A journey through ancient times, a journey of exquisite divine skills

Chapter 368 Journey to Miao Territory: Nine Deaths, One Survival

It was originally agreed that only Shizi would accompany Xiaoman to the Miao ethnic area.

After all, the Ling Kingdom was going through a turbulent period.

Shanzi, Xiaolie, and the others need to stay in Huanling City to assist the Empress in consolidating the defenses.

Xiao Lie only told them that the Spirit King had already woken up.

Everyone was stunned when they heard the news, and then they all breathed a sigh of relief.

The group exchanged glances and decided to go and explain to the Spirit King their plans to go to the Miao tribe and bid him farewell.

Shanzi and the others went together to check on the Empress's recovery.

Inside the palace, the Empress was leaning against a soft couch, being fed medicine by a maid.

She put down the medicine bowl when she saw them come in.

Her complexion was much better than yesterday.

She smiled slightly: "Why are you back after only two hours?"

"King Ling is well."

Everyone bowed in unison.

The Empress said, "No need for formalities!"

Afterwards, everyone inquired about and showed concern for the Empress's injuries.

Xiaoman then revealed the purpose of her visit.

"King Ling, we have come to tell you something..."

He then briefly explained his plans to visit the Miao people.

After listening, the Empress nodded: "Yes, since it is your own business, you should naturally find out."

My injuries have stabilized, and you need not worry about the Spirit Kingdom as long as I am here.

This is a good opportunity for you to experience life among the Miao people; perhaps it will give you some new insights.

Shanzi quickly explained, "Your Majesty, it's not all of us going, just Xiaoman and Shizi."

"The Kingdom of Ling is currently in dire need of manpower, and we were thinking of staying to assist you."

"Only Ziyu and Zilong are going?"

The Empress raised an eyebrow and glanced at the crowd.

"Do you think that with your current level of cultivation, you can be of any help to me in the Spirit Kingdom?"

Everyone was speechless upon hearing this.

Xiao Lie and Xiao Man are both at the Grandmaster level (Middle Yuan Realm).

Shanzi, Daya, and the others were still hovering around the first-rate realm, and they were struggling even when facing Gu Xuanchao's Xiaoyuan realm experts.

Not to mention dealing with potentially higher-level enemies.

"Although the Ling Kingdom is in danger, I am confident that I can hold on."

The Empress said in a calm tone: "It is you who are always trapped in this small space, making it difficult for your cultivation to improve."

The Miao girl said that her village, Huaxi, is in trouble, and if you only send Ziyu and Zilong, they might not be able to handle it.

"Why not take this opportunity to venture out and experience the dangers of the world? That might be more useful than staying here with me."

She paused, then looked at Shanzi: "You are the oldest among them, and you should understand that true growth is not about staying in one place, but about stepping out and experiencing the storms of life."

Shanzi opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but couldn't find the words.

He was indeed worried about Xiaoman and the others' safety. Li Meng said that the Blood Python Granny in the Sacrifice Cave was extremely fierce, and with only Shizi and Xiaoman, it would be dangerous.

But the Empress's words also make sense; if they stayed in the Spirit Kingdom, they really couldn't offer much help.

"Can……"

Da Ya wanted to say something, but the Empress raised her hand to interrupt her.

"Your matter is settled then. I and the seven Spirit Stars will be on the Spirit Kingdom's side."

You can go without worry, just remember to come back alive for me.

The group looked at each other, bewildered, and ultimately had no choice but to accept the order.

When they came out of the bedroom, they were all covered in dust and dirt.

They originally wanted to help the Ling Kingdom, but the Empress's words exposed their shortcomings, making them seem as if they were being "driven" out to gain experience.

They returned to the courtyard where everyone in Sujia Village was temporarily staying.

When they explained the Empress's meaning, the elders were somewhat surprised.

Chen Junxuan's eyes lit up, and he stepped forward: "Can I come along? I also want to see what the Miao people are like."

As soon as he finished speaking, Song Jiuxian nodded: "Go ahead, you should go out and see the world, go out and explore with Su Zilong and the others."

Chen Junxuan was stunned. He had only spoken up because he heard that they were going together.

He was overjoyed that his master would agree first.

But something went wrong on Shanzi's side.

Grandma Su refused, saying, "Xiaoshan, you can't go."

Shanzi was taken aback: "Grandma?"

"Yao'er is now pregnant, almost four months along."

Who knows how long your journey will take?

What will happen to Yao'er if you're not there when the baby is born?

Besides, as a pregnant woman, she couldn't do without her husband's care.

Aunt Zhou chimed in, "Xiaoshan, your grandma is right, you have to stay and keep Yao'er company."

Looking at Cai Yao'er's barely noticeable belly, Shanzi finally had no choice but to agree.

He knew that he couldn't stay by Cai Yao'er's side right now.

That night, the two lay in bed, and Cai Yao'er saw Shanzi sighing.

She said softly, "Why don't you go with them? The children and I will wait for you to come back."

Shanzi touched her face and said with a wry smile, "Silly girl, if I leave, who will take care of you?"

Besides, do you think they'd agree to me being willful?

He sighed and said, "But we've never been separated since we escaped from Sujia Village."

Now that they've left me to go to the Miao region, I feel... uneasy about it.

Cai Yao'er hugged him: "I understand, but don't forget, Xiaoyue has been gone for almost a year without a single word."

Ah Fu acted impulsively again and chased after the man in black in Jiaxian County. There has been no news of him since...

"If you stay home, at least you can keep things stable here and reduce their worries while they're out there."

Shanzi fell silent.

Yes, Xiaoyue has been missing ever since she went out alone.

Ah Fu's whereabouts are now unknown.

If he, as the eldest brother, were to cause more trouble, he would truly be an incompetent elder brother.

"Moreover,"

Cai Yao'er smiled and said, "Do you think I didn't understand? The Empress wants them to have more experience so that they can truly help the Ling Kingdom in the future."

"You stay here and wait for them to come back. Our baby should be born by then, and the family will be reunited. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Looking at her gentle eyes and brows, Shanzi felt his inner turmoil gradually dissipate, and he nodded: "Okay, I'll stay and keep you company."

The next morning, the courtyard was bustling with activity.

Xiao Lie, Daya, Datou, Shui'er, Shizi, Xiaohe, Xiaoman, Chen Junxuan, and Li Meng, a group of nine, are ready to set off.

The six auspicious stars representing music, chess, calligraphy, poetry, wine, and flowers also came to see him off.

Grandma Su held Xiaoman's hand and gave her countless instructions.

"Once you get there, you must listen to Miss Li Meng's advice and not act impulsively."

Cai Yao'er smiled and said to everyone, "We're all waiting for you to come back."

As Shanzi watched his companions mount their horses, his throat tightened, and he finally managed to say only, "Take good care of yourselves."

Everyone nodded: "Let's go!"

Nine fine horses galloped toward the Miao people.

The crowd watched their figures gradually disappear at the end of the road, and lingered for a long time.

Shanzi gazed into the distance, silently praying: May they all return safely to me.

Little did he know that their journey would be a perilous ordeal with a slim chance of survival.

The dangers of the trip to the Miao people far exceeded everyone's expectations.

The Blood Python Woman of the Sacred Cave, the Ancient Curse of the Sacred Site, and the Conspiracy Hidden in the Dark.

At this moment, the sun shines brightly, the sound of horses' hooves fades into the distance, and nothing has yet happened.

The road ahead is long, and what awaits them are unknown storms and the price of growth.