Rustle~
A shadow streaked the sky, flashing in and out of view every mile.
When he finally stopped, he had crossed tens of miles, listening to the ruckus a few miles out. He just gave a nod, more to himself, and was gone again.
The final appearance was in the middle of the group.
“Who?” Xie Tianshang shouted, sword at the ready. He saw everyone look on with joy, “Oh, you’re finally back.”
“Yeah, so what are you standing with your weapon drawn for? Put it away, will you.” Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes.
Xie Tianshang shook his head as he did just that, “Brother Zhuo is right. I wish to learn a lot from you in a spar, but it doesn’t seem appropriate to do it in the middle of a crisis.”
Zhuo Fan’s face twitched.
[That’s a martial fanatic for you. His mind is ever skewed in thinking fighting came first. At least he isn’t a lost cause and a complete battle maniac, yet.]
Zhuo Fan’s return was met with jubilation all around. As if he had become the true winner of that little skirmish back there. Even the vassals forgot about their true masters and they looked up at him in reverence.
It was only a matter of time. With the three houses now willing to follow Zhuo Fan’s every word, it was obvious who the little clans would choose.
Zhuo Fan’s earlier turning point was the crux. If not for his timely help in clearing a path, they would’ve been mowed down.
They had witnessed it themselves. It was no wonder he was hailed as a savior. Zhuo Fan’s image soared in their minds…
“Zhuo Fan, are you hurt?” Chu Qingcheng came over. She saw the light scratches and spoke softly. Her face was calm, but the eyes spoke volumes of the deep care and worry she had for him.
Zhuo Fan brushed it off and switched topics, “It’s fine. But Huangpu Qingtian isn’t a pushover… Oh, what of Ning’er and my spirit animal?”
Chu Qingcheng dimmed, knowing he didn’t want to talk about it. She was so aggrieved for not being able to make sense of his thinking.
Dong Tianba graced her with a thorough analysis of Zhuo Fan’s heart’s ranking, but it was just that, guesswork. In the end, only Zhuo Fan knew what he was thinking.
And this got Chu Qingcheng vexed the most. Any woman wished to know if the one they love thought about her the most. Then there’s Zhuo Fan, who was always so vague and dodgy that no one could get a single clue what went on in that big brain of his…
“Brother Zhuo, your spirit animal is so fierce none of us dare even approach. What is even stranger, it seems to have taken a particular liking to young miss Xue and second young master Xie. Look for yourself!” Long Xingyun smiled and pointed above.
Zhuo Fan was dumbstruck.
He saw a purple lightning drifting through the clouds. And on Qiao’er’s back was a man and woman having a blast. Who else but Xue Ningxiang and Xie Tianyang?
Zhuo Fan felt depressed at their entertainment. [A Thunder Skylark is a high level spiritual beast, so what is it doing getting so attached to strangers?]
But then it dawned on him.
Xue Ningxiang and Xie Tianyang wore Thunder Rings he refined from Qiao’er’s mother. They held its mother’s scent.
Such an outcome was obvious.
Shaking his head, Zhuo Fan sighed, “Fate, I guess.”
That threw the others off. Qiao’er noticed Zhuo Fan and chirped cheerfully. Seeing where they were flying, Xue Ningxiang waved, “Big brother Zhuo, welcome back!”
Only Xie Tianyang’s mood sank. [Here comes the third wheel…]
Smiling, Zhuo Fan gestured for Qiao’er to come next to him. Xue Ningxiang jumped off the bird and skipped over with rosy cheeks and a sweet smile, “Big brother Zhuo, i-is it the same Thunder Skylark young we found in Allbeast Mountain Range?”
“Yeah. I got it to hatch.” Zhuo Fan ruffled her hair.
Xue Ningxiang bobbed her head and treated Qiao’er as seeing an old friend, “How adorable, just like its mother!”
Her words set the crowd off in a round of twitching. Zhuo Fan wasn’t exempt.
If there was anyone among them who’d call Qiao’er adorable, then that would be the ever naive Xue Ningxiang. They recalled with dread how Qiao’er flew in a circle once and blasted experts to smithereens. [How in hell is that adorable?]
They all went silent, having no clue how to break it.
Shriek~
Qiao’er’s sharp cry and piercing eyes raised everyone from their stupor to demand, [You dare say I’m not? Go on, make my day…]
Shivering, they all bobbed their heads, completing the image with a bright smile and a soaked back. Having got its wish, Qiao’er chirped and gave Xue Ningxiang a smile.
Zhuo Fan shook his head at how fast the beast and girl had hit it off. [Is Qiao’er taking Ning’er as its mother?]
Zhuo Fan’s cheeks went ablaze as his mind spun. He was Qiao’er’s dad and Ning’er its mom. Then he and Ning’er…
“Oi, Zhuo Fan, how the hell have you been raising it? It’s no less monster than you are. Mind… giving it to me?” Xie Tianyang showed his greedy side.
That caught Xie Tianshang’s attention, looking at Zhuo Fan expectantly.
He wasn’t thinking what an asset such a strong spiritual beast would be to Sword Marquise Abode. Oh no, he only saw the spiritual beast as an endless sparring partner to hone his edge.
Martial fanatic. Did one need to say more?
Zhuo Fan arched an eyebrow, “What do you think?”
“Uh, no.” Xie Tianyang’s face twitched.
“Then cut the crap.” Zhuo Fan glared. [Who in their right mind would give away a potential sacred beast?] He didn’t have a screw loose.
Xie Tianyang shrugged, “Just saying. Jeez, can’t you take a joke?”
Though the envy had yet to fade from his eyes every time he saw Qiao’er. This spirit animal was just too damn overpowered! Just the fact that Zhuo Fan had such an insane spirit animal was enough to spur Sword Marquise Abode’s desires.
Xie Tianyang saw Xue Ningxiang cuddling Qiao’er and his heart sank. Though no one noticed…
Once the pleasantries were over and done with, it was time to return to the grim and bitter reality.
“Brother Zhuo, what do we do now?” Long Xingyun asked.
Zhuo Fan muttered, “Our main priority is to find the keys and exit stones. To leave this place at once! We’ll just ignore Brimming Sacred Pills, as life is far more precious. I can search for them myself if I have to.”
The words cut deep and they sighed with hanged heads.
He didn’t need to be so blunt about it for them to understand. They were dead weights, pure and simple. The earlier battle was proof enough. They were the reason for Zhuo Fan’s limited actions. If he was alone he could come and go as he wished.
They all turned bleak, but knew the truth in Zhuo Fan’s words. In this battle, they had no advantage whatsoever and would sooner or later end up as Huangpu Qingtian’s pawns in this damnable place if they lingered.
None spoke as they watched Zhuo Fan gloomily.
Xie Tianshang broke the silence with his sigh, “We still want to fight, but brother Zhuo is right. With how weak we are, it’s better we leave. Long Xingyun, take it out. We and brother Zhuo need to consult on the best way to leave this place.”
Zhuo Fan looked at them puzzled. [Do they have a secret weapon?]
Easing a breath, Long Xingyun revealed a piece of silk, “I am a man living in the present. I do not care as much about the Esoteric Debate as brother Xie does. But going home in such a wretched state is not what I want to see.”
Zhuo Fan unfolded the silk and cried, “Beast King Mountain’s array exit map?”
On the detailed map, five points stood out, the five National Elemental Stones meant to take them home. With the yin-yang metal keys, all they had to do now was get to the metal exit and they’d be home free.
Zhuo Fan stared at the others, “Can it be trusted?”
Long Xingyun spoke seriously, “That’s what we would like to know by consulting you.”
With a shout, some Profound Heaven experts were hoisting two scared people over. At the sight of them, Zhuo Fan sported an odd look as he said, “You again!”
The two were bitter and shuddered on the ground with lowered heads…