Wan Daoxuan said, "We can discuss how to compete and try to find a method everyone is happy with. Think about what kind of contest you want. If you have any good ideas, feel free to suggest them."
At that, the motley rabble immediately huddled together and began whispering. They even moved off to one side, apparently afraid Wan Daoxuan and the others would overhear.
One of them let out a delighted chuckle. "Brother Mai really knows his stuff. Sure enough, the crying baby gets the milk."
What he meant was that without all their fuss, the other side would never have made such concessions.
Mai Zhanchang cupped his hands slightly in acknowledgment, looking as though he thought the praise excessive.
Wan Daoxuan and the others paid little attention to them. They were more interested in watching Shi Chun. As long as he stayed out of it, they could rest much easier.
Then came a sight that reassured them even further. Shi Chun seemed too lazy to take part. With an air of letting them make all the noise they wanted because it had nothing to do with him, he returned to the cave to rest.
Even Wu Jinliang was a little surprised, but he followed him in.
Chu Jingtang paused, then hurried after them as well.
The disciples of the four sects in the same pirate boat did not join the commotion outside. They closely guarded the cave entrance through which the three had entered. Four disciples of the Jade Tide Sect were also standing guard inside, primarily to protect the large quantity of insect core crystals stored there.
On the hill diagonally opposite, Mulan Qingqing kept herself concealed off to one side. Though she had not shown herself, she had been watching in secret all along. Seeing Wang