The analysis from Tang Linfeng did not bring any joy to the group, even after confirming the strength of the demonic beast. Instead, their faces grew somber.
Though they couldn't recognize the deceased individuals on the ground, they were certain that these people were by no means weak. Yet, they met such tragic ends. If they were to encounter this same demonic beast, their fate would surely be grim.
"Let's leave here quickly," Xu Jiu didn't want to die so soon, nor did he want to risk it.
The others had no objections to Xu Jiu's suggestion and quickly sought another path to escape.
However, they hadn't gone far when they suddenly heard a series of hurried footsteps approaching from a distance. Though they couldn't see anyone, they could tell from the sound of the footsteps that the approaching person was in a great hurry.
Just as they tensed up, fearing some monster was charging towards them, a person in tattered clothes appeared before them.
Upon seeing the person's face clearly, Su Xi's expression became peculiar. She stared at the person who had suddenly burst forth with a smile that was neither here nor there.
This person was none other than Liu Piaopiao, who had been so arrogant before they set out.
However, Liu Piaopiao had lost all her previous swagger. Many parts, visible and not, were exposed, and her delicate face was smeared with mud, making her look like she had escaped from a refugee camp.
Liu Piaopiao seemed completely unfazed and unashamed by her disheveled appearance. Upon seeing everyone, her face was filled with joy.
"Senior Brother Wu, it's so good to see you." Liu Piaopiao stepped forward, attempting to embrace Wu Yufeng and recount her unfortunate experience.
The moment Liu Piaopiao leaned in, Wu Yufeng stopped her further advance. Simultaneously, a voice that pushed her away sounded, "We're not close. Don't come so near."
"Puchi." Hearing Wu Yufeng's response, Su Xi couldn't help but burst into laughter.
She hadn't expected that a "straight man" could sometimes be so amusing.
Seeing everyone staring at her, Su Xi waved her hand in apology, "Sorry, I didn't mean to. Please continue your comedic act; I'll just watch."
Although Su Xi recognized her mistake in time, the atmosphere had been broken, and everyone felt a strange sensation.
Liu Piaopiao shot an angry glance at Su Xi, who had ruined the mood, knowing her "beauty trap" had failed. Without the right atmosphere, it was all useless.
Thus, she dropped the pretense of vulnerability from her face and threw out a bombshell topic, "Senior Brother Wu, something has gone wrong with this trial. This is no longer a simple trial."
The group was already curious about the strange occurrences here. Hearing Liu Piaopiao's words at this moment, their attention was instantly captured, and they wanted to know what had happened.
Xu Jiu hadn't been able to take his eyes off Liu Piaopiao since she appeared. Now, he eagerly asked, "What exactly happened here?"
He had never found an opportunity to speak to his goddess before, and he wouldn't miss this chance.
Liu Piaopiao saw through Xu Jiu's intentions at a glance. However, she didn't expose him. Instead, she gave him a tender look and said, "Our team was about to leave this forest when we were suddenly attacked by a group of mysterious people."
"They had profound magical powers, and we were no match for them. After just two or three exchanges, we were all defeated and had no choice but to scatter and flee..."
Hearing Liu Piaopiao's account, Su Xi was filled with disbelief.
Liu Piaopiao's cultivation was not particularly high within their team, yet while the others' lives were unknown after being surrounded by those mysterious people, Liu Piaopiao managed to escape unharmed, with only minor injuries.
Even in a fantasy novel, this was too outrageous.
Not to mention that Liu Piaopiao and others had previously betrayed their teammates to obtain the Vermillion Fruit, a fact she completely omitted.
Upon hearing Liu Piaopiao's words, Xu Jiu's attention was immediately drawn to the mysterious people. He didn't notice the loopholes in her story and instead said comfortingly, "Fairy Liu, don't worry too much. We are here, and as long as we unite, we will surely handle this."
Su Xi, hearing Xu Jiu's increasingly strange words, instantly understood that he intended to keep Liu Piaopiao in their team.
Indeed, not long after, Xu Jiu smoothly extended an invitation, "Since this place is so perilous, Fairy Liu, why don't you temporarily join us? At least we'll have each other's support."
Liu Piaopiao was pleased with Xu Jiu's accommodating behavior. However, she still looked at everyone with a pitiable expression and, using a strategy of yielding to advance, said, "If I join you, will I become a burden?"
The Tang siblings' cultivation was only at the Qi Condensation stage, so Liu Piaopiao didn't pay them much attention. At this moment, the person she valued more was Wu Yufeng's attitude.
Wu Yufeng had the highest cultivation among everyone. As long as he agreed, the opinions of others would be irrelevant.
Facing Liu Piaopiao's watery eyes, Wu Yufeng was completely unfazed. He directly turned his gaze to Su Xi, "This team is yours; you decide."
Su Xi knew that Wu Yufeng wasn't trying to shirk responsibility but genuinely wanted her to make the decision, and she was naturally happy about it.
Seeing that she had failed with Wu Yufeng once again, Liu Piaopiao cursed him as a "dead straight man" in her heart. She then shifted her gaze to Su Xi.
She had never imagined that her fate would one day be in Su Xi's hands.
Su Xi, sensing the expectation in Liu Piaopiao's eyes, smiled at her and ruthlessly refused, "I'm sorry, we have enough people. You should find someone else."
Hearing Su Xi refuse Liu Piaopiao, Xu Jiu couldn't help but interject, "We are all united. Why can't we help her?"
Su Xi sneered upon hearing Xu Jiu try to pressure her with righteousness, "If you think it's not good, you can give her your spot. I'm telling you clearly today, our team can only have five people."
Liu Piaopiao was no easy character. If she joined casually, not only would she not help their team, but she might even become a liability. Therefore, to avoid trouble, it was best to send her away.
Hearing Su Xi's words, Xu Jiu, wanting to establish his standing in front of his goddess, puffed out his chest and decisively said, "Alright, as a man, I should take responsibility."
After speaking, Xu Jiu gave Liu Piaopiao the jade pendant he was wearing and said righteously, "Piaopiao, take this."
Liu Piaopiao's eyes welled up with tears, and she appeared deeply moved. She feigned reluctance, "But if you give it to me, what will you do then?"
"I can't let you get hurt because of me."
Xu Jiu felt extremely gratified by Liu Piaopiao's insincere words and, in a manly tone, said, "I will absolutely not let you be in danger. Rest assured."
Xu Jiu actually had a plan in mind. Although he gave Liu Piaopiao his spot, he could simply follow Su Xi and the others. In that case, if they encountered danger, Su Xi and the others couldn't just stand by and do nothing.
As for rewards, he didn't care too much. After all, in his heart, the goddess's favor was the most important thing. Everything else was outside his consideration.