"...If anything goes wrong, I hope you can make a few more attempts on our behalf, Miss Shi. I will certainly remember this favor."
The woman lowered her eyes with a faint smile. "You are too kind, Young Hero Pei. Over these past days, we have grown very fond of Jade Feather and the Young Sect Master as well. We certainly would not want Heavenly Mountain's efforts in Shaolong to fall by the wayside."
Pei Ye fell silent again for a moment. "...If you do encounter any difficulties, you can send word to me. I will certainly do what little I can."
Shi Zanxue smiled again. After a moment's hesitation, she still said softly, "I am not merely being polite, Young Hero Pei. This involves certain matters within Heavenly Mountain's walls... In any case, please believe that, on my side at least, we are genuinely reaching toward Shaolong, and genuinely supporting Jade Feather."
"All right... thank you." Pei Ye cupped his fists and bowed.
Shi Zanxue returned his salute, and they parted.
Pei Ye put away Little Sword and stepped into the large compound before him.
The atmosphere felt somewhat familiar, cruel and sharp, everything a bustle of urgency. Pei Ye crossed the courtyard with its constant stream of people, asked where Wu Dong was, and went straight up to the Immortal Platform's fourth floor.
Wu Dong and the Spellcaster he had met once before were both there, but what Pei Ye saw when he entered was unexpected.
Pu Huaimeng was still sitting cross-legged before the Formation Disk. The residual Profound Qi he had collected and analyzed showed different colors in different bottles. Wu Dong, however, was already fully dressed, the injuries of the night before last seemingly leaving no trace. With his sword propped against the desk, he was