations too.

Thus, he couldn’t rely on it too much.

The next moment, Zhang Yuan’s gaze sharpened.