Only after the figures of the Wenjian Sect members completely disappeared did Luo Qingyu turn her head to look at the three onlookers behind her. Her brows arched slightly. “Have you watched enough of the show? Do you want me to get you some more melon seeds to spice things up?”
Duan Hengdao quickly chimed in, “Yes, please! That would be great!”
Mu Zhongxi immediately reached out to cover his mouth, saying with a sheepish grin, “No need, Fourth Senior Brother. We didn't see a thing.”
Cradling the treasure-hunting beast in her arms, Ye Qiao asked, “Fourth Senior Brother, did you form a contract with the treasure-hunting beast?”
Luo Qingyu blinked and smiled. “Yes, I did. It had run off, and I didn't expect to find you guys here while looking for it.”
Then, Luo Qingyu's gaze fell upon Duan Hengdao, and she asked, “This must be the Personal Disciple of the Chengfeng Sect, right?”
Mu Zhongxi quickly chimed in, “Yes, exactly, Fourth Senior Brother! His name is Duan Hengdao. The three of us are practically the Three Musketeers of this secret realm!”
Hearing this title, Ye Qiao covered her face in speechless embarrassment.
Luo Qingyu's lips twitched slightly, and she managed to comment, “Well, that's quite a unique name.”
Duan Hengdao quickly stepped forward, his expression filled with excitement as he gazed at Luo Qingyu. “Senior Brother Luo, I've always admired you so much!”
“I heard that the storage ring in Cloud City worth fifty thousand top-grade spirit stones was crafted by you. That is absolutely incredible!”
Luo Qingyu's earlobes flushed slightly. She gave a soft, gentle smile, her tone humble. “It was just a little trinket I made on a whim. It's not worth mentioning.”
His eyes full of admiration, Duan Hengdao shook his head repeatedly. “How could that be a little trinket? In the entire cultivation world, you're the only artifact cultivator who can craft such an exquisite, high-grade storage ring. Senior Brother Luo, you are far too modest!”
Hearing this, Mu Zhongxi suddenly felt a strong sense of crisis. He immediately stepped forward to block Luo Qingyu, placing his hands on his hips as he grumbled defensively.
“Hey! Why are you calling him so intimately? He's not your senior brother. He's our Changming Sect's Fourth Senior Brother!”
Duan Hengdao waved his hand dismissively, looking perfectly nonchalant. “Even though we aren't from the same sect, Senior Brother Luo and I are both artifact cultivators.”
“His attainment in artifact crafting is far superior to mine. Is it wrong for me to call him Senior Brother Luo?”
Mu Zhongxi was taken aback. His brain struggled to process the logic, but upon closer thought, he actually found it somewhat reasonable. For a moment, he was left speechless, completely tongue-tied.
Standing to the side, Ye Qiao held Pikachu and couldn't help but snicker, secretly tugging at Mu Zhongxi's sleeve as she held back her laughter.
Looking at the two of them bickering like elementary school children, Luo Qingyu shook her head helplessly and defused the situation. “Alright, you can call me whatever you like. There's no need to argue over this.”
“The exit to the secret realm opens tomorrow, so we should keep moving. Let's find a safe place to rest while it's still light out.”
...
Two shichen later, the sky gradually darkened.
Luo Qingyu chose a safe clearing rich in spiritual energy. Stopping with the group, she spoke calmly, “Let's rest here.”
As soon as Duan Hengdao sat down, he let out a long sigh, his voice tinged with reluctance. “How did time fly by so quickly? I suddenly don't really want to go back to my sect.”
These past few days of adventuring in the secret realm with Ye Qiao and Mu Zhongxi had been thrilling and exciting. He had even gathered all his crafting materials and watched plenty of drama. It was simply far more fun than staying in his own sect.
He sighed inwardly: I really envy the Changming Sect. Why doesn't our sect have a lively and adorable junior sister like Ye Qiao?
To the side, Ye Qiao pressed her palms together, her face a mix of guilt and relief as she muttered in a low voice, “I hope Elder Zhao doesn't find out we used a Teleportation Talisman to sneak down the mountain.”
Hearing this, Mu Zhongxi chuckled and waved his hand. “Don't worry! With Fourth Senior Brother around, we definitely won't get caught!”
Luo Qingyu shot him a flat look, her tone utterly merciless. “If you get caught by Senior Brother or Elder Zhao, don't expect me to cover for you.”
The moment those words left her mouth, the smile on Mu Zhongxi's face froze, and his composure instantly shattered.
Hearing this with curiosity, Duan Hengdao leaned in and asked, “What sneaking down the mountain? Did you guys sneak out?”
Ye Qiao honestly recounted how she and her Fifth Senior Brother had sneaked out, caused trouble, and ended up confined to the forbidden grounds.
Duan Hengdao was dumbfounded by the tale. He never expected the two of them to be so bold, and he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of respect for Luo Qingyu.
With two such trouble-making junior siblings on her hands, Senior Brother Luo really had it rough on a daily basis.
After she finished speaking, he looked at Luo Qingyu with eyes full of sincere sympathy.
Luo Qingyu chose to ignore his look and spoke calmly, “Do you want to exchange transmission jade slip contacts? If you run into any issues with artifact crafting in the future, we can discuss them.”
Duan Hengdao's eyes lit up instantly. Thrilled, he immediately pulled out his transmission jade slip. “Senior Brother Luo, you are way too nice!”
The two of them lightly tapped their jade slips together, successfully adding each other's contact information.
Duan Hengdao was beaming with joy, utterly delighted. He secretly plotted: Once I return to the sect, I must show off to my senior brothers. I actually managed to add the genius artifact cultivator Luo Qingyu's contact!
...
Early the next morning.
Luo Qingyu turned to look at the three beside her and reminded them, “There are still two shichen left before the secret realm exit closes.”
Slightly worried, Duan Hengdao asked, “Then how should we get out?”
Ye Qiao immediately raised her hand and replied, “I know where the exit is. Just follow me.”
Luo Qingyu shook her head slightly and spoke calmly, “No rush. Let's wait for another half shichen. There might be a good show to watch on the way.”
Full of curiosity, Mu Zhongxi pressed, “A good show? What kind of show?”
Luo Qingyu pressed her index finger to her lips, offering a soft shush. “Quiet now. Just wait.”
...
Half a shichen later.
Luo Qingyu slowly opened her eyes and said softly, “Let's go. Time to watch the show.”
With that, she led the three of them forward at a leisurely pace.
As soon as Ye Qiao looked ahead, she instantly understood. It turned out the “good show” her Fourth Senior Brother mentioned was watching the Wenjian Sect and Yueqing Sect make fools of themselves!
The disciples from smaller sects and loose cultivators trapped inside the barrier grew extremely excited upon seeing the Changming Sect members appear. Treating them like a saving grace, they waved their hands and cried out for help.
Only Ye Qinghan, catching sight of Luo Qingyu standing at the very front of the trio, had a flash of guilt in his eyes. He instinctively looked away, not daring to make eye contact with her.
Luo Qingyu turned her head to look at Ye Qiao, her eyes full of smiles and her tone indulgent. “Go on, Junior Sister. It's time for your performance.”
Ye Qiao raised her hand and tossed out a transmission talisman, directly negotiating through the air with the Yueqing Sect and Wenjian Sect disciples inside the barrier. After settling the terms, she was just about to have everyone sign a written agreement.
But just then, Luo Qingyu suddenly spoke up to stop her. “Junior Sister, there's no need to make the Wenjian Sect pay those one hundred thousand top-grade spirit stones. I'll cover the cost for them.”
The corners of her lips curved into a playful smile. “I think having Ye Qinghan owe me a favor is much more interesting than spirit stones.”
Ye Qiao understood instantly. Her eyes lit up, and she immediately cupped her hands, stepping back obediently. “Understood, God of Wealth! This humble servant shall withdraw!”
Inside the barrier, Song Hansheng grew furious upon hearing the message from the transmission talisman. He harshly questioned Ye Qiao, “On what grounds? Why do the people from the Wenjian Sect get to go without paying spirit stones, and even have someone cover for them?!”
Ye Qiao looked utterly speechless and retorted flatly, “My Fourth Senior Brother is paying for them of his own free will. What does that have to do with you? If you want to die here, I can just leave you all unsaved.”
This retort immediately left Song Hansheng speechless.
Argh! These Changming Sect bastards are going to drive me mad!
To the side, Yunque hung her head, sobbing softly, “Senior Brother, it's all my fault...”
Already extremely irritated, Song Hansheng barked impatiently at her words, “Fool.”
As those two cold words fell, Yunque's eyes reddened, and tears streamed down her face.
Everyone inside the barrier watched in silence. Not a single person stepped forward to speak up for her, because they all wanted to get out.
At this point, Ye Qiao picked up the transmission talisman and called out loudly, “Song Hansheng, pass the transmission talisman to Ye Qinghan. My senior brother has something to say to him.”
Luo Qingyu took the transmission talisman from Ye Qiao. She stepped closer to the barrier and looked through the screen at the stiff-faced Ye Qinghan, teasing him in a raised voice.
“Ice-Face, did you hear that? I paid the one hundred thousand top-grade spirit stones for you. You owe me a massive favor now!”
Ye Qinghan froze on the spot. Looking at the youth outside the barrier who smiled so freely and gently, he hesitated to speak.
His usually cold and indifferent eyes softened slightly, and the tips of his fair ears turned a subtle shade of crimson.
He pursed his lips, suppressing the complex emotions in his heart. His voice was deep and cool as he spoke solemnly, “Thank you.”
Staring at Ye Qinghan's rare bashful look inside the barrier, Luo Qingyu dithered, temporarily dazed by his appearance.
Just then, System 007 popped up in her mind, frantically warning her, [Host! Snap out of it! Snap out of it! If you keep staring, you're going to drool!]
Luo Qingyu instinctively reached up to wipe away nonexistent drool before immediately snapping to her senses. She retorted furiously in her mind, [Are you out of your mind, 007? I was enjoying looking at a handsome guy! Why did you have to interrupt me?]
007 was utterly speechless. [Host, stop swooning! If you delay any longer, the secret realm will completely close!]
Only then did Luo Qingyu fully snap out of it. A flash of embarrassment crossed her face; she had almost forgotten the task at hand.
She immediately turned to look at Ye Qiao behind her and said softly, “Junior Sister, it's up to you now.”
Ye Qiao nodded and immediately set off with Mu Zhongxi and Duan Hengdao, heading straight for the demon beast nest.
The three hit and ran, provoking the demon beasts into a wild pursuit until they ran up to the barrier and stopped.
The enraged demon beasts continuously slammed against the barrier. Soon, the barrier could no longer hold and shattered, causing everyone to instantly scatter.
The moment the barrier shattered, Ye Qiao grabbed Luo Qingyu's sleeve and shouted urgently, “Let's go, Fourth Senior Brother!”
Luo Qingyu nodded and quickly kept pace with them as the group dashed toward the secret realm exit.
Clutching the demon beast he had just captured, Duan Hengdao felt a profound sense of accomplishment. He never expected that an artifact cultivator like him could actually catch a demon beast; telling anyone about this would scare them to death.
Ye Qiao turned to look at Duan Hengdao and spoke seriously, “Let's split these demon beasts fifty-fifty. My Fourth Senior Brother happens to need materials for his usual artifact crafting, so this would be perfect. What do you think?”
Hearing this, Duan Hengdao waved his hands quickly and said magnanimously, “I barely put in any effort the whole time. It's fine if you take all of these materials.”
But Ye Qiao shook her head, insisting, “What is yours must be given to you. We are brothers who have shared a stomach before. Don't be so polite.”
Duan Hengdao's lips twitched. “You really didn't need to say that part.”
To the side, Luo Qingyu turned her head to look at the Wenjian Sect group, and her eyes happened to lock with Ye Qinghan's as he looked back.
Luo Qingyu's lips curved slightly. She silently mouthed: See you at the tournament.
Taking in her mouthed words, Ye Qinghan couldn't help but nod in response.
Standing beside her, Ye Qiao seemed to read the undercurrent between them. She nodded playfully and tugged at Luo Qingyu's sleeve. “Fourth Senior Brother, stop staring. It's time to leave the secret realm.”
Luo Qingyu withdrew her gaze and chuckled. “Alright.”
With that, they stepped out of the secret realm together.
Outside the secret realm.
Duan Hengdao had already taken out his flying magic tool. Looking back at Ye Qiao, he waved with a smile. “Goodbye, Ye Qiao! See you at the Sect Tournament! Remember to show some mercy when the time comes!”
With her eyes curving into crescents, Ye Qiao waved back easily. “We'll see about that when the time comes!”
The moment her voice fell, Mu Zhongxi led over a scarlet bird with slightly balding feathers on its head from who knows where.
He eagerly rushed up to Luo Qingyu, pointing at the scarlet bird as if presenting a treasure. “Fourth Senior Brother, look! This is the trophy we got from entering the secret realm! Let's ride it back to the sect together!”
Without even thinking, Luo Qingyu decisively shook her head and declined. “No thanks. You two can ride it. I'll use my own flying magic tool.”
“As for me... I get bird-sick.”
Mu Zhongxi nodded with a look of regret, then turned to call out to Ye Qiao beside him, “Let's go, Junior Sister!”
Having never experienced flying on a bird before, Ye Qiao was filled with novelty and curiosity. She immediately stepped forward to grab the rope around the scarlet bird's beak and called out crisply, “Giddyap, back to the sect!”
Luo Qingyu boarded her Somersault Cloud and quickly followed behind them. The group slowly flew off in the direction of the Changming Sect.
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