Chapter 324: Going to the Eighth Continent

Yuan Yao said seriously, "Second Senior Sister, you used to celebrate my birthday for me, and I was already satisfied. But this year I am no longer the same as before; what I pursue is no longer to be content in the Carefree Sect, waiting for you to celebrate me, but the trials of life."

She gazed at them and continued, "Don't tell me you restrict me from going to the Eighth Continent for my safety. In your eyes, am I still as frail as before?"

The five were silent for a few seconds.

Cang Li reached out and pushed her forehead, "You truly aren't frail now, but don't be too complacent. Don't always think you can solve everything alone; the protective talismans the master left you are down to three. In less than a year you have already used up five protective talismans, showing how often you invite danger."

"Also, when you fight you act completely reckless; you say that, how can we not worry?"

Yuan Yao reached to cover her forehead and pouted.

"Third Senior Brother is right," Ying Wuji agreed, "Don't take such reckless actions in the future."

"She won't change," Xue Jin glared at Yuan Yao.

Yuan Yao: "……"

She turned her head to Song Yan for help: "Eldest Senior Brother, they are all lecturing me."

"They are right," Song Yan sighed lightly; he was also very worried about Yuan Yao's combat style.

Yuan Yao looked at Xiao Lingwei with grievance, "Second Senior Sister."

Xiao Lingwei, cold‑faced, said, "Second Senior Sister won't help you this time either."

Cang Li squinted his eyes at Yuan Yao.

"You say, will you change or not?"

Yuan Yao, stared at by them, was silent for a few seconds, then slightly nodded, "I will no longer rely on the master's protective talismans to shield me while ignoring lurking dangers."

"For example?"

"If I can't win, I run immediately." Yuan Yao saw they didn't believe her and added, "I now have a Saint‑grade teleportation scroll, so I can choose to flee at any time."

Cang Li curled a finger and tapped her forehead, "Consider yourself sensible."

Yuan Yao glared at Cang Li and then tentatively asked, "What about the Eighth Continent…"

The five exchanged glances.

"Go."

Yuan Yao, slightly surprised, said, "You all are going?"

"What? Don't want us to go?" Ying Wuji's double phoenix eyes narrowed, slightly fierce.

"I do want to," Yuan Yao said, "but don't you have other things to do?"

Song Yan chuckled, "Not for now."

Yuan Yao's lips curled, hands on hips, "Then the six senior brothers and sisters will go treasure hunting together!"

Hearing this, they couldn't help recalling a childhood 'treasure hunt' in the forest behind Tianwu Peak of the Carefree Sect.

Behind Tianwu Peak there was a beehive.

Yao Yao heard that the honey from that beehive was especially sweet and also wanted to taste it.

So the six entered the forest behind Tianwu Peak; they searched for a long time but couldn't find the beehive. As evening approached, Eldest Senior Brother advised them to turn back.

But they all refused, insisting on finding the beehive.

As a result, they didn't find the beehive and were bitten by poisonous ants.

All six had several large swellings on their legs, both painful and itchy.

Yuan Yao was in pain, eyes watery, looking extremely pitiful.

So they planned to turn back.

Unexpectedly, a breakthrough came and they found the beehive.

Xue Jin drew his sword and hacked.

The others couldn't stop him in time; the beehive was split in two, the swarm inside instantly enraged and chased them, attacking.

The group panicked, drew weapons to fight the swarm, but the bees were too many; they had moments of inattention, and consequently all were stung.

When they emerged from the forest, the six were a mess, clothes dirty, faces red and swollen, like little pig heads.

They obtained a few handfuls of honey.

The sweetness was truly sweet, the pain truly painful.

Later, they dared not let the master discover, so they hid in Eldest Senior Brother's bamboo hut, applying medicinal paste to each other.

But in the end, the master discovered them.

The master's expression at that moment was extremely shocked.

This was also the first time they saw the master's emotions so openly displayed.

Probably the master thought he was about to starve the six of them to death.

…

Soon, the distance between two spirit boats gradually narrowed.

Xiao Lingwei said, "We will give half a Treasure Map and cooperate with you."

"Welcome to the utmost," Hua Chengyan smiled, then raised his hand, "Six cultivators, please."

The six of Yuan Yao boarded Hua Sect's spirit boat.

Hua Chengyan laughed, "We will head to the Eighth Continent right now."

"Okay."

While the spirit boat sailed toward the Eighth Continent, Song Yan transmitted their whereabouts to the sect leader.

And Cang Li transmitted the matter of Ao's tomb to Ao Su.

Ao Su replied, "This half Treasure Map, for me, for my Ao clan, is a source of disaster. Now that the Hua Sect of the Eighth Continent has obtained it, the matter is settled. Cang Li, those ten thousand Top‑Grade Spirit Stones, remember to give them to me."

Hearing the last sentence, Cang Li's mouth twitched; he replied, "You don't trust us?"

"I trust. After you return from the Eighth Continent, remember to give me every single grain back. Also, if you find any treasure, remember to give me a share." Ao Su's tone was righteous.

Cang Li: "You're even greedier than I am."

Ao Su: "I accept your courtesy."

On the other side of the Carefree Sect, Ao Su lay on the bed, and after sending the message, he lowered his eyes slightly.

"Ah Su, take your medicine." Yao Linglong, sitting at the bedside, held up the medicine bowl and handed it to him.

Ao Su took the medicine bowl and suddenly said, "Senior Sister, am I utterly useless?"

"How could that be?" Yao Linglong frowned.

Ao Su's voice choked, "I not only failed to uncover the true culprit, but I also implicated you all in coming to rescue me. I also never got to see my grandfather one last time..."

Tears welled in his eyes.

He gulped down the medicine in the bowl in one gulp, the bitter taste spreading in his mouth.

Immediately, he set the bowl on the bedside table, then sniffed, holding back his tears.

Yao Linglong rose and embraced him.

"Go ahead and cry if you need to."

"Senior Sister won't laugh at you."

Ao Su's breath hitched, then he felt all his emotions surge forth; memories of times with his grandfather flashed in his mind, and tears burst forth like a broken dam.

"Senior Sister, I have no relatives left..."

Yao Linglong's expression hardened slightly, and she softly comforted, "The Carefree Sect will be your home; we are your family."

…

On the spirit boat.

Cang Li finished replying to Ao Su with the last message.

Song Yan said, "Ao Junior Brother's voice sounds off."

Yuan Yao said with a complex expression, "Ao Senior Brother is probably forcing a smile while sending us the message."

Xiao Lingwei pursed her lips, "I'll send a message to Linglong and the others later, asking them to keep Ao Junior Brother company a bit longer."

The few of them nodded at each other.

At that moment, Hua Chengyan approached, wearing a friendly smile, and asked, "I wonder if Master Hua may trouble you all to sit a moment and discuss the treasure map?"