"Swish, swish, swish…"
Zhang Xinci suddenly heard a series of urgent and sharp whooshing sounds, as if countless arrows were whistling past her ears. Her heart tightened, and she quickly opened her eyes, wanting to see what was happening.
However, when her vision focused, the sight before her left her dumbfounded. She saw a man in a pristine white robe, descending from the sky like an Immortal. His posture was elegant, his sleeves fluttering, as if not a speck of dust touched him.
Liu Chen was surrounded by sharp Sword Qi, which circled him like flying birds, emanating a chilling glow that made one's heart palpitate. And under the shroud of this Sword Qi, the originally terrifying Green Zombie had now been cut into a pile of minced meat, blood and flesh splattered everywhere, a gruesome sight.
Not only that, but the other zombies, which had been baring their fangs and brandishing their claws, were also instantly slaughtered, lying scattered on the ground, their deaths tragic.
Zhang Xinci watched all of this in astonishment, completely unable to believe her eyes. While she was in a daze, Liu Chen slowly landed, his steps light, as if treading on clouds.
"Are you all alright? I happened to be passing by and saw you were besieged by zombies, so I lent a hand. Are you all okay?" Liu Chen's voice was gentle and low, like heavenly music.
Zhang Xinci then snapped back to reality. She quickly nodded and said gratefully, "Many thanks for your life-saving grace, sir! If you hadn't arrived in time, we would all have perished here."
Liu Chen smiled faintly and said, "No need to be so polite. When one sees injustice on the road, one naturally draws their sword to help. But how did you all get besieged by them?"
"Thank you, sir, for saving our lives! Young Miss, Zhang Zhu is not doing well!" The maid, Xiaodie, knelt and kowtowed, her face full of terror, her voice choked with sobs. Her gaze fell upon Zhang Zhu, whose injuries were extremely severe, his breath as weak as a flickering candle in the wind, threatening to extinguish at any moment.
Seeing this, Zhang Xinci's face instantly turned pale. She anxiously pleaded with Liu Chen, "Sir, can you save Uncle Zhang Zhu? He has always been very kind to me, please!"
Liu Chen looked at Zhang Xinci's anxious expression, and his heart stirred, but he still calmly walked to Zhang Zhu's side to examine his injuries. Zhang Zhu's body was covered in gruesome wounds, blood continuously seeping from them, clearly indicating extremely severe trauma.
Liu Chen frowned slightly. He activated a healing Gu worm and placed it on Zhang Zhu's wound. Instantly, a milky white light emanated from Liu Chen's hand, like warm sunlight, gently falling upon Zhang Zhu's body.
As those light specks slowly integrated into Zhang Zhu's body, a miracle occurred. His injuries healed rapidly at a visible rate, and his originally pale complexion gradually regained some color.
Liu Chen's objective was actually very simple: he just wanted Zhang Xinci to return to the merchant family and for her to open her Aperture and become a Gu Master. As for Zhang Zhu's life or death, he didn't care much.
After all, he had no intention of controlling the merchant family by controlling Zhang Xinci, so saving Zhang Zhu incidentally was insignificant to him.
"This is me…" Zhang Zhu slowly opened his eyes, his gaze somewhat bewildered, seemingly not yet fully awake from his coma.
"Lord Zhang Zhu, it's so good that you're safe and sound!" Xiaodie couldn't hide her excitement, a hint of thrill in her voice. "It was this sir who saved us; he slaughtered those terrifying zombies!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhu's gaze immediately fell upon Liu Chen. He keenly sensed the Four-Turn Qi emanating from Liu Chen, and his heart tightened. He knew what this meant and immediately thanked Liu Chen solemnly: "Greetings, sir. Thank you for your timely assistance! Our Zhang family's caravan was spared thanks to your help, sir. However, I'm afraid all our goods are now lost, and we are truly unable to repay your great kindness. We can only hope to repay you in the future."
Liu Chen waved his hand and said with a smile, "No need for that; it was merely a small effort. I happened to be passing by and saw you in danger, so naturally, I couldn't stand by and do nothing. By the way, what is your destination for this journey?"
Zhang Zhu quickly replied, "We were originally heading to the merchant family to purchase some gu materials. We just didn't expect to encounter a zombie attack along the way, and all our goods were lost."
Liu Chen heard this, and a flicker of interest appeared in his eyes. He then asked, "Oh? You're also going to the merchant family? That's quite a coincidence; I'm also planning to go to the merchant family to buy some gu materials recently."
"Really?" Xiaodie exclaimed excitedly, "That's wonderful! We can travel together!"
However, Zhang Xinci quickly interrupted Xiaodie. She looked at Liu Chen and said softly, "May I ask your esteemed name, sir? This humble girl will surely repay your kindness with a gushing spring. If you could escort us to the merchant family, your great kindness will never be forgotten."
Liu Chen smiled faintly and introduced himself, "You can call me Liu Chen. I'm just a carefree Loose Cultivator. What you're saying is too heavy."
"Since that's the case, let's set off quickly; there's still a long way to go to the merchant family." As soon as Liu Chen finished speaking, he waved his arm, and a giant Thousand Li Earth Wolf Spider suddenly landed on the ground from his Aperture.
"Ah!" Xiaodie shrieked in fright at this sudden sight, her face instantly turning ashen.
"This is…" Zhang Zhu was also dumbfounded by the terrifying Thousand Li Earth Wolf Spider, his body involuntarily trembling.
"This is a Thousand Li Earth Wolf Spider." Zhang Xinci, however, recognized the Gu worm at first glance, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
"Don't be afraid; this Gu worm has already been refined by me, and it won't harm you. Don't worry, just sit comfortably on its back." Liu Chen flashed, leaping onto the back of the Thousand Li Earth Wolf Spider like a ghost. He then extended his hand to Zhang Xinci below and said with a smile, "You seem to recognize this Gu worm?"
Zhang Xinci looked at Liu Chen, nodded, and explained, "This Thousand Li Earth Wolf Spider is a Five-Rank Gu worm, and it was the Gu worm of the infamous Five-Rank Demonic Path Gu Master, Flower Wine Ascetic. Although I don't have the Aptitude of a Gu Master, I've always been curious about Gu Master matters, which is why I know about this Gu worm."