Dual cultivation makes you stronger, everyone else is a prodigy, and I'm the only one slacking

Having lost the verbal battle, Shenshui Shupeng finally stopped his teasing and resumed performing his duties, keeping a watchful eye on his surroundings.

Bai Rongling and Yu Luoning sat in meditation. Suddenly, Bai Rongling's expression changed, and Shenshui Shupeng's smile disappeared. The two of them looked into the depths of the dense forest.

The valley, which had been filled with birdsong and insect chirps just moments before, was now inexplicably quiet.

The earth trembled violently in the next instant.

The ancient beasts were attracted by the residual aura of the Nine-Turn Soul Refining Lotus.

It stood opposite the three of them, like a huge and majestic small mountain.

Finally, those scarlet vertical pupils locked onto Yu Luoning.

Shenshui Shupeng gloated, "Oh my, this is terrible! It has taken a liking to you."

Yu Luoning rolled her eyes at him. "Why don't you talk to him about it? You can go feed them instead. You're the only one of the three who isn't injured. The meat is tender and juicy, definitely a great source of nutrition!"

Suddenly, the ancient beast opened its blood-red maw and roared as it charged toward the three of them.

It raised one of its sharp claws high and slammed it down directly at Yu Luoning.

The goal was very clear: the power of the divine lotus that had not yet been fully absorbed.

The gust of wind that swept in made it almost impossible for Yu Luoning to open her eyes.

Just as the giant claw was about to strike her head, a figure in pure white appeared in front of her.

Bai Rongling formed a hand seal, and a shield of light rose up in front of the two of them, thus canceling the flower-grafting technique that Yu Luoning was originally going to use.

"Step back to a safe place."

Bai Rongling didn't turn her head, and coldly snorted.

Then, frost arrows rose from all sides and shot towards the wild beast, while Shen Shui Shu Peng, who was watching from the side, also made a move. The two of them attacked the wild beast from both sides like lightning.

Unfortunately, the numerous spells were like tickling this ancient beast that had lived for ten thousand years; its thick skin and flesh made it impossible to break through its defenses.

Shen Shui Shu Peng's smile faded. He said, "This big guy is not to be trifled with. He's after your Divine Lotus medicinal aura."

Shenshui Shupeng smiled, his eyes crinkling, "Of course I'll borrow two drops of your blood."

After saying that, he teleported to Yu Luoning's side, slashed at her arm, took out a few drops of blood, and then sealed them with his spiritual power.

Because the blood contained the lingering medicinal power of the Nine Revolutions Nirvana Lotus, it emitted a rich and unique fragrance as soon as it left the body.

The ancient beast's eyes were bloodshot as it stared greedily at the drop of blood.

Bai Rongling immediately knew what he wanted to do and did not stop him.

He had been channeling too much spiritual energy these past few days, and this wild beast was beyond their ability to deal with; they could only maneuver around it and could not confront it head-on.

At this moment, Shenshui Shupeng smiled and said to Yu Luoning, "Miss Yu, I lured him away for you. Now that we're back, shouldn't you consider changing how you address me?"

Yu Luoning was surprised that he was still thinking about such things at a time like this, and asked helplessly, "What?"

Shenshui Shupeng said, "Hawthorn Essence sounds really awful."

Yu Luoning sighed. "How's that red-haired monster?"

Shenshui Shupeng guided the drop of blood, using talismans to continuously release the medicinal fragrance within it. Then, with a light tap of his toes, he had already moved hundreds of steps away.

A teasing voice echoed in the air, "Forget it, let's go with hawthorn essence."

After saying that, he transformed into a streak of light and flew away towards the distant valley.

Wild beasts chased after Shenshui Shupeng's figure, howling and howling.

After an unknown amount of time, the earthquake-stricken valley finally returned to calm.

Yu Luoning was enveloped in an ice crystal shield that isolated her from any aura.

Bai Rongling activated her spell, and her figure swayed slightly.

Yu Luoning originally wanted to pretend she hadn't seen it, but Bai Rongling had indeed blocked her way earlier.

He could only ask dejectedly, "Are you alright?"

Bai Rongling glanced at her and said, "It's alright."

After walking for a while, Yu Luoning asked, "Where are you taking me?"

Bai Rongling said calmly, "Let's find a safe place first."

"Aren't we waiting for the divine water to suffice?"

"He will find it."

/

The two continued walking forward, passing old trees and withered vines in the forest, where the wind occasionally blew, causing withered leaves to fall in a rustling sound.

Yu Luoning used the falling leaves for leverage to rise up, but after taking only a few steps, she suddenly felt a pain in her chest.

She almost fell, staggering a few steps before regaining her balance.

The snow-white figure in front of them stopped.

Bai Rongling turned her head, and in the dim shadows of the forest, she was dressed in spotless white.

He still wore a veil, revealing a pair of extremely aloof eyes and brows. At first glance, they appeared clean and clear. But upon closer inspection, one could tell that this person was shrouded in a layer of coldness, remaining impassive and unmoved.

Those usually indifferent eyes fell on Yu Luoning and lingered for quite a while.

Yu Luoning inexplicably detected a hint of disdain in those eyes. She looked down at herself and asked, "Was I walking very slowly?"

Bai Rongning withdrew her gaze. "I know your injuries haven't healed yet."

Yu Luoning rummaged through her spatial jade bracelet and pulled out a white jade porcelain bottle. "How about I take two Rejuvenation Pills first?"

She turned the pill over and found eight patterns on it.

Just as she was about to swallow, Bai Rongling had somehow appeared beside her, her cool, slender fingertips unexpectedly touching her lips.

Yu Luoning blinked.

Bai Rongling slowly withdrew her finger, her eyes slightly closed, and said calmly, "You haven't fully refined the medicinal power of the Nine Revolutions Nirvana yet. If you take other elixirs, their medicinal properties will clash, and you'll suffer more harm than good."

Yu Luoning silently stuffed the porcelain bottle back in. "You should have said so earlier."

Bai Rongling's gaze fell on the spatial jade bracelet on her wrist, and she blurted out inexplicably, "Cui Xiu is quite good to you."

Yu Luoning paused for a moment, then raised her wrist. "You mean this jade bracelet? This wasn't a gift from Cui Xiu."

"Is that the boy with the stars in his back?"

Such a top-grade spiritual artifact is definitely not something that the other two families could produce.

Yu Luoning didn't think much of it and said, "That's right. Xing'er is so generous, giving me pills, talismans, and magic treasures. He practically wants to give me his whole family. He's like my immortal brother."

Bai Rongling lowered her eyes slightly and asked inexplicably, "Don't you have a conscience?"

Yu Luoning retorted, "What's there to be heartbroken about?"

"That person is rather pitiful," Bai Rongling murmured.

"Who's pitiful?" Yu Luoning was completely confused.

Bai Rongling fell silent for a moment, suppressing the emotions surging in her eyes.

Yes, who's pitiful?

The person who clearly conceived the Dao embryo but has yet to tell her.

The person who, on the one hand, wished he could kill her, on the other hand, was unwilling to let her leave any potential danger, and was willing to spare his life.

Bai Rongling dislikes Cui Xiu, and still does. But that doesn't stop him from admiring her.

A gentle breeze blew by, and Bai Rongning parted her thin lips slightly, "Cui Xiu."

Yu Luoning was even more confused. "What's wrong with him?"

Bai Rongling said, "Be nicer to him."

Yu Luoning: "..."

She stood there, completely stunned. These two didn't seem to have a good relationship at all. Besides, Cui Xiu was her man; wasn't it only natural for her to treat him well? Did she need an outsider like him to remind her?

After a moment of silence, Bai Rongling continued, "What he did for you was far more than you know."

"Wha...what do you mean?"

"You'll have to ask him yourself."