Hua Ling Goes to Maoshan, Zhong Bai Arrives in Jiuquan

They left quickly and returned just as fast.

However, unlike her return from the Pill Palace, Hua Ling clearly didn't have a radiant smile on her face this time.

She knew the time for farewells had come.

"Senior Brother, did everything go smoothly?"

Hua Ling stood silently to the side, while Old Foreigner asked.

Partridge Whistle approached, forcing a smile as he replied, "With Taoist Qianhe there, that Ancient Yuan Dynasty Corpse naturally couldn't survive.

However, there was still no trace of the Muchen Pearl in the tomb chamber."

After a brief explanation, Partridge Whistle looked at his junior sister, a subtle questioning look in his eyes.

Having spent over a decade together, Hua Ling understood what her senior brother wanted to say and simply shook her head silently.

Seeing this, Partridge Whistle sighed softly, but his expression remained unchanged.

Turning to Zhong Bai, who was slowly approaching, he said, "Taoist Qianhe, although my junior sister and I didn't find the Muchen Pearl during our trip to Bottle Mountain, we witnessed your Divine Ability Arts.

This journey has been very fruitful.

However, the mountains are high and the rivers long; there will always be a time for parting. My junior sister and I still need to find the Muchen Pearl to lift the Ghost Cave Tribe's curse.

So... we'll take our leave now!"

Partridge Whistle cupped his fists, and Zhong Bai returned a faint smile.

"Brother Partridge, there's no need to be so polite. It's fate that brought us together. Who's to say this parting today isn't for a better reunion in the future?

Brother Partridge, take care!

Sister Hua Ling, take care!

Brother Old Foreigner, take care!"

Zhong Bai felt a touch of emotion deep down. Their time together was short, but it was genuine.

As if thinking of something, Zhong Bai pulled out three talismans and a jade pendant from his Cosmic Ring.

"Brother Partridge, these three talismans are called Blazing Flame Talismans. Just throw them, and they'll turn into a fiery blaze.

They're useful against ghosts and demons.

Please accept them as a small token of my regard.

After all, I took the Six-winged Centipede's Demon Core, and the Furious Rooster followed me. I can't let you return empty-handed."

Hearing this, Partridge Whistle was a little embarrassed but accepted them. He hadn't done much, just put in some effort to find the tomb.

After speaking, Zhong Bai walked over to Hua Ling and gently placed the jade pendant on her.

"Sister Hua Ling, these past few days, thank you for chatting with me and keeping me company. This is a Peace Buckle given by my master. It's not very valuable, but it can calm the mind, ward off evil, and ensure safety.

As we part today, I'll give it to you, Sister Hua Ling. The path ahead is long; let's say our goodbyes here..."

Whether it was the Peace Buckle or the talismans, they weren't precious to Zhong Bai, but they were the best gifts to conclude this karmic bond.

Hua Ling felt a lump in her throat. At this moment, it wasn't about love. This was the first time someone other than her senior brothers had given her a gift and wished her peace.

"Okay, Brother Zhong, I will!"

Zhong Bai smiled, then took the Furious Rooster's cage that Partridge Whistle handed him. After slinging it on his back, he strode away.

The path ahead was long. When would they meet again after this parting?

On the mountain road to Zhong Family Village, after Zhong Bai was far enough away from Partridge Whistle and the others, he directly set down the cage on his back.

"With outsiders watching, I couldn't embarrass myself, lest they say I was bullying you, Furious Rooster.

Now, immediately, get out and walk yourself!"

Zhong Bai continued gruffly, "Although I gained Exorcism Points from the Bottle Mountain trip, almost all the good stuff was fed to you. Don't play dumb.

When we were on the cliff, I sensed you had formed your Demon Core and entered the Demon Soldier realm.

Just walking, hmph, Partridge Whistle doesn't know your tricks, but I won't spoil you!"

To be fair, this Furious Rooster was truly stubborn. It could clearly walk on its own, but it had gotten used to being carried by Partridge Whistle and refused to leave the cage.

Zhong Bai hadn't said anything when it was listless after eating the Six-winged Centipede's Demon Core, but now that it was back to normal and still so lazy, Zhong Bai wasn't about to keep a pampered lord by his side.

Facing its strong master, the Furious Rooster reluctantly drooped its head. After getting out of the cage, it gave Zhong Bai a somewhat resentful look.

To this, Zhong Bai's response was that nothing a good kick couldn't fix.

He kicked the Furious Rooster's plump backside. Instantly, the Furious Rooster's eyes cleared. Yes, it had become obedient too.

Meanwhile, after parting ways, Zhong Bai planned to head to his Taoist Sects' base in Jiuquan Town.

However, Partridge Whistle and his two junior siblings were not in a hurry to leave Bottle Mountain.

"Sigh, Junior Sister, have you truly thought this through? This decision isn't one to be made lightly."

Partridge Whistle's expression was solemn as he looked at his junior sister. There was no anger, no sadness in his eyes, only deep concern.

"Senior martial brother, Hua Ling has made up her mind. Hua Ling doesn't want to live an ordinary life forever. Hua Ling wants to give it a try!"

As she spoke, Hua Ling's tone was firm, something Partridge Whistle and Old Foreigner had not anticipated.

"Since that's the case, then your senior martial brother and second martial brother will accompany you on a trip to Maoshan!"

That's right, Hua Ling's decision was to go to Maoshan to seek tutelage!

She clearly knew the insurmountable gap between herself and Zhong Bai. If she didn't make any effort or changes, Hua Ling would never have the courage to express her feelings of love in this life.

Of course, the decision to go to Maoshan wasn't just to be able to stand confidently before Zhong Bai in the future; she also wanted to change her own future.

Divine Ability Arts, Taoist Sects, seeking Immortality—who wouldn't want that?

Perhaps, at this moment, Hua Ling herself couldn't clearly articulate whether her decision to go to Maoshan was for Zhong Bai or for herself…

But, no matter the reason, she had to go to Maoshan!

Seeing their junior martial sister's determination, Partridge Whistle and Old Foreigner were very supportive.

Actually, there was something Partridge Whistle had been holding back, unable to say: the search for the Muchen Pearl was simply too dangerous.

Just like this trip to Bottle Mountain, had they not met Zhong Bai, who knew if they, as martial siblings, would have survived facing the Six-winged Centipede.

Living on the edge was not pleasant. Since their junior martial sister wanted to go to Maoshan to seek tutelage, Partridge Whistle naturally supported her.

Even though Old Foreigner was reluctant, he understood that letting their junior martial sister go to Maoshan was an excellent choice, so he also supported her.

Seeing both of her senior martial brothers supporting her decision so strongly, Hua Ling was momentarily overcome with joy and tears.

"Don't get too excited, junior martial sister. We're going to Maoshan, but we don't know if Maoshan will accept you!

What if Maoshan doesn't take to you, junior martial sister? Hmph hmph, then you'll just have to keep traveling with us across the country.

However, your senior martial brother believes in you!"

"Yes, your second martial brother believes in you too!"

Old Foreigner's eyes held strong hope, hoping that his beloved junior martial sister would achieve her wishes, be rid of the Ghost Cave Tribe curse, and live a life of peace and smooth sailing…

Perhaps, that's what loving someone is—wishing them peace and well-being.

Zhong Bai was unaware of Hua Ling's decision.

Let's put that aside for now.

After half a month of traveling, one person and one chicken finally arrived within the Ping'an County area, where Jiuquan Town is located.

After half a month of arduous travel, Zhong Bai hadn't changed much, but Furious Rooster had lost a small circumference of weight.

However, the magical aura in its eyes was even more pronounced!

Originally, Furious Rooster was approximately one meter tall, but now that it had become a Demon Soldier.

Over these ten-plus days, its body had grown a bit, now nearly 1.2 meters tall.

Its feathers, already vibrant, were now evolving towards the direction of a colorful phoenix.

Hmm, it looked quite striking.

On the streets of Jiuquan Town.

Although Jiuquan Town was located in the Three Fiends Position, it had to be said that besides accumulating malevolent energy, the Three Fiends Position also gathered wealth.

The entire Jiuquan Town was considered a large town. From what Zhong Bai observed, the population was at least several thousand, possibly even over ten thousand.

Such a place, even if it couldn't compare to a county seat, could still be called prosperous.

Walking down the street, observing the bustling Jiuquan Town residents, Zhong Bai's expression remained unchanged.

It was just that almost everyone's gaze lingered on the Furious Rooster, which was following closely behind him, unwilling to look away.

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