Chapter 120: I

Facing Facing Cang Luo watched Lin Zhiping and the other two with unease, hesitating whether to run, while Lin Zhiping and the others stared back at him and Shangyi Huimeizi.

Far away, Lin Zhiping frowned. Who is that man beside Huimeizi?

Where is Brother Feng Qingyun?

That day, Shangyi Huimeizi felt unwell; Feng Qingyun said it might be from eating too much dried rations and suggested she find some fruit to stimulate her appetite.

Lin Zhiping thought it reasonable and immediately went to find fruit, but when he returned, the two were gone.

He waited in place for a while, but no one came; fearing they were in danger, he frantically searched everywhere, searching for days without success, so he returned to the sect—they might be looking for him too, and if they couldn't find him, they'd return to the sect.

But after returning to the sect, he learned Shangyi Huimeizi and Feng Qingyun had not come back, so he patiently waited a few more days—still no return.

Now Lin Zhiping knew they must be in trouble, so he summoned two fellow disciples from his hometown to enter the Beast Mountain Forest to search.

As soon as they set out, they encountered Shangyi Huimeizi—she was with another person, but it wasn't Feng Qingyun.

Lin Zhiping was utterly baffled: Where had Huimeizi and Brother Feng been these past half-month? What danger had they encountered?

Why wasn't she with Brother Feng? And who was this stranger?

"Senior Brother Lin, isn't Sister Huimeizi with Brother Feng? Who is that man?"

The speaker was Ma Fei, one of the disciples Lin Zhiping had called for help, a Warrior Stage 1 cultivator.

The other, Jiang Feng, also a Warrior Stage 1 cultivator, added: "That man's robe looks familiar... Ah, it's the outer sect robe of the Profound Heaven Sect—is he a Profound Heaven Sect disciple?"

He frowned strangely: "Look, Sister Huimeizi's clothes... why are they also Profound Heaven Sect robes? Could Sister have betrayed our sect and switched to the Profound Heaven Sect?"

Lin Zhiping now noticed too; he said nothing, his brow furrowed again, and he quickened his pace—he'd ask and find out.

Soon, the three arrived before Shangyi Huimeizi and Facing Facing Cang Luo.

Lin Zhiping glanced at Facing Facing Cang Luo and the Fire-Eating Wolf Erha, then embraced Shangyi Huimeizi tightly, excitedly saying: "Huimeizi, where have you been all this time? Do you know how hard I searched for you? Do you know how much I missed you?"

Shangyi Huimeizi tried to pull away but couldn't; she stole a guilty glance at Facing Facing Cang Luo, then smiled happily: "Senior Brother, I missed you too..."

The two embraced as if no one else existed; Ma Fei and Jiang Feng looked on with envy, while Facing Facing Cang Luo turned his head away early, heart aching painfully and feeling deeply awkward.

Damn it, what am I here for?

The third wheel?

The neighbor Wang?

Facing Facing Cang Luo shook his head, unwilling to stay and watch their affection, and turned to leave.

As he moved to go, Lin Zhiping swiftly called out: "Profound Heaven Sect senior brother, please wait!"

Facing Facing Cang Luo frowned; though annoyed at being halted, he stayed—he feared causing misunderstanding.

After stopping Facing Facing Cang Luo, Lin Zhiping released Shangyi Huimeizi and frowned: "Huimeizi, where is Brother Feng? And who is this Profound Heaven Sect senior brother?"

Also, why are you wearing Profound Heaven Sect robes?

Shangyi Huimeizi remained calm; she had already prepared her story: "Senior Brother, after you left, two Triceratops Rhinos suddenly charged out. Brother Feng and I couldn't stand against them, so we split up to flee."

I don't know what happened to Brother Feng, but I nearly died at the Triceratops Rhino's hands—luckily, Senior Brother Cang passed by and saved me. He's a genius disciple of the Profound Heaven Sect."

She pointed at Facing Facing Cang Luo, whose expression was odd, and continued: "My original clothes were torn by the Triceratops Rhino; these clothes are borrowed from Senior Brother Cang."

Afterward, Senior Brother Cang took me to find you, but you weren't there—I'm certain you were also searching for me."

So I didn't rush back to the sect; I healed while searching for you..."

As Shangyi Huimeizi spoke, Lin Zhiping gradually relaxed—but his heart pounded with shock.

Huimeizi had encountered a Rank 3 apex beast—the Triceratops Rhino!

Damn it! Where was I then? Why wasn't I beside Huimeizi to protect her?

Lin Zhiping seethed inwardly, blaming himself for failing to protect Shangyi Huimeizi.

After a moment of self-reproach, he suddenly remembered the man who had saved her, and quickly bowed: "Thank you, Senior Brother Cang, for saving her. I have nothing to offer in return, but should you ever need anything, I swear to serve you with my life!"

He then remembered he hadn't introduced himself: "I am junior disciple Lin Zhiping, outer sect disciple of the Five Elements Hall, Warrior Stage 2 cultivator, from Lingshan County, Tongzhou."

Behind him, Ma Fei and Jiang Feng quickly introduced themselves too—they were fellow townsfolk of Lin Zhiping, all from Lingshan County, Tongzhou.

Facing Facing Cang Luo's brow relaxed; he returned the bow: "Junior disciple Facing Facing Cang Luo, outer sect disciple of the Profound Heaven Sect, Warrior Stage 3 cultivator, from Earth Village, Tongzhou."

He glanced at Shangyi Huimeizi, waved his hand: "Merely a small favor—how could I ask for repayment? It was nothing, no need to mention it. Since you've reunited, I'll take my leave."

With that, Facing Facing Cang Luo mounted Erha and turned away without pause, giving them no chance to speak.

Behind him, Lin Zhiping saw him leave quickly and said no more—he had many questions for Shangyi Huimeizi, but bowed once more toward Facing Facing Cang Luo.

Shangyi Huimeizi watched Facing Facing Cang Luo's retreating back and suddenly brightened—Earth Village, Tongzhou? Could Cang Jun's hometown, that secret realm, be called Earth?

Beside her, Jiang Feng muttered: "Senior Brother Cang is only Warrior Stage 3—how did he drive off the Triceratops Rhino and save Sister Huimeizi?"

Lin Zhiping froze, looking at Shangyi Huimeizi in confusion: "Yes, Huimeizi, how exactly did Senior Brother Cang save you?"

Shangyi Huimeizi's delicate brows furrowed slightly, then she showed a tired expression: "Senior Brother, I'm tired... let's talk when we return."

Lin Zhiping nodded, taking Shangyi Huimeizi's hand and retracing their steps back to the Five Elements Hall.

Behind them, Jiang Feng frowned, glancing at Facing Facing Cang Luo's back, then at Shangyi Huimeizi—he sensed something off between them...

Facing Facing Cang Luo, watching them leave via satellite, instantly exhaled in relief, sweat soaking his back—he feared Huimeizi might slip up; he'd already prepared for battle.

"Why do I feel like the villain?"

He chuckled bitterly, shook his head, and told Erha to speed up.

Facing Facing Cang Luo did not return to the Beast Mountain Forest—his goal had been achieved: he had tamed his second beast companion, the Rank 2 beast, the Earth Badger.

Not only that, his cultivation had broken from Warrior Stage 9 to Warrior Stage 3, and he had acquired a Rank 3 longsword—real power gained.

As for loot, he had collected over seventy Rank 2 beast cores and a Tiger Hide from a Shadow Tiger—truly a bountiful harvest.

Additionally, he had discovered a new ability...

Hunger Absorption!

Thinking of Hunger Absorption, Facing Facing Cang Luo fell silent—this ability couldn't be used freely, and it had robbed him of his happiness!

Damn it!

Facing Facing Cang Luo was a bit disgusted!

"Sigh!"

Facing Facing Cang Luo let out a heavy sigh and ordered Erha to head southwest.

To the southwest lay Dan Yang County.

Facing Facing Cang Luo had no rush to return to the Profound Heaven Sect; he planned to visit Dan Yang County first.