Chapter 28: Disciples Express Gratitude!

Hearing this, Ning Chuan paused slightly in surprise.

Qu Lingfeng and Lu Chengfeng have returned?

He still had some impression of these disciples of Huang Yaoshi.

Except for the treacherous Chen Xuanfeng and Mei Chaofeng who later defected, the other four—Qu Lingfeng, Lu Chengfeng, Wu Mianfeng, and Feng Mofeng—though differing in personality, were mostly of good character and cared deeply for Huang Rong.

Especially the eldest senior brother, Qu Lingfeng, who was exceptionally talented and utterly loyal to Huang Yaoshi, only to suffer a tragic fate later on.

Now that they had returned, and specifically to thank him for saving Huang Rong, there was no harm in making contact.

Perhaps he could even learn some of the essence of Taohuadao's martial arts from them; even just gaining some cultivation insights through indirect means would be greatly beneficial to him.

Thinking this, Ning Chuan nodded at Huang Rong to indicate his agreement.

Seeing Ning Chuan agree, Huang Rong became even happier; she pulled his scaled armor and walked toward the area where the disciples lived, constantly murmuring in her small mouth that her eldest senior brother and the others must have brought back many fun things from their sea voyage, perhaps even some new and strange martial arts manuals.

Soon, Ning Chuan saw the six disciples under Huang Yaoshi in a relatively spacious courtyard.

Several peach trees were planted within the courtyard; though it was not the blooming season, their branches and leaves were lush and vibrant with green.

Several stone tables and stools were placed casually, revealing a touch of leisure and elegance.

The air was filled with a faint fragrance of grass and trees, along with a barely perceptible scent of medicinal herbs, likely left over from the disciples' daily preparation of medicines.

Chen Xuanfeng and Mei Chaofeng were among them as well.

Upon seeing Ning Chuan's massive and majestic snake body, a hint of displeasure and wariness still flashed in their eyes, though barely noticeable.

Especially Ning Chuan's increasingly deep snake eyes, carrying a faint pressure, caused them an inexplicable palpitation; it felt as if, before this giant snake, all their dark thoughts were laid bare.

But outwardly, they showed no unusual reaction; they simply stood silently to the side, their expressions somewhat distant, forming a sharp contrast with the enthusiasm of the other four.

As for the other four, this was their first time coming into such close contact with Ning Chuan.

When they saw the giant snake, over seven meters long, jet-black as ink, with scales shimmering with a cold metallic luster in the sunlight, their faces all displayed an unmistakable look of shock.

They could clearly feel the faint yet powerful aura emanating from Ning Chuan; it was a pure, life-level pressure that made even these self-proclaimed martial arts experts, who boasted of their skills, feel a shiver of fear.

Even though they were well-traveled and had encountered many strange tales while wandering the Jianghu, including some so-called legends of spirits and monsters, such a supernatural, oppressive giant snake was something they had never heard of nor seen before.

That fierce aura of a high-level predator, faintly emanating from Ning Chuan, made them instinctively feel a thread of tension, even causing some to sweat in their palms.

"Wow! Rong'er, is this the... Snake Brother you said saved you?"

"Truly magnificent and extraordinary! Its momentum is astonishing!"

A youth who looked rather simple and had a quite sturdy build spoke first in amazement; his eyes were wide open as he curiously sized Ning Chuan up and down, seemingly wanting to see every detail of Ning Chuan clearly.

He must be the fifth-ranked Wu Mianfeng, whose character was relatively straightforward, and who was also the most physically robust among the disciples.

Beside him, a youth with a somewhat slender face but very lively eyes also curiously observed Ning Chuan, his gaze filled with inquiry and a touch of reverence.

This was the sixth-ranked Feng Mofeng, whose mind seemed more delicate; he was skilled in various miscellaneous arts and was said to have also dabbled in Mechanical Formations.

As for the two standing at the very front, their temperaments were more steady, obviously holding higher status among the disciples, and they were the disciples most Highly valued by Huang Yaoshi.

One was tall and slender, with a refined face and a hint of heroism between his brows; his eyes, as they opened and closed, concealed sharp brilliance—this was the eldest disciple of Taohuadao, Qu Lingfeng.

He carried an air of scholarly learning, yet without losing the capability and sharpness of a martial artist; in every gesture and movement, he possessed a certain bearing.

The other person had a resolute expression, bright eyes, and stood upright, appearing quite capable and decisive; this was the fourth disciple, Lu Chengfeng.

He seemed rather serious, rarely smiling, yet deep within his eyes shone a sense of righteousness, making people feel he could be trusted.