"You listen to my excuses... No, listen to my explanation. I was afraid you'd feel awkward, so I waited at the bottom of the lake until you left. Who knew you'd take so long to bathe?"
Facing Chu Hongling's skepticism, Lin Jichen had no choice but to explain.
After hearing this, Chu Hongling realized she had misunderstood and her expression softened. She quickly put on her equipment.
Lin Jichen also emerged from the lake.
"Why is the great Lin Jichen here in the Hundred Thousand Mountains? What a coincidence," Chu Hongling said quietly.
"Yeah, I'm here on a mission. Didn't expect to run into you. Thanks for tipping me off last time when the Buddhist Sect was chasing me," Lin Jichen said with a smile.
Chu Hongling smiled, "No need to thank me. It was my fault to begin with."
"Regardless, I appreciate the warning. It's getting late, so if there's nothing else, I'll be on my way."
Lin Jichen didn't plan to waste any time; he needed to find the Violet Illusion Spirit Incense quickly.
"Wait a moment," Chu Hongling called out.
"Is there something else?" Lin Jichen turned back.
Chu Hongling looked a bit embarrassed, "Can you do me a favor?"
"Go ahead," Lin Jichen didn't refuse outright. In his past life, he owed Chu Hongling a favor.
"Well, I came to the Hundred Thousand Mountains to find the Exotic Beast Flood Monkey. But after arriving, I realized the beasts and evil spirits here are too powerful. I'm afraid I'm no match for the Flood Monkey. So, can we... team up?"
Chu Hongling added, "I can help you complete your mission first, then we can look for the Flood Monkey."
Chu Hongling's invitation to team up with Lin Jichen made sense.
The Hundred Thousand Mountains were fraught with danger, teeming with beasts at the Golden Core Realm. Even though Chu Hongling had reached the Golden Core Realm, she still found it very challenging.
Running into Lin Jichen, the top expert in the Tale of Immortal, and having some history with him, she naturally thought of teaming up.
She could also learn from Lin Jichen's combat techniques along the way.
Although they weren't in the same profession, combat techniques were universal.
Lin Jichen's operational awareness and combat talent were universally acknowledged as Number One in the Server.
As many experts put it, his skills were on a different level. While most people were still at the bronze and silver levels, Lin Jichen had already reached the level of a master or king.
Chu Hongling had watched many of Lin Jichen's combat videos and learned a lot. Of course, if she could observe him in person, she could learn and understand even more.
But she didn't have high hopes. She had only met Lin Jichen once and couldn't even be considered friends. He had no reason to agree to team up with her.
"Sure, I know where the Flood Monkey is. I can take you there first," Lin Jichen agreed generously.
Chu Hongling hadn't expected this and received Lin Jichen's team invitation.
Chu Hongling smiled brightly and accepted the team invite, making them temporary partners.
"You're welcome, just don't report me to the Buddhist Sect again," Lin Jichen teased.
Chu Hongling blushed, her beautiful eyes showing a hint of shyness, "I didn't do it on purpose."
"Haha, just kidding. Let's go," Lin Jichen laughed heartily and started walking ahead.
Chu Hongling lightly stepped forward, gracefully following him.
"Miss Chu, can I ask you a question?" Lin Jichen chatted with Chu Hongling while on the move.
"What is it?" Chu Hongling asked.
"Why did you choose to join the Buddhist Sect?" Lin Jichen, recalling Chu Hongling's story of turning from Buddha to demon in his past life, asked out of curiosity.
Chu Hongling smiled, "Because I believe in Buddha. The abbot said I have a connection with Buddha and am a once-in-a-century genius for the Buddhist Sect, so he invited me to join. Of course, I agreed."
"And after joining, were you disappointed?"
"Why would you say that? No, I think the Buddhist Sect is great and suits me well. My current strength is thanks to the Buddhist Sect."
Lin Jichen was puzzled. Chu Hongling seemed to have a strong sense of belonging to the Buddhist Sect, so why did she inexplicably fall into the demonic path?
Of course, no one knew the answer to that question now.
"Can I ask you a question too?" Chu Hongling spoke up.
"Are you... single?" Chu Hongling's eyes sparkled mischievously.
"Yes, why? Do you have feelings for me?" Lin Jichen asked jokingly.
Chu Hongling rolled her eyes and teased, "In your dreams, I don't like little puppies."
"Then what do you like? Big wolves?"
Chu Hongling nodded in agreement, "Exactly, I like mature men, rugged and with a beard, wild and domineering, someone who can conquer me."
Lin Jichen laughed, "Then you should go find Graves. He suits you."
"Who's Graves?" Chu Hongling asked, puzzled. Was he a celebrity?
"Emm... you'll know if you look him up," Lin Jichen said cryptically.
Chu Hongling did look him up and burst into laughter when she saw Graves' image.
"You're talking about a game character! He does look cool, but unfortunately, I can't meet him."
"Then why did you ask if I'm single?" Lin Jichen laughed.
Chu Hongling explained, "I have a bestie named Leng Dandan who really likes you. She's kind of your little fan. She asked me to find out."
"Oh, Leng Dandan? Is her surname really Leng Dan?" Lin Jichen asked suddenly.
"Her surname is Leng, there's no such surname as Leng Dan."
Chu Hongling realized what she said and burst into laughter, her laughter like blooming flowers.
Their conversation was interrupted by a Golden Core Realm beast, a giant python.
"I'll handle this. No need for the Number One in the Server to step in for such a small matter."
Chu Hongling said as she extended her delicate hand, her slender, white fingers forming a lotus-like seal quickly, then gently tapping.
"Buddha's Lotus Palm!"
Instantly, a golden light flashed, and a lotus palm print shot out, striking the giant python.
[-5600! Internal Injury!]
The python hissed in pain, angrily lunging at Chu Hongling, its tail like a high-speed truck, crashing towards her with overwhelming force.
Chu Hongling showed no fear, smiling slightly as she stepped lightly and vanished in an instant.
The python's tail hit nothing but numerous giant trees, breaking them in half.
Chu Hongling appeared above the python's head, her hair fluttering, her robes flowing, exuding a sacred and serene aura.
She gathered her robes, her hands forming a virtual seal, unleashing an invisible, violent force, forming a '卍' Buddha seal.
"Immeasurable Buddha Seal!"
The Buddha seal descended, driving the python into the ground, its screams unending.
Realizing it had kicked an iron plate, the python tried to escape but couldn't evade Chu Hongling's various techniques.
In no time, the python was executed effortlessly by Chu Hongling.