Peng Zide had seen everything clearly from inside the great formation. Fang Tianqi had had nothing to do with this rescue; Xu Qingtong and the Grand Elder had done all the work. Yet he had gone to Fang Tianqi first to offer his thanks. Who knew what he was thinking!
Fang Tianqi came to his senses and hurriedly waved his hands. "Sect Leader Peng, there is no need to thank me. All the credit for this rescue goes to Qingtong and the Witch Clan's Grand Elder!"
"Oh? The Witch Clan's Grand Elder? Would that be this senior?" Peng Zide asked, looking at the Grand Elder.
"Indeed!"
Peng Zide turned and walked over to Xu Qingtong, cupping his fist. "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Xu, for setting aside our past grievances and saving the Biluozong from danger!"
Xu Qingtong glanced at Peng Zide and said evenly, "Without Grand Elder Shi's unstinting assistance, it would have been all but impossible for me to carry out this rescue alone!"
Peng Zide then bowed to the Grand Elder. "Thank you, Elder Shi!"
Seeing his lukewarm manner, Xu Qingtong was about to speak when the Grand Elder said, "Qingtong, I acted this time for your sake! Next time, I will not take such risks again to do thankless work!"
Xu Qingtong nodded. "Thank you, Grand Elder. Let us head back now!"
The Grand Elder assented and swept his broad sleeve, gathering up the bodies of the Golden Core Ghost Cultivators on the ground and putting them away.
Xu Qingtong called Xiao Qi and Xizi back into the Seven-Star Bracelet, then summoned the Dust-Exterminating Boat. Cupping his fist toward Fang Tianqi, he said, "Take care, Sect Leader. I shall take my leave!"
Fang Tianqi opened his mouth, wanting to say something, only to see that Xu Qingtong