From behind the rock wall came an awkward laugh.
"Senior Brother Shen, with you here, I didn't see the need to show myself." Xiao Fan emerged, smiling awkwardly.
He had thought he was well-hidden, but Shen Mo had still discovered him.
Zhao Rou was initially stunned, but her gaze soon turned sharp.
"Junior Brother Xiao, what do you mean by this? You could have stepped in to save me just now, so why didn't you?" she demanded, staring directly into Xiao Fan's eyes.
Xiao Fan's expression grew even more awkward. He had planned to jump in at the last moment to help.
That way, Zhao Rou would be on the brink of being violated and psychologically broken.
He could then play the hero, rescuing her and easily breaking through her psychological defenses.
But when he heard Zhao Rou mention that Shen Mo was also in Lion Roar Valley, he abandoned the idea.
Xiao Fan knew well that he was no match for Shen Mo.
"Seeing a fellow disciple in trouble and having the ability to help but choosing not to is something I will report to the elders when we return to the sect," Shen Mo said coolly.
Hearing this, Xiao Fan's eyes turned cold, and he snorted, "Then go ahead and report it, Senior Brother Shen."
With that, he turned and left. Shen Mo narrowed his eyes.
He had the power to kill Xiao Fan.
But he worried that Xiao Fan's fate, "Surviving Against the Odds," would come into play, allowing him to escape.
Moreover, he still needed to rely on Xiao Fan for more opportunities.
If he killed the sheep now, there would be no more wool to gather.
"There's no other way. He has too many opportunities to take advantage of!"
Shen Mo sighed inwardly, watching Xiao Fan leave.
Zhao Rou, on the other hand, was furious, "He looks like a gentleman but is actually disgusting."
Shen Mo smiled faintly, "He once did the same to me."
He then recounted how he had once helped Xiao Fan, only to be abandoned by him after he was poisoned and his strength plummeted.
Hearing this, Zhao Rou's anger grew, her chest heaving with emotion.
"That scumbag! The deputy sect master's daughter must be blind to have taken a liking to him," she cursed, "I bet he'll eventually abandon Liu Fei and find a new lover!"
Shen Mo thought to himself, you guessed right.
In a while, this guy will fall for the deputy sect master's daughter from the Divine Sword Sect.
"Forget about him. How was the harvest this time?" Shen Mo asked casually.
Zhao Rou happily took out a piece of sparkling purple crystal, "In the Lion King's head, there was a palm-sized demon crystal, very pure. We've hit the jackpot!"
"And there were three cubs in the den. I feel that one of them is quite extraordinary, maybe a mutation in its bloodline."
She brought out three cubs and pointed to one of them excitedly. Shen Mo looked at the little creature and nodded slightly.
This cub was larger than its siblings, with fur not only purple but also streaked with gold.
"Keep this Amethyst Lion cub and raise it. In the future, it might reach the fourth stage," Shen Mo smiled.
A fourth-stage demonic beast would be equivalent to a Core Formation cultivator!
No matter where you went, you would be respected. In Qingxuan Sect, your status would rise significantly.
"Is this a gift from Senior Brother Shen?" Zhao Rou blushed.
Shen Mo smiled, "If you don't want it, then I won't give it to you."
He reached out to take the cub. Zhao Rou quickly held the cub close.
The little cub burrowed into her chest, making her blush even more.
They gathered all the loot into their storage rings.
Besides the Amethyst Lion cub, Zhao Rou refused to take any other items.
As they left Lion Roar Valley, Shen Mo guided them, and sure enough, Zhao Rou found an Everlasting Vine along the way.
Shen Mo proposed exchanging some materials from the Amethyst Lion for the Everlasting Vine.
Zhao Rou readily agreed. Then, they returned to Qingxuan Sect.
...
The next day. Shen Mo woke up early.
After dressing and washing up, he heard a knock on the door.
Opening it, he saw a familiar face.
It was Deacon Zhang Weihu.
"Senior Brother Zhang, what's the matter?" Shen Mo asked with a smile.
Zhang Weihu scratched his head, "Elder Li sent me. She said that Xiao Fan was spared by Deputy Sect Master Liu, and his punishment is only a three-month suspension of inner disciple resources."
Shen Mo nodded slightly.
Yesterday, after he and Zhao Rou returned to the sect, he informed Elder Li about Zhao Rou being attacked by rogue cultivators and Xiao Fan standing by idly.
Elder Li, knowing that Xiao Fan was under Liu Yuanfeng's protection, naturally took advantage of the situation.
However, she could only impose a minor punishment on Xiao Fan, such as suspending his resources for three months.
"Message delivered. I'll head back now," Zhang Weihu said, nodding.
Shen Mo suddenly spoke, "Senior Brother Zhang, could you pass another message to Elder Li for me?"
Zhang Weihu eagerly nodded, "I'd be happy to. What do you need to say, Junior Brother Shen?"
Now, as one of the four true disciples of Qingxuan Sect, Shen Mo held a high status.
Many were willing to assist Shen Mo. Now that Shen Mo asked for his help, Zhang Weihu was more than willing.
"It's nothing much, just let Elder Li know that I plan to visit Qingshan City. I haven't been home to see my father since I joined the sect at twelve. It's been over six years now," Shen Mo said with a smile.
He had joined Qingxuan Sect at twelve, spent four years tempering his body, reached the Qi Refining realm a year later, and then had his foundation ruined by the Blood Scattering Poison, taking another year to recover.
He was now eighteen.
Zhang Weihu nodded repeatedly, "Alright, I'll make sure to deliver the message. Don't worry, Junior Brother Shen."
He quickly left.
Shen Mo then sorted through the items in his storage ring.
He was heading to Qingshan City to intercept the opportunities involving the other part of the Forest Sword Art and the Everlasting Body Protection Pills.
He also wanted to see his father, Shen Jiuding, and resolve some doubts in his mind.
Soon, a powerful aura appeared.
"Shen Mo, you're going back to Qingshan City?" came the voice of an elderly woman.
Shen Mo turned around and saw a white-haired old woman leaning on a cane.
He was quite surprised that Elder Li had come in person.
He nodded, "Disciple misses his family and wants to check on his father's health."
Elder Li nodded, "It's understandable to miss your family after being away for so long."
She thought for a moment and then took out a jade pendant, tossing it over.
The jade pendant stopped right in front of Shen Mo.
"Right now, the Sect Master, Liu Yuanfeng, and Song Chaofeng haven't completely fallen out, but I can't say they won't target you when you leave the sect alone."
"Take this jade pendant. It contains three protective spiritual powers from me, which can protect you for the time it takes an incense stick to burn. Although it's not as good as the Qingshan Pendant the Sect Master gave you, it's still a life-saving card."
"If you activate this pendant, I will arrive to save you within the time it takes an incense stick to burn. Don't doubt it; a Core Formation cultivator does indeed have that speed."
Elder Li gave a kind smile.
"Thank you, Elder Li!" Shen Mo bowed respectfully.
Elder Li nodded slightly, tapped her cane on the ground, and disappeared.
"With this, along with the Qingshan Pendant, this trip will be even more secure."
Having made all the necessary preparations, Shen Mo immediately set off.