The Pastoral Life of a Cultivation Master

Chapter 3093 Leading the Team Onward
Ouyang Ding and Ouyang Jun were supported by Ouyang Zhaobei and slowly walked towards the bridgehead.

Although they were being supported and their legs were still aching and numb from the bite wound, it didn't stop them from blaming each other. They accused each other of not paying attention to their feet because they were listening to the other talking, which led to the snake bite.

If it were an ordinary banded krait, they would certainly be able to dodge it. After all, with their speed and reaction time, how could they, as martial artists, not be able to avoid a snake's attack? However, the venomous snakes in this valley are not only faster, but also more venomous than those outside, which is why they were bitten.

The two blamed each other, but their underlying anxiety stemmed from their uncertainty about the future. Without the protection of a skilled member, they risked becoming cannon fodder. Therefore, their own uncertainty about the future remained, especially since Ouyang Nan refused to agree.

As for what benefits they might gain from this valley, they couldn't think about that anymore. Even if there were, they wouldn't get a chance. Good things are always given to the powerful first, and martial artists like them would naturally have to wait their turn.

Hey!
"Zhao Bei, why didn't you say anything just now? Don't you know that without a master at the tenth level of the Acquired Realm in the team, we would all become cannon fodder?" After blaming each other for a long time, Ouyang Jun and Ouyang Ding had nothing more to say, so they turned to stare at Ouyang Zhao Bei, who was holding the two of them.

Ouyang Zhaobei chuckled inwardly. Could he be compared to these two? Regardless, as Ouyang Nan's underling, if there was any real danger, Ouyang Nan would definitely lend a hand. That's why he hadn't spoken when everyone wanted Ouyang Nan to return as team leader.

"Well, the main problem is that I'm just a lowly martial artist, and I don't have much say in front of Elder Ouyang Nan. Besides, Elder Ouyang Nan hasn't agreed to your opinions, so what I say is even less useful," Ouyang Zhaobei said humbly.

"Hmph! Whether Ouyang Nan agrees or not is one thing, but as a member of the team, it's up to you whether you bring it up or not. Maybe Ouyang Nan will agree when you bring it up?" Ouyang Jun said somewhat unreasonably.

Ouyang Zhaobei didn't take it to heart, after all, his strength was lower than the two of them, and his presence in the team was not high. So after hearing this, he just smiled wryly and said, "You're right, it's my problem. I'll definitely say something next time I have the chance."

Seeing that Ouyang Zhaobei was so honest, Ouyang Jun didn't say anything more.

"Alright, alright, even if Zhao Bei says something, it won't make a difference. Ouyang Nan has already made up her mind not to be the team leader. Saying more will only attract her attention. If she makes things difficult for you later, you'll be happy." Ouyang Ding said sarcastically.

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Jun immediately became unwilling and once again engaged in mutual blaming and complaining with Ouyang Ding.

On the other side, the team split into four groups and searched the entire area along the lake shore like a net, but they found nothing. All they could find was that there were many poisonous creatures here, and the speed and aggression of each type of poisonous creature were even higher.

Especially when people get close to or disturb these poisonous creatures, they will be attacked by these creatures.

Fortunately, with everyone on guard, no further poisoning occurred.

Ouyang Ding and Ouyang Jun really deserved it. If they had activated their qi and blood protection, even the mutated silver-ringed snake wouldn't have been able to bite through their shields. Unfortunately, they were distracted by their banter and, coupled with Chen Mo's little trick, they were doomed.

After the four teams finished patrolling the surrounding area, they all returned to the bridgehead.

After everyone set off, Qian Ying and Zhou Zixing sat down to meditate and cultivate a little distance away from the bridgehead building, hoping to accelerate the recovery of their strength. Crossing the bridge had been quite taxing, and the mechanism that activated the iron chain bridge had already consumed more than half of their innate power. Therefore, their dantian was empty after crossing the bridge. If they didn't meditate to recover, they were really worried that if any strange beasts appeared, they wouldn't be able to deal with them.

Therefore, the two of them seized the time to recover, and Qian Wantong did not participate in this patrol, but instead stood aside as a protector to guard the two of them.

Upon seeing everyone return, Qian Wantong went up to inquire, only to find that nothing had been found. He could only relay this information to Qian Ying and Zhou Zixing.

Qian Ying listened to Qian Wantong's reply while keeping her eyes fixed on the lake.

At this moment, the lake level was still dropping. Although it was unclear how much it had dropped, compared to the height they had reached when crossing the lake, it seemed to be around ten meters. The space underneath the bridge also appeared higher.

So he said to Qian Wantong, "Gather everyone together and arrange a funeral for the four missing people. I have some things to discuss with Elder Zhou."

Although the four who died were insignificant to the overall team, they were still members of the team, and it was necessary to show some respect for them. Otherwise, the team's morale would be low, and it would be difficult to lead them in the future.

Therefore, it's better to arrange a funeral. Even if the bodies of those four people can't be found, we can still hold a ceremony to make it look like a proper funeral for everyone.

After agreeing, Qian Wantong immediately went to organize and make arrangements.

Watching everyone in the group, at Qian Wantong's urging, begin to give a funeral to the four deceased, he turned to Zhou Zixing and said, "Elder Zhou, do you think we should continue now, or wait here until tomorrow?" Zhou Zixing frowned upon hearing this, thought for a moment, and then said, "Elder Qian, my opinion is that we should try to set off as soon as possible. Although I know you're worried about our strength, this lake makes me feel very dangerous. It feels like something dangerous will appear once the lake level drops to a certain point. Therefore, it's best to get as far away from this lake as possible as soon as possible."

"Yes, what you said is what I was thinking too. Although I'm worried about whether we'll encounter any dangers on the way, I'm also very worried about this lake. So it's best if we stay as far away as possible. It's still early, and it won't get dark for a few more hours, so let's make the most of this time and get as far away from this lake as possible."

Like Zhou Zixing, his concerns about the lake had grown immensely. This was especially true after experiencing the turbulent impact on the suspension bridge, which made the situation even more acute. Although he didn't know what had caused those waves.

However, even he couldn't create such an attack. Especially since the waves could reach hundreds of meters high and continuously bombard them; that was definitely beyond his capabilities.

Therefore, whether it's a strange beast or some kind of demon, it's something that he and Zhou Zixing can't defeat. It's best to stay far away.

After reaching an agreement, the two fell silent again, focusing their efforts on cultivating and restoring their innate power. The more strength they recovered now, the more secure they would be later.

On the other side, Qian Wantong led the group in a proper ceremony to mourn the four dead martial artists.

Whether they were from the Ouyang family or other families, they all stood not far from the lake, their hearts filled with unease. They dared not get too close to the lake now, lest another wave crash over them, and they would not be able to withstand it.

Ouyang Nan, Chen Mo, and the others stood at the back of the line, participating quietly as well. After all, the person was dead, and it was only right to mourn.

Ouyang Ding and Ouyang Jun also rose to join the mourning. The deceased were four martial artists from the Ouyang family. They were still feeling unwell; although the toxins had been cleared, it had been too short, and the numbness and pain in their bodies had not completely subsided.

Fortunately, the two of them will be fully recovered in about half an hour.

After the formalities were completed, Qian Wantong went to consult Qian Ying and inquire about the next steps in the work.

"Manager Qian, I just discussed it with Elder Zhou, and we'll get ready to leave as soon as the memorial service is over," Qian Ying said to Qian Wantong.

"Ready to go?"

"Yes, let's get ready to set off and continue on our way. After all, this lake in front of us gives me a bad feeling, so we should hurry up and get away from it." Qian Ying didn't hide anything; having just finished discussing things with Zhou Zixing, there was no need to conceal anything.

"Okay!" Although Qian Wantong's senses were not as sharp as Qian Ying's, he still had a vague sense of crisis, so he immediately agreed after hearing this.

"Alright, go and tell everyone to hurry up and pack their bags, then get ready to leave," Qian Yingyi said to Qian Wantong after waving her hand.

"Yes," Qian Wantong immediately agreed and turned to leave to arrange the matter.
Unexpectedly, after taking a few steps, Qian Wantong turned back and said to Qian Ying, "Elder Qian, Ouyang Ding and Ouyang Jun from the Ouyang family were injured by poison during the search mission just now. Their bodies have not fully recovered yet. If we set off as a team now, it may be difficult for the two of them to keep up with the team."

When Ouyang Ding and Ouyang Jun returned to rest after being injured, Qian Ying and Zhou Zixing were busy cultivating and recovering their strength, so they were unaware of the two men's injuries.

Qian Ying asked, "What's the situation with those two people? What kind of poison injured them?"

Qian Wantong then gave a brief report of what he knew.

Qian Ying pondered for a moment, then discussed it with Zhou Zixing for a few more minutes before asking Qian Wantong, "Have the two of them taken the antidote?"

"They've already taken the medication, but the detoxification period is relatively short, and both are still recovering," Qian Wantong said.

"Since they've already taken the antidote, there shouldn't be any major problems. Let's continue as I said and hurry up to prepare for departure. As for the two injured people, go to the Ouyang family and ask their warriors to keep a close eye on them. It's just a journey, so with some help from others, we should be able to keep going without any major issues."

He had already decided to leave as soon as possible, as the sense of danger emanating from the lake was making him very uneasy. Since they were just two injured people traveling, their family's martial artists should be able to help them without any problems.

Upon hearing this, Qian Wantong nodded in agreement and turned to go out to make arrangements for the departure.