Ning Daoran’s expression darkened slightly as he stepped forward. “Aren’t you all making a mountain out of a molehill? I trust Brother Yang’s character. If he hadn’t helped me before, I would have long fallen into the Sin Alliance’s trap and wouldn’t even be alive to be here.”
Zhao Xing shook his head. “Brother Ning, it’s not that we’re making a mountain out of a molehill. It’s just that for matters like this, we must guard against the one-in-a-thousand chance. A little caution never hurt anyone. Brother Lin, what do you think?”
He turned his gaze to Lin Feng, clearly pressuring him to state his position. After all, their ability to gather here owed much to Lin Feng, and within their current faction opposing the Sin Alliance, he held considerable sway.
Lin Feng replied flatly, “Yang Kai and I have a friendship forged in life and death.”
Zhao Xing and the others were stunned. They had previously thought that Lin Feng and Yang Kai seemed to have little in common when they met, assuming some past grudge or conflict existed between them. Now, hearing Lin Feng’s response, they were taken aback.
While not a direct affirmation, Lin Feng’s meaning was crystal clear: he trusted Yang Kai.
Try as they might, they couldn’t fathom when these two had formed such a bond, and for a moment, their expressions turned ugly.
“Alright then, how about we let this Brother Yang and this Lord Grey Bone stay, and we vote on the matter? After all, we represent over a hundred fellow Daoists behind us. This concerns everyone’s safety and carries significant weight. They have the right to express their opinion as well,” Zhao Xing proposed.
“No need,” Yang Kai waved his hand. “I came primarily to escort Brother Ning here. Since he’s delivered, I’ll take my leave now!”
With a slight cup of his fists, he turned to walk out.
Since the people here didn’t welcome him, there was no point in staying. The Sin Alliance might be powerful, but with his Spatial Divine Ability, he had nothing to fear.
Grey Bone and Lu Jing immediately followed behind him.
Ning Daoran sighed. “The world is full of petty scheming and mutual deception!” With that, he gave a slight bow of his fists to Lin Feng and also turned to leave.
Before the stunned expressions of Zhao Xing and the others could fully form, another petite figure darted out—it was Gu Pan, who had also run out. After just a few steps, she looked back at Lin Feng. “Senior Brother Lin, what about you?”
“You go ahead first,” Lin Feng nodded slightly.
Understanding his intent, Gu Pan dashed out without hesitation.
“Are you satisfied now?” Lin Feng cast a cold gaze toward Zhao Xing and the others.
“What do you mean?” Zhao Xing and his companions’ faces were grim. They had only intended to drive Yang Kai and that Grey Bone away. Who would have thought that Ning Daoran and Gu Pan would follow suit?
Was their relationship with that Yang Kai really that close?
Lin Feng let out a cold snort. “Do as you please. I’ll take my leave as well!” With that, hands clasped behind his back, he strode out in large steps.
Zhao Xing hurriedly asked, “Brother Lin, where are you going?”
He received no response.
Retracing their path, after a short while, Yang Kai led Grey Bone and Lu Jing back to the surface. Just as he steadied himself, he heard Ning Daoran call out from behind, “Brother Yang, wait for me!”
Yang Kai turned back in surprise. “Brother Ning, you’re…”
Ning Daoran smiled faintly. “People with a narrow vision. When the Way differs, we cannot make plans together.” He turned his head. “I’m not the only one.”
Behind him, Gu Pan also emerged, giving them both a slight nod.
Yang Kai chuckled, but before he could say a word to her, he saw Lin Feng’s figure appear as well.
“What kind of look is that?” Lin Feng gazed at Yang Kai with disdain. “Did you think I, Lin, was the sort to forget kindness and turn against my benefactors?”
Yang Kai suppressed the surprise in his eyes and smiled lightly. “Well, that’s good then. Except for Senior Sister Qu and Brother Xu, we’re all gathered.”
Lin Feng remarked casually, “Anyway, for the next three months, we’re not getting involved. If we really run into the Sin Alliance people, you’re in charge of leading the escape!” The others might not know Yang Kai’s background, but the few of them did. Back in the Void Boundary Realm, Yang Kai had managed to evade pursuit from numerous Sacred Spirits while still at the Emperor Realm. Now, as a Sixth-Order cultivator, the Sin Alliance couldn’t do a thing to him.
Yang Kai laughed heartily. “Rest assured, I’ll guarantee your safety!”
“Let’s go. First, find a place to hide and safely spend these last three months,” Lin Feng suggested.
Gu Pan spoke up, “I know a very secluded place. We can go there.”
“Then we’ll trouble Junior Sister to lead the way,” Ning Daoran gestured with his hand.
……
In the cavern, the crowd fell into a commotion. Those below the Sixth Order, in particular, looked lost and bewildered.
Originally, they had banded together for warmth, gathering nine Sixth-Order Open Heaven cultivators. Although they were all newly promoted, their numbers were decent and allowed them to barely contend with the Sin Alliance. Even a direct encounter wouldn’t have been hopeless.
Now, just like that, two had left, leaving only seven Sixth-Order cultivators. Even one of the faction’s conveners, Lin Feng, had departed on his own, naturally causing unrest among the group.