"Indeed."
The cultivators in his team also chimed in: "As long as we can survive, even withdrawing from the trial is acceptable."
"Miss Feng, your team has five people. You should be safe within the shield. Could you possibly give us your jade slips?"
"If you give us the jade slips, we'll have a guarantee of survival too."
The cultivators' eyes held a hint of gratitude.
They were sincerely thankful and at the same time, did not wish to cause any trouble.
Ye Ze's cheeks held a slight smile as he looked up at Feng Ninghe, as if a burden had been lifted: "Miss Feng, we appreciate your kindness. We also don't want to cause you any trouble because of this."
Feng Ninghe slightly lowered her gaze, quietly observing everyone. Her clear female voice slowly spoke, "You don't need to leave. If anyone is to leave, it won't be you."
The cultivators were clearly taken aback, not understanding the meaning behind her words.
Ye Ze looked at her with some difficulty, "Miss Feng, we understand your intentions, but we really haven't contributed much. It's normal for someone to be unhappy. If you leave, you'll have less trouble."
Sheng Linglong raised her eyes, observing everything before her. Her thin lips curved upward wantonly, a hint of pleasure quietly appearing in her eyes.
"You know what's good for you."
The female voice that came from her lips was soft, yet clearly audible to everyone present.
Du Chang glanced at her again.
A cold stare successfully made Sheng Linglong shut her mouth, and she let out a slightly displeased hum.
Feng Ninghe turned her gaze, looking directly at Sheng Linglong. Her female voice grew noticeably colder, "Sheng Linglong, since you're unhappy, then you can leave. If anyone around you is also unhappy, they can leave with you."
The disciples who followed Sheng Linglong had spoken quite a bit earlier. Her words were directed at this group.
The simple words successfully enraged Sheng Linglong.
"Feng Ninghe! Our Shengtian Academy has contributed two shield jade slips, and you want to dismiss us with a few words? Isn't that a bit too casual!"
Sheng Linglong could no longer suppress her displeasure, her eyes widening in anger. "You're quite adept at social graces, using the shield jade slips contributed by our Shengtian Academy to do a favor!"
The disciples of Shengtian Academy were indignant and quickly spoke up, "Exactly! We made contributions, so why should we be driven out? Yet those who contributed nothing can stay here safely!"
"Feng Ninghe, do you have eyes? Can you distinguish right from wrong? Someone like you doesn't deserve to be with us! If anyone should leave, it's you!"
The disciples of Shengtian Academy continued to clamor.
Du Chang felt a headache coming on and subconsciously reached up to gently rub his temples.
As the saying goes, it's better to avoid trouble than to create it.
He just wanted to wait for the trial to end peacefully and didn't want to get involved in too many other things.
The situation before him was destined to be anything but peaceful.
Looking at the clamoring crowd before her, Feng Ninghe's expression remained unchanged. With composure, she took out two shield jade slips, "Here, take them back."
Sheng Linglong was stunned on the spot, speechless, as if a large hand was tightly constricting her throat, preventing her from uttering any words.
She hadn't expected there to be any shield jade slips.
Even with these two jade slips, it was impossible to hold out until the end of the trial.
The Shengtian Academy members who had been clamoring instantly fell silent, staring at the jade slips in a daze.
Undoubtedly, they did not want to leave the wooden house.
Leaving the house would be equivalent to forfeiting the trial.
Du Chang sighed helplessly, his clear male voice slowly falling, "Linglong, apologize."
The simple words successfully provoked her.
Sheng Linglong's beautiful face instantly filled with anger, and she vehemently denied, "No! I won't apologize! So what if I leave? I'll leave then!"
She snatched the two jade slips and strode away.
The other disciples of Shengtian Academy exchanged glances. They did not want to leave the wooden house.
Even with two shield jade slips, they could only last for a short while.
"Senior Brother Du, aren't you going to stop her?"
"Sister Linglong listens to you the most. If you persuade her properly, she definitely won't be so willful!"
The disciples of Shengtian Academy spoke softly.
In response, Du Chang vigorously shook his head, rejecting the idea. "Forget it. If she wants to leave, let her go. Don't worry, she'll come back soon and won't truly leave."
The disciples of Shengtian Academy didn't understand the meaning behind his words and instinctively looked in the direction Sheng Linglong had gone.
Fueled by her anger, Sheng Linglong opened the door.
Outside the wooden house.
The shield was covered with dense clusters of human puppets.
These human puppets were stacked layer upon layer on the shield. Apart from the human puppets, nothing else could be seen.
Everything before her made Sheng Linglong tremble, her lips parting in a daze as she stared at the scene.
If she dared to step out of the shield, she would immediately be swarmed by the human puppets.
Let alone whether she could last until the end of the trial, the dense human puppets before her would tear her to shreds in an instant.
If she failed to pass the third trial, it would bring shame to Shengtian Academy.
Hesitation appeared on Sheng Linglong's face, and she involuntarily took a step back.
"Linglong, don't be willful. If you need to apologize, do it properly."
At this moment, Du Chang's voice came from behind her.
Sheng Linglong bit her lip and instinctively turned her head to look.
Not far away, a figure stood alone.
Du Chang's handsome face showed no excessive emotion. His gaze was fixed on her, his expression devoid of any blame.
He knew Sheng Linglong's personality well, and it was a good opportunity to discipline her.
Sheng Linglong felt wronged and couldn't help but pout her lips. Like a child who had made a mistake, she approached Du Chang and said softly, "Brother Du..."
Du Chang's eyes were filled with helplessness. "You were clearly in the wrong here. Aren't you going to apologize?"
Sheng Linglong was unhappy but understood the pros and cons of the situation.
If she didn't apologize, she probably wouldn't be able to stay in this room, and it would only bring shame to Shengtian Academy.
When her gaze fell on Feng Ninghe, she changed her gentle demeanor, a hint of displeasure in her eyes. "Feng Ninghe, since you want me to apologize to you, then I will. I'm sorry for this."
"Hmm?"
Feng Ninghe raised her delicate eyebrows and turned to look at her. "What did you say? I can't hear you when you speak so softly."
Cultivators had keen senses.
Even if her voice was softer, it wouldn't affect her hearing.
Sheng Linglong looked at Du Chang beside her with a wronged expression, as if waiting for someone to stand up for her, and pouted her red lips coquettishly, "Brother Du Chang..."
Du Chang remained silent, his gaze fixed on her.
Sheng Linglong understood the meaning behind such a look perfectly.
She glared resentfully at Feng Ninghe. This time, she clearly raised her voice, "This was my fault. I apologize to you! Is that enough?"