Seeing the two hugging each other, Su Shi couldnât help but be stunned.
Instead of fighting, they were as close as good friends?
ââŠâ
The two turned their heads and noticed Su Shiâs bewildered expression. They quickly let go of each otherâs hands.
âWhen did you get here?â Zhan Qingchen blushed slightly.
Xin Ling lowered her head even more, too shy to look up.
After revealing her Dao Heart and being seen by Su Shi, she felt an indescribable shyness. She didnât even know how to face him.
Su Shi smiled and said, âIt seems like I interrupted you?â
Zhan Qingchen snorted, âYes, you interrupted our practice.â
Su Shi rubbed his chin and said, âIs hugging each other considered practice? Is this a special cultivation method in Tianji Pavilion? Count me in!â
As he spoke, he opened his arms wide and said, âCome here!â
âYou pervert!â
The two fled in fright.
Zhan Qingchen hid away and glared at him, her face blushing. âStop acting foolishly. I havenât forgiven you for what happened before.â
Su Shi shook his head and said, âLook whoâs talking? Werenât you the one eager to hug me and didnât want to let go earlierâŠâ
âEnough talking!â Zhan Qingchenâs face grew even redder.
When she first saw Su Shi, she couldnât control her feelings. But now that Xin Ling was so frank, she couldnât bring herself to get close to Su Shi in front of her.
Su Shi looked at the two of them and remarked, âYour relationship seems to be progressing quickly.â
Just a while ago at Wendao Cliff, Zhan Qingchen was still jealous, but now she and Xin Ling seemed like sisters.
Do womenâs friendships develop so rapidly?
Zhan Qingchen took Xin Lingâs arm and huffed softly, âWe are sisters from the same sect, so naturally, our relationship is very good.â
Su Shi became even more curious when he saw this.
Zhan Qingchen had a cold personality, not only disliking men, but also never taking the initiative to approach women. Apart from Chen Qingluan, she hardly had any other friends.
Zhan Qingchen and Xin Ling had only recently met, yet their relationship was so warmâŠ
Su Shi asked, âXin Ling, what kind of charm did you use on her?â
âI wonât tell you,â Xin Ling turned her head.
It was evident that the two had formed an unite for some unknown reason.
Su Shi felt both helpless and relieved at the same time.
Well, at least they were getting along well now.
Seeing how close they were, Su Shi smiled and said, âApart from Qingluan, I guess Xin Ling is the second friend in your life, right?â
Zhan Qingchen turned her head and asked, âWhy do you care?â
âQingluan?â Xin Ling heard this and asked curiously, âIs Senior Sister and Miss Chen good friends?â
âThatâs right,â Zhan Qingchen blinked. âIt seems like youâre also quite familiar with Qingluan?â
Xin Ling shook her head and said, âNot really, but before Miss Chen came to Nanli, we had some interactions.â
Zhan Qingchen was taken aback. âChen Qingluan came to Nanli? When did that happen?â
âJust before the New Year Festival. Miss Chen visited Suâs residence and stayed there for several daysâŠâ
Xin Ling paused, suddenly realizing something.
After a moment, she said cautiously, âSenior Sister, donât tell me you didnât know about this?â
Zhan Qingchenâs face turned icy, her silver teeth clenched tightly.
Chen Qingluan visited Suâs residence?
Nanli City was located in the Southwest Region, quite far from the Weiyang capital. Chen Qingluan deliberately came to visit during the New Year Festival. It was clear what her intentions were.
âSo my guess was right, they reallyâŠâ Zhan Qingchen was furious.
She usually didnât care if he flirted with other girls, but to hook up with her best friend?
How ridiculous!
âSu Shi!â
Su Shi saw that the situation was turning bad and had already slipped towards the door.
Hearing the angry tone behind him, he forced a smile and said, âAhem, Iâll explain everything next time. I have something else to do, so Iâll take my leave.â
He quickly left, not wanting to stay any longer.
As for Qingluan and Qingchen, he would deal with them at the right time.
The air grew quiet.
Zhan Qingchen looked resentful.
She wasnât a fool; she had long noticed that Su Shi and Chen Qingluan had an unusual relationship.
But she thought it was just an early phase.
Unexpectedly, their progress was faster than hers, and they had already met each otherâs parents!
This made her feel a bit anxious.
Xin Ling realized that she might be in trouble.
Her throat tightened, and she tiptoed outside the pavilion.
At that moment, Zhan Qingchenâs voice came, âJunior Sister Xin.â
âYes?â Xin Lingâs body froze, and she turned around, forcing a reluctant smile. âWhatâs the matter, Senior Sister?â
Zhan Qingchen said quietly, âDuring the last New Year Festival, what happened at Suâs Residence and who were the guests⊠Iâm very curious about these things. Letâs have a good chat.â
Xin Lingâs face turned bitter.
Itâs over this timeâŠ
###
In the Barbarian Realm, at Green Hill Plains.
A group of people gathered in a room.
Yu Yuan furrowed his brows. âAfter the banquet yesterday, Su Shi escorted you back to your room. How did he suddenly disappear?â
Yu Renâer bit her lip and whispered, âI donât know. Before I fell asleep, I vaguely remember Brother Su Shi lying next to me, but when I woke up, he was gone.â
Yu Yuanâs frown deepened.
He had searched for hundreds of miles but found no trace of Su Shi.
Green Hill Plains was originally an important place for the Fox Clan, and the security was tight. Even if Su Shi left temporarily, it wouldnât be so quiet.
It was as if he had vanished into thin air!
Could a powerful force have abducted him?
The ancestors should have noticed if that were the case.
Yu Renâerâs eyes were slightly red, and she worriedly asked, âFather, do you think Su Shi is in danger?â
Yu Yuanâs expression turned solemn.
After all, they were in the Barbarian Realm. If Su Shi was really being held captiveâŠ
Not only would he not be able to bear it, but the anger of the Demon Empress and the Holy Empress would be a heavy blow that the Green Hill Plains Fox Clan couldnât withstand.
âSpread the word to expand the search area to a radius of 5,000 miles. Leave no trace unnoticed.â
âElder, go to Huangnyuan City and confirm if Nephew Su has returned.â
âSecond Elder, take a group to the Tiger Clan and investigate if this is the doing of remnants from their clan.â
âI will go and seek the assistance of our ancestor!â
âYes!â
The crowd responded and prepared to go their separate ways.
Yu Renâerâs face turned pale, and tears welled up in her eyes.
At that moment, the air rippled and a dark crack appeared, slowly expanding.
âHuh?â
âWho?!â
The group suddenly felt a sense of danger.
Green Hill Plains was protected by an ancient formation, yet someone had forcefully broken through the formation and appeared through the void?
In the next moment, everyone was left dumbfounded.
A figure dressed in white emerged from the void, stepping out of the crack.
Looking at the startled faces in front of him, Su Shi wondered, âSo many people? Are you having⊠a meeting?â
The room fell into complete silence.