"Umm... You guys 'cultivated'?" Monkey breached the topic cautiously.

Monkey had been bored out of his wits for months in this random jungle middle of nowhere.

He was teetering on the edges and bursting at the seams. Waiting like this was painful d.a.m.n it!

He constantly kept bugging squirrel, "Are they really cultivating? What sister-in-law said was true?"

He almost came close to disturbing one of the two with some pebble-tossing funny business.

But thinking about the consequences, he, unfortunately, had to let that idea go.

Unlike him, Squirrel managed to keep himself busy and traversed the mountain multiple times scavenging for herbs and other interesting plants.

"Yes, my soul core was able to reach stage 3." Su Lin absent-mindedly replied.

"I was only able to get to stage 1." Luther chimed in.

"Only Stage 1????" Monkey looked at him with a bewildered expression.

Brother, why are you taking as if you just climbed one fleet of stairs?? Are you telling me all this cultivation nonsense is actually true??

He feigned a heart attack by clutching his chest and leaned on Squirrel supporting himself.

Luther gave a 'you will find it for yourself soon' look and s.h.i.+fted his gaze to Su Lin again.

"Then, Master, is spiritual energy here already depleted?" Squirrel asked again since he heard Luther murmuring something like that earlier.

"Yes, the spiritual energy here is completely depleted." Su Lin answered Squirrel's question, but there was no hint of panic or worry in her voice.

It seemed as if she still had everything under control.

But, for some reason, the other two were hesitating and even looked concerned.

"Master... That... We didn't want to disturb your and brother's cultivation, but the ninth gate already found out about our base in Hangzhou city."

"Hmmm?"

"They raided our place and ..." Squirrel hesitated to speak further.

"And?" Su Lin's voice had clear hints of anxiety and panic in it. An ominous feeling slowly enveloped her heart.

"Master, I am sorry. When they raided our place, our brothers and sister Runyan were luckily able to escape since they were outside at that time, working on the factory spot."

"But, our entire base of operations is now compromised. We can no longer go back to Hangzhou city."

Monkey drooped his head down in shame and humiliation and explained.

"Ha ha ha... Well, this is but a minor issue." Su Lin's lips quivered as she clenched her fist tightly and chuckled in relief.

She shuddered when she thought about what could have happened if they didn't manage to escape in time.

Su Lin clenched her fists so tightly that blood was dripping now.

She was doing everything in her power, but still, she was always just a few steps too late.

The entire atmosphere instantly dropped by a few degrees, turning cold and frigid.

Monkey, Squirrel, Luther... None of them could even breathe.

With her voice still s.h.i.+vering, Su Lin gently murmured, "Is everybody here now?"

"Sorry Master... We really..."

"Just tell me, is everyone else here now?" she commanded with an unbridled killing intent completely encasing the whole area.

"Yes, Master." Squirrel stammered, with his head still down, not daring to even look at Su Lin.

The woman in front of them was radiating such a powerful killing intent.

Luther immediately took a step forward and gently hugged her from behind.

"Don't try to take on everything by yourself. We are here too. We will share your burden and we will share the mistakes."

He even courageously nuzzled his head in the nape of her neck and tried to lighten the mood.

And just like magic, the ominous deadly silence surrounding them slowly dissipated.

Under the dark cover of the night, the radiantly s.h.i.+ning woman softened in the man's embrace and calmed down.

With her face flus.h.i.+ng bright red, she freed herself from his demonic grasp and awkwardly cleared her throat.

"Umm... It's fine. As long as everybody is safe, no harm has been done."

Luther immediately gave her a thumbs up, like he was encouraging a small child trying to speak in public.

Su Lin's face awkwardly turned a shade darker as she caught sight of that small gesture.

d.a.m.n it.

She turned her head away in embarra.s.sment and continued addressing the others, whilst completely ignoring this ruffian.

"Ahem... Ahem... Let's not wait anymore. I can now open everybody's energy points and help you start cultivating."

She ignored the indecently grinning fellow and sat down cross-legged on the rough ground ready to patiently treat one person after the other.

"Just a second." Luther suddenly voiced out and then ran towards their chopper location without explanation.

Now, that his speed, power, and strength were all upgraded, he returned back within a couple of minutes.

Just what was he up to? Everyone was staring at him intently.

Luther gently unfolded the thick blanket in his hand and properly folded it back multiple times to create a cus.h.i.+on sort of thing and laid it out on the ground with great attention.

Then, under the watchful eyes of his brothers, he sincerely signaled Su Lin to sit on it.

"Ahem... The small stones are quite p.r.i.c.kly." He scratched his head and explained without any shame.

"Brother, for us?" Monkey stifled his laughter and asked, but quickly quieted down after a deathly glare from Luther.

Actually, Su Lin was quite used to this sort of environment, but she still accepted the warm gesture and sat down on the hand-made cus.h.i.+on with a subtle smile on her lips.

"f.u.c.k it. First brother is feeding us vinegar on an empty stomach." Rabbit whined.

"Is this the legendary hen-pecked husband stage?" Panda raised his gla.s.ses, seemingly in a deep thought.

By now, the other members of the troupe, along with Runyan had walked over to their spot as well.

Even the mayor of the Hangzhou city, their last brother had absconded the city with them and was now standing around teasing Luther.