Liu Hai and the others nodded in agreement after hearing Zhang Nu’s words. Their cultivation levels had indeed increased significantly. They should now be strong enough to take down the black mist YaoGuai.
“So, should we head down the mountain now? Or should we check on the villagers first?”
Zhang Nu hesitated at Liu Hai’s question, falling silent for a moment. He wasn’t sure what their next move should be.
At that moment, Ling Xi spoke up.
“Let’s head back to my cave first,” she suggested. “If we want to eliminate the black mist, the four of us alone may not be enough. I can try to gather some other YaoGuais to assist us.”
Hearing this, Zhang Nu and his companions were thrilled. With Ling Xi’s help, they would gain even more allies in their battle.
“Really? Ling Xi, can you really get the other YaoGuais to help us?” Zhang Nu asked, his eyes lighting up.
“We truly want to eliminate this powerful YaoGuai. If we do, it will no longer threaten the peace of the world.”
Ling Xi nodded firmly. With that, the four of them made their way back to the mountain cave. Once there, Ling Xi took a deep breath, closing her eyes as though sensing the presence of the other YaoGuais.
In reality, she already knew where they were hiding. However, she couldn’t reveal their location so easily. She was wary, what if someone was watching them? If she carelessly exposed their hiding place, she could put the other YaoGuais in danger.
“I know where they are now,” she said at last. “I’ll take you to them.”
With that, Ling Xi led Zhang Nu and his group deeper into the mountains, to the hidden dwelling of the YaoGuais. When the YaoGuais saw Ling Xi arriving with three unfamiliar humans, they immediately tensed up, eyes filled with both shock and fear.
“Ling Xi! Why did you bring three strangers here?”
“Their auras… They’re cultivators! Are you working with them to kill us?”
“Ling Xi, leave quickly! Don’t let them harm you!”
“That’s right! Run! We’ll hold them off!”
Ling Xi’s heart warmed at their worried voices. It was because of their care and kindness that she had grown up safely and developed her gentle nature. Otherwise, she might have turned out like Lin Xiao—cold, detached, and indifferent to everything.
Seeing this heartfelt exchange, Zhang Nu and the others couldn’t help but feel happy for Ling Xi. At the same time, their gazes shifted toward Lin Xiao, curious about his reaction. Would he feel envious? Melancholic? Or indifferent as usual?
However, Lin Xiao remained utterly unfazed. To him, this scene had nothing to do with him. It didn’t stir his emotions in the slightest.
Ling Xi quickly reassured the YaoGuais, “You don’t have to be afraid. These people are my friends. They’re not here to harm you.”
“There are rumors that YaoGuais have been attacking and slaughtering villagers. But I know that it wasn’t any of us.” She continued, “I’m going with these people to clear our names. Will anyone come with me?”
Upon hearing Ling Xi’s words, anger flared among the YaoGuais. They had never harmed anyone. And yet, whenever something went wrong, the blame always fell on them.
Just because they were YaoGuais. Just because they weren’t human.
“Why should we take the blame for everything?”
“We never did anything wrong! We don’t deserve this!”
“Ling Xi, I’ll go with you! We must clear our name!”
More and more YaoGuais stepped forward, eager to fight for justice.
More and more YaoGuais stepped forward, anger flashing in their eyes.
Ling Xi sighed, knowing she had to make them understand something crucial.
“This mission is extremely dangerous,” she warned. “We’re not just dealing with false accusations. A powerful YaoGuai is controlling the villagers.”
“To clear our names, we must kill this YaoGuai.”
“But its cultivation is incredibly high…”
A heavy silence fell over the YaoGuais. Then, one of them chuckled.
“Ling Xi, if even you, a young girl, aren’t afraid, then why should we be?”
“That’s right! So what if it’s a powerful YaoGuai? We have numbers on our side—we will defeat it!”