"Madam Saint, the cave master has ordered, please follow us back."

    A few people who came from outside the inn showed surprise on their faces the moment they saw Xiao Dou Ding, and then quickly rushed to her side, speaking respectfully.

    Xiao Dou Ding's expression froze for a moment, turning to look at the people around him, a faint smile appeared on his corners, and his face showed dissatisfaction.

    She didn't expect that these people were so fast. She didn't react in time.

    It seems that the cave master had been prepared all along, and her presence in Miao State has been uncovered from the moment she returned.

    Xiao Dou Ding pursed her lips, expressing dissatisfaction, "I'm not going back. I still have things to do, I need to finish them first before going back."

    A cold glint flashed across their faces, but soon they returned to normal.

    "Madam Saint, please do not trouble the humble servant."

    "How, is it that I cannot trouble you? Or are you trying to stand against me?"

    Xiao Dou Ding immediately stood up, raised her eyebrows and drank coldly, "I've already said that I'll go back after I'm done. Don't you think this is troubling me?"

    The leader bit his teeth, "Madam Saint, the cave master is on his way here and should be here in less than a quarter of an hour. Please do not make it difficult for us."

    "What?"

    Xiao Dou Ding was immediately stunned, not expecting the cave master to come personally.

    If so, her freedom would truly be limited.

    The cave master's move dictates that even if she is reluctant, she must obediently return.

    Thinking of this, Xiao Dou Ding's expression showed a hint of helplessness, "I see. Wait at the gate."

    After saying that, Xiao Dou Ding gently waved her hand.

    Seeing Xiao Dou Ding in this mood, they also knew that she had compromised, so they didn't say anything else and left.

    "Brother, it seems I can't avoid going back this time."

    Xiao Dou Ding pursed her lips and looked full of longing in her eyes.

    "Since the cave master wants to find you, it is inevitable. He was looking for you last time. Perhaps there is something important, go back."

    Xiao Dou Ding slightly nodded, and with her right hand raised, gently touched Xiao Dou Ding's head.

    "Mmm"

    Xiao Dou Ding nodded obediently and then looked at Chen Mo with affection in her eyes, "Brother, you can be assured that I will return soon."

    "I'll go explain the situation to the cave master and come back immediately."

    After saying that, Xiao Dou Ding stood up and left here.

    "The people over there are strange."

    Watching the back of Xiao Dou Ding as she left, Mu Qiuge, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke up.

    As soon as she spoke, everyone looked at her with curious eyes.

    Zhao Qingling blinked her eyes curiously and asked, "How did you figure it out? I feel that they are quite normal."

    "While I can sense a momentary coldness on them, I don't think there's anything wrong with that. After all, they are doing their duty..."

    Chu Ruomeng spoke out her point of view.

    Chen Mo supported his cheek with one hand, thinking carefully for a moment and asked, "Qiu Gē, what's your opinion?"

    Mu Qiuge nodded slightly, raised a finger gently, and then a spirit insect slowly emerged from her body and landed on the tip of her finger, "My spirit insect has a strong sense of perception, especially in sensing human emotions. As those few people came over just now, it was observing beside me..."

    "The people who came over just now were not friendly. My spirit insect told me that they had no respect for Chen girl, and even... I can't quite describe it, but in any case, they certainly had ill intentions towards Chen girl."

    "If that's the case, we must be vigilant."

    Chu Ruomeng raised an eyebrow and her expression suddenly became serious.

    Chen Mo stood up straight, and his expression also became serious.

    In his memory, the cave master of the Ten Thousand Poison Cave was not a good person. He thought that since he had more contact with Xiao Dou Ding, it would not harm her. However, after hearing Mu Qiuge's words, he also felt that there was more to this than meets the eye.

    "This matter, we indeed need to be on our guard..."

    Chen Mo rubbed his chin, thinking seriously for a moment, and said, "Alright, Qingling, you take Zhao Hu with you. Qiu Ge and I will go meet the cave master of the Ten Thousand Poison Cave. The rest of you will keep an eye on it."

    "Alright"

    The others nodded in agreement, accepting the plan.

    Zhao Hu's somewhat simple-minded head shook, then let out a loud roar as he brandished the ancient broadsword, ready to fight.

    "Zhao Hu"

    Chen Mo helplessly glared at Zhao Hu, "You are supposed to observe discreetly, not to engage in combat directly."

    Zhao Hu's eyeballs twitched as he turned to look at the others with silly eyes, then turned his head left and right before finally lowering his sword obediently.

    Chen Mo sighed and rubbed his forehead, "Qingling, watch over your brother. Don't let him do anything foolish."

    "Alright..."

    Zhao Qingling also nodded awkwardly.

    Outside Tianfeng City

    Following the group of experts from the Ten Thousand Poison Cave, Xiao Dou Ding was about to return when she saw a middle-aged man dressed in a long red robe land steadily in front of everyone.

    The middle-aged man had long hair with black and white mixed, a well-proportioned face, and a hint of literary elegance on his face.

    Upon seeing the middle-aged man, Xiao Dou Ding and the few experts from the Ten Thousand Poison Cave all bowed respectfully and greeted.

    "Seeing the cave master"

    The middle-aged man was named Chi Hong, the cave master of the Ten Thousand Poison Cave.

    "No need for such formalities."

    Chi Hong gently waved his hand, his every move exuding a scholarly aura. He stared at Xiao Dou Ding with his eyes and faintly smiled, "Xiao Yue, it's been so long since I last saw you. You have truly made me miss you."

    Chi Hong, despite being the cave master of the Ten Thousand Poison Cave, was also Xiao Dou Ding's adoptive father.

    As early as when Xiao Dou Ding came to Miao State for her solo cultivation journey, she met this man by sheer coincidence.

    Thanks to his meticulous care, Xiao Dou Ding developed a good impression of this man, and under his suggestion, she became his adoptive daughter.

    Speaking, Chi Hong opened his arms, wanting to give Xiao Dou Ding a big bear hug, but she managed to avoid it.

    "Cave master."

    Xiao Dou Ding called out.

    Chi Hong's expression changed slightly as Xiao Dou Ding did not call him her adoptive father.

    "Cave master, I don't want to go back with you. I still have things to do."

    Xiao Dou Ding spoke with an extremely serious expression on her face.

    Chi Hong's expression remained unchanged, and at this moment, the leader who had just arrived with Xiao Dou Ding approached and whispered something into Chi Hong's ear. The smile on his face immediately faded slightly.

    "Xiao Yue, tell me, if you don't want to go back with me, is it because of another man..."

    Chi Hong's voice grew colder.

    After thinking for a moment, Xiao Dou Ding shook her head lightly and said, "No, I want to obtain the holy worm."

    This answer surprised Chi Hong, adding a touch of warmth to his cold face and making his smile brighter.

    "Xiao Yue, you don't need to worry about that. I've also heard about the emergence of the holy worm, and you can rest assured that our Ten Thousand Poison Cave will strive to obtain it. As the holy daughter of our Ten Thousand Poison Cave, you naturally have to accompany me. At that time, even if you don't want to go, you have to come with me."

    Chi Hong explained.

    Upon hearing this, Xiao Dou Ding's face immediately lit up with a look of joy.

    "Really? Thank you, adoptive father."

    Upon hearing this, the smile on Chi Hong's face could no longer be hidden, and his eyes kept darting to Xiao Dou Ding.

    "Xiao Dou Ding, if you're going back to the Ten Thousand Poison Cave, can you bring me along too?"