A few hours later.

In a dense forest of ancient trees.

Chu Xiu looked leisurely as he gathered spiritual herbs, holding a fruit in his left hand and taking a bite, the juice sweet and sour.

"Hey, Senior Brother Chu Xiu, you're here too."

A surprised voice came through.

Chu Xiu turned his head.

Five people approached, four men and one woman, all inner disciples of the Divine Bridge Realm, with the leading man even reaching the eighth level of the Divine Bridge.

Chen Mufan, carrying a large black hammer on his back, looked around with a smile: "Senior Brother Chu Xiu, are you alone?"

Chu Xiu took a cautious step back: "Are you here to hunt me down too?"

Chen Mufan secretly transmitted to his teammates: "Suppress your killing intent, don't let him notice. This guy has cultivated an extremely powerful movement technique. If he wants to escape, we can't stop him. Let's stabilize him first, wait for others to arrive, and then surround and kill him."

"Yes... Senior Brother Chen."

"Hehe, okay, Senior Brother Chen."

Chen Mufan looked at Chu Xiu in surprise: "What do you mean, Senior Brother Chu Xiu? Killing fellow disciples is a serious crime."

"Indeed! Senior Brother Chu must be mistaken."

The delicate-looking woman stepped forward with a worried expression: "Senior Brother Chu, is someone really after you?"

"How bold, to dare hunt down a true inheritance disciple."

"Tell us, maybe we can help you."

The female disciple spoke persuasively, with a kindly demeanor.

Hearing this, Chu Xiu's expression softened slightly, but his eyes remained wary. He sighed and shook his head: "I don't know exactly who, but there are quite a few people after me."

"Why don't you join our group, Senior Brother Chu? Even if we encounter pursuers, we can lend you a hand," Chen Mufan suggested.

The others quickly agreed, patting their chests and promising to help Chu Xiu.

Each one of them was an actor.

Chu Xiu's furrowed brow gradually relaxed, and he smiled, cupping his hands: "Thank you, junior brothers and sisters. I am truly grateful."

"But, let's forget it!" He said with a worried look, "I don't want to bring harm or even death to you because of me."

A strange look flashed in Chen Mufan's eyes.

The black-clad female disciple transmitted with a cold laugh: "This guy's personality isn't as ruthless as the rumors say, he's a bit kind-hearted!"

"Yeah, he's even worried about our safety, what a nice guy."

"Ridiculous, he probably doesn't even know we're among those hunting him."

"Can't blame him, we acted too convincingly."

"Ahem..."

Chen Mufan coughed lightly, interrupting their transmission, and cupped his hands to Chu Xiu: "Senior Brother Chu Xiu is a genius who broke the ancient limits, destined to be the cornerstone of our Taisu Holy Land. We can die, but you must not come to harm, or the Holy Land would suffer too much."

"Senior Brother Chu Xiu, let us stay and help you!"

The others also cupped their hands sincerely.

Chu Xiu was moved, deeply touched, and stepped forward: "With such righteousness, how can I refuse?"

"I am ashamed."

Chen Mufan and the others exchanged glances, a hint of mockery flashing in their eyes.

"If that's the case, I agree..."

Chu Xiu gritted his teeth, as if making a major decision.

"No need, Senior Brother, we're all family in the Holy Land."

Chen Mufan's eyes reddened.

Deeply in character.

Chu Xiu nodded repeatedly, leaning against the massive root of an ancient tree, taking out wine and roasted meat to invite them to sit.

They gathered around.

Chu Xiu took out a cup, pouring them wine.

Chen Mufan and the others were cautious, not intending to eat or drink.

Chu Xiu raised his cup and drank it all, then grabbed a golden-brown, crispy yet tender roasted wild lamb leg, tearing off a large piece and eating it with relish.

Seeing them not moving, he asked in confusion, "Why aren't you eating?"

As he spoke, he poured himself another cup of wine, drinking it down in one gulp.

"Don't be shy, everyone, try my cooking."

A pockmarked guy, seeing Chu Xiu eating so heartily, couldn't help but swallow.

If he's eating so well, it shouldn't be poisoned, right?

He grabbed a cup and took a sip.

His eyes lit up immediately, praising: "Good wine..."

"Hehe, right? This is fine wine from my master's cellar, I snuck it out." Chu Xiu smiled.

Seeing his companion drink the wine without issue, Chen Mufan relaxed.

With Chu Xiu's constant invitation, they started drinking and eating.

"Senior Brother Chu, did you roast this meat? It's delicious."

"Yes, if you like it, eat more. I have plenty," Chu Xiu said warmly.

The six actors exchanged cups, chatting lively.

An hour later.

Chu Xiu took out a cloth to wipe the grease from his mouth, smiling faintly: "Everyone~"

Five pairs of eyes turned to him.

"How much did Xiao Yifeng and Jian Lingyun offer you to go to such lengths to kill me?"

Chen Mufan's pupils shrank slightly, grabbing the giant hammer beside him and swinging it at Chu Xiu.

Chu Xiu activated the "Xing" Secret, disappearing instantly and reappearing on a branch a hundred meters away.

The black hammer, covered in spikes, missed, smashing a half-meter-deep pit into the ground.

The other four surrounded him, their expressions not looking good.

Chen Mufan squinted, coldly asking: "When did you find out?"

Chu Xiu smiled gently, sitting on the branch: "Of course, when you appeared."

"Our performance had no flaws, right?" Chen Mufan frowned.

"Yes, but you were too enthusiastic."

Chu Xiu nodded, glancing at the four rushing towards him: "Check your own Divine Bridge in the Purple Mansion."

Chen Mufan and the others' expressions changed drastically upon hearing this.

They quickly checked internally.

Sure enough, their Purple Mansion was already shrouded in some unknown black smoke.

"You poisoned the wine?" the delicate female disciple screamed, her face contorted.

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Chu Xiu smiled gently, waving his hand: "I didn't put any wine in my poison."

[Gagaga... this system is dying of laughter!! Our poison is absolutely pure, not a drop of wine mixed in...]

Chen Mufan's face darkened further, gritting his teeth: "You mean, what you gave us wasn't wine at all, but poison?"

"Yes, smart!" Chu Xiu nodded: "This is a Forget Worry poison I personally concocted, tastes just like aged fine wine."

"How's the taste?"

Chen Mufan felt his body gradually numbing, his True Essence becoming sluggish.

You're so vicious...

"Damn, you smiling fox, backstabber~" The pockmarked face, eyes red, was about to rush up and fight Chu Xiu to the death.

Chu Xiu remained calm, smiling: "Do you want to live? I can give you a chance."

"In half a quarter of an hour, without the antidote, your bodies will turn to blood, experiencing the pain of a thousand ants gnawing at your heart."

The five of them shivered at his words.

No, it wouldn't even take half a quarter.

The pockmarked face already felt something gnawing at his heart... clutching his chest in pain, his face pale.

"State your purpose~"

Chen Mufan said coldly.

"Junior Brother Chen, you're a smart man!" Chu Xiu was very satisfied, casually tossing a scroll to him: "Just follow the instructions on it. There are ten antidote pills inside, enough to keep you five safe for three days. After it's done, I'll detoxify you."

"How do we know you'll keep your word and detoxify us afterward?" The delicate female disciple's face was pale, she was also starting to feel the effects.

Chu Xiu's expression turned serious, raising his hand to the sky, declaring: "I swear on my master's name, if I, Chu Xiu, go back on my word, may the heavens curse my master to never advance in cultivation."

A big oath.

Chen Mufan and the others exchanged glances, nodding, seemingly convinced by Chu Xiu.

"We'll do it."

"Hope you keep your word."

Chu Xiu smiled warmly: "I, Chu Xiu, stand by my word."

"Looking forward to your good news."

With that, he stood up, activated the "Xing" Secret, and vanished from the spot.