"Godfather, Uncle Lei!"
A cheerful and clear voice rang out, as melodious as an oriole. Ling Feng followed the sound and saw a thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl hurrying towards Blood Python.
This little girl was dressed in a light yellow linen garment, with fair skin and an oval face, making her quite pretty. Her cheeks still retained a hint of baby fat, and her bright eyes were curved into crescent moon shapes. She exuded an innocent and cheerful atmosphere that seemed to refresh the people around her.
However, outside of her rosy cheeks, there was a slight paleness on her face, and her body appeared somewhat frail and thin, indicating that she had likely been deprived of proper nutrition due to the environment she was in for a long period of time.
These rugged men, who made a living by killing, had no idea how to take care of others. They could only afford to eat when they were hungry, and considering their circumstances, worrying about nutrition was out of the question. Just being able to keep oneself alive was already considered fortunate.
"Hehe." Blood Python looked at the little girl rushing over and affectionately patted the back of her head. "Xiao Li, sorry to keep you waiting for so long."
The reason why Blood Python was able to reform and turn away from evil was precisely because of this girl he found in the wild. She was like a little angel, cleansing away all the cruelty and violence from his heart.
"I didn’t wait for too long." The girl named Xiao Li pouted, obviously not very fond of Blood Python patting her head. "Godfather, if you keep patting me on the head, I won't be able to grow taller!"
Suddenly, the two tall guards standing behind Xiao Li respectfully called out, "Blood! Lei!"
Blood Python nodded and said lightly, "Lone Wolf, Night Owl, let me introduce you. These two are our new team members, Ling Feng and Hu Sandao."
Ling Feng glanced at the two middle-aged men. Both of them were at the later stage of the Pulse Formation Realm, which was quite impressive for independent cultivators.
In addition, Ling Feng saw two more men behind them, whose strength was probably around the fifth or sixth level of the Pulse Formation Realm. There was also a slightly older female swordsman with an average appearance with them. Although her looks were ordinary, her figure was quite voluptuous. She stood coldly on the side, exuding an icy beauty.
"Hello, I am Ling Feng. Nice to meet you all." Ling Feng politely greeted them as he approached.
"Uncle Lei, why did you bring a little pretty boy here?" Xiao Li said while pouting. She then continued with, "Look at him, all soft and delicate. He’s clearly never experienced any hardships!"
"Uh..." Ling Feng felt a pang of embarrassment, and almost spit out a mouthful of blood. I was actually looked down upon by a little girl!
Blood Python had already noticed Ling Feng's extraordinary qualities and quickly grabbed Xiao Li, saying in a low voice, "Hey, Xiao Li, don't talk nonsense! Ling Feng, this is my adopted daughter, Xiao Li. She’s also the medical personnel on our team, and knows some basic medical skills."
"Medical personnel?" Ling Feng smiled faintly. "Children speak without restraint. I believe this little girl is just straightforward."
"Hmph!" Xiao Li glared fiercely at Ling Feng, raising her small fist. "Don't call me a little girl! I'm the third captain of the Hunting Blade Team. You have to call me Captain Xiao Li! Got it, pretty boy!?"
Ling Feng felt a sense of helplessness. These days, it’s even wrong to be a little handsome?
Blood Python chuckled and gave a gentle pat on the back of Xiao Li's head, then turned to Ling Feng with a smile. "Brother, this girl has been spoiled by me since childhood. She has a bad temper, so don't take her too seriously."
"Godfather!" Xiao Li stomped her foot on the ground, pouted, and grumbled, "You're taking his side!"
"Hahaha, you little brat." Blood Python shook his head, clapped his hands, and exclaimed, "Alright, brothers of the Hunting Blade Team, this time we're going to cross the Sea-Blue Abyss to the imperial capital. I believe everyone is aware of the dangers involved. So, let's be fully alert and strictly follow my orders. Is that clear?"
"Understood!" The team members shouted loudly in response.
Three days later, the team arrived at a deep valley.
"This is the entrance to the Sea-Blue Abyss," Blood Python said solemnly, "The Sea-Blue Abyss is full of dangers, including some mind-bewildering toxins. Everyone, remember to keep a piece of Detoxifying Herb in your mouth."
"Here, pretty boy, take this!" Xiao Li took out a piece of green herb from her backpack and handed it to Ling Feng. "This is a piece of Detoxifying Herb. Remember to just keep it in your mouth, and don't swallow it."
Ling Feng pursed his lips. The Detoxifying Herb Xiao Li gave him was a common herb specifically used to ward off miasma.
As a physician, sometimes he also needed to enter deep forests infested with poisonous miasma to collect herbs, so Ling Feng wouldn't be unfamiliar with this kind of herb.
However, Ling Feng had tasted countless herbs since childhood. Although he wouldn't dare claim immunity to all poisons, a mere poisonous miasma naturally couldn't harm him.
With a faint smile, Ling Feng placed the Detoxifying Herb in his mouth and nodded slightly towards Xiao Li, saying, "Thank you, Miss Xiao Li."
"Hmph!" Xiao Li gave Ling Feng a disdainful look, clearly harboring deep prejudice against him.
She wasn't targeting Ling Feng personally. In fact, she harbored a strong dislike for any member of prominent families. She had seen too many of them who looked down on hunters like them, considering them inferior beings.
So, even though Ling Feng seemed polite for now, she still felt that he was just being hypocritical, just like those from prominent families. He was definitely looking down on them.
Blood Python watched all of this unfold, shaking his head with a sigh. He gently patted Ling Feng on the shoulder and said softly, "Ling Feng, my daughter is still young and inexperienced. I hope you don't mind her ignorance."
"Not at all." Ling Feng nodded slightly at Blood Python. "Meeting you is fate. I believe that as time goes on, true intentions will become clear."
"Haha, good!" Blood Python laughed heartily. "Just for that remark, you've earned my friendship. Consider me your friend, Ling Feng!"