"There are two Territorial Lords in Howling Moon Mountain,"
The rat said, "The reason why your tracks were exposed is because of the Deputy Territorial Lord, Lord Chan Ruyi."
"Chan Ruyi?"
Su Zimo murmured softly and seemed to have recalled something as a look of realization flashed through his eyes.
The rat continued, "Lord Chan Ruyi's true form is an ancient remnant beast, the Mystic Jade Cicada. She rules over the Cicada race within a radius of thousands of kilometers around Howling Moon Mountain."
"The five of you are a huge target and easy to identify. As long as you travel through the forest, your tracks will be exposed as long as there are cicadas chirping."
Linghu and the others were dumbfounded.
Even though he and monkey had stayed in the Wild Lion Ridge for a period of time, they had never heard of such methods.
How many cicadas were there in this forest?
There were probably too many to count!
This was equivalent to their every move being exposed to the enemy!
"Those ordinary cicadas can't be considered as spirit demons. However, as long as they gain sentience, they will understand the unique communication method of the Cicada race and will be able to send your tracks to Lord Chan Ruyi before long."
Su Zimo nodded to himself.
There was no mistake.
Previously, when they were hiding in the first cave, Su Zimo had a strange feeling when he heard the chirping of cicadas and frogs outside the cave.
He had a nagging feeling that something was amiss, as though they were being monitored but he could not find the source.
Now, he finally knew what the problem was.
"What should we do?"
Little Fox was worried.
According to the rat, they were being monitored the entire time. No matter where they hid, they would be discovered and would have nowhere to stay in the future!
After all, cicadas were everywhere in this forest.
"The best solution is to leave the vicinity of Howling Moon Mountain temporarily,"
Su Zimo said deeply, "Once we break through to form our cores and cultivate Essence Spirits, we'll be able to retract our auras and change our appearances. Even if we return here, those cicadas won't be able to recognize us."
"Brother, you're smart. You're right,"
The rat praised hurriedly.
Qing Qing frowned. "However, we don't know much about Howling Moon Mountain. If we head there without a direction, we'll be caught up by that Chan Ruyi before we even leave Howling Moon Mountain."
Su Zimo did not answer. He turned his eyes and looked at Rat with a faint smile.
Linghu's heart skipped a beat. His eyes glinted fiercely as he threatened, "Haozi, take us out of here. Otherwise, hmph!"
Rat sweated profusely and hurriedly said, "Brother Batian, don't worry. I'm here to give you a map of the Howling Moon Mountain."
As he spoke, Rat threw out a map made of animal skin.
However, the rat did not come out. Half of its body was still hidden in the hole, as if it was afraid that Linghu would catch it and was ready to escape at any time.
Su Zimo picked up the map and glanced at it.
In addition to the topography of Howling Moon Mountain, there was also some information about the territories near Howling Moon Mountain. This was too important to them!
With this map, they could choose the closest way to leave Howling Moon Mountain!
Previously, they had been running towards the east. If they were to continue moving towards the east, they might not be able to get out even after ten days or half a month!
However, after comparing the two, if they changed their direction and turned south, they would be able to escape Howling Moon Mountain in one or two days!
"Haozi, this map can't be fake, right?"
Linghu glanced askance at Rat and asked, "Why are you so kind-hearted as to come all the way here to help us?"
When Linghu asked that question, Su Zimo's eyes were fixed on Rat as well.
Linghu's worries were not without reason.
Rat rubbed his palms and said with an embarrassed expression, "I was the one who brought you guys back. I feel bad about everything that happened later on. Now that I'm giving you guys this map, we don't owe each other anything. "
Su Zimo was relieved.
There was no panic in Rat's eyes and he did not seem like he was lying.
"Since that's the case, let's move out right now!"
Su Zimo could sense that the number of spirit demons in the vicinity was increasing.
If they continued waiting, they might not be able to escape once Chan Ruyi arrived with the fiend demons!
Before leaving, Su Zimo turned around and looked at Rat. "You won't be implicated by giving us the map?"
"It's fine,"
Rat waved it off. "I found this place with my own capabilities as well. As long as you guys don't say anything, no one will know that I gave you guys the map."
"Farewell, see you!"
Su Zimo led monkey and the others out of the waterfall and sped into the distance.
"It's best if we don't meet again,"
Rat watched as Su Zimo and the others left before murmuring and burrowing into the cave, vanishing in the blink of an eye.
…
Three days later.
Black Sand Ridge was adjacent to Howling Moon Mountain and was also a territory.
The Territorial Lord was called the Black Sand Monster and his true form was unknown. He was terrifyingly strong and bloodthirsty – his territory was much larger than Howling Moon Mountain.
At that moment, Su Zimo's group of five found a secluded cave at the border between Black Sand Ridge and Howling Moon Mountain and settled down temporarily.
After leaving the territory of Howling Moon Mountain, they had already escaped the pursuit of the Cicada race.
Near the entrance of the cave, Su Zimo set up many formations meticulously just in case.
Monkey, Linghu, Qing Qing and Little Fox were cultivating inside and their conditions were gradually stabilizing. They were in a good state and could break through to the Nascent Soul realm at any moment!
Su Zimo guarded the entrance of the cave motionlessly, trying his best to suppress the restless Inner Core in his chest and the quivering Jin Dan in his abdomen.
Suddenly, Su Zimo opened his eyes and turned back, sensing something.
The first to break through was monkey!
Monkey's aura was already transforming!
A faint might enveloped him.
That was the power of Heaven and Earth!
Although it was only a single wisp, it was frightening enough!
Monkey's flesh exploded and his fur fell off. However, right after, new pieces of flesh grew and his body became even taller and stronger!
The process of rebirth was extremely painful.
Even the monkey's body was trembling.
However, he did not make a single sound with a prideful expression!
Under the influence of that aura, Linghu's body began to transform as well!
"Roar!"
Suddenly, Linghu roared and reverted to his true form. A series of crackling sounds could be heard from his body as his body expanded along with his flesh!
"Om!"
After Linghu, Qing Qing broke through as well.
This breakthrough activated the Bi Fang bloodline in Qing Qing's body and her body burned with a faint green flame as her aura rose continuously!
Little Fox was the last to break through.
She was different from monkey, Linghu and Qing Qing.
Little Fox's movements were the smallest and she was surrounded by a pink mist that rose with a faint fragrance that bewitched one's mind!
Su Zimo watched intently with a nervous expression.
Breaking through from the core formation and cultivating an Essence Spirit was equivalent to connecting with Heaven and Earth and ascending to the heavens in a single step!
This was a heaven-defying action and was the most dangerous!
Since ancient times, whether it was the Demon Clan or the Cultivator Clan, countless people had died at this stage.
If one failed to break through from the Foundation Establishment realm to the Jin Dan, their spirit meridians would be severed and their spirit energy would dissipate – there was still a chance for them to become mortals.
However, if one failed to break through from the core formation to the Nascent Soul realm, they would die!
An unknown period of time passed.
The auras of monkey, Linghu, Qing Qing and Little Fox had gradually stabilized and their furrowed brows relaxed as well.
The four of them exuded a strong lifeforce!
Su Zimo knew that monkey and the other three had already turned into fiend demons!
Next, it was up to him.
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