Evolution - Chapter 19
Chapter 19
When a listless He Yi, looking half-dead and utterly defeated, was helped back by the young Luo Mingsheng, she saw Ji Changqing frantically practicing her physique techniques. Luo Gengjiu had stored the porcupine in her storage pouch, scattered some medicinal powder to clear the thick scent of blood, and was now sitting to one side, regulating her breath.
Luo Mingsheng let go of He Yi and ran to Luo Gengjiu’s side. “The smell of blood here is so strong…” What if it attracted other large beasts or low-level demonic beasts? Wouldn’t that be too dangerous?
Luo Gengjiu glanced at Ji Changqing. “She was too heavily injured, so I fed her a tiny bit of a medicinal pill…” She gestured to show she had truly only given her a tiny bit. “She’s refining the medicinal power.” Otherwise, she could just wait for her body to explode!
“Oh,” Luo Mingsheng said, understanding now. This was why she hadn’t dared to give any medicine to the dazed He Yi. But now, they couldn’t leave even if they wanted to. So, she might as well do what she was supposed to do.
She walked over to Zhao Xian and Cao Hu, who had shuffled closer, and gave them a cool look. “When I told you to run back, you pushed He Yi and Er Ya. You endangered your teammates to save yourselves. That is not permitted in our team.”
The two boys’ eyes widened in shock, fear, and confusion. But with the example of the two who had thrown a fit and been decisively kicked out, they didn’t dare to shout. They stared at their toes for a long time, tears plopping to the ground as they choked out, “Can you please not make us leave? We’ll apologize to them. I… I… we didn’t do it on purpose…”
They were crying so hard they started to hiccup.
Er Ya, who was half-supporting He Yi, felt a pang of pity. She was about to speak when He Yi stopped her with a shake of her head. Er Ya looked at He Yi, who was so incredibly weak it seemed like she might ascend to heaven if she couldn’t catch her next breath, and her heart hardened—that’s right, she herself was fine, but He Yi had ended up like this. If not for the protective wooden tablet from the immortal, He Yi might have really ascended to heaven.
Everyone could have escaped. Why did they have to push someone?
Thinking this, she could no longer feel sorry for them.
Luo Mingsheng shook her head, though her heart softened a little. “It’s impossible for you to remain in the team. We’re still young, but what’s done is done, and you must accept the punishment for your mistakes. You can follow us from a distance, but we will no longer protect or take care of you.” She took out the remaining seven or eight pieces of roasted meat and a few bamboo tubes of water from her storage pouch and handed them to Zhao Xian and Cao Hu. “Take these. Be frugal. This should last you for the next two days, more or less.”
Cao Hu and Zhao Xian wanted to say more, but Luo Gengjiu walked over with a cold expression, drew her sword, and from a distance, sliced at a bowl-thick branch on a large tree. The branch fell with a thud. Cao Hu and Zhao Xian were terrified, swallowing the pleas that had been on the tips of their tongues.
They thought of the two who had refused to leave. When they heard the shouts about a ferocious demonic beast, their limbs had gone weak and they had collapsed into a wailing heap. But Ji Changqing had grabbed Er Ya, who had fallen by the roadside, and placed her in a tree, while Luo Mingsheng had chased after He Yi, who had rolled down the slope, and brought her back. To protect them all, Ji Changqing and Luo Gengjiu had drawn the porcupine’s attention and worn it down until it was dead.
They had watched from the trees. They had been scared, yes, but not so scared that they were like those two who had chosen to quit immediately. The difference, perhaps, was that those two knew no one would protect them anymore, while they knew someone was still trying their best to protect them.
Zhao Xian and Cao Hu were filled with more remorse and regret than they could express. They knew this wasn't like being at home, and even at home, they would still be punished for their mistakes.
Gu Jiawen returned with a handful of herbs he had dug up and gave them to Luo Mingsheng. “Herbs for a calming soup.” He only knew some basic pharmacology. Luo Mingsheng and Luo Gengjiu had pills for their injuries, but everyone had been frightened today. A bowl of calming soup tonight would at least grant them a peaceful night’s sleep.
Though young, he understood that he couldn’t take others’ kindness for granted. Since they were a team, he would do everything within his power to contribute. In this short day and night, he was already thankful that fate had brought him to this team.
Especially since among the remaining members, aside from the slightly soft-hearted Er Ya, everyone else was principled, rational, and clear-headed enough.
He didn’t know if Cao Hu and Zhao Xian had pushed the others intentionally or out of panic, but he was very satisfied with Luo Mingsheng’s handling of the situation. So what if it was an unconscious act born of fear? Many actions, once taken, cause harm. If a simple “I didn’t mean it” could let it slide without any guilt or punishment, if everyone thought, they didn’t do it on purpose, how can you blame them, you’re so unforgiving and unkind, then the innocent victim would be in a truly miserable position.
By the time Ji Changqing finally stopped, the sky was completely dark. Luo Mingsheng kindly provided a night-luminescent pearl, and they continued walking for another hour or so. Although they hadn’t reached their originally chosen campsite, they decided to stop for the night.
Since tonight’s ingredient, the porcupine, was a low-level demonic beast, only Luo Gengjiu could prepare it. Ji Changqing volunteered to dig a shelter, while the four little ones were responsible for cleaning themselves up. Exhausted, hungry, and sleepy, they waited for dinner while reading their illustrated guides.
After dinner, Ji Changqing was the first to lie down and sleep. It couldn’t be helped. With only two “middle schoolers” in the group, she had to get up in the middle of the night to relieve Luo Gengjiu.
The next morning, Luo Gengjiu noticed that Ji Changqing was full of vigor, her spirit completely refreshed. Taking a closer look, she was secretly astonished. Ji Changqing’s physical strength was now nearly equivalent to the second level of Qi Refinement for a physique cultivator. Could it be because of her cultivation technique?
Since they hadn’t made it to the river last night, breakfast was mushroom soup and roasted porcupine.
Before setting off, Luo Mingsheng pointed to the map. “We have two full days left, and we’ve only got about half the journey to go. We don’t need to rush today and tomorrow, but we must be extra careful on the road.” She paused. “I’ve heard that in previous years, some people have sabotaged others to get them eliminated early, even if it didn’t benefit themselves.”
Hearing this, everyone had different expressions.
Er Ya looked bewildered. “How can people be so bad?”
Gu Jiawen was shocked. “People can actually be that bad?”
He Yi’s expression was one of “Of course people can be that bad,” as if it were perfectly normal.
Ji Changqing was nonchalant. “People can be even worse.”
“One must not have the heart to harm others, but one must not be without the heart to guard against others.” Luo Mingsheng felt a bit deflated by their reactions. After all this, it turned out only Er Ya was the naive one. She gave a cursory wave of her small hand. “Let’s go.”
They didn’t walk quickly that day. They were on guard not just against beasts, but also against the people ahead of them, making scouting all the more crucial. Thus, Luo Gengjiu and Ji Changqing took turns scouting and resting.
Zhao Xian and Cao Hu followed from a distance. At this pace, they wouldn’t get left behind. The two of them were secretly grateful, thinking that even though they had been expelled, the team was still looking out for them.
The number of beasts they encountered, both large and small, clearly increased that day. Since they weren’t in a hurry, Luo Mingsheng, with nothing better to do, turned the journey into a small field lesson, and they would dig up any low-level spirit herbs they came across.
Although she wasn’t short on money, she was quickly persuaded by He Yi. “Even if you’re not short on money, you can still pick up spirit stones if you see them on the road. It’s no extra effort. For people like us who are short on money, we’ll have to cross mountains just to find a place to dig up some spirit herbs to sell.”
Zhao Xian and Cao Hu were once again struck by the bitter pain of being separated from the group.
With Luo Gengjiu and Ji Changqing taking turns scouting ahead like minesweepers, the group reached their pre-selected campsite with a few scares but no real danger. Aside from being a bit tired, “It’s practically like an elementary school field trip,” He Yi said with a laugh.
Along the way, they had picked up a few little ones who had been separated from their original teams. Having received a harsh lesson from society, these unofficial stragglers couldn’t have been more well-behaved. But no matter how well-behaved they were, they weren’t allowed to join the team. They could only follow along with Zhao Xian and Cao Hu, forming their own group. Surprisingly, this unofficial squad now had more members than Ji Changqing’s team.
“They’re so amazing!” The kids, who had been miserable on the road but had persevered without quitting, looked on with envy from less than fifty meters away, expressing the awe of slackers being carried by star students.
From the other camp came not only laughter but also the aroma of food.
The little ones turned their gazes back to the meat roasting in front of them. “You two are so lucky you got to follow them from the start.” Mmm, more than half of their current firewood had been gathered for them, and the roasting meat had also been generously provided. Although they couldn’t join their team, well, they were now part of the unofficial squad.
To be allowed to follow, and to be generously given firewood and meat—they were truly good people!
Zhao Xian and Cao Hu, the “lucky ones,” thought to themselves, Yesterday, we were still in that team. That was true luck! The suffering was real, but they weren’t saying a word!
Among the stragglers, there were one or two, maybe three, who seemed somewhat timid and remained silent, glancing over at the other group from time to time.
A more carefree person noticed the three of them sneaking glances and said cheerfully, “Even though they won’t let us get too close, they’re still taking good care of us. It’s no use being envious. Once we successfully enter the sect tomorrow, we have to thank them properly.”
The ones caught sneaking glances felt a lump in their throats. Envious? Who’s envious? We’re scared, okay?
First, they were afraid of being forced to cause trouble, and of the consequences they would face if they failed. Second, they were afraid their targets were too vigilant and wouldn’t even let them get close. Third, they were afraid this group was too strong; even if they managed to find an opportunity to make a move, they would probably get their heads bashed in afterward!
Why was it so hard to just live?
Their hearts were pounding with anxiety as they fretted, while their carefree temporary teammates, with clear consciences, were chattering away, imagining a bright future.
“Once we get into the sect, we’ll study hard and become strong like them. Then we’ll definitely give that Jiang Dan a good beating!” From the moment they formed a team, that Jiang Dan had been nothing but critical of the three of them, deliberately speeding up or choosing difficult paths that he could manage but they couldn’t. When they couldn’t keep up, they were gradually left behind.
After being picked up by Luo Mingsheng’s team, they all chatted and finally understood that the guy just thought they were useless baggage and couldn’t abandon them directly, so he used this method to shake them off.
If they had chosen a path like Luo Mingsheng’s team, they were sure they could have kept up by gritting their teeth and wouldn’t have held everyone back.
“Hmph, they’re stronger than us now, but once we’re in the sect and all learning together, who knows who will be stronger!”
The little companions made their bold declarations without a hint of shame.
The ones with ulterior motives stiffened, a wild hope quietly rising in their hearts. That’s right, who could say for sure? If… if they could successfully join the sect and become disciples of the Tianyi Sect, would they be able to escape those people?
No matter how they struggled internally, reality was cruel—the other party was on high alert, giving them absolutely no opportunity to act.
Just then, Gu Jiawen came over from the other camp, looking cheerful. “We’ll probably arrive around late afternoon tomorrow. The team leader sent me to ask you all what your final arrival deadlines are, so you don’t miss your time by following us.”
This sparked an irrepressible flicker of hope in the hearts of the few plotters. If they could arrive by late afternoon, their passage through the assessment was practically guaranteed!
They’d deal with it after they passed the assessment and entered the sect! If they were asked about it, they would just say they tried to make a move but were found out every single time!
The enemy was too strong, what could I do? I was desperate, too! At worst, they’d get a few beatings and be called useless. In any case, their new sect-mates wouldn’t dare kill them.
After Gu Jiawen returned and reported that no one needed to arrive earlier than late afternoon, Luo Gengjiu smiled faintly. Did they think she was blind? As if she wouldn’t recognize the people from those three families?
Trying to cause trouble with such crude methods… I’ll scare your little lackeys to death, and give you a surprise while I’m at it!
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