Distant Friends, Ding Dong

Countdown 16:00:00.

"We agreed to meet here at 7 a. m., it's been an hour, why aren't they here yet?" Tuanzi complained softly, leaning against their pickup truck.

Sun Chuci, who was standing nearby, said, "I couldn't get through on the phone just now. I guess I've had too much to drink. Didn't they invite us to a bar to celebrate yesterday? We didn't go..."

"I heard it's to celebrate them completing two academy missions? They investigated two clubs in City No. 10," Tuanzi said. "Why would the academy investigate these clubs? It doesn't seem to have anything to do with the academy at all."

"Who knows?" Sun Chuci said.

"Actually, we can take on some of these kinds of missions too," Tuanzi's eyes lit up. "Don't you still have contact with Boss Qing Yi from the Intelligence Department One? Let him help us investigate, so we can earn some points too."

Back then, they went north with Qing Chen in the film crew, and later spent some time with Qing Yi after arriving in the remote town.

When Qing Yi learned that they were Mr.'s "friends," she immediately became much more enthusiastic and asked many questions about Qing Chen's life in the Outer World.

Therefore, if Sun Chuci and the others really ask for help, Qing Yi will definitely help them.

Sun Chuci shook his head. "You can't treat people like this. They don't owe us anything. We should be mindful of our boundaries and not be disliked. We're not really close to Boss Qing Chen. At most, we're just grateful for his help, so let's not try to take advantage of him."

"That's true," Tuanzi, lowering her head.

Just then, someone came running from afar. Five team members arrived, panting, saying, "Sorry we're late!"

Looking at the other person's excessive drinking and womanizing, Sun Chuci asked curiously, "What time did you guys stay out until yesterday?"

"At four in the morning..." a team member said somewhat guiltily, "Those students from the Supernatural Academy were just too enthusiastic, and their alcohol tolerance was too high. We couldn't handle it. By the way, Brother Chu Ci, we probably can't go to the wilderness. That Snow Leopard SUV... yesterday, those students floored the gas pedal and blew up the engine. It needs to be towed for repairs. But don't worry, they said they'll cover the repair costs."

When Tuanzi heard the other person repeatedly refer to her as a classmate from the Supernatural Academy, she felt a little downcast.

Surprisingly, Sun Chuci didn't blame them. Instead, he comforted them, saying, "Don't worry about me blaming you. We're all part of a team, and the vehicle is shared, not just mine. You all have a share of the team's assets. Here's what we'll do: the team has two vehicles in total. Tuanzi and I will take the one next to us, and you can have the Snow Leopard's. You can go back and rest, and Tuanzi and I will go to the wilderness."

At this point, Sun Chuci already had the idea of dividing the family property.

Actually, we're still good friends, but we've gone our separate ways, so it's better to start our own journeys sooner rather than later, and not have to be so conflicted every day.

The other group clearly didn't want to make a living in the wilderness anymore, but they still had to take care of their own emotions.

Despite having a hangover last night, I still had to come to the meeting this morning.

Actually, everyone is tired.

The team members asked cautiously, "Brother Chu Ci, are you angry?"

Sun Chuci was both amused and exasperated. "Really, no, you guys should go back to sleep."

"Oh..." one of the team members advised, "Brother Chu Ci, we can cultivate here in the academy and have no worries about food and clothing. We just need to focus on completing our missions. Why bother going on adventures in the wilderness?"

Sun Chuci thought for a moment and said, "I'm afraid I'll be too comfortable for too long. Kunlun built the Time Walker Academy, wasn't it to teach us how to survive? Besides, I actually quite like the wilderness, haha. Everyone, let's go back. Tuanzi and I are leaving now."

As he spoke, he turned and got into the car.

Just then, someone approached from a distance, smiling, and asked, "Can I hitch a ride?"

Sun Chuci was stunned for a moment and looked up to see Qing Chen, Yang Yang, Zhang Mengqian, Yingzi, and Zard.

Qing Qu and Qing Ye went off to do other things under the arrangement of the Shadow.

Everyone, including Tuanzi and Sun Chuci, had seen Qing Chen's true form before, and when Qing Chen appeared in his true form, everyone couldn't help but hold their breath.

What... what's this person doing here?

Weren't they in Forbidden Zone No. 10 with Ma Jingjing and the others?

And that little sapling that brought terror to the entire academy... is also in this group!

As for who Shadow and Zhang Mengqian are, they don't know them.

The most crucial thing is actually this little sapling.

After the establishment of the Agricultural Academy, Zard would sneak into the War Fortress from underground every day, leaving early and returning late, afraid that Huan Yu would find out that he had become a special teacher.

Therefore, the other students were also unaware of it.

The other five members of the team were also unaware of the situation.

But Sun Chuci and Tuanzi have been looking at that little sapling on Zard's head for the past few days and they're almost sick of it. This guy is really ruthless when he's supervising. If you slack off even a little, he'll plant it in the ground and won't let you out until it's been buried in the ground for 15 minutes.

If you're in the ground, you'll start having trouble breathing after just a few minutes. The firm soil will restrict the rise and fall of your chest, making it impossible to breathe normally.

So, Tuanzi now has a bit of a psychological aversion to Zard.

But that's not important.

The important thing is that Zard is now with Qing Chen.

Therefore, without a doubt, Qing Chen is that dean!

The reason why Sun Chuci insisted on going to the Agricultural Academy was actually quite simple: Qing Chen had just become a board member, and the college now had an Agricultural Academy.

He always felt that this matter was somehow related to Qing Chen!

Fate did not disappoint him.

At this moment, Sun Chuci asked blankly, "Boss, where are you going?"

Qing Chen smiled and said, "I think you probably don't have a destination in mind either. How about you take me somewhere? We can travel together for a while."

Tuanzi suddenly realized, "Ah, okay, okay! But we only have one car, it can't fit so many people. Why don't you guys drive? The first two rows can seat five people each, and Chu Ci and I can sit in the back."

Qing Chen shook his head and laughed, "How could we let you sit in the truck bed? Don't worry, Zard will sit in the front, and the rest of us four will sit in the truck bed."

Zard looked at Qing Chen suspiciously. "Boss, why do I feel like you're ostracizing me?"

"What's with all this talk of exclusion?" Shadow said. "I need you to give these two friends directions. It's very important, understand?"

Zard's eyes lit up. "A navigator? I know!"

At this moment, a few members of Sun Chuci's team suddenly said, "Boss Qing Chen, can we come along?"

Qing Chen pointed to the pickup truck. "I just heard you guys talking. There's only one truck now, and the truck bed can only fit four of us at most. There's no room left, is there?"

The team members looked at each other, stammering and unsure what to say.

The next moment, a team member mustered up his courage. "Actually, the snow leopard isn't broken. We can go and drive it over."

Sun Chuci was taken aback. "Didn't you say it was bad?"

There are always priorities, and the team members wanted to stay in the city to complete their mission, so they lied and said their car had broken down and they couldn't leave.

But things are different now; Qing Chen has appeared.

Given Qing Chen's current influence, even 1,000 academy missions are not as valuable as traveling with Qing Chen. Everyone can make that sense.

Sun Chuci was very clear-headed and rational, so he was not sad from the beginning, after all, everyone had their own pursuits.

But at this moment, he discovered that his former teammates had chosen to deceive him in order to avoid being with him, and this began to make him sad.

However, Qing Chen said with a smile, "No need to trouble you all. Sun Chuci and Tuanzi can drive us. We'll meet again someday."

Everyone got into the car, Qing Chen took out an electronic beacon and attached it to the rear of the vehicle. The pickup truck slowly drove out of the gate and disappeared into the wilderness.

The team of five was left behind, staring blankly as the Pikachu drove away.

They suddenly realized that they might have missed some very important opportunities.

Inside the truck bed, Qing Chen, Yingzi, Yang Yang played a game of Dou Dizhu (a popular Chinese card game), their laughter filling the air.

While others see going into the wilderness as dangerous and terrifying, they see it as a spring outing.

Yes, spring has arrived.

Inside the car, Tuanzi finally couldn't hold back her tears and started crying. Sun Chuci laughed and said, "Why are you crying?"

Tuanzi wiped away her tears. "I didn't expect them to lie about the car breaking down. If they didn't want to go, they didn't have to go. Why did they have to lie to us?"

Sun Chuci said, "Everyone has different ideas, but things are fine now."

Sitting behind the two, Zard said with a smile, "Our Agricultural Academy students are no worse than anyone else... That's what the dean said!"

Inside the truck bed, Qing Chen said, "This time, let's go keep my promise to Ding Dong. He promised to prepare lots of delicious food. You should go and try it too, brother."

The thought that a lovely giant would be waiting for him in the Forbidden Zone softened Qing Chen's heart for some reason.

Shadow said with a smile, "Great! Ding Dong has lived there for decades. The old folks treat him like a treasure, and even the spiritual animals in the Forbidden Zone dare not provoke him. If he wants to entertain you, he will certainly prepare a very sumptuous feast. As his older brother, I can say that I am benefiting from my younger brother's good fortune."

"Brother, have you seen Ding Dong before?" Qing Chen asked.

"I saw him years ago when I went climbing the Green Mountain Cliff with your grandmaster. He wasn't as big as he is now back then. Your grandmaster said that the old guys doted on him," Shadow recalled.

Qing Chen thought to himself that the master the shadow mentioned should be Li Xiuai, the master of Li Shutong, Chen Jiazhang, and Wang Xiaojiu.

The shadow continued, "Ding Dong's mother died shortly after he was born. He was raised by the creatures of the Forbidden Zone. Your master said that Ding Dong wasn't very smart. In the eyes of the old folks, knights are all children who have gone far away. All the old folks can do is watch you leave the Forbidden Zone No. 00, and then they might not even return once in ten years. Ding Dong is honest and filial. He doesn't go anywhere else, he just stays in the Forbidden Zone No. 00 to keep them company."

Qing Chen listened silently.

Shadow suddenly said, "If we go again this time, the old guys might offer you a deal."

Qing Chen raised an eyebrow. "What kind of deal?"

The shadow said, "We'll leave a child in Forbidden Zone No. 00, so you can go and Jianghu without worry. They'll raise the child for you... Haha, the old guys have mentioned this deal to your grandmaster, your master, and your senior uncle, but no one agreed. Now they're probably coming to you!"

Qing Chen: "..."

Yang Yang muttered, "The old guys have picked the wrong person. He only knows makka parfait."

Shadow raised an eyebrow and looked at Qing Chen: "What? You still want to inherit my Shadow Gate? Forget it, I've already decided who I'm going to give it to."

The containment condition for the Shadow Gate is to remain single forever.

Qing Chen said irritably, "I didn't covet that kind of immoral Forbidden Item!"

On the Green Mountain Cliff of the Forbidden Zone No. 00.

The giant Dingdong sat on the edge of the cliff honestly, his two thick calves dangling just outside the cliff.

He strained his eyes, seemingly trying to trace the path he had taken into Forbidden Zone No. 00, waiting for someone's figure.

At that moment, the Azure Falcon circled twice in the sky and landed beside Ding Dong.

The figure, which resembled a floating airship, actually seemed less enormous next to Ding Dong, and the two of them looked remarkably harmonious.

Azure Falcon cried out, "Chirp!"

(Don't wait anymore, that kid isn't coming. When I went north, he was being chased and fought, he didn't have time to come see you, knights are all heartless.)

Ding Dong scratched his head. "Ding Dong."

(Really? I don't believe it.)

Azure Falcon rolled his eyes with utter disdain. "Chirp!"

(He made a casual promise, and you believed it all. Do you know how many animals in our Forbidden Zone almost didn't survive the winter because of your collecting the fruit?)

As it spoke, it glanced back at the pile of fruit behind Ding Dong, which resembled a small mountain.

Between the fruits, there were also Ding Dong shoot leaves placed on top. The bamboo shoot leaves in the Forbidden Zone are very special. When placed under food, they can keep the food from rotting for a year.

Ding Dong seemed a little embarrassed when she heard Azure Falcon's scolding, after all, it was not good to affect other small animals.

"Ding Dong!"

(I shared some food with them to help them get through the winter. My friend will definitely come; I believe in him!)

"Chirp!"

(Those old guys have spoiled you rotten. Remember, none of the knights are good people. I chased Li Shutong away once back then, and after he became a demigod, he's been thinking about getting revenge on me every day. What kind of good person could he be?)

After saying that, Azure Falcon spread his wings and flew away.

Ding Dong raised her arm to shield her eyes, trying to block out the airflow from the overwhelming wings.

The giant looked back and picked up the fruits that had been disturbed by the airflow, placing them back on green bamboo leaves before continuing to sit on the Azure Falcon and gaze into the distance.

He has been sitting for days.

Qing Chen promised him that spring would come.

Beside the Heavenly Pool atop the mountain, Stone Buddha Li Bingxi had changed to a new fishing rod, and his mind seemed to have returned to its former tranquility.

Behind him stood a small wooden house, like a touch of embellishment in the world, giving Heavenly Pool a touch of human warmth.

At this moment, a master was climbing the mountain steps, his figure swift and agile.

He didn't even use any transportation, seemingly afraid of being discovered, and eventually found the stone Buddha on the mountaintop.

This time, Stone Buddha Li Bingxi, traveled in an exceptionally secretive manner.

The expert from Deer Island, who lived in the mountains, arrived at Heavenly Pool and respectfully approached Li Bingxi, saying, "Uncle, we have found Qing Chen's whereabouts."

Li Bingxi hummed in response, his expression remaining unchanged.

The expert from Kashima said in a low voice, "Li Shutong's appearance in the Frozen Land might be to seek an opportunity for Ye Wan to break through... He probably won't have time to go to the south."

Li Bingxi hummed in agreement again, seemingly unmoved by the news. "What about Yun-jae?"

"Brother Yunze is still training in City No. 5," said the expert from Kashima. "He said he has found the opportunity to break through to the next level. Among the younger generation of various conglomerates, it seems that only Li Changqing, Kamishiro Yunluo, Kamiyo Yun Cang Yuncang, Chen Yehu can compete with him. Li Changqing is a woman, so she is not a threat."

This statement clearly doesn't regard Chen Yu as a master of the younger generation, since a demigod has already transcended that level.

Li Bingxi looked at the lake. "Has there been any news from Chen Yu?"

Kashima, the expert, shook his head. "Not yet."

But at that moment, at the end of the sky, a young man riding Green Ox appeared out of nowhere, as if he himself were in a painting, and the sky was a huge blank space.

Li Bingxi looked up and quietly gazed at the figure. "Quite sincere."

Chen Yu landed on the ground and laughed, "Have you been waiting long?"

This statement was intended to suppress the senior Li Bingxi from the very beginning, since only those of lower status wait for others.

Li Bingxi glanced at him, unconcerned by the veiled meaning in his words: "Shadow is clearly waiting for us to attack. I advise you not to waste your time."

Chen Yu laughed and said, "The problem now is that even if you don't go looking for him, he will definitely come looking for you. Everyone knows how ruthless that Qing Clan Shadow is. Before he dies, he will definitely take a demigod with him. You thought you were safe hiding here, but I still found you, didn't I? If I can find you, he can too. So, instead of waiting for him to come, we might as well go find him together."

"These words still don't convince me, after all, he might also come looking for you," Li Bingxi said calmly.

"If we don't go to find him together, I bet he'll target you, the pushover," Chen Yu shook his head. "Besides, this time is different; some members of the Qing family also want him dead."

When Li Bingxi heard that he was a pushover, his face darkened, but he did not refute it.

A chapter of 4,700 words.

Please vote for me and subscribe! I feel pretty good now that my leg pain is gone. I hope nothing else will bother me while I'm writing the second half of the story. (To be continued)