"Is this... appropriate?"
Yun Ze was still somewhat apprehensive.
Although Ji Shan and the others were from the Immortal Mansion, just as there could be corrupt officials in the yamen, there was no reason why the Immortal Mansion would be free of them.
If something unexpected were to happen, not only would he be unable to protect the Earth Soul Liquid, but his own life might even be forfeit!
As for Yu Xian...
Since he had already left, it was clear he wouldn't be able to help within these half a month. Yun Ze naturally couldn't rely on him anymore.
However, judging by Ji Shan's previous attitude towards Yu Xian, perhaps they wouldn't dare to do anything excessive to him.
If he could gain their protection, it might not be a bad thing!
"Hey! Why is it not appropriate?"
Ji Shan casually placed a hand on Yun Ze's shoulder. "Brother Yun, as they say, we become friends through conflict. We just had a fated encounter, didn't we? There are your acquaintances there too, so let's go take a look!"
Acquaintances?
Could it be that Senior Xiao was also in the Immortal Mansion!
If that were the case, and with Yu Xian's connections, there shouldn't be any problems.
With this thought, Yun Ze smiled and agreed, "Then I'll respectfully accept. Brother Shan, please lead the way!"
"Excellent!"
Ji Shan chuckled and then led Yun Ze and Bu Bu deeper into the immortal market.
The immortal market was now incredibly desolate. Both shoppers and stall owners had vanished without a trace.
Only in front of a row of tents was a bonfire still burning. Three young men and women sat around the fire, drinking and laughing, chatting about something.
One of them was Fu Yue, sitting in the center, with a man and a woman on either side.
However, the remaining two were not the Senior Xiao that Yun Ze had imagined, and he had never seen them before.
Didn't he say there were acquaintances?
Could this acquaintance be Fu Yue?
Ji Shan led the two to the bonfire and patted Yun Ze on the back, smiling. "Come, let me introduce you. Yun Gan, little brother Yun. The one next to him is..."
"Bu Bu."
Yun Ze spoke up first to introduce her. "She's my sister. She's a bit quiet, please bear with us."
"Children are naturally shy," Ji Shan quipped. He then began to introduce the others to Yun Ze. "This is Fu Yue, you've met her. The young man to her left is Ming, he's also quite quiet. The one next to him, you've met her, her name is..."
"Hello Yun... Gan."
The woman with short hair stood up and greeted Yun Ze. "We meet again."
"Again?"
Yun Ze paused for a long moment, his mind replaying all the women he had met, but none of their faces matched the one before him.
Moreover, judging by the rhythm of her speech just now, she had deliberately paused between 'Yun' and 'Gan,' indicating she knew his real name.
How could he not remember someone like that?
Unless...
That's right!
He had met someone else after entering the Immortal Gathering!
Yun Ze's eyes lit up, and he greeted her. "Thank you for the reminder earlier, boss. If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I would have been killed on the spot."
"Oh, you recognize me?"
The short-haired woman chuckled, curiosity piqued. "You have a good memory! My name is Luo Shang. If you don't mind, call me Sister Shang."
"Sister Shang, you flatter me. It's you who shouldn't mind calling me little brother."
Yun Ze was sweet-mouthed. After calling her that, he looked at Fu Yue. "Fellow Daoist Fu Yue, earlier..."
"No need to say more."
Fu Yue interrupted him. There was no trace of anger or gloom on her face; instead, she smiled. "I've already heard about your situation from Little Shang, and I know you were compelled. I understand. However... I still have one thing I'm unclear about."
"What is it?"
"Your relationship with that person."
A sharp glint flashed in Fu Yue's eyes, like a melon thief suddenly spotting a perfect melon in a melon patch!
At the same time, Luo Shang and Ji Shan beside her looked at him with the same expression. Even Ming, who had been silent, looked up slightly, as if waiting for something.
This made him even more curious about Brother Yu's identity!
These four people were all from the Immortal Mansion. For them to refer to him as 'that person' clearly indicated that Brother Yu's identity was not simple!
He had even called him a servant just now?
It was likely that none of the people from just now recognized Brother Yu, otherwise, his words would have been enough to cause a burst of laughter.
"What are you spacing out for?"
Fu Yue suddenly pouted, as if sulking. "Aren't you going to apologize? If you won't even say this, then you don't consider us friends."
"Where did that come from?"
Yun Ze gave a wry smile and had no choice but to say, "However, this is a long story. I only met Brother Yu a month and a half ago..."
As the bonfire burned, Yun Ze recounted his journey with Yu Xian, including the so-called trials and tests, but he omitted the part about the meeting gift being a spiritual artifact.
Having the Earth Soul Liquid as a touchstone for people's hearts was enough. Adding a second-tier spiritual artifact... Yun Ze did not consider human hearts to be that noble.
After he finished recounting the events of his journey, he then spoke of the previous test.
"Alas."
Yun Ze sighed, picked up the pot of wine that Ji Shan had handed him, and took a sip. "There are still half a month left, and my reputation has already spread. I don't know if I can survive."
"That's simple!"
Luo Shang blurted out instinctively. "It's just half a month! You spend some spirit stones and ask Ming to help you!"
Ming, who had been silent, turned to look at Luo Shang, and his hoarse voice slowly emerged. "If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute."
His voice was like sand and stones weathered by wind and frost in the desert.
If he hadn't seen his appearance, one would have thought he was a seventy-year-old man.
"Let's not talk about this, let's not talk about this."
Yun Ze gave an awkward smile and could only raise his cup to Fu Yue. "Fellow Daoist Fu Yue, that's how things are. My previous offense was out of necessity, and I apologize to you again."
"Forget it! Since there was a reason, I won't hold it against you."
Fu Yue raised her wine bottle and clinked it with Yun Ze's. Then she smiled. "Little Yun, I'm a few years older than you. If you don't mind, call me Sister Fu Yue!"
"Okay, Sister Fu Yue is generous!"
Yun Ze smiled and took a sip of wine, but he still didn't reveal his real name.
No need to be too open with casual acquaintances.
Although they were now calling each other brothers, they had only just met. Who knew how genuine this so-called brotherhood was?
If they could truly become close friends in the future, he would offer apologies over wine then, and they likely wouldn't mind.
"Half a month..."
Ji Shan mumbled, pondering for a few seconds before looking up. "Little Yun, I do have an idea that might help you survive this half-month crisis."
"En?"
Yun Ze was pleasantly surprised. He had been racking his brains for ideas and immediately turned to Ji Shan.
"Brother Shan, please enlighten me!"
"It's not enlightenment, it's just a bit troublesome. If you're willing to agree, you can also earn a considerable amount of spirit stones."