It was not only Xiang Qingling who had this thought. The others were also very well convinced of this series of upcoming nuisances.
They all unanimously agreed that their coming days were going to be exceptionally tough.
And it was not just some random speculation or blind intuition on their part but a very unfortunate and dreadful fact.
Because.....the mentioned campsite across the stream apparently belonged to the crown prince of the Burning Phoenix nation, Xiao Tingfei and his crew.
Xiao Tingfei and his people set out from Lan Quan four days earlier than them. And the two parties had never encountered each after that. Tian Shan and others were obviously very happy. But now that they ended up being neighbours their faces couldn't help but turn heavy.
Their luck was just too bad.
Although Tian Lan and Yuan Fang didn't manage to see them around the campsite and they were a bit far away. Both seemed very clear about the identity of the other party. And it was the same for the others. Even though there was no mention of Xiao Tingfei and Bai Ya in their report everyone could guess at once who their neighbour was.
Just the pompous style of the huge camp bustling with servants made these people very sure of their conjecture.
Big luxurious tents...scores of maids and servants bustling about.....banging of utensils and thick smoke rising from a corner.
Too high-profile.
They were able to make a guess immediately.
And to this mostly no one objected nor had any doubts. Even though many people were entering the forest around this time of the year Tian Shan and others still firmly believed in their vision.
Because.....
Xiao Tingfei and Bai Ya...this pretentious pair was the only ones who could think of doing things this way.
Transforming a crude and wild campsite into a luxurious and grand palace.
" I am afraid that there's going to be a lot of trouble in these coming days." Tian Shan shook his head and sighed heavily.
And some couldn't help but wonder if they had some strange fate with this hateful couple.
Why would they bump into each other again and again as if everything was planned at the beginning?
There were so many people entering this forest every day now that it was summer. And just from their academy alone, so many people split themselves into many separate teams to enter the forest despite knowing the dangers they would face just in hope of getting a good haul. Not to mention the cultivators all over the land who entered the forest frequently to train or hunt or collect precious herbs.
.....And they didn't happen to see a single one. Not even their shadows. But encountered Xiao Tingfei and the rest repeatedly two times in a row.
This was just too much of a 'fate'.
It was not that they were not prepared for this. They were obviously well prepared. But they never would stumble into them just after stepping into the mountain.
They felt like they were bullied.
" Then....are we going to move our camp?" Xiang Qingling looked a bit annoyed. They had finally found a good place to settle down after jostling for two days and nights continuously, it would be too troublesome to move. However, she also had her worries about being neighbours with that disgusting couple.
What to do?...
Xiang Qingling tilted her head to the side to glance at Wei's expression to see what he wanted. After all, he was the one who brought them here and he might know the situation better than them. Whether they decided to move or not it all depended on him.
Tian Lan, who was standing beside her didn't see her small action and just snorted coldly, " Why move? It's not like they own this place. Anyway, we're already settled even if they come to poke us around we won't be going anywhere. Who's scared of them? If they come to fight then let's fight to the death."
" But....they brought many people with them." But Qin Xia and Hu Meilin looked apprehensive.
Yes, if they fought Xiao Tingfei they would end up losing the first round itself when competing with numbers.
But others had a different opinion. Qin Xia and Hu Meilin, these two sisters were too naive and simple to understand the current situation. They were young and their background wasn't deep like Tian Shan and others. So, they basically had limited knowledge regarding the 'real' world of cultivation. There were many things the two hadn't figured out yet. Even that pretentious and arrogant Bai Ya, who only knew to chase good-looking men knew more than them. Otherwise, there was no she would remain entangled with the matter of Wei.
Thus, those two were easily daunted by numbers. And had no measure of the strength of the team they followed accidentally.
In the beginning, they just followed Tian Lan because no one was willing to take them. After all, they were fresh juniors and they neither possessed earth-shattering talent nor a deep background.
Although it was Tian Lan who took the initiative to persuade them first inwardly they were very happy. Because they had long heard of the good reputation of senior brother Tian Shan and their team. They were naturally willing.
It was just that they never expected as soon as they boarded the ship half of the crew would jump off and board Xiao Tingfei's pirated ship. It was just too coincidental.
That they two debated for whole three days before deciding to follow this ship. They had never been so nervous. But they didn't want to break their promise and retreat.
Their family wasn't that huge nor had any complicated background but they were all honest and valued words. So they could only take the bet.
For this almost forfeited their lives as if going on their final journey sending letters and all to their homes.
However, when encountering so many unexpected gains along the way their beyond surprised and their confidence gradually rose until meeting Xiao Tingfei and his people. As if Xiao Tingfei being arrogant wasn't enough Bai Ya also dragged along many people. It was too crowded.
These two were really talented in being pompous to an extreme.
And obviously, this number scared these two naive ones out of their shit. They turned back to being jittery.
But not everyone was like them. Especially, Tian Lan was just too complacent. Maybe if it was before she would have some scruples if she encountered the same situation as now. But now she looked completely carefree. As if this Beast Heaven Mountain was her domain.
"So what? Let them come if they want to come. We'll make sure they won't have a good ending." Tian Lan was very sure that the number won't give the other party any advantage. After soaking in the Spiritual Pool they had made a great improvement in their cultivation. Although they weren't as talented as Xiao You she considered herself still very good.
If a fight really broke out in the coming days even if they didn't manage to take the other party's whole crew down they were enough to make them suffer a heavy loss. Besides, they also had guards who followed them secretly. If there really was a need they could just summon them. There was no one here, no one would see their operation in this deep forest. They just need to clean up neatly not to leave any evidence.
Above that to be honest, with Xiao You and Master Wei supporting them Tian Lan didn't think that there was any need to summon them.
Tian Shan and others had the same thought. They didn't really want to change the campsite just because of some irrelevant people. This place was near the stream, which was very convenient and trees around this area were also relatively sparse, a good place for setting up tents. If they had to move now they were not very certain that they would be able to find a better place than this.
Besides, it was getting late they and they didn't like a bit the idea of stumbling around at night in this dangerous forest which was full of spirit beasts. Furthermore....how could they forget they had such a big tree to lean on?
With this big tree backing them what was there to fear?
What is Xiao Tingfei? Who's Bai Ya?... Even if the Dragon King came to tear them down they would fear nothing!
Tian Shan sharply turned back his head to face Wei and gave a bright sunny smile, rubbing his palms together, " Brother Wei, what do you think?" It was too dazzling to the point of blinding.
Wei:"???" What was this guy smiling for? He had been looking for Jiang Ying Yue and this guy popped out of nowhere.
Tian Lan who saw her brother act like this was disgusted and turned her face away.
A certain guard hiding in the shadows couldn't help but let out an anguished howl inwardly.
'I don't know this person anymore.'
Other guards hiding in different corners obviously saw him pitiful and gave him a sympathetic look.
Wei frowned slightly seeing his scalding sunny smile and answered him coldly, " Up to you."
Not an extra word. He was too good at keeping short.
Tian shan: "....."
Others:"..."
A certain guard:' Young master, look! Even your idol is disgusted by your greasy smile.'
Tian Shan's flattering smile turned stiff and he almost choked.
' Up to you?...'
'What do you mean up--to--you? Can't you spare extra few words?'
' It's not like it's costing you a thousand silver to say a few more words.'
' At least tell us there's no better place than this, persuade us not to move....or, or....tell us that you have our back when we face some trouble. Why are you so rigid and unemotional?!'
' Brother Wei, you don't get our meaning!!'
' This brother is too hurt!!'
Tian Shan suppressed his sorrow and swore to work harder. He had to gain Brother Wei's trust and friendship.