55: You are all my wings

Seeing Zhao Qingge's indifferent expression, Lu Ming's hanging heart settled back down.

After all, if the sky falls, there will be taller people to hold it up.

He was just a small, new cultivator in the Third Realm, so why bother worrying himself sick?

"Damn it, why are all these evil cultivators so poor!"

Lu Ming rummaged through several storage bags, finding nothing but worthless junk.

"Haowen, Yaowen, take these and split them. They're useless to me."

Lu Ming casually tossed them to his two old subordinates.

Regardless, these two had tried to help him maintain his reputation, so he should show some appreciation.

Otherwise, if the word got out, those transcendent beings from other places might think he couldn't afford it.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with them, he and Zhao Qingge departed.

But just after Lu Ming and the others left...

Li Yan and the others, who had been hiding in the shadows, emerged.

Looking at the ruined factory, his face became incredibly gloomy: "Lu Ming! It's that Lu Ming again!"

Then, he turned to a young child beside him and asked, "Now that the Water-Repelling Pearl is gone and the Drought Demon has been destroyed, Old Yu, what do you suggest we do?"

Old Yu, as he called him, looked about seven or eight years old, with a tender face that belied a maturity beyond his years, and eyes as clear and deep as an old well.

"No more fun," his voice was as childish as his appearance, his gaze drifting towards the Jiangyin River, "Zhao Qingge, that little girl, actually entered the Fifth Realm so quickly. And besides, there's that old man; it's hard to say if he's truly crippled."

Li Yan's expression suddenly changed: "Didn't that scoundrel get completely crippled after his earth-shattering battle with the King-levelalien race?"

"Crippled?" Old Yu suddenly chuckled, his laughter full of mockery. "You underestimate that old man too much. Someone who forged a great path by relying on a one-star basic sword technique—do you really think he'd be so easily crippled?"

He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly: "Since sneaking around isn't working, then let's make a fuss. The bigger the better!"

Li Yan's eyes lit up: "You mean..."

"Go, spread the news. Let everyone make a fuss!" Old Yu raised his chin, pointing in the direction of the Jiangyin River. "Becoming an immortal! I refuse to believe that those old folks in the Night Watch Division aren't tempted at all."

"Brilliant, Old Yu! As long as we make a huge commotion, the Night Watch Division might not be able to suppress it in the end and will have to help us divert the river! And we only need to fish in troubled waters. Since only we have the map of the entire Thousand Caves, we can naturally find that stone coffin a step ahead of them!"

Old Yu smiled noncommittally: "That Lu Ming, however, is a bit strange. Find an opportunity to test him. If he's also a Reincarnator, bring him into our faction."

A hint of ruthlessness flashed in Li Yan's eyes. He cupped his hands and replied, "Understood! That kid has repeatedly ruined our plans. Whether he's a Reincarnator or not, if we can't win him over, then we'll eliminate him quickly!"

...In the living room of the Zhao family villa.

Four women and one man were gathered together.

Zhao Qingge sat in the center of the sofa, her gaze sweeping over Xu Youyou and Xu Lulu, the well-behaved Twin Sisters, finally resting on Lu Ming.

Compared to the stone coffin at the bottom of the Jiangyin River, she was more worried about Lu Ming running away now.

This kid's growth was truly too fast.

Just a few days ago, he was only in the late Second Realm, and today he effortlessly trampled a Fourth Realm old ghost underfoot.

At this rate, wouldn't she also soon be left behind by him?

Zhao Qingge had seen many talented youths, but she had never seen anyone as outrageous as Lu Ming. The barriers of cultivation were as fragile as paper in front of him.

A Third Realm cultivator killing a Fourth Realm one was unheard of.

She even once suspected that there might have been a mistake when Lu Ming underwent his talent test back then.

Otherwise, how could someone with Mining Expertise as his talent crush opponents in combat all the way?

With her seven-star talent, she could only barely contend with a Fourth Realm cultivator after reaching the Ninth Stage of Qi Circulation.

But Lu Ming was only at the Fifth Stage of Qi Circulation now!

This child must not be allowed to benefit other women!

Therefore, no matter what, they had to settle Lier's marriage first.

Zhao Qingge's gaze lingered on Lu Ming's face for a moment, then fell on Zhao Li, who was sitting beside him with a stern, pretty face.

Seeing her gaze always intentionally or unintentionally falling on Lu Ming, Zhao Qingge sighed helplessly, pressing a hand to her forehead.

"There's no hope! Could this kid be a succubus? How could a dignified, aloof older sister become like this?"

"Lier," Zhao Qingge suddenly spoke, her voice deliberately softened and gentle, "you've known Lu Ming for a while now, haven't you? What do you think of him?"

As soon as these words came out, the living room instantly fell silent.

Lu Ming was stunned.

Although the Twin Sisters had suggested teaming up with him again...

But you're just going straight for it? Without any buffer?

Zhao Li seemed to have been struck by a paralysis spell; her entire body stiffened, and the color drained from her face, turning somewhat pale.

She first looked at Xu Youyou and Xu Lulu in a panic.

Coveting a best friend's husband, by the rules, would mean being drowned in a pig cage.

However, the Twin Sisters showed no anger on their faces; instead, they were smiling playfully, their eyes full of teasing.

Her heart instantly skipped a beat.

No wonder Lulu, that little Lich King, had been constantly imparting various team basketball knowledge to her recently—it was all premeditated!

Immediately, a blush rapidly spread from her neck up to her cheeks, like a ripe apple.

But she still maintained her cool, pretty face, trying her best to appear calm.

She glanced at Lu Ming, then nodded seriously: "He's very good... I like him a lot!"

Lu Ming's heart suddenly jumped again.

Something was wrong, twelve parts out of ten were wrong.

Did you all secretly conspire behind my back?

The Twin Sisters and Zhao Qingge exchanged glances, covering their mouths to stifle giggles.

Zhao Qingge gave the two young girls a grateful look.

No wonder Lu Ming, this kid, still doted on them after becoming successful; they were truly too sensible.

When she first approached them and expressed her intentions, they didn't show much resistance; instead, they actively tried to help her bring the two of them together.

This kid was truly lucky!

Zhao Qingge picked up her teacup and took a sip of Longjing tea, unable to hide the smile in the corners of her eyes.

She knew this girl couldn't keep a secret. She usually acted colder than anyone, but her little schemes had long been seen through by Zhao Qingge.

"Since Lier has spoken her mind, Lu Ming, don't pretend not to understand." She put down the teacup, the porcelain cup clinking crisply against the table. "I know you have a family, but having more people to rely on is never a bad thing."

"You know Lier's personality; she's not the clingy type. Since she said she likes you, she will never cause you trouble. In the future, if you encounter any difficulties, my Zhao family will be your backing, and Lier... will naturally stand by your side."

"That's right, that's right, husband, my sister and I also like Sister Li very much." Xu Lulu also nodded frantically.

Lu Ming smiled speechlessly, looking at the three women who were so eagerly trying to set him up with Zhao Li.

No, do they all think I'm some kind of upright gentleman?

"I do indeed like Sister Li very much," Lu Ming's gaze first fell on Zhao Li, then swept over the identical pretty faces of Xu Youyou and Xu Lulu, finally resting on Zhao Qingge's eyes, the corners of his mouth curving slightly upward:

"But you... are all my wings!"

Zhao Qingge's hand, holding the teacup, froze in mid-air, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

What did this kid mean?

Who were his wings?

Zhao Qingge's heart pounded fiercely, and she shot him an angry glare with her beautiful eyes.

"Scoundrel!"

...