Upon Ji Yun and Chen Lihua's arrival at the Floral Lake, they were greeted by the sight of Lin Tao holding up two similar looking herbs in front of Tan Rong and explaining the differences between the two.
Tan Rong waved a hand.
Lin Tao placed down the two herbs, "Hmm… Good choice."
Chen Lihua's eyes shifted upwards as she followed Lin Tao's gaze. Although she couldn't see them, she realized he was referring to the newly bought nevercolds in her hair, "Thanks."
"Alright, Little Tao is already instructing Little Rong. Little Yun, you'll be teaching Little Lihua the basics."
Ji Yun raised a brow, "Ehh… Granny, didn't you say you would be personally teaching them?"
"And you insisted you didn't want to separate from them, so I'm letting you two help teach them. Only when you can teach others, can you truly say you have mastered something. It'll be a good review of the basics for you two. Also, I'll be supervising, so even if you two fail at teaching, Little Rong and Little Lihua won't have to worry."
"I guess that sounds reasonable."
Before Ji Yun began teaching the basics to Chen Lihua, she told Bai Lian of what the Plant Pavilion attendant had said about the Guardian Spirit of the Obsidian Forest.
'Hmm… I guess it's about time I…'
Bai Lian directed her attention at a certain group within the inner regions of the forest.
'These guys should be fine.'
A gentle voice crept into the minds of those in the group, "It seems as though you Black Fang Mercenary men came specifically for that shaded montia. Unfortunately, I really like that herb. Please depart from my forest without it."
'So unreasonable!'
Full of alertness, the eyes of the men wandered, searching the surroundings for any trace of the voice's owner. However, none could sense a thing out of place. A soul master who appeared to be in his late thirties clenched his fists to calm himself as he spoke up.
"So there really is a guardian spirit," Xi Guangli narrowed his eyes, "The Sacred Flame Sect claimed you were one who values righteousness. The rumors said you only target those lacking in righteousness in your forest. I guess you really can't trust what others say."
His voice revealed no fear. However, his eyes told a different story.
Bai Lian laughed to herself, 'Who are you trying to fool with that pathetic act? So this is the strongest man of the Black Fang Mercenary. He seems different from the leaders of other mercenary groups I have seen.'
Not a trace of mirth was evident in her gentle voice, "How arrogant. Everything of this forest is mine and yet, you dare to act entitled."
Xi Guangli's mind critique their opinions. He sighed to himself, 'She does not seem to be willing to negotiate. If the rumors were true, then we won't stand a chance.'
"I apologize for offending you, but we absolutely need this herb," Xi Guangli gestured at his men and they began to take off without waiting for the guardian spirit's response.
Despite the distance they had already ran, the gentle voice inside their mind did not become any quieter, "No manners at all. This is your last chance. Return the shaded montia now or face annihilation."
The Black Fang Mercenary men did not hesitate as they continued running. The group of 30 had split into five smaller groups that took different paths. However, their destination was the same, the exit of the forest.
"Foolishness."
That one cold word struck fear into the hearts of the 30 men. However, they refused to halt. As they approached the middle regions of the forest, a sense of security began to wash over them, 'We would already be burning if those rumors of her power were true.'
It was widely known that the Guardian Spirit of the Obsidian Forest possessed flames that resemble those of a legendary phoenix. The Sacred Flame Sect did not hesitate to spread news of Sun Donghai's miserable ending in order to emphasize the guardian spirit's as well as their own sense of righteousness.
All senses of security came crashing down in an instant. Blocking the path of each group were hoards of spirit beasts. The men were shocked. All of the spirit beasts had the strength of at least a spirit overlord. The sheer number of these strong spirit beasts would already be enough to deal with most of the mercenaries. However, sealing their deaths was the presence of a spirit beast with the strength of a rank 8 spirit emperor in each hoard of spirit beasts besides the hoard blocking Xi Guangli's group's path, which had a spirit beast with the strength of a spirit saint.
Xi Guangli raised his voice in shock, "You have control over the spirit beasts?!?"
He felt fear as his eyes locked themselves on the strong spirit beast of the hoard, a black-tongued flame toad, 'It has the strength of a spirit sage. I'm only a rank 8 spirit emperor, so victory is unlikely. If it was just me, I could escape. However…'
"Have you foolish ones waken up a bit now? Who did you even think you were talking to? Where do you even think you are?"
Over the past year, Bai Lian had managed to absorb from many different spirit beast races. Due to the sea kelp, she had absorbed, her voice was able to reach many spirit beasts within the Obsidian Forest. As a result, she was able to solidify her identity as the Guardian Spirit of the Obsidian Forest in the eyes of most spirit beasts within the forest. Only the strongest spirit beasts of the Obsidian Forest were left for her to deceive.
The men knitted their brows, 'So arrogant. However, if someone like this can't act arrogantly, then who could?'
"It seems it really is too late for us. However, we will not die miserably," Xi Guangli raised his sword and pointed it towards the spirit beasts before him, "Men, even if today we die, we will die fighting honorably!"
One of his comrades grasped his shoulder, "What are you thinking? There's no need for all of us to die. Did you forget why we came here? Escape by yourself with that herb!"
"I will not abandon my men!"
A gentle voice interrupted the two men, "So you wish to fight to your death? How unfortunate, I was just beginning to think about sparing you."
Despite the generous declaration, Xi Guangli did not feel a shred of relief. In fact, he stiffened up. Nonetheless, he lowered his sword, "And how might we get you to spare us?"