“Fellow Daoist, please be careful. Not only contestants are going to be in the array this time.” Ling Hong’s expression changed as he looked up at Lonemoon in a guilty manner. “I don’t know if it’s because of what happened in the mystic realm either. The academies’ teachers are beginning to get suspicious. That’s why the Thousand-Image Array will contain not just contestants but also the teachers. Given the teachers’ powers, whoever meets with them in the Thousand-Image Array will definitely be eliminated immediately.”

　　“You mean your own teachers will enter the array and take part in the battle?” Lonemoon exclaimed. This was good news. For all they knew, they would have the opportunity to find out where the spirit seed was.

　　“That’s right!” Ling Hong answered. Thinking that Lonemoon was worried, he explained, “The teachers who will be entering the array are teachers who are extremely proficient. I’ve heard that even Teacher Yan will enter the array. He’s the teacher with the highest cultivation in all the academies I don’t think it’ll be easy to pass this round of the competition.”

　　Lonemoon nodded. He already knew what to do. “Alright, thank you for telling me all of this.”

　　“No problem!” Ling Hong shook his head and answered. “Fellow Daoist, you have helped me so much. I don’t know much else – all I can do is help you in these little ways.”

　　Lonemoon smiled. He was going to answer something courteous, but suddenly recalled another matter. “Oh, that’s right. You said the last time that you wanted to rescue a friend. How’s that now? Has it been settled?”

　　Ling Hong’s face drained of color and he frowned. “Not… yet!”

　　“Why not?” Lonemoon stared blankly at him. “Are there not enough fish bones? Chef has more. Why not-”

　　“No! That’s not it.” Ling Hong shook his head and said awkwardly, “It’s not a problem with the fish bones. The Fish King has enough fish already. What’s more, they’re the most effective fish bones. It’s just that… the Red Scented Fish Monster’s bones are extremely hard. We can’t find something that can refine it just yet So… There’s no way we can turn it into medicine to help my friend.”

　　Medicine? Was it not supposed to be refined into a pill?

　　“But it doesn’t matter. I’ve already told asked our Academy if I can use their Earth Core Fire. If we’re fortunate, we should be able to get everything done in half a month.” Ling Hong’s smile widened. “With the Earth Core Fire, we will be able to refine the fish bone! My friend will finally recover then.” Ling Hong was smiling, but it was obvious that he was still worried. He did not look like he believe everything would go that smoothly.

　　“All you need to do is to refine the fish bones?”

　　“That’s right!” Ling Hong nodded. “The Red Scented Fish Monster’s bones has toxins in it. That’s why we need a deviant fire to destroy the toxins before they can be turned into medicine.”

　　“If that’s the case…” Lonemoon sighed. On account of the fact that Ling Hong had been of much help over the past few days, he decided to lend a hand. “Perhaps Chef can help with that. I think he’ll be able to refine those fish bones for you.” What deviant fire could beat the True Phoenix Fire? He was sure that Chef would be able to burn the toxins in those bones thoroughly.

　　“Are you for real!” Ling Hong’s face brightened up as he jumped to his feet.

　　Lonemoon nodded.

　　“Well… Well, how about we go and look for Fellow Daoist Yi now then?” After thinking for awhile, Ling Hong added, “I don’t know what he likes. Should I… Should I prepare something for him?”

　　“Er…” Lonemoon pondered for a moment and said, “You should prepare some top-grade… oil, salt, soy sauce and vinegar!”

　　Ling Hong: “…”

　　What the hell?

　　——————

　　Ling Hong had always thought that Fellow Daoist Yi was not easy to talk to. In the ten days since they arrived at the mystic realm, he had not spoken a single word to the four of them. Even to Buggy, who was in the same group as them, Yi Qing was cold. He spoke very little and maintained an unapproachable demeanor.

　　That was why when Lonemoon said to bring oil, salt, soy sauce and vinegar, Ling Hong wondered if those things were sufficient to break the ice. Ling Hong was so worried that he bought more delicacies. With the entire carton, he approached Yi Qing.

　　The amazing thing was the moment Ling Hong explained the reason for his visit, Yi Qing accepted the carton. He turned around and stuffed the delicacies in Lady Shen Ying’s bag. Then, he turned around and said in a serious tone, “Alright.”

　　Ling Hong was a little shocked that he agreed so quickly. By the time it sank in, they were already at Ling Hong’s house.

　　Inside the house, a warm male voice sounded. “Ling Hong, you’re here so quickly. Are you sure you thanked them properly…” He stopped mid-sentence when he looked up and saw the group at the door. “You are…?”

　　It was then that Lonemoon saw the teenager seated on the chair inside the house. He looked about 20 years old, and he was quite pale. Yet, his features were soft. There was a blanket laid out above his foot. It looked like movement was inconvenient for this young man. Very quickly, Lonemoon realized that the nerves in his leg were broken. There were traces of demonic Qi in his dantian.

　　“Older Brother!” Ling Hong stepped forward and joyfully introduced, “These friends are the fellow Daoists who sold us that Red Scented Fish Monster back in the mystic realm.”

　　Ling Wen Xuan’s eyes brightened. He quickly cupped his fists toward Lonemoon and the others. “So you are the fellow Daoists who took care of my brother in the mystic realm. I am very grateful.”

　　“Fellow Daoist, you are too courteous. He has helped us a lot as well. We’re just returning the favor.” Lonemoon smiled warmly.

　　“Older Brother, this Fellow Daoist Yi Qing can help us to refine the fish bones,” Ling Hong said excitedly. “That’s why I brought them home with me.”

　　“Really!” Ling Wen Xuan’s eyes widened. A moment later, they dimmed down considerably out of guilt. “Brother Hong, they were already so kind as to sell you the fish. Why are you still bothering them? And with such a simple thing like refining the fish bones, at that!”

　　“It’s no trouble at all,” Lonemoon responded. “We’re fated to meet and become friends. Things like refining fish bones don’t cost us much as well.

　　Ling Wen Xuan looked up at them. Seeing that they were genuinely willing to help them, he said, “Well, in that case… thank you, Fellow Daoists. Once I recover, if I am of any use to you, I will repay you!”

　　Lonemoon smiled politely, then turned back to Ling Hong. “Where are the fish bones? Bring us there!”

　　“Now? Alright, alright…” Ling Hong had not thought that they would want to get started immediately. He quickly said to his brother, “Well, Older Brother, I’m going to bring them to the medicinal room now.” He turned around and led the group to the room.

　　Once the few of them entered the room, they found that there were all sorts of medicines lined up around it. The room also smelled strongly of medicine. In the middle of the room was a long table, on which several plates and bottles stood. Lonemoon scanned the entire room. The strange thing was, although there were many different medicines, there was not a single spirit herb. All of them were ordinary plants.

　　Ling Hong headed for the cabinet right inside and undid several arrays and talismans. He opened a chest gingerly. Inside was the remaining fish bones from their meal the other day.

　　“The fish bones are here.” Ling Hong picked up the bones and handed it over very carefully. He said to Yi Qing, “These bones are hard to refine. I’ve already done my calculations. Even with deviant fire, the least time it would take is seven days and seven nights. That’s why I’m grateful for… Eh? Eh!”