Chapter 190: The Tree Segment Originates from a Secret Realm — No Longer Heading West Yet

The corner of Xu Haoming’s mouth twitched slightly.

Yu Xian’s expression revealed helplessness.

Meanwhile, Niu Xiaoqü was still slapping her pale thighs, laughing so hard she bent over:

“Yu Datou! Big-Head Yu! Big-Head Fish! Hahahahaha… Dao… Daoist brother, now you see how ridiculous his name is! I’m dying! Hahaha…”

Watching her laugh like a hen laying eggs, holding her stomach and wheezing between hiccups…

Xu Haoming looked slightly stunned, opened his mouth, and forced an awkward laugh:

“Uh… Immortal Lady… is it really that funny…”

Yu Xian couldn’t help but roll his eyes.

He suddenly suspected that while Niu Xiaoqü wasn’t a bad person, she was probably mentally unstable—possibly traumatized in the past…

Since she didn’t reveal his identity, Yu Xian simply followed along and said in a cold, hoarse voice:

“Daoist friend, now that you know my name, is it funny? Don’t hold back. I don’t mind.”

“N-no… not at all…”

Xu Haoming stammered, waving his hands:

“Daoist friend’s name is quite fine. I didn’t find it funny.”

“What?”

Niu Xiaoqü suddenly stopped laughing and frowned:

“Not funny? How is it not funny? Big-Head Fish isn’t funny? What about Fish-Head Big? Hmm… Fish-Head Big… hahaha…”

She broke into laughter again like a madwoman.

Yu Xian stood still, exuding cold energy.

Xu Haoming’s eye twitched—he truly believed both of these people might be seriously ill…

“I suddenly remembered… I have something urgent to attend to! Farewell, Daoist friends!”

With that, Xu Haoming turned and hurried away.

Yu Xian sighed with relief and turned his cold gaze to Niu Xiaoqü, who was still laughing until she nearly gasped for breath.

“Big-Head Fish… Aha… ha…” she tried to stifle her giggles, clutching her aching belly.

Yu Xian ignored her.

“You won’t play along? Then I’ll just call your real name—Big-Head Fish!”

Staring at her with exasperation, Yu Xian finally asked in a low voice:

“Niu Xiaoqü, what exactly do you want?”

Niu Xiaoqü tilted her head and rubbed her sore jaw, then asked with a puzzled look:

“Huh? What do I want? Nothing really. I just want you to pick the best-sounding name: Big-Head Fish, Yu Datou, or Fish-Head Yu? I don’t like Fish-Head Big, so just choose from the rest.”

Pick your ancestor’s name…

Yu Xian barely held back from cursing. He took a deep breath and replied:

“Whichever you like.”

“Okay! Since you said I can choose, then from now on, you’re Big-Head Fish. Hehe.”

Yu Xian’s mouth twitched again.

Just then, the gates of Tianxin Cave slowly opened. Wang Tianba and He Butong stepped out together.

Both wore calm smiles—whatever they had discussed inside clearly went well.

Wang Tianba laughed:

“Whether the matter can be done, Daoist friend must judge for himself. But since you’re now at mid-stage Golden Core, you’re qualified to join the secret realm exploration. Perhaps what you’re seeking lies within.”

He Butong nodded:

“I’ll give my answer in two days.”

But if that tree segment came from the secret realm, then how did it get there? Did that old Daoist plant it? And who was that old Daoist?

Yu Xian was almost certain now that the old Daoist’s cultivation was terrifyingly high—possibly beyond Nascent Soul.

The old Daoist had likely ambushed the true body of the Elm Tree Spirit while her soul was elsewhere battling.

That someone could destroy a wood-spirit’s near-Formless true body meant he was likely mid-Nascent Soul or stronger!

But why hide the tree segment in a secret realm?

He Butong said calmly:

“Wang Tianba invited me to join several Golden Core cultivators on another exploration of the secret realm. If I’m lucky, I might find another segment.”

Yu Xian bowed deeply:

“Thank you, Senior. If you can obtain it, I’ll be grateful. If not, I won’t blame fate.”

He Butong smiled faintly:

“If it appears and it’s safe to collect, I’ll bring it to you.”

He wouldn’t risk his life for Yu Xian, naturally.

“Thank you again, Senior.”

Yu Xian cupped his hands again:

“Fate may reunite us. Farewell.”

He Butong nodded:

“Indeed. Until next time, little friend.”

Yu Xian turned to leave.

Niu Xiaoqü waved:

“Big-Head Fish—pfft—okay okay, I won’t call you that anymore. Yu Xian, come visit sometime!”

Yu Xian nodded:

“Thank you, Immortal Lady.”

With that, he turned, summoned the wind-cloud technique, and soared westward into the setting sun.

On the Way West

Yu Xian didn’t return to Mo City. He looped around it, choosing to avoid potential trouble.

According to the Eastern Continent map, 23,000 li west of Mo City lay the Fiery Flame Sect, a gathering of rogue cultivators.

Further west by 90,000 li stood the former Medicine King Valley, now known as Heavenly Demon Valley.

His current goal was the Medicine King Valley.

Perhaps his master was still there!

Back when the disaster broke out, Yu Xian had fled in a hurry. But in hindsight, if his master never believed he died, it was highly likely that the old man remained near the valley, searching.

No wonder Yu Xian had found no traces in the Lingyun Sect—he had been searching in the wrong direction all along.

He also remembered one person: Zheng Huo.

His once self-declared friend, who had traveled nearly 100,000 li with him to the Lingyun Sect, later parted ways due to differences.

It had been over two years. Was Zheng Huo still in his tiny Little Fire Market? Had he broken through to mid-stage Foundation Establishment?

That place was too small to even appear on maps. In fact, there were dozens of such towns between Mo City and Fiery Flame Sect.

After flying for hours, Yu Xian grew slightly fatigued and found the Qi in the area thin.

He raised his hand and summoned something.

With a loud cry, the Cloud Heron burst from his beast pouch, soared into the sky, and screeched joyously as it stretched its wings.

It had been trapped inside the pouch for over two years.

Despite having a small feline companion (Little Phoenix Cat) and a roomy enough space, it had still felt confined.

Its mood soured—but now, flying freely again, it regained its spirit.

Animals without high spiritual wisdom may be simple-minded, but their joy is genuine.

Yu Xian gently stroked its head and sighed:

“Silly bird… I really only remember you when I need you. I’ve wronged you.”

The Cloud Heron chirped softly, rubbing against him affectionately.

Yu Xian chuckled:

“I know you’re not mad. But I still owe you.”

Then he leaped onto its back and sat cross-legged:

“Let’s find a quiet place. I’ll refine the serpent pearl and see if you and Little Phoenix Cat can break through your bloodlines.”

The Cloud Heron shrieked excitedly and spread its wings, soaring westward with its master—

—straight into the setting sun, crimson clouds in tow.