Once Chen Minzhi finished flipping over his half of the tablet for all to see, Cong Lu also did as well by showing his half. Together, one had the number âthreeâ engraved on it while the other had the number âelevenâ. Combining those two characters together, that equaled to the number âthirty-oneâ. If their guesses are not off, the strange number indicates they needed thirty-one members as the second condition prior to entering the second cave tunnel, otherwise it wouldnât activate!
âDo you see now Phoenix Lord? We need thirty-one members to continue on with the Star Cave Venture. If we have people leaving now then it would be detrimental to everyone present.â Chen Minzhi opens up his hands in a shrugging manner like heâs also helpless over the predicament.
Technically the person wasnât wrong in his logic. The Kai Jiang Manor originally had eleven, but they unfortunately lost one due to the personâs carelessness while reaching this spot. Now adding in Hong Ming Yueâs team and the rest, the numbers still hovers around twenty-nine in total only, and thatâs in light of Feng Shen and Dao Nuâs arrival just now.
Itâs no secret to everyone participating in this venture to want less competition, imagine what sort of mixed feelings they must be feeling now to learn their efforts in eliminating the enemy just turned out to be their own downfall. What sort of iron was this?
âWe still lack two more. In that case, why donât we go back and knab the Phoenix Lordâs remaining members. If I remember correctly, thereâs still that lolly girl and brute back in the fourth cave tunnel before my party left.â Hong Ming Yue suggests from the side despite her unwillingness to benefit others.
The two precious Nine Realm Reincarnation Dan pills that she came for have already been taken by others and thereâs nothing notable of valuable left in this place. If she doesnât press on to fresher pasture then it would mean sheâs going back empty-handed. Whether it be for her familyâs sake or her own ego, thatâs an outcome she wouldnât permit by any standard.
âThey canât enter the number two cave tunnel, I will not permit that.â Feng Shenâs not going to allow this to happen.
If he also puts Lan Caier and Little Crow into danger while Ling Yueâs whereabouts remains unknown, then he would be the greater sinner to everyone whom he cares for.
In response, Hong Ming Yue immediately scoffs a grunt of disdain over the boyâs proclamation.
Sheâs hated the Phoenix Lord ever since that incident at the clothing store back at Da Xia, thatâs why she had such negative opinion of the boy. But then just as the ice beauty was ready to throw some sarcasm in the foeâs way, what she got in return was a cold hard glare that shook her soul.
The girlâs not blind, that look and aura was nothing like the kind, gentle air sheâs used to from the opposition. In fact, itâs so intimidating and strong that sheâs got the illusion a ferocious beast was currently standing across from herself. Thatâs how oppressive the boy was right now.
âI say we bring Brother Hou Qi over instead,â it was then that Princess Qing Bi adds her own suggestion and reduced the tension.
âI donât have any opinion on this, anyone will do for me so long as we get the last two.â Chen Minzhi grinned playfully. From the onset, his appearance looked very spooky for some reason despite the lack of threatening air.
As for Cong Lu, the royal guard captain didnât speak. Itâs as if heâs contemplating something in his own head and couldnât be bothered to take part in the argument.
For a while there, nothing moved due to the differing opinions until a soft feministic voice interjected itself. âWhy not add us to the number then?ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Feng Shen was thunderstruck by the sound signature. He recognized it immediately and shot his eyes over to the direction. There, his eyes sparkled with delight and relief at the familiar figure slowly coming into the light.
âFengâ¦â Ling Yueâs words didnât even have time to finish before the girlâs waist became tightly bound by a pair of powerful arms.
The boy actually unabashedly hugged her in front of everyone!
She was stiff as a rock right now due to all eyes landing in their direction. However, between her own embarrassment or the comforting of the one hugging herself, the choice was obvious for this girl.
âFeng Shen, I am fine~â Ye Ling Yue Murmuring in the boyâs ear, Ling Yue pushes him back a bit to force that pair of hand loose so she could get some air.
Though reluctant, the overreacting Feng Shen could only relent. He too has noticed the extra attention coming their way after cooling down in the head. Nevertheless, thatâs not going to stop him from examining the girl up and down to make sure Ling Yue was fine in every way he could imagine. Aside from being a little red in the cheeks, thereâs nothing else wrong according to his assessment.
As for everyone else, the reactions varied: Hong Ming Yueâs expression naturally grew dark at the appearance of her half-sister, Chen Minzhi delighted like heâs discovered a new land mass, and the rest surprised by the girlâs ability to make it this far by herself alone.
âMiss Ye, itâs good seeing you back with us in good health. But thatâs not going to work either. Even with you, weâre still missing one last person.â Coughing awkwardly, Cong Lu attempts to defuse the last bit of uncomfortable atmosphere in the air, which seemingly worked out well to his own defense.
âThen what if we add him too?â As she says that, Ye Ling Yue then held up the little furball in her possession for all to see.
âWhat a lovely little fella!â Princess Qing Bi cries out like a girl discovering the most adorable thing.
Talk about an attitude change. What happen to the âmuttâ and ugly little thing she was spouting before when they were outside?
âStand back Qing Bi, Little Squeak doesnât like others getting too close to him.â Blocking the princessâs path was none other than Feng Shen.
The former not willing to give up just yet immediately snuck another glance at the little furball by looking sideways. It was then where she received the growling reception, showing off how dangerous the little guy actually was.
Jolting back a step in the next second, the princess was horrified to find the cuddly little creature to be so ferocious despite the adorable appearance. The razor-sharp fangs, the sharp glistening claws, just looking at them was enough to send chills down the girlâs spine.
âThatâs settled then. Though the jade did say thirty-one, thereâs no clue indicating it must be that number. But since weâre all here, letâs avoid any mistakes or casualties until weâre through alright?â
After some discussion, Cong Lu and Chen Minzhi quickly came to a decision and began organizing things.
But before they headed out though, Feng Shen made sure to use this free time to ask his woman on what happened. Ling Yue didnât divulge the matter about Xue Pian Ran, but she did mention Consort Luoâs attempt at trapping her inside the sealed chamber. As for the last bit about the boyâs illness being able to be cured, she figured this wasnât the best time to be talking about such stuff after hesitating.
âYou are still not dead?â Hong Ming Yue confronts her half-sister with those glaring eyes.
âHo, it couldnât be that Princess Ming Yue wants to come fight me for the Ninth Realm Reincarnation Dan pill would you? Letâs not forget, we are all on the same boat at this point. Thirty one people, not one less.â Ling Yue scoffs a laugh, dismissing the foe.