301: News of the Azure Rhinoceros Demon King!

Night fell, and the three returned to their respective rooms.

After closing the door and setting up a Restriction, Pei Shuyun looked at Li Shengyuan and asked in a low voice: "Shengyuan, what do you think of this Long Yun? What should we do next?"

Li Shengyuan paced the room, pondering, and said: "Her background is definitely not simple."

"She knows the Sacred Dragon Domain and the situation of the various Demon Kings like the back of her hand. Her words show deep conviction in the Dragon Emperor's authority, and she seems to have significant backing. Plus, her surname is so sensitive... She must be related to the Dragon Emperor!"

He paused, then continued his analysis: "Our goal is to first investigate whether the Demon Cult Leader is colluding with the Dragon Emperor. If not, we will then discuss the matter of an alliance."

"This matter is extremely secretive. If there really is a connection, it must be known only to the core circle around the Dragon Emperor."

"It will be difficult to find out directly from this Long Yun. Even if she knows, she certainly won't leak it easily."

Li Shengyuan paced back and forth in the room, deep in thought.

"But she is an excellent lead. If we can use her to get into contact with the core circle of the Dragon Emperor Palace, or even have a chance to get close to the Dragon Emperor himself, then investigating will be much easier."

Pei Shuyun nodded in agreement: "Then how should we get closer to her? Although she is enthusiastic, she also has her own ideas and principles."

Li Shengyuan's lips curled into a smile: "Precisely because she has ideas, principles, and even a bit of idealistic naivety, she is actually easier to approach."

"She has a good initial impression of us as a 'couple,' thinking we are 'reasonable' but oppressed members of the Human Race. This has already established a basic foundation of sympathy and trust. Moreover, she seems to enjoy this feeling of 'standing up for justice' and 'helping our own kind'."

"Then you mean..." Pei Shuyun was thoughtful.

"Reciprocity, appealing to her interests." A glint flashed in Li Shengyuan's eyes. "She treated us to a meal today, showing her enthusiasm and righteousness."

"Tomorrow, we will find an excuse to invite her back. Firstly, it shows that we are not people who only take advantage of others and that we know how to be grateful."

"Secondly, it creates more opportunities to spend time together in private. Her personality is straightforward, and she has little guard against us as fellow members of the Human Race. This is exactly our opportunity."

He looked at Pei Shuyun: "Shuyun, you should go and invite her tomorrow. Use the excuse of thanking her for today's hospitality and wanting to ask for more advice on precautions in the Green Rhinoceros Demon King's territory. Conversations between women are more likely to seem natural and intimate."

Pei Shuyun understood and nodded: "Okay, I understand."

The next day, Pei Shuyun acted according to the plan.

She knocked on Long Yun's door with a gentle demeanor and extended the invitation.

Long Yun agreed readily, as expected.

The three met again at the small restaurant in the inn's backyard, the atmosphere even more familiar than the day before.

After a few cups of fruit wine, the conversation gradually opened up.

Li Shengyuan timely steered the topic toward the Green Rhinoceros Demon King's territory, feigning concern as he asked about the dangers and which rare medicinal herb production areas were worth noting.

Long Yun was quite talkative. Upon hearing this, she spoke freely, giving a general overview of the dangerous areas and the distribution of local specialties within the Green Rhinoceros Demon King's territory, and even the temperament of several capable subordinates under the Green Rhinoceros Demon King.

By the end, she seemed to feel that Li Shengyuan and his companion were quite compatible with her, so she no longer hid her purpose and lowered her voice:

"I won't hide it from you. I'm going to the Green Rhinoceros territory this time, and it's not just for travel."

"I have received definite news that the old rhinoceros is currently in seclusion deep within its ancestral land, 'Lying Rhinoceros Valley,' attempting to break through to a higher Realm."

"While it is in seclusion, its symbiotic 'thick earth dragon rhinoceros fruit' is reaching maturity, and the guards are relatively weak. I plan to try my luck and see if I can pick one or two."

"thick earth dragon rhinoceros fruit?" Li Shengyuan showed a look of surprise at the right moment. "That is the Green Rhinoceros Demon King's life-bound symbiotic spiritual fruit. It is said to contain a trace of its Bloodline Origin and has miraculous effects for those who Cultivate earth attributes and the Physical Body, but it is also extremely dangerous. Miss Long, you..."

Pei Shuyun also cooperated by covering her mouth and calling out softly, her eyes filled with worry.

Seeing them worried for her, Long Yun smiled instead, her brows filled with confidence: "There is naturally risk, but I have my own preparations and certainty."

"The old rhinoceros's spiritual sense drops to its lowest when it is in seclusion. As long as I am careful to avoid the Restriction it has set up and the patrolling Rhinoceros Demon guards, the chance of success is quite high."

She paused, looked at Li Shengyuan and Pei Shuyun, and a glimmer of light flashed in her eyes: "By the way, aren't you also going to the Green Rhinoceros territory to look for herbs?"

"I remember that the 'gold thread rhinoceros horn flower' you are looking for grows on 'Gold Thread Cliff' on the outskirts of Lying Rhinoceros Valley. Although that place is also part of the Green Rhinoceros Demon King's main sphere of influence, the vigilance is much more relaxed than in the core area."

"If it's on the way, we can travel together and look out for each other. I won't boast about other things, but dealing with ordinary Rhinoceros Demon guards is no problem for me to keep you safe!"

This was exactly the opportunity Li Shengyuan was waiting for!

He didn't expect them to really hit it off so well.

A look of surprise mixed with hesitation immediately appeared on his face: "This... how can this be?"

"Miss Long, you have important matters to attend to. How can we, a couple, drag you down? Besides, that Lying Rhinoceros Valley must be extremely dangerous..."

"Oh, what drag down or not!" Long Yun waved her hand, bold and heroic. "Meeting is fate. You two are righteous people, and I find you agreeable."

"Since we are going the same way, looking out for each other is only right. I will go get my fruit, and you pick your flowers. We can separate once we reach the vicinity of Gold Thread Cliff."

"With me around, at least I can help you avoid most of the trouble, saving you from bumping around like headless flies and increasing the risk for no reason."

Her words were sincere, carrying a sense of responsibility as a protector. Clearly, she viewed Li Shengyuan and Pei Shuyun as fellow members of the Human Race who needed looking after.

Li Shengyuan and Pei Shuyun exchanged a "hesitant" look.

Finally, Li Shengyuan stood up, bowed solemnly to Long Yun, his tone filled with gratitude: "Miss Long is righteous! In that case, we two will shamelessly impose upon you!"

"Everything depends on Miss Long's arrangements. We will definitely be careful and will never cause you any trouble!"

"That's more like it." Long Yun raised her glass happily. "Come, to a smooth journey for us, may we each get what we need. Cheers!"

The three raised their glasses to celebrate.

Li Shengyuan laughed to himself. Having the experience of going on a dungeon run together, this friendship could be considered much deeper!

It was the perfect opportunity to use this trip to investigate whether the Green Rhinoceros Demon King had any problems.

However, using someone's enthusiasm and lack of guile to get close to her seemed a bit ungentlemanly.

He would just have to make it up to her if there was a chance in the future.