Li Qingcheng hid her emotions well, or rather, she didn't need to hide them much because those people's attention was never focused on her for long. She could feel it, but she was powerless.
She knew she was too weak now, so weak that she wasn't even considered by others, and it was understandable.
But if she could become a little stronger in the future, at least able to handle situations like this on her own, could she then dare to hope for something more? For example, the next time they met, would Liu Buli be willing to say a few more words to her, even say "I like you" to her again...
Something that was solely directed at her as a person?
At this thought, Li Qingcheng was startled by herself.
Her cheeks flushed involuntarily. She looked up and secretly glanced at Liu Buli, who was already searching for a path. Before she could react further, an intense chill swept through her entire body.
Li Qingcheng froze abruptly.
She looked up and saw that Liu Buli's disciple was staring at her.
His gaze was filled with undisguised disgust, as if he were looking at an insect.
Perhaps even less than an insect.
Li Qingcheng didn't know if it was her imagination, but she felt that the disciple's gaze was like a silent warning. It was as if if she dared to approach Liu Buli again, he would directly take her life.
This didn't seem like a joke.
Li Qingcheng trembled subconsciously and then quietly averted her gaze.
At the same time, Liu Buli, sensing that Lu Wuming beside him was not right, turned his head to look. Upon understanding the situation, he couldn't help but smile wryly and gently tapped Lu Wuming's head, saying, "Can you stop being so hostile to everyone? I just walked with her for a bit, and I met you soon, didn't I?"
"I'm not hostile to everyone," Lu Wuming pouted, gesturing with his eyes towards Shen Muzhi and the other two on the other side. He said, "Those two are fine. Because I know they'll never fall for you, Master, so they can do as they please. I won't make a move on them."
Hearing his explanation, Liu Buli was amused to the point of laughter. He lowered his voice further and said, "Then what do you mean by this? According to your logic, Li Qingcheng likes me?"
Lu Wuming nodded firmly.
He was very familiar with the way that woman looked at Liu Buli, because he himself looked at Liu Buli in the same way every day.
That was definitely liking, and there could be no other emotion.
However, unlike his thoughts, Liu Buli himself didn't take it seriously.
Not only that, but he also tried to educate Lu Wuming, saying, "Your Master knows I'm good-looking, but liking someone isn't just about looks. You can't assume everyone in the world likes me just because you like me."
Lu Wuming immediately became displeased, "But what I said is true, I didn't misread it."
"Yes, yes, yes, what you said is true," Liu Buli replied with a helpless smile. "But you didn't understand my meaning. What I want to tell you is, even if what you said is true, so what? Even if others truly like me, does it matter? After all, I only like you. I can't give up on you and like someone else just because others also like me, right?"
Lu Wuming blinked.
He felt that his Master was absolutely correct on this point.
His mood instantly relaxed. He smiled at Liu Buli and said, "Master is right. Then in the future, no matter how many people like you, or who pursues you, you can only like me. We've agreed on this."
"Yes, we've agreed. So you don't need to worry."
Liu Buli said this, and fearing that Lu Wuming might have other thoughts, he reached out and took the other's hand. Their fingers intertwined, and feeling each other's warmth, Lu Wuming finally felt completely at ease.
"The external matters that needed to be handled are almost done. Next is the issue of this secret realm."
Seeing that his silly disciple had been appeased, Liu Buli smiled and beckoned to You Siqi on the other side. He said, "Come, come, come, tell me how to navigate this secret realm. I believe you won't forget such an important matter this time, right?"
His words were filled with a threatening tone.
You Siqi felt bitter inside, but on the surface, he could only offer a humble smile and nod vigorously. He said, "It shouldn't be a problem for me to lead you. But if we take a wrong turn, it's also a reasonable possibility. Be mentally prepared, and don't attack my life."
"I understand," Liu Buli said with a smile that crinkled his eyes.
Despite his exceptionally kind expression, You Siqi felt that Liu Buli clearly held the unspoken word "useless" in his heart, waiting to utter it the moment he made a mistake.
This thought was too strong and could easily hurt his own feelings. So You Siqi looked around at the surroundings and simply chose to give up on making eye contact with Liu Buli. After briefly confirming the direction, he pointed and said, "Behind the wall carved with strange monster patterns lies a passage to the Gate of Hell. It should be that place. So, after destroying that wall, we should be able to see the path."
Upon hearing this, Liu Buli actually believed him.
He gestured towards Lu Wuming beside him. The latter, like a dog that had received its master's command, walked towards the wall.
With Lu Wuming taking action, Shen Muzhi naturally did not step forward.
He frowned slightly in confusion and asked You Siqi beside him, "Since it's the path to the Gate of Hell, why should we go? Isn't that walking into a trap?"
"It's just a metaphor, meaning it's very dangerous there," You Siqi explained. "But treasures are often found after danger. If you fear danger, why come to a secret realm? Don't you think so?"
Shen Muzhi stroked his chin. He felt that what was said made a lot of sense.
Before he could ask anything else, Lu Wuming, under Liu Buli's instruction, had already destroyed that section of the wall. Just as You Siqi had said, behind it was a long, seemingly endless passage.
As the group was about to proceed, Li Qingcheng's expression changed drastically. She looked at the passage with eyes full of fear. She reached out and tugged at Liu Buli's sleeve, whispering, "Don't, don't go... there's..."