Lin He appeared on a desolate little hill. A slender figure stood ahead of him-it was Zi Ling. Beside her stood an old man in gray.
On seeing Lin He, Zi Ling gave a lilting laugh. "Brother Lin, what a coincidence! We actually teleported to the same place."
The old man in gray hurriedly greeted Lin He with utmost respect. "This junior is Ge Li of Tiantai Island. My respects, Senior!"
Lin He merely nodded, looking utterly unconcerned. Ge Li continued smiling politely, without the slightest sign of annoyance.
Zi Ling, however, dared not put on airs. She promptly said, "Zi Ling of the Miaoyin Sect greets Fellow Daoist Ge!"
Fellow Daoist Ge? Lin He looked at Zi Ling, thinking that the girl was quick on her feet indeed.
Ordinarily, a Foundation Establishment cultivator would address a Core Formation cultivator as "Senior." But Zi Ling called Lin He "Brother Lin." If she addressed Ge Li as "Senior," would that not place Ge Li above Lin He, a Nascent Soul cultivator, in seniority?
Ge Li froze for a moment, but soon caught on. The way he looked at Zi Ling changed completely.
For a late Foundation Establishment cultivator to address a Nascent Soul cultivator so familiarly, their relationship seemed anything but ordinary.
He hurriedly replied with warmth, "So you are Fairy Zi Ling of the Miaoyin Sect! I have long heard of your great reputation!"
The corners of Zi Ling's lips lifted. An early Core Formation cultivator was treating her so warmly, clearly out of regard for Lin He.
This first trial, the Ghost Grievance Land, was no easy hurdle for ordinary Core Formation cultivators. Ge Li had already wanted to find companions to travel with. Now that he had seen Lin He, he could barely resist the urge to cling