"Adoptive father, Uncle Lei!"
Just then, a cheerful and crisp voice sounded, as melodious and pleasant as that of an oriole. Ling Feng turned toward the source of the sound and saw a girl of about thirteen or fourteen rushing toward the Blood Python.
The young girl was dressed in light yellow hemp clothing, with fair and clear skin, a standard beauty with an oval-shaped face. Her cheeks still had a hint of baby fat, and her bright, shiny eyes curved into the shape of crescent moons, emanating an innocent and carefree aura that was eye-catching.
However, her fair face was a bit pale, and her body slightly frail, clearly suffering from chronic malnutrition in such an environment.
These hardened men knew nothing about caring for people; their irregular meals made it impossible to talk about proper nutrition. Being able to keep one’s life was already fortunate.
"Hehe," the Blood Python watched as the little girl threw herself at him and affectionately patted the back of her head. "Little Li, have you been waiting long?"
In fact, it was exactly because of this girl, whom he had found in the wild, that the Blood Python managed to reform himself. She was like a little angel, cleansing all the cruelty and violence from his heart completely.
"Not at all, it’s only been a little while," said the girl named Little Li, pouting slightly, obviously not enjoying the Blood Python patting her on the head. "Adoptive father, if you keep patting Little Li’s head, I won’t grow taller!"
At that moment, two tall men standing behind Little Li also called out respectfully, "Blood Team, Captain Lei!"
The Blood Python nodded and said indifferently, "Lonely Wolf, Yee Xiao, let me introduce you to our new members, Ling Feng, Hu Sandao."
Ling Feng sized up the two middle-aged men; both had the strength of the Late-stage of Pulse Condensation. Amongst Loose Cultivators, that was quite respectable.
Beyond them, Ling Feng observed two more men with strength around the Fifth or Sixth Realm of Qi Condensation, and an older, ordinary-looking female Sword Master. Although the Sword Master’s looks were not outstanding, her figure was quite impressive. She stood coldly to the side, looking rather—stunning.
"Nice to meet you all, my name is Ling Feng. I look forward to working with you," Ling Feng greeted them with polished manners.
"Uncle Lei, why did you bring a pretty boy here?" Just then, the girl called Little Li, pouting her lips, said, "Look at him, his skin is so delicate, clearly he hasn’t experienced hardships!"
"Uh..." Ling Feng’s forehead darkened, almost spewing out a mouthful of old blood – to be looked down upon by a little girl!
Blood Python had already noticed Ling Feng’s extraordinary side and quickly pulled Little Li aside, speaking in a stern voice, "Eh, Little Li, don’t talk nonsense! Ling Feng, this is my adopted daughter, Little Li, and also our team’s medical attendant, somewhat skilled in basic medicine."
"A medical attendant?" Ling Feng smiled faintly, "A child’s innocent words should be taken lightly; I think this young lady is simply frank and outspoken."
"Humph!" Little Li glared fiercely at Ling Feng and waved her little fist, saying, "Don’t call me Little Li, who’s your little sister? I am the third captain of the Hunting Blade Team; you have to call me Captain Little Li! Got it, pretty boy?"
Ling Feng felt helpless inside. Is it wrong to be good-looking nowadays?
"Hehe," Blood Python gently patted Little Li’s head again, laughing as he said to Ling Feng, "Young man, I’ve spoiled this girl rotten since she was young, so she can be quite difficult. Don’t take it to heart."
"Adoptive father!" Little Li stamped her foot on the ground, pouting sulkily, "You’re taking his side!"
"Hahaha, you silly girl," Blood Python shook his head, clapped his hands, and said loudly, "Alright, brothers of the Hunting Blade Team, this time, we are going to cross the Sea and Sky Barrier to reach the Imperial City. I believe you all are aware of the dangers. So, stay alert, and follow my commands strictly—understood?"
"Understood!" The team members shouted in unison.
Three days later, the team finally arrived at the entrance to a deep valley.
"This is the entrance to the Sea and Sky Barrier," Blood Python said with a grave expression. "The Sea and Sky Barrier is fraught with dangers, and there are also miasmas that can confuse the mind. Remember to keep a piece of Detoxification Herb in your mouth."
"Here, pretty boy, for you!" Little Li took out a piece of green medicinal herb from her pack and handed it to Ling Feng. "This is a Detoxification Herb; remember only to hold it in your mouth and don’t swallow it."
Ling Feng pursed his mouth. The Detoxification Herb given by Little Li was a common medicinal plant used to filter out miasmas.
As a healer himself, he often had to enter deep forests infested with Poisonous Miasma to collect medicinal herbs, so he certainly recognized this kind of herb.
Though he had tasted hundreds of herbs since his youth, and while he wouldn’t claim to be immune to all poisons, a minor miasma certainly couldn’t affect him.
Ling Feng smiled faintly, holding the Detoxification Herb in his mouth and nodding slightly towards Little Li, "Thank you, Miss Little Li."
"Hmph!" Little Li gave Ling Feng a cold look, clearly holding deep prejudice against him.
It wasn’t personal against Ling Feng; in fact, she detested all young masters from nobility because she had seen too many who looked down on Loose Cultivators like them, treating them as inferiors.
So, although Ling Feng seemed polite for now, she just felt he was pretending, just like those other young masters from noble families, looking down on them.
Blood Python, seeing this play out, could only shake his head and sigh before gently patting Ling Feng on the shoulder, "Ling Feng, my daughter is naive and lacks worldly experience. I hope you don’t take it to heart."
"Blood Team, such words are unnecessary," Ling Feng nodded slightly to the Blood Python, "Fate brings people together. I believe ’time reveals a person’s heart, just as the road reveals a horse’s strength’."
"Haha, well said!" Blood Python laughed aloud, "For that remark alone, you’ve established a friendship with me, Blood Python!"