The treasure-seeking rat, as the spirit beast most adept at unearthing treasures on the Continent of Kyushu, naturally possessed its unique skills. Even scents left behind after a long time could be keenly detected by them.
The purple robe worn by the purple-robed figure was indeed magical, capable of obscuring the face, aura, and all information that might reveal identity.
However, the scent that had previously clung to the purple robe could not be removed.
The treasure-seeking rat had not made close contact with the purple-robed figure, only catching a faint whiff of blood energy from afar.
It had just told Xiong Zhuangzhuang and the others that it could follow this blood energy to find the locations the purple-robed figure had passed through.
Do not underestimate treasure-seeking rats. While their combat power was weak, they were also very vengeful.
After a brief discussion, Xiong Zhuangzhuang and the other three immediately decided to follow the treasure-seeking rat and retrace the purple-robed figure's route, hoping for other unexpected discoveries.
As for why they didn't follow the blood trail to track the purple-robed figure directly, it was because they had already alerted the enemy. The other party would certainly not be careless and might even set traps to lure them in.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang believed it was not yet time to risk their lives, thus choosing a safer method.
This suggestion was also approved by Yin Li and the others. The four immediately set off with the treasure-seeking rat.
One day later.
"Squeak!"
Xiao Bao stood on a large rock, puffing out its small chest and pointing in all directions.
"The purple-robed figure once lingered here for a while," Fei Hua turned to look at Xiong Zhuangzhuang.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang glanced at the surrounding environment. The terrain was flat, with mountains on all sides, almost a replica of the valley where the Saintess Sect followers had gathered.
"The purple-robed figure also gathered disciples here, conveying divine pronouncements."
Yin Li, before Xiong Zhuangzhuang could speak, voiced her conclusion.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang nodded, thinking the same.
"Senior Brother, should we first capture a disciple and interrogate them about the Saintess's teachings, and then search for the purple-robed figure's whereabouts?" Zuo You made another suggestion.
Compared to the purple-robed figure, the disciples of the Saintess Sect were undoubtedly easier to find. A sniff from the treasure-seeking rat would easily locate any disciple.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang felt a flicker of inclination, but quickly shook his head.
"We can capture someone anytime, but the purple-robed figure's trail is hard to find. If the other party is prepared and erases their tracks, it will be difficult for us to find them again."
"I agree with Senior Brother Xiong's view. Those disciples know limited information, and the purple-robed figure holds greater value," Yin Li said.
Zuo You nodded, convinced by their reasoning.
After a brief pause, the four continued to follow the treasure-seeking rat.
In the following days, they found three more similar locations, but still no further detailed clues.
Until the sixth day.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang was the first to stop, taking out a jade slip from his storage bag and comparing it carefully. A hint of realization flashed in his eyes.
"Senior Brother Xiong, have you been here before?" Yin Li, seeing Xiong Zhuangzhuang stop and noticing his unusual expression, asked.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang smiled and nodded, pointing ahead. "Not far from here is Mo City. I once came here with the top ten disciples of the sect competition to study at the Qiming Academy. Passing by here this time, it's a good opportunity to visit some of the teachers at the academy."
Xiong Zhuangzhuang felt a sense of familiarity when he reached this point. He took out a map, and upon comparison, remembered that the place ahead was Mo City, where he had lived for a period.
The Qiming Academy in Mo City had left a deep impression on him. He had spent a period of pleasant study time there.
"Qiming Academy? What a familiar name," Zuo You gazed into the distance and murmured softly.
"The first head of Qiming Academy, and also the first city lord of Mo City, was the renowned True Man Dan Zhai. You must have seen his poetry collections."
"So it's an academy founded by True Man Dan Zhai. Then I must go and experience it."
Zuo You was fond of poetry and literature and had long admired True Man Dan Zhai, who was famous for his scholarship.
Upon hearing Xiong Zhuangzhuang's introduction, his eyes immediately lit up with surprise.
"Hahaha, of course. You can all accompany me then. I wonder how those young boys who studied together at the academy are doing now."
After a moment of reflection, Xiong Zhuangzhuang, urged by the treasure-seeking rat, continued on his way.
"Squeak squeak!"
After only a few steps, the treasure-seeking rat, Xiao Bao, suddenly stood up excitedly, looking in another direction and crying out. Its short, thick arms waved rapidly, and then it scurried rapidly in that direction.
"It's over there!"
Xiao Bao's unusual behavior made Fei Hua's eyes gleam.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang, disregarding his musings, immediately chased after it with Fei Hua and the other two.
However, the further they walked, the more familiar the route felt to Xiong Zhuangzhuang, and he quickly retrieved related images from his memory.
Wasn't this direction the barren mountain that disciples of Qiming Academy often frequented? Had the purple-robed figure gone there as well?
Xiong Zhuangzhuang's mind flashed with fragmented, jumbled thoughts, so quickly that he couldn't grasp them. He could only proceed with suspicion.
A moment later, a desolate, low mountain appeared in his sight.
It was indeed a barren mountain.
For some reason, Xiong Zhuangzhuang felt a strange sense of oppression, and his brows furrowed involuntarily.
The treasure-seeking rat paid no mind to their thoughts. Following the scent, it ran all the way to the foot of a mountain and stopped.
"Squeak."
Xiong Zhuangzhuang, just one step away from the Integration realm, could clearly see that a barrier had been set up at the location where the treasure-seeking rat had stopped.
The technique used was not profound; it could even be called crude. Even Fei Hua, with his lowest cultivation, could discern its presence.
"Could this be a trap set for us?" Yin Li's expression was odd.
This crude barrier made it impossible to associate it with the purple-robed figure.
"Squeak."
The treasure-seeking rat chirped twice, then suddenly darted into the barrier. Fei Hua seemed unable to stop it.
"Xiao Bao, why are you..."
Before Fei Hua could finish his words, the treasure-seeking rat emerged from the barrier again, then shook its head at everyone, indicating that there were no traps set inside.
Seeing that no one moved, the treasure-seeking rat took a few steps forward, suddenly collapsed on the ground, closed its eyes, and began to twitch.
"Xiao Bao!" Fei Hua exclaimed, his voice trembling with fright.
However, he soon realized he was overthinking it. The treasure-seeking rat opened its eyes, gave him a look of disdain, then closed its eyes again to feign death, and finally got up and pointed inside.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang and the others finally understood.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang no longer hesitated and shattered the barrier with a punch.
A faint smell of blood and herbs rushed out from the cave entrance.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang and the others probed inside with their divine senses, their expressions immediately becoming solemn.
"Senior Brother Xiong, what should we do?"
Fei Hua looked at the man lying inside, his breathing weak, and was at a loss.
"Save him first."
Xiong Zhuangzhuang strode inward. The bloodstains on the purple-robed figure likely came from this man, and he must be connected to the purple-robed figure.
Save the person first, then ask about the situation.
When Xiong Zhuangzhuang reached the depths of the stone cave and saw the face of the man inside, he was startled again.
This person looked so familiar.