331: Chapter 331 Testing

Two days later, while gathering herbs in the back mountain, Ling Ye "accidentally" discovered Jiang Li's hiding place.

It was an inconspicuous rock crevice, hidden by dense vines; had it not been for a few broken blades of grass on the ground in front of the crevice, no one would have noticed it at all.

He did not approach, instead crouching down about ten steps away, pretending to identify a herb. He stayed for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, then stood up and left.

He left something near the rock crevice—a small portion of dry rations wrapped in oil paper and a small bottle of fresh water.

He did not leave any notes or marks, simply placing the items on a relatively flat stone, covering them with a leaf, and walking away without looking back.

When he went to check the next day, the oil paper and the bottle were gone.

The leaf on the stone had been blown away by the wind, but the oil paper and bottle had indeed vanished, leaving no trace behind.

Ling Ye did not linger, continuing up the mountain path as if he were merely passing by.

On the third day, he went down that path again.

This time, he did not bring dry rations and water, but a roll of clean linen bandages and a small bottle of hemostatic ointment he had made by gathering and crushing herbs from the mountain.

He placed the items on the same stone, covered them with a larger leaf, and left.

He did not look back to see if Jiang Li would take them, but he knew in his heart—a person in a desperate situation would not refuse resources that could keep him alive.

On the fourth day, he went to the back mountain to practice as usual.

This was one of the daily tasks he set for himself—after the collective practice in the afternoon, he would go alone to a secluded spot in the back mountain to put in an extra hour of stance training and basic fist techniques.

On one hand, it was because the environment at the Outer Sect Disciple Martial Arts Arena was too noisy and unconducive to focus; on the other hand, it was to familiarize himself with the terrain of the back mountain, preparing for potential future needs.

After finishing his stance training and preparing to practice a set of basic fist techniques, a hoarse voice came from behind him: "Who are you?"

Ling Ye did not turn around immediately. He slowly withdrew his stance, adjusted his breathing, and only then turned around.

Jiang Li stood about five steps away, leaning against a tree trunk. His posture seemed casual, but Ling Ye could see that his body was in a state of alert, ready to strike or retreat at any moment.

His face was still pale, but it had improved significantly since he had escaped from the dungeon four days ago.

Wrapped around his left arm was the clean linen bandage, the very one Ling Ye had left yesterday.

"My name is Ling Ye, an Outer Sect Disciple," Ling Ye answered calmly, without showing any surprise or defensiveness. "Is your injury any better?"

Jiang Li did not answer the question. His gaze was like a cold blade, scanning Ling Ye up and down as if trying to find some flaw or disguise on him. "You know who I am."

"I do," Ling Ye said. "The night you escaped from the dungeon, I saw you."

Jiang Li's eyes became even sharper: "You didn't report me."

"I did not."

"Why?"

Ling Ye was silent for a moment, then said: "Because I also have secrets I do not want others to know."

This answer was clearly unexpected to Jiang Li. He stared at Ling Ye for several breaths, seemingly judging the truth of the statement.

Ultimately, he did not pursue the matter, instead changing the question: "What reward do you want for the food and medicine you sent me?"

"I haven't thought of one yet," Ling Ye said frankly. "But I have a habit—whenever it is within my power, I offer help first, and discuss the reward later. That way, when I need help in the future, it will be easier to ask."

Jiang Li was silent for a long time. The wind blew through the treetops, causing the leaves to rustle.

A few bird calls came from the distance, making the silence in the woods feel even deeper.

"You are an interesting person," Jiang Li finally said, his tone neither praising nor disparaging. "But I advise you not to invest too much in me."

"The people from the Blood Clothes Pavilion will not give up; they will find this place sooner or later. When that happens, anyone connected to me will not meet a good end."

"I know," Ling Ye said. "But I also have my own judgment."

Jiang Li did not speak again. He took a long, deep look at Ling Ye, then turned and dragged his still-stiff left leg as he disappeared into the shadows of the dense forest.

Ling Ye stood in place, watching his back fade away, then resumed his stance and continued practicing that set of basic fist techniques.

His movements were steady and fluid, as if the conversation that just occurred had never happened.

He did not expect to win Jiang Li's trust after a single encounter.

A person who could escape the pursuit of the Blood Clothes Pavilion and break out of the Qingyun Sect dungeon would never open up to The Stranger just because of a few rations and a roll of bandages.

But this was a start. He had already planted a seed in Jiang Li's heart—a seed of "this person might be trustworthy."

As for whether this seed could take root and sprout, only time would tell.

He was not in a rush. He had plenty of patience.