It was still Green Lotus Peak, still the mountainside, and still that little path.

The difference now was that besides Ning Yunmiao and Gu Qingqing, Xiao Lin, Lu Xingqiu, and Yu Qiaoxi were also present. Because of the provocation letter, Leng Youxue even forbade Luo Qingyan and Gu Qingqing from meeting, so Luo Qingyan did not show up.

"Fourth Junior Sister, don't cry. It's just a few chickens, right? Can't the chefs at the Spirit Cuisine Hall make a few more?" Lu Xingqiu tried to comfort the sobbing Ning Yunmiao.

"It's not the same. This is a popular dish from my hometown, and you can't find it here... Plus, I spent two hours making it..." Ning Yunmiao, who had already confirmed that the beggar's chickens were "completely destroyed," hugged Xiaobai, sniffled, and turned her hopeful eyes toward Xiao Lin.

[Senior Brother, as a fellow food lover, you should understand me, right?]

You have a clear understanding of yourself, which pleases me, but calling me a food lover too is not so pleasing... However, having something you cherish ruined is indeed heartbreaking...

Xiao Lin helplessly patted Ning Yunmiao's little head and smiled, "It is a pity, but since it's already destroyed, there's nothing we can do. Fellow Daoist Gu didn't do it on purpose, right, Fellow Daoist Gu?"

"Yes, I really didn't mean to..." Gu Qingqing, who had put away her long spear and stood like a guilty schoolchild, immediately apologized sincerely to Ning Yunmiao, "I'm sorry, Fellow Daoist Ning, please forgive me."

...Though honestly, she didn't quite understand why a few roasted chickens were so precious, seeing Ning Yunmiao cry louder and Xiao Lin and the others coming over because of it, she realized the seriousness of the matter.

She didn't understand, but she respected it.

"Um... I'm just heartbroken, I don't blame Fellow Daoist Gu. You don't need to apologize to me..." Ning Yunmiao quickly shook her head.

Seeing this, Xiao Lin breathed a sigh of relief and was grateful that Gu Qingqing had only attacked the woods earlier and not Ning Yunmiao, or else Xiaobai's claws might have ended up on Gu Qingqing.

"Alright, Fellow Daoist Gu, here is your invitation, take it."

By now, Xiao Lin had no intention of sticking to the plan and directly handed over the invitation, which was supposed to be given out last, to Gu Qingqing.

[Wow, as expected of Senior Brother, he easily did what we couldn't... Now we don't have to offend anyone...]

[Hmm? Just like that? I memorized lines and procedures all night yesterday...]

[Wuwuwu, my beggar's chicken, my beggar's chicken...]

Too lazy to retort to you all...

Xiao Lin couldn't help but complain inwardly.

"Thank you." Gu Qingqing quickly took the invitation and couldn't help but scrutinize the people in front of her again.

From both cultivation level and authority, she could clearly recognize that the one who handed her the invitation was Xiao Lin, the person she was going to challenge.

The remaining three in the Foundation Establishment Realm were naturally not Luo Qingyan.

Having made her judgment, Gu Qingqing directly asked, "May I ask, Fellow Daoist Xiao, is Fellow Daoist Luo Qingyan at Green Lotus Peak?"

Her goal remained unchanged; she still wanted to challenge the strongest.

She's here, and not far away...

Hearing the thoughts drifting by, Xiao Lin maintained his composure and smiled, "Fellow Daoist Gu, Junior Sister Luo is currently in seclusion for cultivation and cannot come to receive you."

After a pause, Xiao Lin continued, "Moreover, Fellow Daoist Gu, you came this time to spar with me, correct?"

As he spoke, although he wore a smile, his aura subtly changed, causing Gu Qingqing, who was internally scoffing at the excuse, to instantly focus.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao is right, I ask for your guidance then." Gu Qingqing immediately bowed to Xiao Lin, speaking earnestly.

"Fellow Daoist Gu, you flatter me. It's just a mutual exchange of knowledge during the spar." Xiao Lin returned the bow with perfect etiquette.

Joking aside, he hadn't been Senior Brother for so many years for nothing. Although he usually joked around within the sect and acted informally with his junior brothers and sisters, when facing outsiders as the sect's Senior Brother, he handled himself impeccably—whether in demeanor or speech. After all, over the years, due to his master's incompetence, many occasions required him to step up, giving him plenty of practice.

Of course, it would be better if Leng Youxue took responsibility.

[Wow, Senior Brother is so cool. Is this the same Senior Brother who used to fight for food with me at the dining hall? Only Senior Brother can be Senior Brother!]

[Being Senior Brother is really troublesome. Thankfully, Senior Brother is here so I can focus on my research.]

[This life’s Senior Brother is still so reliable, so why did Senior Brother want to give up the title recently? Who else can take on this role but Senior Brother?]

A bunch of slackers, if any of you had a bit of ambition, I would have already completed my task and reached the Nascent Soul Realm...

Sighing at the heavy task of "resigning as Senior Brother," Xiao Lin hesitated for a moment, then looked apologetically at Gu Qingqing, "Fellow Daoist Gu, your situation wasn't Flowing Cloud Sect's intention to make things difficult. It's just that my master and your master have some... misunderstandings. Please take a look at this..."

Curious, Gu Qingqing took the letter handed to her and immediately recognized her master's handwriting. After reading a few lines, her expression turned quite colorful.

No wonder her master had advised her to be cautious of Flowing Cloud Sect's difficulties today, with a somewhat evasive look. It turned out he had already dug a pit for her... Master, with you insulting Sect Master Leng like that, who wouldn't be angry?

"Hmm... I understand, Senior Brother Xiao."

"Understanding is good, understanding is good."

As mutual victims of their masters' feud, Xiao Lin and Gu Qingqing exchanged a smile, feeling a sense of camaraderie.

Both had unreliable masters...

Just as Xiao Lin was about to continue with pleasantries, he heard drifting thoughts from afar and immediately became alert, directly saying to Gu Qingqing, "Fellow Daoist Gu, let's leave it at this for now. We'll meet again during our spar. Lu Junior Brother, please take Fellow Daoist Gu to rest."

"?"

Gu Qingqing and the three others looked at the suddenly silent Xiao Lin, puzzled by what had just happened.

Why did Fellow Daoist Xiao/Senior Brother suddenly seem like he heard something terrifying?

Despite their confusion, Lu Xingqiu quickly stepped forward to lead Gu Qingqing to her accommodation—there were no guest rooms at Green Lotus Peak, but a few days ago, the brothers from the Artisan Hall at Hundred Rivers Peak had hurriedly built a house on the mountainside.

Watching Gu Qingqing's departing figure, Xiao Lin silently praised his own quick thinking.

After all, if he hadn't closed his mouth in time, Gu Qingqing might have been directly marked as a mortal enemy by the lurking Luo Qingyan...

However, hearing Luo Qingyan's thoughts drift by again, Xiao Lin's expression changed once more.

No, I need to talk to Second Junior Sister tonight...

...

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