4693

Chapter 4693: 5.0445 A Natural Progression

All that could be seen of You Batian were his two feet sticking out from under the iron ball; everything else was gone.

If anyone had noticed You Batian's face at that moment, they would surely have seen his twisted expression of bitter regret.

You Batian, unlucky fellow, chose that exact moment to self-detonate. The force of the impact was entirely "sat on" by that large iron ball. The guy enthusiastically blew himself to smithereens.

Everyone couldn't help but exchange glances, speechless for a moment.

Qiao Mu swiftly ran to the bottom of the large iron ball and kicked it. The iron ball obediently rolled aside with a rumble.

Qiao Mu stared intently, then her eyes narrowed in disgust. All that remained of You Batian, besides his two intact feet, was gone.

Little Black, the black Yuewang, spat a flame into the air, instantly incinerating those two remnants. Then it swiftly descended, shrinking to the size of a sparrow, and fluttered to Qiao Mu's side, acting cute.

Qiao Mu let the creature perch on her shoulder and turned to look at the Heaven Slaying Battle Group's several guard captains. "Tally the personnel and assess the casualties."

The front defensive barrier had opened. Fairy Huang He, leading a group of alchemists, approached Qiao Mu with worried expressions.

"Qiao Qiao, this can't go on."

"Now that our location is exposed, people will constantly come to rescue Hall Master Mu. This makes us extremely passive, always exhausted dealing with wave after wave of mutated beast-humans."

"It shouldn't happen again in the future," Qiao Mu raised her hand and patted her hand. "Trust me, Mu Qingya isn't that important to Tianyun."

Fairy Huang He breathed a slight sigh of relief upon hearing this. "We'll go check on everyone's injuries first."

"Much obliged," Qiao Mu nodded. "Tell me if you need any medicinal ingredients."

Huang He naturally knew that the various medicinal ingredients in Qiao Qiao's Peach Garden Star's herb garden were already flourishing. There were likely very few missing varieties of materials below the holy grade. Huang He nodded and turned to the fifty-plus alchemists behind her. "Everyone, as usual, divide into five groups. Quickly assess the injuries and separate the lightly wounded from the severely wounded first..."

Huang He spoke as she walked, assigning tasks while also not forgetting to encourage everyone.

That night, Qiao Mu retreated into the star domain to rest. Lying on the bed in the small courtyard, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep. After much thought, she figured it was probably due to her brain being overstimulated from the fierce battle earlier.

So, she got up, took out her Golden Bead Rune Brush, and a stack of blank talismans to begin carving.

Speaking of which, her proficiency in rune drawing was becoming more and more skilled. However, her Golden Talismans and Jade Charms remained stuck on the tenth jade slip. She had already memorized its contents perfectly, and the carving of several runes had reached the point where she could complete them with a mere flick of her hand.

Lately, she felt a sense of natural progression, as if everything was falling into place. She estimated that within the next few days, she should break through to the realm of a Heaven-tier Grand Rune Master.

Faster, even faster, faster...

Qiao Mu's brush paused suddenly, a hint of ferocity flashing in her eyes.

Qiuqiu's voice instantly sounded in her mind, "Master, something's happened outside."

Qiao Mu immediately left the star domain, appearing in the grotto. At this moment, it was late at night and quiet.

Outside, however, was ablaze with torchlight, filled with boisterous noise.

"Qiao Qiao," Peach Blossom Immortal Venerable walked in, his face solemn.