Holding Zhao Hongying

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hongying frowned almost imperceptibly, then nodded gently.

"Of course," she replied telepathically, her voice clear and crisp. "I won't go back on my promise to you."

Seeing that she agreed, Wang Mengde's smile remained unchanged, and he transmitted his voice:

"If that's the case, then let's make the vow as I've stated."

"First and foremost, my safety during this operation must be guaranteed."

If in the process of searching for or dealing with those two Demon Fish...

I am not liable for any accident caused by your negligence, mistakes, or even deliberate actions, resulting in injury, disability, or loss of life.

Then, Zhao Hongying, you will not die a good death, and after death you will suffer the pain of your soul being annihilated, never to be freed.

Zhao Hongying's lips twitched slightly, uncontrollably.

That bastard has bound his safety to her with Soul Oath.

How much distrust does this show towards her?

But then I thought about it again. A mere cultivator at the Fifth-Level Qi Refinement Refining making a deal with six Eighth Layer of Qi Refinement of Qi Refining—without some guarantees, the other party really wouldn't feel at ease.

She thought for a moment, then transmitted her voice, "Okay."

Wang Mengde continued to transmit his voice, "Secondly, after I help you find those two Blood-Spirit Flying Shuttle and you successfully kill them, you will fulfill the agreement."

They found me a complete set of Talisman drawing methods, from the first-level beginner to the second-level advanced, with one method for each level, totaling six methods.

Each item must have accompanying Talisman drawing; these cannot be incomplete or of poor quality.

Zhao Hongying nodded. "Okay."

Wang Mengde continued to transmit his voice:

"Secondly, if we fail to find the Blood-Spirit Flying Shuttle on this voyage, our deal will be void, and you will not be allowed to punish me under any pretext."

Finally, the agreement we made today must not be revealed to anyone in any form, including your senior brothers and sisters, your teachers, and your dao companion.

"If you violate any of the above, Zhao Hongying, you will suffer a terrible death, and even after death, you will endure the pain of your soul being annihilated, never to be freed."

Zhao Hongying's brow twitched slightly, uncontrollably.

That bastard, he really thought of everything.

Zhao Hongying nodded. "Okay."

Wang Mengde then picked up his teacup with satisfaction and took a sip.

She didn't respond to Wang Mengde immediately, but turned her head to look at Yang Daqiang, who was holding a teacup and looking them up and down.

"Fellow Daoist Yang." Zhao Hongying's voice returned to its usual clear and crisp tone, carrying an undeniable air:

"Please wait for me outside for a moment. I have something to discuss with Fellow Daoist Wang alone."

Yang Daqiang was stunned, and the teacup in his hand stopped in mid-air.

These two have been communicating telepathically for a while, and now they want to discuss things privately?

What secrets are you keeping from him? You could just communicate telepathically, why do you need him to stay away?

Are the two of them up to something shady?

No, no, Zhao Xianzi is the pride of the Evergreen Sect, how could she possibly be interested in Wang Mengde?

Yang Daqiang's gossip-loving spirit burned fiercely.

But he still stood up, smiling, and said, "Alright, alright, you guys chat, you guys chat."

After saying that, he turned and walked out of the living room, thoughtfully closing the door behind him.

Only Wang Mengde and Zhao Hongying remained in the reception room.

Wang Mengde waved his hand, and the Protective Spirit Formation activated, enveloping the living room in a shield of spiritual energy.

Zhao Hongying looked at Wang Mengde and took a deep breath.

Her lips parted slightly, her voice low and solemn, and she began to utter the Soul Oath, word by word, according to the oath Wang Mengde had just recited:

"I, Zhao Hongying, swear by my very soul..."

During this trip with Wang Mengde to search for the Blood-Spirit Flying Shuttle, from the moment we left Rosy Cloud Island until our return, I will do everything in my power to protect him.

If he encounters any accident, dies at the hands of the Demon Fish, or at the hands of others, or if I fail to protect him properly, resulting in him being seriously injured or having his cultivation damaged...

"If I, Zhao Hongying, violate this oath, may I die a terrible death, and even after death, may I suffer the pain of my soul being annihilated, never to be freed."

Wang Mengde nodded in satisfaction.

Although he wasn't sure if the oath would come true, cultivators took it very seriously, and those who made Soul Oath almost always kept their word.

She looked at Wang Mengde and said, "Fellow Daoist Wang, can we get down to business now? When shall we depart?"

Wang Mengde said, "Go back and discuss with your fellow Daoists, persuade them to give me 12,000 Spirit Stone, and I can set off at any time."

She stood up and glanced at Wang Mengde.

This person was truly a completely different person from the good-for-nothing Shen Qingxue had described.

Shrewd, cautious, and meticulous.

After she finished speaking, she stood up and left the reception room without any hesitation.

When Yang Daqiang saw her come out of the courtyard, he quickly went to greet her, his eyes sweeping over her and then glancing at the attic behind her.

"Fairy Zhao, has the deal been reached?"

"Okay, I have to go now." Zhao Hongying nodded, walked out of the courtyard, and with a light tap of her foot, Flying Sword flew out of her Storage Bag, carrying her into the sky and disappearing in an instant.

Yang Daqiang stood there, watching the dashing figure disappear into the distance.

He looked back at the now-closed Light Barrier and stroked his chin.

What exactly did these two talk about?

It seemed to have only taken two minutes.

Yang Daqiang glanced back at the attic, stroked his chin, and then turned and left.

The next day, early morning.

Just as the sky began to lighten with the first hint of dawn, the Light Barrier was gently tapped.

Wang Mengde stepped out of the quiet room and waved to open the Light Barrier.

Zhao Hongying, dressed in a smart outfit, stood straight outside the door, the morning light casting a faint golden hue around her.

Wang Mengde bowed slightly and said, "Good morning, Fellow Daoist Zhao."

Zhao Hongying nodded and got straight to the point. "Fellow Daoist Wang, I have already discussed it with my senior brothers and sisters."

Wang Mengde smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhao is indeed efficient in handling matters."

Zhao Hongying didn't reply, but patted her Storage Bag, and Flying Sword appeared in front of her.

She leaped onto the Flying Sword, landing steadily on its tip, and turned to look at Wang Mengde: "Follow me."

Wang Mengde paused slightly.

"I don't have Flying Sword, nor do I know Sword-Controlling Technique."

Zhao Hongying frowned slightly.

She had forgotten about that.

It's normal for independent cultivators not to know Sword-Controlling Technique. Rogue Cultivator, while Sword-Controlling Technique isn't a particularly profound Law Technique, it still requires a lot of Spirit Stone to purchase, and Flying Sword also require a significant amount of Spirit Stone.

Wang Mengde has cultivated both the Spirit Eye Technique and the Entwining Silk Technique to the Peak Mastery, presumably spending all his time on these two Law Techniques. It's understandable that he doesn't know the Sword-Controlling Technique.

She hesitated for a moment, then said, "It's alright, just stand up, I'll use my spiritual power to support you."

Wang Mengde nodded, walked to the Flying Sword, and stepped onto it.

The Flying Sword was extremely narrow, barely wide enough for one foot.

Wang Mengde placed his feet on the sword, one in front of the other, and his body swayed slightly.

Zhao Hongying frowned again and said, "Stand firm."

With that, she channeled her spiritual power, and her Flying Sword shot into the sky.

Wang Mengde swayed, stumbled, and instinctively reached out with both hands.

He placed his hands on Zhao Hongying's waist.

The other person was dressed very lightly.

The surface that my hands touched was soft and warm.