It could be said that among the group, the ones most eager to find Zhao Shuning were Se Se and Kong Shishuang.
Se Se carried a past unknown to many. Every step of hers was extremely perilous. The main reason she had made it this far was that she had witnessed Zhao Shuning's efforts.
On the contrary, Kong Shishuang was accustomed to a comfortable and care - free life. Only in front of Zhao Shuning did she feel that she was a part of the Eastern Ze Wilderness and that she could experience a full range of emotions.
At night, the group was so exhausted that A Shui, A Yue, and Shuang Er fell asleep first. By now, they were used to sleeping in trees. The harsher the environment, the faster they grew.
However, after they fell into a deep slumber, a figure quietly left the campsite. Soon after, another figure followed.
Sensing someone behind her, Kong Shishuang immediately turned around. Seeing that it was Se Se, she let out a sigh of relief.
"Se Se?"
"Miss Kong, I feel the same as you."
The two exchanged a knowing look, then smiled faintly and started walking forward.
Se Se was delicate - minded and could better assess the situation. Kong Shishuang, as a repeat student, had interacted with many second - level students. Since this was a second - level trial ground, having Kong Shishuang lead them would make things much easier.
"Miss Kong, I never noticed before that you have such deep feelings for our leader, Zhao Shuning."
Kong Shishuang smiled. Her eyes no longer held the childishness of before.
"Maybe everyone thinks I'm an arrogant person, but only Zhao Shuning told me to work hard and that I have the ability to protect my loved ones. Miss Se Se, Zhao Shuning means something different to me than others."
She was different. Se Se highly agreed with this view.
Zhao Shuning's presence was extremely dazzling. There was always an inexplicable allure about her that made people unconsciously want to get close to her, look up to her, and obey her.
Sometimes, Se Se would wonder how a girl of just over five years old could be so much more mature in her words and deeds than an adult. Her wisdom and talent in spiritual power were beyond their reach. She was like a perfect child created by heaven.
She was bold and unruly, but never made anyone uncomfortable. She had great power but never boasted about her achievements. She was not arrogant. Most of the time, she was patient in learning new things and took good care of her subordinates, but she never tolerated mistakes.
Look, there was just such a person. Whether it was her strengths or weaknesses, you just couldn't help but love her. It seemed that these traits only manifested perfectly in her.
"Miss Kong, since you know these second - level students well, do you know who among them might hold a grudge against our leader?"
Kong Shishuang was slightly startled. Looking at Se Se's serious expression, she slowly said, "What do you mean?"
Se Se nodded. "I've had two assumptions. One is that our leader was attacked by a spiritual beast and trapped in a deep abyss. But during this period, we've searched all the dangerous places in the third altitude and found no trace of our leader."
According to Zhao Shuning's habit, if she fought a spiritual beast, there would surely be signs of the fight. But as they investigated all the way, they didn't even catch a whiff of Zhao Shuning's aura, let alone any traces.
This time when they came out, Little Li also followed. Kong Shishuang said that Little Li had been secretly unhappy these days because she couldn't find Zhao Shuning. Many times, it even lost its appetite for the food in front of it. However, despite this, Little Li's improvement in spiritual power was obvious to all.
"Then, there's only the second assumption left."
Se Se stroked Little Li's smooth fur and stared at the third altitude, the place where there was still a glimmer of light from time to time.
If even Little Li couldn't smell Zhao Shuning, it meant that their leader might no longer be in the third altitude. But according to Zhao Shuning's character, she would never abandon everyone and climb to a new altitude alone. So it could only mean that Zhao Shuning had encountered trouble, and it was quite serious. Maybe her life was even in danger.
"Among those second - level students, is there anyone bold enough to kill a fellow student?"
Kong Shishuang fell silent. After a round of training, the students who had become second - level students all had good mental fortitude. But when it came to cruelty and cold - bloodedness, the first person that came to everyone's mind was Viper.
"Miss Kong, do you think Viper might have a problem with our leader?"
"Definitely not. I know a bit about Viper. If he disliked us, he would have just watched coldly when we were attacked by Li Can. Since he stepped in to save us, he would never play dirty tricks later."
"I also don't think he's the type to do such a thing. By the way, Li Can. Maybe it was him. But I heard that Li Can was seriously injured recently, and his hands and feet are not as nimble as before. Although our leader is only at the initial stage of the second level, it should be impossible for Li Can to deal with her."
"Well, I also heard from the people of the Poison Silkworm Light that after this trial, the members of their gang will belong to the Heavenly Yuan Sparrow. From now on, the Heavenly Yuan Sparrow will be the largest gang in the Misty Rain Tower. The Broken Dragon Sect has declined, and Li Can has voluntarily submitted to the Heavenly Yuan Sparrow."
The two looked at each other and suddenly thought of something.
"Zhang Tianyuan!"
Yes, it could only be Zhang Tianyuan.
The reason Li Can suddenly agreed to submit to Zhang Tianyuan must be that they had made some under - the - table deal.
Kong Shishuang knew Li Can well. She had had a feud with him before. Li Can seemed like a gentleman on the surface, but behind the scenes, he was a real villain. Given his vindictive nature, after suffering such a big loss at Zhao Shuning's hands last time, he would surely find a way to get revenge, just like he had targeted Kong Shishuang before.
"Miss Kong, what kind of person is Zhang Tianyuan?"
Kong Shishuang took a deep breath and stared fixedly at Se Se.
"He's very powerful!"
How powerful was Zhang Tianyuan?
In the second - level students' group, no one could compete with him. Even the four stewards of the Misty Rain Tower thought highly of him. A person like Steward Meng might not even be worth mentioning in the eyes of this student, Zhang Tianyuan.
"What about his character?"
Kong Shishuang shook her head.
"I'm not sure."
Just then, there seemed to be an argument in the distance. Kong Shishuang and Se Se immediately lowered their heads and carefully moved to the side. That group of people seemed to be moving in their direction as well.