**Chapter 32: Lin Shidi, You Better Be Gentle**

Lin Fengmian didn't feel like interacting with Chen Qingyan for the time being, fearing that he might get irrationally angry.

Chen Qingyan seemed to sense something but didn't press him further. 

"Alright, be careful then."

Lin Fengmian nodded in response. This time, although he flew shakily, he didn't pass out like before. It wasn't pretty, but it worked.

Xia Yunxi watched him closely, ready to lend a hand if necessary. 

Liu Mei giggled, licking her lips as she teased, "Why are you flying so poorly? Were you too exhausted last night, feeling a bit weak in the legs today?"

Lin Fengmian, feeling guilty, retorted, "Cut the sarcasm!"

Liu Mei didn't continue poking fun at him. As they flew, Lin Fengmian stumbled a few times, but Liu Mei caught him each time.

Xia Yunxi noticed that Lin Fengmian and Liu Mei seemed closer after the night, while his relationship with Chen Qingyan had grown distant. This made her feel slightly jealous, and she kept glancing between Lin Fengmian and Liu Mei, which only made him more anxious.

Internally, Lin Fengmian scolded himself: Why do I feel guilty? I'm not married to Xia Yunxi!

Besides, even if I were, in this era, it's normal for a man to have multiple wives, isn't it?

The journey ahead was through desolate wilderness. The group of nine flew over mountains and rivers, and thankfully, there were no incidents like the previous nights.

Camping in the wild, the group had to forgo their earlier luxuries, and there were no more nightly revelries. However, Mo Ruyu and Wang Yanran, who had lower cultivation levels, seemed either unable to resist the charm of their inner poison or were simply craving more excitement. They would often take one of the remaining lucky "weeds" with them for a wild night.

Lin Fengmian cursed under his breath, "Aren't these demonesses afraid of mosquito bites?"

Fortunately, Mo Ruyu and Wang Yanran didn't set their sights on Lin Fengmian. After all, Xia Yunxi was watching him like a hawk, very possessive of her territory.

As they flew, Lin Fengmian finally realized something. They were traveling a secret route through the Dongwang Mountain Range, sneaking from Beiming into the Donghuang region!

The Hehuan Sect secretly recruited disciples in Donghuang. After leaving behind identifying tokens, specific people would transport them to the sect via flying ships.

He had originally thought he was still in Donghuang, but now realized he had been brought to Beiming.

It seemed the Hehuan Sect truly was at the junction of these two regions, though he still didn't know its exact location.

Halfway through their journey, Liu Mei handed out several identity tokens, further confirming his suspicions.

"Take these tokens," Liu Mei instructed. "When recruiting disciples, tell them you're from the Yushu Sect. Keep your names as they are."

Everyone nodded in agreement, though the scholarly and good-looking Dong Gaoyi curiously asked, "Senior sister, why is this?"

Liu Mei laughed, covering her mouth, "Although we're a proper dual cultivation sect, our reputation in the cultivation world isn't great. So we have to use this trick."

Lin Fengmian couldn't help but sarcastically think, *What a 'proper' dual cultivation sect indeed!*

Wang Yanran hugged Dong Gaoyi's arm and playfully said, "Dong-lang, you're a scholar. If we'd told you from the start that it was the Hehuan Sect, you probably wouldn't have come."

Dong Gaoyi chuckled awkwardly, "True, but now I enjoy it so much, I wouldn't leave even if you chased me away."

Wang Yanran playfully pushed him, "You know how to sweet-talk! I like that. Tonight, I'll show you something new."

Dong Gaoyi gulped, smiling foolishly as he became entirely captivated.

Lin Fengmian looked at the token in his hand and suddenly realized that the Hehuan Sect must have inside contacts in Donghuang. The people who had initially transported him weren't from the Hehuan Sect, indicating that another sect was helping them!

His heart sank. He had originally thought about escaping and seeking help from other Donghuang sects to expose the Hehuan Sect, but now it seemed like even doing that could get him in trouble.

He dismissed the idea—nothing was more valuable than his own life.

That night, the group once again camped out in the wilderness. The moon hung high in the sky, but thick layers of clouds obscured its light. The Dongwang Mountain Range was covered in mist, and there were many natural formations throughout the forest.

Without a good sense of direction, one could easily get lost and wander for days. If not for Liu Mei leading the way, Lin Fengmian and the others might have been lost in the forest.

After hunting some wild game and filling their bellies, the saying "sated and lustful" seemed apt. As the night grew deeper and the mist thicker, Wang Yanran threw a seductive glance at Dong Gaoyi. 

Dong Gaoyi caught the signal and eagerly followed her deeper into the forest, clearly ready for another wild night.

Seeing Wang Yanran leave with Dong Gaoyi, Mo Ruyu also beckoned Yang Ding, who eagerly followed, his desire evident.

"This wilderness is full of mosquitoes and snakes. Don't let them bite you on the butt," Liu Mei teased, laughing.

"Senior sister, stop it!" Mo Ruyu pouted playfully.

Yuan Jiazhi looked longingly at the remaining three women, clearly hoping to be chosen.

However, both Liu Mei and Chen Qingyan ignored him, and Xia Yunxi's eyes were only for Lin Fengmian.

"Junior sister Xia, why don't you take a walk with junior brother Lin?" Liu Mei teased.

"Senior sister, what are you saying?" Xia Yunxi blushed.

Lin Fengmian stood up, offering his hand with a smile, "Junior sister Xia, shall we take a walk?"

"Oh, looks like junior brother Lin has ideas," Liu Mei continued to tease.

Xia Yunxi's face turned red, but under Liu Mei's playful gaze, she shyly took Lin Fengmian's hand and stood up.

"Senior sister, we'll just go for a walk," she said bashfully.

Liu Mei waved them off with a grin, "Go ahead and enjoy yourselves. Lin Shidi, be gentle."

Lin Fengmian rolled his eyes and pulled Xia Yunxi away, leaving Yuan Jiazhi filled with admiration and jealousy.

He glanced at Liu Mei and Chen Qingyan, wondering if he could pull off what Lin Fengmian had done.

Liu Mei gave him a half-smile that immediately dashed those hopes.

Meanwhile, Lin Fengmian and Xia Yunxi walked through the forest, silent for a while.

"Senior brother, is there something you want to say?" Xia Yunxi asked, her bright eyes full of curiosity.

"Why did you suddenly break through to the Foundation Establishment stage? I thought you didn't want to," Lin Fengmian asked.

"I… Senior brother, you want to leave the Hehuan Sect, right? I didn't want you to miss this chance," Xia Yunxi replied softly.

"So you broke through to become a judge for this selection?" Lin Fengmian asked, expressionless.

"Yes. This way, I can help you secure a spot, maybe even send you away." Xia Yunxi beamed.