No sooner had Li Yichen and the others left than Xia bit her lip and turned toward the rear hall.
She stopped outside a room at the very back, raised her hand, and knocked softly on the door.
"Master..."
"They've left?" After a long silence, Meng Po's voice came from inside.
"Yes..." Xia answered softly. She hesitated, but could not help asking, "Master, you clearly wanted to see him. Why did you avoid him?"
"Better to forget each other and go our separate ways than cling to each other through hardship." Meng Po sighed softly. "My merit is complete, and the day of my reincarnation draws near. The Heavenly Dao cannot be defied. Why add to our troubles?"
She paused before continuing, "From now on, the Bridge of Helplessness will be in your care."
Meanwhile, Li Yichen had returned to Hidden Dragon Manor with Tang Ling'er and Luo Qingyao.
But the moment he stepped out of the Spatial Gate, he saw three pairs of eyes gleaming blue, staring straight at him like wolves.
"Fourth, how did it go? Did you bring them back?" Yang Weifeng swallowed and asked cautiously.
Sun Kai and Zhang Yong looked just as anxious.
"Of course." Li Yichen said smugly, "You can count on me. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."
Sun Kai and the others' eyes lit up, and they immediately urged him, "Then hurry up and take them out so we can see!"
"That's right, let us see! We're curious too." Even Mo Yurou and the other women gathered around expectantly.
"Don't rush. I'll show you right now." Li Yichen reached into thin air, then held his clenched fist out before them with a smile. "Everyone, stand back a little. I'm going to let them out."
"Tch... they're only the size of your fist. Why