Qiu Yunran replied, “Don’t worry, I just used a little medicine. It will wear off in about an hour.”
“Thank you,” Mei Tingzhu glanced back at the pile of stones, then supported Mei Tingyuan as they followed the others out.
Lou Mingyue said, “It looks like these people were lying in ambush. If we continue forward, we’ll likely be attacked again. The space inside the tower is narrow. If we encounter another ambush, our chances of survival will be even smaller.”
Lou Xiaowu no longer asked about Cui Yichen’s fate. Caught in such an attack without warning, how could there be any hope of survival?
It was better this way. He and her sister couldn’t be together in life, but in death, they could be companions.
“Which way should we go?” Qiu Yunran looked at An Jiu. Having witnessed her actions, he found himself unconsciously trusting her.
He wondered what kind of person this tall, slender girl wrapped in dark clothing was.
Lou Mingyue cast him a questioning glance.
“She just instantly killed a transcendent realm expert,” Qiu Yunran said, still somewhat in disbelief.
An Jiu raised the crossbow in her hand. “This person wasn’t transcendent realm. They just used this crossbow.”
Lou Xiaowu stirred slightly, saying softly, “May I take a look?”
An Jiu hesitated briefly, but remembering that this device was similar in principle to the illumination arrow launcher Lou Xiaowu had, she handed it over.
She examined it carefully for a few moments before returning it to An Jiu. “This thing is still useful. I can’t take it apart to look now. If we all survive, you should keep it safe.”
An Jiu took back the crossbow, giving Lou Xiaowu an extra glance. Before this, seeing Lou Xiaowu’s lively and innocent demeanor, An Jiu had thought she might be similar to Mei Jiu, never imagining this girl could respond so calmly to such a brutal battle.
Lou Mingyue, seeing some people’s doubts, explained, “Xiaowu has been through many hardships. Her spiritual power is stronger than mine, not weaker.”
An Jiu felt a bit unhappy. Why was it that after experiencing hardships, others could maintain their innocence, while she had become mentally ill?
She hadn’t considered that anyone who suffers mental trauma beyond their capacity, even if able to self-heal, can never be quite the same as ordinary people. Lou Xiaowu’s innocence might just be a form of psychological self-suggestion. It was fundamentally different from Mei Jiu.
Although An Jiu had explained that she hadn’t instantly killed a transcendent realm expert, Lou Mingyue felt that someone who could respond correctly so quickly must have an extremely calm mind. It wouldn’t hurt to hear her opinion. “Fourteenth Miss, do you think we should continue forward or go back?”
An Jiu hadn’t considered this question. After receiving a mission, she could quickly analyze the pros and cons, but no matter how she analyzed it, moving forward was the only option unless ordered to retreat. And if given a retreat order, she could also quickly choose the best withdrawal route.
In other words, whether advancing or retreating was the same for her. Both had risks and chances for survival.
“Here, every place has both risks and chances for survival,” An Jiu said honestly.
“Misfortune might be a blessing in disguise,” Qiu Yunran murmured. “Fortune and misfortune are intertwined, alas!”
Choosing to leave seemed safer, but in reality, no one could be sure.
“You decide. We’ll follow you!” Qiu Yunran said.
Mei Tingzhu felt her mind wasn’t calm enough to make the right decision, so she also turned her gaze to An Jiu.
An Jiu wasn’t afraid of being looked at, but she felt somewhat uncomfortable being watched by so many people with expectant gazes.
Had the word “hope” really appeared about her?
Half an hour ago, she would have unhesitatingly moved forward, but now, just thinking of Mei Tingyuan’s face as she moved stones, she couldn’t speak.
But then she thought, for someone like her who lived by killing, never having valued any life, wasn’t it laughable that people now wanted to entrust their lives to her?
“Do as you please. Either way, I won’t guarantee any of you will survive,” An Jiu said, then turned towards the stone stairs leading to the second floor.
Qiu Yunran quickly weighed his options and was the first to follow her.
The remaining independent cultivators gradually followed. Lou Mingyue and Mei Tingzhu exchanged a glance, then led their families to follow as well.
An Jiu felt the people following behind her and grew somewhat irritated.
Walking at the rear, Lou Mingyue sensed Lou Xiaowu’s low spirits and said softly, “Life and death are fated. Don’t think too much. Perhaps in just a few hours, we’ll join them underground. If you truly want to fulfill their wishes, then strive to live on.”