Yan Kows in Apology!

"Thud!"

His forehead collided with the ground, producing a dull, heavy sound.

"I... am... sorry!"

The three words were squeezed out through his teeth, one by one, laden with endless humiliation and resentment.

He stood up abruptly, not even daring to look at Ning Xiaochun again. He turned and walked toward the depths of the dense forest without looking back, his retreating figure filled with desolation and violence.

As for the spirit beast he had originally promised as compensation, he naturally didn't dare mention it again.

Xie Yue cast a deep look at Ning Xiaochun. That gaze was complex to the extreme, containing wariness, scrutiny, and a hint of something indescribable.

He said nothing more, turned to follow Yan, and soon disappeared into the dense forest.

In the clearing, only Ning Xiaochun, Shui Bing'er, Dugu Yan, and Hu Liena, who had not left, remained.

Ning Xiaochun looked in the direction where Yan had vanished, but he felt no great joy of victory. He knew that this grudge was now set in stone.

Given Yan's personality, he would never let this go. Although he wasn't afraid, it was a nuisance nonetheless.

However, to protect his bottom line and safety, this fight had to happen, and he had to win! Only by intimidating the opponent could he secure long-term peace.

He shook his head, casting these distracting thoughts aside. Just as he was about to call for Shui Bing'er and Dugu Yan to leave, he saw the enchanting girl with pink hair still standing there, her charming peach-blossom eyes observing him with great interest.

"Why haven't you left yet?" Ning Xiaochun looked at Hu Liena with vigilance.

This woman was the future direct disciple of Bibi Dong and the Saintess of Spirit Hall in the original story; her schemes and intelligence were not to be underestimated. He didn't want to get too entangled with her.

Hu Liena smiled sweetly, a smile like flowers in full bloom, carrying a natural allure. She stepped forward twice, her gaze fixed on Ning Xiaochun, her voice soft and charming:

"I said I would compensate you for the loss of your spirit beast. We of the Spirit Hall Golden Generation may be a bit overbearing at times, but we keep our word."

She paused, blinking those eyes that seemed to speak:

"Besides, I am... very interested in you. When did the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect produce such a little genius with twin spirits? That Nine-Story Ghost Pagoda and that spirit fusion skill from just now were truly eye-opening."

Ning Xiaochun felt a chill at her "interested" gaze and subconsciously leaned closer to Shui Bing'er.

Shui Bing'er also frowned slightly, stepping forward to block most of Hu Liena's view, her cold voice tinged with displeasure:

"That won't be necessary. We will hunt for spirit beasts ourselves. Please leave."

"Don't be so distant." Hu Liena seemed not to notice Shui Bing'er's hostility, remaining all smiles.

"I wasn't lying just now. Besides, the Sunset Forest is so vast, and it's quite dangerous for me to wander alone. Following you is at least safer, right? Don't worry, I'll only help you find suitable spirit beasts and won't cause any trouble. Consider it... an apology on behalf of that brute, Yan."

Her words were airtight, her attitude humble, and she even gave a slight, elegant bow.

But Ning Xiaochun caught a hint of undeniable probing and persistence deep in her eyes. He knew this woman was determined to follow them.

Forcibly driving her away, given her status and background, would likely invite more unnecessary trouble.

Moreover, she was right; the depths of the Sunset Forest were indeed dangerous, and having a level-forty spirit ancestor's help wouldn't be bad.

"Forget it, let her follow if she wants." Ning Xiaochun tugged at Shui Bing'er's sleeve and whispered, "We have enough people; we don't need to fear her playing tricks. Besides, with her here, it can distract... well, certain people's attention."

As he spoke, he glanced pointedly at Dugu Yan, who was glaring at Hu Liena as if she were a vixen.

Shui Bing'er thought for a moment. Although she didn't like it, she knew Ning Xiaochun made sense. She gave a cold "hmph" as a sign of acquiescence, but she still stood guard closely by Ning Xiaochun's side, wary of Hu Liena's every move.

Dugu Yan snorted at Hu Liena and muttered under her breath, "Vixen..." but said nothing more.

Thus, the original three-person spirit-hunting team inexplicably became four, with the addition of the enchanting and inscrutable member of the Spirit Hall Golden Generation.

Ning Xiaochun walked in the middle of the group, with the icy, hyper-vigilant Shui Bing'er on his left and the poison-shrouded, hostile Dugu Yan on his right.

Behind them followed Hu Liena, smiling as if she were on a spring outing. He felt immense pressure, even more exhausting than fighting Yan.

He turned his head and asked Shui Bing'er with concern, "Sister Bing'er, how are you feeling? Was the consumption high? Are you hurt?"

Shui Bing'er was slightly stunned, seemingly not expecting Ning Xiaochun to be concerned about her condition first.

She looked at the undisguised care in Ning Xiaochun's eyes, and her heart warmed. The frost on her face melted a little, and she shook her head gently, her voice softer than usual:

"I'm fine. Beating him... didn't take much effort."

She said this so lightly, as if she had just swatted a fly.

Yan, who was almost out of sight but had sharp hearing, stumbled and nearly fell.

He turned back and glared fiercely at them, his face as black as the bottom of a pot, before accelerating away without looking back.

What did she mean by "didn't take much effort"?! This was naked humiliation! A blatant desecration of the defeated!

Ning Xiaochun also heard Shui Bing'er's comment and nearly burst out laughing. He suppressed his laughter and gave a thumbs up:

"Sister Bing'er is mighty!"

Seeing his comical expression, the corners of Shui Bing'er's mouth couldn't help but curve upward slightly, though she quickly returned to her cold demeanor.

Yet, that fleeting smile was keenly captured by Hu Liena nearby.

A playful light flashed in her eyes, and her gaze toward Ning Xiaochun and Shui Bing'er became even more intriguing.

This little boy was not only a heaven-defying talent with a meticulous mind, but he also seemed quite skilled at making girls happy?

Furthermore, this terrifyingly powerful blue-haired girl seemed... exceptionally interested in him? Interesting, truly, how very interesting.

Hu Liena licked her red lips, her curiosity toward Ning Xiaochun growing wildly like weeds in her heart.

As for Ning Xiaochun, he sighed silently to himself.

Sigh... I only wanted to live a quiet life as a kept man and develop steadily.

How did this meal end up becoming so difficult to swallow? Not only is there internal competition, but there are also powerful external enemies lurking... this life is impossible to live!

He raised his head, looking at the vast, boundless Sunset Forest ahead, then glanced at the two "bodyguard sisters"—one cold and one hot—flanking his left and right, as well as the "tail" behind him who was smiling like a blooming flower but whose depth remained unknown, and let out a long, weary sigh.

"Let's go... let's keep looking for soul beasts." His voice was filled with a weariness that did not match his age.