More than half a day had passed since they entered the palace and Lin Bai finished his inspection. It had gradually reached dusk.
Hong Ding sat lazily in the palace, smiling as he watched Lin Bai bustle about. "I never expected you to be so vigilant, kid. You inspected everything so carefully. I'm beginning to understand why that girl Gu Rong thinks so highly of you!"
"Deeply scheming, ruthless in your methods!"
"A person like you is destined never to be weak in this world."
"I like your personality very much."
Hong Ding smiled as he spoke to Lin Bai.
Lin Bai gave an awkward smile and walked over to Hong Ding, saying with a wry smile, "When stepping into an unfamiliar place, it's only natural to make sure you're safe. That's basic common sense!"
Hong Ding smiled. "Many martial artists think their cultivation is unfathomably profound. They've long since forgotten to hold this world in awe. The fact that you can still maintain that sense of awe is truly rare."
Just as Lin Bai and Hong Ding sat down to chat, a mass of dark clouds flew over from the distant sky and descended before the palace, transforming into more than a dozen figures. The leader was none other than the old man who had been following Crown Prince Kongqing earlier that day.
The old man walked over with a smile and cupped his fists. "Senior Hong Ding, this old man is Tianlang, one of Crown Prince Kongqing's guards. His Highness was worried that you had only just arrived in Barren Mountain Dragon City and might not be familiar with the place, so he had me send over some servants to look after you!"
As he spoke, the old man Tianlang stepped aside, allowing Lin Bai and Hong Ding