Chapter 353

Chapter 353: Gaining Trust

After Little Hong’s treatment and Fang Lie’s Wood Element Essence Pill, Little Yellow quickly regained his strength.

He struggled to say, "Thank you, Sister Hong, and this sir!"

"This is my Brother!" Little Hong declared proudly. "Though Brother came from outside too, he’s different. He didn’t capture me and even gave me delicious pills!"

She produced the Wood Element Essence Pill like treasure. "Look! Brother’s gift!"

"I used this on my leg wound too," Little Yellow said enviously. "My Nascent Soul energy recovered so much! You’re lucky to meet such a good Brother. The man I met forced me to reveal others’ whereabouts. When I refused…" He shuddered, "He bit off my leg!"

"Don’t fear! Brother’s here now." Little Hong patted him. "Listen, I want to go explore the outside world with Brother."

"What? Leave? With him?" Little Yellow cried. "What if he’s lying? What if he’s bad like others?"

"Don’t speak ill of Brother!" Little Hong stamped her foot. "If he wanted to harm us, could we stop him? Yet he didn’t. That proves he’s honest!"

"Maybe… maybe he wants you to lead him to more of us!" Little Yellow countered.

This made Little Hong pause. Though flower demons appeared simple, their long lifespans granted sharp minds.

After thinking, she asked Fang Lie, "Brother… do you want me to find other flower demons?"

"Help if you wish. I won’t force you," Fang Lie smiled wryly. "Don’t think me cunning. With my Earth Eye Divine Skill, I detected you across thousand-mile ranges. Finding others would be easy without your help."

"Really?"

"Let’s wager!" Fang Lie proposed. "Don’t tell me any flower demon locations. If I find them myself, you’ll help convince them to join Mo Sect."

Little Yellow protested, "Why join Mo Sect? We live fine here!"

"Fine?" Fang Lie raised an eyebrow. "Then why’re you missing a leg?"

"Because of outsiders like you!"

"Outsiders come inevitably. Will you cower or grow strong to protect yourselves?" Fang Lie pressed.

"I want strength but don’t know how!"

"Mo Sect teaches strength!" Fang Lie declared. "We’re among the eight great righteous sects, inheriting mechanical puppet arts for millennia. Join us, and we’ll provide secret techniques and treasures to help you protect loved ones!"

"Why such kindness?" Little Yellow narrowed eyes.

"Mutual benefit," Fang Lie admitted. "Cultivation requires spirit pills needing centuries-grown herbs. You can accelerate growth. That’s your value."

He grew solemn. "Truthfully, we came to capture flower demons. But Fang Family believes all intelligent beings deserve respect. I seek friendship, not force. Even if you refuse, I’ll keep my word."

The flower demons exchanged glances. Their innate senses detected only sincerity from Fang Lie.

"I believe Brother!" Little Hong declared. "I promised to go with him if he saved you. I keep promises even if… even if he eats me later!"

"Eat me instead!" Little Yellow blurted. "Let Sister Hong go!"

Fang Lie chuckled. "Eating you offers less nourishment than my pills!" He produced dozens of jade bottles.

"Supreme Marrow Washing Pills – ten equal three Ten-thousand-year Yellow Essences. I consume thirty daily."

"Blood Nourishing Bone Pills – two every three days. One bottle equals seven millennia blood ginsengs. I produce these by the pound!"

"These supreme-grade pills overflow in my storage. Why eat you when your cultivation aid matters more?"

The flower demons gaped at the medicinal mountain. As plant spirits, they sensed these pills’ potency rivaled their own essence.

Realization dawned. Fang Lie’s resources dwarfed their individual worth. His intentions were genuine.

"Brother truly is good!" Little Hong hugged his neck. "I’m sorry for doubting!"

"My apologies too," Little Yellow mumbled.

"No offense taken," Fang Lie smiled. "Given your experiences, suspicion’s natural. Now, about our wager…"

"I’ll fetch the others!" Little Yellow offered.

"No! You’re still weak," Little Hong insisted. "I’ll go. Brother, guard him please?"

"On my life," Fang Lie vowed. "None shall touch him while I breathe!"

"Thank you!" Little Hong vanished into the earth.