Confirming they had thoroughly escaped the Emerald Water Black-Scaled Python's threat range, and after carefully circling several times to erase possible traces along the way, Mu Qingfeng finally led the thoroughly exhausted four to the backup rendezvous point agreed upon before entering the core region—a natural cave behind a massive waterfall, concealed by the water curtain.
The waterfall roared, water vapor permeating the air, excellently masking everyone's auras and traces. The cave interior was dry and spacious enough to accommodate over ten people—a superb hiding place.
Stepping into the relatively safe cave, the five's taut nerves finally relaxed. Shi Jian was the first to collapse, plopping onto the ground, leaning against the rock wall and gasping heavily. His daoist robe had multiple tears, revealing the black-and-blue bruises beneath—marks left from forcibly taking on Liyang Sect disciples and the python's aftereffects. Chen Feng's face was also pale as he sat cross-legged, immediately beginning to regulate his breathing.
Liu Yun, though still standing straight, had a slightly trembling sword hand and fine beads of sweat on her temples—clearly the earlier battle had consumed greatly. Mu Qingfeng's complexion was palest. He had first dueled the python, then forcibly intercepted Zhao Yan's talisman strike comparable to a Foundation Establishment attack. His internal organs were injured—he couldn't suppress several coughs, fresh blood seeping from his lips.
Xiaoqi's condition was relatively best. Apart from excessive spiritual energy consumption and minor superficial wounds, he was unharmed. He quickly took out qi-recovery pills and healing medicines he had refined himself, distributing them to everyone.
"Eldest Senior Brother, heal your wounds first." Xiaoqi handed Mu Qingfeng a bottle of highest-quality qi-recovery pills.
Mu Qingfeng accepted the pills, gazing deeply at Xiaoqi without further words. After taking the medicine, he closed his eyes and began regulating his breathing. At this moment, quickly recovering condition was the top priority.
Inside the cave, only the waterfall's roar and everyone's heavy breathing and regulation sounds remained. After roughly an hour, everyone's breathing gradually steadied, and injuries were brought under preliminary control.
Only then did the joy of surviving calamity and excitement over the massive harvest, like a long-suppressed volcano, slowly emerge on everyone's faces.
Liu Yun was the first to open her eyes, her gaze burning as she looked at Xiaoqi, her voice carrying irrepressible excitement: "Xiaoqi, quickly, bring out the goods and let us see!"
Xiaoqi took a deep breath, calming his still somewhat agitated mood. Carefully, he withdrew those two jade boxes from his robes. The moment the lids were opened, vast pure spiritual energy mixed with enticing exotic fragrance instantly filled the entire cave, invigorating everyone's spirits!
In the first jade box quietly lay a Vermilion Fruit, crimson as blood with flowing golden patterns—precisely the one he had first harvested. In the second jade box were two Vermilion Fruits nestled together, equally suffused with spiritual light, dazzling to behold.
Three Vermilion Fruits! Three whole heaven-and-earth spiritual items enough to make even Foundation Establishment cultivators take notice, now quietly lying before them!
"Good! Good! Good!" Shi Jian's eyes shone with desire as he spoke three "good"s in succession, excitedly rubbing his hands together.
Chen Feng's face was also filled with shock, murmuring: "Three… we really did it…"
Mu Qingfeng slowly opened his eyes. Looking at those three Vermilion Fruits, a relieved smile appeared on his pale face. His gaze swept across everyone, finally landing on Xiaoqi as he spoke deeply: "This time, being able to seize the Vermilion Fruits, Xiaoqi deserves first merit. If not for him stepping forward at the critical moment, risking death to harvest them, we could only have watched helplessly as the treasure fell into Liyang Sect's hands—or possibly even been wiped out entirely."
Liu Yun nodded forcefully, unstinting in her praise: "Exactly! Junior Brother Xiaoqi, this time we truly owe you! Your movement technique, and that pan—simply divine!"
Shi Jian also voiced his agreement in his booming tone: "Right! Junior Brother Xiaoqi, well done!"
Facing senior brothers and sisters' sincere praise, Xiaoqi somewhat embarrassedly lowered his head: "It was everyone working together, jointly holding off the python and Liyang Sect people, that gave me the opportunity. It wasn't my merit alone."
Mu Qingfeng waved his hand, speaking seriously: "Merit is merit—no need for excessive humility. According to our agreement, secret realm gains must be distributed through joint consultation. These three Vermilion Fruits are our greatest harvest from this trip, concerning our cultivation paths—they must be handled with care."
He pondered briefly, continuing: "Vermilion Fruit's medicinal power is domineering. Qi Refining cultivators can consume at most one at a time, and must find a safe place with complete preparation before refining it, otherwise risking explosive death. I propose that these three Vermilion Fruits be divided among our five people, each receiving a half-fruit share."
He looked at Xiaoqi: "Xiaoqi's merit is greatest—that one complete Vermilion Fruit belongs to him. The remaining two will be divided among myself, Liu Yun, Shi Jian, and Chen Feng—each receiving half. What does everyone think?"
This distribution plan both fully affirmed Xiaoqi's merit and considered the contributions of other team members—extremely fair.
Liu Yun was first to state: "I have no objection! Xiaoqi deserves one!"
Shi Jian and Chen Feng also nodded in agreement. They understood clearly that without Xiaoqi, they wouldn't even have half a fruit—possibly even losing their lives to the python.
Xiaoqi was moved in his heart, knowing this was senior brothers and sisters taking care of him. He quickly said: "Eldest Senior Brother, this…"
Mu Qingfeng allowed no argument: "No need to decline—this is your due. Store it well." He pushed the jade box containing the single Vermilion Fruit back before Xiaoqi.
Xiaoqi no longer stood on ceremony, solemnly storing the jade box. This Vermilion Fruit held immense significance for him—it would be an important cornerstone for impacting higher realms.
Next, Mu Qingfeng carefully divided the other two Vermilion Fruits into four portions, packing them in jade boxes and distributing them to Liu Yun, Shi Jian, and Chen Feng. Though each received only half, the value remained immeasurable.
After distributing the most precious Vermilion Fruits, everyone began inventorying other harvests. These days of exploring the core region's periphery had yielded many rare spirit herbs and ores—though not matching the Vermilion Fruits, together they comprised a tremendous fortune.
Mu Qingfeng distributed these resources reasonably according to everyone's needs and contributions. Beyond the Vermilion Fruit, Xiaoqi also received several fine spirit herbs and rare ores—the total value far exceeding his entire worth before entering the secret realm, even far exceeding his greatest expectations.
Looking at his filled storage bag, Xiaoqi felt as if in a dream. This secret realm journey, though fraught with crises, had brought harvests abundant enough to change his cultivation trajectory!
"We'll rest here for a day, thoroughly recovering injuries and consolidating gains. Meanwhile, continue attempting to contact Junior Sister Su Xuan." Mu Qingfeng made arrangements. "After that, we'll decide whether to continue exploring or seek the exit to leave. The secret realm's closing period approaches—we must plan ahead."
Everyone had no objections. After the thrilling battle for the Vermilion Fruits, each urgently needed time to digest gains and improve strength.
Xiaoqi stroked the Vermilion Fruit belonging to him in his robes, feeling the vast energy contained within, his heart filled with anticipation for the future. He found a corner and also began regulating his breathing. In his mind, he had already begun planning how to utilize this Vermilion Fruit, and… that transmission talisman belonging to Senior Sister Su Xuan that had just transmitted another faint fluctuation in his robes.
Inside the rendezvous point, the atmosphere was tranquil yet filled with hope. The waterfall's sound was like a musical composition, accompanying these five young cultivators who had passed the test of life and death and reaped full harvests, welcoming the challenges and opportunities to come.