"Shake hands," Xu Lanyan said simply.
Shi Yi was stunned for a moment, extended his right hand to grasp Xu Lanyan's, and said, "There, done."
"Wait," Xu Lanyan said, touching the immortal rope with his index finger. "Good morning, Master."
Outside the deep forest, the old gentleman helplessly touched the rope and said, "Since we've met, I'll trouble you."
"No trouble," Xu Lanyan smiled and let go.
Shi Yi looked at Xu Lanyan's actions with surprise and said, "You know the old gentleman."
"More than just know, we're incredibly familiar," Xu Lanyan said arrogantly, tilting his head back.
"Then, can you untie this for me!" Shi Yi said with a grin.
Xu Lanyan gave Shi Yi a fake smile and said, "No."
"Why?" Shi Yi asked, feigning ignorance.
"This is my respect for the old gentleman, what do you know," Xu Lanyan said, gesturing to the direction of the rat demons and saying, "Go that way."
"I just..."
"You're an escaped mouse, aren't you," Xu Lanyan suddenly said.
Shi Yi frowned slightly. "I'm not... not."
"Not, yet you're so afraid to see them," Xu Lanyan revealed.
"I am, but also not, anyway..."
"Anyway, still are," Xu Lanyan said, taking out the purse Mu Anxiao had given him from his sleeve. "Here, wear this."
"How do you have this?" Shi Yi asked, looking at the purse in surprise.
"Mu Anxiao gave it to me. But, I don't need it," Xu Lanyan said, extending the purse towards Shi Yi's hand.
Shi Yi took the purse and asked nervously, "How is Mu Anxiao now?"
"Very well," Xu Lanyan said.
"You're lying," Shi Yi said in a low voice.
"Why would I lie to you? Anyway, don't even think about seeing her," Xu Lanyan said, sensing Shi Yi's intention.
"Just one glance," Shi Yi held up a finger.
Xu Lanyan shook his head. "No, she's planning something very important right now. If you go, it will only affect her. Moreover, Feng Qishi is also there, and your presence would be redundant."
"Me, redundant?" Shi Yi pointed at himself.
"Mhm," Xu Lanyan nodded, pointing at the purse in Shi Yi's hand. "Put it on quickly. Don't get in the way of the rat demons' spellcasting."
"How am I hindering... them?" Shi Yi disliked Xu Lanyan's words.
Xu Lanyan pursed his lips. "It's not exactly hindering. I'm just afraid you might have had... a bad past with them. If they smell your scent, they'll be distracted. So, wear this to conceal yourself. That way, they won't discover you so quickly."
"I understand," Shi Yi nodded and put on the purse.
"Stay close to me," Xu Lanyan said.
Shi Yi grunted listlessly and followed Xu Lanyan's steps.
At the Xiuxian Sect, Mu Anxiao and the red-clothed rabbit spirit stood in the kitchen, looking at the emptied cabinets and then at the single rotten piece of leafy vegetable left on the chopping board. Mu Anxiao said, "It seems they're getting serious."
"Yes, what should we do?" the red-clothed rabbit spirit asked, turning to look at Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao was silent for a moment, then asked, "Where is Hun Ling?"
"Hun Ling? I don't know," the red-clothed rabbit spirit shook her head.
"Don't know," Mu Anxiao said, frowning. "That's strange. I feel like I haven't seen him in a long time. Could something have happened to him?"
"Probably not. He's someone the Rabbit Queen trusts implicitly," the red-clothed rabbit spirit pouted.
"Yes," Mu Anxiao nodded, then her eyes lit up. "Do you know where his room is?"
"Yes," the red-clothed rabbit spirit nodded.
Mu Anxiao's lips curved. "That's great. Can you take me to his room?"
"What are you going there for?" the red-clothed rabbit spirit asked, confused.
"Just lead the way," Mu Anxiao said.
Seeing Mu Anxiao with a plan, the red-clothed rabbit spirit agreed without further questions. "Okay."
Mu Anxiao curved her lips upward.
In an instant, they arrived outside Hun Ling's usual living quarters.
Mu Anxiao said, "Wait for me here."
"If I remember correctly, weren't you brought here by him?" the red-clothed rabbit spirit asked.
However, Mu Anxiao had forgotten how she came to the Xiuxian Sect until the red-clothed rabbit spirit reminded her. Her expression immediately became tense. "Yes, I'd forgotten until you mentioned it."
Seeing Mu Anxiao's exaggerated expression, the red-clothed rabbit spirit thought for a moment and said, "Did you two know each other before?"
"You can tell," Mu Anxiao said, no longer bothering to pretend.
"Mhm," the red-clothed rabbit spirit nodded, then said eagerly, "Don't worry, I won't say anything."
"I've always trusted you," Mu Anxiao patted the red-clothed rabbit spirit's shoulder, turned towards the door, and then raised her hand to knock hard on the panel.
Inside, Hun Ling was sitting at the table. The moment he heard the knock, he put down his soup spoon and asked, "Who is it?"
"Open the door," Mu Anxiao shouted.
Hun Ling was startled. He quickly stood up, walked to the door, unbolted it, and opened it, looking at Mu Anxiao in surprise. "Why are you here?" he said, then inadvertently glanced at the red-clothed rabbit spirit and put on a stern face. "Why did you come out?"
"Stop pretending, she knows," Mu Anxiao said, pointing at the red-clothed rabbit spirit.
Hearing this, Hun Ling relaxed his guard and said, "Come in quickly." He took a few steps back.
Mu Anxiao glanced at the red-clothed rabbit spirit and asked, "Can you wait for me here?"
"Yes," the red-clothed rabbit spirit readily agreed.
Mu Anxiao smiled slightly, stepped over the threshold, and closed the door behind her with her hands clasped behind her back.
"Why are you here?" Hun Ling asked again.
Just as Mu Anxiao was about to reply, she caught sight of the delicious dishes on the table and asked, "Why do you have these here?"
"You know," Hun Ling said, pointing at Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao suddenly remembered. "Oh, you're in charge of the rabbit spirits' ingredients. I recall now."
"You remember now?" Hun Ling smiled and asked, "Have you eaten?"
"Give me a carrot," Mu Anxiao held out her hand.
Hun Ling was stunned and whispered, pointing at the door, "You're giving it to her?"
"Mhm, she's much better now, don't worry," Mu Anxiao smiled.
Hun Ling hesitated for a moment, then conjured a carrot and said, "Here you go, kind soul."
"Don't praise me, I'll get proud," Mu Anxiao said, turning to open the door again.
Seeing Mu Anxiao open the door, the red-clothed rabbit spirit was surprised. "What's wrong?"
"Here, eat this first," Mu Anxiao handed out the carrot.
Upon seeing the carrot, the red-clothed rabbit spirit's eyes welled up with tears. "How can you be so kind?"
"It's not me who's kind, it's him," Mu Anxiao said, gesturing to Hun Ling.
Hun Ling, looking shyly at the red-clothed rabbit spirit who glanced at him, said, "Eat."
"Thank you," the red-clothed rabbit spirit said with a grin, taking the carrot.