Liu Buli hadn't expected that Li Qingcheng would actually remember their old promise.
Moreover, she already had her own lover and her own family.
Under normal circumstances, wouldn't she have told Liu Buli that she could no longer keep their past promise? Why would she specifically remind him that it could still be honored? Was this the most insane heroine in a novel, driven by her hidden obsessive emotions?
For a moment, Liu Buli didn't know what kind of expression to put on to face Li Qingcheng.
He raised his hand and pressed hard on his brow twice, explaining, "Li Qingcheng, you..."
"Daoist Liu need not worry too much. Qingcheng has also told me about your promise," Tan Wu said, not giving Liu Buli a chance to refuse, and had already taken over the conversation. "Since it was a life-saving favor, it naturally deserves a bountiful repayment. Therefore, your promise is not only permanently valid, but it's not just my wife who will fulfill it. As long as you have a need, just ask. The entire Shenji Ge is at your disposal. We mean what we say."
Tan Wu's words were spoken earnestly, with a hint of the dignified composure befitting a sect leader.
Liu Buli had absolutely no room to refuse.
Looking at the couple with a mixture of amusement and exasperation, Liu Buli shook his head with a sense of helplessness and said, "Actually, I didn't do that much. You really don't need to be so polite. But since it's all good intentions, I'll accept it. If any trouble truly arises later, I'll remember to notify you and won't bear it alone."
This was precisely what Li Qingcheng and Tan Wu needed to hear from him.
However, upon hearing it, Li Qingcheng showed no signs of happiness. Instead, she frowned. She added earnestly, "Liu Buli, you can't lie to me."
Liu Buli's mouth twitched, and he hastily concealed the fleeting embarrassment on his face. He had to admit that this girl's ability to read people was truly at an extraordinary level.
In Liu Buli's heart, he had already come to regard her as a friend. And since his friend had found her own happiness, Liu Buli actually didn't want to disturb them anymore.
Furthermore, when it came down to it, Li Qingcheng and Tan Wu's cultivation levels weren't very high. If it truly came down to a life-or-death battle between him and the cultivation world, they wouldn't be able to help him much. In that case, it would be better not to involve them from the very beginning.
This was what Liu Buli was thinking. His previous agreement was merely a white lie told to put their minds at ease.
Liu Buli had thought that since everyone understood the unspoken truth, the topic would end there, and there would be no harm in it.
But he never imagined that Li Qingcheng genuinely intended to repay him. Therefore, she had no intention of accepting his perfunctory attitude.
The situation became somewhat awkward for a moment.
Li Qingcheng snorted and said, "Liu Buli, do you think we are too weak, and that we can't deal with your opponents, which is why you're being so perfunctory with us?"
Liu Buli did not answer.
This was only one aspect of the reason, but it was indeed something he had considered.
Seeing his reaction, Li Qingcheng pouted, patted the man beside her, and said, "Let me tell you, Liu Buli, you can underestimate me all you want. But my husband is different; he's a genius! When we enter the secret realm together, I can let him show you. After you see his cultivation techniques, you'll never think we're weak again!"
Li Qingcheng had, after all, traveled with them for a period, so she was quite clear about the distinctions between strength and weakness.
And given this clarity, she could still claim her husband was powerful, which proved that the man was truly not to be judged by his appearance. He might indeed possess some formidable cultivation techniques, making Liu Buli unable to resist becoming curious.
As the idle chat ended, the spiritual energy fluctuations nearby became even clearer.
Everyone could feel that this was the sign of the secret realm about to open. Liu Buli steadied himself, withdrew his thoughts back to the secret realm, and after watching for a moment, he quietly asked You Siqi beside him, "Is there anything that needs to be explained in advance?"
"No, everything that might be encountered within the secret realm has already been mentioned in the novel. If you encounter anything not in the novel, then I don't know, and it's useless to ask me."
You Siqi had become very accustomed to Liu Buli and the others' derogatory term for him, "useless." The consequence of this habit was a complete lack of effort. If it was something he didn't know, he would answer directly and decisively, without even the slightest thought of struggling, reaching the peak of apathy.
Liu Buli's mouth twitched, and he once again sighed inwardly.
This was undoubtedly the most useless transmigration author he had ever seen, without exception.
As if sensing his thoughts, You Siqi finally made an effort. He gestured to the surrounding cultivators and said to Liu Buli, "After entering, you don't need to worry about the ghost race, but about these cultivators. After all, the treasures inside are truly excellent, and in a secret realm, it's normal for people to die. The competition for treasures has never been about courtesy. I believe you understand what I mean."
Liu Buli smiled. From this point of view, he understood perfectly.
However, he didn't take it to heart at all. He simply nodded and continued to ask, "Besides that? Is there anything else I need to pay attention to?"
"And you need to be careful yourself," You Siqi shrugged and said, "Shen Muzhi and I have no interest in those magical artifacts. We only came here because we were worried about accidents happening to you and Lu Wuming. Shen Muzhi said you need to be especially careful of the people from Medicine Master Valley, because he is no longer the valley master and cannot suppress those beasts. They might try to harm you for the sake of being the number one sect in alchemy. You need to pay special attention to this, don't forget."
Liu Buli nodded.
He had to admit that Shen Muzhi, as the protagonist of this novel, was at least reassuring in terms of intelligence and his ability to observe his surroundings.
Seeing the spiritual energy fluctuations reach their peak, Liu Buli held his breath and focused his attention entirely on the direction of the fluctuations.
At the same time, his hand, which was hanging by his side, was grasped. Liu Buli looked back, and Lu Wuming gave him a reassuring smile, saying, "Master, this time you must ensure you appear in the same location as me. If Wuming enters and finds you not by my side again, I will surely go mad."