Upon hearing this, a faint glimmer of desire flashed across Lu Ming's eyes.
However, in the darkness of the night, it was hardly noticeable!
Although being a candidate does not necessarily mean becoming a Silver Level Chief, it is still an excellent opportunity. Such opportunities are rare in a lifetime. There are not many but also not few Heaven and Earth Lake's Mountain Suppression Realm experts, and many would go to great lengths to secure a candidate spot.
With Xia Jin's promise, even if Xia Jin doesn't reimburse the consumption of the Hidden God Grass, even if a few more Hidden God Grasses are brought out, it would be acceptable.
Of course, this is just hypothetical.
The Hidden God Grass is not only valuable but obtaining seven or eight of them would already be a tremendous opportunity.
After getting the Hidden God Grass, Xia Jin quickly instructed the few people behind him and simultaneously stuffed one into his mouth, chewing voraciously, "Quickly eat them, time waits for no one."
The six behind and Lu Ming followed suit, stuffing the Hidden God Grass into their mouths, chewing beneath the night-covered city walls, the crisp sound of biting ringing in their ears, fortunately overshadowed by insect chirps and beast roars. As the Hidden God Grass entered their stomachs, the eight began to experience some changes simultaneously.
Their momentum and aura gradually weakened, like a candle nearing its end.
Eventually, the sound of their footsteps completely vanished.
Xia Jin nodded in satisfaction, expressing his praise to Lu Ming. Lu Ming was also pleased. As the Hidden God Grass settled in his stomach, even releasing perception, he could not sense the presence of the people right next to him, let alone the members of the Immortal Sect who were hundreds of or even thousands of meters away.
Following this, the eight simultaneously approached Yunlan Mountain.
The eight silently passed under the watchtower. Above were a hundred gun-bearing guards, alongside beasts that could hear the slightest sounds from kilometers away, yet they could not perceive any movement from Xia Jin and his group right under their noses.
Soon, the eight were at the foot of Yunlan Mountain.
Without speaking, the eight plunged into the forest, heading up the mountain. As their bodies brushed past branches, stirred leaves, and disturbed weeds, none of these made any sound. Around them, it was as though all sounds had disappeared.
Instinctively, the eight quickened their pace, and their perception freely dispersed outward.
The Hidden God Grass can conceal not just the body and sound but also perception.
That's why it's called Hidden God.
And not merely invisibility.
But just as this perception was released, when they pushed away the lush branches before them, their hands suddenly grasped at empty air.
Their bodies leaned sharply, as if pushed by an unseen force, and the eight simultaneously found themselves standing at the foot of the mountain, where they started. Lu Ming froze, gazing at the familiar path ahead and the brightly lit watchtower nearby, murmuring to himself, "Something's wrong!"
He wasn't foolish; he wouldn't suspect he had walked the wrong way, gotten lost in the forest, and accidentally descended again.
Always climbing up, how could there be talk of suddenly returning to the foot due to getting lost?
At this moment, someone beside him nudged at him, and Lu Ming impatiently responded, "What's there to panic about!"
Xia Jin, too, having been nudged twice from beside also growled lowly, "Don't start physically messing around for no reason, did your mouths turn mute?"
The two simultaneously turned to look at the people beside them, their gaze freezing instantaneously.
Luan Yue, Hei Yu, and Hei Shan were staring blankly at them left and right!
Several pairs of eyes were staring intently.
Not even blinking.
Seeing this, Xia Jin couldn't help but swallow his saliva, feeling incredibly disoriented inside.
The Hidden God Grass surely can hide many things, allowing those in the Upper Realm of Mountain Suppression not to sense their existence for some time, but it cannot completely conceal the body.
People are visible, as long as one's eyes aren't blind, they can still be seen.
Lu Ming faced the three, the aura of the Mountain Suppression Realm sweeping over him, leaving Lu Ming somewhat bitter.
Eight Hidden God Grasses were eaten in vain!
Why did a Mountain Suppression Realm appear at the foot of the mountain? Feeling bitter though, he hurriedly maintained composure, given the Hidden God Grass's effect still runs, the opponent might not discern his Realm, likely mistaking him for a lost traveler. Hence, Lu Ming hastily asked, "Is there any issue here?"
Immediately after, he heard Xia Jin beside him sigh with relief, continuing with, "After climbing so many mountains, finally arrived at Cangwu City."
This statement pierced Lu Ming's heart like a knife.
Isn't this like trying to conceal a theft by making it obvious?
Having just started ascending, they immediately banged into the Immortal Sect's Mountain Suppression Realm, plans to ascend seem implausible now, tonight's mission can basically be declared a failure.
It's just the eight Hidden God Grasses...
Consumed in vain!
This was what he painstakingly accumulated over decades!
Luan Yue and the other two exchanged glances, despite the darkness making Xia Jin's face unclear, they recognized Xia Jin immediately. As for Lu Ming and others, although Luan Yue didn't know their names or identities, she knew they were surely powerful figures accompanying this journey.
She had predicted that Xia Jin would definitely take action, so she made a special effort to be a night patrol guard around Yunlan Mountain tonight.
Unexpectedly, they actually caught Xia Jin and his group.
However, she could only pretend not to know them.
The other side had strength in numbers!
The Hidden Dragon Sect had only the three of them here; unless absolutely necessary, they could not make a move.
However, all eight of them were completely without Qi, which was very strange. Moreover, it seemed like they'd emerged from the woods without any sound of rustling leaves or branches, blending into the night. Luan Yue and the others immediately thought, this group must have consumed some celestial materials.
As for what exactly, they didn't know.