"This is unimportant. What I mean is, our strength isn't bad, and your strength is also good. If we team up, we won't fear the people from the Five Elements Hall.
Of course, you're still young, and we can protect you. When things happen, you can assist from the side while we take the lead. What do you say?"
"Hmph, who wants you to protect me? You might not even be able to beat me."
The mischievous girl snorted.
"Alright, then the matter of teaming up is settled."
"Hey, when did I agree?"
"Didn't you bring it up? Besides, you're not the leader of your group, so do you need my consent?"
"How do you know I'm not the leader?"
"Then who is the leader of your group?"
"I am the leader!"
"I am the leader!"
The mischievous girl and the sturdy youth said in unison.
"You dare to compete for the leader's position with me?"
"I was the leader all along."
"I am the leader, you're asking for a fight."
Wan Lei ignored the bickering pair and turned to the black-clad youth. Among the four, he was the most steady and sensible.
"What do you think?"
The black-clad youth smiled slightly.
"How will the benefits be distributed?"
"There are ten of us in total. One-tenth each, it's that simple."
Wan Lei chuckled.
"Brother, it's not good to deceive children. The four of us are all Taixu realm experts, while you only have two Taixu realm experts and one six-star God Clan. The other three are at the Transcendent realm. In terms of combat power, we are stronger than you, yet we are to take the smaller share. It doesn't seem reasonable, does it?"
The black-clad youth looked at Wan Lei playfully.
Damn, this one isn't easily fooled.
Just as Wan Lei was about to compromise, the black-clad youth spoke again.
"Then let's do it as you suggested. We cannot have discrimination based on combat power; everyone is equal. But let's be clear, if we find you betraying us, don't blame us for taking action against you."
"Don't worry, we won't betray our allies. Then it's a deal. By the way, I still don't know your names?"
Wan Lei looked at the four children with interest.
Upon hearing this, the other three hesitated and all turned their gaze to the black-clad youth.
Although the sturdy youth and the mischievous girl both believed they were the leader, they habitually let the black-clad youth make decisions when it came to uncertain matters.
It seems asking the black-clad youth just now was the right move. And the relationship between these four should be like close childhood friends.
After all, these four were roughly the same age. They shouldn't be born from the same mother, nor did they resemble each other at all, so they likely weren't born from the same father either.
The black-clad youth pondered for a moment and then said something that greatly surprised Wan Lei.
"You first."
If you can say it, say it; if you can't, don't. What do you mean by 'you first'?
"My name is Wan Lei."
It's just a name, nothing special. Besides, I don't have any acquaintances in the Immortal Realm who would recognize me.
However, as soon as the name "Wan Lei" was spoken, a look of surprise followed by confusion flashed across the eyes of the four children.
"You've heard of me?!"
Wan Lei immediately asked.
"No, no. It's just that the name sounds so casual and common. Your name probably ranks among the top hundred most common names in the Immortal Realm."
The black-clad youth shook his head.
Indeed, in the Lei Feng Realm, it could at least rank in the top ten.
"My name is Fang Xiaoyu."
Fang Xiaoyu was gracious and looked at the likable children before her, feeling quite good.
However, as soon as she said this, the eyes of the four children widened. If their surprise at Wan Lei's name was only slight, then at Fang Xiaoyu's name, it was extreme shock.
Following that, their faces turned beet red, shifting through various colors, looking as ugly as if they had eaten something foul.
"May I ask why?"
"It's... it's nothing. To be frank, 'Xiaoyu'... these two words have a very special meaning to us. We didn't expect this sister to be named Xiaoyu, and we lost our composure."
The black-clad youth smiled somewhat awkwardly.
Wan Lei wanted to ask what was so special about the two words "Xiaoyu." They were clearly the most beautiful two words in the world, so why did they have a special meaning to them?
Did they also know someone named Xiaoyu?
Seeing Wan Lei about to ask, the black-clad youth quickly waved his hand.
"Don't ask. If you ask, we can't be friends."
It seemed to be their secret.
Next, Dada Huofeng and the others introduced their names and races. Actually, they could tell without introductions.
Now it was the other side's turn. The mischievous girl was clearly an extrovert and the most enthusiastic and lively, so she introduced herself first.
"My name is Han Xiaoyun. My name has a literary allusion. 'There is a cloud made of rain in the wind.' Heh heh. I'll tell you why later."
The mischievous girl chuckled and then pointed to the sturdy youth.
"His name is Xiabingbao. His name also has a literary allusion. I'll tell you later."
"My name is Xia Yubing!"
The sturdy youth protested loudly.
"You can't just tell other people my nickname."
"Xiabingbao sounds good."
"Xia Yubing sounds better."
"Uh... does your name have an origin?"
Wan Lei's expression was like this (๑•̌.•̑๑)ˀ̣ˀ̣.
Upon hearing this, Xia Yubing explained very seriously.
"This allusion comes from the home plane where the parents of these few come from. The original text is:
A frog in a well cannot be told about the ocean; it is limited by its dwelling.
A summer insect cannot be told about ice; it is confined by its time.
A narrow-minded scholar cannot be told about the Way; it is bound by its teachings.
It's meant to admonish me not to be like a frog in a well or a summer insect, looking at the sky from a well and being confined by time. I should always maintain a humble and cautious heart when looking at everything."
Wan Lei and the others nodded. The upbringing of cultured, prominent families was indeed different. Their naming skills were also refined, unlike them, who were named after thunder and rain, as if they were fighting the weather.
"The original meaning of this passage is to warn people not to argue with idiots."
The black-clad youth corrected him very seriously.
"None of your business! No one named Wan is any good!"
Xia Yubing glared fiercely at the black-clad youth.
Wan Lei frowned slightly upon hearing this. Meanwhile, the black-clad youth clasped his hands and said,
"My name is Wan Qianxin, derived from the allusion:
A gentleman is modest and trustworthy.
My father was a learned scholar and an upright person, always valuing promises.
He believed that in this life, one should live with integrity and honor, and a gentleman's promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold.
Taking this name was also my father's hope for me."
The black-clad youth smiled, his demeanor polite and pleasing.
The black-clad youth's words struck Wan Lei and Fang Xiaoyu profoundly.
Damn, their names were all so profound, each with a literary allusion, and so thought-provoking and educational.