Although Hall Master Cao didn’t believe a word she said, he couldn’t act recklessly due to Lu Yaoyao’s identity. “Miss Lu, please don’t misunderstand. We have no intention of taking your treasure. We’re just curious about what it is and would like to broaden our horizons, especially after coming all this way,” he said, doing his best to sound friendly.
Lu Yaoyao turned her head, as if only now noticing the other group. She tilted her head in confusion and asked, “Senior Brother, who are they?”
Yan Zihui replied, “This is Hall Master Cao from the Wentian Sect.”
Lu Yaoyao nodded in realization and then apologized, “Oh, so it’s Hall Master Cao. Please pardon for my rudeness.” Then, with a serious expression, she added, “Hall Master Cao, there’s no treasure down there—just a big monster. If it weren’t for the offensive artifacts my father gave me, I might not have made it out alive.” She looked ashamed. “I feel like I’ve really let my father down. But those artifacts were so powerful that even a Nascent Soul-stage monster was turned to dust with just one hit. Otherwise, its skin, fur, and claws could have been used for refining weapons.”
Lu Yaoyao sighed with genuine regret.
Wen Zixing chimed in dramatically, “That really is such a pity!”
“Martial Niece, your help in eliminating this potential threat is something the entire Tianyan Sect is deeply grateful for. Our sect’s abilities are limited, and without the righteous assistance of all of you, the people of Yanhuo Town would have lived in constant fear and anxiety.” Filled with gratitude and relief, Bu Biekuang led the sect’s members in bowing deeply in thanks.
Lu Yaoyao’s cheeks flushed, and she quickly waved her hands, saying, “Sect Leader Bu, you’re too polite. This is a duty that we cannot shirk.” Then she added sincerely, “I didn’t expect Hall Master Cao to be so concerned about the matters in Yanshan volcano. Truly an exemplary figure—we younger generations have much to admire.”
Wen Zixing, feigning concern, urged, “Yaoyao, your injuries haven’t fully healed yet. It’s not safe to stay here for long. Let’s return to town.”
Bu Biekuang quickly agreed, “Indeed, indeed! Martial Niece, you should descend the mountain as soon as possible and focus on recovering.”
Lu Yaoyao leaned her body weakly, whispering softly, “I’m fine, I can manage. If you all have matters to discuss, don’t worry about me. I can hold on for a bit longer.”
Yan Zihui, feeling immensely satisfied as he finally got to carry this little dumpling, enjoyed the soft and fragrant bundle in his arms. However, he maintained a disapproving tone, saying, “Yaoyao, you’re kind and always thinking of others, but the elders would never make things difficult for us juniors. If it delays your recovery, wouldn’t that put the elders in a difficult position?”
Hearing this, Lu Yaoyao’s face was instantly filled with guilt, “I was wrong.”
Yan Zihui then turned to Hall Master Cao and his group, nodding politely. “We juniors will take our leave now. See you later.” With that, he turned and began walking away, with the other three quickly following suit.
On Hall Master Cao’s side, the Wentian Sect disciples and the members of affiliated clans exchanged uneasy glances, falling into a silent dilemma.
After a long pause, one disciple cautiously asked, “Excuse me, Master, but shouldn’t we follow them…?”
Hall Master Cao’s face alternated between shades of red and white before he let out a cold snort and swept away with a wave of his sleeve, leaving in frustration.
Follow them? Follow them for what? Those brats made it clear they had strong backing and even claimed there was no treasure down below. What could he do? Even if he wanted to seize something by force, he had to consider whether he had the strength to do so!
He was merely a hall master of the Wentian Sect. While he could rely on his position to be rude to Yan Zihui, he couldn’t afford to offend Lu Yaoyao.
After all, even his sect leader would have to be cautious around her—how could he possibly provoke her?
Not to mention—
Hall Master Cao squinted slightly. The core of Yanhuo mountain was full of dangerous magma, where even he couldn’t stay for long, and yet that little girl had been in for an extended period. It seemed she had entered before he even arrived, which only meant she carried a lot of precious defensive items on her person.
Of course, as the daughter of Dao Venerable, how could she not have anything of value?
While he was tempted by the treasures Lu Yaoyao might have, he was also increasingly wary. Those old fogies generally had similar traits when it came to their descendants: fiercely protective. Even the good-for-nothing young master of his own sect had plenty of life-saving items that he dared not challenge. No matter what was down there, be it a treasure or something else, if it ended up in Lu Yaoyao’s possession, no one could force her to give it up.
Seething with frustration, Hall Master Cao left, followed closely by the Wentian Sect disciples. The remaining group exchanged a few glances before silently dispersing as well.
…
Lu Yaoyao’s group made their way down the mountain at the fastest speed. After walking a short distance, Wen Zixing kept glancing back. “Are they following us?”
Yan Zihui swept his spiritual sense behind them and smiled, “No, they’re not.”
Lu Yaoyao, who had been quietly sitting in Yan Zihui’s arms, quickly patted his shoulder. “Senior Brother, I can walk on my own.”
“No, you can’t. What if they suddenly attack us?” Yan Zihui replied with full seriousness. He gently patted the back of Lu Yaoyao’s head and said in a kind tone, “Be good, Yaoyao. Don’t worry; carrying you isn’t tiring at all.”
“…” But she wasn’t a little kid anymore! She had a strong suspicion that Senior Brother Zihui had been wanting to do this for a while!
However, Yan Zihui, who had finally gotten the chance to carry this soft little dumpling, had no intention of letting her go so soon. In the end, Lu Yaoyao had to endure the shame as she was carried all the way down the mountain.
They didn’t stop along the way, and more disciples from the Tianyan Sect joined them as they went. Now that the trouble happening at the core had been resolved, the Tianyan Sect disciples also needed to retreat. With Wentian’s group and their lackeys still at Yanhuo Mountain, and considering the recent conflict, they had to leave early to avoid becoming targets for retaliation.
The large group soon arrived back at Yanhuo Town. Lu Yaoyao and her group returned to the guest courtyard where they were staying. Bu Biekuang tactfully led his disciples away, giving them space to talk. Yan Zihui set up a barrier around the courtyard to ensure no one could eavesdrop, then nodded to his junior brothers and sisters.
Wen Zixing, who had been holding back his curiosity, couldn’t wait any longer and blurted out, “So? Did you find anything?” He was extremely excited. Lu Yaoyao’s expression and tone when she had just jumped out earlier had made it clear that she had found something valuable. But with outsiders present, they had wisely kept quiet. As long as they don’t speak a word, no one would know what good stuff she obtained in the core!
Lu Yaoyao, brimming with excitement, jumped onto the table, “I found so many good things! I picked lots of Hehe Spark Blossoms! And there were tons of Fire Crystals inside!” With a wave of her small hand, several long boxes filled with spark blossoms appeared, stacked taller than a person.
“Wow!”
With another wave, a small mountain of Fire Crystals, emitting a captivating glow, appeared.
“Oh!”
With one more wave, a pile of assorted items formed another small mountain.
“Wow!”
Wen Zixing marveled at the orange-red Fire Crystals, “Such purity, such color! These are top-grade!”
“What’s this? Meteoric iron?” Du Qianshan pulled out a rough, gray, uneven chunk of metal from the pile of assorted items.
Chao Muxue gave a thumbs-up, “Impressive!”
Lu Yaoyao proudly lifted her small chin, hands behind her back, basking in their admiration. “I also found several Fire Crystal veins—one for each of us!”
“And I managed to tame something really powerful!” She added with an air of mystery.
Wen Zixing and Du Qianshan asked in unison, “What is it?”
Lu Yaoyao reached into the air, and under the tense and expectant gazes of her friends, she slowly opened her hand.
In her palm, a faint, tiny shadowy figure gradually began to appear.
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