"Sister Hong."
Qu Xiaoxiao stood within the protective circle of the group, at a loss, her bright eyes filled with self-reproach and regret.
"Hand over the Star Blossom."
"Little girl, don't force our hand."
"This is not something you should possess."
The cultivators who had gathered were thirteen in total, forming three encirclements that trapped the Xuan Qing Sect team. Every face bore naked threats.
Leaving aside the numerical disadvantage, in terms of cultivation, the combined strength of these individuals far surpassed that of the Xuan Qing Sect team.
Especially with Qu Xiaoxiao, whose cultivation had only recently reached the Nascent Soul stage, greatly diminishing the Xuan Qing Sect team's combat power.
Given the current situation, surrendering the Star Blossom was the most correct and stable choice.
Jin Biao glanced at the menacing cultivators, then at the pale Qu Xiaoxiao, and sighed inwardly.
He wanted to scold Qu Xiaoxiao, but remembering this was her first time venturing out and that her performance had been improving recently, he didn't voice his displeasure. Instead, he said, "Junior Sister Qu, give the Star Blossom to me."
Qu Xiaoxiao bit her lower lip and looked at Jin Biao. Seeing the calmness in his eyes, she tremblingly handed the Star Blossom to him.
In this situation, the Star Blossom was undoubtedly a hot potato; whoever held it would become the target of all.
By taking the Star Blossom, Jin Biao drew all the danger upon himself.
"Esteemed seniors and fellow daoists, we have no fortune to enjoy this Star Blossom. We now cede it to you."
As Jin Biao's voice fell, the Star Blossom was enveloped in a ball of spiritual light and shot off into the distance.
"Chase!"
"Stop it!"
"Quick!"
Jin Biao's sudden action caught everyone off guard.
The others were stunned for a moment before immediately turning and pursuing the direction of the Star Blossom.
Several of them hesitated for a moment, but ultimately left, enticed by the Star Blossom.
Meanwhile, Jin Biao, along with the others from the Xuan Qing Sect team, fled in the opposite direction.
Qu Xiaoxiao couldn't keep up with the others. Jin Biao and Hong Shengyi each grabbed an arm of Qu Xiaoxiao, taking her with them as they fled.
The biting wind whipped against Qu Xiaoxiao's face, bringing tears to her eyes.
Although those people hadn't posed any tangible threat to them, the killing intent in their eyes was undisguised.
If Jin Biao hadn't decisively abandoned the Star Blossom and drawn those people away, there would undoubtedly have been a bloody battle.
And Qu Xiaoxiao, with the lowest cultivation, would have been the first target of everyone, while Jin Biao and the others would have undoubtedly tried their best to protect her.
Qu Xiaoxiao dared not imagine the final outcome.
It's all my fault. If I hadn't been so careless, this wouldn't have happened.
Large teardrops streamed down her face, and Qu Xiaoxiao instantly became a tear-soaked mess.
"Xiaoxiao, why are you crying? Are you scared?"
Hong Shengyi noticed Qu Xiaoxiao crying sadly, immediately stopped the team, patted Qu Xiaoxiao's arm, and comforted her gently.
Hong Shengyi had similar thoughts to Jin Biao. Although Qu Xiaoxiao's actions were indeed inappropriate, it was understandable as it was her first time experiencing trials in the secret realm.
Hong Shengyi didn't want her to blame herself too much because of this incident.
"Sister Hong, I'm sorry, I'm sorry everyone."
Hong Shengyi's kindness only made Qu Xiaoxiao sob uncontrollably.
She tightly clutched Hong Shengyi's sleeve, apologizing again and again.
Long Haotian and the others exchanged glances, only managing to utter a few dry words of comfort.
In the end, it was Jin Biao's words that managed to coax Qu Xiaoxiao's tears to stop.
"I used a secret sect technique just now to send the Star Blossom away. Those people will probably catch up soon. This place is not suitable for staying long, we must leave quickly."
Jin Biao had made a few minor adjustments to the Star Blossom, allowing it to reach a speed that even cultivators in the Separation stage would find difficult to match.
However, this state couldn't last long. By the time they found the Star Blossom and settled the outcome, they might still be targeted, so they should run as far as possible.
Upon hearing that there was still danger, Qu Xiaoxiao immediately held back her remaining tears, casually wiped her face, and obediently grabbed Hong Shengyi's sleeve, looking very obedient.
Jin Biao and the others couldn't help but chuckle.
Jin Biao even secretly thought that it was a good thing for Qu Xiaoxiao to change her ways after this incident. Although the Star Blossom was rare, it was insignificant compared to everyone's safety.
After a brief rest, the Xuan Qing Sect team continued their journey without delay.
On the other side.
Ji Buwang suddenly turned his head to the right, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
Soon, the surprise turned into a faint smile.
"The Star Blossom is appearing ahead."
"An eighth-grade spiritual flower, the Star Blossom?" Xu Yi's eyes lit up, "Where?"
An eighth-grade spiritual flower was a treasure that all alchemists dreamed of, and Xu Yi was no exception.
"It's coming towards us. Let's go meet it."
Xu Yi was stunned.
Coming towards us?
What did that mean?
Did this Star Blossom have legs and could it run?
But seeing Ji Buwang change direction, she no longer thought about it. She injected spiritual energy into her feet and followed the direction Ji Buwang was heading.
Ten breaths later, Xu Yi detected the rapidly moving Star Blossom within her divine sense and finally understood Ji Buwang's words.
This secret realm was truly full of treasures.
Even an eighth-grade spiritual flower would come to her automatically.
Xu Yi's lips curved slightly, her eyes flashing with joyous light.
She had already conjured up pill recipes involving the Star Blossom in her mind, completely disregarding the group of cultivators following behind it.
"The Star Blossom is mine!"
Closest to the Star Blossom was a female cultivator with outstanding looks.
Her cultivation was the highest among these people, and her reaction speed was equally swift, making her the most likely to obtain the Star Blossom.
She was determined to get this Star Blossom.
As her distance to the Star Blossom grew shorter, she decisively made her move.
"Stop her!"
"Don't let her get there first!"
Angry shouts erupted behind her simultaneously.
Although they knew that even if the female cultivator snatched the Star Blossom, it might not necessarily fall into her hands, everyone was unwilling to stand by and watch this scene unfold.
In an instant, various colored spiritual lights and magical treasures were unleashed.
The surging air currents and violent spiritual energy caused the female cultivator's expression to change instantly.
She was forced to stop her actions and dodge.
Her evasion caused the air currents to impact the Star Blossom, pushing it further away.
Seeing the prey that was almost in her grasp fly away, the female cultivator's brows shot up in anger. She waved her fair hand and summoned her magical treasure.
In the chaos, it was unclear which cultivator made the first move, but after a moment, everyone was locked in a melee.
As soon as someone tried to break away from the group to pursue the Star Blossom, they would be attacked by everyone else, thus restraining everyone's actions.
It was under these circumstances that Xu Yi found the Star Blossom.
As she picked up the Star Blossom that had fallen to the ground, her expression was somewhat strange.
This had come far too easily.