Those people stepped back two paces the moment Zhao Meier refused Jiong Ye.
Jiong Ye’s face immediately turned ashen. "Zhao Meier, you've gone too far."
Zhao Meier’s eyes darted away. "With such a huge monster, and Mu An Xiao in that state, if I go, I’ll surely die," she said. "You are different from me. You are a demon, and I am a demon soul. Moreover, my poison is gone. If I go, I’m just seeking death. I’m not going." She shook her head.
"What exactly are you trying to say?" Jiong Ye only heard Zhao Meier’s evasion, but not the other meaning.
Zhao Meier gave a dry laugh. "I mean, you are powerful, and I am timid." She lifted her chin.
"At this moment, I only need your assistance, not your praise," Jiong Ye said, his gaze fixed. "Come with me, and when we return, I will find a way for you to be resurrected."
Zhao Meier had been searching for a way to resurrect herself all this time. Ever since she met Jiong Ye, she had often brought this up with him.
However, Jiong Ye would always offer perfunctory replies or deflect her with other words.
Naturally, she had no hope left for him.
It was the same now. "I think I'm quite alright like this," she said, taking half a step back.
Jiong Ye: "You really are..."
"You go ahead. She is a demon soul, and even if she went, she wouldn't be able to help. Lastly," Xi’er interrupted, glancing at Zhao Meier, "don't lose your life because of her."
In fact, Zhao Meier knew that the monster was not interested in demon souls. If she went with them, it would be a small matter if she couldn’t attract the monster, but it would be a big deal if she caused more trouble for Mu An Xiao.
By then, Ouyang Ye would definitely not turn his attention to Zhao Meier. On the contrary, he would continue to blame herself.
Therefore, she saw this point clearly through the conversation between Zhao Meier and Jiong Ye.
Jiong Ye’s only purpose in seeking Zhao Meier was to use her as a scapegoat. Hearing Xi’er’s words, and considering Zhao Meier’s usual ability to get by with just talk, he compromised. "What you said makes sense."
"Then go," Xi’er said calmly.
Jiong Ye nodded, did not even look at Zhao Meier, and walked towards the giant black bear monster.
Seeing Jiong Ye leave, Zhao Meier breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, Xi’er shifted her gaze to Zhao Meier’s face.
Zhao Meier felt Xi’er’s gaze, her nerves tightened, and she looked at Xi’er cautiously, giving a dry laugh. "What is it?"
"I helped you, so you owe me a favor," Xi’er said calmly.
Zhao Meier’s soul body stiffened. "Didn’t you say the monster wasn’t interested in me, so..."
"Actually," Xi’er interrupted, leaning forward to meet Zhao Meier’s eyes, and speaking casually, "the monster likes demon souls."
The moment Xi’er said this, Zhao Meier’s expression froze. "What do you want me to do?"
Xi’er: "It’s simple. Just say that Jiong Ye gave me the idea. He said that if Feng Qi Shi doesn't go, then Mu An Xiao should go. This way, Feng Qi Shi will make a move."
"This..." Zhao Meier uttered a word, thought for a moment, and looked troubled. "This reason of yours is a bit far-fetched."
"If Jiong Ye runs away, and my master asks about it, you say that. If he doesn’t do that," Xi’er said, "you keep your mouth shut about this, understand?"
Zhao Meier nodded.
"You are an understanding demon soul, after all," Xi’er said, glancing at Zhao Meier.
Zhao Meier pursed her lips and suddenly remembered Jiong Ye’s hatred for demon souls. She then thought about her own firm refusal of him. She felt a lingering fear. "Um, I definitely can't follow Jiong Ye anymore."
"Speak your mind," Xi’er said calmly.
Zhao Meier swallowed. "What I mean is, if Jiong Ye comes back and wants to... kill me, can you help me?"
"What benefit is there for me to help you?"
"I can help you accomplish things you are too lazy to do."
"Do you have that ability?" Xi’er scanned Zhao Meier, who seemed to rely only on her words to get by, and asked.
Zhao Meier smiled. "Jiong Ye is a demon who greatly hates demon souls. See, I haven’t become a vengeful spirit yet."
Hearing Zhao Meier’s words, Xi’er suddenly realized that it seemed to be the case. The fate of other demon souls who encountered Jiong Ye was to become vengeful spirits.
Conversely, only Zhao Meier remained a demon soul to this day.
Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but smile. "You do seem to have some skill."
"..." Zhao Meier smiled.
Xi’er: "Since that’s the case, and you are indeed a useful demon soul, then," she thought for a moment, "I will assign you a task."
"Please tell me," Zhao Meier was eager to get away from Jiong Ye, so she was in an excited state.
Xi’er: "Continue to follow Jiong Ye, help observe all his actions, and then report to me."
From the aspect of vengeful spirits alone, Xi’er already felt that Jiong Ye was not someone easy to deal with, not to mention the possibility of him becoming food for the giant black bear monster. She believed that at this moment, installing a clever demon soul like Zhao Meier by Ouyang Ye’s side would be a meritorious deed.
Therefore, she made this decision on her own.
"I still have to follow him?" Zhao Meier was disappointed.
Xi’er smiled. "Actually, thinking about it, those demon souls who fell into Jiong Ye's hands all became vengeful spirits, but you are still fine. Moreover, I see that he trusts you quite a bit, so from now on, you are my inside informant."
"..." Zhao Meier gave a wry smile.
Xi’er: "You don't like the arrangement I’ve made for you."
"It's not that I don't like it, it's just..." Zhao Meier’s eyes darkened. "I don't want to stay by his side anymore. When he comes back, he will definitely turn me into a vengeful spirit. I..."
"He won’t," Xi’er interrupted.
"How is that possible? He..."
"Trust me. Of course, since you have become my inside informant, I will also take full care of your safety. Don’t worry," Xi’er smiled. "I will protect you."
"Really?" Zhao Meier, not yet realizing the dangerous punishment Xi’er would face, felt that Xi’er was a trustworthy demon.
"Really," Xi’er said, turning towards the direction of the giant black bear monster, thinking, however, it depends on whether my master continues to trust me. With that thought, she glanced at Jiong Ye, who was running back and forth at the feet of the giant black bear monster, and frowned.
Immediately, Zhao Meier followed Xi’er’s gaze towards the giant black bear monster and said, "He really can't fly anymore."
Upon hearing this, Xi’er nervously looked up at Mu An Xiao, who was still stroking the giant black bear monster’s nose, and said, "The monster has actually quieted down." She then looked at Ouyang Ye, who was hovering opposite Mu An Xiao, watching him quietly, and thought, could it be that Master has gained control of it?
At the same time, You Xian and Yin Ye, ignoring everything around them, looked up at Mu An Xiao, who was still in close contact with the giant black bear monster, and became tense.
The others were the same.