Chapter 64: A Mere Scarecrow, Dare to Snatch the Treasure?

The scarecrows relied on their legs to climb, while Zhao Xing relied on the scarecrows to climb. He crafted a vine chair, securing it with two bamboo poles on either side. Then, two scarecrows made of green vines carried the vine chair forward. The remaining scarecrows were scattered on both sides, front and back. The furthest scarecrow was sent out three miles, which was Zhao Xing's control limit. Although the mountain path was steep, controlling a range of three miles was a straight-line distance, which was sufficient. If there was any disturbance, Zhao Xing could be alerted in advance.

"The Scarecrow Technique is truly useful," Zhao Xing couldn't help but sigh as he sat on the chair. The scarecrows moved along the mountain path as if it were flat ground, even faster than he could walk himself. "I should study the Scarecrow Technique more in the future. When the time comes, I can attack a hundred miles away, consuming only one scarecrow, saving time and effort."

Additionally, within the scarecrow team, there were four special scarecrows, each equipped with two first-grade East Lake Pearls. This was the sixth type of Scarecrow Technique Zhao Xing had learned two days ago, the 'Scout Scarecrow,' which allowed Zhao Xing to have a second perspective. For the other scarecrows, Zhao Xing only had a vague sense, but these four scarecrows could see clearly. Although the magic arts level wasn't high, just a first-tier, it was enough to see far.

In less than two quarters of an hour, Zhao Xing discovered other climbers. Through the perspective of the scout scarecrow, he saw four climbers in a pine forest on the left front, besieging two others.

"Are they fighting over something?" Zhao Xing immediately became alert. He quickly directed the scarecrows to encircle the left front.

"Qin Feng, my brother and I don't want this inferior spirit herb, why do you insist on forcing us?" One of the besieged, a tall warrior wielding a battle knife and wearing soft armor, shouted in a low voice while fending off the attacks.

"Zhou Gang, only now do you think of begging for mercy?" The cold young man with a knife gleaming in his hand continued to attack relentlessly. "Hmph, it's too late. Last time at the city gate, when my sister-in-law just had a little drink, you and Fang Jiefei insisted on detaining him. Why didn't you show mercy then?"

"Nonsense, your sister-in-law was not just drinking a little! He was about to cause trouble! At that time, the county was strictly investigating the Xuantian demon people, and the rules were like this. How can you blame me and Fang Jie?" Zhou Gang was furious.

"Enough talk, I couldn't stand you two when I was a martial officer in Lake City! Now you're fighting me for the treasure, let's settle old and new scores together!" Qin Feng continued his fierce attacks, his sword strikes becoming more aggressive.

Not far away, the scout scarecrow's eyes rotated, capturing everything in sight. The sounds of their battle also reached Zhao Xing's ears, carried by a gentle breeze.

"Lake City Martial Officer? Lin County's officials?" Zhao Xing pondered, using the Five Elements Observation to look from afar. He quickly judged that these people's realms were around the fifth or sixth stage of Gathering Essence. Their skills were similar, suggesting they were taught by the same master. However, with four against two, the numerical advantage was evident.

It seemed the conflict wasn't just over the treasure, but also personal grudges. Under the same roof, conflicts are common, especially among colleagues. Outside, there are rituals and constraints, but once inside Spirit Mountain, with the Forget Worry Monument, everything is forgotten once they leave. Naturally, it's easy to start a fight, especially with a treasure in sight.

"Based on the response, it should be an inferior spirit herb," Zhao Xing looked in a certain direction. In that pine forest, there was a fallen tree trunk about two people wide. At the top of the trunk, a gray Lingzhi [a type of mushroom] was tied, with a purple edge. When Zhao Xing looked over, his heart skipped a beat.

After assessing the battle situation, Zhao Xing concluded: It's doable!

"Go, quietly steal the Lingzhi," Zhao Xing instructed two vine-wrapped scarecrows to sneak over. The Great Strength Gold Gang [a type of scarecrow] was too conspicuous, even with a layer of grass clothing, it wasn't suitable for stealthy tasks. The vine-wrapped scarecrows were different; their upper limbs could extend up to twenty meters! This meant they didn't need to get too close to stealthily harvest the Lingzhi.

The two vine-wrapped scarecrows moved stealthily, hiding among the pine trees as they advanced. Made of green vines, they blended well with the surroundings, making them hard to detect unless closely examined. Moreover, the two groups were still fighting, not noticing anyone approaching.

"Sss~" The vine-wrapped scarecrow crouched under a pine tree twenty meters away from the trunk. The vine extended slowly like a spirit snake, advancing along the ground, soon reaching the Lingzhi. After wrapping it twice, it gently applied force, and the Lingzhi, as big as a face basin, was plucked off.

The vine slowly retracted, returning to the scarecrow's shell. Just as it was about to succeed, the two from Lake City Martial Officer's side had already determined the outcome. Zhou Gang's battle knife had been knocked away, his arm bleeding profusely, the bone visible. Another companion, Fang Jie, had his leg cut, losing his fighting ability.

Qin Feng stopped, looking down at the two, feeling quite pleased. "Qin Feng, if you have the guts, kill us!"

"Kill you? Hmph, I'm not stupid enough to make such a mistake," Qin Feng sneered, tying them up. "I should thank you two for finding this Lingzhi... huh?" Qin Feng's expression suddenly changed: "Where's my Lingzhi?!"

The original trunk was now empty, the Lingzhi gone!

"Someone's here!" Qin Feng's companion sensed something was wrong, scanning the surroundings. His sharp eyes spotted the scarecrow sneaking away.

"Damn it! Who dares to snatch food from the tiger's mouth!" Qin Feng was furious, ignoring Fang Jie and Zhou Gang, and the four of them immediately gave chase.

"Really disappointing, how did they lose so quickly? Didn't they say they were taught by the same master, couldn't they break the move? At least hold on for a while," Zhao Xing thought, initially wanting to avoid the fight and just play the role of the sixth man, but he was discovered anyway.

The vine-wrapped scarecrow couldn't outrun warriors at the fifth or sixth stage of Gathering Essence, so Zhao Xing decided not to hide anymore and revealed himself.

"Everyone, please reconsider before deciding to chase," his voice carried by the wind.

"Hahaha~" At the same time, in the pine forest, over a dozen scarecrows appeared, blocking Qin Feng and his group's path.

"Huh?" Qin Feng was startled, stopping in his tracks. But upon closer inspection, they were just scarecrows, and he became both annoyed and amused.

"Damn it, I thought we were surrounded by dozens of people, but it's just a Sinoong's Scarecrow Technique."

"Brothers, you go chase, I'll handle these scarecrows!" Seeing they were just scarecrows, the other three didn't hesitate, immediately chasing after the scarecrow that stole the Lingzhi, leaving Qin Feng to face the scarecrows.

"I suggest you don't do this," the unfamiliar voice echoed again with the wind.

Qin Feng pointed his battle knife, disdainfully saying, "Still pretending to be mysterious, just a few scarecrows, you think you can fool me? A mere Sinoong dares to snatch food from a warrior's hand? Ridiculous!"

Today's chapter ends here, asking for a monthly ticket! (End of this chapter)