The desert halfling had only just appeared when it fixed them with wary, hostile eyes.
Though it did not immediately start shouting about fighting and killing, the obvious enmity in its gaze was plain to see. Moreover, the domain of quicksand beneath the halfling's feet was expanding at a visible rate. Before long, it would swallow the entire area where they stood.
Just then, Luojia spoke up and announced his name.
The desert halfling had clearly never heard of Luojia, but Luojia was also an earth-element creature. Coupled with his stony appearance, the desert halfling immediately understood that Luojia came from Wildstone Wasteland—their friendly ally, as close as blood brothers.
Thus, the desert halfling did not immediately threaten them. After hesitating for a moment, it said to Luojia, "Wait here a moment. I'll go verify this with the patroller."
With that, the desert halfling plunged into the quicksand and vanished.
About three minutes later, the halfling emerged before them again, surrounded by faint swirling currents of sand-laden wind.
Compared with before, there was less wariness in its expression now and more friendliness. "So you're Junior Brother Luojia."
Junior Brother? Luojia's eyes brightened as he looked at the halfling opposite him. "You're also Teacher's student?"
The halfling split its enormous mouth in a grin and nodded. "That's right, though that was more than three hundred years ago. I suppose Junior Brother Luojia definitely hasn't heard of me."
"Oh, right. When the patroller learned that Junior Brother Luojia had returned, they already informed Teacher. I'm sure Teacher will be very happy to see you." Having said that, the halfling directly moved aside and pointed Luojia in the direction they should go.
Luojia glanced at Angel beside him, hesitated briefly, then said to the halfling hovering in midair, "I have a request..."
"Fly