Top-Tier Superpower Student-Chapter 617 - 589 Helplessness

Around the big tree, there was nothing but grass and soil, not a single flower to be seen.

Chen Long said from the side, "My Treasure-hunting Mouse must have detected a treasure, but it's not the Red Flame Flower, it's something else."

The Treasure-hunting Mouse frantically squeaked, seeing that no one reacted, it took matters into its own hands. With its strong and powerful front claws, it began to dig the ground, and within a minute, it had dug a hole ten centimeters wide. Struggling, it used its mouth to grab a bunch of whisker-like objects and forcibly yanked out the thing.

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It was a ginseng, and not a small one at that, at least ten years of maturity.

In the modern world, a ten-year ginseng from the wild is considered a treasure. Buried deep underground, the ginseng could be detected by the Treasure-hunting Mouse from miles away, which proved the mouse's extraordinary ability.

The Treasure-hunting Mouse happily brought the wild ginseng to Chen Long's feet, chirping excitedly as if to claim credit for its find.

While the wild ginseng is a treasure for ordinary people and could be sold for a fair amount of money, it was of little use to this group of people. Chen Long nodded, indicating that the wild ginseng be left to the Treasure-hunting Mouse to deal with.

After getting Chen Long's approval, the Treasure-hunting Mouse joyfully squealed again and swallowed the wild ginseng in one bite. The relatively small Treasure-hunting Mouse actually managed to swallow a ginseng nearly its own size, surely its appetite knew no bounds.

Having not found the Red Flame Flower, everyone felt a bit disheartened. Lin Tian clapped his hands together to encourage the group, saying, "Don't be discouraged, everyone. If the Treasure-hunting Mouse can find the wild ginseng, that proves its treasure-hunting ability. Let's continue following it. As long as there is a Red Flame Flower within a hundred miles, we will definitely find it."

After hearing this, everybody nodded weakly.

The Red Flame Flower is a rare spiritual medicine, difficult to find in the world. To encounter even one within a hundred miles would indeed depend on luck.

With Chen Long's permission, the Treasure-hunting Mouse set off again, and after travelling five miles, the group encountered a large tiger.

Everyone felt a bit helpless. Tigers are national-level protected animals, especially wild ones, which are even more precious. If you look at it that way, the tiger could also be considered a treasure.

On their next search, the Treasure-hunting Mouse led them to a uniquely tall and robust purple bamboo, standing out by at least ten meters more than the other bamboos. The most distinctive feature was that this bamboo was purple, standing out in an expanse of green bamboo grove, giving a sense of being outstanding from the crowd.

This is known as Purple Kill Bamboo, harder than iron. In ancient times when armies went to war, Purple Kill Bamboo was an essential supply. It could be used to prop up tents, build fences, and even, once sharpened, could be used as a weapon. However, as demand for the Purple Kill Bamboo gradually increased, it eventually became extinct over time.

The Treasure-hunting Mouse continued its search and located three more treasures, but none were the Red Flame Flower.

The Treasure-hunting Mouse led the group back and forth over a hundred miles on six occasions, but still, no trace of the Red Flame Flower was found.

Their masters had been captured, and the morale of the group was already at rock bottom. Now, after running more than a hundred miles without finding the Red Flame Flower, it was fair to say that most of the group had lost all spirit.

"Let's stop looking, stop looking. The Treasure-hunting Mouse can find treasures within a hundred miles, and since we've already run more than that, it proves that there are no Red Flame Flowers here!" a disciple sighed and plopped down on the ground, with the word 'dejected' written all over his face.

"Yeah, I can't run anymore. Continuing to search like this isn't the solution. What if the warriors from Hell come and attack us? We will all be wiped out!"

"Right, the chances of finding the Red Flame Flower are too slim. Rather than keep looking for it, why don't we sneak out of here, go back and report to the Sect so that the Sect can intervene and rescue our masters, how about that?"

"Absolutely not!" Jian Cangsheng immediately stood up to object.

"Those who have come here to compete are the strongest in our Sects. Now that all the strongest people from various Sects have been captured, how can our Sects save them? Moreover, if Hell uses our masters as hostages and blackmails our Sects, then what?"

"So, my opinion is that we continue to search for the Red Flame Flower, though hope is slim, it's our only chance."

"I disagree," another person stood up and shouted. "Let's not even talk about the Red Flame Flower; even if we miraculously find it, how are we supposed to deliver it into our master's hands? Since the strongmen of Hell have captured our master, they'll definitely have powerful guards watching over them. Don't tell me you're hoping that just the few of us can break through the defenses of Hell's strongmen and get the Red Flame Flower to our master!"

"You...!" Jian Cangsheng said furiously, "You are a coward, afraid of death. If you dare not, please leave and stop spreading such disheartening words here, disturbing the morale."

"What I'm saying is merely the truth. Am I wrong?"

Jian Cangsheng was about to retort but was interrupted by Lin Tian.

"Alright, enough, both of you."

As soon as he spoke, everyone who had something to say swallowed their words back.

Whether it was humans or animals, strength commanded respect, and Lin Tian's prowess had been witnessed by all. Thus, Lin Tian became the leader of this group of people, and when he spoke, everyone listened.

Regarding these two viewpoints, each had its merits and faults, Lin Tian didn't know how to choose either.

In a smaller scope, this concerned the lives of over sixty Sect Masters; on a larger scale, it was about the safety of the entire Huaxia.

Lin Tian couldn't force everyone to choose any particular path—that was a responsibility he couldn't bear.

And dividing the forces into two groups seemed to be the correct approach.

He said, "If anyone wants to go back now and report to the Sect, I won't stop you. But I will continue searching for the Red Flame Flower. Whether you go or stay is for you to decide!"

After speaking, everyone murmured among themselves in low voices.

In the end, out of the team of twenty-two people, five prepared to go back and report to the Sect, while the remaining seventeen decided to continue searching for the Red Flame Flower with Lin Tian.

The group split into two and started their separate tasks.

The Treasure-hunting Mouse continued its quest and found another treasure, but it was a rare birch tree that had nothing to do with the Red Flame Flower.

In the end, the Treasure-hunting Mouse sat still, squatting on the ground with an innocent face.

Chen Long, holding the Treasure-hunting Mouse in the palm of his hand, told everyone helplessly, "It seems that within a hundred miles, there's nothing left that could interest the Treasure-hunting Mouse."

This time, everyone was completely disheartened, Lin Tian included, who was feeling somewhat despondent.

Huo Shaotian helplessly suggested from aside, "Why don't we go back to the Sect as well? Staying here, there's a chance we might really end up being wrapped up like dumplings by Hell's forces."

Five people had already gone back to report to the Sect, and with today's advanced technology, since everyone is united on the same front, once one Sect is informed, the news will quickly spread to all other Sects. So, for Lin Tian and the rest to go back now would be redundant.