"Brother Ning Fan."

"Congratulations, congratulations on obtaining a treasure as rare as the Vermilion Jade Fruit. After consuming it, your strength will certainly advance to the next level."

Shao Hong, Ling Tian, and their respective Dao companions stepped forward, offering flattery as if the earlier confrontation had never occurred.

"My thanks to you both. For the journey ahead, I shall have to rely on your experience."

Ning Fan cupped his hands in a salute.

He showed appropriate respect to Shao Hong, Ling Tian, and their companions, neither becoming arrogant nor overbearing despite his recent display of strength.

Ning Fan walked to the withered tree, took the two Vermilion Jade Fruits, and stored them within his storage ring.

He could consume them now; given the spiritual energy they contained, breaking through a minor realm would be effortless. However, if saved for dual cultivation, the benefits would be doubled, yielding even greater progress.

There was no rush.

"Let us depart. Our progress is far slower than the others, and we must increase our pace if we are not to fall behind those six pairs of cultivators."

Ning Fan said.

"Indeed."

"Junior Brother Ning is right. We must hasten our journey."

Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao, Shao Hong and Bai Ran, and Ling Tian and Li Xiaonuan continued toward the spirit vein. Along the way, the group encountered several spiritual herbs and materials, all distributed according to Shao Hong's earlier proposal. They also encountered a few Demon Beasts, which the six of them promptly disposed of.

Ning Fan now held two more demon cores, which helped replenish his meager cultivation resources. After all, dual cultivation was a heavy drain on supplies.

By that day's end, with the group deliberately pushing their speed, they were but a step away from the towering mountain. Half an hour of travel would see them reach its base.

"Let us rest for now. The situation upon the mountain is complex; it is better to wait until daybreak to ascend," Shao Hong suggested.

"Agreed."

"That is for the best."

Everyone nodded in concurrence. With less than two hours until nightfall, forcing an ascent now would be fruitless.

Ning Fan retrieved his tent. Upon entering with Yun Qingyao, he chose not to engage in dual cultivation.

Dual cultivation was a taxing endeavor that consumed both physical strength and spiritual energy. With the need to remain in peak condition, conserving their reserves was the more sensible course.

"Come, let us sleep in each other's arms tonight," Ning Fan said with a beckoning gesture.

Yun Qingyao darted into his embrace like a swallow returning to its nest. Just as they were preparing to rest, a voice drifted from outside the tent.

"Junior Brother Ning, Junior Sister Yun."

"Are you still awake?"

Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao exchanged glances. They recognized the voice as belonging to Li Xiaonuan, Ling Tian's Dao companion.

"Is there something you need?" Ning Fan asked.

"Yes, you could say that."

With her response, Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao could not remain inside. They opened the tent and stepped out.

Before them stood not only Li Xiaonuan and Ling Tian, but also Shao Hong and Bai Ran, who had also been resting. It was evident that something had occurred.

"What is the matter?" Ning Fan asked.

Shao Hong glanced at Ling Tian, signaling for him to explain.

"It is like this, Junior Brother Ning. I possess a treasure-seeking rat, and it has sensed a high-grade Earth-grade heavenly treasure nearby."

"Oh?"

Ning Fan's eyes brightened. An Earth-grade heavenly treasure! While the Vermilion Jade Fruits he held were nearly of that grade, the gap between 'nearly' and 'true' was vast. A genuine Earth-grade treasure was worth more than all his current resources combined.

"Yet the hour is late. If that treasure is guarded by a Demon Beast, it could be perilous," Ning Fan said cautiously.

"Indeed," Shao Hong agreed, his expression grave. He had no desire to wander the wilderness in the dark.

"Can we not wait until tomorrow?" Ning Fan asked.

Ling Tian shook his head slowly.

"I fear we cannot. The world is full of wonders; many treasures are seasonal or time-sensitive, appearing only at fixed hours. My treasure-seeking rat was calm while we set up camp, but as the light faded, it became restless. It is possible the treasure only manifests at night. If we do not seize this opportunity now, we may never have another chance."

Ning Fan and Shao Hong fell into hesitation. It was a difficult choice.

At that moment, Li Xiaonuan produced three small stones. As she held them, the dark surroundings were immediately illuminated.

"What are these?" Ning Fan asked.

"Shattered Fire Stones. They are curiosities rather than treasures, but they provide their own light, illuminating three meters around the holder," Li Xiaonuan explained.

With these stones, their visibility in the dark would increase significantly, greatly improving their safety.

"Let us do it!" Seeing the stones, Ning Fan made his decision. The temptation of an Earth-grade treasure was worth the risk.

"Senior Brother, where is this treasure located?"

"I do not know. The rat only detects its presence within a one-kilometer radius. We must search for the exact spot ourselves," Ling Tian replied.

"One kilometer," Ning Fan mused. That was a manageable distance. With three of them searching, they could cover the area within the hour.

"Let us do it!" Shao Hong echoed, striking his fist against his leg in determination.

Li Xiaonuan handed the stones to Shao Hong and Ning Fan.

"We shall each search a direction, leaving three others to maintain a campfire at the camp. With a light to guide us, we will not lose our way," Shao Hong directed.

No one objected; in the pitch black of night, a fire was essential to avoid losing their bearings.

"Husband, be careful," Yun Qingyao said, clutching his sleeve.

"Do not worry, I will return safely."

With those words, Ning Fan, Shao Hong, and Ling Tian each chose a direction, ignited their Shattered Fire Stones, and stepped into the deep night.

They did not see that, as their figures vanished into the darkness, a sinister smile curled upon Li Xiaonuan's lips by the fire.