Chapter 137: Joining Forces on the Journey

Whoosh—

The sound of wind arose from behind. A familiar, fragrant breeze drifted into Fang Junmiao’s nose, and Yang Xiaoman caught up with him.

"Senior Sister, you didn't have to come. It's really fine," Fang Junmiao said, truly reluctant to delay Yang Xiaoman’s opportunities.

Yang Xiaoman giggled and said, "If I didn't come, and that fellow went crazy, how would you and those two little devils withstand him?"

Fang Junmiao smiled slightly and said, "That fellow is already injured. Besides, I still have powerful means that I haven't used yet."

Hearing this, Yang Xiaoman could not help but gaze deeply at him for a few moments, as if trying to see through whether his words were true or false. Naturally, the person Fang Junmiao was referring to was none other than the White Horse Lightning.

Seeing her half-believing and half-doubtful, Fang Junmiao nodded earnestly.

Yang Xiaoman thought for a moment and said, "Even if you truly have such means, you refused to use them even in a situation like the previous one. This shows that your methods are either unspeakable or subject to other restrictions. Since that is the case, it is better not to use them lightly. I will accompany you on this trip."

"… Thank you, Senior Sister."

Hearing this, Fang Junmiao expressed his gratitude, an indescribable feeling rising in his heart.

Yang Xiaoman smiled brightly, displaying a rare gentleness.

***

After searching for more than an hour, their spiritual senses finally detected the presence of Luan Shi Daolang and his companion on a mountain ridge.

Indeed, something had happened!

Luan Shi Xing, that bloodthirsty madman, was in the midst of launching an attack on Luan Shi Daolang. Had Luan Shi Daolang not unexpectedly reached the realm of sword intent carved into his very bones, he certainly would not have been able to hold out for more than a few moves.

Meanwhile, his younger sister, Luan Shi Liangyan, lay sideways on the ground, covered in patches of blood. Fresh blood trickled continuously from the corners of her mouth as she lay motionless, her life or death unknown.

"Luan Shi Xing, you bastard! Why on earth did you suddenly attack us?"

Although Luan Shi Daolang was still barely holding on, the situation had taken a sharp turn for the worse. He roared fiercely, as he possessed a notoriously fiery temper.

"Daolang, did you two take the Thunder Essence Fruits and the Ink Jade Honey? Hand them both over to me right now!" Luan Shi Xing bellowed.

Yang Xiaoman and Fang Junmiao, who had just rushed over, finally understood what the other party was coveting. Judging by his tone, he clearly knew that those two items were located there, likely having been tipped off by their elders.

However, Daoist Cuotuo had not given them any such pointers—perhaps because he himself had not passed by those two specific locations, or because opportunities in other directions could only be taken once and could not be preserved for another thousand years. Naturally, the two of them would not blame Daoist Cuotuo for this.

Without consciously intending to, they sped up their pace!

"Luan Shi Xing, the Thunder Essence Fruits and Ink Jade Honey you want are right here in my hands. Don't go looking in the wrong place!"

Halfway there, Fang Junmiao produced a Thunder Essence Fruit and shouted loudly.

Hearing the voice, Luan Shi Xing jerked his head around. Upon seeing the Thunder Essence Fruit in Fang Junmiao's hand, his gaze shook violently. When he also noticed that Yang Xiaoman had arrived alongside him, he realized that he would gain no advantage today.

Hmph!

With a muffled snort, Luan Shi Xing slashed Luan Shi Daolang back with a single stroke of his blade and fled once again.

***

None of the three gave chase.

***

Luan Shi Daolang hurried over to check on Luan Shi Liangyan's injuries.

Soon, Fang Junmiao and Yang Xiaoman also landed beside him.

After probing for a moment, the stern and cold expression on Luan Shi Daolang's face relaxed slightly. It appeared that her injuries were not excessively severe.

"Brother Daolang, let's find another place first so you can treat your sister's injuries."

Luan Shi Daolang nodded without speaking. The cold gleam in his eyes had not yet completely faded; dragons had their reverse scales, and touching them brought instant fury. Luan Shi Liangyan was undoubtedly one of his reverse scales.

He gently picked up Luan Shi Liangyan in his arms and flew toward the distance.

Finding a cave, they laid Luan Shi Liangyan down and fed her some healing pills. Though she did not wake up immediately, looking at the bloodstains on her upper body and the faint wounds visible beneath her torn clothes, Luan Shi Daolang found himself facing a dilemma.

"Brother Daolang, if you trust us, leave this to my Senior Sister," Fang Junmiao said, perceiving his awkward situation and speaking with consideration.

"In that case, I must trouble Daoist Yang."

Hearing this, Luan Shi Daolang had no overly complicated thoughts. He bowed properly to Yang Xiaoman, no longer addressing her as Senior Sister Fang.

"Senior Sister, please help Luan Shi's little sister tend to her wounds and change into a clean set of clothes. You can use yours first," Fang Junmiao added. Matters of this sort were certainly not suitable for a man to handle, even if Luan Shi Daolang was Luan Shi Liangyan's biological brother.

"Understood. You two men wait outside first," Yang Xiaoman instructed.

The two of them walked out.

***

Outside, regardless of day or night, the world forever maintained that appearance illuminated by the glow of long rainbows—mottled, mysterious, and brimming with a unique charm. Fang Junmiao produced a flask of wine and began to drink, while Luan Shi Daolang consumed some healing pills, as he had also sustained certain injuries.

"How did the two of you come to be here?" Luan Shi Daolang asked.

Fang Junmiao replied, "Before we ran into you, we had already fought a battle with Luan Shi Xing and chased him away. Worried that something might have happened to you, we came to take a look."

Having said this, as if recalling something, he added, "However, we didn't mention a single word about you two. That fellow simply stumbled in your direction by blind luck."

Upon hearing this latter half of the explanation, Luan Shi Daolang smiled and first cupped his fists toward Fang Junmiao, knowing that had the two of them not arrived, he and his sister certainly would have perished here.

"The two of you were actually able to defeat him? Although Luan Shi Xing is a bastard, his strength is truly formidable. His father is an elder of the Luan Shi family, and he has received focused cultivation from the clan since childhood," Luan Shi Daolang marveled.

"It was all thanks to Senior Sister's efforts," Fang Junmiao replied modestly and briefly, before continuing, "Brother Daolang, it is not my place to pry, but isn't it far too risky for you and your sister to enter with your current realms?"

"An opportunity that comes only once in a thousand years—how could we willingly let it slip by? If we miss this time, it is practically certain that the two of us will never have another chance to enter," Luan Shi Daolang said.

His gaze appeared calm, yet it actually carried a trace of regret, likely born from the fact that he had allowed Luan Shi Liangyan to be injured.

After saying this, he glanced sideways at Fang Junmiao and remarked, "Putting it that way, isn't your realm similar to mine?"

Hearing this, Fang Junmiao laughed heartily and said, "At the very least, I knew to bring a powerful Senior Sister along. Why didn't the two of you travel with the members of your clan?"

Hearing this, Luan Shi Daolang's gaze grew somewhat complicated. He gave a slight shake of his head without saying much more, wearing an expression that suggested he had unspeakable difficulties.

Fang Junmiao did not press further.

The two of them drank their wine in sips.

***

After a short while, Yang Xiaoman came out and called the two men inside.

Inside the cavern, Luan Shi Liangyan had already regained consciousness. Having changed into a set of Yang Xiaoman's clothes, her expression was calm, though her complexion remained somewhat pale.

As the brother and sister reunited, an exchange of warm inquiries naturally followed.

"Brother Junmiao, Daoist Yang, I will take care of Liangyan myself. I won't delay your time and opportunities any further; the two of you should continue onward," Luan Shi Daolang said.

"Thank you, Sister Yang and Brother Junmiao. In the future, Liangyan and my brother will definitely repay this kindness," Luan Shi Liangyan added.

Hearing this, Fang Junmiao furrowed his brows. There was no telling where Luan Shi Xing might be lurking; once they parted ways, he might well hunt down the Luan Shi siblings again. However, if he were to interfere further, it would undoubtedly become difficult to explain things to Yang Xiaoman.

Yang Xiaoman glanced sideways at him, seemingly piercing through his inner thoughts. She smiled and said to Luan Shi Daolang, "Daolang, Sister Liangyan, if you don't mind that we are disciples of the Daoist Sect, why don't the four of us travel together?"

"There's no need!"

Hearing this, Luan Shi Daolang refused flatly, as he clearly possessed a certain amount of pride.

Yang Xiaoman said, "Even if you don't consider yourself, you should think of your sister. The cultivators capable of exploring further ahead are all exceptionally strong or possess hidden trump cards. The further we go, the more dangerous it will become."

She continued, "I invite you to join us by no means out of pity or charity. Your sister's divine soul is far stronger than ours; she can discover more opportunities and opponents. You are also a cultivator with sword intent in your bones, making you the match of any ordinary early Dao-Birth cultivator. If the four of us stay together, we will only find and gain more opportunities, rather than dragging anyone down or delaying anyone's fortunes."

This precise and sharp analysis undoubtedly struck a chord in both of their hearts.

Luan Shi Daolang fell silent and did not immediately refuse again. Luan Shi Liangyan looked toward her brother, her attitude one of leaving the decision entirely up to him.

"Stop lingering and hesitating, let's settle on this," Fang Junmiao said after waiting a moment, heavily clapping Luan Shi Daolang on the shoulder and speaking in a resonant voice. "Let's rest for a few hours, let Liangyan recover from her injuries, and then we'll set off."

Hearing this, Luan Shi Daolang gazed at him. Seeing the genuine sincerity in his eyes, and after exchanging another glance with Luan Shi Liangyan, he finally nodded.

"Very well. However, along this road, if the two of you feel anything is amiss or have other thoughts, you may part ways with us at any time."