If possible, Fang Weidong didn't want to do this either. After all, they still had to take quite a risk. If their luck wasn't good and they encountered a powerful cultivator again, they might not be so fortunate, only losing spiritual objects but still keeping their lives.

But there's no choice, the loss this time was too great. They must find a way to recover as much as possible, otherwise, their future path of cultivation would become extraordinarily difficult.

No money means no progress. Not only does this apply to mortals, but it also applies to them! Even more severely.

"Who exactly are those two?"

Before setting off, he was still pondering this question in his heart.

...

Li Zhirui and Fu Chengguang, who had already left the battlefield, stopped on a remote barren mountain, preparing to count the spiritual objects they just obtained.

However, before that, Fu Chengguang asked the question in his mind, "Fellow Daoist, why did you urge me to end the fight quickly?"

"I noticed that the Earth Immortal cultivator just now had already started to suspect our identities. I was worried he might figure us out, so I hurried you so we could leave quickly."

"I see!"

As for why they didn't fight and kill that Earth Immortal to guard the secret realm, it was mainly because Li Zhirui didn't want to get involved with karma.

Moreover, after leaving the secret realm, they might never encounter him again.

Even if they did meet, they wouldn't recognize the two, since they now use disguises to protect their identities, having set up a lot of precautions.

"What does Fellow Daoist plan to do next?" asked Fu Chengguang.

Li Zhirui thought for a moment and said, "Continue wandering in the secret realm to see if we can find more opportunities."

The reason for not heading straight to the secret realm's portal to wait for it to open was mainly the fear of a war breaking out there. Going too early might drag the two of them into the conflict.

"Alright!"

This idea fit his intentions perfectly, and he said excitedly, "Let's divide the spiritual objects now."

Li Zhirui refused this suggestion without hesitation, "I didn't make a move in this battle. Those are all Fellow Daoist's spoils, no need to share them with me."

"Then how about this."

Seeing his unwavering persistence, Fu Chengguang changed his approach and said, "I won't share the spiritual objects with Fellow Daoist. Instead, I'll exchange the methods of those cultivators for the one in the Earth Immortal's hand that you obtained. How about it? Calculated this way, I'm still getting the better deal."

Although the value of Earth Immortal methods surpasses that of Human Immortal methods by several folds, considering that it involved a dozen Human and Individual Immortals, perhaps one of them had gained a unique and rare method.

Thus, Li Zhirui understood that although the other party said that, his intention was to compensate him. With the conversation reaching this point, he couldn't refuse anymore, so he expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Fellow Daoist."

"Mutual benefit, nothing to thank for."

With their collaboration, they quickly copied all the jade slips and completed the exchange.

As expected, among that pile of jade slips, there were several methods whose grades were not inferior to ordinary Earth Immortal methods.

The scriptures, among which was a book named "Supreme Mysterious Sky Clear Heart Dao Scripture," caught his attention. Just a brief glance made his realm react, faintly pulsating.

"Fellow Daoist, if you keep this up, I won't even know how much karma I'll owe you in the end." He said with a wry smile.

"You worry too much, Fellow Daoist. If you hadn't given me the purification lotus seeds to rid my body of the outer realm's aura, how could I have gained these rewards? Perhaps I'd still be hiding somewhere, avoiding the pursuit of this realm's cultivators."

Fu Chengguang solemnly said, "In terms of karma, Fellow Daoist, you have shown me great kindness, a life-saving grace. Such immense karma is perfectly justified."

Li Zhirui didn't want to owe karma, and neither did he.

However, due to some beginnings, he ended up with too much karma, resulting in seizing every opportunity thereafter to repay it.

Upon hearing this, Li Zhirui instantly realized his oversight! He had been focused only on his feelings and thoughts, neglecting that Fu Chengguang, like him, also didn't want to owe karma or favors.

So his previous actions, like why he had to find a Heavenly Immortal grade spiritual object to compensate Li Zhirui, made sense.

"It's my fault. I'll pay more attention in the future and won't put Fellow Daoist in a difficult position." He said with a slightly apologetic tone.

"No worries. It's also my fault for not explaining the reason directly and causing misunderstandings."

"Hahahaha... "

Saying this, the two exchanged a glance and suddenly burst into laughter.

After clearing up unnecessary misunderstandings, their relationship became a bit closer.

After a short rest, the two set off again, wandering in the secret realm, hoping to find spiritual objects, or perhaps have spiritual objects find them.

To be honest, they fantasized about stumbling upon an undiscovered precious spiritual object in some corner of the secret realm.

But unexpectedly, instead of the more likely former scenario, the seemingly absurd latter one happened!

A spiritual object truly found them!

On that day, Li Zhirui and Fu Chengguang, just like usual, wandered around the secret realm searching for opportunities, only to be suddenly attacked by an Earth Immortal cultivator.