After thinking it over, hiding in Ling Tian's Small World seemed like their best chance of avoiding the Outer Realm Cultivators and escaping the Extreme Ice Plains. But Shi Ye and the others didn't dare take that gamble. Once they entered Ling Tian's Small World, they would be putting their lives in his hands. If Ling Tian took control of them and placed soul restrictions on them, they would wish they were dead. That was the last thing they wanted.
At a time like this, even Ling Tian's repeated assurances that he wouldn't harm them weren't enough. The stakes were simply too high; they didn't dare gamble.
"That's easy. You can put me in your Small World," Xiao Shi suddenly said. After a brief pause, he continued, "If Brother Tian tries to harm you, you can threaten him with my life. Then we'll all have reason to hold back. You should know how much I mean to Brother Tian. With me as your hostage, I'm sure he won't make a move against you."
At that, Chi Xue and the others' eyes lit up. They knew how much Ling Tian valued Xiao Shi, and they were confident in their own reactions. In their view, even if Ling Tian wanted to attack them, it would take him some time—and that would be enough for them to kill Xiao Shi after taking him into their Small World.
"Mm, that's a good idea," Chi Xue said, turning to Ling Tian. "At least this way, we can completely trust one another."
After a brief pause, he continued, "Of course, even though we share an enemy and a goal, our interests aren't entirely the same. So don't blame us for being suspicious, Daoist Ling Tian. The stakes are too high for us not to be cautious."