Facing Sun Lingtong’s proposal, Zeng Jide slowly shook his head.
"Inappropriate."
"This time, my act of theft is merely to take some treasures from the River of Oblivion, taking advantage of a moment of vulnerability, a bit opportunistically."
"The Painted Skin Rakshasa, however, is intent on obstructing the path of the Lord of Wangchuan."
"If we help her escape, even just as a cover for ourselves, it’s inappropriate. It’s easy for the Lord of Wangchuan to see us as part of the same group."
"Obstructing his path undoubtedly forms a deadly enmity, and he may never let go throughout his life!"
Zeng Jide transmitted thoughts back with heavy-hearted advice: "Our Bukong Sect is a super sect, although primarily focused on theft, we do not fear offending one prefecture or nation, but significant interests must be observed."
"Simply based on what we gain, how can we afford to form a deadly enmity with the Lord of Wangchuan? It’s too much of a loss, not worthwhile!"
Sun Lingtong thought secretly: "Just as expected."
Zeng Jide’s reaction did not fall outside his prior anticipation.
If he had insisted before, it might have led to parting ways with Zeng Jide by now.
"However..."
"Little Zhuo is the child of destiny brewed by Heaven, the greatest human tribulation for the Lord of Wangchuan."
"Elder Zeng, by helping me this time, you’re helping Little Zhuo. Whether succeed or fail, in the eyes of the Lord of Wangchuan, you are with us!"
Zeng Jide remains oblivious, unwilling to offend the Lord of Wangchuan, yet has already done so!
However, this is not his fault.
Sun Lingtong is merely at the Foundation Establishment level, Zeng Jide would never expect two minor Foundation Establishment cultivators to boldly attempt to obstruct the Lord of Wangchuan’s path.
This is akin to ants provoking an elephant, what difference does it make?
Sun Lingtong frowned, deliberately inconvenienced, saying: "But if we don’t leverage the Painted Skin Rakshasa, how can we escape here?"
Zeng Jide assumed he was worried about his own life, transmitted thoughts, and jokingly scolded: "Kid, are you afraid now? Where was the spirit of recklessness when you knew nothing and ventured into the Crossing of Forgetfulness?"
"I will not assist this Painted Skin Rakshasa."
"This woman is a Demon Cultivator, extremely ruthless, likes to harm innocents and make treasures from their skins. Especially, every time she uses human skin, etc., to create painted skins, she will go to great lengths to torture, letting fear, resentment, etc., deeply seep into the human skin to make the painted skin lifelike."
"I can’t stand her!"
"Speaking of which, Wangchuan Immortal City guides people’s hearts towards goodness and gives Soul Cultivators, Ghost Cultivators a chance to start over, reinvent themselves."
"Compared to Painted Skin Rakshasa, I feel more favorably towards Wangchuan Immortal City."
Bukong Sect is not a Demon Sect but an Evil Sect.
People from the Evil Sect are often both righteous and crooked, generally between the Righteous Path and the Demon Path, unbound by common conventions.
"Go with the flow, go with the flow..." Sun Lingtong reminded himself inwardly, while outwardly feigning comprehension, saying, "Ah, I see. This Demon Cultivator is so ruthless, if we inadvertently rescue her, she may repay kindness with enmity and turn against us first!"
Zeng Jide continued to meditate, comforting, saying: "Rest assured, since I could lead you to sneak in here, I can lead you out!"
"I merely collided with that gold token just now and suffered serious injury."
"After resting, recovering strength, leaving here safely won’t be a problem!"
Sun Lingtong felt curious: "Gold token? What is that?"
Zeng Jide generously explained: "That is one of the National Treasures, using one will mean one less, a consumable. Evidently, we just triggered the setup of the Lord of Wangchuan here, attracting one of these gold tokens to fly."
"The power contained within is considerable, fortunately, no one was controlling it... If the Lord of Wangchuan himself was here and acted personally, I might have been killed by one strike!"
Zeng Jide with lingering fear did not mind exposing his embarrassment in front of juniors.
"Alright, any questions, let’s discuss them when we’re safe outside."
Zeng Jide focused on recuperating.
Sun Lingtong was anxious but helpless, had to "go with the flow", obediently following orders.
Zeng Jide rested for the time of half an incense stick, then slowly opened his eyes.
His injuries had mostly healed.
"Alas, I still used a Transforming Spirit level elixir pill." Zeng Jide is only at Nascent Soul Stage, without a higher-level healing pill, he couldn’t recover this quickly.
During this time, Sun Lingtong’s mind brimming with thoughts.
Several times, he almost couldn’t resist wanting to take action himself, to dismantle the array and release the Painted Skin Rakshasa.
But ultimately, he restrained himself, choosing to believe Buddhist Doctor Meng Yaoyin, who advised him.
Go with the flow!
Zeng Jide stopped meditating, stood up, and once again grabbed Sun Lingtong.
Stealing Technique - Shadow Escape.
The elder and the young once again transformed into a black shadow, slipping out of the Array Space like water, returning to the City Lord’s Mansion.
The City Lord’s Mansion remained well-guarded.
But Zeng Jide had recovered much of his strength, no longer as embarrassed as before.
As he had promised, a moment later, he successfully led Sun Lingtong to leave the City Lord’s Mansion.
They appeared in an alley.
Sun Lingtong no longer pinned his hopes on Zeng Jide: "Perhaps, I need to act alone next. Elder Zeng is no longer the key person for what’s coming."
Zeng Jide naturally did not know Sun Lingtong’s true thoughts, and proudly said: "How about that? Junior, this old man didn’t lie to you, right?"
Sun Lingtong immediately showed a thumbs-up to Zeng Jide, showering him with praise.
Zeng Jide laughed heartily a few times, his eyes flashing with brilliance: "Kid is a bit insincere, praise is superficial, somewhat perfunctory."