After sweeping the stone chamber clean, leaving not even half a meditation cushion behind, Bai Lan finally swam toward the shore along the pool.
"Aotian-gege, it was all thanks to you this time. If not for you, I definitely couldn't have dealt with that Blood Snake on my own." The woman's slightly delighted voice came from above.
"I merely helped you kill a demon beast. There's no need to thank me." Long Aotian's voice carried a touch of pride and amusement.
"Aotian-gege truly deserves to be an inner disciple of the Azure Origin Sect. You're amazing. Once we leave the secret realm, Xue'er will surely reward you handsomely."
Long Aotian was already floating on air from all the praise.
Just as the two gazed at each other tenderly, their hearts in perfect accord...
Splash.
An abrupt sound of water startled them both into looking over.
Bai Lan poked her head out from the bottom of the pool. Meeting their astonished gazes, she waved. "Hi~"
"You! Why are you still here?" Long Aotian's heart skipped a beat.
Hadn't that woman left!?
Long Aotian blinked, once again confirming Bai Lan's presence.
She hadn't left. She was standing right there!
Could it be...
He'd been played again?
Long Aotian's expression darkened.
Bai Lan smiled and casually used a Mystical Technique to dry her clothes. Her gaze shifted to the massive crimson snake at the side. "Mm~ Not bad. You've even finished processing the Blood Snake's corpse. The hide, flesh, bones, and Beast Blood have all been sorted quite clearly."
Her tone was one of praise.
Xue'er did not understand, but Long Aotian understood exactly what she meant.
Bai Lan: The demon beast materials have been processed nicely. They're hers now.
"You never left at all. You were lying in wait for the hare!"