"Thank you, Miss Jiu Xia, for looking after Hongxia!" The trace of doubt on Xiao Hua's face vanished completely as he spoke with a smile, then turned and entered the cave again.
Li Zongbao was naturally taken aback, but after a brief calculation, he more or less understood. Lowering his head, he found a spot to sit and began cultivating alone. Xiao Mao, meanwhile, looked from one person to another, utterly confused. Fairy Hongxia and Jiu Xia were speaking softly together nearby. He wanted to ask Li Zongbao, but Li Zongbao ignored him. Left with no choice, he sat cross-legged at the cave entrance, standing guard for Xiao Hua.
Several more days passed, and the fragrance of medicine drifted out from the cave entrance. It lingered for dozens of days. On this day, while everyone had their eyes closed in contemplation of their respective cultivation arts, a clear goose cry suddenly rang out from within the cave. The cry was proud, yet filled with desolation!
Hearing it, Jiu Xia opened her eyes and looked toward the cave, her brows faintly furrowed. This goose cry was clearly different from the previous two. Others might not know, but she heard it distinctly.
"Little sister," Fairy Hongxia also opened her eyes, acutely sensing Jiu Xia's expression. She asked softly, "Xiao Lang isn't in trouble, is he?"
"Mmm, I'm afraid something may indeed be wrong," Jiu Xia said without concealing anything. "Xiao Hua already said that when refining the Grade 2 spirit pill, he was somewhat unable to keep up. But in order to let you take a higher-grade Grade 3 spirit pill, he still insisted on refining a third pill! I couldn't stop him at all! Sister, you are truly fortunate to have a Dao companion as deeply devoted as Xiao Hua! But