Xu Lin looked at Jiang Luo in confusion, even more puzzled by her expression. He stepped forward and waved a hand in front of her face.
“You’re lost in some nonsense.”
Jiang Luo quickly snapped back to attention.
“No… nothing.”
Whether it was Zhaowen Tower or Xu Lin’s words, everything was pointing directly at Xu Lin’s former identity.
But the current Holy Son of the Sunset Sect was actually the former Senior Brother of the Vast Dao Sect?
“Never mind.”
Xu Lin remembered how he had treated Jiang Luo earlier and still felt in the wrong.
“Here, take it back. Just don’t show it to anyone randomly.”
Jiang Luo took the item back, still dazed.
“By the way, even if your constitution problem no longer appears, let me warn you. Don’t do any strange things with my portrait.”
“Strange… things?”
Jiang Luo paused, then immediately caught on. Her little face flushed bright red.
“What are you talking about!”
Not to mention, when she had lived in the Outer Sect courtyard, she had actually heard of some Senior Sisters who would sneak into their rooms with a certain Senior Brother’s portrait, and when they came out, they would be drenched in sweat.
Following Xu Lin’s words, Jiang Luo put the portrait away. But looking at the Bronze Ghost Mask on Xu Lin’s face, she grew puzzled again.
“Senior Brother, I remember you didn’t wear a mask at first. How come it seems like you’ve been wearing this one ever since the Grand Tournament.”
“Hm? Why are you suddenly concerned about this.”
“This… because Senior Brother is quite good-looking…”
Jiang Luo turned her face away, a bit embarrassed.
These were things better kept in her head. Suddenly having to say them to Xu Lin’s face felt rather delicate.
Xu Lin sighed, not thinking much about Jiang Luo’s little thoughts.
“Your Sect Master’s idea.”
This mask was indeed something Xi Ranchen had shoved at him. The purpose was to provide cover before Xu Lin’s identity was truly revealed, and also to draw more attention from others.
Later, Xu Lin also felt that wearing the mask, not to mention Xi Ranchen, made it easier for him to hide his identity too, so he could maneuver and protect himself before that person truly made a move.
Otherwise, Xu Lin couldn’t possibly be so obedient to Xi Ranchen. If he didn’t wear the mask, and someone from the Righteous Path or Demon Sect recognized him at once, that would be a huge problem.
“I see.”
Jiang Luo found Xu Lin’s words a bit odd.
“Doesn’t it look good? I think it’s pretty cool.”
Xu Lin touched the Bronze Ghost Mask. Aside from everything else, he actually found it quite interesting.
“……”
Jiang Luo did want to compliment Xu Lin a little. After all, with the Bronze Ghost Mask on, combined with his usual demeanor, he had a certain wicked charm and unruliness.
But seeing Xu Lin so full of himself, Jiang Luo ultimately swallowed her words.
“Right.”
Xu Lin remembered the real business.
“I almost forgot what I came here to tell you.”
“Is there something Senior Brother needs me to do?”
Jiang Luo immediately turned serious. She had been waiting all along for a chance to do something for Xu Lin.
“That’s not it. I came to give you a few reminders.”
Xu Lin’s expression turned grave as he continued.
“After entering the Luo Xu Mountains, I may not be able to stay with you. You need to be extra careful on your own. Don’t stray too far from the Sunset Sect disciples.”
Judging by Yang Yao’s attitude, there was a high probability she intended to take him deep inside.
“If there’s any unusual movement at the center of the Luo Xu Mountains, don’t listen to what others say. Evacuate if you can. Some things, no matter how many people you bring, going there is just throwing your lives away.”
“Also, when you see Righteous Path Sects… tch… just play it by ear. Avoid conflict if you can.”
Xu Lin originally wanted Jiang Luo to be on guard against the Righteous Path Sects.
But as a Senior Brother of the Vast Dao Sect, telling a Demon Sect disciple to be wary of them was somewhat strange.
However, compared to the Righteous Path Sects, other Demon Sects were probably even more dangerous.
Jiang Luo nodded along as she listened, her expression serious.
When she heard Xu Lin talk about the Righteous Path Sects, she clearly noticed the change in his tone.
“That’s all I can tell you. The Luo Xu Mountains will also be a good training ground for you.”
Even Xu Lin couldn’t help but recall how he used to look after his Junior Sister in the Vast Dao Sect.
Jiang Luo was such a newborn calf, and now she was suddenly going to such a major event. It would be a lie to say he wasn’t worried at all.
“Okay, I’ll remember Senior Brother’s words.”
Learning that she might not be on the same path as Xu Lin, Jiang Luo felt somewhat disappointed, but she still responded earnestly.
She hesitated, then asked with a hint of curiosity.
“Senior Brother, I’ve always stayed within the sect before and never had contact with outside sects. What are those Righteous Path Sects you mentioned like?”
“Those guys…”
Xu Lin smacked his lips. He really couldn’t say.
Righteous Path or Demon Sect, to him, it was all just a matter of stance and conduct. But all crows under heaven are black. It wasn’t necessarily that one was more honorable than the other.
The Demon Sect had its own methods, and the Righteous Path had its own high-sounding rhetoric.
“Hard to say.”
Xu Lin shook his head.
“By the way, you sure have a lot of questions today.”
“Just curious, that’s all.”
Jiang Luo scratched her cheek awkwardly.
Just as Xu Lin was about to say something else, he heard footsteps outside, approaching Jiang Luo’s room.
He narrowed his eyes slightly and made a zipping-his-mouth gesture at Jiang Luo, signaling her not to mention that he had come.
Then he lightly stepped forward, just like before, leaped toward the window, and vanished in an instant.
Jiang Luo was just about to walk to the window to check on Xu Lin when a knock came from behind her.
Her body trembled. She turned to look at the door, which was knocked a few times and then fell silent. After a moment’s pause, she spoke.
“Please come in.”
The door was pushed open, and the figure who walked in shocked Jiang Luo no less than Xu Lin’s sudden intrusion earlier.
“Senior Sister.”
Jiang Luo moved to bow.
“I said last time, there’s no need to be so formal in front of me.”
Yang Yao said.
“Oh, oh, oh.”
That said, Jiang Luo still became reserved at once.
Yang Yao noticed Jiang Luo seemed somewhat nervous. She looked around the room, and her gaze finally landed on the open window.
“May I ask what Senior Sister came to see me about?”
“Nothing much. You’ve only recently entered the Inner Sect, but this trip to the Luo Xu Mountains is not as simple as it looks, so I came to give you a few reminders.”
Not to mention that Jiang Luo was an acquaintance from her past life, she had also made a good first impression.
The Luo Xu Mountains were full of dangers, so she had come specifically to give a few reminders, which counted as looking after Jiang Luo.
“Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister.”
Jiang Luo was flattered.
She didn’t know what good deeds she had done in her past life. First the Holy Son, and now the Saintess, both coming to check on her.
Yang Yao walked into the room, pacing slowly. When her gaze noticed the Spirit Fruit by the table, she couldn’t help but narrow her eyes.
That kind of Spirit Fruit couldn’t possibly appear in a disciple’s room like Jiang Luo’s. Rather, it looked like it was from the fruit platter in Master’s room not long ago.
She took a deep breath. In the end, Yang Yao decided not to press the matter, only reminding her.
“This time, most of you newly entered disciples will only be picking Spirit Herbs and hunting low-ranked Fierce Beasts in the outer areas. Since this is your first trip, remember not to get separated from the other disciples, to avoid any problems.”
Jiang Luo nodded like a little bird. Even she was surprised that Xu Lin and Yang Yao’s words were almost identical.
Anyone who didn’t know would think they had conspired on their stories.