Outside the Imperial Garden gates, everyone waited quietly.
The matter of Bone Filth Child of the Devil Sect launching a sneak attack on Song Baige and the others had spread through every team. Unable to find Bone Filth Child, some Literary Cultivators could only glare relentlessly at the other Devil Sect members.
People from several teams kept coming over to Li Qingxian's group, making verbal promises that once they entered the Imperial Garden, they would avoid fighting if possible. If a dispute truly arose, they would stop short of causing real harm.
Everyone understood by now that in this final step, the most important thing was not fighting for the Emperor Star, but staying alive.
Li Qingxian had remained prepared, but Bone Filth Child stubbornly refused to appear.
"Your mind seems unsettled. It'll be fine." Shen Xiaoyi moved closer and comforted him softly, then handed him a pale yellow piece of bean crisp candy. "I made it."
Li Qingxian accepted the candy. "It may be because of Song Ge'er's injury and Bone Filth Child."
He opened his mouth and bit off a corner. It was crisp, loose, and sweet, overflowing with the fragrance of beans.
"It's quite good. Your skill isn't bad." Li Qingxian took another bite. He did not know why, but chewing the lightly sweet candy made his heart feel much steadier.
The team members glanced over, staring at the bean crisp candy in Li Qingxian's hand as their throats bobbed.
Shen Xiaoyi took out a piece for herself and slowly ate it.
After Li Qingxian finished eating, he noticed that many people were looking at him. Shen Xiaoyi showed no intention of sharing her candy, so he took out some pastries from the Heaven-and-Earth Bracelet. He gave several pieces to Shen Xiaoyi first, then distributed the rest