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The team continued forward, and with one more person, the atmosphere grew livelier.

Baili Tao and Fu Xi walked at the rear, remaining vigilant of their surroundings.

Gu Xiaoxi and Yun Xiao led the way up front, while Zhuang Xiaomeng had Jing Haoran for company, so she no longer clung to the burly Baili Tao.

Despite the fatigue of the journey, the presence of those two jokers occasionally had everyone laughing until their faces cramped.

"Xiao Haohao, how did you grow up to be so handsome? I’m so jealous I could die," said Zhuang Xiaomeng.

"Because both my dad and mom are really good-looking! Even though you’re not handsome, you shouldn’t resent your own parents," Jing Haoran said with a serious face.

Zhuang Xiaomeng gasped, wondering if this guy was deliberately insulting him.

"Team leader sister, you’re so amazing. Not only have you made it this far as a girl, but you’ve also taken in so many strange people as allies," said Gu Xiaoxi, her mouth twitching as she glanced at Jing Haoran, wondering if he realized that he too, was one of those odd flowers.

But considering his cuteness, she decided to tease him. So, with a flip of her hair and a chuckle, she said, "Because I am the universe’s number one beauty. Unbeatable! They all love me."

"Pfft!" Even Baili Tao and Fu Xi, who had been quite serious up until now, couldn’t help but burst into laughter, laughing so hard their stomachs hurt.

Universe’s number one beauty!

Hahaha!

"Wow, then sister, you’re awesome. From now on, we’re allies as well as good friends. Next time I have the chance, I’ll invite you to my house. My parents really love my friends," said Jing Haoran warmly. At nineteen, the young man still had a hint of childlike innocence in his words.

It was clear at a glance that he must have been cherished and carefully protected by his parents from a young age.

"I say, Jing Haoran, we are all your allies, so why invite only her and not us? Are we not your friends?" Zhuang Xiaomeng interjected seriously, his expression turning somber.

"Of course I’ll invite you! But I must invite the universe’s number one beauty first!" This statement seemed flawless, yet somehow it hit everyone’s funny bone.

"You little brat, I’m warning you, she has a boyfriend, so watch out or he might pull you aside for a PK!" Zhuang Xiaomeng said, not content to lose out. Good looks were an advantage, and it was obvious that everyone was lenient towards Jing Haoran. No matter what he said, they let it slide.

"A PK? I’m not afraid! Whoever wants to challenge me to a PK will surely lose. Is your boyfriend any good? If he’s not as strong as me, he definitely can’t protect you. Sister, I suggest you dump him."

Damn!

There was a loud slam of a table in the surveillance room.

"This Jing Haoran thinks he can scorn everyone just because he has the protection of Mr. President. Inciting my woman to dump me, wait until I get back, I’ll drag you into a PK. Not even Jing Yuan can save you," Quan Shaoqing said, his tone icy.

Speaking ill of him took some nerve. Even with family and backing, he wasn’t afraid!

"Hahaha! Shaoqing, what Jing Yuan said isn’t wrong!

Since he was young, he had a special ability that allowed him to temporarily control people’s thoughts.

If he decides to challenge you to a PK, you might not win.

Ah, times have changed; you still think you’re the same Quan Shaoqing from before," Zhang Fenglin said, his eyes twinkling with mirth as he ignored Quan Shaoqing’s darkening expression and continued to belittle, "I see that Jing Yuan is Young Master Di. He’s good-looking and talented, about the same age as Gu Xiaoxi. They look quite compatible to me."

"Minister Zhang, aren’t your words just stirring up trouble?

Our Shaoqing is already called ’husband’ by her.

Do you think he’s a brick you can just move over to your house and claim as your own?

Shaoqing has made so many contributions to the country; he may not be what he once was, but if not for his past efforts, how could there be this era of peace?

That thousand-year-old demon established the International Trade Group; ostensibly for the nation, but in secret, it smuggled, trafficked drugs, laundered money, committed murders, and cannibalized.

Without Shaoqing, it might have harmed many more people, allowing us to live peacefully all these years.

One should speak words that accrue virtue.

I see that you, the Zhang family, are venting your anger on Shaoqing.

If it weren’t for your own crooked dealings, would you be afraid of an investigation?

" Li Jianguo, the bold and direct head of Department A, couldn’t stand to see Zhang Fenglin’s mockeries.

Hearing this, Zhang Fenglin’s face turned a succession of green and white, looking painfully embarrassed.

Quan Shaoqing’s gaze swept carelessly over everyone, and they all saw the coldness in his eyes, "Minister Zhang, I thought you had forgotten those dangers of the past. But no matter, there have been several murder cases at Muye Group recently and complaints from relatives that their children working there have gone missing, eight in a row. The police, suspecting the involvement of monsters, asked for my assistance with the case a couple of days ago. But if I’m not mistaken, that’s your jurisdiction.

Since you’re here, I’ll hand this task over to you.

Spare me the trouble. My wife is about to be stolen away.

Of all of us here, only I am still single.

Ah, I need to call the old boss and get him to issue my marriage certificate. "

Having said this, Quan Shaoqing dropped the files he was holding and left, seemingly heading off to actually get a marriage certificate.

He left a room full of people staring at the big screen, looking at Gu Xiaoxi, "Is this female soldier really that good? Are they really afraid she’ll be taken away by someone else?"

...

"I’m too tired to walk any further," Jing Haoran said, squeezing his large eyes as a hint of moisture began to shimmer within, looking towards Gu Xiaoxi, "Team leader sister, can we rest for a bit?"

"No, we take a two-hour rest every four hours. We need to walk for another hour before we can rest again. No matter how tired, we must persevere!" Gu Xiaoxi stated resolutely.

The fearless Jing Haoran kept snuggling up to Gu Xiaoxi, clearly very fond of her. Little did he know, someone was already plotting to teach him a lesson. All the while, he kept sneezing on the way without knowing why.

Zhuang Xiaomeng looked disdainful, "What a pretender, not cute at all."

"I bet you couldn’t even pretend if you tried. Zhuang Xiaomeng, your name really suits you."

"Baili Tao, I just realized today how toxic your mouth is. Nobody would think you’re mute if you didn’t speak!"

"Can’t help it, I don’t like talking about others. I just enjoy teasing you."

"Hahaha!..."

By now, everyone had entered a dense forest when suddenly a wild beast’s roar thundered through the air.

Subsequently, Gu Xiaoxi and the others saw a pride of lions rushing towards them, sending everyone into a panic.

The military dogs also barked loudly, warning everyone of the danger.

Gu Xiaoxi immediately had everyone take up arms and aim, "Prepare to fight."

But at that moment, Jing Haoran suddenly jumped out and urgently called for a halt, "Don’t rush to attack, let’s try to avoid them instead!"

"You fool, they’re about to bite your neck off. How can we just pass by?" Fu Xi said seriously.

"Don’t worry, watch me!" Jing Haoran strode forward, moving to the front, and then intercepted the group of lions rushing at them.

Because his back was to everyone, they couldn’t see exactly what he did, but in a brief moment, the lions that charged at him all collapsed at his feet, suddenly as docile as kittens.

From the front, one could see the tricolor light flickering in his eyes. A strange glow created subtle ripples in the air, influencing the lions’ brainwaves and making them obedient and docile.

"Let’s go! I’ll catch up with you later!" Jing Haoran called out loudly.

Gu Xiaoxi looked at everyone, "Hurry up! Yun Xiao, you take them over the mountain. The faster, the better. I’ll stay here with Xiao Jing. If there’s danger, we can watch out for each other."

"Then let’s go! Take care," Yun Xiao didn’t say much. Among them, Gu Xiaoxi and Xiao Xiao were the fastest, so they could respond to any danger in time.

Having them stay would only be a nuisance!

Watching everyone leave, Gu Xiaoxi timed it. Ten minutes later, Jing Haoran suddenly swayed and then turned pale, saying, "Let’s go! They should sleep for about twenty minutes."

Gu Xiaoxi immediately led Xiao Xiao and Jing Haoran to catch up with the team ahead, astonished by Jing Haoran’s power. Controlling over a dozen lions at once and even putting them to sleep for twenty minutes was a terrifying feat.

At that moment, she noticed something off about Jing Haoran’s complexion and asked in concern, "Are you okay? You look exhausted, let me heal you."

"You know medical skills?" Jing Haoran asked curiously as they ran.

Gu Xiaoxi coughed and spoke earnestly, "I am an immortal!" She found tricking him to be quite entertaining.

"Ah! An immortal?"

Gu Xiaoxi channeled a bit of Spiritual Power into him, and his pale, paper-like face regained some color, instantly revitalizing him.

"Wow! You really are an immortal! Fairy Sister, from now on, I’ll be your follower. You must accept me. I’ll go east if you say so, definitely not west. But could you give me some more Immortal qi, so I can become an immortal too?"

Gu Xiaoxi’s mouth twitched violently. Was this guy truly naive or just pretending to be?

She had tricked him, and he had actually believed it. So, she continued with the ruse, "That will depend on your performance. If you’re devoted to learning from me, it’s not impossible to teach you."

"Great! Then, Fairy Sister, what do you want me to do?"

"Watch the road!"

"Bang!" Jing Haoran crashed headfirst into a tree trunk, immediately sprouting several lumps on his head, and suddenly, a galaxy of stars swirled above his forehead...

Gu Xiaoxi facepalmed. She couldn’t be blamed – it was one thing for him to be na?ve, but his reactions were awfully slow. She had told him to watch the road, yet he still hit a tree.

Helping Jing Haoran up, she looked at his purely innocent face and pitied him for a whole three seconds.