Yun Tian casually tossed the remaining red stones to Nie Li. They traced several lustrous arcs through the air, and Nie Li's eyes instantly lit up as though they held two stars. He hurriedly caught them with both hands, his fingertips brushing their cool, smooth surfaces. His grin nearly stretched to his ears as he rubbed them over and over. "Thank you, Senior Yun Tian! These treasures are even rarer than spirit crystals!"
Yun Tian smiled and shook his head, then turned to continue deeper into the Ninefold Deathlands. Before he had gone far, bright laughter drifted from the woods ahead, like silver bells swaying in the wind. Looking closer, he saw Xiao Ning'er standing beside a young person dressed in blue, both chatting animatedly. Beiming Xue stood nearby, along with the bouncing A Jiao and A Sha. Friendship between girls really did blossom swiftly and passionately. In mere moments, they had grown as close as if they had known one another for years.
Beiming Xue spotted Yun Tian first. Her eyes brightened, and she immediately waved her little hand. "Brother Yun Tian, we're over here!" Hearing her, A Jiao and A Sha turned their heads. At the sight of Yun Tian, they ran toward him like two happy little butterflies, chattering away. Before he could steady himself, they threw themselves into his arms from either side.
Xiao Ning'er turned to the blue-clad figure beside her and smiled. "Xiao Yu, that's Brother Yun Tian, the one I told you about. Let's go over too." Xiao Yu's cheeks flushed slightly. She gave a soft hum of agreement and followed Xiao Ning'er over.
Beiming Xue, A Jiao, and A Sha crowded into Yun Tian's embrace, their soft little bodies nearly filling his arms. He drew his arms around them to steady them,