"How can this be the same? They say this time the Twin Fruit is a mutated one, with double the potency of an ordinary Twin Fruit, and word is there's more than just the Twin Fruit in these deep mountains." The honest young man deliberately kept them in suspense, not finishing his sentence.
He had wanted to see them curious and anxious, but to his surprise, the group showed no interest in anything else—only the Twin Fruit seemed to stir their emotions.
Twin Fruit, here I come. You're destined to be mine alone.
Ye Linshan exuded a bold confidence. Though she was now disguised as a frail scholar, she still refused to let anyone underestimate her.
Ye Yutian naturally knew how obsessed Ye Linshan was with the Twin Fruit. He tightly gripped her hand and whispered, "Don't worry, I'll help you."
"As I recall, you need the Twin Fruit too, don't you?" Ye Linshan glanced at him sideways, a hint of sarcasm on her lips.
"Since I already have one in hand, I won't seek another."
"Best if that's the case, or don't blame me for turning on you." Ye Linshan gave him a light look and pulled her hand free.
"Heh, you're welcome to try anytime." Ye Yutian let out a soft laugh, indulging her endlessly.
If anyone else had treated him like this, they'd have been torn to pieces long ago. But she was the only one who could leave him helpless, unable to even muster anger, always anxious that she might abandon him or fall for someone else.
"You two..." The young man's gaze turned strange as he looked at them. After holding it in for a while, he couldn't help but whisper, "You're not... into men, are you?"
"Young man, I think you've misunderstood. I'm as straight as they come—how could I possibly be into men?" Ye Linshan said, turning back to glare at him.
If she hadn't glared, it might have been fine, but that look was like a spring breeze, almost coquettish, making hearts flutter. It only cemented his suspicion of her being gay.
The young man wore an expression that said, "No need to explain, I get it," leaving Ye Linshan genuinely frustrated.
Could this be karma? Ye Linshan somewhat regretted her earlier remarks about Ye Yutian and Yue Shu being gay.
Ye Yutian seemed in much better spirits, his smile as warm as a spring breeze, no longer cold and intimidating.
Yue Shu's eyes dimmed for a moment, but quickly returned to normal. He coughed lightly, as if reminding Ye Linshan of his presence.
Ye Linshan turned back and took his pulse again. Though still weak, he was much better than before. Indeed, the pills made from white-flowered snake tongue grass could suppress the poison. Once I can refine a divine pill, I'll be able to completely purge the poison from his body.
But this white-flowered snake tongue grass isn't all that common. The pills I've made from it are almost gone. I'll need to find a way to get more—hopefully, it grows in the Sunset Mountains.
After all, a vast place like the Sunset Mountains must have some. I just don't know how many unknown dangers are hidden within. According to Shangguan Xin, the Sunset Mountains are rife with perils, not just his Misty Forest or Huo Feiyan's lava caves.
Speaking of lava caves, Ye Linshan began to worry about Qing Dai's group. Before, no one dared to enter the Sunset Mountains, so they wouldn't be disturbed. But now, because of the Twin Fruit, everyone was streaming in, and it was inevitable someone might find them.
Thinking this, Ye Linshan couldn't care about anything else. She quickened her pace to enter the Sunset Mountains, but as luck would have it, someone came to pick a fight. Yes, indeed, someone was looking for trouble.
It was Xiao Nishang, a disciple of the Spirit Sect who had always been at odds with Liu Jing. Fortunately for Xiao Nishang, she hadn't been apprenticed to a master who stirred up trouble everywhere, so she wasn't as battered as Liu Jing.
But she also wasn't as dazzling as Liu Jing. Why? Why, after all my effort, am I still overshadowed by you? Resentment spread in her heart, slowly turning into jealousy.
"So, our esteemed Senior Sister Liu has learned to shirk her duties? What do you think the Sect Leader would think if he found out you were neglecting your responsibilities to go gallivanting? Would he kick you out of the sect?" Xiao Nishang leaned in with a sweet smile, whispering in her ear, unable to hide the venom in her eyes.
"Let me tell you, no matter what, I'm still the heir to an elder. What I do is none of your business. Just mind yourself." Liu Jing shot a sharp glare at Xiao Nishang, making her scalp tingle.
But Xiao Nishang wasn't one to be easily cowed. After all, rising from a lowly disciple to a leader in the Spirit Sect meant she wasn't weak.
"Senior Sister, I was just offering a reminder. Why are you so harsh with me?" Xiao Nishang put on a pitiful look, on the verge of tears, so楚楚可怜 that men couldn't help but feel protective.
Sure enough, many men shot hostile glances at Liu Jing.
"Miss, I think you've misunderstood. My friend was just saying she knows her limits and doesn't want you to trouble yourself over her." Ye Linshan fanned herself, having just witnessed a classic "green tea" act. Indeed, such types were everywhere.
"I, I..." Xiao Nishang's face flushed red, tears streaming down in big drops, looking utterly wronged.
"Is it really appropriate for a grown man to bully a young woman like this?"
As expected, someone quickly came to her defense.
"I'm not bullying her. I'm just stating facts. How is that bullying?" Ye Linshan blinked innocently. Come to think of it, she hadn't really said anything.
Xiao Nishang wiped the tears from her eyes, hiding the malice beneath her sleeve. The next second, she said with reddened eyes, "Senior Sister, why don't you come with us? If the Sect Leader finds out you lingered outside after completing your mission, I can put in a good word for you."
"I don't need your fake kindness. I'd be grateful enough if you didn't try to harm me." Liu Jing snorted coldly, her tone equally harsh.
"Senior Sister, I'm only trying to help you." Xiao Nishang's pitiful demeanor contrasted sharply with Liu Jing's cold pride, making it seem like Liu Jing was the one bullying her.
"Sister Xiao, if she doesn't appreciate it, forget it. We don't have to beg her to come with us. She'll be the one punished, not us." The other Spirit Sect disciples glared at Liu Jing with hostility, barely restraining themselves from starting a fight.
"Your social skills are terrible." Ye Linshan shook her head. These two weren't even on the same level.
"How can you say that? She's still our senior sister. Even if her master did something outrageous, it's not her fault. Since her situation is already tough, we should help if we can."
Xiao Nishang deliberately brought up her master, and sure enough, many Spirit Sect disciples looked at Liu Jing with disgust, as if she were something filthy.