In the very next day, the night was especially eery. Zhi Rui didn't mind as she walked with leisure. The floating river and thundering clouds remained the same since her first day there, while the soils beneath her was a land of treasure, but it was way too taught

Zhi Rui reckoned that the other geniuses had a slight deficit on the digging department, they focused more on beasts and plants rather than the ground beneath them. It wasn't surprising since even the common ground was way more tough than the ones they were used to. With a lot of more dangers too. pockets of gas, underground beasts, etc.. It's not an easy place to explore.

That's why the geniuses were going out together in set intervals, in case of threat or an instance that needed a group strength, they could just call and people would be by their side.

The chilly breeze bounced on Zhi Rui's exposed arms and face, startling her skin awake.

A beautiful smile etched itself in Zhi Rui's face. She rarely felt so comfortable, it was like that place was meant fo her.

She descended to the ground and walked. one relaxed step after the other. The gathering before the start was still quite far away. but Zhi Rui smiled.

'If I can't even enjoy the pleasure in front of me, why would I be alive at all?' She mused and kept on.

Izay, Zhun Xuying, Shizu, Ren Zu and the couple were following in her steps without hurry. Zhun Xuying and Izaya followed Zhi Rui wit certainty and unhurriedly. while Shizu had her mind lost in another world. She wasn't particularly interested in the underworld, but she had a bet with Zhi Rui after all. The couple just followed her without complaints, because, while they fear the enemy, they fear Zhi Rui even more.

----

----

----

Bain Bengwan was gritting her teeth with a bulging vein on her forehead. "What is taking that loser so long!? don't know where she stands! she should be the first one to come here!" He criticized while but glancing indirectly at Gao Fang, openly seeking approval.

Chao Cheng looked at him and sighed shaking his head. 'it hasn't been even a week and he's already dancing to someone else's tune.'

Gao Fang gave his polite smile

"No, even if she's injured, she's still on the same level as us cultivation-wise, if not stronger. Although she's not so fortunate as to have a strong backing, we should respect her even more for that. I'm certain something must've happened."

On their last meaning, he was recording with a hidden hope-rock, in case Zhi Rui lowered her guard and spilled some flaws, but it was in vain, so cordiality must continue.

Bang!

Through an annoyed tsk and stomp into the ground, An Bai showed her discontent.

"An Bai, you shouldn't be so hot-headed, instead you should take your time to plan ahead."

An Bai turned venomous eyes at him, curses came to her mouth as her blood started to flow.

But Gao Fang smilingly continued. "That's the way your sister normally does things, you should at least copy her posture, you might gain something if you do."

An Bai froze before any words could spill from her mouth.

She visibly recoiled on her seat and forced a smile. Not saying anything more. She didn't understand the underlying tone of his words, and only registered how she wasn't the same as her sister.

Xa Dayu looked on with interest at the exchanged happening so far and chuckled. Her voice was soft, giving the room a light mood, and distracting BAin Bengwan and An Bai's thoughts.

Xa Dayu looked at Gao Fang.

"I swear to not sell anything for Gao Fang." She spoke casually with a hand over her heart. thunders resounded through the skies.

Silence prevailed.

She said it so randomly and casually. Like a lightning in a clear, cloudless sky.

She sipped into her spring tea and chukled at the attention she was receiving.

"U-ugh, Lady Xa Dayu, how did I offend you?" disconcerted Gao FAng asked. his voice was trembling with bare rage.

To be vetoed by an alchemist was bad in itself, but to be cut off by a known and talented alchemists was a disaster, and that was exactly what Xu Dayu was. It didn't matter where he'd go. Every alchemist that isn't of his family will be overly cautious and impolite with him.

The veins in his eyes were turning red, he couldn't understand why she did that, it was an extremely heavy blow to his reputation,

'"What did he do to be scorned by that alchemist?"

"He must be one of those clients that use his family name mindlessly"

Those will be the kind talks about him from now on.

Xa Dayu took another sip from her tea. And spoke with huge beautiful eyes.

"I don't like you." She said and turned to speak to Chao Cheng as if no more explanations were required.

"Lady Xa Dayu, this isn't something to be dismissed without a proper explanation!"

He stood up and slammed the new table, sending a resounding bam across the room.

Bain Bengwan, like a pervert jumping on a naked woman, got up at once sending his chair flowing away and pointed his finger at Xa Dayu.

"How dare you!? brother Gao Fang has been nothing but good to us!"

Xa Dayu, simply help the are between her eyebrows with her fingers frowning. "Noisy... annoying...."

Her still relaxed words, made Bain Bengwan's finger wave and tremble in the air. How can someone be like this!?

Goa Fang looked at her with somber eyes.

Suddenly. Xu Dayu opened her eyes in surprise and looked back.

Soft steps came to from the entrance. and a different womanly fragrance inundated the area without bothering anyone.

Zhi Rui entered with a smile. her arms were free and easy moving by her side, there no weapons on her hands nor armor on her body, only a light robe that didn't allow from one to carry a hidden weapon.

As if the house was hers, Zhi Rui walked towards Bain Bengwan.

He was enraged at Xa Dayun but seeing Zhi Rui, who became meat to be chopped at their board he couldn't help but distract himself and threw a snicker at her.

He barely opened his mouth when a sudden fist struck his nose.

He hadn't even understood what has happened when his back collided with the jade wall, and he spilled a mouthful of blood and two teeth.

Zhi Rui was smiling at him,

"Thank you for your seat."

s