Chapter 1015

Li Luo wasn't the only one with a headache.

The strong ones from other factions also stared helplessly at the thatched hut on the distant plain, sinking into an awkward silence.

But standing there doing nothing wasn't a solution, so each group began cautiously advancing toward the thatched hut, aiming to get closer first.

And this approach met no resistance, so soon, all factions gathered before the thatched hut.

Qin, Zhao, and Mu Yao and others still stuck together, their wary glances occasionally sweeping over Li Luo's side, while maintaining a safe distance.

Li Luo smiled warmly at them, but given his earlier brutal record, even his exceptional looks could no longer make anyone lower their guard.

Zong Sha of the Tianyuan Ancient Academy cleared his throat and chuckled, "Friends, this thatched hut appeared strangely and has swallowed all the 'Primordial Heart Fruit.' I suggest we cease internal strife for now and focus on how to resolve this issue, what do you think?"

Li Luo nodded and said, "I have no objections."

He had already established his formidable reputation, and his Xiang power was still recovering; if a truce were possible, it was certainly preferable.

Qin Ying and Mu Yao exchanged glances—they knew from the faint Xiang power still flowing around Li Luo that he had been severely drained by the prior battle, but with Li Li Lingjing and Li Li Wuyuan guarding him, it was impossible for them to seize the chance and kill him.

Qin Yi smiled and said, "Senior Zong Sha speaks wisely."

Zhu Zhu of the Zhu Li Tianwang lineage blurted out, "This crappy hut—why don't we all strike together and try smashing it open directly?"

Yet Li Luo, despite her seemingly reckless suggestion, nodded thoughtfully and said, "Testing the hut's true capabilities is indeed a viable path."

If the hut was truly fragile, we smash it outright; if not, we find another way.

The leaders of other factions pondered for a moment and all nodded in agreement.

In the next instant, a torrent of thick, formidable Xiang power erupted simultaneously—everyone attacked at once, and countless Xiang power assaults roared forth, crashing violently toward the seemingly humble thatched hut.

All eyes stared without blinking.

One breath later, the attacks struck the stone wall of the hut, no more than a zhang wide—and then... everyone watched in disbelief as the stone wall seemed to possess a devouring force, swallowing every single roaring Xiang power assault whole.

The combined assault of so many people could have shattered a mountain, yet now it vanished without even a ripple.

Shocked expressions surfaced on many faces.

Li Luo's expression remained calm—he had anticipated this outcome; his earlier agreement was merely to confirm it.

Now, it was confirmed: brute force wouldn't work on this hut.

But if not brute force... what else could they do?

The crowd fell silent again.

At this moment, Qin Yi's bright eyes fixed on the hut flickered with an unusual ripple.

"Huh?!"

After a moment of silence, someone suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "The pounding sound—it's stopped!"

Hearing this, Li Luo's expression shifted slightly—indeed, the continuous pounding sound had abruptly ceased. What did this change mean?

At that moment, Li Luo heard faint footsteps inside the hut, approaching toward the wooden door.

"Is it the mysterious white ape pounding herbs?" Others also noticed the footsteps and immediately perked up.

Under everyone's gaze, the footsteps halted behind the wooden door. The next instant, all held their breath as a faint creak slowly echoed forth.

The weathered wooden door slowly opened.

As the door opened, they saw a white ape standing behind it—its eyes seemed filled with age, and as it scanned the crowd outside the hut, a slightly hoarse voice emerged from its mouth.

"This is the herb hut's sacred ground. Unrelated persons, withdraw."

"Intruders will be executed."

Hearing the white ape's final calm words, everyone in the crowd felt a chill—on the ape, they sensed a profound, deep danger.

This white ape was far beyond their ability to oppose.

But... the 'Primordial Heart Fruit' was inside. To give up now was truly unbearable.

Yet the white ape paid them no heed, as if preparing to close the wooden door again.

Everyone grew frantic—if they missed this chance, they felt the door might never open again.

Just as everyone was at a loss, a soft, water-like voice suddenly rang out: "White Ape Elder, this disciple has been ordered to retrieve herbs. Might I be permitted to enter?"

Everyone froze, then sharply turned their gazes— the speaker... was Qin Yi.

Li Luo also stared at Qin Yi in shock—what did she mean? Ordered to retrieve herbs here? Whose order? What herbs could possibly be retrieved here?

And why did Qin Yi know such information?

Li Luo glanced at the leaders of other factions—including Li Li Wuyuan, Zhu Zhu, and Zong Sha—and saw they too were stunned, clearly unaware of this information.

Then where had Qin Yi obtained this secret knowledge?

And more importantly... would it even work?

Countless thoughts flashed through everyone's minds in an instant, their eyes locked on the gatekeeping white ape, waiting for its reaction.

Under the weight of so many gazes, the white ape visibly paused, then turned its gaze toward Qin Yi—its aged pupils seemed to flicker with inexplicable confusion and memory.

It remained in this strange state for several moments, then slowly spoke: "Oh... you're here to retrieve herbs."

"Then you may enter."

Hearing the white ape's reply, everyone's hearts jolted—next instant, they shouted in wild excitement: "White Ape Elder, we're also ordered to retrieve herbs!"

The white ape replied slowly, "To retrieve herbs, you must present a Senior's token. Show them all."

At these words, everyone froze—none of them had even a single damn token.

Faces flushed with embarrassment—they'd thought they could bluff their way through, but this white ape was clearly sharp.

While everyone mentally cursed, Qin Yi stepped forward two paces, extending her jade hand—on her palm appeared a crimson token, inscribed with an ancient character: "Xiang."

"White Ape Elder, is this the item?" Qin Yi asked softly, her lips parting.

The white ape extended its claw; the crimson token flew from Qin Yi's hand. It rubbed the token gently, then nodded. "Token is authentic. You may enter."

Hearing this, everyone in the crowd lost their composure—each face twisted with urgency. If only Qin Yi entered, wouldn't all the treasures be hers?

"Lady Qin, this isn't fair!" Li Li Wuyuan's face darkened, unable to hold back his words.

"We went through all kinds of hardships to get here, and in the end only you get to take the treasure? That doesn't seem right, does it?" Zhu Zhu said, clearly unhappy.

The leaders of the other factions also spoke up one after another. Although Qin Yi was immensely popular, in the face of the "Origin Mysterious Heart Fruit," the latter was clearly more enticing.

"Hmph, treasures belong to those who are fated to receive them. You came unprepared yourself — how can you blame others?" Qin Ying saw the situation and immediately snorted coldly, fixing the crowd with a hostile stare.

Zhu Zhu burst out cursing outright: "I don't care about any of that. If you don't give us an explanation, I won't let you enter the thatched hut that easily either!"

Some echoed her, trying to pressure Qin Ying's group and force them to back down.

On Qin Yi's devastatingly beautiful face there was not a trace of anger. She merely smiled lightly and said: "I have already presented my token. If you mean to block me, this Senior White Ape may well intervene — though I wonder whether you'd be willing to stake your own lives to find out."

At these words, the crowd's expressions shifted slightly. Even Zhu Zhu furrowed her brow and couldn't help glancing at the White Ape. The latter truly gave off a terrifying aura — if it chose to act, no one present would be its match.

But would it really act?

The crowd's eyes flickered, yet no one dared to step forward and be the first to test it.

Qin Yi said softly: "Everyone, rest assured. I'll go in first and take a look. If I do happen to obtain some fortuitous encounter, I may well distribute some of it among you."

The crowd was immediately tempted at her words. After all, it was clear they had no right to enter the thatched hut. If Qin Yi was truly willing to share a cup of the spoils with them later, that would be an unexpected windfall.

At this thought, those who had originally been trying to cause trouble all laughed and said: "Fairy Qin is truly righteous and magnanimous!"

Zhu Zhu, Li Li Wuyuan, and the others' expressions shifted — they all found it thorny. This Qin Yi was truly no easy opponent. With just a casual sentence, she had split the crowd apart. With her words, many people would likely cling to wishful thinking. But Qin Yi alone would enter, and whatever treasures she obtained would be entirely at her own discretion. Even if she tossed out some scraps, what could they possibly question?

But faced with such a situation, what could they do?

While they were feeling dejected, Qin Yi had already stepped into the thatched hut and taken her stand behind the White Ape.

The White Ape, for its part, was slowly closing the wooden door.

However, just at that moment, Li Luo suddenly stepped forward, took two strides ahead, and shouted loudly.

"Senior White Ape, please wait a moment!"