The atmosphere along the way was hardly lively. At least, compared to the laughter of the past, the group spent more time in silence now.
It made sense, really!
Leng Qingsong, who had once believed he could solve anything with the sword in his hand and had never tasted defeat, had lost.
Chen Changsheng, who had once believed meticulous planning could ensure nothing went wrong, had discovered that he was merely marking time.
Both were prodigies. Having never tasted defeat, they were experiencing frustration for the first time.
Naturally, they were not in the best of spirits.
Only Ouyang lay on Great Whale's back, swaying his head as he pondered what to eat once they returned.
Suddenly, Ouyang's heart jolted. He looked down, and his expression turned strange.
Not just Ouyang-even the listless Leng Qingsong and Chen Changsheng raised their heads at the same time, a trace of horror flashing through their eyes.
Ouyang sensed a familiar aura. Familiar was not even the word for it; he could remember exactly what underwear its owner had worn as a child.
"Is that Xiao Bai's aura?" Chen Changsheng asked uncertainly.
There was even self-doubt in his voice, as though he suspected something was wrong with his senses.
That aura was simply too faint, and far too chaotic.
Frowning, Leng Qingsong leaped straight off Great Whale!
"I lost our bet, but it looks like I've recovered some ground through Xiao Bai!" Ouyang said to Chen Changsheng in a peculiar tone.
Great Whale plunged down, following close behind Leng Qingsong.
Below them, four or five rogue cultivators had surrounded a young man in ragged clothes and were spouting arrogant threats.
"Brat, you're pretty good at running! We brothers chased you over a thousand li!"
"A brat who hasn't even reached the Qi Refining Stage