In the southernmost reaches of the Southern Wilderness Continent, a territory once solely inhabited by ferocious beasts, the presence of human cultivators has become increasingly common in recent years.
These human cultivators were naturally dispatched by the major powers to repair the Heaven-Sealing Array of Absolute Spirit.
After several years, the major cracks on the array were finally repaired to a considerable extent.
The cultivators sent were then stationed in this location.
They were divided into countless small teams, each responsible for patrolling.
"Everyone, pay close attention along the way. Report any array fissures you find promptly. Once we complete this patrol, our team can rest for a month."
Xing Wuming, the captain of this team, no longer fanned himself with a feather fan. Dressed in a simple robe, he flew at the forefront of the group, speaking loudly.
"I'm telling you, if that thing breaks free from the great array, we will all die. There will be almost no chance of escape."
Some members of the team were skeptical, after all, they were all Nascent Soul powerhouses.
"Captain Xing, is that giant truly that powerful?"
"I once witnessed a Void Refinement powerhouse utterly defenseless before the giant, and was devoured in a single gulp."
"Hiss! Hiss..."
Several team members gasped, their breaths turning into chilling hisses.
"Since even Void Refinement powerhouses couldn't escape, how did you manage to get away, Captain?"
Doubt arose in their hearts, but Xing Wuming did not answer. He simply flew forward, leaving a profound and enigmatic silhouette for those behind him.
From a distance, they saw a young woman sitting on a large rock ahead. Her features were exquisite, her skin fair with a rosy blush, and she held a wine gourd, drinking intermittently.
Seeing this, those behind Xing Wuming cast envious glances at him.
"Captain Xing, it seems your wife has been waiting for you ahead. We won't disturb you."
The team members spoke and then dispersed, flying off in various directions.
Xiao Lan remained seated on the rock. She took out another wine gourd and waved it at the still somewhat dazed Xing Wuming below.
"Do you want to come up for a drink?"
"Gladly!"
Xing Wuming leaped dozens of feet onto the large rock, sat beside Xiao Lan, and accepted the wine gourd she handed him.
A mouthful of spiritual wine flowed down, releasing a vast surge of spiritual energy within his body, sweeping away the fatigue accumulated over the past few days.
"Thank you!"
"I have a bottle of pills here too. You should take them as well."
As Xiao Lan spoke, she opened a protective barrier, isolating the two of them. Only then did she take out a jade bottle.
Xing Wuming did not immediately accept it, his gaze fixed on the jade hands holding the pill bottle.
Since Xiao Lan was being so cautious, it must be an extraordinary pill.
"I have fallen this far, with no chance of turning my life around. I am not worthy of you valuing me so highly."
"Don't flatter yourself. You saved my life from under the giant's feet last time. I'm merely repaying your life-saving grace. Hurry and take the pills."
Hearing this, Xing Wuming could only accept the jade bottle. He opened the lid and peered inside with his divine sense.
"This... this is actually the legendary Marrow Cleansing Pill. Did you perhaps grab the wrong bottle?"
He strongly suspected Xiao Lan had made a mistake. Who would give away Marrow Cleansing Pills? And ten at once.
"Take it if I give it to you. My eyes aren't blind!" Xiao Lan said heartily.
When Xiao Fei had asked her to deliver ten Marrow Cleansing Pills, she hadn't given them immediately. Instead, she had quietly observed Xing Wuming.
It was only today that she made up her mind to give the ten fire-attribute Marrow Cleansing Pills to Xing Wuming.
"Are they... really for me?"
Xing Wuming was a little flustered by such a generous gift.
"I'm a female ghost, I don't need this. To avoid any further complications, eat them now. I will guard you."
Immediately, Xing Wuming followed her instructions, took a pill, and began to refine it.
Xing Wuming originally had a high fire-attribute spiritual root aptitude, reaching 60 points. After consuming eight pills consecutively, he successfully raised his fire-attribute spiritual root aptitude to 100 points.
At this moment, the surrounding spiritual energy of heaven and earth automatically surged into his body. His cultivation speed had increased several times over compared to before.
At this rate, Void Refinement was within reach.
"Your kindness in remaking me is unforgettable. Even if I were to become an ox or a horse in my next life, I could not repay it. How about I offer myself to you?"
Xing Wuming made up his mind and seized the opportunity to advance.
"Such a glib tongue!"
Xiao Lan chided him lightly. Just as she was about to turn and leave, a tremor shook the earth.
"Rumble! Rumble..."
"Not good! It's from the direction of the Absolute Spirit Array! Another giant is coming out! Let's flee!"
With the experience from last time, the two had no thought of resisting. They immediately got up and flew into the distance.
At this moment, a giant emerged from the darkness of the Absolute Spirit Array, its form reaching the heavens.
It stretched out a massive hand, grabbed a human Nascent Soul cultivator, and tossed them into its mouth, eating with relish.
This giant was not yet afflicted with Xiao Fei's "White Bones of Youth" poison, so it hadn't developed picky eating habits. It ate whatever it saw with gusto, its juices splattering.
The giant walked and ate, terrifying the living beings of the Southern Wilderness Continent into scattering in all directions.
Xiao Lan and Xing Wuming's first thought was to head for the teleportation array. They immediately took the teleportation array to leave the Southern Wilderness Continent.
However, when they arrived, they realized that there were many clever people in the world.
Everyone had the same idea of leaving via the teleportation array. The area around the teleportation array was now crowded with people. As latecomers, they couldn't even squeeze in.
No one was willing to yield, and now they were all crammed together, making it impossible for anyone to escape.
Furthermore, such a large gathering of people made it even easier to attract the attention of the giant.
"Let's go!"
Xiao Lan suddenly thought of a place that might offer salvation.
"Follow me!"
Xiao Lan flew ahead, with Xing Wuming close behind. The two quickly flew towards the cave dwelling of Patriarch Howling Moon.
Finally, they saw the cave dwelling of Patriarch Howling Moon from afar. A giant's corpse was placed at the entrance of the cave.
"Halt! This is the secluded cultivation place of Patriarch Howling Moon. No disturbances are permitted."
At this moment, a wolf-headed humanoid suddenly appeared from somewhere, blocking their path.
"We wish to seek an audience with Patriarch Howling Moon and have brought a generous gift. We request your assistance!"
"Please wait a moment!"
The wolf-headed humanoid instructed them to wait and then walked towards Patriarch Howling Moon's cave dwelling.
Before entering seclusion, Patriarch Howling Moon had given instructions that those who came specifically to present gifts should not be turned away.
After a long while, the cave dwelling door opened, and Patriarch Howling Moon emerged, letting out a long howl towards the sky!
"Oooooo... Woooo..."
The next moment, Patriarch Howling Moon appeared before Xiao Lan.
"What business do you have with me?"
As a Body Integration powerhouse, a hint of his formidable aura emanated as he spoke, making the two tremble with fear.
Xiao Lan quickly presented the box given to her by Xiao Fei to Patriarch Howling Moon.
"Reporting to Senior, junior is entrusted by someone to deliver this treasure to you."
Patriarch Howling Moon took the jade bottle and glanced at it. Although he didn't recognize what was inside, he could sense that it would be of great benefit to him.