Chapter 41

Although Bailuoluo had some strength, she had not yet reached the level of a Phantom Phase, and had only opened three Life Souls. It was precisely because of these three Life Souls that she was able to keep escaping until she was saved by Ningyue.

If Ningyue were alone, he would not actually fear the pursuit of the Bingshansi forces. However, having to protect Bailuoluo made him feel somewhat stretched. If Bailuoluo's strength could also improve, he would be much more at ease and could turn the tide.

"If you can condense a Phantom Phase in the shortest time possible, I won't have to hold back during battles, and our chances of escaping will naturally increase. We are already in the territory of the Huentian bandits, and the Bingshansi people cannot act without any reservations. If we can use various methods, we should be able to shake off these villains."

Ningyue comforted this "younger sister" for a while, then casually guided Bailuoluo in her cultivation. As a grandmaster in martial arts, who had once ascended to the heavens and become a deity, his cultivation experience was extremely rich. Guiding a little girl like her was nothing to him.

Although he hoped that Bailuoluo could grow up quickly, he also knew that she was not him and could not possibly condense a Phantom Phase in just a few days. His actions were merely a hope for the best. Even if she could not condense a Phantom Phase, having seven Life Souls would greatly increase her chances of survival.

After guiding Bailuoluo, Ningyue seized the opportunity to rest. Four hours later, he sensed danger again and immediately and without hesitation erased all traces, taking Bailuoluo and continuing to flee.

Although the number of pursuers had decreased, Ningyue felt that his escape was becoming increasingly difficult. This time, the pursuers were all top-notch experts, and with his strength not yet fully recovered, he felt very strained. If it weren't for Ningyue's centuries of experience, he would have been surrounded by these four groups several times.

The two sides chased and fled, quickly crossing the territory of the Huentian bandits. This powerful force among the sixty-four rebel groups took no action, allowing Ningyue and the Bingshansi people to move freely.

Although Ningyue was very regretful, if the Huentian bandits had acted, he might have been able to take advantage of the chaos and escape. However, since this did not happen, he did not have high hopes.

After crossing the territory of the Huentian bandits, Ningyue and Bailuoluo were finally caught up by a group of pursuers during a rest. After a fierce battle, Ningyue severely injured two fifth-stage Phantom Phase experts, but he himself was also seriously wounded and could only flee with Bailuoluo in a panic.

One day, Ningyue and Bailuoluo crossed several sparse forests and finally saw a village. Both were almost unable to hold on.

It was a village surrounded by walls made of logs as thick as a person's arms. The village gate was tightly closed, and no one could be seen entering or leaving. However, it was noon, so smoke was rising from the village.

Ningyue touched his stomach and couldn't help but smile bitterly, saying, "After fighting the Bingshansi people for so long, I'm a bit hungry. Unfortunately, we are being pursued, so we don't have the leisure to cook."

The village nearby was surrounded by a wooden wall over fifteen feet high. If Ningyue were not injured, he could easily leap over it with a graceful and god-like posture. However, with his current injuries, even ordinary movement was difficult, let alone leaping over the wall.

Fortunately, Bailuoluo had been protected by Ningyue and was in good condition. She immediately volunteered, saying, "Brother, I'll go and steal some food for you."

Ningyue smiled and shook his head, saying, "There's no need for that. You can go with me directly and ask them for some food."

Although Ningyue was in a difficult situation, he was unwilling to steal. This was not a matter of principle, but he believed that the people in such a village would be simple and honest. Asking for food would not be difficult, so why steal?

Bailuoluo followed Ningyue's words, and the two did not hide, appearing openly outside the village.

Although the village gate was tightly closed, there were wooden towers on both sides, each about twenty feet high, with a burly man on each tower, constantly watching the surroundings.

Ningyue waved to the two men on the towers and shouted, "Uncles, my sister and I went hunting with our uncles, but we got lost. Could you tell us what village this is and how to get to Xiong'er Village?"

Ningyue casually made up a place name, not expecting the two gatekeepers to know it. He just wanted to use their answers to figure out where he and Bailuoluo were and what the situation was.

The two men looked down, and one of them laughed, saying, "There are six or seven villages around here, but I've never heard of Xiong'er Village. You must have wandered far from home. You don't look like bad people, so come into our village and have some food. When a merchant caravan comes through, you can ask them. They travel a lot and should know where Xiong'er Village is."

The two men did not open the gate but lowered a rope from the tower. Ningyue grabbed it, tested its strength, and climbed up with a few arm movements. Although he was seriously injured, ordinary movement was still possible. Bailuoluo was in even better condition, but she did not show off and followed Ningyue, climbing up the wall obediently.

The two gatekeepers, seeing his agile movements, showed some approval. One of them called out to the village, and an old man with white hair and beard came out.

This old man with white hair and beard had a refined demeanor, as if he had read books, unlike the ordinary villagers. He waved to Ningyue and his sister. Ningyue climbed down the ladder and walked over, bowing and asking, "Sir, may I ask what village this is?"

The old man with white hair and beard smiled and said, "This place is called Huojia Village. I don't know where Xiong'er Village is, but since you are here, we can provide you with food and shelter for a few days. You can then find a way to return home."

Ningyue chatted with the old man for a while and found him to be quite knowledgeable. He couldn't help but ask, "Sir Huo, do you know which region this place belongs to?"

The old man with white hair and beard said, "Although this place is nominally part of the Daxia Dynasty, it is actually under the jurisdiction of the Daqian Dynasty. The Daqian Dynasty is also one of the sixty-four rebel groups, but it pays tribute to the Daxia Dynasty and is considered a vassal state."

Ningyue was slightly surprised. He was not very familiar with the Nine Heavens, and he knew little about the sixty-four rebel groups. He asked a few more questions and couldn't help but worry. After a moment of thought, he asked, "Sir Huo, do you know how to get to the nearest town?"

The old man with white hair and beard found Ningyue a bit strange but, being kind-hearted, didn't think much of it. He smiled and said, "Follow the road south of the village, and you'll reach Qingyang City in half a day. However, Qingyang City has strict rules and does not allow ordinary people to enter. The journey is also very dangerous, with frequent appearances of demonic beasts and evil spirits. Even if you are a child with a sister, it would be dangerous. Even when our village goes to Qingyang City to sell goods, we need a group of dozens of strong men to dare to go so far."