Miss Loser is too enchanting

Hao Pengyou took the token, clutching it tightly in his hand as if he were holding onto the hopes of life. He took a deep breath, stashed the token inside his Space Ring, and said, "Thank you! Thank you, junior sister!"

"Why thank me? I wasn’t the one who gave it to you," Dugu Qianye said.

"Without you, the Dream King wouldn’t have treated me this way," Hao Pengyou said with a wry smile. "Once I’ve escorted you back to master, I’ll have to leave."

"Where will you go?" asked Dugu Qianye.

"I need to gain experience, to find my opportunity," Hao Pengyou answered. "And strive to break through to the Divine Level as soon as possible!"

Dugu Qianye looked at Hao Pengyou, finding no reason to object. She busied herself between her Space Ring and the Refining Demon Pot, filling several rings with elixirs, Spiritual Wine, and precious medicinal ingredients, then handed them to Hao Pengyou, saying, "Brother, I have no reason to stop you. These are elixirs and Spirit Fruits that aid in cultivation. Here, take them."

Hao Pengyou accepted the rings, looking at Dugu Qianye with a hint of regret in his expression. "You’re opposing the Ruler now, and at a time when you need people the most, I’m..."

Dugu Qianye gave a small smile, "Brother, we haven’t been together long, but it hasn’t been short either. Do we still need to talk like this? I hope that when we meet next, you will have achieved your goal."

"Mmm," Hao Pengyou nodded firmly.

La Yun brought Dugu Qianye and Mang Qianjun to the outside of Zhuji Gate valley, and Dugu Qianye and Mang Qianjun flew down to the ground. Watching Hao Pengyou on the back of La Yun, Dugu Qianye said, "Brother, remember to contact me if you ever run into trouble."

"I will," Hao Pengyou said with a smile. "With so many Spiritual Beasts under your command, I would certainly seek your help if I ever faced difficulties."

Dugu Qianye nodded and said, "Take care, brother!"

"Junior sister, stay safe! And send my regards to master," Hao Pengyou said, then patted La Yun’s neck. La Yun made a couple of murmurs and then spread its wings and flew away.

Dugu Qianye contacted Bei Tong, then put away the Communication Stone and instructed Mang Qianjun, "Follow my steps closely."

Mang Qianjun nodded, recognizing that the scenery before him undoubtedly contained a Formation. Formations and the like, he was a novice. He followed Dugu Qianye for a while, exited the Spiritual Mist Zone, and saw two figures waiting in the woods.

"Tongtong, uncle," Dugu Qianye approached, greeting the two with a bow. "This is my friend, Mang Qianjun."

Zhuge Xiaoxiao looked at Dugu Qianye, feeling somewhat embarrassed, and said, "You’re back? Master has been waiting for you."

Bei Tong glanced at Mang Qianjun and, not seeing Hao Pengyou, asked, "What about Hao Pengyou?"

"Brother had to leave due to some matters," Dugu Qianye replied.

"Hmm. Follow me," Bei Tong nodded and led them towards the Li Courtyard.

All the way, Mang Qianjun craned his neck to take in the sights, catching up to Dugu Qianye and remarked, "Your master must be quite a figure, right?"

Dugu Qianye hadn’t expected Mang Qianjun to guess that Ni Yun was of high status just by observing the surroundings and said, "You’ll understand when you see him."

Upon arriving outside the Li Courtyard, before Bei Tong could send someone to report their arrival, they heard Ni Yun say, "Come in."

Bei Tong and Zhuge Xiaoxiao exchanged a look and then turned to tell the two behind them, "Let’s go inside."

The group entered the hall and saw Ni Yun crouched on the ground, stroking a white Spiritual Beast.

"Master, I have returned," Dugu Qianye said as he bent at the waist to pay his respects.

Ni Yun withdrew his hand and stood up to look at Dugu Qianye, asking, "How did things go?"

"I’ve run into some issues and would like to seek Master’s advice," Dugu Qianye replied.

The Spiritual Beast on the ground opened its eyes and looked at Dugu Qianye, saying, "We meet again."

"La Yun?" Dugu Qianye looked at the Spiritual Beast on the ground, his face lighting up with joy. He walked over, caressed La Yun’s spine, and said, "Master, you’ve already rescued La Yun!"

"Qianye, thank you!" La Yun said. "At first, I was just trying my luck, never expecting that you would actually find my master and have him come to save me. Thank you!"

Dugu Qianye smiled and said, "It’s all fate, isn’t it? Who would have thought that your master is my Master? Perhaps this is the arrangement of the unseen forces!"

Ni Yun coughed several times, and Dugu Qianye, noticing the coughs sounded unusual, asked with concern, "Master, are you injured?"

"I was hurt a little while breaking the formation," Ni Yun explained calmly.

"Master, this is my friend, Mang Qianjun." Since coming in, Mang Qianjun had been covering her face. Dugu Qianye pulled her forward and introduced her.

Ni Yun looked at Mang Qianjun and said, "The arrival of the Dream King honors us; Ni Yun regrets not greeting you sooner."

Upon being recognized by Ni Yun, Mang Qianjun let down her hand and said with a wry smile, "General Dou, it has been a long time!"

Ni Yun nodded and said, "Indeed, it has been ages, hasn’t it? A million years, perhaps?"

"Yes, and seeing you today is such a wonder!" exclaimed Mang Qianjun with a laugh.

Seeing their exchange, Dugu Qianye could tell that the two knew each other from the past and did not get along well. He said, "Master, Mang Qianjun is here to protect me." So please do not show any coldness to her!

He didn’t voice the last sentence, but Ni Yun understood his intention regardless. Turning to Mang Qianjun, he said, "Dream King, I am now simply Ni Yun, no longer the General Dou of the past. Guests are to be welcomed; I hope the Dream King will make herself comfortable."

Back when Ni Yun was General Dou, he had some altercations with Mang Qianjun. Perhaps it was because they were naturally incompatible—after all, one was the Pledged Master of an auspicious beast, a general with an awe-inspiring righteousness, and the other was the Ruler of Endless Hell, where light and darkness are inherently opposed!

"Heh heh, I understand!" said Mang Qianjun with a chuckle.

"I’ve asked Tongtong to arrange a courtyard for you. You and the Dream King can stay there for the time being," Ni Yun said. "Tongtong, is the courtyard ready?"

"Master, it has all been arranged," Bei Tong replied.

"Cough, cough, then you can take them down to rest. Cough cough cough, cough cough..." Ni Yun said before breaking into severe coughing fits, as though he was trying to cough out his lungs.

"Master, let me take a look at you. After that, I have some matters I’d like to ask you about," Dugu Qianye said to Ni Yun, hearing his cough.

"Very well," Ni Yun nodded in agreement. "Then Tongtong, Xiaoxiao, you two go ahead and show the Dream King to her rest."

"Yes, Master," Bei Tong responded with a bow, then looked at Mang Qianjun and said, "Dream King, please follow me."

Perhaps it was the presence of La Yun, even though Ni Yun was no longer a general, his air of righteousness made Mang Qianjun feel uncomfortable. Thus, when they suggested he rest first, he readily followed them. This left the elder, the young, and the beast to stare at each other in turn.