Chapter 302: Holding Gratitude and Self-Respect

A life-saving favor?

Jiang Fan looked at Xu Yining, puzzled.

"Were you in danger before?"

Xu Yining nodded, a look of lingering fear on her face. She said, "A few days ago, while crossing the Furious River within the Spirit Beast Sect's territory, I encountered a fierce aquatic demon beast that nearly capsized my boat. Fortunately, Elder Jin was nearby with disciples from the True Thunder Sect, and they repelled the beast with heavenly thunder. That's how I managed to save my life."

An aquatic demon beast in the Furious River? That must be the Red-Scaled Dragon? That creature is elusive and hard to wound effectively in water. But lightning is an exception. If a bolt of lightning strikes the water, any Red-Scaled Dragon within a hundred zhang radius would be electrocuted. If Jiang Fan had cultivated the 'Three Pure Lightning Shadows' earlier, he wouldn't have had such trouble luring and killing the Red-Scaled Dragon before.

He cupped his hands towards Jin Yunlie: "Thank you, Elder Jin, for your life-saving kindness."

Jin Yunlie gave a fake smile and said, "What are you thanking me for? If anyone should thank, it's that girl."

Xu Yining didn't flinch. She cupped her hands and said, "Thank you, Elder Jin, for rescuing me and for your recent care during the journey. I will repay this kindness with my life. Should you ever need my assistance in the future, I will go through fire and water without hesitation. For now, I won't trouble you any further."

Her words were sincere and appropriate, leaving no room for argument.

Jin Yunlie's eyes narrowed. He was never one to meddle in others' affairs. He saved this girl, even at the cost of his lightning power, because his disciple Lu Shiyi was captivated by her beauty. Now, she sees her old acquaintance, rushes into his arms, and wants to leave? Wouldn't that make them fools? However, as a Grand Elder, it wouldn't be appropriate for him to argue with a disciple. So, he let Lu Shiyi step forward himself.

That handsome and tall young man was Lu Shiyi. He slightly furrowed his sword-like brows and said, "There's no need to repay with your life. What use would your life be to us?"

Xu Yining knew she was in the wrong and didn't take offense at his attitude. She said sincerely, "Junior Sister has shallow foundations, neither wealth nor strength. Aside from repaying with my life, I don't know how else to express my gratitude. Alternatively, if Senior Brother Lu needs assistance from Junior Sister, I will do my utmost to fulfill it."

Jiang Fan calmly stood shoulder to shoulder with Xu Yining. He sensed the other party's ill intentions. If that were the case, he wouldn't stand idly by.

Noticing Jiang Fan's movement, Lu Shiyi became even more displeased. He said, "Junior Sister, speaking like that makes it seem as if our True Thunder Sect is forcing you!" He actually wanted to say, 'pledge yourself to us', but Elder Ling was watching from the side. Not to mention whether she would intervene, just the spread of this matter would severely damage their reputation. Therefore, Lu Shiyi's eyes shifted, and he took a step back, saying, "We saved you out of the solidarity among the Nine Sects; we don't covet your repayment. However, when we saved you, my master was in the process of hunting a Red-Scaled Dragon. My master needs its teeth to forge a magic artifact. To save you, Master had to abandon the Red-Scaled Dragon he was about to get. If you repay us with one Red-Scaled Dragon, we'll consider it even."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yining showed a look of difficulty. She had personally experienced how dangerous the Red-Scaled Dragon was, almost becoming its meal. How could she possibly hunt one down? Moreover, that demon beast resided within the Spirit Beast Sect's territory. She couldn't return to the Spirit Beast Sect anytime soon either.

Lu Shiyi's gaze flickered slightly as he said, "Our request isn't too much, is it?"

"It's not too much, it's just..." Xu Yining waved her hand. Their demand to recover their loss was not excessive at all. However, she couldn't fulfill this request at the moment.

Lu Shiyi's tone softened immediately, saying, "Of course, I know it would be difficult for Junior Sister to kill a Red-Scaled Dragon. How about this: you come with us. When we cross the Furious River again, you can assist us in slaying one, and that will be considered compensation. How does that sound?"

Xu Yining let out a small sigh of relief. However, Lu Shiyi then added, "However, this means Junior Sister Xu will have to temporarily inconvenience herself and continue to travel with us. Once the Red-Scaled Dragon is hunted, I will personally escort you back to the Azure Cloud Sect."

Jiang Fan sneered. He had beaten around the bush quite a bit. So, that was the main point! Just finding an excuse to keep Xu Yining. As for what he would do after she stayed, it wasn't hard to imagine.

Xu Yining's expression stiffened slightly, revealing hesitation. She wasn't a fool. She could sense the meaning behind Lu Shiyi's subtly ardent gaze when he looked at her, and she understood even more clearly what awaited her if she stayed.

Elder Ling had been observing with a cold eye for a while. As someone with experience, she naturally saw through Lu Shiyi's petty intentions. If it were anyone else, she might not have meddled. But this Xu Yining was Jiang Fan's old acquaintance, and Jiang Fan was someone the Sect Master had specifically instructed them to look after. Standing idly by would simply be inexcusable.

She strolled over to Xu Yining, lightly patted her shoulder, and said, "Just come with us. It's just one Red-Scaled Dragon. Afterward, I'll have someone get one from the Furious River and send it to the True Thunder Sect."

Seeing the Grand Elder of the Joyful Union Sect help her, Xu Yining was overjoyed and gratefully said, "Thank you, Elder Ling."

Elder Ling chuckled, "If you want to thank someone, thank your friend here. He saved our Joyful Union Sect Master's life. My helping you this once makes us even."

Xu Yining looked at Jiang Fan in surprise. The Joyful Union Sect Master, what a lofty figure that was! And what kind of perilous danger had she encountered? It required the Number One Shadow Guard to rescue her? After a long time, the Number One Shadow Guard's strength hadn't diminished; on the contrary, it had grown even more, making her look up to him even more. Her eyes sparkled with admiration. He truly was the man who made her feel safe just by thinking of him.

"Elder Ling! You're being too meddlesome!" Jin Yunlie's voice turned cold. He saw his precious disciple about to get a hold of Xu Yining, but Elder Ling interfered!

"What, don't you want a Red-Scaled Dragon? Wouldn't it be the same if I compensated you with one?" Elder Ling secretly disdained them. "Such petty tricks, and you think you can control that girl?"

Lu Shiyi was both anxious and angry. That old woman! Why was she meddling? He cast a pleading look at Jin Yunlie. Even if he didn't ask, Jin Yunlie wouldn't let Elder Ling ruin his disciple's plans! He snorted through his nostrils, "Then I want it now. Can you provide it?"

Elder Ling scoffed and said, "I'll give it to you later. Take it or leave it!"

Jin Yunlie's spiritual power vibrated around him as he said, "Ling Jinghu, what do you want?"

Elder Ling was fearless. She said, "Isn't my meaning obvious?" Her body trembled, and an equally powerful surge of spiritual energy swept out. The disciples from both sides also became hostile, drawing their swords, all glaring at each other!

Just as the situation reached a volatile point, a calm voice rang out. "Elder Jin, was the Red-Scaled Dragon that got away an adult? Or a juvenile?"

The one who asked was no one else. It was Jiang Fan.