The Steward Demonic Emperor

could set up an array to defend them.

 

Xie Tianyang had nothing to say to that.
It brought far more advantage with Zhuo Fan recovered than if it was him instead.
His cultivation only helped protect himself in such a place, let alone others.

 

Spirit stones flew out of his ring and Zhuo Fan set up an ancient 1st-grade concealing array.

 

At that moment, the cave disappeared from this place and not even a 6th level spiritual beast would find it even if they passed through.

 

The trio could finally heal in peace.

 

Xue Ningxiang woke up three days later and was wild with joy knowing that they weren’t dead.

 

Then she wondered where those wolves went and why they didn’t eat the trio.

 

Xie Tianyang was unclear about this too but Zhuo Fan frowned, finding it tied to the expert he met in his consciousness.

 

It was in this manner the trio recouped for three months.
Zhuo Fan was back to full health while Xie Tianyang could now exert 70% of his power.
Xue Ningxiang recovered long ago and spent her time playing with the Burrowing Mouse.

 

Both of them were happy seeing her smile again, thinking of her like a little sister.
Xue Ningxiang too started to feel more dependent on the two…

 

Whoosh!

 

A hundred meters away from the cave, Xie Tianyang hacked a rock as he smiled towards Xue Ningxiang not far away.
He clearly recovered to 80%.

 

Xue Ningxiang clapped excitedly alongside the Burrowing Mouse.

 

Zhuo Fan walked over with a smile, “Nice power you have there.
You should enter the 8th layer of Bone Tempering Stage soon.”

 

“Didn’t you also entered the 7th layer of Qi Condensation after your wounds healed?” Xie Tianyang clipped, “Besides, Zhuo Fan, how can your eyes be that good? To detect me breaking through before I do?”

 

Xue Ningxiang waved her hand to placate them, “Why are you always arguing when you meet each other? You weren’t like this before!”

 

“Isn’t it his fault?” Xie Tianyang stuck out his chest and cursed Zhuo Fan, “After all this time, I still can’t forgive this brat for using Ning’er as bait! How can I not be pissed? What arguing, I’m itching to give him a beating.”

 

“Pot calling the kettle black.
Who was it that said to dump her and stall the seventh elder?” Zhuo Fan countered.

 

“I never…” Xie Tianyang was at a loss, but soon recovered his courage, “I didn’t know Ning’er was so great, alright? Moreover, it’s far better than being used as bait.”

 

“I’m a demonic cultivator.
It’s normal to be more immoral than a righteous cultivator like you.”

 

“Immoral? You’re a bloody criminal by comparison…”

 

…

 

Seeing Zhuo Fan and Xie Tianyang quarreling over her, Xue Ningxiang gestured for them to stop, “Come on, don’t argue, it’s all in the past.
I don’t care anymore, so why are you bringing it up?”

 

“No, I want to give you justice.”

 

Xie Tianyang grabbed her shoulders while glaring at the smiling Zhuo Fan.

 

“It’s alright, we are friends who braved through life and death together.
It’s water under the bridge!” Xue Ningxiang showed a smile at the two and extended a pinkie.

 

Xie Tianyang smiled wryly and was hesitant in extending his pinkie, but he did nonetheless.
He was followed by an indifferent Zhuo Fan.
The three pinkies touched and they started to feel warm and fuzzy inside.

 

Finding a close friend in life was hard, but finding one to brave death alongside oneself was even harder.

 

From now on, they would never abandon each other, no matter what.
Zhuo Fan suspected he’d be hard-pressed to find any closer friends in this life.

 

As they took back their respective fingers, Zhuo Fan smiled, “Now that we have recovered, we will each go our own way.”

 

Startled, the two didn’t understand why he’d say this.

 

Zhuo Fan shook his head, “Sorry, that was my mistake.
I want to leave.
Xie Tianyang, I’m afraid I can’t take her out of the city.
Help her in my stead.”

 

“Brother Zhuo, where are you going?” Xue Ningxiang felt nervous.

 

Zhuo Fan replied with a determined tone, “The third area!”

 

“What?” Xie Tianyang and Xue Ningxiang shouted, “At first we wanted to avoid the seventh elder by going there, but why would you still want to go?”

 

Zhuo Fan’s eyes flashed with guilt, “To be honest, it was my objective from the start.
I wanted to go together because… you were useful…”

 

“Bastard, you wanted more baits?” Xie Tianyang cursed.

 

Zhuo Fan nodded, “Yes, so if you don’t want to die, run along.
The farther from me the better!”

 

As he replied, Zhuo Fan turned to leave.

 

“Wait!”

 

Xue Ningxiang pulled his hand with a shy smile, “Brother Zhuo, if you don’t consider me as a burden, take me with you.
Even if I were to become bait, it is alright as long as I can stay with you!”

 

Zhuo Fan was startled and his heart throbbed.

 

Xie Tianyang advised, “Hey, Ning’er, this guy’s no good…”

 

But Xue Ningxiang’s gentle eyes only had Zhuo Fan in them, and so Xie Tianyang also reluctantly chose to put his hands together with theirs.

 

Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow, “You too want to follow me?”

 

“Yes.” Xie Tianyang felt lifeless, “But don’t misunderstand, I’m not coming to help you but to make sure you don’t betray Ning’er.”

 

Zhuo Fan smiled.

 

[With how smart you are, I might go and betray you both!]

 

But he didn’t voice it, meeting the two of them could be considered as his fortune.

 

Friends in life and death were hard to find…