Chapter 96

The elder from the Task Hall reported the mission they took on, and when Qin Fanfan and the others received it, they exchanged glances.

“That kind of place might be dangerous,” Elder Zhao said with some concern. “Besides, Ye Qiao has just started foundation building.”

Many geniuses in the cultivation world had perished halfway through their journey. Ideally, it would be best if they all stayed in the sect and didn’t go anywhere, but a sheltered flower can’t last long either.

Duan Yu stroked his scruffy chin and said, “It’s a good opportunity to practice. After all, in the future, they’ll be facing more than just demonic beasts.”

Qin Fanfan said, “I’m still a bit anxious…”

“Are you afraid she might be in danger?” Duan Yu pondered for a moment. “We could send some people to protect them.”

“No,” Qin Fanfan replied. “I’m just worried that Ye Qiao might cause some trouble.”

That was a valid concern.

But it was too late to stop them now. The group had already eagerly started planning how to set off for the Song Family.

“I see that other sects travel by flying boats.”

“Flying boats are too expensive,” Mu Chongxi thought for a moment. “We’ll use swords instead.”

Flying boats consumed spirit stones, which they couldn’t afford. If Elder Zhao saw them, they might end up being chased for compensation when they returned.

“Sword flying is not an option,” Ming Xuan interrupted them. “The Eight Great Families have rules against flying swords within their territory. It would be considered a disregard for their regulations.”

Every place had its own rules, but banning flying swords was excessive.

Ye Qiao sighed, “So, it turns out the Eight Great Families are just a bunch of mountain-dwelling old-timers.”

Xue Yu looked up and said gently, “The Eight Great Families are ancient and conservative. You’ll get used to it.” In a strict sense, they didn’t really like the elders from their own families.

They only cared about talent and bloodlines. Those with poor talent were left abandoned, isolated, and bullied.

“Not even allowed to fly,” Mu Chongxi sneered. “Are we supposed to ride donkeys then?”

What a joke.

“By the way, can we ride a phoenix?” Ming Xuan was inspired by Mu Chongxi’s words and lifted the KFC chicken in his arms.

The KFC chicken had grown larger and was no longer a small bird that could sit on Ye Qiao’s head. It had beautiful, trailing feathers and was very conspicuous in Ming Xuan’s arms.

The KFC chicken had grown quite a bit after the experience in the secret realm. Divine beasts were stronger than cultivators, so if it could fly, carrying someone wasn’t impossible.

“Ye Qiao can ride a phoenix. Our sect has both a red bird and a crane.”

“One for each person. We should be able to reach our destination before dark.”

Mu Chongxi gave a thumbs-up, “Good idea.”

However, while the idea was great, reality was harsh. Among the five, only Ye Qiao had extensive experience riding birds. The other four were bounced around uncontrollably by the birds, unable to control their movements.

They nearly crashed into several sword cultivators who were flying on their swords, but they finally reached their destination before dark.

“How do you feel?” Ye Qiao asked, standing to the side and leisurely watching the several senior brothers who were feeling dizzy and nauseous.

Zhou Xingyun replied, “Exciting.”

Indeed, it was much more thrilling compared to following the main group.

After all, normally, no one would ride birds to fly around.

In the cultivation world, the Eight Great Families’ talisman cultivation families are the Song Family and the Ming Family. Each family controls a large city, and each family in the cultivation world holds absolute power and influence. The cities governed by these talisman cultivation families are even more bustling.

Looking around, there were all kinds of magical tools, elixirs, and talismans. The variety was unmatched by any other city they had seen, even with many counterfeit items flying around. Everything here was genuine. Ye Qiao glanced around and, as expected, found nothing she could afford.

Ye Qiao said, “I suddenly feel like Song Han-sheng’s arrogance wasn’t without reason.”

Turns out they were all rich young masters.

“So spectacular,” the inexperienced ones had their eyes lit up with excitement.

Xue Yu couldn’t help but remind them, “Remember not to alarm the snake by beating the grass.”

“Got it, got it,” Ming Xuan replied dismissively. They had even changed into different clothes for this.

Being their first visit, the five were full of enthusiasm. They saw a group of scattered cultivators gathered around a reward board, pointing and discussing. Out of curiosity, Ye Qiao also went to take a look. She poked one of the cultivators and asked, “What’s that about?”

The person didn’t even turn around, “It’s a reward notice. Capture the people on it and you’ll get spirit stones. If you want to make a profit, just catch those people.”

Ye Qiao’s eyes brightened, and she immediately squeezed in, standing on tiptoe to look at the board.

The next second, her smile froze.