Back at the inn, Xu Ming sat down and began to meditate, observing himself inwardly.
For the past few days, Xu Ming had felt a strange sensation, as if something inside him was about to break free.
At noon, he had mentioned this to Qin Qingwan, who had happily told him, "You're about to break through!"
However, she advised him not to rush.
For cultivators, the Cave Mansion Realm was the first major threshold. If the first breakthrough failed, the consequences could be disastrous: at worst, the soul could scatter, and the body perish; at best, one would forever lose the chance to enter the Cave Mansion Realm, with their cultivation stagnating for life.
Qin Qingwan had invited Xu Ming to Tianxuan Sect, offering to help him with his breakthrough.
While Xu Ming didn't refuse, he hadn't agreed either. He was reluctant to rely on Qin Qingwan for help; otherwise, he'd feel like he was freeloading off her.
As the hour of Shen passed its midpoint, Xu Ming slowly opened his eyes, his clothes soaked with sweat.
After a bath in the inn's bathhouse, Xu Ming returned to his room, only to see the jade token Qin Qingwan had given him glowing faintly.
Qin Qingwan: "Xu Ming, they're planning to attack the Toad Temple tonight. What do you think?"
Toad Temple? A golden toad immediately came to Xu Ming's mind.
Infusing the jade token with spiritual energy, he asked, "Why are they attacking the Toad Temple?"
Qin Qingwan: "Because two cultivators from Tianyin Sect said it's Baiwa City's focal point of spiritual energy. It might even be the city's exit. Plus, there's a treasure!"
"…"
Xu Ming found the Tianyin Sect cultivators' theory somewhat reasonable.
According to the laws of nature, the more powerful the treasure, the more formidable the guardian. That golden toad was the most powerful being in Baiwa City, never leaving the temple even once.
So, it wasn't impossible for Baiwa City's treasure to be there.
However, Xu Ming didn't believe the temple was the city's exit.
Xu Ming: "Are all the human cultivators going?"
Qin Qingwan: "Pretty much. And not just the human cultivators—even the demon cultivators have heard and will probably join in."
Xu Ming chuckled and shook his head, replying, "It's true they want to leave, but their main goal is to seize the treasure."
Qin Qingwan: "Exactly. Anyone can see that Baiwa City ended up like this because of that treasure.
If that treasure can create its own world, it's already beyond everyone's imagination.
We cultivators are meant to challenge others and defy the heavens. Getting that treasure would be an extraordinary opportunity."
Qin Qingwan: "So? Are you going tonight?"
Xu Ming: "Are you going tonight?"
Qin Qingwan: "If you go, I'll go."
Xu Ming: "Why?"
"Big dummy!" Qin Qingwan muttered to herself in her room, pouting as she lightly tapped the jade token, as if she were tapping Xu Ming's forehead.
Qin Qingwan: "If you go, of course I have to go protect you. What if something happens to you?"
Xu Ming chuckled. "You seem pretty confident in your own strength."
Qin Qingwan: "Hmph~ Of course! Let me tell you, I'm super strong~"
Xu Ming: "I'm definitely not going. But can you really skip it? This Human Alliance meeting is led by your Tianxuan Sect, after all."
Qin Qingwan: "Don't bring that up. It just makes me mad.
I think attacking that golden toad is completely unreliable—it's like walking into death. But what can I do? My senior brothers insist on going.
Like you said, do you think they just want to leave? No, they're after Baiwa City's treasure.
And even if the treasure isn't there, so what? That golden toad's cassock and the staff next to it have already made some people drool."
"Alright then," Xu Ming said, deciding not to say more. "But I'm not going tonight. I'm not interested in that treasure."
He was being honest.
To Xu Ming, his "cheat ability" was already the greatest treasure.
That didn't mean he was entirely indifferent to worldly matters; rather, he believed the risks of going to the Toad Temple for the treasure were far too great.
However, if Qingwan decided to go, he'd have to go along to protect her.
Qin Qingwan responded quickly, "Then I won't go either. But tonight definitely won't be peaceful. I'll come find you later—might as well scout for the best spot to set up the formation."
Xu Ming replied, "Alright, but there's no need for you to come over. I'll grab Yu Wenxi and Miao Feng, and we'll come to you."
"Deal," she said.
After putting away the jade token, Xu Ming left the inn to gather Yu Wenxi and Miao Feng.
The three men and one goose arrived at the inn where Qin Qingwan was staying, only to find her waiting outside.
"Let's go," she said, her eyes lighting up when she saw Xu Ming. She walked over cheerfully and took her place beside him.
Yu Wenxi and Miao Feng instinctively stepped aside, exchanging a glance filled with unspoken questions.
Wasn't the relationship between Xu Ming and this Qin fairy getting a little... close?
"Junior Sister, where are you going?"
Just as they were about to leave, Xia Donghua emerged from the inn.
Qin Qingwan turned back to him, her voice calm but firm. "Where I go shouldn't concern Senior Brother, should it?"
Xia Donghua frowned. "But Junior Sister, tonight we're acting together. If you're not there, we'll lose a major force. And if we manage to open a passage to the outside, how will you leave?"
Qin Qingwan shook her head. "Senior Brother, I never supported this plan in the first place. That golden toad is far more than a simple Peak Dragon Gate Realm beast. You all insist on going, but as for me not being able to leave, that's my own concern. It has nothing to do with you, does it? If I recall correctly, before leaving Tianxuan Sect, the elders told us that while we're part of the same sect, when opinions differ, we are free to follow our own hearts. I haven't misremembered those words, have I?"
"..." Xia Donghua was left speechless.
"Take care tonight, Senior Brother. I won't join the commotion," Qin Qingwan said with a soft smile, cutting off any further argument. Without waiting for his response, she grabbed Xu Ming's arm and walked away.
"Are you sure this is okay? Won't the sect hold you accountable? If it's because of me, there's no need to go this far. I can go with you to the Toad Temple," Xu Ming said as they walked.
"It's really fine, trust me. The sect won't blame me," Qin Qingwan said with a shake of her head. "Let's stop talking about that. Let's hurry and find the best place for the formation. What if tonight turns out to be a Blood Moon?"
"If it really is a Blood Moon tonight… huh?"
Yu Wenxi's words trailed off abruptly, his voice suddenly trembling.
"Brother Xu! Look! The sky!"