Thump, Thump

A hundred li along the Talisman Path south of Yehuai City, near an unremarkable hill, Jin Xuanzi arrived with Yang Lan, Zhao Cheng, and the others to wait for the groups joining them.

"Senior Jin Xuanzi, looks like we got here early. The other groups haven't arrived yet." Zhao Cheng stood beside Jin Xuanzi and looked around. There was no one else nearby, and only a few merchant caravans passed along the Talisman Path. They weren't with them.

"Let's wait a bit. No rush."

Jin Xuanzi seemed to have expected this. He climbed to the highest point beneath a large tree, looked out from above, then spoke down to them:

"Keep an eye on the time. We'll wait a full two hours, then set out."

Zhao Cheng had no objections and called back loudly:

"Understood."

Then he and Yang Lan left the hill and went to wait by the edge of the Talisman Path.

"Senior Jin Xuanzi may not say much, but he's a really good person."

With Yehuai behind them and less pressure weighing on him, Zhao Cheng was clearly in better spirits and more eager to talk:

"Having us wait another two hours gives the other groups who were notified more time to meet up with us."

After all, it had taken them some time to travel from Yehuai City to here, leaving the groups less than two hours to arrive.

Maybe there are too few of us, and Jin Xuanzi won't be able to answer to your family head. Besides, each of us has a force behind us. If he can bring us back to Nanyan City, it could earn Jin Xuanzi and the Jingyang Family some favors, benefits, or a good reputation... Yang Lan's thoughts turned as she put on a bright smile:

"Brother Zhao is