"What did you just say?"

Ye Xuan asked casually.

Tong Shishi was momentarily stunned and hurriedly waved her hands, saying, "No, nothing."

Turns out, he didn’t really take it seriously.

Tong Shishi felt a little disappointed, but soon she collected her emotions and softly said, "Master Ye, actually, about that incident back then, I’ve always wanted to apologize to you in person. At that time, I was too reckless and unaware. I hope you won’t take it to heart."

Back then, Ye Xuan wanted to kill Qin, the Hall Master of the Flowing Fire Dan Sect, who had trampled on his grandfather. Tong Shishi was also a member of Flowing Fire Dan Sect and spoke out against Ye Xuan.

Ye Xuan retorted, saying she was raised eating naivety.

At that time, Tong Shishi didn’t understand.

Later, she came to realize.

But she didn’t have a chance to meet Ye Xuan again. Even when they last ran into each other at the Immortal King Valley, she didn’t get the chance to say it before Ye Xuan had already left.

Now, seizing this rare opportunity, Tong Shishi naturally didn’t want to miss it, so she sincerely apologized to Ye Xuan.

Ye Xuan smiled slightly, not letting it bother him.

At least, Tong Shishi wasn’t hopeless.

"Having a kind heart is good; just make sure it doesn’t get you into trouble,"

Ye Xuan said softly.

Tong Shishi smiled happily, "It won’t."

Ye Xuan chuckled, not saying much more.

With Ye Xuan’s forgiveness, Tong Shishi finally felt a weight lifted off her heart, and she became more relaxed and lively, chatting happily with Ye Xuan about interesting events from the past years.

The two walked neither quickly nor slowly, as if they were taking a leisurely stroll in the mountains.

They were close to Wan’an City, just needing to cross the Evil Dragon Mountain and pass over the Qingshui River to arrive.

If they used sky-controlling flight, they’d be there in a blink.

But neither had any intention of flying.

Tong Shishi enjoyed this happiness.

And Ye Xuan simply wanted to relive childhood fun.

In his childhood, he often came to these places with Sister Yuxuan, Brother Hao, and his sister Ling’er to play. At that time, the Ye Family was the top family in Wan’an City, and naturally, no one dared to provoke them. The four siblings lived carefree.

Nervousness when near one’s hometown?

No, there’s only endless nostalgia.

The two stepped on large rocks and crossed a small stream.

"Master Ye, your family’s herbs are getting better and better; they’re the best in Yun Country now. Currently, many herbs in the Immortal King Valley are being purchased from your family."

As they neared Wan’an City, Tong Shishi couldn’t help but bring up this topic.

As an Alchemist, Tong Shishi loved researching various alchemy techniques, and the foundation of alchemy techniques naturally requires abundant spiritual medicine to support them.

"Are the spiritual medicines you’re purchasing being sent back to the Immortal King Valley, or are you refining them yourself to give to those impoverished cultivators?"

Ye Xuan asked calmly.

Tong Shishi, a bit embarrassed, replied, "Actually, both. But the spiritual medicine given to those cultivators are all bought with my own Spirit Stones. I don’t use the Valley’s portion."

Ye Xuan smiled and said, "Do you know all those cultivators?"

Tong Shishi nodded, "Of course, I’m friends with them too."

Ye Xuan softly uttered an "Oh" and pointed to the mountainside of Evil Dragon Mountain, saying quietly, "Perhaps some of your friends are there too."

Tong Shishi looked up but didn’t see anything, asking with curiosity, "What are they doing here?"

Ye Xuan smiled indifferently, not giving details, and walked towards Evil Dragon Mountain, saying softly, "You’ll know shortly."

Seeing this, Tong Shishi felt inexplicably nervous, especially recalling Ye Xuan’s previous words.

Could it be an ambush?

Ye Xuan naturally sensed Tong Shishi’s change in emotions, and couldn’t help but smile internally, realizing this little Alchemist had matured somewhat over the years, much better than before.

Not as naive as before.

At this moment.

On the mountainside of Evil Dragon Mountain, a dozen people were quietly waiting.

"Why are those two so slow?"

A tall, burly man couldn’t help but grumble.

"By her speed, the girl should’ve been here already."

The others also showed impatience.

But the skinny young leader remained calm, saying lightly, "What are you anxious about? They’re already here."

A moment later.

The others sensed the two presences approaching.

But after the time it takes a stick of incense to burn, they realized the two presences were still slowly moving, only halfway to the mountainside!

"Darn it, they’re too slow!"

The tall man couldn’t help but say.

This time, even the skinny young leader showed impatience, standing up from the dark and saying coldly, "No more waiting, let’s make the first move."

"Alright!"

Hearing this, the others revealed excited expressions.

Led by the skinny young leader, the group swaggered down the mountain.

Soon, they encountered Ye Xuan and Tong Shishi ascending.

Seeing them leisurely climbing, the impatient group was quite annoyed.

"Tong Shishi, no wonder you’re so slow, whispering sweet nothings!"

The tall man’s eyes gleamed viciously as he said coldly.

"It’s you?"

Seeing this group, Tong Shishi was shocked. Among the impoverished loose cultivators she had helped before, these people were included.

In an instant, Tong Shishi thought a lot, and her expression turned cold: "What do you want? Is this how you repay kindness?"

The tall man grinned, "What do you think?"

The others also showed malicious smiles.

Tong Shishi’s face turned pale, but she remained unusually calm, saying coldly, "You’re no match for me. Leave now, and I’ll pretend nothing happened."

Beside her, Ye Xuan sighed internally, thinking she was still too kind.

"Hahaha, since we’re here, we’re not leaving so easily!"

The tall man laughed, and then his aura burst forth, mocking, "Besides, Tong, lady, you’re mistaken. Our cultivation isn’t weaker than yours."

Then, everyone’s aura was revealed, all Heavenly Human Realm!

While Tong Shishi had just stepped into the Unity Realm.

A whole Great Realm apart!

"You..."

Tong Shishi’s face turned pale, and she quickly realized, "Who are you people?"

The tall man grinned, ready to taunt the girl.

But seeing his leader’s cold eyes, he shut his mouth.

The leader of the group was naturally the thin young man with undisclosed aura.

He looked at Tong Shishi calmly, saying softly, "Tong, lady, you’re very kind. We’re just after money. Please leave all your Spirit Stones behind, and we will let you go."

Tong Shishi’s face was pale, staring at the thin young man, saying coldly, "Li Zhao, are you still human?"