Entering Buye City, Ye Ming and Du Yuemian did not immediately head to the Tian Shou Land but found a roadside eatery.
It was nearing noon.
"Young Master! What are you looking at?"
Du Yuemian, noticing Ye Ming observing their surroundings from time to time, asked with curiosity.
"Yuemian! Have you noticed a phenomenon!"
Ye Ming withdrew his gaze and asked with a smile.
"Hmm?"
Hearing this, Du Yuemian recalled what she had seen along the way and shook her head, not having noticed anything strange.
"Then look over there!"
Ye Ming pointed to a restaurant opposite them, prompting her.
Following his gaze, Du Yuemian saw that the restaurant opposite was already full, appearing somewhat crowded.
However, this phenomenon alone was not that surprising.
After all, this was Buye City, with a consistently high flow of people, so crowded restaurants were not uncommon.
Yet, the one opposite them was a bit different.
Because most of the people there were ancient martial artists.
"This..."
Du Yuemian, who was already exceptionally perceptive, immediately understood Ye Ming's meaning after his hint: "Young Master! They are... a group!"
The gathering of so many ancient martial artists was unusual in itself.
If there was a reasonable explanation, it could only be that... those ancient martial artists formed a team.
"Mm!"
Ye Ming chuckled, "It seems many people are preparing to band together for warmth on their journey to the Tian Shou Land!"
Du Yuemian nodded in agreement, "It appears that the battle for the Tian Shou Land all those years ago has indeed caused them considerable psychological pressure!"
Sticking together could indeed reduce some risks.
Especially under the command of some martial gods, such ancient martial artists would only increase.
"Then, Young Master! What should we do next?"
Since other ancient martial artists had formed groups, what about them?
As it stood, individuals who chose to go their own way like them would likely be very few.
"They are banding together because their own strength is insufficient, while we naturally..."
Before Ye Ming could finish speaking, three men approached them.
"Two, you are also ancient martial artists, right!" The leader of the three, a young man in white, said with a friendly smile, speaking courteously.
The man had handsome features and an amiable demeanor, giving off the impression of a refined gentleman.
The two behind him were also good-looking but appeared somewhat taciturn and socially awkward.
Although their gazes held admiration for Du Yuemian, they were clear and did not evoke disgust.
"Yes!"
Since the other party was polite, Du Yuemian naturally did not keep them at a distance.
"It's like this, I presume your destination is also the Tian Shou Land. I would like to invite you to join us and travel together!"
The young man in white stated his purpose directly.
Du Yuemian did not answer but instead looked at Ye Ming for this invitation.
Seeing this, the three men also looked at Ye Ming.
In fact, before approaching, they had been observing Ye Ming and Du Yuemian for a long time.
It was precisely because they noticed that the two seemed not to have joined any other teams that they specifically stepped forward to invite them.
"Alright!"
Ye Ming pondered for a moment and ultimately changed his original plan.
After all, with his strength, he naturally did not need to travel with companions like other ancient martial artists.
However, after the young man in white extended the invitation, he suddenly felt that teaming up with them would not be bad, and the journey would be less boring.
"Hahaha! Good! Brother, you are straightforward!"
Upon receiving the reply, the young man in white laughed heartily and introduced himself, "I am Xu Du! These two are my brothers Lu Qiming and Lu Qifeng!"
After mutual introductions, Ye Ming learned about Xu Du and his companions.
In Xu Du's current team, there were eleven people. Including Ye Ming and Du Yuemian who had just joined, the total reached thirteen.
According to Xu Du, most of the people in their team, like them, were out recruiting teammates, striving to expand their team further.
"Brother Xu! Are you brothers rogue cultivators, or..."
Under Xu Du's guidance, they were about to head to their team's gathering point.
"Alas! To be honest, Brother Ye!"
Hearing this, Xu Du seemed to recall some unpleasant memories and said with a bitter smile, "Originally, my brothers and I, Qifeng and Qiming, came from one of the four great sects in Hua'an Province... Tian Jian Mountain! But due to certain matters, we offended a certain power! In the end, we had no choice but to leave Tian Jian Mountain!"
Mentioning this past event, Xu Du and the Lu brothers' emotions became noticeably low. One could even see a hint of unwillingness in their eyes.
"Leave?"
Ye Ming noticed Xu Du's choice of words.
Not expelled from Tian Jian Mountain?
"That's right! We indeed left on our own, the three brothers!" Xu Du said solemnly, "At that time, the sect did not abandon us immediately because of that incident! But because if we..."
Xu Du shook his head, not continuing.
The subsequent events could likely be inferred.
It was nothing more than Xu Du not wanting to implicate the sect, so he left with his brothers Lu Qiming and Lu Qifeng.
"Brother Xu! May I be so bold as to ask what power you offended?"
Ye Ming was very curious. As one of the four great sects of Hua'an Province, Tian Jian Mountain, who could threaten them.
"This..."
Xu Du looked at Ye Ming and finally could only give a bitter smile, saying, "Brother Ye! It is better that you do not know! And this is for your own good! If they knew that we were related to you, the consequences..."
Hearing this, Ye Ming greatly admired the man before him.
He dared to act and was forthright.
"Brother Ye! Now that you know our brothers' situation! If you wish to withdraw, we will absolutely not stop you!" Xu Du said seriously.
He absolutely did not want to be the reason for Ye Ming and Du Yuemian being implicated.
"Brother Xu is joking!"
Ye Ming patted him on the shoulder and smiled, "Meeting a person as true-hearted as Brother Xu is a rare fate!"
"Hahaha! Brother Ye is righteous!"
The three Xu brothers exchanged glances, all seeing relief in each other's eyes.
In fact, they had already recruited many ancient martial artists before this. But after learning about what happened to them, most chose to leave, leaving only a handful.
"Let's go!"
Ye Ming looked at the three brothers and said with a mysterious smile, "If we truly encounter your enemies in the future, perhaps I can even help you out!"
With his strength, this should not be difficult.
"Ah! This..."
Upon hearing this, the three Xu brothers all showed bitter smiles and did not say much.
No one understood the terrifying nature of that power better than they did.
Of course!
They naturally did not take Ye Ming's polite words seriously.
Soon, they arrived at their team's gathering point.
"Xu Du! Who did you find? Their aura is so weak!"