Chapter 41: Meeting Again

Lin Xiu’s expression changed as she listened to her words. Soon after, she too sensed someone approaching. “Two groups are coming from two directions. One group has four people, all at the early foundation stage. The other group has two early foundation cultivators and one who seems to be at the middle foundation stage.” Upon hearing Han Su’s observation, Lin Xiu tried to discern the situation herself, but found she could only sense people approaching from two directions—she couldn’t determine their numbers, let alone their cultivation levels. She wasn’t particularly frustrated by this; her little junior sister’s cultivation was already extraordinary, so it was perfectly normal for her to have a stronger spiritual sense.

Neither of them acted rashly. After all, the concealment array they used had been gifted by Lin Qing’s close friend, Ling Mei, and was a fine piece of work—without special means, foundation stage cultivators would find it hard to detect them. Nevertheless, it was the first time they’d encountered other cultivators since entering the secret realm, so Lin Xiu cautiously added a camouflage array.

Strangely, both groups headed straight for the open space Han Su had chosen to rest in, and before long, they arrived one after another. Leading the way were their own sect members, familiar faces included: Su Yunmo, along with Yu Hanshan, Ning Xin, and Ji You. Han Su glanced at Lin Xiu, signaling whether they should reveal themselves. Lin Xiu considered it for a moment before withdrawing the concealment array and activating the protective array.

As for Su Yunmo and her companions, they had initially been transported into a marshland, where numerous Blue Willow Sword-Toothed Crocodiles lurked. Most were second-tier, but their numbers made them formidable. These crocodiles were masters of concealment, requiring constant vigilance. The four were exhausted after days of struggle, finding not a single spirit herb, and only emerged from the marsh after arduous effort. Next, they entered a natural illusion, filled with high-grade herbs—all fakes. After more days spent there, they again emerged empty-handed. Fortunately, the map showed the illusion bordered the Winter Forest of the Four Seasons Woods, where many spirit herbs could be found. Thus, the four decided to explore the Winter Forest.

Now, breathless and weary from battling countless beasts, they hadn’t seen even a trace of spirit herbs. Night was approaching, and the safety of the woods was uncertain, so they sought an open space to rest—and stumbled upon Han Su and Lin Xiu.

The four were searching the clearing when Ji You, the strongest among them, sensed someone approaching. The others soon felt it too. They gathered defensively, ready to respond, when suddenly two figures appeared beside them, sitting by a fire. Fortunately, none of them acted impulsively, refraining from attacking. Instead, they quickly turned to Han Su and Lin Xiu, and Ji You raised a defensive shield to envelop them all.

“Senior Sister Yun! It’s me, Han Su. Would you like some soup?” Han Su waved at them, looking up at Su Yunmo before turning to greet the other three, “Senior Sister Ning, Senior Brother Yu, Senior Brother Ji.”

Seeing Han Su’s innocent demeanor and Lin Xiu standing by with a gentle smile, the four relaxed their guard. Ji You took the lead, nodding at the two before seating himself by the fire. Su Yunmo’s feelings were complicated, but seeing Ji You already seated, she followed, nodding to the pair as she sat down. Ning Xin and Yu Hanshan, in contrast to their reserved companions, were much more enthusiastic. Ning Xin’s fair face, willow brows, and large almond eyes blinked twice. Her skin was smooth and pale, and she wore her usual apricot-colored Daoist robe, finely tailored to accentuate her sensual figure. Her movements added a hint of flirtatious charm.

Ning Xin walked up to Han Su and took her hand, cheeks puffed adorably. Clearly envious, she managed to make the gesture both natural and endearing. “So you’re little sister Han Su! Only thirteen and already at the third level of foundation stage. My cousin and I should be calling you senior sister.” At her words, Su Yunmo’s expression worsened. She had once hoped to look after this child in the future, but to see herself surpassed by such a quiet youngster made her reluctant to treat her as she once had.

Ning Xin promptly sat beside Han Su, filling the small rug completely. At least she didn’t have to sit on the ground like the others, and she felt secretly pleased. Yu Hanshan followed, sitting next to her, and asked, “Senior Sister Lin Xiu, another group is approaching. What should we do?”

Lin Xiu shook her head. “It’s nothing. It’s just the sisters from the Azure Sky Sect.” Upon hearing this, the two handsome male disciples immediately looked distressed, hesitating whether to ignore her advice and set up a concealment array of their own.

Soon, the Azure Sky Sect trio followed the firelight to join them. Unsurprisingly, all three were burly female body cultivators. Their leader was a foundation stage cultivator at the mid-level; though more robust than most women, she was comparatively petite among her peers. Her oval face, long brows, and bright eyes complemented her ruddy cheeks, and her unique body cultivator’s robe suited her perfectly, giving her a heroic air—she was likely a rare beauty in her sect. The other two, both at the early foundation stage, had plain faces and appeared to be twins. As soon as they saw the group, their eyes lit up.

The heroic beauty strode forward, first greeting Lin Xiu, the highest-ranked cultivator, with a cupped fist. Her eyes quickly swept over Ji You and Yu Hanshan, as if comparing them, before she settled beside Ji You.

Yu Hanshan’s expression finally relaxed, though he still didn’t dare let his guard down. Unexpectedly, the twins ignored him completely, heading straight for Han Su’s pot.

The two, as large as small mountains, quickly surrounded the fire. Both wore identical body cultivator robes, shared the same robust build and round faces, and their crescent-shaped eyes added a cheerful air to their features. Their lips were bright red, and if one ignored their physique, they were actually quite charming.

The one on the left knelt quickly, stretching her neck, her small nose twitching as her crescent eyes curved even more, a blissful smile gradually blooming on her face, with a tiny dimple appearing on her left cheek. Seeing this, the one on the right knelt as well, mimicking the expression and movements, but with her dimple on the right cheek.

After savoring the aroma, the left twin, still in a dazed state, asked, “It smells so good. You must have put in a lot of meat.” Not to be outdone, the right twin quickly chimed in, “With such a delicious scent, it’s torture not to have a taste!” With that, they both shed their previous expressions and adopted a charming, hopeful look, staring at Han Su in unison. Han Su couldn’t help but exclaim inwardly, “These must be those legendary business expressions! Are these specifically for begging food? Such skill—I must learn this!”

Beside Ji You, the heroic beauty was gazing at him intently (she imagined herself as affectionate), stealthily edging closer, entirely unaware that her naturally intimidating presence had already made Ji You’s face darken to the point of dripping water. She ignored the two fools she brought along, but as their antics grew bolder in pursuit of the handsome men, she finally couldn’t help but grow angry.