As the group separated into four, each walking in a different direction, each of Bai Qi's companions recalled the several hours-long talks they had just shared.

Trusting all of them, be it either because of his intuition or after their respective shares of danger, Bai Qi had omitted only the part about his origins, revealing everything else. And while Kass Shaa'r and Chun Hua were aware of his true identity, even they were surprised by a few things he had said, like his ambition to form a power of his own.

{But, if I want them to take action, I need to be sincere. And, probably, only an ambition like such will be enough to overcome their unwillingness to separate after what happened in the [Void Palace].} Bai Qi had previously thought, as he sought the correct words, and acting on this principle, he indeed convinced everyone.

By this point, he also could understand his companion's goals and motivations, and so, he not only convinced but actually gave each one a task that they would, if not enjoy, then at least find reasonable.

After sending everyone else off, Kass Shaa'r and Gi La would return to the [Roaring Bay]. Between the two of them, there would be no problem in exploring the area entirely, and Bai Qi's request was one that required doing exactly that.

"No one has found the reason for the beasts' sudden appearance, but I think they haven't looked where they should. There are only two possible reasons for such a migration. Either a special resource or a new predator emergence." Bai Qi had pointed out the obvious. But, as always, he did so for a different reason than just small talk.

And his follow-up words explained the reasons, "But if the latter explains the migration, it does not answers the constant numbers and quick replenishment. Thus, I think there is a natural energy source somewhere in the bay, probably in the sea."

Bai Qi had even found the right words for Gi La to support this plan, even if she was against spending more time on errands and wanted to move towards the southern border of the region, where the war between the [Steel Fang] and the [Southern Beast] had already started.

They were, "While you explore the bay, try and hunt the maximum amount of beasts possible, and gather their cores. Beastmen can only benefit from absorbing one per day, so we haven't spoken about stockpiling them, but as our final destination is the war zone, a big amount will be of help for the [Steel Fang] forces. Also, if the item is of benefit for Saint Beasts, I suppose it is, then it may be of even more benefit to our friends down there."

And so, now that they had seen Bai Qi and the others off, it was Gi La the one urging Kass Shaa'r to move out and begin their task, not the other way round.

***

Any cultivator's life was a mix of dangers and hardships, no matter how well born or connected one was. But between being a noble, a master, or being a rogue cultivator, there was still an enormous difference. After all, a rogue had no hopes of receiving protection, resources, and all the things that helped one on the thorny path.

Ye Su was well aware of that when she had joined the small bandit gang in the [Shengda Sha] desert. Although calling the bandits companions would be to lie, as her situation did not change, she had to continue fending for herself, even working herself ragged to avoid being kicked into the desert alone.

But one day, Bai Qi and his Beastmen companions appeared, destroying the gang but sparing her life. And there, Ye Su saw an opportunity. One of leaving the worst part of her life behind and getting a try at the hardships and dangers of a non-solitary cultivator, maybe even to continue her path while protected by someone stronger.

Regretfully, she found that while Bai Qi and his companions did not expect much from her, she could not continue on her path without risking even more than before, as Bai Qi himself had done in the [Void Palace]. Oh, he got allies, treasures, and what else more, but nearly died in the process, fought to the death several times, and risked to an extent she could never be able to. And from his words, his path would be similar in the future and probably far more dangerous, at least for a simple peak Sage with the most average of prowesses.

Thus, when Bai Qi started talking about splitting, Ye Su had expected to be run off as someone who could not help and required help without contributing anything. But what was her surprise when the youth she decided to follow on a whim suddenly offered her what she, inwardly, desired, a way to live in peace, face far fewer dangers, and stop being just a mere rogue. A rogue that anyone stronger could kill without qualms.

Grasping at the key to a manor in [Shoumen], property of Bai Qi, and with an entire [Void Ring] full of treasures, materials, and Spirit stones, Ye Su was still unable to believe her luck. And speaking frankly, she could not believe that he trusted her to such an extent.

Her task was to create and manage a base, and Ye Su intended to do her utmost.

"If you need anything or want to stop for a while, tell me." Breaking from the thoughts of a full and safe life in a city where Bai Qi had Warrior Emperor allies, Ye Su half-turned back, speaking to the two charges that were part of her second task.

Ye Su thought as her gaze landed on the two girls sent along with her.

***

Heise Zhao and Zhua would return to the [Lands of the Ice Exalted]. Previously, during the events in the [Void Palace], and to win time for himself, Bai Qi had asked the Beastmen to establish contact with the [Snow Apes] pack leader.

Different from his less intelligent, nearly savage [Low Snow] brethren, a [Hign Snow Ape] was not only capable of speech but also of logical reasoning, which translated into a possibility of negotiating with it. Initially, Bai Qi just wanted to win time. But he also was interested in the resources of the [Lands of the Ice Exalted], and unsurprisingly, a delegation from the [Steel Fang] coupled with Bai Qi's healing and freeing the apes that had attacked them, was enough to establish contact.

The first time the contact was basic and not as friendly as they would have liked it to be. Still, after a brief fight and a good deal of convincing, they had even managed to exchange a few herbs from the Ape pack.

Looking toward the future, Heise Zhao, the most experienced negotiator, ended up gifting some of the beast corpses they had hunted in other areas, furthering the goodwill between the parties.

Uncommon beast blood was beneficial to the savage beast's cultivation way via consumption, and what beast would not like to become more powerful?

But this time, they had something far better to offer. And with the relationship already established, Heise Zhao expected to complete Bai Qi's request without trouble.

"I am starting to understand Kass Shaa'r words about Bai Qi having means far above our understanding." Heise Zhao suddenly spoke up as he and Zhua neared the seven-mile tall cliff of the plateau.

Zhua growled something in agreement in response, as she was thinking the same thing. And indeed, their task this time was to obtain the maximum amount of cultivation resources, especially [Snow Fairy Blossoms], a type of Earth-tier spirit herb which grew under the snow, and Bai Qi had given them something very valuable for the exchange. Not that either of the Beastmen could fathom how did Bai Qi obtain such a thing, a method of cultivation for Saint Beasts!

The truth was simple as Bai Qi had merely drawn it from his memory, taking by base a method that cultivators of his original plane used to strengthen their pets and mounts. It wasn't beneficial to a bloodline beast or a beastman, but for a common beast? It would be extremely valuable. After all, following it meant having the ability to grow several levels above the limits of one's race!

"Now, let's see how many resources will our savage friend be ready to part with in exchange for such a blessing." Heise Zhao murmured to himself, beginning the ascent.

***

After traveling a few hundred miles, Bai Qi's group divided even further.

Aware that he would need time and battles to get used to his new state, Bai Qi decided to take the long road, stopping in several villages on the way to their next destination, the city of [Zihoadao], where Wei should be.

Ma Su, who had proved her loyalty for still unknown reasons, went forward, taking Bai Ze with her. Bai Rui had thousands, even after giving a filled-up [Void Ring] to Ye Su, of unrequired items, and so, learning of [Suipian Cheng], a trade city just a day to the southeast asked Ma Su to sell them.

As for why that city and not another, there was no mystery after He Delan explained, "You see, Suipian city has several spirit mines around, so it is considered the nearest center of trade. It also has several 3rd and 4th tier powers around it, most specializing in non-martial paths. And so, any spirit materials are very well paid there."

As for Bai Rui, truthfully, she did not want to leave, but she agreed that it would be better to travel in a pair. Not to mention that they would meet in less than a week, in a teahouse that He Delan recalled from her last, and only, visit to [Zihoadao] city.

And so, from the initial group, only Chun Hua, He Delan, Bai Ze, and Fan Jia would accompany Bai Qi. Ina ll reality, Bai Qi's group prowess was still on the verge of being far above his own, but at least five could both attract less and more trouble as they had the opportunity to choose either...