Chapter 125: Gathering
"Draw your weapon." Lowell's voice was ice, his eyes fixed on Leo.
Vera, Quiver, and the others looked from Lowell to Leo, disbelief written across their faces. Even Solon felt a chill run down his spine. Spreading rumors was one thing—he had only heard vague stories, and back in the cave, trapped with no way out, he had wanted Leo to be as capable as possible. Now that they were out, that desperate hope had faded. But the look on Lowell's face said it all. The rumor was almost certainly true. He wouldn't react like this to just anyone.
"The Purple Ginseng is waiting to be gathered. On the path of cultivation, you'll face many rivals—at Qi Refining, at Foundation Establishment, and beyond. If you choose to fight me now, while others are out there gathering what they need to form their foundations, they'll be looking down at you from a higher realm. How will you feel when the people you once looked down on suddenly tower over you?"
Leo stood with his hands at his sides, his voice calm. On the path of cultivation, he had met all kinds—cunning, ruthless, vicious, people who stopped at nothing. Running into someone as reckless as Lowell was almost a relief. Besides, Lowell wanted to fight him with a magic artifact. That was practically bullying, assuming Leo had none. He did have them, but he wasn't about to reveal them for a pointless brawl.
"Enough with the fighting. We need to gather the Purple Ginseng. Before I entered the Bloody Battlefield, I promised my grandfather I'd rely on my own ability to collect the spiritual herbs and earn a Foundation Establishment Pill." Quincy's voice was impatient.
Reckless. Spoiled. Leo had no idea how these two had managed to survive this long in the forbidden ground, let alone keep their team intact. Some people just got lucky. He shook his head inwardly.
"Fine. We'll do it your way, Junior Sister Quincy. We'll get the Ginseng first. Then we'll settle this." Lowell's anger flared up fast, but one word from Quincy was all it took to cool him down.
Everyone has their weakness. At least he had bought himself some time. He could deal with Lowell's lightning spear later—after the Ginseng was safely in hand. Leo allowed himself a faint smile.
"What luck, Junior Sister Vera. Fancy running into you here again."
Just as they were about to return to the cave, a group of twenty-seven appeared—disciples of the Ice Profound Sect. Leading them was none other than Monty, the same one who had parted ways with them earlier. They had merged with another team. It seemed luck was smiling on the Ice Profound Sect as well.
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"And who are these? This junior sister in particular—absolutely stunning. I'm Monty. Might I ask your name?" Monty's eyes swept over the unfamiliar faces and landed on Quincy. He was clearly captivated by her beauty.
"An Ice Profound Sect disciple. Keep your distance. We have important matters to attend to. No time for idle chatter." Lowell's temper flared at the way Monty and his men were eyeing Vera and Quincy.
"Easy now, junior brother. Our two sects have always been close. Running into each other here, it's only natural we share information, fight together, and share the spoils." Monty brushed off the hostility with a calm smile.
"Senior Brother Monty is right. The Ice Profound Sect and the Palace have always supported each other. We should work together here in the Bloody Battlefield. Since we've found Purple Ginseng, there's no harm in sharing. I'm sure if Senior Brother Monty finds something valuable, he'll share with us too." Quincy's voice was light as she made the decision.
"Well said, Junior Sister. And with such generosity, we'll follow your lead." Monty and his disciples lit up at the mention of Purple Ginseng. Seeing that Quincy had no reservations about them, Monty shot a smug, defiant look at the fuming Lowell.
"Then it's settled. Let's go gather the Ginseng." Quincy basked in the attention, clearly enjoying being the center of it all.
Vera and her disciples exchanged uneasy glances. Quincy had just made a decision that affected everyone without consulting them. They had over twenty people, and with the Ice Profound Sect, the group numbered more than fifty. But there was only a dozen or so Ginseng plants. Hardly enough to go around. Vera was a core disciple—she would get her share no matter what. For the others, it was less certain. Still, the swarm of Black-Scaled Winged Wind Serpents in the cold pond was too large for the Palace disciples to handle alone. Having the Ice Profound Sect along to help thin out the snakes might be a good idea.
"There's only so much Ginseng. With this many people, how are we going to divide it?" Quiver was a core disciple. Even if her share was smaller, she would still get something. But for the ordinary disciples with no connections and mediocre strength, there might not be even scraps left. Solon and the others, who had risen from loose cultivators’ backgrounds and knew how to calculate their gains, murmured among themselves.
What a twist. Leo had been dreading this. Lowell, with his pride wounded, would have been set on revenge. Quincy had shut him down for now, but the problem would resurface. Then Monty appeared, fawning over Quincy, and Lowell's attention shifted entirely. Leo felt a weight lift. For now, he could stay out of it.
"Senior Brother Leo, so you really did fight Senior Brother Lowell. But with your strength, why would you be content to stay in the shadows?"
Angus, Solon, and a few others who had come up the hard way immediately gathered around Leo.
Sharp noses on these ones. Leo was a little surprised. The fight at the rocky forest of Heavenly Summit Peak had been witnessed by only a handful of people. He hadn't mentioned it to anyone. And Lowell, proud as he was, certainly wouldn't have spread the word. So who let it slip? One of Lowell's followers? Quincy?
There was no such thing as a secret. But it didn't matter who let it out. Leo's face remained neutral. "Just rumors. Nothing more. Who wants to play second if they have the strength to lead?"
"Strength needs people behind it. No man is an island. The Ginseng is limited. Senior Brother Lowell and Senior Sister Vera will take the biggest shares—we know that. With the Ice Profound Sect here, we have to fight for what's left. But without a leader, we loose cultivators will just be scattered. They'll use us up and throw us away. Senior Sister Vera was inexperienced, and she used us too, but at least she's fair. We got a share. Now things are different. Quincy is the granddaughter of a Golden Core elder. Lowell follows her orders. They don't care about us."