"Please forgive the spectacle, Fellow Daoist Xiao!" Huo Furong said apologetically as she turned back to Xiao Hua, a communication talisman in her hand. "The rules of Fire Fierce Mountain are strict, but I could not bear to..."
Xiao Hua smiled. "Fellow Daoist Huo is so kindhearted—such is the bearing of an elder. How could there be any fault in that? This Xiao finds such a practice quite heartwarming!"
Delighted, Huo Furong said with a smile, "It is enough that Fellow Daoist Xiao does not laugh at me. With such praise, I am becoming a little proud!"
Seeing Huo Furong restrain her temper so thoroughly while speaking to Xiao Hua, the young disciples were all curious. Without even blinking, they stared at him.
"Fellow Daoist Xiao, Sister Xue, please!" Huo Furong said, leading Xiao Hua and Xue Xue through the gate.
Beyond the gate lay a restriction. Though beaded curtains hung lightly there, once they passed through them, what lay beyond was not the screen wall visible from outside, but a broad corridor. The corridor was tranquil and showed none of the usual disorder. The moment Huo Furong stepped into it, someone hurried toward them from the other end. Upon seeing her, he cried, "Furong, when did Great-Grandfather summon me? How could you deceive your brother?"
Xiao Hua frowned. Was this not Huo Qilin? What a coincidence—he had only just set foot in the Fire Fierce Mountain residence and immediately encountered the person he least... wanted to see!
"Oh, Fellow Daoist Xue!" As Xiao Hua and Xue Xue rounded the corridor, Huo Qilin spotted them at once. How could he still spare a thought for complaining to Huo Furong? His face lit up with extraordinary delight as he hurried over and gave a solemn salute. "It has only been a