"It's her, are you sure?"
Ming Qi was immediately shocked. If this were true, if Meng Ling was truly here, then the situation on Mount Aoshu would be completely different!
The perception of demonic beasts is often much sharper than that of humans, a fact Ming Qi would never deny. Since Dabai sensed Meng Ling's presence here, even if she was no longer here, she had at least been here!
At this moment, Ming Qi couldn't tell whether he was happy or sad.
Before leaving, Meng Ling had mentioned who she was looking for.
At that time, Ming Qi didn't know who Gongzi Wushuang was, but now he knew. Gongzi Wushuang was the young master of the Divine Weapon Sect during the end of ancient times, and Meng Ling, as well as the demon soldier Mieshen, were all Gongzi Wushuang's servants.
Thinking of this, Ming Qi suddenly felt that the situation on Mount Aoshu was becoming clearer.
The one who sought to defy fate and be reborn with the aid of the Origin Formation must be Young Master Wushuang, the former Young Master of the Divine Weapon Sect. He had heard from Mieshen that Young Master Wushuang intended to restore the Divine Weapon Sect's great cause. It seemed that once he awakened, he would undoubtedly stir up a great storm, potentially reigniting the battle between good and evil.
But Ming Qi had no time to ponder these matters. He was now contemplating what he would do if he truly encountered Meng Ling here.
Had she insisted on leaving? Was she truly intimidated by Young Master Wushuang's threat? Or was there something else hidden?
Perhaps only Meng Ling could explain all this.
After a while of rambling, still unable to make sense of it, Ming Qi gave up. These past few days had not been easy, and the situation ahead would undoubtedly be even more dangerous. The slightest negligence could lead to fatal consequences. He must proceed with every step with caution.
A silent night followed.
The next morning, the group gathered to determine their next steps.
Without a doubt, everyone's eyes fell on Ming Qi.
"Let's talk about what to do next. We can't just wander around aimlessly here."
Wei Silong, the leader of the mercenary group, spoke first, handing the decision-making power to Ming Qi.
"The current situation is still unclear, so it's best for us not to act rashly for now. We're already very close to Mount Osho. We might as well observe the area for a few days to see which forces have arrived so we can make our own assessment."
With his life at stake, Ming Qi couldn't help but be cautious. A previous careless mistake had nearly cost him his life by venturing into the Origin Formation, demonstrating the countless dangers lurking near Mount Osho.
"Alright, everyone, gather your strength and wait until the situation becomes clear before taking action."
Wei Silong nodded in agreement.
So, following Ming Qi's advice, the group dispersed and hid nearby, both to gather their strength and to secretly observe who might appear.
The waiting time often took unexpectedly long. Ming Qi was a master at staking out, so naturally, she wasn't impatient or bored. But the other girls were different, especially Xiao Qi. A newcomer like her, with no experience in mercenary life and no real training, she was completely unaccustomed to the staking out of hunting. After just a few hours, she was already feeling restless.
Thankfully, Ming Qi had made it clear that the matter was serious, so she didn't dare leave without permission.
The group stayed there bored until dusk, when they saw several dazzling clouds suddenly drift across the distant sky, forming a dazzling pattern.
"Hmm?"
Ming Qi looked up, contemplating the rapidly moving clouds.
"They are from the White Cloud Sword Sect of Xixian City."
Su Yuan, standing nearby, immediately recognized them upon seeing the magnificent clouds.
"White Cloud Sword Sect?"
This was the first time Ming Qi had heard of the White Cloud Sword Sect in Xixian City. He only knew that Xixian City was most famous for its swordsmanship.
"Yes, that's right. Xixian City has three major sword sects: the White Cloud Sword Sect, the Azure Dragon Sword Sect, and the Purple Sky Sword Sect. The one we're visiting is the White Cloud Sword Sect."
"So Xixian City has three major factions. Seeing that the White Cloud Sword Sect arrived first this time, it's clear that the three major factions are relatively independent."
Ming Qi quickly thought about this. If the three major sword sects in Xixian City weren't independent, then the White Cloud Sword Sect couldn't be the only one present.
"No Martial Kings, all at the Xiantian level."
From the aura fluctuations emanating from afar, Ming Qi quickly discerned the approximate strength level of the group.
A dozen Xiantian experts—even without a Martial King in command—would be considered a top-tier group near Mount Aoxiu.
Putting aside other things, Ming Qi's current force would be impossible to confront directly against the White Cloud Sword Sect.
"It seems they've long known the secret of Mount Aoshu."
At this moment, Wei Silong also approached. Seeing the White Cloud Sword Sect members flying rapidly in one direction, he knew that their arrival was definitely not without purpose, but rather a premeditated plan.
A moment later, the white clouds in the sky dissipated, and the White Cloud Sword Sect members had landed on the ground.
"The waters of Mount Aoshu are becoming increasingly muddy."
Ming Qi couldn't help but sigh. The involvement of more and more powerful forces would only bring them more trouble and obstacles.
"Look, someone's coming over there too."
The White Cloud Sword Sect members had just disappeared into the mountains when another figure appeared in another direction.
Ming Qi's pupils narrowed slightly, and he looked at the two people flying towards him.
The leader wore a black robe trimmed with dark gold. His expression was as sullen as water, unmoved by a single wave. His eyes, like the depths of a bottomless abyss, gave off an intangible awe.
This man seemed to walk on air, as if on flat ground.
Beside him, an old man also walked in the air, his beard white and his eyes gleaming like lightning. Two rays of cold light shot from between his brows, constantly sweeping across the surrounding space and earth.
Seeing these two figures, Ming Qi's eyes narrowed!
Biyou Sect!
Biyou Sect's Grand Elder Chu Huaiyuan, and Sword-wielding Elder Prince Xu!
Biyou Sect's leader, Venerable Huaiyuan, a master of the Tenth Level Innate Golden Body, and Sword-wielding Elder Prince Xu, who inherited the precious celestial artifact, the Evil-Suppressing Divine Sword and slew countless demons throughout his life!
Putting aside other matters, these two individuals alone could easily cause further unrest in Mount Osho. But Ming Qi knew that since the Biyou Sect had arrived, there were definitely more than just them!
Within his thoughts, Ming Qi suddenly felt a surge of excitement. With a tap of his foot, he suddenly rose to his feet, stepping directly onto the illusion and flying towards Crown Prince Xu and Chu Huaiyuan!
"Where are you going?"
Behind him, Wei Silong and Mo Changli exclaimed in surprise, but they had no idea of Ming Qi's connection to the Biyou Sect and were powerless to stop him. Although they both possessed the innate ability to fly, they naturally wouldn't display it unless absolutely necessary. At this point, at only the fourth level of the Xiantian Armament Control Realm, they could only watch.
The Dikui Demon Fox nearby, however, soared into the air, practically following Ming Qi.
"Do you know them?"
The Dikui Demon Fox asked mid-flight.
"Old friends."
Ming Qi replied simply, and soon, he was standing in front of Chu Huaiyuan and Prince Xu.
Prince Xu had already recognized Ming Qi.
On the ground, Wei Silong and the others followed suit, and from a distance, they saw the Biyou Sect's masters and powerful figures swiftly approaching from the front.
Because they had never come into contact with Ming Qi before, they were completely unfamiliar with the Biyou Sect's members. They only knew that Ming Qi was connected to them. Now face to face, they remained extremely vigilant, not even exchanging a word.
Leading the Biyou Sect was Yan Zhuihun. When Ming Qi left the Biyou Sect, he had already reached the fourth level of the Xiantian realm. The Biyou Sect's greatest beneficiaries from acquiring the Wonderful Sword Arsenal were undoubtedly these rising stars of the Xiantian realm. Therefore, Yan Zhuihun's current strength was at least the fifth level of the Xiantian realm, perhaps even higher.
Accompanying Yan Zhuihun were the rising elites of the Biyou Sect, including Yan Chaofan, Xiao Longzhen, and others. As for the various academy masters, they seemed to be absent this time.
"It's him."
When everyone in the Biyou Sect saw that the person confronting Prince Xu and Chu Huaiyuan in the air was none other than Ming Qi, the man who had escaped from Bikong City that day, they were shocked and cast their doubtful glances at the individuals before them.
In the air.
"We meet again, Sword-wielding Elder."
Ming Qi said calmly, his eyes fixed on Prince Xu.
Prince Xu's eyes were devoid of emotion. He had been delighted upon seeing Ming Qi, as he was the only one who could sense his sword intent. But now, he was gone, and his original intention to pass on the sword art he had devoted his life to was gone.
"Yes, I'm very happy to see your progress."
Prince Xu sighed softly.
"Thank you very much. Although the sword you gave me is broken, I still remember it. Meeting you today is fate. Please inform Elder Sword-wielding that the area around Mount Osho is filled with Origin Formations. If you're not careful, you'll be trapped and killed. Elder Sword-wielding, please be very careful."
"Oh?"
"Why is there an Origin Formation here?"
Prince Xu was surprised at first, but then, as if a thought occurred to him, he nodded and said, "Thank you for the reminder. This is enough to repay the gift of the sword. See you later."
With that, Prince Xu ignored Ming Qi, turned around, and flew off in another direction.
The Biyou Sect disciples underground saw that Prince Xu and Chu Huaiyuan had already left, so they stopped asking questions and simply followed them.
A moment later, Ming Qi and the Dikui Demon Fox returned to the surface.
"That person is incredibly close to the Martial King realm."
The Dikui Demon Fox suddenly said as they landed.
"Yes. The last time I met him, he had already reached the tenth level of the Innate Golden Body Realm. Now that he's encountered a tremendous opportunity and good fortune, I'm afraid a breakthrough to the Martial King Realm isn't far off."
Ming Qi didn't explain his relationship with the Biyou Sect to Wei Silong and the others. He simply listed the Biyou Sect as a force on par with the Baiyun Sword Sect. For now, they still had to wait and see, and refrain from any rash actions until something major happened at Mount Aoxiu.