Wild cultivation begins with wielding the Taiyin talisman.

The white light was called "Minor Chongshan," a highly accurate and detailed investigation spell specifically used to assess an opponent's strength. Using it in this way could be considered extremely offensive, but Ning Che was unaware of this.

Ning Che was somewhat surprised and even angry. He had thought that the powerful families were arrogant and probably difficult to get along with, but he never imagined that the cooperation would start with internal strife.

Although he hadn't emotionally processed it yet, his fighting instincts had already prompted him to react.

There was no panic, no unnecessary movements.

With a single step, he unleashed his magical power, his figure instantly becoming elusive, displaying a variety of movements that humans could not normally perform, combining them one after another.

His originally clear outline suddenly became elongated and blurred in Shi Zhongyu's vision, leaving behind an almost lifelike afterimage.

The white light pierced through one of the afterimages without causing the slightest ripple.

Ning Che had no habit of passively taking a beating; the crescent moon was already in his hand, and heavy snow was falling.

Shi Zhongyu's phoenix eyes narrowed. Such swift movement!

Since Ning Che was going to make a move, she was confident that she could keep up.

With a low shout, she flicked her wrist, and a broadsword, its earthen yellow hue gleaming with a dark yellow light, precisely found Ning Che's blade amidst the swirling snow.

when!

A crisp metallic clang rang out.

Ning Che was worried that Crescent Moon would be damaged in a head-on collision with this broadsword, so at the last second he flipped the blade and precisely struck the spine of the broadsword with the back of the blade while simultaneously channeling his magic power.

"Um?"

Shi Zhongyu felt a chilling force instantly travel along the sword, causing his arm to stiffen for a moment, and the earthy yellow light flowing on the broadsword dimmed slightly.

In that instant of hesitation, Ning Che had already closed in on her like a ghost, closing in within three feet.

The two locked eyes.

Ning Che's gaze was calm, and the Golden Lung Sword Qi was about to burst forth. At this distance, he believed that even a seventh-rank expert would have no chance of dodging it.

Shi Zhongyu didn't feel like he had lost. Just as he was about to unleash a spell, Shi Bingzhu's figure appeared between the two of them.

"That's enough!"

Shi Bingzhu's voice was deep and his tone left no room for argument.

He placed one hand on Shi Zhongyu's sword and used the other hand to separate Ning Che.

"Shi Zhongyu! What are you doing? Why are you attacking someone the moment we meet?"

Shi Zhongyu gave Ning Che a deep look, then slowly sheathed his sword, the white frost on the blade melting away quietly.

"Just checking his cultivation level."

She didn't apologize, but simply nodded to Shi Bingzhu, then turned to Ning Che, her tone still arrogant, but the scrutinizing tone had turned into a direct confrontation.

"Your movement is good. I hope that when we get to Xishan, your swordsmanship will keep up with your footwork."

Ning Che hung the Crescent Moon Blade back on his waist and calmly replied, "We'll see."

Whether it was Shi Zhongyu's arrogance or someone's test, he didn't care. If he weren't afraid of jeopardizing important matters, he would have preferred someone to test his current strength.

"Let's go." Shi Bingzhu broke the brief silence. "There's no time to lose, let's set off immediately."

Without another word, the three of them simultaneously sprang into action, transforming into three streaks of light that headed straight for the western mountains.

None of the three were weak; running on two legs, their speed surpassed that of a thousand-mile horse.

However, they originally thought that Ning Che, who came from a self-taught background, would inevitably fall behind in the long-distance march, even if he was agile.

Therefore, Shi Bingzhu has already prepared to slow down the pace in the second half.

However, more than an hour has passed.

The mountains and forests rushed past beneath my feet, and the wind whistled in my ears.

Shi Zhongyu's breathing had become heavy, his magical power was greatly depleted, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. But Ning Che remained unhurried.

His pace seemed to never change, his breathing was long and seemingly endless, and his face was as calm as when we first met, without even a trace of flush.

What kind of monster is this?

Even someone as proud as Shi Zhongyu couldn't help but glance at him sideways.

Ning Che was unaware of his companion's thoughts; he simply circulated the Moon Rabbit Breathing Technique silently. For him, this kind of sprint was less of an expenditure of energy and more of a unique form of training.

This vigorous exercise allows the Moon Rabbit Breathing Technique to be performed better, and the body's improvement is about 30% faster.

He felt that he could no longer stay in a small room to cultivate; he had to get moving, as some cultivation methods were not suitable for practicing behind closed doors.

After a while, the mountain ahead suddenly became steep, and a faint smell of blood and earth began to permeate the air.

We've arrived at Xishan.

The three slowed their pace and landed at a narrow pass.

In the camp ahead, now razed to the ground, the guards were heavily fortified. The guards who came and went all had solemn expressions, and the atmosphere was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.

Just then, a hearty laugh came from deep within the camp.

"Hahaha, Deputy Commander Yu, really! It's such a trivial matter, why bother your elite squad! The three of you have come from afar, you must be tired from your journey. Men, quickly prepare a banquet to welcome the elite squad and wash away their dust!"

Before the words were finished, a person had already walked out of the tent.

The newcomer was dressed in a blue robe, with a handsome face and a perfectly timed smile that made people feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze.

It was Mu Qingming.

He was followed by two trusted squad leaders, both of whom were seventh-rank officials. But Squad Leader Zhao was no longer among them.

Shi Bingzhu remained expressionless, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Greetings, Deputy Commander Mu. We have been ordered to assist in the investigation. There's no need for a banquet; we'd like to see the situation here."

"Of course, of course!" Mu Qingming greeted him warmly, his gaze sweeping over Shi Bingzhu and Shi Zhongyu before finally settling on Ning Che.

His gaze lingered on Ning Che for a fleeting moment that was obvious to everyone.

Shi Bingzhu stepped forward, blocking his view: "Vice Commander Mu, we are here to help you with your work, not to discuss any personal feelings."

"Alright, then feel free to look around and help wherever you want." Mu Qingming waved his hand, looking helpless, as if he were innocent.

The three people in front of them naturally didn't believe it and went to find a place to stay first.

The makeshift barracks were extremely dilapidated, but for Ning Che, who came from Shizhu Village, it was not unacceptable.

Upon arriving at the destination, Ning Che inquired about the case files.

"Here it is." Shi Bingzhu took out a file from his bag and spread it out on the bed.

Ning Che also stepped forward.

The dossier was an official document submitted by Mu Qingming's side, written flawlessly. It detailed how they "accidentally" discovered the lair of an ancient demon while exploring the Western Mountains. The lair was surrounded by array patterns that were still active, and there was likely some treasure inside.

Mu Qingming made a decisive choice to break the formation that had lost its power over time.

The file also stated that the coffin was found on the outskirts and was likely one of the "burial goods" of a powerful demon. Several magical artifacts, which had already lost their power, were also found at the same time.