They had only traveled five li.

Ahead, the scene was a mess, blood splattered everywhere, and corpses lay strewn about.

A feathered beast, nearly two meters tall, with the appearance of an eagle but possessing two horns, was pecking open the skull of a person, sucking out the brain marrow.

"It's a Gu Diao."

Old Dog's voice trembled, "At the very least, a sixth-rank."

The Gu Diao looked up, scanned the group, then moved to another corpse and continued to peck open its skull, sucking out the brain marrow.

Everyone looked nervous, not daring to move.

Before they saw it, they hadn't detected even the slightest hint of its presence.

Once they reached the flat area, they had no chance to hide or evade.

Zhou You stood silently, his Right Hand merely resting on the hilt of his sword, his body slightly turned, his expression very serious.

The Gu Diao's strength felt much more potent than that of the Wolf King.

Old Dog looked at Zhou You with a complex expression, thinking, 'Still not letting your protector make a move? What kind of pose are you striking, really?'

Finally, the Gu Diao finished eating and turned to face them.

Zhou You's eyes narrowed slightly, battle intent surging. He wanted to find that feeling, the feeling of drawing his sword.

The Gu Diao tilted its head, its sharp gaze fixed on Zhou You.

Li Wanji's face was pale, her legs trembling with nervousness.

Suddenly, the Gu Diao spread its wings, soared into the sky, and flew straight away.

Zhou You released his grip, falling silent.

"It just left?"

Li Wanji's lips trembled, still in disbelief.

"Of course! With a big shot present, how could it not run?"

Old Dog had his own judgment. He stepped forward to identify them, then sighed, "It's Ma Shangsi and his group."

Everyone's expression changed slightly. They had only been delayed for a short while, yet these fellows had already died up ahead.

Old Dog picked up the great sabers without any aversion, "Ah, speaking of Ma Shangsi, he actually didn't have much ability. Wasn't he just a Zhen Xuan Realm practitioner? He acted as if he was so impressive. In his life, the best thing about him was probably his name."

Zhou You was puzzled, "Why was his name good?"

Old Dog chuckled, "Ma Shangsi, you see."

Zhou You was confused, "And then?"

Old Dog's face darkened, "Nothing. I spoke too much."

He also rummaged through the corpses without aversion, finding some money and healing pills.

"Good stuff!"

Old Dog exclaimed, pulling something from Ma Shangsi's body.

Zhou You glanced at it. It was actually a pendant made from a High-Grade Spirit Stone half-wrapped in gold.

What he didn't understand was, what was so good about this thing?

"The Fengyun Gang indeed has some capital."

Old Dog examined it with admiration, "There's a small spirit gathering array carved on this golden outer layer. Combined with a precious High-Grade Spirit Stone, it can not only utilize the spirit stone's property of gathering Heaven and Earth spiritual energy but also reduce the consumption rate of the spirit stone. It's truly amazing, absolutely amazing! A good item that money can't buy."

Li Wanji was surprised, "I've heard of such a thing. I can't believe Ma Shangsi actually wore something so valuable! It's said that this way, the speed of absorbing Heaven and Earth spiritual energy can be at least thirty percent faster."

Old Dog's face showed wild joy, "This is absolutely a treasure for home cultivation and travel!"

Zhou You was puzzled, "Wouldn't directly absorbing the spirit stone be faster?"

"That's a waste of natural resources!"

Old Dog couldn't help but scold, "What the hell do you know? Every single spirit stone is extremely precious. Only this method can infinitely magnify its value. Who doesn't know how to directly absorb a spirit stone? But the problem is, where do you find so many spirit stones for you to absorb? You think you..."

Old Dog's voice gradually became softer, almost inaudible by the end.

Could it be that this person really cultivated by absorbing spirit stones every day?

This treatment...

This difference...

Suddenly, the treasure in his hand didn't seem so appealing.

Spirit stones are condensed forms of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy, requiring specific environments and specific times to form spirit stone mines.

Thus, directly absorbing spirit stones is equivalent to directly absorbing Heaven and Earth spiritual energy.

It even skips the steps of filtering and converting.

Naturally, normal cultivation and cultivation by absorbing spirit stones are two different tracks altogether.

Old Dog shuffled back, reluctantly offering the item with both hands, "Young Master, please accept it."

At this moment, he regretted it deeply.

If he had known Ma Shangsi had such a treasure, he should have stolen it earlier.

Why should he have to offer it to someone else now?

Zhou You took the golden accessory in his hand, carefully felt it, and at the same time secretly circulated the Overlord Heaven Art. Indeed, the speed of absorbing Heaven and Earth spiritual energy increased by a few points.

"You don't want it?"

Zhou You reached out to hand it back.

Old Dog chuckled dryly, "It's your merit, so it's naturally for you to distribute."

"My merit?"

Zhou You suddenly understood. He figured it was his confrontation with the Gu Diao, and then the Gu Diao flew away, so it was naturally his merit.

This idea was quite reasonable.

Old Dog looked up, eagerly watching Zhou You. If this guy gave it to him one more time, he would definitely accept it without a word.

And then let Xiao Jing use it for cultivation!

Zhou You casually handed the golden accessory to Xiao Chen, "Xiao Chen, this is for you."

Old Dog's face twitched, cursing inwardly, "Damn it, noble young masters really go all out to woo girls. It makes me want to wear women's clothes too."

Giving spirit artifacts and treasures, what woman could resist such an offensive?

Look at that Xiao Yatou, her eyes were already crescent moons.

Zhou You asked, "Is it that when the High-Grade Spirit Stone inside this thing is used up, you just find a way to put another one in?"

Old Dog nodded, "Yes."

"Understood."

Zhou You nodded. He had tens of thousands of High-Grade Spirit Stones in his storage ring, which was barely enough for himself.

Since this thing was so useful, it could at least save a lot.

After all, this was also his grand-niece; it wouldn't be right not to cultivate her.

As the thought settled, three High-Grade Spirit Stones appeared in Zhou You's hand. With a flick of his Right Hand, they flew towards Li Wanji, Old Dog, and Xiao Jing respectively, "Let's share the spoils. I don't like taking advantage of others."

Thump!

Old Dog knelt on the ground, his lips trembling.

So generous?

He rubbed his eyes, then carefully identified them again, confirming they were High-Grade Spirit Stones.

Old Dog looked up, "Young Master, did you perhaps take the wrong ones?"

He must have taken the wrong ones!

What kind of big idiot would give away High-Grade Spirit Stones?

He had seen many prodigal sons; after all, there was one beside him. But such a foolish prodigal son, this was the first time he had seen one today.

"No mistake."

Zhou You's puzzled gaze swept over the High-Grade Spirit Stones in their hands, "I couldn't possibly mistake them."

Old Dog shot up, rushed to Zhou You's side, and chuckled, "Young Master, do you need an errand boy? Don't despise me for being old; the older I am, the more experienced I am. Massaging shoulders, pounding legs, I can do it all. If you have any special preferences, I can even wear women's clothes."

Zhou You frowned, "What nonsense is this?"

Xiao Jing gripped the High-Grade Spirit Stone in his hand, truly wanting to throw it in the other person's face. 'Does this young master need your charity?'

But...

It really smelled good.

Zhou You was a bit helpless; this Old Dog talked a lot. "Lead the way. I still need to go home after a while."

Old Dog scrambled to run ahead, "I'll scout the way. If there's danger, I'll be the first one up."

Li Wanji walked numbly, muttering to herself, "High-Grade Spirit Stones... I actually have a chance to touch High-Grade Spirit Stones? This can't be a dream, can it?"