After the incident with Pang Hongliang, Hou San and the Bai sisters blended into the Lingyun Continent team. Everyone started treating them more casually too.
With the hidden danger inside their group dealt with and the Tan family's pursuit shaken off, their pace became a lot lighter. They still focused on traveling quickly, but whenever they spotted good resources, they'd grab some along the way.
They also ran into other squads, but it was nothing more than a quick glance before passing by. Since their group was large and looked strong, they never got ambushed again. In fact, other squads went out of their way to avoid them.
Ten days later, they officially reached the outer perimeter. This time, Hou San chose a route where they ran into people every so often. Some were searching near the burial grounds, some had stayed there for a while and were ready to head back to the inner circle to trade resources.
That day, Jian Dan called Jian Jun and Jian Mao for a quick meeting. She lowered her voice and said,
"On the day Xiao Yue's bloodline awakened, his bloodline power skyrocketed. He's already sensed the path back to Lingyun Continent."
"Junior Sister, is that true?"
Even the usually steady Jian Mao showed excitement on his face.
"Yeah. From what Xiao Yue sensed, the path leads to Mao Wu's territory. You remember that Greenfield Lake?" Jian Dan smiled as she asked.
Jian Jun's lips curved slightly as she listened to their back-and-forth.
"I remember. Mao Wu's spot was pretty good."
"Xiao Yue said the feeling's strongest there. As for when exactly, we'll only know once we arrive."
"No wonder you've been in a good mood."
"After what happened with Pang Hongliang, and with us rushing so hard, I just didn't have time to say anything."
"You were afraid more accidents would happen, so you kept the news quiet, right?"
"Senior Brother, no need to say it out loud. The reason I called you two is because I realized something. The Xianyuan energy in the outer perimeter feels a lot more active than when we first came in."
"Then Junior Sister's earlier guess was probably right."
"Since we've entered the outer perimeter, my suggestion's this: we head straight for Mao Wu's place and set up there. The rest will depend on Xiao Yue. Meanwhile, we can also gather some resources nearby. What do you two think?"
"I think it's fine. Guarding that place will give us peace of mind." Jian Mao was the first to agree.
"Junior Sister, just tell Hou San to lead us there. Don't mention Xiao Yue's sensing anything. Otherwise, people might get ideas."
Jian Jun thought it over and gave this suggestion. Since Junior Sister trusted them, it was their job to cover for her. Besides, this wouldn't infringe on anyone's interests unless someone had ulterior motives.
"Alright, I'll listen to Senior Sister."
She turned around and went to find Hou San and the Bai sisters.
"This time you three cooperated really well with my brothers, exposing the infiltrator from the inner circle and removing a hidden danger. That's a great merit for you." Jian Dan smiled as she spoke.
"As long as everyone trusts us, that's enough. We're part of the team now, so of course we'll contribute."
The three didn't try to take credit.
Jian Dan tossed each of them a storage pendant. "These came from the people who tried to rob me. I haven't even looked inside yet, so it's up to your luck."
When it's time to hand out some rewards, you've got to hand them out. Since these were from her own stash, nobody could complain.
The three accepted the gifts with smiles and thanked her sincerely.
"Hou San, since we're already in the outer perimeter, I think Mao Wu's old spot isn't bad. Let's head there and rest for a while."
"Alright, but I'm afraid since we left, someone else might've already taken it." Hou San tucked the storage pendant away, planning to check later.
"No problem. We'll talk it out with whoever's there."
Once that was settled, the group set out again. Nobody else asked questions. With Jian Jun and Jian Mao in charge, plus Jian Lu, the rest naturally followed orders and didn't pry.
Hou San led them over the mountains, this time from the backside of a cliff, returning toward Mao Wu's territory.
When Jian Dan and Xiao Yue leapt down from the cliff and landed at the old entrance, a crowd immediately surrounded them.
Everyone's eyes locked onto Xiao Yue, practically drooling. Then a slightly childish voice called out,
"Well, isn't this Fairy Lu? What a coincidence to meet you here."
Jian Dan's lips twitched the moment she heard it. Wasn't this that thousand-year-old old freak disguised as a little boy again?
"So it's Boss Cheng Zu. After parting at the gathering, to meet you here really is fate." She glanced at Cheng Zu walking out from the crowd, wearing his gaudy crimson robe.
The cultivators from Lingyun Continent soon came down the cliff one by one. Everyone already expected this prime location to be occupied, so they stood quietly behind Jian Dan, waiting for her to handle negotiations.
"And you are…?"
Cheng Zu smiled as he asked, though his gaze lingered on Xiao Yue, eyes flashing with a strange light.
"Our old camp wasn't far from here, in that forest. We just took a shortcut. We didn't realize your squad was based here."
"I see. Well, this is our camp now."
Cheng Zu deliberately emphasized "our camp." Jian Dan instantly caught the probing in his words, but her smile never wavered.
"Then we'll excuse ourselves. We'll leave right away, so please don't take offense." She cupped her hands and turned to walk toward the exit.
"Fairy Lu, please wait!"