The Flying Craft traveled steadily toward Blackrock Outpost. The atmosphere inside the cabin seemed relaxed, but undercurrents stirred beneath the surface.
He Ping sat in a soft leather seat, yet the inexplicable unease in his heart only grew stronger.
As the leader of the Oath of Embers, he had survived the Crimson Prison Society's pursuit by constantly moving from hiding place to hiding place. He had always been cautious and highly alert.
He looked at One-Eye, who sat opposite him, smiling and drinking. The man still appeared as warm and familiar as ever, but for some reason, He Ping felt something was wrong. In particular, he faintly detected an extremely thin trace of a familiar aura coming from him.
At last, he spoke as though making an idle remark.
"One-Eye, my friend, it's been a few years, and your cultivation has improved considerably. You must have had some fortunate encounter."
Hearing this, One-Eye's smile deepened slightly, and he set down his wineglass.
"I did have a fortunate encounter. Luck was on my side, but there's not much worth saying about it."
"Is that so?" He Ping nodded slightly. He glanced up at the clouds racing past the Flying Craft's window, then said seriously,
"One-Eye, just let us off here. We shouldn't delay your business. My disciple and I were planning to explore the area below anyway. Perhaps we'll find something worthwhile."
With that, he gave A-Huan a meaningful look and stood to leave.
"Brother He, what's this about? It won't take much longer. I'll take you back to the outpost."
Watching their movements, One-Eye narrowed his sole eye and spoke with a chuckle.
"No need to trouble you, One-Eye. We'll get off here."
At the invitation to stay, He Ping frowned slightly. He sensed something was wrong. He did not