"Hmph, Doufu Hua! Don't you dare look down on our friendship (formed from food), you said last time that you still need to get revenge, your enemies are my enemies, how can I leave when you have not completed your revenge yet? I won't leave even if you chase me away, you don't call me Nian Gao for nothing!" The edges of Zi Hua's eyes were brimmed with tears, clearly moved by her friend's little speech.
"Thanks" They stared at each other awkwardly for a while, now that all that touchy, cheesy stuff is out off the way what should they say now?
"I can feel that the flame fragment is near, let's head right" Zi Hua took the initiative to break the awkward silence.
Xue Lian followed Zi Hua's lead and they took a few more turns until eventually, they actually noticed the temperature drop.
If it wasn't for the clothes, they would've have been freezing and shaking uncontrollably by now.
"Doufu-fu-fu Hua-ua-ua, how-ow mu-much further-er?" Even Xue Lian was having a bit of trouble with the cold in her human form now, she had started shivering and jittering. (A/N: Me when it's winter, it's so cold where I live T-T)
"Just around the corner" However, who would've known that just when they turned to enter the room the flame fragment was in, someone else had also entered at the same time.
The other party's leader was a young man in his late teen, the third young master of the General's Manor, son of Zhang Ling Xin, that came here due to the family pestering Xia Meng Meng to bring him over.
Zi Hua recognized him at first glance.
Zi Hua really has some dog luck to meet both her enemies which she has to get rid of in a day, fate can be miraculous.
"Who are you!"
"Nian Gao" Zi Hua gave Xue Lian a glance.
"En"
The two went to eliminate them, trusting their backs to one another, although she was care-free, by no means did it mean that she was lenient, Xue Lian had been taught since young to succeed the clan chief and had learnt to eliminate weeds at its roots, ruthlessness wasn't rare in such a society, 'kindness upon ones' enemies is cruelty upon oneself'.
Zi Hua had long hardened her heart for her revenge, even if it meant hurting some innocents, she has her mind set on revenge and nothing will get in her way, she doesn't care if she is labelled a criminal or demon.
She's spent enough time caring about unnecessary others' opinions of her.
With the other party in no condition to resist they were finished instantly.
"Ewie, now I'm all dirty. Sorry Zi Hua, the clothes you made for me..." Xue Lian sobbed.
"Don't worry, just insert some spiritual power into it" Xue Lian followed what she said and was amazed.
Spirit beasts also have spiritual power and break-through using Qi however their spiritual power is attributed, Xue Lian's was ice, this was partly the reason for the spirit beasts' advantage.
"Zi Hua this is amazing!" Xue Lian's eyes shone.
Zi Hua had made the clothes using the fabrics that her master had left for her.
After they cleaned themselves up, Zi Hua went to get the lantern and put it away.
"Thank you for accompanying me to find this" Although she could've done all this by herself, it was touching to know someone was willing to assist her.
"What are you saying? There's no need for thanks when it comes to this kind of stuff" Xue Lian gave a cheeky smile, showing her canine teeth.
"Let's leave this place now" However, due to some stupid idiot somewhere in the ruins, it started collapsing.
Rumble!
"HURRY! Get on!" Xue Lian transformed into her spirit beast form and floated away.
'This ain't some adventure in a classic fantasy world dungeon scenario so why is this happening!?'
'A crumbling ruin is just so basic and cliche'
Thankfully, after they had fallen down, the route to the ruins had taken them closer to the surface so they broke through the 'roof' and went out, Xue Lian changed back before anyone noticed.
"Phew!"
"That was a close call"