Chapter 712: Chapter 718: Agreed Chapter 712: Chapter 718: Agreed âAre you planning to go out alone again?â Bai Qiushan appeared out of nowhere and said with a chuckle.
Li Chengshengâs brows furrowed slightly, and he immediately put some distance between them, asking with an unsightly expression, âDid you tamper with something on me?â
âDo I really appear so despicable in your eyes?â Bai Qiushan put on a look of utter despair, gazing at him pitifully.
If it were a woman making such a tearful and sorrowful expression, one might admire the sight, but for a man of eight feet tall, it felt nothing but uncomfortable to look at.
âAct normal!â
âWhat if I said that this is the fate between us two? Would you be willing to believe that?â
The moment these words were spoken, Li Chengsheng felt as if he were being crawled over by innumerable caterpillars, experiencing extreme discomfort in both body and mind. He felt that if he stayed any longer, he might not be able to resist lashing out. Suppressing the thought, he turned away expressionlessly and left.
In fact, their encounter was indeed a coincidence; Bai Qiushan had just returned from the Undying Volcano, but the words he said were truly unbearable.
âDonât go, Taoist friend.â
Despite his words, Bai Qiushan didnât chase after him, only watching Li Chengshengâs retreating figure and murmuring to himself, âOne day, I will make you join my team!â
As a direct disciple from a major power, Bai Qiushan was incredibly selective. Ordinary cultivators didnât even catch his eye, and unfortunately, Li Chengsheng had attracted his attention.
And among cultivators like him, aside from their pride and arrogance, they shared one more characteristic: persistence, or you could say, stubbornness.
âIt seems I need to find a team to join soon,â Li Chengsheng thought to himself.
The decision was to make Bai Qiushan, that madman, back off and stop bothering him, but also because being alone on the outskirts of the Undying Volcano, he couldnât find anything worthwhile. The effort simply didnât match the rewards.
However, finding a suitable team was not an easy task. He couldnât just rush into any group; doing so could lead to an untimely death without even knowing how it happened.
Days later, Li Chengsheng returned to the Immortal City, looking utterly exhausted. His fatigued demeanor couldnât hide the frustration and helplessness on his face.
Although previous excursions hadnât yielded much, at least he had found some Spiritual Objects, but this time, everything he got was trash! There was nothing of value!
It was actually to be expected. After all these years, it was inevitable that the outer resources would be scarce.
âJudging by your look, you didnât achieve much on this trip, did you?â
Bai Qiushan, who had been lurking near Li Chengshengâs residence, brightened up when he saw his target, especially his expression, and approached with a smile, âThatâs why I say, you should join my team as soon as possible. Only then can we venture deeper into the Undying Volcano and find more Spiritual Objects.â
Li Chengsheng didnât say a word, just looked at him steadfastly, making Bai Qiushan feel somewhat uncomfortable, âTaoist friend? Taoist Huang?â
âFine! I accept,â he said.
âWhat?â Bai Qiushan was taken aback by the response, thinking he was perhaps hallucinating from overthinking.
âWhat? Having second thoughts now?â
âNo, no, itâs just more surprising than I expected,â Bai Qiushan was still thinking about what to do if the proposal was rejected again, but he hadnât expected the joy to come so suddenly.
Under the unwavering insistence of Bai Qiushan, or perhaps due to the disappointment from the recent trip, Li Chengsheng finally agreed to join this two-person team.
Not that he trusted Bai Qiushan all that much, but he seemed all rightâcoming from the direct lineage of a major power carries a higher credibility than that of Loose Cultivators.
The main reason was that Li Chengsheng couldnât find a more suitable team in the short term and didnât want to come back empty-handed again.
âYou should rest well for now. Iâll come find you tomorrow to discuss our next moves,â Bai Qiushan said with excitement and left.
Watching his back, a wave of regret suddenly surged in Li Chengshengâs heart. Had he been too hasty in his decision?
Early the next morning.
Bang bang bangâ
A series of loud knocks suddenly awakened Li Chengshuo, who was resting. With a gloomy expression, he walked out and opened the courtyard door.
âGood morning!â Bai Qiushan, as if oblivious to his sour mood, greeted him with a brilliantly sunny smile.
âWhat do you want?â Li Chengsheng asked him coldly.
âDidnât we talk about it yesterday? We were to discuss our upcoming journey,â Bai Qiushan said as he brazenly made his way into the courtyard.
His eyes roamed ceaselessly, appraising the yard and he praised, âNot bad, not bad. It seems that Taoist Huang is quite wealthy to be able to rent such a luxurious dwelling.â
âWhat are your thoughts?â Li Chengsheng suppressed his anger and dragged the man to sit down in the living room.
Bai Qiushan spoke seriously, âWith our combined strength, we can barely enter deep into the Undying Volcano. Although itâs somewhat dangerous, fortune favors the bold, right? Besides, we came here to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, and what we seek is excitement. Itâs perfect for us!â
âOf course, if we encounter suitable cultivators later on, we can also recruit them into our squad. That way, we can venture even deeper for our tempering.â
âConsidering that youâre the first to join the squad, youâll act as the deputy leader, with a status second only to mine! How does that sound? Iâm treating you quite well, arenât I?â
It sounded haphazard and crude, but it made sense, and Li Chengsheng didnât know how to refute it.
âThen how will we allocate Spiritual Objects and spoils of war that we find?â
âOf course, whoever finds them keeps them. If the other person assists, then they should get a share,â Bai Qiushan replied with his usual simplicity and directness.
Li Chengsheng had come to realize that his new âgenerousâ team leader was a man of great simplicity masquerading as a fool, one who disliked making things overly complex.
âFine, but I hope youâll recruit more team members soon.â
After all, if just the two of them encountered real danger, they wouldnât even have the ability to resist; fleeing would be their only option.
âDonât worry, the people I find will be to your satisfaction!â Bai Qiushan declared with full confidence.
Li Chengsheng, however, had an ominous feeling. He suspected that those willing to join such a team probably had some sort of issues.
âGet ready, Taoist friend. In a few days, we will embark on the Qiushan Squadâs first expedition!â
Having said that, he hurriedly left.
In the following days, Bai Qiushan did not come to see Li Chengshuo again.
Until the fifth day!
He brought with him two Golden Core Late Stage cultivators!
âThey are?â
Li Chengsheng saw that one wore a grim green Taoist robe while the other donned a bright red robe; their garments were exceptionally vivid and glaring! Their expressions were also rebellious and unyielding.
âThe teammates Iâve recruited!â
Bai Qiushan added in a hushed transmission, âOf course, you are the deputy leader, so if you disagree, I can send them away.â
âYouâŠâ
Li Chengsheng was at a loss for words, utterly unable to understand why out of all the cultivators, these two⊠notably conspicuous individuals had been chosen.