The group exited the cave and saw that the thunderstorm in the sky was still far away, feeling much more relaxed for the time being.

Suddenly, a figure appeared in everyone's line of sight. It was a male cultivator whose clothes were somewhat tattered for some unknown reason, looking quite disheveled. At this moment, Ding Fan also saw the figure and immediately recognized his face. But then Ding Fan couldn't help but frown slightly, realizing it was none other than Li Zong.

"Brother Li Zong!"

"Big Brother Li Zong..."

...

At that moment, everyone saw the figure was Li Zong and immediately cheered, obviously not expecting that he would actually return alive. It was indeed a cause for celebration.

Especially the two little divine warrior girls who, upon seeing Li Zong return alive, couldn't help but cheer as well. They clearly didn't expect him to really survive, considering it was a thunderstorm, not something an ordinary cultivator could deal with. But at this moment, nobody cared about that; just seeing Li Zong return was enough to make everyone very happy.

However, Ding Fan was more concerned about this matter. The thunderstorm wasn't something anyone could handle. When the opposite side rushed out at that time, not only did they actually lure away the thunderstorm, but they also managed to return alive. Clearly, all of this was very suspicious. Naturally, Ding Fan wouldn't bring it up back then as everyone was immersed in the emotions of being moved by Li Zong. Obviously, it would have been inappropriate for him to say anything at that time.

But now, Ding Fan clearly wanted to ask. After all, in his heart, he was convinced that this guy was definitely up to no good, and his return this time was evidently the greatest threat to everyone. Although Ding Fan thought so, apart from Ye Ningbing, no one else was inclined to think that way. Everyone was touched by some things about Li Zong, but in Ding Fan's eyes, these matters were very suspicious, even a bit unreasonable.

"Big Brother Li Zong, it's great you're back alive. How did you manage to return? You know, that thunderstorm isn't something easy to deal with?"

At this moment, Ding Fan looked at Li Zong with meaningful eyes, asking with a half-smile.

Upon hearing Ding Fan's words, the two little divine warrior girls were not as averse to Ding Fan. After all, Ding Fan also meant to show concern for the other party. The two little divine warrior girls then looked at Li Zong with faces full of curiosity and asked:

"Yeah, Brother Li Zong, quickly tell us how you managed to escape!"

"Yes, yes, I also really want to know."

In no time, the two little girls looked at Li Zong with intense curiosity and asked.

Li Zong heard everyone's words, sighed, and with a look of difficulty said:

"It really scared me to death. Let's talk as we walk."

Li Zong's words were clearly leaving a cliffhanger. But everyone immediately nodded in agreement.

Then the group started walking forward while Li Zong continued speaking:

"When I rushed out, I found that indeed, the thunderclouds in the sky followed me. At first, I was a little happy because I could actually draw the thunderstorm away, but my joy didn't last long. The thunderclouds over my head kept increasing, and lightning struck from time to time. I was extremely embarrassed and scared, and at that moment, I couldn't think of any other solution except to run."

Hearing Li Zong's words, everyone couldn't help but feel heartache for him. Apparently, Li Zong had gone to divert the thunderstorm to save everyone, knowing that it wasn't something easy to deal with.

When the crowd heard Li Zong say this, they couldn't help but worry about him while being very curious about what method he used to make it back.

"Brother Li Zong, hurry up and tell us how you got back!"

"Yeah, yeah, I also want to know. It certainly wasn't easy, right..."

At this moment, the two little divine warrior girls asked with intense curiosity.

Ding Fan couldn't help but feel a bit amused by the little girls' words, obviously wanting to know how he managed to escape. Clearly, that thunderstorm was not an ordinary entity, and Ding Fan wanted to see what kind of story he would weave.

Moreover, at this moment, Ding Fan had already noticed many loopholes in his narrative. He said there were a lot of thunderclouds gathered above him, yet nothing happened to him, which was clearly impossible. And the biggest question was why the thundercloud would inexplicably follow him, which was the biggest doubt for Ding Fan.

However, Ding Fan didn't point it out, instead continuing to look at Li Zong with a slightly playful expression, following the two little divine warrior girls in asking:

"Yeah, with such dangerous lightning, how did you manage to get back?"

On hearing Ding Fan's words and those of the two little divine warriors, Li Zong's eyes narrowed slightly, and he put on a very pitiable expression, saying:

"At the time, it was just my luck; several lightning strikes missed me. Finally, I ran to a giant tree. I didn't have time to consider how enormous that tree was, but I felt intense spiritual energy around it. So I thought I could meditate there while resisting the thunder. After all, the giant tree provided shelter, making it easier to withstand the lightning. But, incredibly, when the lightning reached above the giant tree, it suddenly dissipated, and then there was no more lightning."

Li Zong paused slightly, perhaps due to some tension from recalling, took a breath, and continued:

"I didn't expect such a miraculous event, but it was indeed a great boon for me at the time. My little life was spared once again. Although there were still sounds of thunder in the Thunder Abyss, they were far off. My location was relatively safe. Afterwards, surviving such a catastrophe, I decided to hurry back to find you all. After all, it's your first time here, but I've been here a few times, so I clearly know the place better. And I had to fulfill my promise to you, to help you find the Gathering Spirit Herb. Although it's a bit difficult to find, I believe with our unrelenting effort, we will definitely gain something!"

Finally, Li Zong finished in one breath, and the crowd couldn't help but look at him with gratitude. Everyone, except Ding Fan, was visibly moved by his words, even Ye Ningbing's expression towards Li Zong was much more friendly.

Ding Fan didn't say anything, but in his heart, he was chuckling coldly. It sounded touching that someone would consider others during a life-and-death situation, but did Ding Fan believe there were such good people in the world? Even if there were, would someone disregard their own safety for others for no reason? Besides, they just met for the first time.

Why would he be so nice to them without any reason? Could it really be because of his noble nature? If Ding Fan hadn't noticed the strong scent of blood on him before, Ding Fan might have been willing to believe it. But now, believing his nonsense was absolutely impossible.

Moreover, Ding Fan noticed many holes in his story. He said he hid under a large tree, but any cultivator with some experience would know that hiding under a tree during a thunderstorm is the most unsafe option, yet he did it. Didn't he understand this?

Clearly, his story is very questionable.

Moreover, Ding Fan heard him say that the giant tree saved him. But the plants in the Thunder Abyss hardly have space to grow, so how could there be a giant tree? All of this was undoubtedly lies fabricated by him.

Though Ding Fan had his thoughts, he didn't say anything. He knew that everyone had evidently placed their faith in Li Zong, and even if he spoke up, it would be to no avail. Thinking of this, Ding Fan rather admired this guy for his eloquence.

"Brother Li Zong, you are truly admirable! I believe we will definitely find that Gathering Spirit Herb!"

"Yes, yes, we are sure to find it!"

...

For a moment, the two little divine warriors sincerely said to Li Zong while looking at him.

At this moment, after hearing their words, Li Zong seemed to nod determinedly but said nothing.

At the side, He Qianyao observed the scene between Li Zong and the two little divine warriors and couldn't help but frown slightly. Clearly, her intuition told her there was something amiss with his explanation, but she couldn't pinpoint what exactly. After all, being an adult, she wasn't as easily swayed as the little divine warriors.

However, He Qianyao had a fair impression of Li Zong from before. Despite noticing something off, without solid evidence, she wouldn't say much. Clearly, unlike the two little divine warriors, she wasn't blindly trusting of Li Zong.

At this moment, He Qianyao glanced over at Ding Fan, noticing he remained silent with no discernible reaction.

He Qianyao knew that from the beginning, Ding Fan seemed to have always felt a bit off about Li Zong, though she hadn't considered it significant. But now, she vaguely perceived some abnormality in Li Zong, which made Ding Fan's earlier concerns seem justified.

But now she knew that the two little divine warriors evidently had deep faith in Li Zong. Even if she spoke up, they'd hardly believe her, especially without evidence, and she knew deep down that even if Li Zong had some motive.

The fact is, he risked his life leading the thunder away for their sake, and if she said something that wrongly accused him, it would be very upsetting for him.

After all, He Qianyao was inherently kind-hearted and naturally didn't want to see such a scene.

At this time, Ye Ningbing was somewhat moved by Li Zong's words. Clearly, Li Zong's speech could readily persuade those young and those like Ye Ningbing without much experience in the Cultivation World. But once Ye Ningbin noticed Ding Fan's reaction, she no longer felt the same.

After all, in her heart, Ding Fan was irreplaceable. Even if the person was good, if Ding Fan didn't like them, she'd unhesitatingly side with Ding Fan.

Besides, Ye Ningbing fully believed that Ding Fan wasn't someone easily envious. Clearly, the person must have issues; otherwise, Ding Fan wouldn't find them so repulsive.