Since the other party was so sensible, Lü Zhong was glad for the easy time.

He immediately pinpointed the Insect Swarm’s location, tossed out his Wind-controlling Ship, and gave chase at top speed, flying low to the ground.

In less than a quarter of an hour, he had two Storage Bags in his possession.

When he returned, Chen Xiaohe was still fighting the stout male cultivator, and it looked like a victor was about to be decided.

"Fellow Daoist Lü, save me!"

At that moment, Chen Xiaohe was covered in blood, having fallen for some unknown dirty trick. The stout male cultivator had her on the defensive. Lü Zhong couldn’t help but suspect that if he had returned a moment later, the woman would have truly met a tragic end.

’And to think you were making guarantees just a moment ago!’

Without a word, Lü Zhong flicked his sleeve and summoned the Shuo Jin Sword.

CLANG! The sound of metal on metal rang out.

The Shuo Jin Sword radiated billowing waves of heat as it clashed against the stout male cultivator’s thick iron rod, sending a shower of sparks into the air.

After a dozen clashes, it was the Shuo Jin Sword that was surprisingly at a disadvantage.

Looking again at the stout male cultivator, Lü Zhong saw that for some reason, his cultivation had reached Mid-stage Foundation Establishment. His entire body glowed with a bloody light, and wisps of blood-colored energy seeped from his pores and orifices. His aura weakened with each passing moment, as though he had used some kind of Blood Burning Technique.

After a dozen breaths of combat, he could no longer hold on.

BANG! With an explosive sound...

...he exploded into a foul, red mass of blood and gore.

Lü Zhong dispelled his Water Pattern Shield and looked at Chen Xiaohe, who was drenched in blood. She was forming hand seals and Chanting, a large ball of water already condensed before her. He couldn’t help but ask, "Fellow Daoist Chen, are you alright?"

"I’m fine. Thank you for saving me, Fellow Daoist Lü!" Chen Xiaohe said gratefully.

As she spoke, she poured the large ball of water over her head, washing away the blood and gore that had splattered onto her.

She rinsed herself again and again.

Then, she cast one Cleaning Skill after another.

She didn’t stop until not a trace of the foul smell remained.

Glancing at Lü Zhong, who was sorting through the spoils of war, Chen Xiaohe’s cheeks flushed slightly. She conjured a ball of cloud and mist, and soon, a rustling sound came from within.

A moment later, she emerged having changed into a brand-new Dharma Robe, her hair retied in a simple bun.

Seeing that Chen Xiaohe had finally finished tidying up, Lü Zhong also completed his inspection of the stout male cultivator’s Storage Bag.

Loose Cultivators usually carried their entire net worth with them, so the stout male cultivator’s Storage Bag was quite a haul. The various items inside, all told, would probably sell for at least three to five thousand Spirit Stones.

Lü Zhong glanced at Chen Xiaohe. ’We are teammates in name, after all,’ he thought. ’Since she put in some effort, I should give her a share of the spoils.’

’How should I split it? Certainly not an even split.’

After a moment’s thought, he casually picked out a few items he didn’t care for, placed them in a cloth pouch, and tossed it to her.

Chen Xiaohe caught the pouch, looked inside, and raised no objections.

She knew her performance had been embarrassing, so she was already quite satisfied to receive a share of this size.

Just as the two were about to discuss where to spend the night, another set of footsteps approached.

Three figures emerged from the forest: a beautiful woman with ink-black hair, a young boy riding a green ox, and finally, a Lingyue Sect disciple—a middle-aged man with Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivation.

Upon seeing Lü Zhong and Chen Xiaohe, the middle-aged man put away a glowing Compass he was holding and smiled. "Excellent! So there’s a junior sister here as well!"

Seeing they weren’t cultivators from the Huayi Domain, Lü Zhong breathed a slight sigh of relief but did not let down his guard.

’They’ve appeared so suddenly. They must be here for a reason.’

’I must be wary.’

Meanwhile, Chen Xiaohe was no fool. She took out her Identity Token and sent a Technique Mantra into it. Only after verifying that the middle-aged man opposite her was indeed a disciple of the Lingyue Sect did she approach.

"Chen Xiaohe of Zhongxiu Peak, greetings, Senior Brother!"

"Chengg Danan of Yuxiu Peak!" the middle-aged man returned the introduction before looking at Chen Xiaohe and saying, "Junior Sister, I just discovered a field of Spirit Medicine, but it’s guarded by a large hive of Tier One Spirit Bees. If you can command an Insect Swarm to drive the bees away, I can promise you a thirty percent share of the profits!"

Hearing this, Chen Xiaohe was stunned for a moment before she understood. She couldn’t help but smile and say, "Senior Brother, it wasn’t I who released the Spiritual Insects just now. It was this gentleman, Fellow Daoist Lü."

Chengg Danan’s expression froze, and he couldn’t help but scrutinize Lü Zhong.

He had only given him a cursory glance earlier, assuming he was just an ordinary Early-stage Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivator. Now, looking closely, he realized the man was using a superb Breath Concealing Skill to perfectly hide his Mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation.

"My apologies, my eyes deceived me!" Chengg Danan was straightforward enough to turn and apologize to Lü Zhong. He cupped his fists and said, "May I ask for your name, Fellow Daoist?"

"Lü Zhong of Lingyue Immortal City," Lü Zhong replied curtly.

’So he really is a Loose Cultivator!’

Chengg Danan thought to himself. Recalling the field of Spirit Medicine, he smiled and said, "What do you think of my earlier proposal, Fellow Daoist?"

"I can agree, but I want a forty percent share of the profits!" Lü Zhong countered.

Chengg Danan considered it for a moment, then nodded with a smile. "No problem!"

Lü Zhong had the same Mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation as he did, and he also had the Spiritual Insects needed to deal with the Spirit Bees. His demand wasn’t outrageous; it just so happened to be exactly Chengg Danan’s bottom line.

After speaking, Chengg Danan turned to the two behind him. His face grew cold as he said, "Fellow Daoists, since Fellow Daoist Lü wants a forty percent share, that means you two will each only get five percent. I trust you have no objections?"

The two Loose Cultivators exchanged a glance and shook their heads. "No problem. That’s only fair."

Hearing this, Lü Zhong laughed to himself.

’Really no problem?’

He had, after all, noticed the subtle look they’d exchanged just now.

Without calling them out, Lü Zhong then saw Chengg Danan walk over to Chen Xiaohe. He didn’t know what was said, but her face lit up with joy, a clear sign she had been promised some benefit.

Soon, the group passed through a dense fog that blocked Divine Sense and arrived at a desolate Spirit Medicine Garden.