"You're horrible! Come back, don't leave me behind." Seeing Tang Feng walk away, Xia Jingyu realized he had just been trying to scare her.
Indeed, Tang Feng had left, but he soon returned to find Xia Jingyu crying, "No way, you look like a strong woman, not so easily frightened."
Having no choice, he helped her up and then gave her an elixir, "Don't speak, those people have come back." After hiding the backpack, the two of them eerily disappeared into the night again.
"Big brother, that woman really ran away." The group searched the surroundings to no avail, each quaking in their boots.
"A bunch of useless trash, how am I supposed to explain this to Mr. Liang? Keep chasing, even if they ran down the mountain they couldn't have gone far; if you can't find them, you're all dead!" The middle-aged man bellowed.
Soon, the group vanished again.
So, it was Liang Wenlong, hmph! I will never let this trash get away with this.
Xia Jingyu clenched her teeth, seething with rage.
Once the divine sense is activated, the Concealing Pill naturally loses its effect; at this moment, looking at Tang Feng, Xia Jingyu felt an inexplicable nervousness. She was held tightly in his embrace, feeling so warm, so safe—is this what a man's arms are like?
"Heh heh, touched by my handsome looks, eh? Are you starting to like me a bit?"
Tang Feng had a thick skin, something well-known among the Immortal Realm's mighty. He had ties with any supremely beautiful fairy, but in his previous life, his only desire was to become a strong practitioner, never indulging in such pleasures.
This life, he didn't want to miss out on the company of beauties. A beautiful woman can often be a nice diversion, a good prescription that relaxes the divine sense and pleases the body.
Besides, mere control can't bring real benefits; it was better to live naturally with ease.
It must be said, Tang Feng was a very handsome guy, and with the temperament of an Immortal Venerable Level practitioner, even Xia Jingyu, who had seen a lot as the sole head of a conglomerate, couldn't help but have her divine sense stirred.
A true strong practitioner can use their presence to command others.
Seeing Tang Feng's sly smile, Xia Jingyu glared at him fiercely, "You men all like to be vain. To be honest, you don't exude the slightest bit of masculinity."
Uh!
Tang Feng found himself at a loss for words, glancing at himself, indeed appearing frail and weak, even worse off than an old man in his twilight years, with a pale and lifeless face—it was already good enough if he didn't scare women away.
In response to Xia Jingyu's comment, all he could do was sigh helplessly.
"You're angry, aren't you? I didn't mean to upset you. Actually, you do look quite handsome." Xia Jingyu's face was somewhat uncomfortable, thankful that the darkness of night hid her expression.
"I'm not angry; you speak the truth. I am indeed a bit weak," Tang Feng stood up, shouldered the bag, and walked away.
Xia Jingyu quickly followed, gripping Tang Feng's arm, "I apologize. Can't you be a little happier?"
"Ha ha, you're such a strange woman. Didn't I say I'm not angry? I'm just contemplating other matters, nothing to do with you. Why are you following me if I'm going into the mountains?" Tang Feng tried to remove her hand, but she pressed herself even closer, gripping his arm even tighter.
"Wherever you go, I go." It seemed there was absolutely no intention of letting go.
"Look, sister, I'm a man, you know. Aren't you afraid?" Tang Feng was genuinely puzzled.
"Afraid? Sure, but I'd rather be with you than be violated by those bastards," her voice grew softer towards the end, but Tang Feng still heard clearly, and his body involuntarily reacted, heating up instantly.
This little devil certainly knew how to seduce someone.
"You'll regret this," Tang Feng suppressed the heat inside him and managed to give a stern response.
"Hee hee, I knew you wouldn't leave me behind." Xia Jingyu kept hold of Tang Feng, noticing him continually picking various medicinal herbs along the way, her curiosity piqued.
She bombarded him with questions, and Tang Feng came to understand the peril of a woman's curiosity, with her ceaseless chattering becoming unbearable for anyone.
Moreover, it seemed she had become immune to the various ways he'd tried to scare her off. Regarding this, he could only stay silent.
Hours passed in the blink of an eye; Tang Feng now had two bags of herbs while Xia Jingyu carried one herself, never once releasing Tang Feng's hand. To her, this was the safest haven.
As the sky barely started to lighten, they heard shouting nearby, approaching from afar, growing more and more numerous.
"Looks like the people looking for you have arrived; I'll escort you to the main road," Tang Feng said with a sigh of relief, ready to be free at last.
"Tang Feng, do you really want me to leave?" Xia Jingyu bit her lip, her enchanting eyes ablaze with fire, looking incredibly adorable.
"Yes," Tang Feng responded without hesitation, not wanting anyone to see him practice alchemy—too shocking for the world. Moreover, she hadn't slept all night; she was indeed exhausted and there was no reason to keep wandering aimlessly in the forest with him.
"You jerk!" Xia Jingyu's eyes brimmed with tears, her appearance truly pitiful.
"Big sister, we're not that close, and your family must be worried; it's time for you to go home," Tang Feng said.
"Give me your phone number."
"What for?"
"I said I would reward you, and I won't renege on my word," Xia Jingyu said.
"No need, it was just a little effort," Tang Feng said with a smile.
"If you won't give it, then don't blame me for being impolite," Xia Jingyu suddenly laughed, giving Tang Feng a bad feeling.
"How inappropriate!"
Sure enough!
This woman's methods of retaliation were too cruel.
Tang Feng quickly covered his mouth, defeated, "I'll give it to you, alright?"
Xia Jingyu wore a triumphant smile, but a flush of red swept across her face – that hug just now was quite powerful.
Tang Feng obediently handed over his phone number.
Only then did Xia Jingyu smile satisfactorily, "Tang Feng, wait for my call."
Tang Feng sent her to the road with a wry smile. However, he turned and left, not wanting to meet the people searching for Xia Jingyu. She didn't insist, knowing it was easy to find him now that she had his number.
"Are you Miss Xia?" A young soldier spotted Xia Jingyu walking out of the woods and eagerly approached her, overjoyed.
"It's me."
"We've found her, call off the search!" The young soldier shouted with great joy, their night's efforts had not been in vain.
The daughter of Lin City's Chief, it would have been a massive shakeup if something had happened to her. Luckily, it seemed she hadn't encountered too much danger.
"Jing Yu, you scared Uncle Cheng to death," said a middle-aged man coming to her, the one leading the search with the officials.
"Uncle Cheng, thank you all," Xia Jingyu said with a slight smile. After her time with Tang Feng, she found her heart had settled, and the fear she felt had vanished. It was truly miraculous. She glanced back at the dense forest, the corners of her mouth curving slightly.
Xia Guoming breathed a sigh of relief when he received the call and heavily sat down on the sofa.
"Leader, we've found a lead," Secretary Yang rushed into the office, reporting to Xia Guoming.
"Who?"
"It's related to the son of a provincial chief," Secretary Yang finished and waited quietly.
Xia Guoming stood up, his eyes fierce, "Humph! The Guo Family is pushing us too far. Do they think they can overlook the Xia Family just because the old man is down?"
"Cancel the afternoon's schedule and the evening's engagements. I'm going home for a bit," Xia Guoming knew the real battle had begun.
Only after returning home did Xia Jingyu truly relax. She took a luxurious bath and then picked up the phone.
"Hello, the number you have dialed is switched off."
Ah!
Damn it, that guy must have done it on purpose.
Xia Jingyu was actually wronging Tang Feng at this point. He was caught in a rainstorm in the mountains, and his phone had gotten wet. Not to mention if it crashed, whether it could even be used in the future was a question.
Tang Feng, who intended to report that he was safe, could only helplessly put away his phone. He still needed two more medicinal materials. He had to find them, as his chance to resume cultivation was just within reach.
But he hadn't expected that this would take three days.
Wow!
That was close!
At the edge of a cliff, Tang Feng struggled back to the top, nearly having fallen just moments before. Looking at the Vitality Extending Grass in his hand, he smiled happily.
This secluded place was great for alchemy.
Green Netherworld Tripod, whether I can succeed or not depends on you.
Tang Feng was frustrated, as he only had one shot at this.
Heating, adding the medicinal herbs, controlling the fire – Tang Feng was so nervous, his palms were shaking. He laughed at himself, as the great Medicine Master was also afraid.
After taking a deep breath, he entered his best state, his past life's experience bringing him immense confidence.
Two hours, it took two hours for this batch of elixirs. When six crystal-clear, translucent elixirs appeared in the Green Netherworld Tripod, Tang Feng laughed joyously, having successfully made the Blood Cleansing Pill.