227: Innocent heart

What a small world! No one expected them to meet here.

Xu Sanyan tilted his head, his gaze falling on the tall young woman beside Zuoqiu Shu, especially her long legs, which were most eye-catching. Paired with the black long boots she wore, they appeared even more slender and straight.

He liked this one too.

The Huai Lake Seven Heroes truly were more beautiful than the last.

Zuoqiu Chen met Xu Sanyan's gaze without flinching, her brows filled with indignation. "You are Xu Sanyan? That Demon Sect Saint?"

Zuoqiu Shu secretly pinched her, signaling her to shut up, then turned with a smile, bowing slightly. "Greetings, Saint. My Junior Sister is straightforward by nature; please forgive her, Saint."

"Hmm, are you also going there?" Xu Sanyan pointed to the pavilion in the distance.

"Yes," Zuoqiu Shu nodded. "To see if there's a chance to return to Moyang City."

"Then it's perfect; we can travel together."

Xu Sanyan didn't care whether they were willing or not and strode forward.

"Hmph..."

Zuoqiu Chen's expression was displeased, but she said no more. She pulled Zuoqiu Hui and whispered behind her, occasionally pointing. Given her beauty, Xu Sanyan didn't bother to fuss too much.

"Is the Saint also returning?" Zuoqiu Shu followed beside him, a step behind, and asked.

"No, I have other matters."

Xu Sanyan glanced sideways, and although a smile hung on his lips, Zuoqiu Shu felt no warmth, only a certain coldness.

The group of six hurried towards their destination, encountering many people along the way—some of Xu Sanyan's own subordinates, some Zuoqiu Clan members, and even people from the Qi Dao Sect and Siyuan Sect.

Zuoqiu Hui looked back at the four people following them, feeling a little awkward.

Among those four, three were Disciples of the Qidao Sect of Yong Mountain, and the remaining one was a member of the Siyuan Sect. Yet, they were following behind Xu Sanyan, which looked somewhat out of place.

She, of course, didn't know that this was all thanks to the Demonic Seed.

Whenever he encountered a Disciple not of his lineage and with Foundation Establishment cultivation, Xu Sanyan would imprint a Demonic Seed, saving them to exchange for Soul Crystals at the old ghost's exchange.

As his cultivation improved, the number of Demonic Seeds also increased from the initial five to around ten now.

But he had already planted three: one on his maid Meng Zhuer, one on Xiang Tan, and one on Junior Sister Zhao.

Although Junior Sister Zhao had already signed and sealed, going to prison to eat 'public food,' she was not yet dead, so the Demonic Seed had not dissipated.

Surprisingly, the Demonic Seed on Xiang Tan also hadn't dissipated, proving that she was still alive.

Adding the four behind him, that made a total of seven.

Suddenly, a surprised voice sounded from the side, "Xu Sanyan?"

Xu Sanyan turned his head, smiling as he greeted, "Brother Fang, Brother Luo, what a coincidence."

It was Fang Qingge and Luo Changtian, with many people following behind them.

"Indeed, what a coincidence, I didn't expect you to be here," Fang Qingge's expression was calm, showing no animosity. He then shifted his gaze to Zuoqiu Shu.

"Greetings, Fairies."

Seeing the Zuoqiu Clan walking with the Demon Sect, Fang Qingge didn't say much. This was their choice, and the Zuoqiu Clan would bear the consequences themselves; it had nothing to do with him.

It was just that...

"Junior Brother Liu, what are you doing there?"

Fang Qingge frowned slightly, looking at his Junior Brother behind Xu Sanyan.

Luo Changtian also saw his Junior Brother and narrowed his eyes. "Thank you, Brother Xu, for taking care of them along the way."

Then, his tone became a little sterner, "Hurry up and come over!"

Xu Sanyan's smile grew wider, and he tilted his head and spoke, "Go on, your Senior Brother is calling."

The four's eyes were somewhat hollow as they quickly walked towards their Senior Brothers.

Fang Qingge looked at the four's expressions, feeling a little strange, but he didn't investigate further. He cupped his hands slightly and turned to leave.

"Farewell."

Xu Sanyan stared directly at their retreating figures, watching them disappear into the distance.

"Let's go, we should also go take a look."

...

West of the city,

Lin Fan frowned, looking at the shiny thing on Huan Xier's fingertip, feeling uncomfortable in his heart.

"Can you please stop picking your nose? You're a Mystic Path Realm expert, how can you have such a disgusting thing as boogers?"

Huan Xier wiped his hand casually on his clothes, his tone light.

"I saved them up specially, you don't understand. The surprise when you feel a big booger, plus the relief after you pick it out, it's more satisfying than eating an Immortal Pill."

Lin Fan expressed his incomprehension. Who would feel surprised by finding a big booger?

He then shook his head. Why was he arguing with a madman?

At this moment, a weak voice came from Lin Fan's ear; it was the Senior residing in the long sword.

"Leave the city, head south..."

Lin Fan's steps paused. Leave the city?

He didn't doubt the Senior's words, but...

Did the Senior overlook his cultivation level?

In this world full of demons and ghosts, any random one pulled out would have higher cultivation than him. Leaving the city now would be seeking death, wouldn't it?

There was no government control outside the city.

Lin Fan's lips moved, and he whispered, "Senior... I'm only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment."

After a while, a voice came from his ear, "...It's fine, with this old man here, you'll be safe. Go."

Lin Fan's eyes were hesitant. Looking at the Senior's weak, listless appearance, he wondered if he could truly rely on him?

Alas...

Ultimately, he sighed in his heart and turned to walk out of the city.

"You're going the wrong way." Huan Xier pulled his arm.

"You go ahead, I have something else to do." Lin Fan shook his head.

Huan Xier didn't ask further and casually put his arm around Lin Fan's shoulder. "I'll go with you."

"You're not going to ask where I'm going?"

"Wherever we go, we go together. Aren't we friends? Besides, your cultivation is so low, I'm not at ease."

Huan Xier shook his head, and the two tufts of hair on top of his head swayed with him.

Both of them had pure hearts, being the most innocent and kind. After this period of getting along, they had long considered each other friends.

Although Huan Xier was a bit foolish, Lin Fan never looked at him with strange eyes. Instead, he used his limited Soul Crystals to buy steamed buns and share them.

And though Huan Xier was foolish, he understood who treated him genuinely well and never disdained Lin Fan's low cultivation, treating him equally.

They were honest with each other, their feelings sincere, without any ulterior motives. Though they had known each other for a short time, they felt like old friends at first sight.

Lin Fan pursed his lips, feeling very touched in his heart, but after thinking about it, he still shook his head and refused, "I need to leave the city. The situation outside the city is unknown and too dangerous. You'd better not follow."

"Let him go." The old man's voice came from Lin Fan's ear again.

Lin Fan paused, and a bad premonition suddenly surged in his heart.

Though he was young, he wasn't foolish. The Senior remaining in the black sword had indeed helped him a lot, but...

His intentions were not pure.

Although this Senior had not made any moves to harm him, he could still feel that ghostly intent.

This vague feeling was hard to describe.

It was just that he had received too many favors from him. With his character, he couldn't do ungrateful things. Even if the Senior's request was difficult for him, he couldn't bear to refuse.

But no matter what, he didn't want to implicate his friend.