CHAPTER 34

—Gathering of Heroes—

Sister, Fu, Yǐ?

How affectionate they're calling each other! How long have you known each other? Half an hour at most? Don't give me that nonsense about hitting it off at first sight! Getting won over by a plate of pastries—could you be any more pathetic?

Though her anger had reached its peak, Su Yan forcefully suppressed her fury—she knew that outright refusal would only provoke the foolish girl into even fiercer resistance than before, which would be utterly useless. It was better to go along with her for now and plan slowly... To make her realize the gravity of her mistake, a long-term plan was required.

As for that woman Luqiu Fuyi, why not play along with her and see who comes out on top?

Hmph, we'll see about that.

"Fine." Su Yan concealed the coldness in her eyes, making her voice sound gentle.

The thick-skinned Tong Tong didn't think too deeply about it. After a brief moment of surprise, she flashed a simple, bright smile, feeling a twinge of shame for her earlier willfulness. Her fondness for Su Yan grew even stronger, and she even foolishly labeled her with flattering tags like "cold on the outside, warm on the inside" and "sharp tongue but a soft heart."

"I knew it, First Senior Brother, you're the best!" she cooed, flattering him before happily turning around to pick up and hug Cookie. Tong Tong didn't notice the strange looks from the others or the sparks flying between Su Yan and Luqiu Fuyi as they secretly clashed.

After negotiations between the two factions, a joint plan was settled.

When the Chonghua group took a short rest and met with the companions prepared by the Nichang Valley in front of the small bamboo pavilion, Su Yan resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose, wondering how she had ever agreed to Tong Tong's request back then—had she been possessed by something unclean, clouding her judgment?

A few hours later, as the two factions, totaling twelve people, marched grandly toward the essential route to the teleportation array—Wuhuang Town—Tong Tong glanced sideways at the two seemingly intimate figures ahead and felt deep regret for her suggestion. So deep that if she were granted a time machine, her first wish wouldn't be to return to before her transmigration, but to go back a few hours and slap some sense into her bewitched, stubborn self who had begged to join them!

How could she have forgotten that Miss Meng, who had secretly admired the big iceberg, was also a disciple of Nichang Valley! Well, this girl's passion for Su Yan was so moving it left an even deeper impression on her than the soft, round curves of her chest!

Back then, she had pitied the girl for admiring such an unromantic iceberg, but now she found herself nitpicking the seemingly perfect couple's backs, feeling a knot in her chest—one dressed in plain white, the other in dark robes, the stark contrast in colors made them look less like a perfect pair and more like the Black and White Fiends! What kind of taste is that...

Turning her gaze to the other group, her urge to criticize surged even more fiercely: Seriously, we're on a journey, not a shopping spree, sisters! As cultivators, is it really appropriate to buy so many mortal things? They're completely useless, aren't they?

Beside the affectionate couple was a group of men and women shopping frantically, completely disregarding their image.

Leading them was Young Valley Master Luqiu Fuyi, who had completely overturned Tong Tong's impression of a dignified and refined lady. Behind her, Qiu Si cheered her on and offered advice, constantly urging her to buy everything she fancied.

Another quiet and reserved girl was Ning Qinglian, whom she was meeting for the first time—elegant and gentle like an orchid in a secluded valley, making one feel fondness at first sight... Yet now, she had been completely reduced to a little maid carrying things for Miss Luqiu—to avoid startling these ordinary people without spiritual roots and being surrounded by a crowd shouting "Immortal Master this, Immortal Master that," they naturally couldn't just casually store their purchases in their Qiankun pouches... However, Ning Qinglian herself seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it, unable to resist sharing the same great enthusiasm for the shopping endeavor.

To the right and slightly behind this trio-led group was Young Master Ding, hopping around excitedly. The foolish look of him weighing silver in his hand, as if saying, "I'm rich and clueless, come take my money," suddenly reminded her of his earlier introduction as a second-generation rich kid. Even He Gu, who was being dragged along reluctantly beside him, overlapped in her mind with the image of a handsome butler forced to accompany her master under the pressure of authority... All she could do was sigh!

The third wave of the shopping spree brigade consisted of the willful yet still girlish Miss Bai Jingjing, the outwardly delicate but inwardly pure and manly Liu Ya, who had no choice but to risk his life to accompany his comrade, and the innocent, expressionless girl Lu Xianrou, who had been coerced by Bai Jingjing into serving as a shield—though this combination was strange, the atmosphere was surprisingly harmonious.

After scanning the crowd, she realized she was the only one standing alone, feeling particularly desolate!

Tong Tong bit her lip, secretly wondering if she should release Cookie to ease this sudden sense of loneliness. However, out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of another figure as solitary as herself, and instantly, a wave of joy at finding a comrade surged within her—what was this feeling of schadenfreude at finally seeing someone in the same predicament?

Tong Tong bared her teeth, trying to make her smile as natural as possible. Just as she was about to step forward and pat Xiang Wu, who had also been abandoned by the group, she suddenly noticed his gaze fixed intently on one spot. An indescribable eeriness emanated from him, as if a gloomy aura was seeping out, making her feel as though she could see faint, spreading black mist... Her brows unconsciously furrowed, and her steps froze in place.

—Following Xiang Wu's line of sight, it landed on Young Master Ding, who was chattering happily like a little sparrow, and He Gu, who stood beside him with a silent smile.

Why was he staring at the two of them? And with such an expression? Could it be... he, liked, Second, Sister!

Feeling she had successfully earned the title of "Truth-Seeker," Tong Tong sized up the three of them, estimating the combat prowess between Young Master Ding and Xiang Wu.

"Little Sister Tong, this plum blossom knot is quite uniquely crafted. Would you like it?" Suddenly, a soft hand rested on her shoulder, startling her and scattering her speculations to the wind. Shifting her gaze to the intricate and colorful rope knot before her, Tong Tong, who had always loved such folk handicrafts, couldn't help but smile sweetly, her eyes narrowing with delight. "Thank you, Sister Fuyi."

—In that moment of turning her gaze, she didn't notice the flash of bl0od red that flickered in Xiang Wu's eyes as he seemed to snap back to reality and glanced at her.

Meanwhile, not far away, Su Yan, whom she had assumed was engrossed in a sweet, intimate conversation with someone, wore a cold expression, taking in everything with a watchful eye.

Her thin lips pressed tightly together, she merely replied indifferently to Meng Qianyao, who stood beside her shyly yet inquisitively, "It's nothing."

Amidst this "turtle-paced" progress that drove Tong Tong to the brink of madness yet left her helpless—a mix of joy for some and frustration for others—the eight disciples of Chonghua Sect and the four women of Nichang Valley finally managed to reach the teleportation array of the Abyssal Secret Realm just within the last few days of the three-month journey. Elder Lin Tiefeng of Chonghua Sect had already been waiting there for quite some time.

"You wretched disciple, why are you so late!" The moment they met, the master of Tielin Peak wasted no time and slapped Liu Ya on the back of his head without a word, sending him stumbling and utterly humiliating him.

All the Chonghua disciples, except for Su Yan, hung their heads sheepishly and retreated to the side, trembling under the oppressive aura of this Great Ascension cultivator—though Tong Tong wasn't afraid of this seemingly fierce uncle.

Hadn't her benefactor, Obasan, also displayed the same cold and rigid attitude? Yet, before departure, she had secretly pulled Tong Tong aside to a secluded spot and stuffed her with many spirit pills and immortal herbs... As for all those threats of "don't do this" and "don't do that," Tong Tong had selectively ignored them—by the same logic, this uncle was probably just a paper tiger putting on a show!

Still, since everyone else had stepped aside, she might as well go with the flow... Not everyone had the ability and backing of Senior Brother Su Yan!

Lin Tiefeng seemed accustomed to Su Yan's arrogant disregard for authority, merely snorting coldly. His gaze swept fiercely over the row of disciples bowing their heads in submission before settling on Liu Ya again, launching into another round of scolding—truly impressive how the old man had been berating them since their arrival, continuing for nearly half an hour without repeating himself!

Young Liu Ya, who had been listening like an obedient son and responding like a submissive grandson, received countless sympathetic glances—not only from the Chonghua disciples but also from members of other sects.

Aside from Lin Tiefeng, there was another Great Ascension master present: a Vajra Elder from Tianyin Temple, with the Dharma name—Yuan Gui [Compass].

Upon hearing this, Tong Tong couldn't help but burst into laughter. When Luqiu Fuyi, who had kindly explained, looked at her with confusion, she barely managed to stifle her giggles, apologetically waving her hand to signal her to continue, though the corners of her mouth kept twitching uncontrollably: 'Compass? Pfft, hahaha, this monk is too clever! Does he have a senior brother named Ruler? Pfft, hahaha...'

—The Abyssal Secret Realm had a rule: only cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage could enter, and the teleportation array required two Great Ascension cultivators to jointly activate it.

"Behind him are the two junior masters, Dayuan and Daxi. The other two, I don't recognize." Luqiu Fuyi noticed that after she mentioned the name "Daxi," Tong Tong laughed even harder, almost to the point of choking, though she had no idea why. She could only shake her head helplessly when Tong Tong looked at her with tear-filled, apologetic eyes, then continued pointing to the group dressed in tall Taoist hats and robes.

T/N: [In Chinese, Daxi (大喜) literally means "Great Joy." However, it is most commonly used to refer to weddings or finding out one is pregnant ("having a joy"). Hearing a serious, probably celibate "Young Master" (monk-like practitioner) named "Great Joy/Pregnancy" is likely why Tong Tong is losing her composure. It's like meeting a stoic warrior named "Baby Shower."]

—If she had ever seen a certain modern TV commercial, she might have understood the joke.

"Those disciples wearing the Yin-Yang and Four Symbols Taoist robes are from the Bingyan Island. The handsome yet sinister-looking man on the left is the one known alongside Su Yan as the Bingyan K!llng Star—Jia Siwen." Luqiu Fuyi's tone was full of mockery, though it still held a hint of wariness. However, Tong Tong's attention was entirely focused on the phrase "known alongside Su Yan," and she chuckled inwardly: Tsk tsk, a K!llng Star indeed! Truly a fake—gentleman, isn't he?

As if sensing Tong Tong's curious gaze, Jia Siwen's flirtatious peach blossom eyes swept over her. In the end, he gave a wicked smile, ran his thumb across his neck in a throat-slitting gesture that sent a chill down her spine, startling Tong Tong into immediately averting her eyes.

With a light chuckle, Luqiu Fuyi patted the seemingly frightened Tong Tong reassuringly and pointed to the last large faction, introducing, "That is the Young Master of the Qianyu Sect, Zhu Yingyi, along with her Maidservant Xue'er and the sect members Liang Hui and Liang Yao, the brothers."

Tong Tong's eyes widened—wasn't that the wild beauty who had "gifted" her Cookie and a luminous pearl? And those two brothers with green feathers stuck in their hair... Hmm, there was now a petite, delicate girl standing between them, fair-skinned and unlike the complexion typical of their faction. She must be the Young Master—what a strange sect!

Tong Tong had already lost interest in listening to Luqiu Fuyi introduce the scattered sects and cultivation families beyond the five major factions. Her enthusiasm for the trial journey plummeted—a bald monk with a ridiculous Dharma name, scantily clad African savages, a sinister and unpredictable murderer, a lovelorn woman entangled in a web of affection and hatred... So much for the so-called gathering of heroes—it was nothing but shattered hopes!

Either they had grudges with her, or they looked like they were about to develop grudges. The prospects for their Chonghua Sect seemed bleak... Wait, no!

Glancing at the disdainful Bai Jingjing and Liu Ya, then catching sight of the mysterious attitudes of Lu Xianrou and Xiang Wu, internal strife was even more terrifying than external threats!

Tong Tong felt it was her own prospects that were truly worrisome...

Just as she was lost in anxiety, Su Yan's cold voice sounded beside her ear: "What are you standing there for? Come here."

To her, it was like hearing heavenly music—turning her gaze, she met the serene, jade-like beauty of that face, and her heart stirred with a strange emotion.

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