This was none other than the companion who had fallen behind to gather medicinal herbs. Only now, his pupils and even the whites of his eyes had turned pitch-black. His expression was wooden, as though he had long since lost all thought of his own and become a puppet.
Clutched in his hand was a spirit plant that Heavenly Wolf Demon Beasts loved most.
Suddenly, the spirit plant fell to the ground, and a wisp of black smoke rose from the top of his head. He collapsed as well, convulsing and foaming at the mouth. Had anyone passed by, they would have discovered that he was already dead.
Meanwhile, Qiao Zirong seemed not to have fully recovered yet, his face still pale. In a rare show of conscience, Mo Qi supported him as they trailed behind the others, walking slowly.
Qiao Zirong smiled gently at Mo Qi. "Thank you."
The rims of Mo Qi's ears reddened slightly. Turning her face aside, she asked awkwardly, "Didn't Su Jiu tell you not to meddle?"
Qiao Zirong shook his head. "But you aren't a stranger. Actually, ever since Su Jiu gave me a Great Restoration Pill to save me back in the Ice Cavern, I've thought of you all as friends."
"Besides, I've saved people before. Most of them hurried away when they saw how badly injured I was. Some were a little kinder-they fed me a pill before leaving me where I lay."
Beside them, the corner of Su Jiu's mouth twitched. Those were the truly clever ones. They had acted that way because they did not want to become bound to him by karma. After all, exchanging a single pill for the karmic debt of a life saved was an absolute bargain.
Mo Qi's eyes widened in apparent disbelief. "I really