Xun Er's Enemies +1

If Xiao Yi Xian had merely been suspicious before, then the appearance of the Green Lotus Core Flame completely confirmed her suspicions.

In an instant.

A glimmer of tears welled up in Xiao Yi Xian's eyes.

She bit down hard on the tip of her tongue, refusing to let the tears of excitement spill from her eyes, refusing to let Ye Hao realize that she had already recognized him.

Ye Hao did not think much of it.

Xun Er also assumed that she had been frightened to tears by the magical beast. She comforted her thoughtfully, telling her not to be afraid.

"Thank you, sir, for saving our lives."

"Thank you, sir."

All the surviving mercenaries knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Ye Hao in thanks.

Ye Hao waved a hand, telling them to gather their things and leave quickly.

Because he could sense that the magical beasts within several dozen miles seemed to have been provoked by something and were all in a state of unrest.

There were even several Third-order Magical Beast auras racing toward them!

The Bearded Man and the others kowtowed again in thanks.

"Xiao Yi Xian, it seems we came at the wrong time. We should go back and return after some time," the Bearded Man said.

Xiao Yi Xian shook her head. "No. We've run out of several medicinal ingredients, and we must gather more. Otherwise, those friends waiting for their medicine may lose their lives because of it."

"But you saw it too. The magical beasts are in turmoil—even Third-order Magical Beasts have appeared. If we go in again and encounter something even stronger, what then? There's nothing we can do."

The Bearded Man wore a bitter expression.

They could still rely on their numbers to kill First-order Magical Beasts.

But Third-order ones...

"Unless..."

Several mercenaries turned to look at Ye Hao in unison.

He had instantly killed a Third-order Magical Beast with a single move!

Such strength was truly terrifying!

With his protection, even Third-order Magical Beasts would not be a threat!

But...

Would he agree?

Xiao Yi Xian fell silent for a moment. She turned her gaze toward Ye Hao, glanced at him, then quickly lowered her head. Her pretty face flushed slightly as she asked:

"Sir... could you do me a favor?"

Hearing the Bearded Man call her Xiao Yi Xian, Ye Hao was also taken aback.

He had not expected their first meeting to be like this.

However, judging from the current situation, Xiao Yi Xian did not seem to know him.

Perhaps...

In the simulations, there had not yet been one centered around her.

Thinking of how, in the previous simulation, Xiao Yi Xian had self-destructed both her body and soul to stop Hun Tiandi so that he could obtain the Emperor Grade Nascent Pill...

Ye Hao had no reason to refuse.

"As it happens, we're heading into the mountains too. Let's go together."

"Thank you."

After gathering their things, the group set off once more.

"Pah! How disgusting! He actually pulled that hero-saves-the-beauty stunt!! Shameless!!"

Watching their retreating backs, Xiao Yan, who was lying in the bushes, could not help complaining.

He looked as though the Crimson Flame Snake that had been killed was him.

Old Yao teased, "Xiao Yan, don't tell me you're jealous of him?"

"Hah? Jealous of him? Old man, don't spout nonsense! W-W-Who am I? I'm the dignified young master of the Xiao Family. Why would I envy him?!"

Xiao Yan craned his neck as he argued.

Old Yao rolled his eyes at Xiao Yan's insincere excuses.

Ever since Ye Hao and Xun Er had left.

Xiao Yan had been like Wu Dalang returning home after selling sesame cakes, only to find Pan Jinlian gone—restless and uneasy, as though thorns were digging into his back.

Finally!

On a dark, windy night, Xiao Yan made up his mind, packed his bags, and secretly slipped out!

Old Yao could not stop him no matter how he tried.

If Old Yao had not stepped in several times, Xiao Yan would have already become a first-order Magical Beast's all-you-can-eat dinner.

Old Yao said, "I'm telling you, kid, you really didn't suffer for nothing. Instead of staying comfortably with the Xiao Family, you just had to run out here."

Xiao Yan stubbornly retorted, "What do you know?! Flowers in a greenhouse cannot withstand wind and frost, and no towering tree can grow from a flowerpot! Only by truly experiencing life and death can one become strong!!!"

Claiming he wanted to temper himself was just an excuse; what he really wanted was to follow behind Xun Er.

Old Yao was thoroughly impressed. "Heh, kid, your strength may be nothing special, but your mouth sure is tough."

Xiao Yan said nothing more, his eyes fixed firmly on the road ahead.

As they ventured deeper into the Monster Mountain Range, Third-order Magical Beasts became increasingly common.

Ye Hao had killed more than a dozen of them already!

This left the Bearded Man and the others completely convinced. Had they not known their own talent was lacking, they would have wanted to kneel and beg him to take them as disciples!

As they went farther in, even fourth-order Magical Beasts began to appear!

This abnormal situation greatly astonished everyone present!

Such a thing had never happened before.

At last, after several days of travel, Xiao Yi Xian arrived at the small valley rich in medicinal herbs.

They spent an entire day gathering herbs.

Over the past while, Xun Er had noticed that whenever Xiao Yi Xian gathered herbs, she would sneak glances at Ye Hao from time to time.

That look in her eyes was definitely more than simple gratitude.

Xun Er did not alert her, merely observing in silence several times before reaching a conclusion!

It was affection...

Though Xiao Yi Xian had tried to hide it, Xun Er still noticed.

Xun Er felt somewhat helpless.

"Hao Gege is too outstanding. Everywhere we go, there are women eyeing him. I need to stay on guard."

Xiao Yi Xian knew that Xun Er had already noticed her uncontrollable habit of looking at Ye Hao.

For the next few days, she kept restraining herself, refusing to let herself look at him.

Finally, once they had gathered enough medicinal herbs.

Xiao Yi Xian summoned her courage and went to find Ye Hao.

"Mr. Ye, Ye, Ye Hao, to thank you for protecting us while we came here to gather medicinal herbs, I, I, I've decided to tell you a secret."

"What secret?!"

Xun Er leaned her head over and asked curiously.

Xiao Yi Xian's pretty face flushed red.

"I, I, I'll only tell Mr. Ye Hao."

Xun Er took several steps back, narrowed her eyes, and stared at Xiao Yi Xian warily.

Ye Hao was somewhat surprised.

He began to speculate as well.

What exactly was the secret Xiao Yi Xian wanted to tell him?

Could it be...

That she also had memories from the simulation?

Was she going to lay everything out before him?

"Mr. Ye Hao, I know of a place that may contain treasure. If you're interested, I can take you there."

"What kind of treasure?"

Ye Hao deliberately asked as though he did not know.

Xiao Yi Xian shook her head, indicating that she did not know either.

She had discovered it by chance.

"Then let's go take a look together."

They set up camp.

After resting for the night.

The next day.

Ye Hao escorted Bearded Man and the other mercenaries to a safe place.

Xiao Yi Xian then asked them to take the medicinal ingredients back to the Myriad Medicine Pavilion first. She still had to lead Xun Er and Ye Hao to the place where the treasure was hidden.

Under Xiao Yi Xian's guidance, they arrived at the edge of a cliff.

"Xiao Yi Xian, right? Don't tell me you're planning to repay kindness with enmity?"

Xun Er's delicate brows drew together.

Of course, she wasn't suspecting Xiao Yi Xian of trying anything against Ye Hao.

She was simply afraid that Xiao Yi Xian might push her off the cliff while she wasn't paying attention.

Then have Hao Gege all to herself!

"Xun Er, Xiao Yi Xian brought us here to look for treasure. How could she possibly repay kindness with enmity?"

Only after hearing Ye Hao say that did Xun Er let it go, though she remained vigilant at all times.

When Xiao Yi Xian reached the cliff's edge and looked down, her pretty face suddenly changed.

She discovered that there was actually a rope ladder hanging nearby!!

Could someone else have discovered the treasure cave?

"What's wrong?"

Ye Hao noticed that something was off about Xiao Yi Xian's expression.

Xiao Yi Xian pointed at the rope ladder. "Maybe... someone got here before us."

Ye Hao: "?!"

Ye Hao wasn't interested in the other things below.

Only the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame Fragment Map was something he had to obtain.

Once he gathered all the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame Fragment Maps, he would have a greater chance of subduing the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame.

And the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame was the key to opening the Tushe Ancient Emperor's inheritance!

The system might be powerful, but an extra safeguard could never hurt.

Ye Hao examined the area carefully and did not see any other footprints near the rope ladder.

"Let's go down and take a look first."

Ye Hao suggested.

The two women nodded as well.

Xun Er naturally moved closer to Ye Hao and wrapped her arms around him.

Xiao Yi Xian hesitated for a moment before turning toward the rope ladder.

Ye Hao said, "Come with us. It'll save trouble. There might even be Rock Snakes down there."

Xiao Yi Xian had wanted to refuse, but the moment she heard there might be Rock Snakes, she immediately stepped back.

Ye Hao wrapped an arm around Xiao Yi Xian's slender waist, then leaped forward, landing precisely on the platform before the cave below.

"Hao Gege is amazing." Xun Er was the first to offer praise.

But the next second, Xun Er realized something was wrong!

Because...

There was someone else in the cave!!

Xun Er looked up.

Inside the cave stood a woman dressed in a plain-colored gown.

Her long hair was arranged into a Phoenix hair ornament.

Her serene, beautiful face carried a grace and nobility that even her simple clothing could not conceal!

At that moment, her gaze was fixed on Ye Hao.

A glimmer of tears actually welled up in her eyes.

She slowly walked toward Ye Hao.

Her red lips parted slightly.

"Ye... Ye Hao..."

Xun Er: "????"

P.S. The next chapter might get flagged for review too...