Another Lead

A growl escaped Julong's mouth. That was just plain unlucky, and rather typical of the world to pull on him. Despite his incredible luck with finding things in relation to Cultivation, everything else was stupidly difficult. For example, quite a few times when Zi Xiao had attempted to teleport him somewhere, he would just randomly end up in a different Domain and would have to wait for Zi Xiao to locate him. So of course a large wall would cut off their vision of the Genesis Beast making it impossible for them to follow. It just made complete sense to Julong as a foul expression spread over his face.

"Dastardly!"

Qingchan looked at Julong curiously. Before the Fortressing Event had obscured their vision, she had of course seen him focusing on something in the distance. While she didn't catch a glimpse herself, she knew it was probably something important, especially if the large and resounding roar was anything to go by. Walking up behind him, she of course decided to inquire into the situation.

"What's wrong?"

Her words were soft and soothing, it was rather obvious Julong was upset. It wasn't something she had seen from him before and wasn't exactly sure how to approach him. Whenever she had been with him or seen anything from him, he was always incredibly strong and lucky.

"No, it's nothing." He let out an exasperated sigh. "There was an abnormal Genesis Beast on the other side of the Fortressing Wall. It looked higher Grade than the normal Genesis Beasts around here - I'm pretty sure that was a lead, but sure enough, we lost it."

"I-I see."

His change in attitude was quick and it was like his anger was never there. That was a scary thought, that either meant he was very fragile or was someone who easily hid their emotions. The second was the most probable since his mental fortitude was probably even greater than her own. In the same way, this brought her back to before they had left. Hearing that he was from the Hunyuan Heaven, it really hit her that she actually had no idea who the boy in front of her was, and that upset her. She had no idea what he had gone through or what he was really capable of - this realisation of him being able to conceal his emotions so easily could even mean that lying came easy to him. He could have just been lying to her about everything.

She shook her head, getting rid of those thoughts.

He's not like that. The one I know is the real him. He said he would help me with 'him' when the time comes, and I trust him.

With a nod, she reassured herself. Whatever he had gone through was his business and even if they were friends, she had no right to intrude on that. She just hoped that she was right about him.

In that instant, Julong turned around and smiled at her brightly.

"Ignore me, I'm just reminiscing."

Qingchan nodded slightly, acknowledging his words. Though she still had one request from him to calm her mind.

"If you don't mind, at some point, could you... I don't know, tell me about your past - your time in the Hunyuan Heaven."

Julong tilted his head. Why was she so nervous? Obviously, he would tell her - he could easily leave out the more important details. Did she for some reason doubt he would tell her? Then again, due to leaving out the important parts, could it be said that he was actually telling her about his past? He wasn't sure, but because she had told him about hers, he owed her at least some of his story.

"Of course I will. When we get back and we are finally alone, make sure to remind me and I'll tell you all about it, okay?"

Qingchan smiled a beautiful smile at Julong. Its incredible wonder seemed to light up the surrounding area as if the world was happy with her. It caused Julong to give a small laugh before looking past her. Qingchan wondering what had caught his eye, followed his gaze.

"Now come on, let's get this sorted out."

They were both looking at the sprawled-out Xiao Dai who looked like she was having a panic attack. It was almost as if she was unaware that the Fortressing Event had already dispersed and no longer endangered them.

"Uuugh..."

Qingchan's smile faltered at the sight of her. Neither of them were quite sure what to think about her, but both did admit she was fun to be around. As Julong had speculated before, both Xiao Dai and Qingchan were definitely on their way to becoming friends.

"Come on, Xiao Dai, get up."

Julong, in that moment, launched a small ball of Genesis Qi at her. It hit the ground next to her making a small explosion that made her roll across the ground with a squeal.

"Eeek-!"

Coming to a stop she lifted her head and a murderous look covered her eyes.

"Are you serious!?"

Julong snickered.

"Mhmm~ I've already learnt that with you, nothing works until you brute force it."

Her face became blank and then adopted a rosy pink. She was incredibly embarrassed that he had figured that out so quickly.

"Shut up!"

Julong nodded thoughtfully, not listening to her plea, instead opting to turn toward Qingchan.

"Look at that, looks like you two aren't so different after all. You both scream at me like that when embarrassed."

Noticing the astonished look from Xiao Dai now flittering over her, Qingchan also became pink. She clenched her fist, suppressing the urge to scream at him, which would undoubtedly prove his words right.

"Either way, let's go over there," he pointed toward where he had spotted the Genesis Beast a few minutes ago, "there might be something over there for us to investigate."

"Hmph."

Walking over, leaving the two girls behind, they quickly decided between themselves to begrudgingly follow. He was certainly the most courageous of them, but neither of the girls knew if that was good or bad. Qingchan in particular felt as if he would eventually lead them into a rather comical and stupid situation.

Coming to a stop, they analysed Julongs bent over stature as he observed the two paw prints in the loose dirt that covered the majority of the wastelands. They were the only two paw prints in the vacinity and it was almost like the Beast had just vanished.

"Interesting - I thought for a second there that he would have just gotten away, but it seems as though there is some kind of residue Genesis Qi here."

He seemed to ponder for a moment before speaking to himself.

"I guess that's why he knew we were about to be hit by the Fortressing Event. He must have guided it over by using some sort of Genesis Technique."

The girls had no idea what he was saying and left it all to brainless blabbering, all except the last few words. The fact the Genesis Beast could use a Genesis Technique meant that it had indeed become intelligent. This meant that it would be a pretty strong opponent that could definitely cause them a bit of trouble.

"Though, while the Genesis Qi is there, I can't seem to track it."

Qingchan glanced at the prints and nodded in agreement.

"Unfortunately, I can't either. Seems like we're back at square one."

As they spoke Xiao Dai adopted a proud expression. Unlike Julong and Qingchan Xiao Dai could see a trail of Genesis Qi leading away from the prints in the direction it would have run away.

"Actually - I can track it. There is a line of Genesis Qi leading off into the distance."

They both gave her an astonished look.

"Really?"

"Mmm~ The Genesis Qi on the ground has an incredibly disproportionate amount of Yang Qi. My Yin and Yang Dwelling, in the same way, is disproportionately Yin-filled, as I am a female. The Genesis Beast must be an incredibly powerful male Alpha Genesis Beast because of this influx of Yang Qi - not to be confused with an Alpha Holy Genesis Beast. If I absorb this Genesis Beasts Yang Qi, my Dwelling may also undergo an evolution."

The other two both nodded. To Julong, it now made sense as to why the Genesis Beast was so incredibly built. It was no doubt an Alpha Genesis Beast, which thankfully also explained the intelligence factor.

"So we're assuming this is the one who has been causing the Genesis Beasts to work together?"

Qingchan pursed her lips. It certainly looked that way.

"Yes, thankfully it's an Alpha Genesis Beast and not one that evolved to form intelligence, otherwise its grade could have been much higher than we first anticipated."

"Mmm~ I was worried for a second there haha..." Xiao Dai laughed nervously. "But now I'm more motivated than ever - this must be why Master sent me with you guys. I'm not to take any of your rewards or earnings, but because you two won't be able to absorb the Yang Qi, therefore it must be a reward for me."

Julong just shrugged, in a way she was correct, not that they could confirm it until they got back, but it definitely made Julong see Won Feng in a new light. He was very mysterious with his actions indeed.

Trust in the process I suppose.