Approximately two hours passed, and the disciples found themselves fully rested and rejuvenated for the road ahead. They packed everything they needed back into their Interspatial Ring, before standing up and patting the dirt off their bodies. Then, they continued to forge ahead towards their next destination – a small town some distance away.

Strangely, the disciples no longer seemed to dissociate themselves with Jun Xiaomo and Ye Xiuwen, and they even started to gravitate towards them in twos and threes. Perhaps the Demonvine’s pursuit had left an indelible impression in their minds, but it was apparent that these disciples felt a greater sense of security if they stuck close to Jun Xiaomo and Ye Xiuwen. From time to time, some disciples would even throw a glance over at Jun Xiaomo and Ye Xiuwen to check that they were still around, before heaving a sigh of relief. Then, they would continue chatting with their fellow disciples as though nothing had happened.

Jun Xiaomo had long since noticed this strange phenomenon out of the corner of her eye. When the next disciple glanced over at her, she mischievously returned a meaningful smile at him, causing that disciple to involuntarily cough twice as he shifted his gaze away awkwardly.

“Brother Ye, I think your fellow martial brothers and sisters are all scared stiff by the Demonvine. Previously, these disciples used to treat us as though we were invisible, but now they’re all gravitating towards us as though our presence clothes them with a sense of security.” Jun Xiaomo minced her way over to Ye Xiuwen’s side as she relayed to him her observations thus far with a bemused expression on her face.

Ye Xiuwen did not verbally respond to Jun Xiaomo’s observations, and he only gently patted Jun Xiaomo’s head. At the same time, Jun Xiaomo seemed to be able to tell that her martial brother wore a warm smile on his face under that veiled conical hat of his right now.

Jun Xiaomo’s voice wasn’t too small, and the other disciples walking close to them awkwardly scratched their noses when they heard what Jun Xiaomo...