"Doesn't the Grand Uncle usually not concern himself with sect affairs? What's gotten into him lately? He's not himself at all," Kong Qing wondered aloud. In his understanding, Lu Qing was aloof and unapproachable, even somewhat fearsome. After all, among those who had entered his cave dwelling, only Xiao Man had emerged unharmed.
"I'm rather curious, what business does the Grand Uncle have with junior brother Xiao?"
Lu Qing led Xiao Man to a secluded spot and set up a soundproof barrier. "Extend your hand."
Xiao Man looked at Lu Qing with confusion and extended her hand. Lu Qing made a cut on Xiao Man's palm, and blood beads immediately welled up from the wound. Xiao Man instinctively tried to pull her hand back, but Lu Qing seized her wrist. The blood dripped from her palm onto the ground. The small blades of grass that were stained by Xiao Man's blood withered rapidly, only to spring back to life and grow even more lush than before.
Xiao Man gazed at Lu Qing with a deep look. "What is Grand Uncle trying to do?"
Lu Qing looked at Xiao Man with a pale face, his eyes unable to conceal his shock. "You... you are... a direct descendant of the Qin family."
The smile on Xiao Man's face completely vanished. She withdrew her hand. "What, Grand Uncle is very curious about my identity?"
Lu Qing took a step forward, but Xiao Man instantly created distance between them. She knew how much the Qin family's Myriad Poisons Golden Body tempted outsiders.
Seeing the wariness in Xiao Man's eyes, Lu Qing immediately realized his actions were suspicious, even potentially ill-intentioned. He immediately stepped back, swept his robes, and knelt straight down, prostrating himself.
"Qin Lu pays his respects to the young master."
A hint of understanding flashed in Xiao Man's eyes. He was indeed related to the Qin family.
"Grand Uncle, please rise quickly." Xiao Man stepped forward and helped Lu Qing up. "Grand Uncle's surname is Qin?"
Lu Qing stood up and slowly nodded. "The Qin family was once a prominent clan on the Cang Xuan Continent. After the Qin family suffered disaster, Qin families changed their surnames one after another, fearing they would be implicated. Even those who had no connection to the Qin family were persecuted simply for bearing the surname Qin. Now, there are no longer any people with the surname Qin on the Cang Xuan Continent."
Xiao Man knew the plight of the Qin family on the Cang Xuan Continent was dire, but she had not expected it to be worse than she had imagined. "The Qin family was a powerful clan with deep foundations, why did they fall to this state?"
"No matter how deep the Qin family's foundations were, they could not withstand the siege of the masses. Moreover, the Qin family was annihilated too quickly, with no direct descendants escaping. I was worried that the Qin family's direct line would be extinguished, never imagining that I would see the young master today."
Lu Qing wept profusely. How many years had it been? He had thought he would live his life like this. He never expected that a member of the Qin family would return!
"Is there anyone else from the Qin family?"
"My mother, she was captured and brought to the Cang Xuan Continent. Her whereabouts are currently unknown." Xiao Man's expression was cold. "The person who captured my mother is extremely powerful, capable of traversing spatial rifts alone to capture people from my plane."
"There are only two people on the Cang Xuan Continent with such ability," Lu Qing said, his brow furrowed. "One is the Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect, Yue Mohan, and the other is the young master of the Heavenly Mechanism Sect, Tian Ze. Only these two have the possibility of safely traversing spatial rifts to other planes."
"Meaning, one of these two is the murderer who captured my mother and destroyed the Qin family!" Xiao Man said slowly. "No matter who it is, I will find him eventually."
"Young master, this subordinate is willing to serve you day and night."
"Coincidentally, there are some matters I cannot conveniently handle myself, so I will have to trouble you with them," Xiao Man said softly. "I won't be staying at the Hundred Herbs Hall for much longer."
"Young master, please command."
When Xiao Man and Lu Qing returned, Kong Qing felt that the atmosphere between the two was somewhat odd.
"Grand Uncle, junior brother Xiao, someone has already hunted a Hundred Zombie. We should depart as well."
"No rush, let's wait a bit longer."
"Wait for whom?"
"Wait for Xi Wen and Bai Chen," Xiao Man said calmly. Elder Zong Yi had said that she had to bring Bai Chen along during the hunt. Since she had to bring him anyway, bringing one or two made no difference. She might as well bring them together.
After a short while, Bai Chen and Xi Wen arrived. "Sorry for the wait."
"Now that everyone is here, let's go," Xiao Man instructed. "Two people per group..."
"I want to be in the same group as you!" Yue Ran and Mu Qi said in unison.
"Yue Ran with Fu Shen, Mu Qi with Kong Qing, Diao Han with Bai Chen, I will go with Xi Wen, and Grand Uncle will be responsible for reconnaissance," Xiao Man instructed methodically.
"I must stay with the young master," Diao Han retorted. No matter what, he could not be separated from the young master. If anything were to happen to the young master, he would be inexcusable, even unto death.
"In that case, then the four of you will form a group," Xiao Man said with a smile. "The group that hunts the Hundred Zombie first will receive a reward, and the last group will be punished."
"What reward?"
"The first-place group can ask one person present to grant them one wish. The other person cannot refuse, provided that the matter is within the other person's capabilities and does not violate their principles."
"Alright."
"What is the punishment?"
"The punishment is simple," Xiao Man said, a smile playing on her lips. "Whoever loses will have to wear women's clothing and run laps in Nameless Town!"
Yue Ran shivered instantly. "I will definitely get first place!"
"I will absolutely not come in last!" Several people quickly rushed into the East Yue Forest, searching for the Hundred Zombie. If others killed all the Hundred Zombies, they would be in danger.
Xiao Man watched as everyone rushed into the East Yue Forest, eager to be first. She couldn't help but smile. "Grand Uncle, Xi Wen is in your care."
"Where are you going?"
"Naturally, to see if there's anything around worth my effort," Xiao Man said softly. "As for hunting the Hundred Zombie, let Xi Wen handle it. You just need to ensure he doesn't die."
Xi Wen sheepishly touched his nose. "Master, I've only just entered the Foundation Establishment stage."
"You are already a Foundation Establishment cultivator, which is more powerful than many. I believe a mere Hundred Zombie cannot defeat you!"
"If you encounter danger, send a signal," Lu Qing said. He knew Xiao Man was strong-willed, and once she made a decision, she wouldn't easily change it. Besides, with her abilities, she could protect herself.
After Lu Qing left, Xiao Man headed towards the Extreme North Swamp once more. When she had gone to the Extreme North Swamp to steal the Flood Dragon's egg, she had discovered a fire seed at the bottom of the Flood Dragon's cave. However, she had been pressed for time and hadn't had the chance to claim it. With the Flood Dragon killed and everyone busy hunting the Hundred Zombie, it was the perfect time for her to claim the fire seed.
"Girl, the fire seed is not that easy to subdue. Moreover, that fire seed is hidden beneath a deep pool, and it is very likely an exotic fire," Old Qin said worriedly. After all, Xiao Man's cultivation was too low. An ordinary fire seed would not be a problem, but if it were an exotic fire seed, rashly attempting to subdue it could cost her her life.