Li Nanzhu cleared her throat and briefly explained the situation.
After listening, Zhu Yinxi's long, slender fingers rhythmically tapped the tabletop, making a crisp clicking sound. "So, not only did you offend the Sword Heart Sect, but you also want to travel with someone of unknown origin?"
Duan Xianxing curled his lip. "It's not the first time we've offended the people from the Sword Heart Sect. Now it's just a matter of adding new grudges to the old ones."
Seeing the look of confusion on Zhu Yinxi's face, Duan Xianxing detailed the entire sequence of events. After hearing it, Zhu Yinxi's expression also darkened.
"In that case, if they're offended, so be it. Our Five Elements Dao Sect never looks for trouble, but we are never afraid of it either. Moreover, they are the ones who provoke us every time. If we run into them in the Forest of Demonic Beasts..." Zhu Yinxi stroked his jade flute. "I don't mind giving them a lesson they won't forget."
"You're so imposing, Second Senior Brother!" Seeing this, Duan Xianxing quickly leaned in. "So, the enemy of our enemy is our friend. Liu Qi doesn't seem to have any ill intentions, so why not take him along...?"
"Seventh Junior Brother," the second senior brother calmly interrupted. "When traveling abroad, the most taboo thing is to trust others blindly. How can you be certain he doesn't have another motive for approaching you?"
Duan Xianxing opened his mouth, but after thinking for a long time, he didn't know how to refute it. Although he had a good impression of the generous Liu Qi, Zhu Yinxi's words were not without reason. In the end, he turned his eyes to Li Nanzhu for help.
Li Nanzhu naturally knew this as well. Currently, she was the only one who knew Liu Qi's true identity, but she couldn't explicitly state who he was; otherwise, she wouldn't be able to explain how she knew. After a moment of silence, she spoke carefully, "Is Second Senior Brother worried he has ulterior motives?"
"One must always be wary of others." Zhu Yinxi spoke as he prepared to stand up, clearly not intending to agree.
"He has a treasure-hunting compass on him, which I think could be quite useful. Moreover, he is a refinery master; if any of our magic tools are damaged, we can have him repair them."
Seeing Zhu Yinxi's expression soften slightly, Li Nanzhu decided to reveal a bit more. "Furthermore, to reach the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment at his age suggests he is exceptionally gifted. He is also very generous and can even create a magic tool like a treasure-hunting compass. He is most likely a disciple of the Water Moon Sect. Aside from the Water Moon Sect, I can't think of any other sect that could cultivate such a genius."
Zhu Yinxi finally relented. "Very well. If he truly is a disciple of the Water Moon Sect, traveling together isn't a big issue. After all, their reputation has always been good; they focus on refining and generally don't have other schemes. However..." He still maintained his cold expression. "If he shows any abnormality, inform me immediately."
Duan Xianxing patted his chest in a guarantee. "Don't worry! With me and Little Junior Sister around, nothing will go wrong!"
Zhu Yinxi gave him a half-smile. "I'm worried you'll be sold and still help them count the money."
Li Nanzhu burst out laughing, earning a pained look from Duan Xianxing.
"All right," Zhu Yinxi stood up. "Since we've decided to go together, we will set off tomorrow morning. Go and inform Fellow Daoist Liu."
Li Nanzhu, however, was thinking more deeply. In the original novel, Liu Qi's personality was simple, but now that the plot had changed, no one could guarantee that everything would follow the original trajectory. She said softly, "Second Senior Brother, if there really is a problem with him, what do you plan to do?"
Zhu Yinxi's lips curled slightly, but there was no trace of a smile in his eyes. "That depends on... whether he is smart enough."
The night wind brushed past the window frame, and the candlelight flickered, reflecting a cold gleam that flashed through his eyes for a fleeting second.
Li Nanzhu and Duan Xianxing both shivered in unison. This kind of Second Senior Brother was so terrifying!
You're truly worthy of being a villain, Second Senior Brother, Li Nanzhu lamented inwardly. She had thought that an icy beauty like him wouldn't be so ruthless, but she hadn't expected such a large contrast internally.
After agreeing with Liu Qi to set off tomorrow at the hour of Chen, the two returned to their respective rooms. However, after just a short while, Duan Xianxing came running back with a thud-thud-thud and knocked on the door. Li Nanzhu, who was just about to rest, helplessly opened the door and let him in.
After all, the heaven-grade rooms had one advantage: they were equipped with a soundproofing array, so others couldn't hear what they were saying.
"Little Junior Sister! I found a sachet under the pillow. Is it from that woman Cang Dongqing? Should we study it together?"
"Seventh Senior Brother, there might be some kind of spell on that thing. I suggest you use chopsticks to hold it and burn it."
"...You're right."
Just as Duan Xianxing was about to turn and leave, Li Nanzhu suddenly thought of something and called him back.
"Seventh Senior Brother, you didn't tell Liu Qi about Second Senior Brother's cultivation level, did you?"
"I didn't," Duan Xianxing spread his hands. "I'm not that stupid. How could I say something like that carelessly?"
Only then did Li Nanzhu breathe a sigh of relief, intending to rest after Duan Xianxing left.
"Little Junior Sister," Duan Xianxing suddenly leaned in and lowered his voice. "Why are you so concerned about that kid? Could it be...?"
"Seventh Senior Brother, I haven't even had my coming-of-age ceremony yet." If she could, she really wanted to pry open Duan Xianxing's skull to see what kind of mess was inside. "If he really is from the Water Moon Sect, we can learn his refining techniques when the time comes. I'm going to steal his skills!"
Duan Xianxing continued to mutter, "Then just ask him directly. I see that he's quite..."
"Quite what!" Li Nanzhu finally couldn't help but kick Duan Xianxing. "I'm still a child! If he had any ideas, wouldn't that make him a pervert! And asking directly? Those are the refining techniques of the Water Moon Sect. Why would I ask? What were you thinking!"
"I get it, I get it! Ow! Little Junior Sister, I'm leaving now, goodnight!" Saying that, he quickly rushed out of the room.
In a heaven-grade room on another floor.
At this moment, Cang Dongqing was lying lazily on the bed. Even though she had given up her room, after her display of weak weeping, the Third Senior Brother had given his room to her while he went to share a room with the Fourth Senior Brother.
"Junior Sister Dongqing." The carved wooden door was gently knocked, and Lin Qingyu's voice carried a hint of hesitation. "I brought some Jade Skin Ointment..."
This person was the Shenmu Sect disciple who had previously run into Cang Dongqing outside. Unlike the person in Qingyun City last time, Lin Qingyu was only an inner sect disciple, but by virtue of entering the sect earlier and having a higher cultivation level, he had become the leader for this trial in the Forest of Demonic Beasts.
He had only met her because Immortal Venerable Ling Xiao had brought Cang Dongqing to the Shenmu Sect to seek medicine. At a single glance, he had fallen in love with this girl who was clearly beautiful yet strong; she hadn't made a sound despite being so severely injured, which deeply attracted him. Thus, he was genuinely surprised to encounter Cang Dongqing here today, to the point that he abandoned his other junior brothers and sisters to escort her back to the inn, and even booked an earth-grade room for himself here.
In truth, Cang Dongqing looked down on Lin Qingyu a bit. He was a mere inner sect disciple; if not for a stroke of luck, he wouldn't even be qualified to know her.
However, since he had come, Cang Dongqing didn't plan to refuse this attentiveness. She quickly rubbed her eyes red and loosened her collar before going to open the door.
This was the scene Lin Qingyu saw—the girl's collarbones were prominent beneath her thin inner garment, and there were dark circles under her eyes; she no longer had her usual gentle and cold appearance.
"Senior Brother Lin..." Her voice was as raspy as if she had cried all night. "Am I really that annoying?"
Lin Qingyu hurriedly handed over the medicine box. "Nonsense! It was clearly those rogue cultivators who were too overbearing!" His chest heaved. "I specifically went to inquire. They should also be going to the Forest of Demonic Beasts."
Cang Dongqing's lowered eyelashes concealed a sharp glint, yet she now acted shocked as she looked up. "Really? But..." Her fingers gripped the corner of her clothes. "If we run into them again, what if they attack me?"
"I was originally going there to collect spirit grass anyway." A sudden spark of inspiration hit Lin Qingyu. "Why don't we travel together? With me there, I definitely won't let you suffer any grievances, Junior Sister."
"But what about Senior Brother Lin's junior brothers and sisters..." Cang Dongqing gently shook her head. "I can't be so selfish."
Seeing that Cang Dongqing was still thinking of him, Lin Qingyu's desire to protect her swelled even further. He completely forgot that the other party already had a senior brother at the Golden Core stage. "My junior brothers and sisters are protected by a mercenary group; nothing will go wrong!"
"Then, thank you, Senior Brother Lin." Cang Dongqing smiled tenderly, instantly stealing Lin Qingyu's soul.
"Rest well, Junior Sister Dongqing. I will come again tomorrow."
"Safe travels, Senior Brother Lin."
The door gently closed, and the gentleness on Cang Dongqing's face instantly vanished, replaced by undisguised contempt.
"Fool."
Rate on N.U.
