Howl——!

The howl of the Triangular Poison Wolf King echoed through the surrounding forest.

Jing Hai’s body arched, his muscles tense, his eyes filled with determination, staring at the Triangular Poison Wolf King, without panicking despite the differences in realm.

In terms of facing enemies head-on, Mu Qingge was still satisfied.

She leaned in Si Mo’s embrace, almost imperceptibly nodding. She anticipated Jing Hai’s upcoming performance.

Training in the face of life and death is an excellent opportunity for anyone to improve, and Jing Hai will certainly be no exception. Moreover, Mu Qingge was absolutely confident she could save Jing Hai at the last moment of life and death and keep him alive.

The venom from the Poison Wolf King’s sharp fangs dripped onto the ground, emitting a stench and corroding the plants on the ground.

Compared to Hou’s venom, this bit of poison from the Poison Wolf King naturally doesn’t seem like much. However, for Jing Hai, the venom of the Triangular Poison Wolf King was enough to be fatal.

Suddenly, the Triangular Poison Wolf King lunged at Jing Hai ferociously. Its figure was agile, fast as the wind and swift like lightning, appearing at Jing Hai’s position instantly.

Yet Jing Hai’s movements were not slow; at the moment the Poison Wolf King lunged at him, he dashed to the left—

The figures of man and wolf crossed in mid-air, reflecting the cruel and vicious gaze of the Poison Wolf King in Jing Hai’s clear eyes.

Whoosh!

The Poison Wolf King missed its target and, upon landing, immediately adjusted its angle to pursue Jing Hai again.

Jing Hai rolled twice on the ground, quickly got up, and pulled out the dagger he carried with him. This dagger was modified by Mu Qingge from a military knife and was very suitable for combat in the wild.

The sharp reverse saw blade was also equipped with a blood groove, capable of quickly bleeding out with one slash.

Jing Hai held the dagger across his chest, his eyes calmly staring at the series of missed rushes of the Poison Wolf King.

The Poison Wolf King roared angrily, lunging at Jing Hai once again, its claws emitting a pale gray spiritual light, indicating its cultivation.

Jing Hai nimbly sidestepped, letting the spiritual light flash past his chest, cutting his clothes and leaving a slender opening.

Meanwhile, Jing Hai’s dagger had already reached the Poison Wolf King’s neck. With a swift wrist movement, the dagger was thrust forward, its sharp tip aimed precisely and aggressively at the skin under the Poison Wolf King’s neck.

Mu Qingge squinted, her eyes showing a hint of approval: "This move is not bad, decisive and bold; it seems the usual practice hasn’t gone to waste."

"But I’m afraid it’s ineffective." Si Mo’s voice had just fallen when a burst of sparks flashed before their eyes.

Jing Hai’s dagger had scraped across the Poison Wolf King’s neck, yet it didn’t break the skin but instead sparked.

His attack failed to penetrate the Poison Wolf King’s defense!

If this were someone of the same realm, under Jing Hai’s attack, even if they weren’t killed, they would at least have their skin and flesh torn. However, the defense of the Beast Clan naturally surpassed that of humans; their skin and fur possess extraordinary defensive abilities, as if wearing a sturdy armor.

Thus, Jing Hai’s power and his weapon were unable to break through the Poison Wolf King’s natural defense.

Instead, his move completely enraged the Poison Wolf King, causing its eyes to become even more ferocious, filled with a bloody red hue.

"It seems it’s time to spend some time upgrading the weapons and equipment." Mu Qingge slightly furrowed her brows, murmuring to herself.

In Linchuan, Dragon Teeth’s enemies were mostly humans, and those equipment were sufficient. But in the Middle Ancient Realm, Dragon Teeth’s identity is a Floating Guest, encountering not only humans but often fighting with the Beast Clan.

If without lethal weapons, they might suffer in battle.

As the leader, she certainly wouldn’t let such a thing happen within Dragon Teeth. If you want to do a good job, you must first sharpen your tools!

The Triangular Poison Wolf King, filled with rage, lunged at Jing Hai, its momentum seeming to want to tear Jing Hai apart and devour him whole. The Poison Wolf King’s speed was too fast; Jing Hai’s speed was not significant in its eyes.

Effortlessly, Jing Hai was pinned to the ground by the Triangular Poison Wolf King, its sharp front paws pressing on his shoulders, restricting his movement.

Roar——!

A husky, deep roar emanated from the throat of the Triangular Poison Wolf King.

Its blood-red eyes stared at Jing Hai, revealing fierce and cold killing intent. It lifted its left front paw, pressing down on Jing Hai’s right elbow.

Crack!

The sound of bones breaking echoed.

The acute pain made Jing Hai’s face pale, forcing his hand that held the dagger to release it, causing the dagger to drop beside him.

Yet, no matter how painful, Jing Hai didn’t let out a single scream.

The resilience in his eyes looked tangible, transforming into daggers that shot fiercely towards the Triangular Poison Wolf King. However, the Triangular Poison Wolf King only responded with a disdainful smile to this gaze.

Mu Qingge frowned, her eyes reflecting an icy light.

"Don’t rush, wait a bit longer," Si Mo whispered in her ear.

A glimmer passed through Mu Qingge’s clear eyes. She naturally understood the principle of unleashing potential in adversity. Si Mo had thrown Jing Hai into the Canglan Mountain Range for this very reason.

So, she restrained her murderous intent and patiently continued to wait.

The poison from the Triangular Poison Wolf King’s sharp fangs dripped down its tips, and Jing Hai reflexively turned his head to avoid the droplets hitting his face.

This action seemed to provoke the Poisonous Wolf King.

A hint of mockery appeared in its blood-red, icy eyes.

The paw pressing down on Jing Hai’s left shoulder applied slight pressure, tightening inward—

Crack, crack!

"Ah—!" The bones in his shoulder seemed to shatter inch by inch, while the sharp claws pierced the skin, sinking into the flesh.

The scent of blood wafted from Jing Hai’s wound.

That pain forced him to cry out.

Cold sweat instantly drenched Jing Hai’s hair.

His entire left arm lay limp, completely devoid of strength and unable to be mobilized.

Having achieved its aim, the Poisonous Wolf King still did not intend to let him go. It slowly lifted its right forepaw, encircling Jing Hai’s head, preventing it from moving.

The Poisonous Wolf King parted its terrifying maw, poison again slowly dripping from its fangs.

Jing Hai’s head was immobile, seeing only through the gaps between the Poisonous Wolf King’s claws as the gleaming green poison dripped towards him.

The droplet was crystalline green, incredibly beautiful, yet it emitted a foul stench, blooming into a tiny green flower on Jing Hai’s left cheek.

"Ah—! Ah—!"

Jing Hai screamed in agony, struggling with all his might, but to no avail.

The poison eroded his left face, continuously widening his wound, decaying his skin and flesh, exposing white bone.

Unprecedented pain constantly tormented Jing Hai, yet the Poisonous Wolf King took pleasure in his torment, in no rush to claim his life, playing with him like a toy.

Jing Hai’s cries of pain echoed through the woods.

He did not know that not far from him, the person he respected most, his teacher and instructor, was watching him.

In the depths of his clear eyes, despair and unwillingness emerged, and from those pure eyes, hatred and murderous intent radiated. He glared at the Poisonous Wolf King, as if wishing to kill it with his gaze!

Si Mo glanced at Mu Qingge, slightly concerned about the calmness of the child in his arms.

Mu Qingge merely curved her lips slightly, "It’s nothing for a boy to endure some injury. As long as he has a breath left, I can save him."

Despite her words, her clear eyes never ceased to fixate on Jing Hai’s pained expression and the gruesome, terrifying wounds on his left face. Beneath the torn skin and flesh, the faintly revealed white bones chilled her breath somewhat.

Si Mo gripped her hand firmly, not saying anything.

Torturing Jing Hai seemed to have become a game that interested the Poisonous Wolf King.

It slowly crushed Jing Hai’s bones piece by piece, leaving hardly any intact bones on his body. By this point, even if it left, Jing Hai would be unable to move at all.

Finally, it seemed to tire of this game. It let out a long howl and opened its bloody mouth, aiming at Jing Hai’s throat.

The throbbing blood vessels there seemed to attract it, and the blood flowing within was its greatest reward!

However, just as it was about to snap Jing Hai’s blood vessels in one bite, Jing Hai suddenly gazed directly at it, a hint of splendid color emerging in those once pure eyes.

His gaze seemed different from before, his entire being appearing transformed.

The Poisonous Wolf King hesitated for a moment.

In that moment of hesitation, its mind seemed manipulated, and its ferocious gaze instantly became docile.

"Step back," Jing Hai ordered the Poisonous Wolf King, blood frothing from his mouth.

This command is utterly laughable. If anyone else had been present, they would have burst out laughing to see the haggard Jing Hai issuing such a command to the fierce Poisonous Wolf King.

Yet, under this command, the Poisonous Wolf King lifted its head, slowly retreated two steps, and released Jing Hai from its grip.

Mu Qingge’s eyes sharpened as she stood up straight from Si Mo’s embrace, lowering her arms that had been crossed over her chest, and watched Jing Hai with a severe expression.

Without the Poisonous Wolf King’s control, Jing Hai, with fractured bones, couldn’t move an inch.

Lying on the ground, he continued to give orders. "Leave this place."

The Triangular Poison Wolf King’s eyes showed a barely noticeable struggle, but it ultimately vanished. It seemed it couldn’t defy Jing Hai’s command.

"What a pleasant surprise!" Si Mo’s voice suddenly rang out.

Mu Qingge turned her eyes towards him, filled with inquiry.

Si Mo lowered his eyes to look at Mu Qingge, a hint of amusement in his amber eyes. "Xiao Qingge, are you familiar with the Jing Family’s bloodline?"

Mu Qingge’s mind stirred, and she answered, "Isn’t it simply closeness with the Beast Clan, enabling them to tame the Beast Clan?"

Si Mo nodded, adding, "Strictly speaking, the root of the Jing Family’s bloodline originates from a Beast God. Therefore, their bloodline holds an ability that endears them to the Beast Clan. It reduces the risk of interacting with the Beast Clan. Moreover, with their ancestral Contract Array, they can tame some of the Beast Clan. However, your little disciple possesses a mutated bloodline."

"A mutated bloodline!" Mu Qingge’s eyes contracted, and she exclaimed in shock.

Si Mo nodded and said, "This was unexpected for me as well. In his bloodline, there is an added ability, and that is manipulation! He can manipulate the thoughts of the Beast Clan without taming them. Once his ability is fully developed, as his cultivation increases, what a terrifying power it would become!"

Mu Qingge’s eyes widened slightly as she listened to Si Mo’s words.

Before her eyes seemed to appear a scene where Jing Hai commanded a ferocious army of beasts.

His manipulation ability seemed somewhat similar to the Beast Taming Flute, except the flute is always an external item, while he relied on himself.

"Has his bloodline awakened?" Despite her shock, Mu Qingge did not forget the reason Jing Hai was thrown here.

Si Mo nodded, "Consider it an awakening, but for now, it is merely an unconscious self-preservation response. For him to fully master this ability and continue to explore it will take a considerable amount of time."

With that, he paused and added, "Once he can completely control this ability, he can become a true king among the Beast Clan. His manipulation over them will become eternal."

A hint of shock appeared in Mu Qingge’s eyes, and she took a deep breath, turning to look at Jing Hai.

Under Jing Hai’s command, the Triangular Poison Wolf King indeed turned to leave.

But how could Mu Qingge allow it to leave just like that?

Her figure flashed, leaving Si Mo’s side, and when she appeared again, she was standing in front of the Triangular Poison Wolf King, blocking its path.

A familiar red hue flashed before his eyes, causing a trace of confusion to flicker in Jing Hai’s now somewhat indifferent eyes. He blurted out, "Instructor!"

His murmured voice drew Mu Qingge’s gaze to him.

With a cold tone, she spoke, "Since you already possess the ability to kill it, why let it go?"

"I..." Jing Hai was at a loss for words.

"Compassion will only endanger you again." After speaking, Mu Qingge produced a barbed whip in her hand.

She swung the whip with force, causing a sharp crack in the air as it lashed the Triangular Poison Wolf King.

Awoo—!

A ghastly, bone-deep wound immediately appeared on the back of the Triangular Poison Wolf King. The barbs on the whip tore at its flesh, hurting it enough to produce a whimper.

Splash—!

The whip fell again, leaving another deep welt on the Triangular Poison Wolf King.

Splash-splash—!

Each lash was fiercer than the last.

Mu Qingge’s utterly beautiful face was icy, covered with a layer of frost.

Jing Hai could only lie on the ground, turning his head to watch her. His eyes, transformed into something magnificently cold, showed a flicker of apprehension. It was as if he had realized his master’s anger.

But he couldn’t discern whether his master’s anger was directed at him or the Poisonous Wolf King.

’I’ve disappointed my master!’

Jing Hai thought to himself.

The whip shadows continued to fall upon the Poisonous Wolf King, rendering it entirely powerless to resist. Before long, its flesh was slashed so badly there was not an intact piece left. Some whips even cracked and fractured its bones.

While the whip in Mu Qingge’s hand was not some powerful weapon, she infused her every strike with her Spiritual Power.

The Spiritual Power of the Silver Realm Third Layer was not something a Triangular Poison Wolf King could withstand.

"Awoo—!"

"Whimper—!"

Splash!

Splash-splash!

Splash!

The whip was already laden with the Poisonous Wolf King’s flesh.

Suddenly, the long whip coiled around the neck of the Poisonous Wolf King, violently tossing it to Jing Hai’s side.

Bang—!

The massive body of the Poisonous Wolf King fell heavily, its bloody, dreadful wounds clearly visible in Jing Hai’s eyes, causing his pupils to contract.

"Is my disciple someone you can harm at will?" Mu Qingge’s cold voice resonated.

Jing Hai’s body trembled, looking towards Mu Qingge’s position with utter shock in his eyes.

’So, so master’s anger is because I got injured myself!’ Jing Hai suddenly realized, and his eyes grew somewhat teary.

"Kill it, use your ability to kill it. Avenge yourself!" Mu Qingge spoke again, this time giving Jing Hai a command.

Mu Qingge’s commands were not to be defied!

This was the clearest thing in Jing Hai’s mind. He gritted his teeth and looked at the Poisonous Wolf King. Its dying state made him doubt its capability to execute his command.

But he still acted according to Mu Qingge’s instructions!

"Kill yourself!" Jing Hai told the Poisonous Wolf King.

The Poisonous Wolf King whimpered, and under Jing Hai’s waiting gaze, it finally raised its front paw and tore its own throat.

Blood soaked the ground, also drowning the motionless Jing Hai.

However, he showed Mu Qingge a happy smile and weakly said, "Instructor, I did it. I won’t disappoint you..." After speaking, he fainted.

Mu Qingge stood where she was, gently raising a hand as Jing Hai’s body lifted from the ground and slowly landed by her feet.

Jing Hai’s fainting was an expected circumstance.

Mu Qingge did not exhibit surprise; she merely crouched down, pressing her lips tight as she tended to his injuries.

Si Mo cast a fleeting glance at the corpse of the Triangular Poison Wolf King. With a wave, the Beast Core burst out from its skull and flew into his hand.

Since his little Qingge liked these things so much, naturally, he would bring them back for her.

Turning his gaze back, he saw Mu Qingge still treating Jing Hai’s wounds. Si Mo thought it over and, holding ’Tuza,’ retreated. He didn’t go far, just to a more open area.

Si Mo gently stroked the fur of the Hou in his arms, a faint smile playing on his lips.

That smile made the Hou in his embrace feel a chill down its spine.

Suddenly, he lightly patted the Hou twice with a calm voice and said, "Get to work."

The Hou’s soft fur at the back of its neck stood on end. It glared at Si Mo with gritted teeth yet submitted, utilizing its Fierce Beast Master bloodline pressure to compel the surrounding Beast Clan to reveal themselves...

Gradually, more and more of the Beast Clan gathered around Si Mo.

These Beast Clan members, all in the Silver Realm First Layer or higher, numbered about several thousand, bizarre and menacing in appearance. Among them were a hundred that had already crossed into the Golden Realm, now summoned by the Hou’s aura, unable to resist.

"That’s about enough." Si Mo said to the Hou in his arms, then murmured to himself, "If I were to bring all the Beast Clan in the mountain here, Xiao Qingge might think I’m cruel."

With that, he smirked slightly.

Boom-boom-boom—!

Countless explosive sounds resonated around him. The heads of thousands of Beast Clan members burst into bloody blossoms without any apparent cause, each color of Beast Core flying out from their skulls, forming circle after circle around Si Mo.

Thousands of Beast Clan members fell silently to the ground.

Si Mo looked at the swirling Beast Cores surrounding him and revealed a satisfied smile. With a wave of his hand, thousands of Beast Cores were collected by him.

Only then did he seem to have the leisure to glance at the corpses of the Beast Clan members.

Gazing at the corpses, his amber eyes showed nothing but calmness, devoid of emotion or warmth. It was as if these thousands of lives were insignificant in his presence.

"Can’t let it go to waste," he murmured to himself again.

As his words fell, the souls of the thousands of Beast Clan members were extracted from their bodies, transforming into intangible lights, forming a radiant, multicolored sphere that slowly landed in Si Mo’s open palm.

The soulless bodies quickly withered and, with Si Mo’s faint smile, crumbled into dust, disappearing on the spot.

Holding the Soul Ball in his hand, there was a flicker of expression in his amber eyes.

Placing the Soul Ball away safely, he headed toward where Mu Qingge was.

"You’re more like a Fierce Beast than I am," Houn commented on the way. While he also relished killing, he wouldn’t go as far as Si Mo in such an extravagant manner.

Thousands of Beast Clan members were wiped out cleanly in an instant, leaving not a trace.

And the reason this terrifying man did so was merely because his lady liked collecting Beast Cores!

"Thanks for the compliment," Si Mo replied with a light smile, not bothered by Houn’s sarcasm at all.

Right now, he just wanted to return to Qingge’s side quickly, present the Beast Cores to her, and earn her lovely smile.

When Si Mo returned to the previous location, Jing Hai’s wounds had already been treated by Mu Qingge. Even the injury on his face had been bandaged so well that it no longer looked frightening and grotesque.

"Ge’er," Si Mo called out softly.

Mu Qingge looked up at him and said, "The bones have been set, and he has taken the elixir, but he cannot engage in strenuous activities for some time. He will need a period of recuperation. However, he’s likely going to have a scar on his face."

Si Mo walked to her side and smiled at her, "You did it on purpose, didn’t you?"

Mu Qingge shot him a glare, before turning her gaze to focus on the wound on Jing Hai’s left cheek, just below the eye.

After healing, a faint scar as big as a fingertip would remain there, barely noticeable unless carefully examined. But if scrutinized closely, it could be seen.

Leaving that scar intentionally?

Si Mo wasn’t wrong; she indeed did it on purpose.

She had more than ten types of spiritual pills that could remove scars, yet she chose not to use them.

"Jing Hai is kind-hearted. Leaving a scar will serve as a constant reminder of what I’ve told him," Mu Qingge explained.

Si Mo looked at her, slightly raising his eyebrows.

"Cut the weeds without removing the roots, and they will grow anew with the spring breeze," Mu Qingge squinted and said.

Si Mo smiled gently.

Removing the roots; in this principle, she shared the same thought as Si Mo.

He took out the thousands of Beast Cores he had just ’collected’ and presented them to Mu Qingge. "For you."

Mu Qingge received the Qiankun Bag and extended her Spiritual Sense into it, immediately seeing thousands of Beast Cores.

Mu Qingge looked at Si Mo in astonishment and exclaimed, "How did you get so many Beast Cores?"

"Qingge liked them, so I brought them for you," Si Mo replied nonchalantly. As if these Beast Cores were merely fruits picked from a tree.

Mu Qingge took a deep breath.

The fact that this man left only for a while and returned with so many Beast Cores was truly terrifying!

"Does Qingge like them?" Si Mo asked eagerly, similar to a child seeking praise from an elder.

Mu Qingge nodded in a daze.

These Beast Cores likely exceeded what the Dragon Tooth Guards could collect in a month in the mountains. How could she not like them?

"Is there a reward then?" Si Mo leaned forward, pouting his lips toward Mu Qingge.

Mu Qingge’s mouth twitched, and with her peripheral vision noticing Jing Hai still unconscious, she tiptoed, yanked Si Mo’s collar, and pressed her lips to his.

She pecked lightly on Si Mo’s cool cherry-pink lips and swiftly released him, smiling as she said, "Well done, your Lordship shall naturally reward you."

This sentence filled Si Mo with joy, and his amber eyes suddenly burned with passion.

The aggressive glint in his eyes made Mu Qingge’s heart skip a beat.

Yet, contrary to her expectations, he did not take an inch. Instead, he merely extended his tongue and lightly traced his lips where Mu Qingge had touched, ambiguously saying, "Very sweet."

Mu Qingge’s cheeks flushed red, but she feigned calm, saying, "Hmm, your taste isn’t bad either!" Damn! What did I just say?

The moment the words left her mouth, Mu Qingge was embarrassed.

She heard a light chuckle from Si Mo beside her.

She coughed twice to cover it up, then diverted her gaze, saying to Si Mo, "Let’s take Jing Hai to meet up with Mo Yang and the others now."

...

Thousands of Beast Cores naturally signified the slaughter of thousands of Beast Clan members.

Mu Qingge was perfectly aware of this, so she didn’t ask how the Beast Cores were acquired. Nor did she consider Si Mo cruel, for this was an era where the strong preyed on the weak. Survival of the fittest rendered useless any sense of pitiful mercy.

The great hunt initiated the ferocious battle between humans and the Beast Clan, which was equally brutal, wasn’t it?

The Beast Clan quietly dwelling in the Canglan Mountain Range could not avoid the bloody slaughter, just like humans traversing this mountain could equally fall victim to the Beast Clan.

Linchuan Yi City, though guarded well by the Mu Family Army, would still face waves of beast tides, resulting in countless casualties.

In this world, there’s no real right or wrong, only the distinction between strength and weakness!

This rule of the game was something Mu Qingge understood the moment she transmigrated.

So... why accuse her Si Mo of being cruel?

By the time they reunited with Mo Yang and the others with Jing Hai, the evening had already set in.

Mo Yang, along with the Dragon Tooth Guards, had already selected a place in the mountain to set up camp, everything proceeding in an orderly fashion.

Seeing Mu Qingge return, Mo Yang hurried to have someone take over Jing Hai.

"Young Lord, Jing Hai he..." Mo Yang inquired.

Mu Qingge succinctly replied, "He was injured in battle. Let me know when he wakes up."

Mo Yang nodded and retreated, while Mu Qingge walked with Si Mo toward their tent.

The campsite chosen by the Dragon Tooth Guards was a high ground near a creek. Naturally, it could not compare to the camp on the Sunset Grassland in scale, but as it was just for a night’s stay, everything was kept simple.

Even the tent where Mu Qingge stayed was not extraordinary, just more comfortably set up compared to the others.

"Boss, you’re back!" Just as they approached the tent, Sang Yichen’s voice came from behind Mu Qingge.

Mu Qingge glanced at Si Mo, who bent down and entered the tent.

Turning around, Mu Qingge saw Sang Yichen running toward her excitedly, with Sang Xuewu following closely behind.

As they reached Mu Qingge, before they could speak, Mu Qingge proactively said, "Let’s walk to the creek."

As she spoke, Sang Xuewu and Sang Yichen would not refuse. The look of delight flashed in their eyes as they followed Mu Qingge toward the creek.

Truthfully, Mu Qingge did not know how to handle the relationship with these siblings.

Regarding the Mu Mansion, Mu Xiong must have already received the message she sent back, but they still needed to wait for the person sent by Si Mo to deliver the Communication Talisman to relay the information back.

Approaching the gently flowing stream, it seemed to isolate them from the Dragon Tooth Guards, leaving them with a space where they could talk.

"You grew up in the Sang Family but still remember the Mu Family. This shows that Sang Lanruo did well." Mu Qingge said while gazing distantly at the opposite side of the stream.

As Mu Qingge spoke, Sang Xuewu and Sang Yichen couldn’t help but hold their breath, growing tense.

Because they didn’t know what Mu Qingge intended to say.

They exchanged a silent glance and both chose to remain silent.

And it seemed Mu Qingge didn’t require their response, as she continued, "Go back and tell Sang Lanruo that I will visit the Sang Family. If they cannot save Mu Liancheng, I will take her away."

This statement left Sang Xuewu and Sang Yichen dumbfounded, their eyes widening in shock.

"Boss, you can’t do this!" Sang Yichen blurted out.

Cannot?

Mu Qingge’s eyes flashed sharply, her face turning cold as she faced them.

The night shrouded the three of them, and whether it was the setting sun or the chill of the water, the temperature around them had dropped a few degrees.

"Mu Liancheng bears the Mu name, the Mu Family is where he belongs." Mu Qingge’s voice turned cold.

This was for Mu Xiong, for Mu Lianrong, for the Mu Family Army.

Mu Liancheng is the son of Mu Xiong, the brother of Mu Lianrong, and the Young General of the Mu Family Army. His homeland is with the Mu Family in Linchuan, not with the Sang Family in the Middle Ancient Realm.

"Boss, we didn’t mean it like that. You don’t know how over the past ten years, mother has been exhausted over father’s matters. Now, resurrecting father is her greatest wish to keep living. If you insist on taking father away, she won’t be able to bear it," Sang Xuewu hurriedly said.

"What does that have to do with me?" Mu Qingge replied without a thought.

Her indifferent tone and somewhat cold words sent a chill deep into the hearts of Sang Xuewu and Sang Yichen, brother and sister.

They should have sternly refuted her, yet facing Mu Qingge, they couldn’t utter a word.

Between the three of them, silence fell. Only the sound of trickling water remained.

After a short while, Sang Xuewu moved a bit closer to Mu Qingge and, in a softened, lowered voice, pleaded, "Boss, we all know that you’ve suffered a lot over the years. It’s our fault, but you can’t hold it against mom, disregard her, or ignore what she can bear."

"You’re all wrong. Between Sang Lanruo and me, neither owes the other. To me, my parents died nineteen years ago, with no remains left behind. To me, she’s just a stranger. Bringing back Mu Liancheng is only for my grandfather," Mu Qingge said coldly.

Her tone was extremely calm, a terrifying kind of calm.

The calmer it was, the more it threw Sang Xuewu and her brother into a chaotic panic. Even though the three of them stood face to face, it felt as if a wall stood between them.

This wall was built by nineteen years of neglect and could not be broken down overnight.

Glancing coolly at the two, Mu Qingge stepped away and walked towards the camp.

After she left, Sang Yichen looked at Sang Xuewu with a mournful expression and asked, "What should we do? Boss blames mom too deeply."

Sang Xuewu sighed softly, saying in a low voice, "The knot must be undone by the one who tied it. Hopefully, when boss meets mom, she’ll understand her hardships over the years, and they can ease their relationship."

Sang Yichen also let out a heavy sigh.

At this moment, he didn’t know what else to do. Sang Xuewu’s words seemed to be the only solution.

...

Mu Qingge lifted the tent flap and entered her tent.

Her face still carried a trace of chill, which Si Mo noticed, prompting him to ask, "Who made you angry?"

Under the usual tone of inquiry, there was already a hint of killing intent.

Mu Qingge slowly shook her head, sat down beside him, personally removed her purple earrings, and leaned on Si Mo’s lap. Si Mo had never seen Mu Qingge in such a girlish posture.

His eyes flickered with a slight peculiarity as his long fingers threaded through her hair.

After a while, Mu Qingge took a deep breath, sat up, and shook her head at Si Mo, saying, "I’m fine now."

"That’s good." Si Mo nodded with a smile.

Some things don’t need to be pursued, as long as both are fine.

"Do you think people can really come back to life? I mean people who have been dead for more than ten years," Mu Qingge pondered for a while, then looked up at Si Mo and asked.

Si Mo thought for a moment in silence, then nodded, saying, "That depends on the situation." With meaning in his eyes, he asked again, "Are you talking about your father?"

Father!

This unfamiliar term was just a memory for both her and the real Mu Qingge.

Mu Qingge was slightly taken aback for a moment, then nodded, "Mu Liancheng died in battle, and Sang Lanruo brought his corpse back to the Sang Family in the Middle Ancient Realm. If he can truly be revived, it would give an explanation to the old man and my aunt as well."

"Little Ge’er, don’t put too much pressure on yourself." Si Mo affectionately rubbed her hair.

His little Ge’er was always like this, tough on the outside but soft on the inside. Though she said she would ignore it, she always found ways to solve everything.

"I’m not doing this for Sang Lanruo," Mu Qingge explained.

Si Mo nodded, "I know, you’re doing it for the Mu Family."

Mu Qingge nodded heavily.

Puling Mu Qingge, who evoked such heartache, into his embrace, Si Mo’s chin rested on the top of her head, and his deep, magnetic voice came softly: "If the body hasn’t decomposed, it means his soul was trapped inside at that time. For more than a decade, the Sang Family has nourished his soul with spiritual objects to ensure this. In order to resurrect him, we must find the Blood Cocoon Flower, Silkworm Grass, Fire Feather Ganoderma, and a drop of Divine Demon Blood, then refine them into a Holy Level Elixir for him to consume. Only then might resurrection be possible."

Alchemy!

Mu Qingge’s eyes slightly darkened.

A Holy Level Elixir was already a goal she had to achieve.

However, the things Si Mo mentioned were something she had never even heard of, presumably extremely difficult to find. Not to mention the Divine Demon Blood.

"You don’t need to worry about the Divine Demon Blood. The other three ingredients are rare and hard to find in this world, but I will also keep an eye out for you. Resurrection itself is defying nature. Don’t be too hard on yourself, Qingge." Si Mo comforted her.

Mu Qingge took a deep breath and said to Si Mo, "Thank you, Amo. However, I still need you to tell me what the Blood Cocoon Flower, Silkworm Grass, and Fire Feather Ganoderma look like."

Si Mo shook his head somewhat helplessly but still extended his slender fingers to lightly tap her forehead as she wished.

Instantly, Mu Qingge’s mind was filled with three images, each depicting the three different medicinal materials for her to remember.

"Young General, Jing Hai is awake," suddenly came the voice of a Dragon Tooth Guard from outside the tent.

Mu Qingge gathered her emotions, put on her earrings again, and transformed into the flamboyant and carefree Young General before stepping out of the tent.

Upon entering Jing Hai’s tent, Jing Hai tried to get out of bed to bow as soon as he saw Mu Qingge.

Mu Qingge stopped him, asking, "Do you still feel any discomfort now?"

Jing Hai quickly shook his head and said, "I don’t feel uncomfortable anymore."

Mu Qingge’s gaze swept over his left cheek, and she said lightly, "Your left cheek might leave a scar. If you mind, I can help you remove it."

Jing Hai was stunned, then immediately grinned brightly. "It’s okay; I’m a man. Having a scar on my face is not a big deal. I even think I look too tender, and a scar makes me appear more valiant."

His acceptance made Mu Qingge nod, but she still reminded him: "I hope you don’t forget where this scar came from."

Jing Hai held his breath, his expression becoming more serious, and he nodded to Mu Qingge with assurance: "Instructor, I remember."

"And about your ability..." Mu Qingge asked again.

Jing Hai frowned and said, "I also don’t know what happened. It’s just that in a moment of danger, a voice inside me guided me on what to do, making the Poisonous Wolf King abandon its idea of killing me."

Mu Qingge didn’t ask more, got up to leave, and only instructed: "Since you have this talent, then explore it well and don’t waste it."

"Yes, Instructor," Jing Hai replied earnestly.

Mu Qingge didn’t tell him about his bloodline. As for Jing Hai’s growth, she wouldn’t interfere much; he needs to put in his own efforts. If one day he wishes to recognize his ancestors in the Jing Family, she wouldn’t stop him.

After leaving Jing Hai’s residence, Mu Qingge instructed Mo Yang: "From tomorrow, we will officially start hunting. According to the groups, search the depths of the Canglan Mountain Range, and don’t forget to send people as scouts."

Mo Yang nodded, hesitated for a moment, then asked, "What about the Sang siblings?"

Mu Qingge pursed her lips and said, "They’ll follow me."

Understanding Mu Qingge’s plan, Mo Yang immediately went to arrange everything.

After patrolling around the camp, Mu Qingge returned to her own tent. As soon as she entered, she was pulled by a force onto the bed inside the tent.

Mu Qingge fell into the man’s arms and raised an eyebrow, "What do you want to do?"

Si Mo naturally removed her identity-disguising earrings and smiled ambiguously, "What do you think I want to do? Qingge, with such a long night, why don’t we do something meaningful?"

Mu Qingge twitched the corner of her mouth, looking at the patrolling shadows pacing back and forth on the tent, and warned the man, "We are in the wild here. Do you want everyone to watch?"

Damn it! Does this man not care about the setting when he’s feeling passionate?

"What are you afraid of?" Si Mo flipped over, pinning Mu Qingge beneath him. His fingertips hooked onto Mu Qingge’s long hair, which had fallen onto the bed, smiled charmingly at her, and a faint black smoke seeped from him, enveloping the whole tent as if forming a barrier.

"Now, no one can disturb us," Si Mo smiled faintly.

Mu Qingge’s gaze swept around; indeed, it seemed much quieter.

Si Mo wouldn’t deceive her, and this reassurance made her suddenly reveal a seductive smile.

She suddenly exerted strength, flipping Si Mo underneath her. Her fingertips grazed over his chest, lifting his collar, and with a mischievous smile, she said, "Tonight, this Lord is in a bad mood. With a beauty accompanying, how could I refuse?"

With that, she leaned down, swiftly kissed Si Mo’s lips, and with a bit of forcefulness, pried open his teeth...