However, this chase lasted for ten days. During these ten days, Ning Beichen and Luo Yingying didn't even have time to catch their breath. Finally, they hid in a lake, which allowed them to evade the stone monster that was hundreds of meters tall.
The stone monster, hundreds of meters tall, searched everywhere for Ning Beichen and Luo Yingying but could not find them. After a furious rampage and destruction in the vicinity, it reluctantly returned the way it came.
Only after the stone monster, hundreds of meters tall, left did Ning Beichen and Luo Yingying emerge from the lake. They looked at each other, their faces still pale with lingering fear.
The monster was truly terrifying; their attacks were not even enough to tickle it.
The two found a place to rest. Ten days of continuous escape had exhausted them to the point of not wanting to move. It was estimated that they wouldn't recover without resting for several days.
At this moment, Haitang contacted him.
Ning Beichen, on the verge of tears, recounted to her the story of being hunted by the stone monster, hundreds of meters tall, for ten days and nights with Luo Yingying.
Haitang burst into laughter but also repeatedly cautioned them to be careful. She informed him that the new witch array had been set up and asked Ning Beichen to try and see if he could send the star stones back.
Ning Beichen gave it a try and found that the star stone in his hand magically disappeared. Not long after, Haitang excitedly told him that she had successfully received the star stone.
This made everyone very happy. However, Ning Beichen found it too slow to teleport one stone at a time. He then took out a storage artifact he had taken from other cultivators and put the star stones inside. To his surprise, it also worked.
With Haitang, Ning Beichen could now send the star stones back to them for use at any time. This meant everyone could accelerate their cultivation speed, which was perfect.
Before ending the communication with Haitang, Ning Beichen repeatedly warned them not to let anyone discover they possessed the star stones, as the consequences would be unthinkable. He suggested they best use them in caves at the bottom of the river.
After all, caution is the parent of safety, especially in Ning Beichen's absence. He was very worried about the girls.
Although the powerful Black Flood Dragon was present, it was notoriously indifferent to worldly affairs and might not be able to handle such complex matters well.
Haitang readily agreed.
After all, she was not one of those naive girls. Liu Yilin had navigated the business world, and Ye Lanxin was a remarkable woman who had survived on her own. None of them were simple, and without being naive, they understood the principle of seeking fortune and avoiding disaster.
Ning Beichen and Luo Yingying dared not return to their original location, fearing the stone giant would find them. They decided to establish a new base camp by the lake.
Despite being pursued by the stone giant, they had reaped immense rewards this time, obtaining tens of thousands of star stones. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been chased by the stone giant in the first place.
The reason was that they had been too ruthless, not letting go of any stone monsters they encountered. Their path was one of near devastation, leaving nothing alive.
"Ning Beichen, I think I'm about to break through. I'll probably need to go into seclusion for a long time."
Luo Yingying said to Ning Beichen.
"It's alright, go ahead and break through with confidence. I'll guard you."
Ning Beichen replied to her.
"Won't that delay your cultivation?"
Luo Yingying sounded a little embarrassed.
"Why are you being so polite to me? Next time it's my turn to break through, you can guard me."
Ning Beichen said to her.
"Okay."
Luo Yingying nodded and stopped fussing. She began preparing for her secluded breakthrough, as the stronger their cultivation, the better they could survive within.
Ning Beichen stayed in the room next to hers and even set up several formations around her secluded retreat as a precaution.
However, it was unclear how long Luo Yingying's seclusion would take. Ning Beichen guarded for about ten days, and there was still no sign of activity from Luo Yingying's secluded area.
Ning Beichen, as usual, went out for a walk by the lake.
But as soon as he reached the lakeside, he saw two men appear.
Ning Beichen's pupils contracted, and he immediately retreated stealthily, but he was still discovered by them.
Seeing this, the two men moved as if teleporting, instantly appearing in front of and behind Ning Beichen, blocking his path.
"Stop!"
Ning Beichen had no choice but to halt. However, his mind had already connected with the Bronze Ancient Sword, ready to strike immediately if anything went wrong.
"You... what do you want?"
Ning Beichen feigned panic. He knew he couldn't pretend to be a master, as the cultivation levels of these two men were higher than his.
However, a higher cultivation level didn't guarantee victory. As long as they weren't a whole major realm above him, Ning Beichen might still have a chance to fight back.
"So, you're a coward. Are you alone?"
The two men, surrounding Ning Beichen from both sides, questioned him.
"No, I came with my master. My master went to find something in that mountain range and told me to wait for him here."
Ning Beichen replied in an honest and naive manner.
As expected, upon hearing that Ning Beichen had a master, the two men's expressions immediately turned tense.
Anyone who could come to this place and bring a disciple was likely a powerful figure, and they feared offending someone they shouldn't.
"What is your master's name?"
The two asked him.
"Xiong Ba."
Ning Beichen blurted out a powerful name, invoking the venerable Xiong Ba.
Sure enough, upon hearing such a formidable name, the two men began to appear cautious and hesitant.
"Your master must be very famous, right?"
The two men probed, unwilling to give up.
However, their subtle intentions were no match for Ning Beichen's perception.
"No, my master rarely descends the mountain, so not many people outside know his name. However, my master has a bad temper. If he sees me with strangers, he gets very angry and will kill you."
Although Ning Beichen wasn't an Oscar-winning actor, he felt he deserved a small golden statue at this moment.
"Where does your master cultivate?"
"Our intention is, if there's an opportunity in the future, to visit the elder on the mountain."
The two explained.
"My master cultivates on Mount Hua Guo."
Ning Beichen fabricated another name, hoping that the people here hadn't heard of the story of that monkey on Mount Hua Guo, otherwise, he would be exposed.
Fortunately, they hadn't heard of Mount Hua Guo, which made them believe him.
"Since this brother's master is here, we won't disturb you further. Please send our regards to your master."
After saying this to Ning Beichen, the two men seemed to be preparing to leave.
However, in the next second, Ning Beichen's sword clashed with their weapons.
"Bastards, I knew you couldn't be trusted."
Ning Beichen cursed inwardly. Fortunately, he had never let his guard down. As expected, these two had ill intentions.