Xiao Linglong yelped in surprise and dodged Bark's enormous jaws. "Little guy, are you really serious?"
Seeing Bark's relentless pursuit, Xiao Linglong grew annoyed. "Hey, do you believe I'll stew you?"
When Xiao Linglong brandished a flash of cold blue light, Bark froze, no longer daring to advance. Ming Zhitian swiftly moved to block in front of it. "You dare!"
Seeing Ming Zhitian clenching a pair of cold iron gauntlets, ready for a fight, Xiao Linglong knew she was no match for him, especially after he had single-handedly wiped out the entire Cliff Mountain bandit den. Besides, she had no intention of fighting.
With a playful giggle, Xiao Linglong pouted and skipped over to Ming Zhitian, acting coy. "Brother... Brother, I didn't mean to fight with you."
Ming Zhitian frowned. "A beauty trap? Sorry, it won't work on me."
Xiao Linglong mumbled, "I don't care, I'm going with you."
Ming Zhitian said, "Follow me? What do I owe you?"
Xiao Linglong opened her mouth to speak, then swallowed her words. "Anyway, I'm just going to follow you. Wherever you go, I go."
Ming Zhitian waved his hand. "As you wish. Bark, let's go."
Seeing them set off, Xiao Linglong quickly followed. "Hey, where are you going?"
Ming Zhitian glanced at her. "What's it to you?"
Taking a closer look at him, Xiao Linglong gasped in surprise, covering her mouth. "Huh? You're poisoned?"
Ming Zhitian's lips were slightly dark, something most people wouldn't notice, but a cultivator could.
Ming Zhitian ignored her, mounted Bark, and hurried on. Xiao Linglong scrambled to keep up. "Wait for me!"
On the way, Xiao Linglong asked again, "So, where exactly are you going?"
Ming Zhitian, growing impatient, decided to tell her to stop the endless questions. "The poison in me can only be cured by the medical immortal Qiu Buyi."
Xiao Linglong said, "So you're going to find her?"
Ming Zhitian nodded and shook his head. "I've heard that Qiu Buyi has four principles of not treating: she doesn't treat the rich, she doesn't treat the poor, she doesn't treat the sick, and she doesn't treat the healthy. She also has two principles of not saving: she doesn't save the living, and she doesn't save the dead."
Xiao Linglong repeated, "Doesn't save the living, doesn't save the dead."
Ming Zhitian's eyes lit up. "You know about that too?"
Xiao Linglong said proudly, "Of course. She's a peculiar doctor. Anyone who seeks her treatment either returns without success, even after a long journey. I've also heard this old woman is still single."
Ming Zhitian frowned. "Old woman?"
Xiao Linglong said, "Hey, Ming Zhitian, I advise you to give up. It's pointless to go. You might as well find another way."
Ming Zhitian looked at her. "Do you have a way?"
Xiao Linglong shrugged and spread her hands. "No."
Ming Zhitian shook his head. "It seems you know the whereabouts of the medical immortal Qiu Buyi."
Xiao Linglong said, "I do. East of here, she lives on Li Mountain."
Ming Zhitian nodded. "Li Mountain? Alright, lead the way."
After walking for quite some time, Xiao Linglong massaged her aching waist and other parts. "Ming Zhitian, I'm so tired. Let me ride too."
Bark whined protestingly. Ming Zhitian spread his hands. "See? Bark doesn't want to. I can't do anything about it."
Xiao Linglong took out a red fruit from her storage bag. "Here, it's delicious."
Ming Zhitian recognized it. "Red fruit?"
Bark looked at Ming Zhitian, who nodded in permission. Bark ate it and immediately felt energized.
Ming Zhitian remembered. This was the red fruit that grew in front of the Martial Saint Monument. Bark had once brought it to feed Ming Zhitian, and it had healing properties.
Ming Zhitian asked curiously, "Where did you get these red fruits?"
Xiao Linglong said, "This is called a Glazed Fruit. It's a medicinal fruit that strengthens the body, and it's not cheap. Each one costs fifty Shenwu coins."
Bark wanted another one. Xiao Linglong produced two more and fed them to Bark.
Xiao Linglong shook her storage bag. "That's all. If you like it, I'll buy you more. Can I ride now?"