The sudden appearance of a group of strangers in the camp naturally drew many curious gazes from the disciples. However, no one dared to approach and stop them, as the killing intent emanating from them was too strong, making those nearby feel a little afraid.
"People from Liu Territory?"
Mu Chen also frowned, looking at the unfamiliar group. What were these people doing in the Northern Spiritual Plains?
Master Mo was clearly also puzzled. He slowly walked towards that group. From the other side, a middle-aged man quickly stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting.
"This must be Master Mo of the Northern Spiritual Academy, correct? I am Liu Ming of the Liu Territory. We came uninvited, and if we have caused any disturbance, please forgive us."
"Ah, so it's Third Master Liu Ming of the Liu Territory."
Master Mo heard him announce his name and replied with a faint smile.
"How dare I be addressed as such in front of Master Mo? It's merely a rumor spread by outsiders."
Liu Ming quickly shook his head, his demeanor showing considerable humility.
"Liu Ming? Third Master of the Liu Territory..."
Standing behind Master Mo, Mu Chen muttered to himself as he observed the middle-aged man. The man appeared rather frail, his hands like eagle talons—bony but powerful and sharp. At this moment, his face was beaming with a radiant smile.
The name Liu Ming was not unfamiliar to Mu Chen; he had heard his father and Uncle Zhou mention him many times. This man was the biological younger brother of Liu Qing Tian, the Territory Lord of Liu Territory, and also his capable right-hand man. His cultivation was at the late stage of the Spirit Wheel Realm, just a small step away from the Divine Soul Realm. In the Northern Spiritual Realm, he was also a figure of considerable renown.
"What are you all doing here...?"
Master Mo looked at Liu Ming and his group, who seemed out of place in his camp, his expression displeased. This camp was only for disciples cultivating; such dense killing intent would likely have a significant negative impact on the cultivating disciples.
Behind Liu Ming, Liu Mu Bai stepped forward with a smile and spoke.
"Master Mo, Third Uncle is currently on a mission. He knew that Liu Yang and I were here, so he stopped by for a visit. We have no intention of causing any disturbance."
"A mission?"
Liu Ming explained:
"Our Liu Territory had a convoy transporting important goods that was ambushed and robbed by the Blood Butcher Gang. Although our Liu Territory forces arrived in time to rescue and eliminate them, the leader of the Blood Butcher Gang escaped. We then pursued him all the way to the Northern Spiritual Plains. We plan to rest here for the night and continue the pursuit tomorrow."
"Blood Butcher?"
Hearing that notorious name, Master Mo also felt uneasy. They were a rather cruel bandit gang in the Northern Spiritual Realm, their blades having tasted the blood of countless people. For such a vicious and evil group to be hiding in the Northern Spiritual Plains, wouldn't it pose a threat to his cultivating disciples?
Expedition teams and lone adventurers might hesitate to act maliciously out of fear of the Northern Spiritual Academy, but these ruthless bandits would not hesitate at all. If by chance they encountered them, a deadly calamity could strike without warning.
"Hahaha, that's right. In fact, we came here partly to give a reminder. Master Mo, please do your best to instruct your disciples to be careful, to avoid any unfortunate incidents. That fellow is quite deranged, as everyone knows."
Mu Chen was also surprised to hear this. He naturally knew the reputation of the Blood Butcher Gang. Although their notoriety was immense, they weren't fools. How dare they lay hands on the Liu Territory?
It seemed the item they stole was quite valuable; otherwise, why would the Liu Territory mobilize such a large force, enraged enough to wipe out the entire gang and pursue them relentlessly, forcing the Blood Butcher to flee all the way here?
"Third Master Liu, what exactly did the Blood Butcher Gang steal from the Liu Territory? To make you mobilize such a large force."
Mu Chen suddenly spoke up, feigning innocent curiosity.
A child suddenly asking a question left Liu Ming momentarily stunned. He forced a smile:
"Little brother, this cannot be spoken of."
Mu Chen smiled, understanding more and more how crucial that item was to the Liu Territory.
"Mu Chen, this has nothing to do with you."
Liu Mubai glared at Mu Chen.
"Mu Chen?"
Liu Ming heard that rather famous name, his eyes narrowing as he looked at him and said:
"So, you're Mu Feng's son, the only one in the Northern Spiritual Realm qualified to participate in the Spiritual Road."
Mu Chen smiled and nodded. The Liu Territory and Mu Territory were in constant dispute, considered rivals, so Liu Ming's reaction was not hard to predict.
"Hahahaha, I've long heard of your reputation. I originally thought that Spiritual Road slot should belong to Mubai."
Liu Ming chuckled faintly.
Mu Chen smiled, but did not reply.
"Regarding the Blood Map, thank you all for the reminder. I will pay attention."
Master Mo found Liu Ming's sharp words quite unpleasant. No matter what, Liu Ming was a rather famous person in the Northern Spiritual Realm, yet he was bickering with a mere youth. Where was the demeanor of a powerful expert?
"Master Mo, we wish to temporarily stay in the camp for a night. We hope Master Mo will approve. Hahahaha, although Master Xi already gave permission earlier, I feel it would be better with Master Mo's agreement as well. Of course, we will take on the night watch duty, ensuring everyone's safety."
Liu Ming quickly said.
Master Mo heard this and pondered for a moment. If Master Xi had already agreed, he couldn't just disregard it, so he could only nod and lead Liu Ming and his group to arrange their accommodation.
Just as Mu Chen was about to return to his tent, Liu Mubai suddenly spoke in an indifferent tone.
"I heard Chen Tong say you wanted to kill him just now?"
Mu Chen tilted his head and glanced at Liu Mubai, smiling:
"For troublesome people, I don't know how to show restraint. If you like, come yourself next time. Don't send your dogs to bark wildly; I won't mind breaking their teeth."
Liu Mubai's eyes turned cold as he stared at Mu Chen. He hadn't expected the other party to dare provoke him so directly.
"If there's an opportunity, I'll come personally to test how much weight someone qualified for the Spiritual Road truly has. I hope you won't disappoint me."
After uttering his threat, Liu Mubai didn't waste any more words, turning and stalking off.
Mu Chen only chuckled softly and leisurely walked back to the East Camp. Tang Qian'er, who had been waiting for him for a long time, quickly ran to his side:
"That guy from the Liu Territory is really arrogant. His things were taken by others, yet he still acts smug."
She had been standing nearby all this time and naturally heard all the words of Liu Ming and Liu Mubai. She couldn't help but feel annoyed in her heart.
"He's frustrated, just let him vent."
Mu Chen chuckled again. Seeing Tan Qingshan, he waved him over. The other guy didn't understand what was happening but still walked over. As soon as he reached his side, Mu Chen slipped a round Jade Spirit Fruit into his hand.
"A reward for Master Mo's efforts."
Mu Chen patted Tan Qingshan's shoulder, who was staring wide-eyed and open-mouthed at the Jade Spirit Fruit in his hand, and whispered.
"This... huh... ah... is this really for me?"
Tan Qingshan was so excited his face turned red. Earlier, when Mo Ling and his group returned, they told him all about the battle in the mountain valley, and he saw that each of them had a Jade Spirit Fruit. He was naturally extremely envious and even more regretful. He understood that Mo Ling and his group had to shed sweat and blood to receive such a reward, and he could only secretly resent his own weak strength, unable to participate.
After all, his family background wasn't great, so things like Jade Spirit Fruits were truly unaffordable for him. But now, with Mu Chen unexpectedly pressing a Jade Spirit Fruit into his hand, it would be strange if he wasn't grateful.
"With you returning to report the news, we could finally put aside all our worries and focus on that task."
Mu Chen said with a smile.
"Mu... Brother Mu, thank you so much."
Tan Qingshan clutched the Jade Spirit Fruit tightly, trembling with gratitude.
"Make good use of it for your cultivation!"
Mu Chen bid him farewell, then returned to his own tent. He still had seven Jade Spirit Fruits left in his robe. With these items rich in spiritual energy, he should be able to condense the second Samsara Seal.
Thinking this, Mu Chen felt a surge of excitement and quickened his pace.
Night gradually enveloped the Northern Spiritual Field. The sky was pitch black, but fires were lit in the camp, and torches illuminated the surroundings, making it quite lively.
After Mu Chen returned, he didn't go out again. He sat cross-legged silently in his tent, his eyes tightly shut, circulating the Great Pagoda Art, as faint dark spiritual energy flickered around his body.
After cultivating quietly for about half an hour, Mu Chen suddenly opened his eyes and pulled out a Jade Spirit Fruit. Under the dim torchlight, the Jade Spirit Fruit emitted a brilliant glow, looking very captivating.
Mu Chen licked his lips, then opened his mouth and directly swallowed the Jade Spirit Fruit. Finally, it was time to condense the second Samsara Seal.