"Daddy, are you going to abandon me again?" Zefang eyed Xiao Man warily.
Xiao Man chuckled awkwardly. "No, I'm just curious. How do you know so much at such a young age?"
"No one played with me when I was little, so I spent my time in the library reading. Don't let my age fool you, I've read all the books in the library. I learned all this from them." Zefang said with immense pride. In those lonely and solitary years, books were his only companions. His current knowledge was a testament to years of accumulated learning.
Xiao Man felt a pang of sadness. Zefang was at an age where he should be playing, yet he had no one to play with. How lonely and isolated he must have been.
"Were you lonely reading alone?"
Zefang shook his head. "Now that I have you, Daddy, I'm not lonely."
Xiao Man gently ruffled Zefang's hair, sighing silently. The child was too well-behaved, so well-behaved it was heartbreaking. "When we get out, I'll take you out to play. We can go wherever you want."
"Okay."
At that moment, the two warring factions suddenly separated. Luo Ke and his group turned and fled, showing no intention of fighting further. Bai Chen immediately gave chase to Luo Ke.
Xiao Man couldn't help but frown. "Bai Chen doesn't seem very bright."
"I heard he's famously... righteous." Zefang racked his brain to find those four words to describe Bai Chen. Bai Chen was indeed righteous, and also a genius at artifact refining. All his weapons were made with integrity. Even concealed weapons like the Fenglei Zi, which could be used for sneak attacks, were wielded by him so openly! Sudansxs.com
"Righteous..." Xiao Man mused on the word. Righteousness implied that Bai Chen was no match for Luo Ke. "What a mess. Does this kid even know his own weakness?"
"The Qianji Sect excels at borrowing the power of weapons and possesses many rare treasures. Even if he's tricked, he should be able to keep his life, though he'll suffer greatly." Zefang immediately understood Xiao Man's thoughts. "Daddy, you're truly kind."
"Kind?" Xiao Man touched his nose. "It's the first time anyone has called me kind."
"You worry about strangers and save people you don't know. Isn't that kindness?"
Xiao Man burst into laughter. "People have called me a devil, a monster, cold, ruthless, even a despicable villain. You're the first to call me kind."
"In my heart, Daddy is the kindest person." Zefang replied with conviction. "No matter what others think, to me, Daddy is the kindest person I know. I like you the most, Daddy."
"Your mouth is so sweet, like it's been smeared with honey." Xiao Man pinched his nose. "When you grow up, you'll surely be a man who charms young ladies."
"Will you still like me when I grow up?"
"Of course, I like you. I'm your father." Xiao Man chuckled. "Alright, time's almost up. We should go take a look, otherwise, that kid Bai Chen is going to be in trouble."
"Daddy is going to save him?" Zefang asked sullenly, clearly displeased with Xiao Man's tendency to save everyone.
"This secret realm is likely filled with assassins from the Wudu Sect. The seven sects must stand together to have any chance of overcoming this challenge. If the elites of the seven sects are lost here, our chances of survival will be slim."
After hearing Xiao Man's explanation, Zefang smiled. He climbed onto Xiao Man's back. "Then let's hurry. I hope that fool can hold on until Daddy gets there to save him."
Bai Chen coughed out a mouthful of black blood, staring at Luo Ke approaching him from a distance. He cursed, "Despicable villain! You used poison!"
"They say the senior disciple of the Qianji Sect is righteous and despises sneak attacks and poisoning." Luo Ke sneered. "In my opinion, you are merely pedantic and foolish. Today, you die not by my hand, but by your own stupidity."
Bai Chen struggled to stand, but he was completely incapacitated. He could only watch as Luo Ke approached, raising his sword. Bai Chen felt despair. Would this sword strike sever his head?
Luo Ke sneered. He hadn't intended to kill so soon, but Bai Chen was stubborn and unpredictable. To be safe, it was better to eliminate him.
He swung his sword without hesitation. Just as he was about to chop off Bai Chen's head, the trajectory suddenly changed. The sword struck an incoming hidden projectile, emitting a sharp clang. After deflecting the projectile, Luo Ke quickly retreated. However, a figure moved with lightning speed, closing in on Luo Ke. Relying on his sense of danger, Luo Ke contorted his body in a peculiar manner, evading a vital strike. He unleashed a palm strike, successfully creating distance between them.
"Such impressive skill." Xiao Man couldn't help but praise, though the person was an enemy, it didn't diminish her appreciation for a skilled opponent.
"Xiao Qin!" Luo Ke clutched his wounded side. If not for his keen sense of danger and evasion of the vital spot, his dantian would have been pierced.
Xiao Man glanced at Bai Chen, who was kneeling on the ground, and tossed him a detoxification pill. "If you're a bit slow, don't rush too fast."
Bai Chen glared at Xiao Man. "Who are you calling slow?"
"Whoever was almost decapitated. I'm talking about you." Xiao Man turned to Luo Ke. "Fellow Daoist, you've attacked disciples of the seven sects repeatedly. What is your intention?"
"Xiao Qin, I advise you not to meddle in other people's affairs, or else..."
"Or else what?" Xiao Man interjected, her voice cold. "Are you going to kill me? Didn't you plan to kill me from the start?"
Bai Chen looked at Xiao Man in surprise. The Wudu Sect had never intended to let her go, but why?
"You're not with them?"
Xiao Man glanced back at Bai Chen. "You're truly straightforward. Your thoughts are all written on your face. If I were with them, why would they want to kill me?"
"You... you betrayed them?"
"Perhaps I should just leave and let him be killed," Xiao Man muttered to herself.
Bai Chen's pupils dilated in shock. Weren't you here to save me?
"Hey, Xiao Qin, are you really not with them?"
"Did you fall into a river? Has all the water in your head drained out?" Xiao Man found Bai Chen not righteous, but simply stupid. They were already fighting each other, how could they be allies?
"Daddy, is this person a simpleton?"
"Probably."
Bai Chen felt deeply disdained. Besides, it wasn't his fault. His master had warned him to be wary of this person, saying they might be a spy from the Wudu Sect. Who knew this person actually had a grudge against the Wudu Sect.
"Xiao Qin, bringing a child and a poisoned waste, and you dare to challenge me? You're too arrogant!"