The Master and His Wealthy Fiancée

Chen Dong's brow furrowed slightly. There was only one large-scale Spirit Ore Vein near Lexian City, and it was located outside the Guardian Array. The vein had originally belonged to the Cyan Sky Sect, but it fell into the hands of the Demon Race after the Guardian Array was established.

'Could the large-scale Spirit Ore Vein Meng Yingluo mentioned be that very one?'

Seeing the look on his face, Meng Yingluo knew Chen Dong had some idea. She said directly, "That's right, it's the one you're thinking of. We've already planned everything. If you want in, we'll save a spot for you."

"Thank you for the invitation, Martial Aunt, but I won't be going!"

He was already wracking his brain over what to do with Liu Ling. 'How could I possibly risk venturing outside the Guardian Array?'

Meng Yingluo pressed on, "This is a huge opportunity. We cultivators live to seize opportunities! That ore vein is filled with massive amounts of Spirit Stones right now. An opportunity like this can't be missed. Are you sure you're not going?"

Chen Dong still shook his head.

Meng Yingluo snorted coldly. "Fine! Don't go then!" With that, she turned to leave.

Chen Dong asked with a hint of suspicion, "Martial Aunt, does Peak Master Fu know you're going?"

Meng Yingluo shot back over her shoulder, "You're not going, so mind your own business!" With that, she strode out of the residence, not even bothering to close the door behind her.

Chen Dong sighed in exasperation. 'It seems Peak Master Fu most likely doesn't know. But that's none of my business.' Meng Yingluo had been in Lexian City long enough to know what she was doing; she wasn't a fool. Besides, as a direct disciple of a Nascent Soul cultivator, she surely had far more life-saving abilities than he did if trouble arose.

As Chen Dong went to close the front door and reactivate the wards, he couldn't help but think, 'Meng Yingluo... such a beautiful name for someone who looks so refined and elegant, yet acts like a common street punk.'

Chen Dong had only taken two steps when the wards outside his residence stirred. Someone else had arrived.

A sweep of his Divine Sense revealed a middle-aged man outside whose cultivation was at the Mid-stage Golden Core.

Chen Dong recognized the man. He was a Loose Cultivator in Lexian City who earned Spirit Stones by crafting talismans and gathering intelligence. He had once belonged to the Baohui Sect, but their headquarters had been located outside the Guardian Array. It wasn't a large sect to begin with, and when the Demon Race launched their surprise attack, the entire sect abandoned its grounds and fled.

Although the sect's structure technically still existed, they had lost their home base, so its members now referred to themselves as Loose Cultivators. Relying on their network of fellow disciples and friends, their intelligence on matters outside the Guardian Array was nearly on par with that of the Cyan Sky Sect.

Chen Dong had wanted to find news of Murong Qing, but he felt it would be inappropriate to go through the Cyan Sky Sect, so he had commissioned Wang Shuang instead. Wang Shuang's arrival now likely meant he had found something.

Chen Dong quickly invited Wang Shuang inside.

"Elder Wang, does your visit mean you have news?"

Wang Shuang dispensed with the formalities and said, "I have indeed made some progress, so I rushed over to let you know."

Chen Dong's heart skipped a beat. Wang Shuang's tone didn't suggest good news.

"The person you're looking for was spotted in Anxian City!" A jolt of joy went through Chen Dong. Anxian City wasn't far from Lexian City; they were neighboring cities, only a three-day journey apart.

But Wang Shuang continued, "Her last known appearance was three days ago. Our people discovered that she went outside the Guardian Array."

Chen Dong's heart clenched. The world outside the Guardian Array was no playground; a single careless mistake could be fatal.

Wang Shuang then took out a map. It depicted the former territories of the Human Race outside the Guardian Array, with several specific locations circled.

"These three spots are the likely destinations of the person you're looking for. She's with a small team of Golden Core cultivators, searching for a Spirit Grass called the Earth Flower. I'm not optimistic about their chances, though. My sources say their captain was forced to undertake this mission to save her younger brother. The entire team consists of only three Golden Core cultivators, and they're heading for a location that's deep within the current Demon Realm!"

After hearing this, Chen Dong was lost in worried thought for a long while before coming back to his senses. He quickly took out some Spirit Stones to thank Wang Shuang.

After Wang Shuang left, Chen Dong stared at the map, thinking for a long time. 'Should I go outside the Guardian Array to find Murong Qing myself? But what if I miss her? Besides, Li Zhixuan is preparing for his tribulation right now; there's no way he could come with me on such a dangerous trip.'

Liu Ling, who had been off to the side, suddenly spoke up. "If they're looking for the Earth Flower, it's a suicide mission." Chen Dong hadn't put up any privacy wards during his conversation with Wang Shuang, so with her perception, Liu Ling had naturally heard everything.

Chen Dong shot her a cold glare. Her words made him extremely uncomfortable. "Are you trying to trick me into helping you get outside the Guardian Array?" he said icily. "Give up on that thought. Even if I were to go, I'd hand you over to the Cyan Sky Sect before I left."

Liu Ling didn't get angry. Instead, she explained, "The Earth Flower grows in Weitian's territory. Weitian is one of the most bloodthirsty Demon Kings, and the Earth Luo Fruit produced by the flower is one of his favorite foods. Every single Earth Flower is meticulously guarded by his subordinates. It's impossible for a mere three Golden Core Stage cultivators to obtain one. That cultivator who was just here was being diplomatic. The reason he wasn't optimistic about the team is that their death is a certainty."

"What's the point of telling me all this!"

Liu Ling's expression turned serious. "You help me get out of the array, and I'll help you find that team. I'll even guarantee their safety. Of course, our deal regarding the Dao Essence and the Celestial Dao Oath will remain unchanged!"

"You're a demon. How could I possibly get you out? You'll be detected the moment we get near the Guardian Array!"

Hearing this, Liu Ling grew excited, because Chen Dong's question was as good as an agreement.

"I have my own way of getting out," she said. "I've spent the last two years lingering at the array's edge, so I've come to understand it. After my last risky attempt, I'm ninety percent confident I can do it!"