By now, Jiang Ji and the others no longer had the energy to complain about Feng Xi constantly taping gold to her face, their hearts were all in their throats.
One of the late Nascent Soul beasts, a Long-Armed Heaven-Reaching Ape, said in a shrill voice, "You can just say it to me."
The Blood-Pupil Earth-Shaking Tiger beside it sneered repeatedly, "To you? Who do you think you are?! I'm the one in charge here!"
The Single-Horned Golden Flood Dragon hissed as it flicked its tongue, "I am the king here! What gives either of you the right to compete with me?!"
With only a few words, the three late Nascent Soul demon beasts were already arguing.
Since they all spoke the human tongue, Jiang Ji and the others heard every word clearly.
Everyone: "..."
Little Junior Sister only said one sentence and they were already fighting among themselves?
She didn't even say anything special!
Then they heard Feng Xi say with a guilty expression, "The three of you, please stop arguing, this is all my fault. It was I who spoke carelessly. Let's discuss the important matter instead!"
The ape, tiger, and flood dragon all turned to look at Feng Xi.
The Blood-Pupil Earth-Shaking Tiger rumbled, "What important matter? Don't tell me you want us to help you escape? Forget it!
The fact that we aren't actively attacking you humans is already giving your race plenty of courtesy!"
It was telling the truth.
Nascent Soul demon beasts possessed extremely high intelligence.
They understood how to weigh the costs and benefits.
Although they could easily devour these humans, doing so would make them mortal enemies of humanity.
After all, these were all personal disciples.
By then, even with the mist protecting them, the humans would spare no effort to destroy the entire Mysterious Mist Forest and kill them.
That's why, they would never do something so foolish.
Feng Xi shook her head, "Escaping is a trivial matter, we simply haven't thought of a solution yet. We haven't reached a dead end.
If nothing else works, we can simply leave using a teleportation treasure."
Jiang Ji and the others: "..."
You mean a teleportation treasure that sends you from the same place…right back to the exact same place?!
Feng Xi continued, "What I want to discuss is far more important than that, it concerns your life and death.
You all saw that tribulation lightning, didn't you?
That was only the beginning. Next, wave after wave of tribulation lightning will descend upon you.
Even if you're Nascent Soul cultivators, how many heavenly lightning strikes can you withstand?"
The Single-Horned Golden Flood Dragon curled its lip, "Stop talking nonsense, that heavenly lightning clearly struck the inner region. What does that have to do with us?"
Feng Xi chuckled lightly, "That was because I used the Heaven-and-Earth Banner to divert the tribulation lightning there, as a greeting gift for all of you."
As she spoke, she took out the Heaven-and-Earth Banner.
The Heaven-and-Earth Banner also did its best to show off. Although its strength was lacking, it could make up for it with flashy effects!
It suddenly expanded, projecting a curtain of light into the sky, making for a very imposing display.
The Nascent Soul demon beasts instantly believed her a little more.
The Single-Horned Golden Flood Dragon asked in confusion, "Then why would the tribulation lightning strike us?"
Feng Xi smiled lightly, "Do you really need to ask me that? You know perfectly well what the core area and the mist are all about!"
Having said that, Feng Xi stopped talking.
Without betraying anything, she carefully observed the expressions of the Nascent Soul beasts, especially those three late Nascent Soul beasts.
When she saw uncertainty and alarm on their faces, she knew she'd guessed correctly.
"Our human experts had already foreseen this calamity, that's why they sent us here to warn you.
Unfortunately, we happened to arrive just as the first wave of tribulation lightning descended, so I dealt with it on your behalf.
It's your choice on whether to believe this or not.
If there's nothing else, we'll be leaving now."
The Long-Armed Heaven-Reaching Ape's shrill voice rang out, "Wait! I still don't understand after listening to you this whole time, why would you humans help us?"
Feng Xi sighed, "Because we're afraid that when the city gate catches fire, the fish in the moat will suffer as well!
If you all die, chances are us humans would be the unlucky ones next.
That's why we need you standing in front!
Sorry, we humans really are just that sinister, cunning, and shameless."
The Long-Armed Heaven-Reaching Ape: "..."
Jiang Ji and the others: "..."
Ironically, hearing Feng Xi say that made the Nascent Soul beasts find her story even more believable.
After all, in their eyes, it's impossible for humans to help them without profit.
"Then what exactly do you humans want?"
Feng Xi answered leisurely, "Of course we want to help you, but our understanding of the mist and the core area is extremely limited.
So you'll have to tell us everything you know."
The Long-Armed Heaven-Reaching Ape narrowed its eyes at Feng Xi, "How do I know you aren't lying to us?"
Feng Xi sighed, "I've already said everything I needed to say, I also can't do anything if you choose not to believe me.
If there's nothing else, we'll be going first. After all, this damned mist erodes spiritual power. It's not a place we should linger for long."
After saying that, Feng Xi motioned for Jiang Ji and the others to leave with her.
The moment they heard that they could leave, the several Golden Core demon beasts ran faster than they ever had in their entire lives. In the blink of an eye, they had dashed several hundred meters away.
Feng Xi silently counted in her heart: Ten... nine... eight...
When she reached five, the Long-Armed Heaven-Reaching Ape called out behind her, "Wait!"
Feng Xi turned around, "Since you have doubts in your hearts about us, there's no point in saying anything more. Let's each go our separate ways!"
Grinding its teeth, the Long-Armed Heaven-Reaching Ape said, "We believe you now, alright?! Hurry up and come back!"
The several Golden Core demon beasts who already fled far away: "..."
She's making the whole thing up!
Even we can tell!
And you can't?!
Could it be that the higher one's cultivation, the lower one's intelligence becomes?
Obviously, they didn't realize that the higher one's intelligence, the more complicated one tends to make things, and…the easier one can be fooled.
After Feng Xi returned, she raised her chin, "Go on, what's really going on?"
The Long-Armed Heaven-Reaching Ape said, "Come with us and you'll understand."
Feng Xi nodded, "Alright."
Originally, she'd wanted the Golden Core demon beasts to continue carrying them. But they all lay flat on the ground, clearly lacking the courage to enter the core area.
Feng Xi had no choice but to dissolve the contracts, then led Jiang Ji and the others on foot into the core area.
After passing through layer upon layer of mist, what greeted them was a barren wasteland.
Everyone was stunned.
How could it be like this?