Ghost Face heard the two women's questions and was just about to explain when he heard a humming sound suddenly increase from afar, as if some danger was rapidly approaching.

At this moment, there was no need for Ghost Face to explain, as everyone had already seen Xiao Tian's figure. In his arms, there was another figure; a person whom one could barely recognize without looking at their attire.

"Run!" 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

From afar, Xiao Tian yelled out loud, causing the crowd to be momentarily stunned. Fortunately, the more powerful Celestial Punishment Daoist was the first to react, quickly urging the disciples to flee.

After everyone had moved away, Lin Bingxuan and others finally discovered the source of that humming sound, and why Xiao Tian had urged everyone to run.

Lin Bingxuan and Melinda, looking somewhat peculiar, couldn't spare a moment to ask Xiao Tian what had happened. They quickly approached him, and Lin Bingxuan immediately sent a stream of Endless Life True Qi into Xiao Tian's meridians.

However, the Secret Technique that Xiao Tian was utilizing wasn't related to the amount of True Qi but was closely tied to the strength of the Dantian, testing the conversion efficiency and the duration of overload operation.

By now, Xiao Tian also had to stop the conversion of True Qi attributes, as the Dantian felt it was reaching its limit.

Celestial Punishment Daoist and the Lei Tong brothers, guarding at the rear, wielded their swords impermeably, slaying the sporadic, extremely fast Soul-Seeking Bees. They also had some understanding of Xiao Tian's plight.

As elders of a great sect, their knowledge was evidently much broader than some elite disciples who shouted, "They're just a bunch of bees." After careful observation, they recognized the appearance of the Soul-Seeking Bees.

Yet, nobody knew how Xiao Tian attracted so many, an uncountable swarm.

At this moment, Ghost Face finally used his crystal bomb for the first time, throwing a palm-sized white crystal, which exploded with a thunderous roar behind them.

The elite disciples felt the ground beneath their feet tremble and couldn't help but slow down their pace, glancing back.

"Why aren't you running? Do you want to die?!"

Celestial Punishment Daoist, barely maintaining his form and struggling with the ringing in his ears caused by the explosion, let out a roar that made the elite disciples in the front dart away as if lit by fire.

The action by Ghost Face temporarily alleviated the imminent danger, but Xiao Tian still frowned and said, "Don't let your guard down. The Soul-Seeking Bees are swift, and once enraged, they become even more frenzied!"

Celestial Punishment Daoist and the Lei Tong brothers, the three informed individuals, nodded gravely, agreeing with Xiao Tian's assessment.

...

After running for an unknown duration, when all the elite disciples felt their legs no longer belonged to them, the persistent humming finally ceased behind them, causing many to collapse onto the ground.

Seeing the night giving way to dawn, Xiao Tian realized they were unknowingly very close to Sun Bo's residence and gently put down Ji Dantong.

With the strange looks from those around her, Ji Dantong realized she had been stung by the Soul-Seeking Bees. Although the swelling had subsided with Xiao Tian's help, small red spots remained.

Those red spots, all sting marks, made her involuntarily cover her face, stifling the intense pain in her feet, and she limped away to distance herself from the group.

Xiao Tian watched Ji Dantong move away and, with a faint sigh, suggested, "How about we take the opportunity to retrieve our things now?"

Melinda agreed, saying, "I think we should. Otherwise, if the villagers keep us, it will waste too much time."

"Okay!" Xiao Tian nodded, "Then you all wait here. I'll come back as soon as I grab the stuff!" With that, he headed towards the village entrance nearby.

However, Xiao Tian had only taken a couple of steps before he paused, turned back, and looked at Lin Bingxuan and Melinda somewhat curiously, asking, "Are you coming too?!"

Lin Bingxuan and Melinda exchanged a glance and said, "There's so much stuff; the two of us can help you carry some!"

For some reason, when Xiao Tian heard this, he had a foreboding feeling, but since their reasoning was quite legitimate—if he went alone, it would be quite tedious—he agreed and led the way, only to notice Melinda, whispering something to Lin Bingxuan.

With Melinda leaning over Lin Bingxuan's shoulder, after a bout of whispering, Lin Bingxuan's elegant willow-leaf eyebrows knit together, showing apparent reluctance.

Seeing Lin Bingxuan's reaction, Melinda pouted, putting on a childish demeanor. She understood that this woman, who was more like an elder sister, couldn't resist her persistence.

Indeed, after showing a "I can't deal with you" expression, Lin Bingxuan nodded affirmatively.

This entire exchange naturally didn't escape Xiao Tian's perception. The ominous feeling in his heart grew stronger as he approached Sun Bo's house, heightening his alertness anxiously.

Midway, Melinda suddenly said, "Sister Bingxuan, with so many Soul-Seeking Bees chasing us just now, were you scared at the time?"

Lin Bingxuan nodded, "Of course, there were so many that we couldn't count. Weren't you scared?!"

Melinda silently gave Lin Bingxuan a thumbs-up and then said, "I'm not afraid. If more butterflies come, it would be even better!"

"Eh?!" Lin Bingxuan raised an eyebrow, puzzled, "What do butterflies have to do with it?"

"There's a saying called 'attracting bees and butterflies,' Sister Bingxuan, you must know it." Melinda explained, "Right now, we're attracting bees. Maybe next time, we'll attract butterflies!"

Upon hearing this, how could Xiao Tian not know the two women were bantering him, his helplessness piqued, wanting to explain.

However, Melinda spoke once again, wearing a probing, inquisitive expression, asking, "Besides 'attracting bees and butterflies,' Sister Bingxuan, do you know any other idioms that start with 'attract'?"

After a long pause with no words from Lin Bingxuan, Melinda eagerly gestured with blinking eyes.

Finally, Lin Bingxuan reluctantly made a thoughtful pose and said, "Idioms starting with 'attract,' that would be 'change frequently'?"

And this was exactly why Lin Bingxuan was hesitant to cooperate with Melinda. Her sister's little plan had turned her image of being a diligent student over the years into that of a slacker.

Upon hearing Lin Bingxuan finally speak, Melinda curiously said, "Hey? 'Attracting bees and butterflies' and 'change frequently,' don't they start with different characters?!"

Xiao Tian sighed toward the sky, feeling almost on the verge of tears, with those two idioms constantly thrown at him, leaving no chance to explain.

"I know they're not the same character," Lin Bingxuan said. "But 'attracting bees and butterflies' and 'change frequently,' the first characters sound the same; also, both idioms have a negative connotation."

"Negative connotation?!"

Melinda feigned surprise, then shifted her gaze to Xiao Tian, who wiped cold sweat from his forehead, "Are these two idioms really negative?"