The arrangement was the same as before—the escort team for the Spirit Medicine was highly equipped.

On the surface, there were six Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators.

But hidden within the team was a True Core Level powerhouse from the Prince Mansion, disguised as a coachman to avoid detection. Except for Li An, almost no one realized his identity.

Li An thought that the Fourth Grade Spirit Medicine was most likely hidden on this True Core powerhouse.

Additionally, there was Gu Cai'Er, a Fake Pill powerhouse.

"We're approaching the Three-pronged Mountain. Once we pass there, and travel for two more days, we will reach White Tiger City."

Moreover, beyond Three-pronged Mountain, the most mountainous and densely forested sections of Beiyang Dao would be behind us, making it much safer.

However, Li An kept pondering and simulating scenarios in his mind.

After all, it's a remaining Fourth Grade Pill. Even with a True Core Level powerhouse guarding it, there might not be enough deterrence to prevent an ambush.

"If I were to set up an ambush, the best location would be near Three-pronged Mountain, or a bit further ahead."

"That's because after passing Three-pronged Mountain, the escort's vigilance will likely decrease."

"And the ambush would certainly rely primarily on arrays. After all, setting up and waiting for a trap is best suited to arrays."

"Therefore, as we approach Three-pronged Mountain... it's best to detach from the group!"

Li An had a clear plan in mind.

Although there's no certainty of encountering an ambush, it's important to avoid putting oneself in a dangerous situation.

"Master Zuo,"

At this moment, Gu Cai'Er, the Pavilion Master's personal guard, knocked on Li An's window. Li An lifted the curtain, and Gu Cai'Er entered his carriage, saying, "I discussed it with the True Core senior from the Prince Mansion, it's been too quiet on this journey, there might be trouble ahead."

"By then, the senior and I will certainly be in the battlefield, and to be safe, we need you, Master Zuo, to safeguard several treasures."

Saying this, she took out several embroidered boxes and handed them to Li An.

Li An furrowed his brows, "Miss Cai'Er, could you tell me what these are?"

All the boxes were sealed with a Secret Technique.

"I also don't know,"

Gu Cai'Er smiled faintly, "Master Zuo just needs to safeguard them and return them intact to the pavilion once we reach White Tiger City."

After saying this, she turned gracefully and left.

"What a clever move to confuse and mislead..."

Li An's mind was clear as ice.

This way, even if there's a traitor in the group, they won't be able to determine who exactly has the remaining medicine, forcing them to divide enemy attention.

However, that Gu Cai'Er specifically singled him out, which seemed too targeted...

After all, there were quite a few Foundation Establishment cultivators present.

And Li An noticed that on this journey, Gu Cai'Er seemed quite focused on him, frequently glancing his way intentionally or unintentionally.

Though subtle, it didn't escape Li An's perception.

But what exactly did he have that was worth her attention?

"The Pavilion Master?..."

Li An was suddenly alert.

Qin Xuan did not trust him.

Yet, no matter how much he thought about it, Li An couldn't think of any reason Qin Xuan would want to target him—after all, Li An was unaware that among those ordinary artifact evaluators, one was actually Qin Xuan's son.

Qin Xuan kept this secret well. In the Treasure Pavilion, besides Gu Cai'Er, no one else knew!

Li An wondered, maybe he was just overthinking?

No, he had to be fully prepared!

Firstly, he couldn't pass Three-pronged Mountain with the main group.

Secondly, it was best if no one knew of his whereabouts.

Only then would he be safest.

"Cough, cough..."

That day, Li An coughed up bright blue blood.

"Master Zuo, what's happening?"

Gu Cai'Er and others asked with concern.

"I've been cultivating with Poison Skill, and some toxins have gotten mixed up, causing problems in my body, and I forgot to bring a Second Grade Antitoxic Pill..."

Li An looked pale and weak.

Gu Cai'Er checked Li An's body and found him indeed stiff, with a clogged Dantian, indeed showing severe signs of poisoning.

"Miss Cai'Er, could we stop for three days? In three days, I promise to restore my body without delaying any major affairs within the pavilion!"

Li An was very earnest.

However, Gu Cai'Er shook her head and said, "A three-day delay is not possible!"

"How about this, Master Gu, you stay behind on the way and later meet with us in White Tiger City? As long as the Spirit Medicine reaches White Tiger City, we can afford to wait for you leisurely."

Li An's heart moved slightly, and he nodded, "Alright!"

At this point, they were only a few dozen miles away from Three-pronged Mountain pass. Li An stopped there, and Gu Cai'Er arranged for a Foundation Establishment cultivator named Sun Lin and two Qi Refining stage elites to protect Li An.

"You will wait outside, do not let anyone disturb me within these three days, understand?"

Li An, after much effort, finally found a secluded retreat, a cave on the cliffside.

The Foundation Establishment cultivator named Sun Lin waited outside with the two Qi Refining stage elites.

Li An directly blocked the cave entrance with a boulder, then set up two advanced arrays, one for defense, embedded with three Thunder Shock Talismans, to prevent any divine thought probing, the other for attack, which would trigger an attack as soon as someone stepped into the cave entrance.

Having done all this, Li An went to the deepest part of the cave.

"Not far down from here, I can reach the underground river!"

Li An took out a sharp First Grade Upper Grade sword and began silently cutting through the rock.

He moved quickly.

An hour later.

The sound of rushing water could be heard.

Li An jumped down with a step, submerging into the water.

Then, he dove along the current until he was about ten miles away from where he was secluded, before suddenly leaping out of the water. Then, he moved to the side of Beiyang Dao, quickly hollowed out the soil under a large rock, creating a hiding place, and squeezed in, using the boulder to cover himself.

He had two purposes for hiding here.

Firstly, to wait for the main group to pass through the Three-pronged Mountain pass and face any potential ambushes.

Secondly, to verify his internal suspicions.

Gu Cai'Er's unusual behavior had raised his alertness.

Firstly, she paid him too much attention on the way.

Secondly, she actually agreed to let him stay behind, which was unreasonable!

Because before setting off, Li An meticulously reviewed the Treasure Pavilion's resource allocation records for this journey, which included various Magical Artifacts, among other things, and a bottle of Second Grade Antitoxic Pills.

They were in Gu Cai'Er's possession.

This meant that despite his poisoning, she could actually help suppress the toxins, allowing Li An to travel with them.

But she didn't.

Unless, leaving Li An behind was more beneficial to her.

What kind of benefit? Li An thought it over... there was only one.

Kill Li An!

Thus, he couldn't stay at that retreat, as it was too dangerous, and he also needed a place where he could monitor if anyone returned to kill him.

This place was most suitable.

He concealed his aura under the boulder.

An hour later.

According to the journey, the main group should arrive at the Three-pronged Mountain pass, or perhaps a bit beyond...

He released his Divine Sense entirely, monitoring each cultivator passing by Beiyang Dao!

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, Li An felt a familiar life force...

This aura... Gu Cai'Er!

She actually doubled back to do this task herself?!

Although she concealed her cultivation and appearance, it couldn't escape Li An's Life Seed perception. This was the fundamental awareness, something no one could alter unless they cultivated the Life Nourishing Immortal Skill as well!

"So it is you..."

Li An couldn't help but feel thankful, realizing that a bit more caution saved him from impending disaster.

Despite not knowing why Qin Xuan wanted to kill him, just knowing they intended to kill him was sufficient.

No need to worry about why!

After she left, Li An immediately pushed away the boulder overhead, climbed out, filled the dirt back in, restored the boulder's appearance, and then dashed into the surrounding deep mountains and forests—

Not long after, he found a tree hollow; confirming the area was safe, he slipped inside.

He planned to stay here for ten days to half a month before leaving.

Once everything had settled—

...

Meanwhile.

"Where is he?!"

In the cave, Gu Cai'Er stared at the breached rock layer, dumbfounded and stunned.

What is going on...

Zuo Wen actually fled from here in advance??

Did he somehow know in advance that she intended to kill him?

No, that's impossible...

She was the only one who knew about this.

"You can't have gotten far, there's no way you've gone far!"

She gritted her teeth, jumped directly into the river, pursuing and searching all the way, her Fake Pill stage cultivation fully unleashed.

But three hours later.

"Zuo Wen!"

She was completely unable to trace Zuo Wen's whereabouts.

Escaped without a trace...

"There's no time left, I have to hurry back to the main group..."

She clenched her teeth in frustration, having no choice but to leave.

...

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