This comment made Senior Brother Bai a bit embarrassed, implying that he wasn’t worthy of being targeted.
Zhong Jinliu laughed heartily:
"Why belittle yourself, Taoist Friend Bai? The people from Huayue Mansion are so arrogant; when have we cultivators from Yan Land ever been taken seriously by them? Those they target can only be such prodigies as True Inheritor Bai from your sect."
"That’s true..."
Senior Brother Bai said wistfully.
"Turns out they aren’t from Huayue Mansion."
Jin’er muttered to herself; she thought it was the people from Huayue Mansion coming for revenge!
Zhong Jinliu nodded and was about to continue speaking when his gaze casually shifted and landed on something behind Zhiwei and the others.
There stood a disheveled female cultivator trying to hide her face with her broad sleeves.
At first, he was taken aback by her familiar figure and the faintly revealing spiritual power. Upon closer look, his face showed astonishment:
"Is this... Could it be Su Qingdai from Medicine King Valley, Fairy Su?"
Su Qingdai froze, wishing she could dig a hole and bury herself in Luoxiao Grotto Heaven.
As a renowned true disciple from Medicine King Valley, she was normally admired.
Yet now, with disheveled hair and smelling strongly of demon beast stew, being seen in such a miserable state by Zhong Jinliu, a fellow true inheritor from the Five Sects, was worse than death!
"Fairy Su is..."
Zhong Jinliu’s gaze turned enigmatic, looking at Su Qingdai who wished to shrink into the ground, then at the calm Zhiwei and her companions, he tentatively asked:
"Could it be that Medicine King Valley has secretly formed an alliance with Lingyin Sect?"
News within the grotto heaven has its limitations.
And the incident of Zhiwei capturing Su Qingdai a few days ago was still little known inside the grotto heaven.
Zhiwei remained composed: "Just traveling together temporarily..."
"Yes, yes..." Su Qingdai felt relieved as Zhiwei did not expose her, and she quickly echoed.
"If that’s the case, why not join forces with us? With me and the fellow Taoists from Formless Ghost Collection here, along with your quartet’s combat strength, within this grotto heaven, we can walk unimpeded, even if the hidden forces are cunning, they will not dare to provoke us."
Zhong Jinliu earnestly looked at Zhiwei, offering an olive branch.
This was clearly a highly tempting proposal. If everyone huddles together, naturally, they wouldn’t fear being ambushed.
Even the injured Senior Brother Bai looked at Zhiwei with anticipation.
Over the past month, he had been constantly anxious, deeply understanding that sticking together was the best guarantee for survival in the depths of the grotto heaven.
Zhiwei simply shook her head calmly:
"Thank you for your kind offer, Senior Brother Zhong, but our journey has a clear goal, so we won’t be traveling with you. Hmm, perhaps Senior Brother Bai could join you."
Her master taught her to speak cautiously and never make alliances in front of interests.
Despite Zhong Jinliu’s words clearly expressing his dissatisfaction with Huayue Mansion, she was unwilling to let her guard down.
A trace of surprise flashed in Zhong Jinliu’s eyes.
He thought that by throwing out pressure from external threats, these three young girls, along with Su Qingdai, would join in, but unexpectedly, they refused so decisively.
But he was also a sensible person, and he laughed freely:
"Since Junior Sister Lu has other plans, Zhong won’t make things difficult. Given that Taoist Friend Bai is injured, if you don’t mind, you could join us, it would be good to have someone looking out."
Senior Brother Bai nodded in agreement repeatedly. Having lost contact with his sect companions, following this group whose origins were mixed but strength was formidable, was much better than fighting alone.
"Then let’s part ways here, wishing you three junior sisters to turn misfortune into good fortune and be full of opportunities." Zhong Jinliu courteously said farewell.
"Big Fat Sheep, hold to the same!"
The little girl waved her pale tiny fist, loudly blessing him,
"Make sure to fill your Storage Bag to the brim!"
"..."
Was this a blessing?
Zhong Jinliu was somewhat uncertain, but probably it was.
Such an... interesting little girl.