"There is absolutely no problem with us!"
Li Buwei said to the young man beside him, glancing at the disciples of the two factions not far away.
Although he held a soundproofing talisman in his hand, he still lowered his voice subconsciously: "I have a spiritual item on me. Although it's not a powerful magic artifact, it can sense unusual energies."
Any energy that was not designated by the holder could not escape the perception of this spiritual item. He had checked with it earlier, and there were no hidden means on either of them.
To bypass the perception of this spiritual item, one would need at least a mid-stage third realm cultivation, and must be a cultivator proficient in Daoist arts. A pure martial artist would have no chance of doing so.
Ji Yuan nodded slightly. After parting ways with Tie Xiongxin of the Shanhe Gang, he had already used the power of the Xuan Tian Shi Ling Pagoda to check himself for any hidden means. If there were any, they would have been swallowed clean long ago.
Although this treasure did not possess many restrictions and was still an incomplete item, thanks to the demon core of the fourth-tier Scarlet Feather Evil Tiger and the profound refining techniques of the Xuan Tian Dao Sutra, its power was still quite impressive.
Since the problem was not with himself, there was only one other possibility: someone had informed Jingxin Hall and Qingyang Sword Sect of their whereabouts!
As for who it was, there was no need to guess. Only that third-realm martial artist knew their whereabouts and had followed them all the way without alerting them, and had passed the information along.
He wondered if that old man was still lurking somewhere nearby, or if he had already left, satisfied.
Ji Yuan cursed him silently, losing all respect for the senior expert. By now, he understood why the old man had only taken one seven-colored golden core and had shown no greed for the five-colored golden cores they possessed.
It turned out that this old scoundrel, under the guise of a senior expert, had actually intended to use them to attract the attention of various cultivators so that he would have enough time to escape!
If the two of them could keep their golden cores, they could also draw the attention of many third-realm cultivators, who would subconsciously ignore Tie Xiongxin's life and whereabouts.
And if they couldn't protect the golden cores in their hands, it would still incite a fight among the cultivators. By the time anyone reacted, he would have long since disappeared.
"This old fellow is too cunning. If it were another seven-colored golden core, the third-realm cultivators who came rushing would not have been so crazy."
Upon hearing Ji Yuan's words, Li Buwei almost burst out laughing in anger.
Despite the apparent difference of only one grade between a seven-colored and a five-colored golden core, the disparity was beyond imagination for ordinary people.
In terms of value, the latter was countless times higher than the former, making even golden core great cultivators covet it and unable to resist intervening personally to fight for it.
By giving up one seven-colored golden core, regardless of the final outcome, Tie Xiongxin could successfully bring back a seven-colored golden core, which was much better than having nothing in his hands and being unable to secure any of it.
After all, he was still just a third-realm martial artist. Faced with such a large number of third-realm cultivators and other cultivators, he would still feel overwhelmed and be cornered to death!
"Should we change direction?"
After the disciples of the two factions below dispersed, Li Buwei couldn't help but ask.
If they continued on their original path, they might encounter even more cultivators who had received the news.
However, Ji Yuan shook his head. The safest method now was to stick to the original plan and leave the vicinity as quickly as possible, otherwise, once the third-realm cultivators arrived, they would be in real danger.
"It seems our previous preparations will finally come in handy."
He couldn't help but sigh. They had previously thought that those preparations were likely made in vain, but unexpectedly, they would be put to use so soon.
Seeing that there was no one around, they immediately leaped down from the giant tree they were hiding in and quietly headed in the direction they had originally planned.
However, despite their extreme caution, their tracks were still discovered. Cultivators not belonging to either faction found them and happened to run into them face-to-face.
A fight broke out as expected. Fortunately, they were just a few rogue cultivators from the mountains and marshes. Even though Ji Yuan's magical power had only recovered half, he could still easily repel them.
However, as the commotion spread, a large number of cultivators began to gather from all directions, including some rogue cultivators from the mountains and marshes, as well as disciples from various major forces and sects.
"Amitabha!"
Ji Yuan retracted the Xuan Tian Shi Ling Pagoda and held it in his palm. After glancing around, he couldn't help but whisper.
In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they had encountered five waves of cultivators, repelling three waves of about seven or eight people, and killing two waves totaling five people.
These were familiar faces, having intruded into the formation's gap together. It was unexpected that they hadn't fought then, but now they were facing each other in life-or-death combat.
"This can't go on. Even if our magical power holds up, we'll be worn out to death!"
Li Buwei walked over quickly, a faint smell of blood emanating from him.
Encountering five waves of cultivators in succession not only greatly depleted their magical power but also placed a corresponding burden on their physical bodies. If this continued, their vital energy and spirit would be exhausted before they could even escape.
"How did they identify who possessed the golden core?"
Ji Yuan frowned slightly as he glanced at the cultivator he had just killed not far away.
Then he saw the person beside him looking at him with a strange gaze, and he immediately understood.
So it turned out that his build and his robes had become the method for these cultivators to identify him!
But even though he understood, he was somewhat helpless about it. He could take off his robes, but he couldn't just magically grow taller, could he?
But if he didn't make any changes, he would inevitably be recognized if he encountered other cultivators. After all, to be able to cultivate to the Dian Ling realm at such a young age, he was likely the only one in this vicinity.
"I have a method that might have some effect."
Li Buwei looked at him with a strange gaze, a smile appearing on his lips.
Originally, Ji Yuan thought he had some good idea, but it turned out to be just for him to hide in the treetops. This way, although his movement would be slow, the advantage was that he wouldn't have to fight immediately upon encountering other cultivators.
For the next half an incense stick's time, every time they encountered cultivators who had received the news, Li Buwei would immediately put on an air of scrutiny. Upon seeing that there was no one with a youthful appearance among them, he would deliberately frown and show impatience.
After a series of actions, both sides would eventually separate warily and search in different directions.
Seeing this scene, Ji Yuan, who was hiding in the treetops and moving cautiously, couldn't help but sigh that although the method was clumsy, it was indeed quite effective. The only drawback was that the speed could never be increased.
"Fellow Daoist Li?"
Just as he was sighing, a shout suddenly reached his ears.
He looked down and saw a group of five people approaching rapidly, their faces filled with surprise.
Li Buwei was also slightly stunned, but he immediately reacted, stepping forward with a smile to greet them.
"When we left the gap, we couldn't find you, Fellow Daoist Li. We almost thought you had met with misfortune."
A young man said with a smile. Although he wore ordinary robes, he inadvertently exuded an unusual aura.
Even though this person was trying his best, he couldn't disguise himself as a rogue cultivator from the mountains and marshes. Anyone with discerning eyes could tell that he was likely from a prestigious family.
That kind of noble aura could never be concealed, at least not for someone with his composure.
Therefore, following behind the young man, several real rogue cultivators couldn't help but show flattering looks when they looked at him.
It seemed they wanted to serve this young master well, so that they might get a job in the future and serve under a prestigious family, which would be considered escaping the status of rogue cultivators.
"Although my cultivation is not high, I am naturally quite skilled in escaping."
Li Buwei laughed heartily, mentioning it dismissively.
Then, he turned his gaze and said with a half-smile, "Are you all also looking for that young boy who luckily obtained the golden core?"
Seeing the nod from the people in front of him, a sharp glint flashed in the depths of his eyes. Although he had guessed earlier, he hadn't communicated with anyone. Now, his guess was completely confirmed.
"According to the intelligence from the Shanhe Gang, that young boy and his companion should be in this area."
The young man named Cheng Junjie said with a smile, "I do have some ideas, and I wonder if we could join forces with all you fellow daoists to take the golden core from those two."
He said it very casually, as if he were going to take a stone by the roadside, not a golden core.
On the contrary, the four people behind him showed looks of helplessness and deep worry in their eyes.
As rogue cultivators from the mountains and marshes, they were highly sensitive to danger and were not as naive as 'Young Master Cheng' to think that this would be an easy matter.
To quietly snatch a golden core and escape in such a chaotic situation, even if there were only two of them, was not something that could be easily defeated by a few cultivators.
"Fellow Daoist Cheng, you'd better be careful. I heard that more than a dozen fellow daoists have already met a tragic end."
Li Buwei, who had intended to agree, suddenly changed his mind.
Upon hearing this, Cheng Junjie frowned. Although he tried his best to conceal it, it was not difficult to see a flicker of panic in his eyes.
Those they called fellow daoists clearly had a cultivation of second realm or above. With so many cultivators meeting a tragic end, their small group was naturally not so safe.
"Why don't we act together?"
Seeing that the other party was thinking about how to respond, Li Buwei spoke first, "I still have some connections. If we meet any fellow daoists I know later, we can completely join forces and act together."
"The value of a golden core is too high. Let alone us rogue cultivators from the mountains and marshes, even Jingxin Hall or Qingyang Sword Sect could not swallow it alone."
"If a group of fellow daoists join forces, after obtaining the golden core, we can sell it at a sky-high price and then divide it according to our contributions!"
Li Buwei spoke eloquently. Although his words were simple and direct, they were very effective in making the people in front of him instinctively show signs of interest.
Setting aside the young master Cheng, the other rogue cultivators from the mountains and marshes were clearly tempted. They had been worried before about how they could protect the golden core if they were lucky enough to snatch it.
Let alone a few rogue cultivators, even a few third-realm cultivators would still find it difficult to protect a golden core and would have to pay a heavy price.
But if a group of people united, perhaps there would be a chance. It wasn't that a few rogue cultivators joining forces could compare to a few third-realm cultivators.
It was just that at critical moments, they could abandon some people to attract attention and then quietly slip away with the golden core.
Yes.
From the beginning, what they thought about the most was using other cultivators as cannon fodder!
"Good! Let's do it! We rogue cultivators from the mountains and marshes should unite!"
Cheng Junjie clapped his hands vigorously, representing the four people behind him, agreeing to this idea that sounded quite good.
As soon as he said this, the smile on Li Buwei's face became even more pronounced. At the same time, his gaze inadvertently swept over the other people. Although they concealed it well, as someone from the same background as rogue cultivators from the mountains and marshes, how could he not see their inner thoughts?
However, it didn't matter. Who would use whom as a pawn was still uncertain!
"Since that's the case, let's set off immediately. I heard that those two are heading east."
Li Buwei said with a smile.
After the group set off, he deliberately lagged half a step behind, allowing this young master who liked to pretend to be a rogue cultivator from the mountains and marshes to lead the way.
Seeing this, Ji Yuan couldn't help but shake his head helplessly. After the group had moved a few zhang forward, he cautiously moved between the treetops, following them not too far behind.