Having just escaped the pursuit of a swarm of Mad Stinger Bees, Fang Yuan and Bai Ning Bing were both in low spirits.
Before them, the remnants of a campsite suggested that someone had once built a fire here and roasted meat.
Ground-Listening Flesh-Ear Grass!
Fang Yuan willed it, and quickly, ginseng-like roots sprouted from the edges of his ears. The roots drooped down and dug into the ground, instantly boosting his hearing.
After listening for a moment, his expression relaxed slightly. For now, he didn't detect anyone lurking nearby.
He then walked over to the remnants of the campfire, reached out, and sifted through the ashes, not missing any other clue.
"This fire is about half a month old. The person was alone. They shouldn't be nearby for now," Fang Yuan stated his findings after a moment.
"Alone? Clansmen Gu Masters always travel in groups of at least five. This person must be a Demonic Path Gu Master," Bai Ning Bing frowned and sighed.
If it were a clan Gu Master of the Righteous Path, there was a chance for negotiation. But if it was a Demonic Path Gu Master, a fight was almost guaranteed.
This wasn't because "Righteous Path people are kind and Demonic Path people are evil."
It was simply that when a person travels alone, they are more likely to show their true nature. In the wild, without any restraints, they act without scruples.
Righteous Path Gu Masters usually travel in groups. Therefore, they consider the opinions of those around them and behave closer to normal social norms.
Demonic Path Gu Masters, on the other hand, usually travel alone. They are highly vigilant and have a strong sense of crisis. With no one to rely on, their first priority in any situation is ensuring their own safety.
This was not good news for Fang Yuan and Bai Ning Bing.
If they met a Righteous Path clan Gu Master, they might avoid a fight. But if they met a Demonic Path Gu Master, a battle was almost inevitable unless they could display overwhelming strength that made the Demonic Gu Master wary and retreat.
However, most Gu Masters who could travel alone in these wilds were at Rank Four and had special methods. How many weaklings were among them?
Unfortunately, Fang Yuan was a fresh Rank Three and Bai Ning Bing was only at the initial stage of Rank One. They also lacked a full and diverse set of Gu insects. Walking through these mountain forests was a treacherous and perilous journey for them.
If they ran into a Demonic Path Gu Master, it would surely spell disaster.
"It's a good thing we spotted this campfire in advance. We shouldn't rush blindly ahead anymore. Let's rest for a while and at the very least, treat our injuries," Fang Yuan said.
Bai Ning Bing nodded. His reminder made her feel the dull ache in her back even more acutely.
Fang Yuan summoned the Doushuai Flower and took out bandages and herbal medicine, handing most of it to Bai Ning Bing.
Although the Carapace Gu only covered a small area and was mediocre in practical use, it had proven to be a great help to Fang Yuan this time.
Furthermore, because Bai Ning Bing had drawn the vast majority of the attacks, Fang Yuan had very few wounds.
Fang Yuan quickly tended to his own injuries and then came over to help Bai Ning Bing.
Bai Ning Bing removed her upper garment. The back of her body was riddled with bloody holes the size of a finger. The sight was horrifying.
The Mad Stinger Bee Gu was a Rank Three Gu. They were many in number and had the ability to pierce through defenses. It perfectly countered the Canopy Gu. Fortunately, Bai Ning Bing had previously used the Ice Skin Gu. The two layers of defense stacked up had saved her life.
Hiss…
Bai Ning Bing gritted her teeth, occasionally sucking in a sharp breath as she endured the pain of the treatment.
Soon, the wounds were treated.
Fang Yuan put the empty medicine jar and the less than half of the remaining bandages back into the Doushuai Flower.
"We're running low on medicine and bandages. Even though we've been very frugal, reusing the bandages as much as possible, we need to find a Healing Gu as soon as possible," Fang Yuan said, standing up with a grave expression.
Medicine would always run out, and it was difficult to prepare and gather. If they had a Healing Gu, the effect would be many times better, and it would only consume true essence, which could naturally recover.
The comparison was clear, but finding an ideal Gu insect was extremely difficult.
In fact, over the past two weeks, they had encountered many opportunities. But either their strength was insufficient, the environment was unfavorable, or the conditions for capture weren't right.
"We must get our hands on a healing Gu! But before that, I've been having a problem," Bai Ning Bing suddenly said.
"What problem?" Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly.
Bai Ning Bing exposed her upper body, turned around, and pointed at her chest. "Here, these two lumps of flesh. They're too troublesome. They bounce around when I'm running away and are a burden in a fight. I want to cut them off, but I'm worried the wound would be too big. Without a healing Gu, it would be an even bigger problem."
She was the genius of Bai Village, always focused on cultivation, naive about everything else, and even less concerned with femininity.
Although she had transformed into a woman, she had been male since birth. Psychologically, she was indifferent and didn't consider this body something important.
After all, she knew the Yang Gu in Fang Yuan's hands could help her, and she felt she would turn back into a man sooner or later.
Thus, Bai Ning Bing had never regarded herself as a woman at all.
Fang Yuan glanced at her expressionlessly. "Cutting them off is troublesome. You can bind your chest."
"What is 'binding the chest'?" Bai Ning Bing asked.
"Wrap your chest with the bandages, treat it like a wound. Just fix it in place," Fang Yuan said.
Bai Ning Bing's expression was a mix of frustration and helplessness. She sighed. "Ugh, I guess that's the only option for now."
The sun gradually set in the west, and night slowly descended. Wild beasts kept coming to the lake to drink water, so the two naturally dared not linger by the lake for long.