: Meeting an Acquaintance

As they watched Lu Jianghe lead them, bypassing all the sentry posts along the way, they quietly infiltrated a spirit stone mine controlled by the Ghost Spirit Sect, descending along the winding and deep mine tunnels.

Nangong Wan's face grew increasingly cold. If looks could kill, Lu Jianghe would already be riddled with holes. She gritted her teeth and roared:

Birds of a feather flock together!

Seeing her like this, Yan Ruyan began to comfort herself.

Even a Core Formation cultivator has fallen to this state, so what waves can a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator like her stir up?

This is human nature.

Anyway, I'm not the only one who's having bad luck.

It's all the same anyway, so what can we do?

If she were the only one imprisoned at this moment, she probably wouldn't be able to remain so calm.

However, seeing that Nangong Wan, who was also a woman, was being treated the same way, and that the two had once been related as martial arts masters and now were both in the same boat, he felt a strange sense of calm, even a hint of schadenfreude.

See? So what if he's a Core Formation stage elder?

They're just as pathetic as I am.

At the same time, a sense of doubt arose in my mind.

Why did the man in black robes sneak into the old mine of Yanjiabao, and what was his purpose?

This place is still within the heart of the Ghost Spirit Gate.

Aren't they afraid that Wang Chan and her group will track them down here with a large number of people?

Yan Ruyan secretly glanced to the side and her eyes met Nangong Wan's.

Their eyes met, then quickly looked away.

A subtle, awkward atmosphere began to quietly spread.

What's going on here?

Nangong Wan sighed inwardly, feeling utterly bewildered.

It's all that damned brat Han Li's fault!

If it weren't for the need to find his whereabouts and confirm whether this silly boy abandoned by Huangfeng Valley had truly met with misfortune.

Otherwise, how could I, a dignified Core Formation cultivator and elder of the Hidden Moon Sect, have inexplicably ventured deep into the heart of this demonic realm?

Otherwise, how could he have run into the minions of the Ghost Spirit Sect, ending up with his magic power exhausted and in a sorry state?

Now, he's being carried around like a chick by a black-robed man of unknown origin...

This attitude is truly shameful and infuriating!

Han Li!

Don't let me see you!

Otherwise, I'll skin you alive.

The thoughts raced through my mind, but in the end, all that remained was a sense of powerlessness.

Nangong Wan was powerless to struggle at this point, so what could she do?

She simply closed her eyes and pursed her lips.

He forcefully suppressed his surging anger and embarrassment.

What exactly does this mysterious man in black robes want to do?

Is it related to the Hidden Moon Sect?

Or is there another picture?

He rescued me from the clutches of the Ghost Spirit Sect, yet he treated me so rudely, even kidnapping Yan Ruyan...

Could it really be for that kind of thing?

Besides, what other possibility could there be for choosing such a remote place?

With a "what's the use" attitude, Yan Ruyan's gaze involuntarily drifted back to Lu Jianghe, who was standing right next to her.

Her keen sense of the Five Elements, enhanced by her Heavenly Spiritual Root, allowed her to detect something unusual.

Lu Jianghe's aura was extremely pure, without any of the sinister, sticky, mixed, and chaotic filth found in those who prey on others for their own benefit.

Instead, it has a moist and refreshing feel.

It is pure and genuine, yet within this purity, there is a subtle, indescribable, cool sharpness.

Reason told her that someone who could possess such pure spiritual energy could certainly not be the kind of wicked and evil person who practiced the vicious art of absorbing malevolent energy.

However, nothing in this world is absolute. In the world of cultivation, there are countless extraordinary skills and techniques, and there are also many secret arts that can conceal one's aura and transform into a different form to hide one's true nature.

This is just a guess based on this.

This lessened Yan Ruyan's fear and instead aroused a sense of curiosity and exploration.

He led the two women to the underground cave where the ancient teleportation array was located.

Xin Ruyin held a pen in one hand and a book in the other, staring intently at the array patterns, seemingly deducing something.

Not far away, Han Li was also holding a spirit stone, cultivating and recovering.

The two were each engrossed in their own thoughts, not disturbing each other.

Suddenly, a slight breeze rustled by.

Han Li, with his keen senses, was the first to open his eyes.

Lu Jianghe landed from the sky, carrying two people in his hands.

When Han Li saw the outline of the veiled face and the aura of the person on the right, his astonishment froze instantly, and his mouth opened slightly, unable to close for a long time.

"what!"

A short, startled cry escaped his throat almost uncontrollably.

no……

Brother Lu, saving people is saving people.

Why... why did you bring people along?!

Han Li's heart suddenly raced.

To his utter surprise, Lu Jianghe simply carried Nangong Wan to him like a package!

Xin Ruyin was startled by the sudden sound.

She was relieved to see that Lu Jianghe was safe and sound.

His gaze then fell on the woman he was carrying in his hands, and he was stunned.

Finally, the question was directed at Han Li, whose expression was extremely interesting.

Wasn't it one person? How did it become two?

Lu Jianghe flicked his wrist, throwing down Nangong Wan and Yan Ruyan, whom he was carrying.

The two landed suddenly, and both staggered before regaining their balance.

Nangong Wan's face was ashen; the shame and indignation from being so roughly carried all the way had almost reached its peak.

I was just about to ask what the other party's purpose was.

Looking up, he saw Han Li staring at him in disbelief.

In an instant, Nangong Wan's ashen face flushed red, a mixture of extreme shame and indignation.

Lu Jianghe's voice was calm, as if he had done something trivial. "Kid Han, I've rescued the person you wanted. Since I was going to rescue him anyway, I figured I might as well bring him here directly. Having someone else pass on the message is not as sincere as saying it to his face."

Upon hearing these words and seeing Han Li, Nangong Wan finally grasped the general outline of what had happened.

She quickly concealed all her unusual behavior, reverting to her usual aloof and indifferent demeanor. She glanced coldly at Han Li and let out a cold snort.

Yan Ruyan, standing to the side, looked somewhat bewildered.

She really wanted to ask, "Then what's wrong with me?"

But the thought only lingered in his mind; he ultimately didn't dare to say it aloud.

He simply stood still, eyes downcast, looking obedient and silent.

This cold snort startled Han Li, and he quickly stood up.

"Nan... Senior Nangong."

Han Li took a few steps forward, his voice dry and strained, clearly showing panic.

Nangong Wan didn't even glance at him. She walked straight to a relatively clean corner, sat down cross-legged, and closed her eyes to regulate her breathing.

Han Li's outstretched hand froze in mid-air, awkwardly hanging there for a long while before finally retracting it sheepishly.

He turned his head and looked at Lu Jianghe, forcing a bitter smile that was more like a grimace.

There was still a hint of resentment in his eyes.

Brother Lu, what kind of situation is this?!

Lu Jianghe shrugged and said, "I'm doing this for your own good."

Who knew you'd be so useless?

Xin Ruyin put down the array diagram and pen in her hand, walked to Lu Jianghe's side, looked at Yan Ruyan, and asked softly, "Senior Lu, who is this young lady...?"