"Who the hell is this person that is stealing our prey?" Jing De asked with a big frown on his face as he and Jing Xu walk around, looking for demons.
They already separated from Tang Li and Li Yan by making an agreement to go in opposite directions.
"That person is too fast. They can only be Chen Wu, Wu Lian, Sun Yan, Fei Luo, Xi Bing or Wen Yan." Jing Xu said.
"But, brother – " Jing De's brows knitted. " – none of them act solo, right?" he asked.
Jing Xu fell silent. He already thought of this. "You are right." He nodded in agreement.
Chen Wu definitely won't leave his younger brothers Chen Su and Chen Yu. Wu Lian would help Chen Wu in heling Chen Su and Chen Yu farm for their own points. Fei Luo also won't leave Fei Huo alone, and Sun Yan would accompany him. The same with Xi Bing. Xi Bing would accompany Fei Huo. As for Wen Yan, he either would accompany Wen Wen, or would partner up with Zhu Xi.
But, they already met Wen Wen earlier and Wen Yan isn't with him. So, it should be the latter – Wen Yan is currently with Zhu Xi.
"Who could it be…?" Jing De's brows knitted in both puzzlement and curiosity. "Could it be Er Zi?" he asked when he recalled that Fei Yinzi's cultivation has increased.
Jing Xu knows what he is thinking. He shook his head. "Even if Er Zi has become stronger, he won't be that fast yet, for us four earlier to not recognize him." he said.
"Then…" Jing De frowned. "… Qi Lan?" he said when he recalled that Qi Lan was a loner before, and his is definitely strong.
The audience, as well as the sect leaders and elders exclaimed in both surprise and joy when they heard what Jing De said. "Yes! It is Qi Lan!" they all answered.
Jing Rui smiled. "It looks like he isn't this hopeless." He said, referring to Jing De.
Jing Hei forced a laugh while Jing Bai snickered. But, who could have thought that this time, it wouldn't be Jing De who will have a problem, but Jing Xu?
"Qi Lan? Indeed, he is strong." Jing Xu nodded in agreement. "But, these past days, he is sticking with he Shun. They are always together." He said, then suddenly paused when he remembered something. "And… Li Yan told me not long ago…" he said and lowered his voice. "That Qi Lan confessed to He Shun. So, Qi Lan definitely isn't a lone wolf now and he would want to pursue He Shun, so they should be together right now!" he told Jing De.
"Oh!" Jing De exclaimed in surprise.
Everyone, especially the Zunjingde Sect. "…" 'oh', what 'oh'?! they all thought.
Jing Rui's face darkened while Jing Cheng's lip twitched. Jing Bai coldly sweated while Jing Hei's face turned pale. It is over! Uncle is mad! They thought as they looked at Jing Rui.
"It seems that Jing Xu has been with Jing De too much and he was infected by Jing De's idiocy." Jing Kang ruthlessly said.
Jing Cheng, Jing Bai, Jing Hei and the others who heard what Jing Kang said. "…" too ruthless! Is Jing De really your nephew?! And did you just call Jing Xu 'idiot', too?! They thought as they looked at Jing Kang with a complicated gaze.
They can't believe that Jing De's idiocy is so lethal that even the smart Jing Xu can be infected. They also can't believe that the taciturn Jing Kang could have a lethal mouth to spout these vicious words! They subconsciously moved farther from him.
Lei Ling's lip twitched and he forced a smile. As Jing Kang's lover, naturally he already knows this side of Jing Kang, which rarely appears. But since this side of his lover appeared now, it means that Jing Kang is definitely pissed, so much that he can't hold back his words anymore!
Just how infectious is idiocy? Lei Ling doesn't want to know! But, he can see that it is just as lethal as Jing Kang's mouth!
"If it is not Qi Lan, then who was it?" they heard Jing De asked.
Everyone immediately froze when they heard Jing De's question. Then, their brows twitched since they know what is going to happen next – someone is about to carry the pot (blame), again! Sun Yu grinned. His disciples should be out of the choices now, since Fei Huo's strength isn't that high. Thus, his disciples definitely wouldn't carry the pot this time.
Jing Xu pinched his chin as he pondered. Everyone immediately tensed.
"… Qian Jue?" Jing Xu guessed.
Qian Shan, Qian Tian and Qian Lin. "…" what the hell! They thought as their faces darkened.
"A – Ah Lin… calm down!" Jing Hei immediately said as he tried to pacify Qian Lin. "Jing Xu… he doesn't mean it!" he said.
Everyone's gazes fell on them and their eyes looked like they are watching a show.
"Why Qian Jue?" Jing De asked.
"Don't just look like his brother complex tendencies. He is also hiding his strength like Xi Bing!" Jing Xu said as his eyes narrowed.
"But, isn't he with Qian Meng?" Jing De said. "You just said that he has brother complex tendencies, so he definitely won't go solo, right?" he asked.
"Why can't he go solo?" Jing Xu looked at him. "This is a critical period of the third stage, and Qian Meng isn't that weak either! Qian Jue definitely won't just sit back and let himself and Qian Meng fell on the bottom of the leaderboard!" he explained.
Everyone who was almost convinced of what he said if only they haven't seen the real culprit Qi Lan. "…" oh, dear. They thought and placed a palm on their faces.
"You shut up!" Qian Lin snapped at Jing Hei.
Jing Hei wanted to cry but there are no tears. Why do I have to carry this pot for Jing Xu?! He thought and sighed.
"But, brother, I feel that it can't be Qian Jue." Jing De said after he thought about it.
"Why?" Jing Xu asked.
"Because our sects are close and families. So, Qian Jue wouldn't play dirty." Jing De answered.
Jing Xu started. "You have a point!" he nodded in agreement.
Qian Shan and Qian Tian sighed in relief, including Jing Hei who is now coaxing Qian Lin. But, the other sect leaders became tense, since the pot will be passed on the other participants.
"If it isn't Qian Jue, then… who was it?" Jing Xu asked and tilted his head as he pondered. "Could it be – " his eyes widened.
"Who?" Jing De asked.
The audience also perked their ears up.
"… Wu Tie?" Jing Xu said.
Wu Tong's face cracked and he froze on his seat. "… how can this be…?" he muttered and sighed.
Jing Rui's expression is now indescribable. "I apologize for my disciples' idiocy." He told Wu Tong.
Wu Tong shook his head. "No… I am just joking." He said.
Everyone. "…" but your heartbroken expression for your son didn't look like it was a joke! They thought, then looked away.
"Why Wu Tie?" they heard Jing De asked in surprise.
"That guy is full of secrets! Who knows if he is also hiding his real strength like what Xi Bing and Qian Jue did!" Jing Xu said.
"Oh! I understand now!" Jing De exclaimed.
Everyone. "…" no! You don't understand! They inwardly yelled.
"But, it is impossible." Jing Xu frowned.
"Why is it impossible?" Jing De asked.
Jing Xu looked at him. "Because Jin Yu would definitely follow him!" he answered.
"Oh! That is right!" Jing De exclaimed.
Wu Tong sighed in relief. Tang Teng and Li Nanzi patted his shoulder.
"But, if it wasn't Wu Tie, then, who was it?" Jing De asked, feeling puzzled.
Everyone is also puzzled. Although they already know that the culprit is Qi Lan, they are puzzled as to who will receive this pot. They are secretly gloating in advance. The Xinfaxian Sect and the Shanliangde Sect are now crossed out, as well as the Qianxu Sect and the Wuyang Sect. The Yuling Sect and the Guhe Sect also were excluded, since Ling Yun's and He Shun's strengths aren't enough. The Huakai Sect and the Huli Sect also aren't among the choices, since Tang Li and Li Yan were with Jing De and Jing Xu earlier when the culprit stole their prey.
Then, who is it? Who did they miss?
"Yes… we missed someone!" Jing Xu exclaimed.
Jing De was startled, as well as the audience. The sect leaders and elders are curious. Who did they miss? They curiously thought.
"Who is it this time?" Pai Lie asked with his brows knitted.
Suddenly, Sun Yu's heart skipped a beat. He got a bad feeling. He looked at Xie Lan and Xie Lan also looked at him. Suddenly, he saw Xie Lan grinned.
"Who?" Jing De curiously asked, thinking who could they have missed.