Ming Yue's team had always adhered to a principle of democracy. Her return was intended to convene a meeting to discuss the matter of the Cloud City base with her team members.
With the added complication of Bu Zhi's relationship, the issue became even more complex.
Therefore, a decision was made immediately to hold a meeting and hear everyone's wishes before making a decision.
She was not worried at all that Bu Ying would take advantage of their meeting to release Qing Ying.
Because she was confident that, apart from herself, no one else present could dispel that fire prison.
"I didn't expect Cloud City to have already built a base. Wouldn't that ruin our plan?
The person in charge of the base is Bu Zhi's brother. Otherwise, we could have seized the base.
But now, they are all our own people, how could we possibly do that?"
Upon learning that the Cloud City she had longed for had already established a base, and that its leader was Bu Zhi's brother, Tian Shang looked dejected.
"Let's not consider the base for now. The most important thing is to decide about Qing Ying.
Bu Ying is strongly protecting Qing Ying. If we insist on killing her, Bu Ying will certainly not stand idly by.
If it comes to a fight and we fall out, with his own brother on one side and teammates on the other, how difficult it would be for Bu Zhi."
Jin Xi saw Bu Zhi lowering his head and remaining silent, knowing he was conflicted, and spoke with concern.
"Bu Zhi, if, I mean, if we were to abandon Cloud City and find a new place to build a base, would you leave the Ming Yue team and go to Cloud City with your brother?"
The Ming Yue team was like a family, with no barriers. Ji Shiyou asked directly, needing to know Bu Zhi's true thoughts.
"I won't. Although I really want to be with my brother, ever since Sister Ming Yue and you saved me from the zombies, I decided I would always follow you.
I will go and persuade my brother to give up on Qing Ying, otherwise, otherwise I will disown him as my brother."
Bu Zhi raised his head, his expression agitated, expressing his thoughts.
The veins on his forehead bulged, proving the intensity of his internal struggle before making this choice.
"Brother, don't put too much pressure on yourself. It's just letting Qing Ying go this once, it's no big deal.
To avoid a rift between brothers, I'll let her off the hook today for your sake.
However, there will be other days. If she falls into our hands again, I can't guarantee anything."
Seeing Bu Zhi's state, Gong Que, who was beside him, punched him on the shoulder and said magnanimously.
After such a long time, everyone had developed feelings for each other and didn't want to make things difficult for Bu Zhi because of themselves.
The others also expressed their agreement, stating they could let Qing Ying go, but only this once.
"Actually, Cloud City is truly the best option. We traveled thousands of miles to get here, and now, alas! What a pity."
With Qing Ying's matter settled, Wen Qingtian sighed, thinking of the Cloud City base and expressing his regret.
All along, their goal had been clear: to come to Cloud City and build their own base.
But Bu Zhi's brother was the person in charge of the Cloud City base, and their plan was ruined.
The thought of it made him feel like he had lost his goal and direction.
"Let me explain. Why did we decide to go to Cloud City and build our own base in the first place?
Wasn't it because other bases at the time wouldn't accept us?
If the Cloud City base can accept us, then what's wrong with us joining?
Given the current situation, the environment will only get worse. We desperately need to find a safe place to settle.
The Cloud City base should be the best option, regardless of whether this base belongs to us or not.
The Ming Yue team will not disband, and we will not be separated. Isn't this the outcome we wanted?"
After listening to everyone's speeches, Ming Yue smiled and shared her thoughts.
Everyone who heard her suddenly realized they had forgotten their original intention and deviated from their initial idea.
The purpose of building their own base was to have a safe place to survive without being rejected, wasn't it?
If this condition could be met, why would they be fixated on whether the base belonged to them?
"There's just one downside. If we join the Cloud City base, won't we be in the same place as Qing Ying? How can we get revenge then?"
Shi Henian detested Qing Ying. He had agreed to let the woman go today for Bu Zhi's sake.
If they had to live in the same place and see her every day, he would be driven mad.
"Even better. We can kill her anytime, no need to go looking for her."
Ba Jiu, who had been silent all this time, spoke up. A hint of cunning appeared in his usually innocent eyes.
Everyone thought about it and agreed. If they were closer, they could get revenge anytime.
As long as they were clean and didn't get caught, they could do it. So, they all gave Ba Jiu a thumbs-up.
"Sister Ming Yue, you mean we should join my brother's base? That's great! I'll go tell my brother right away.
I promise he'll agree. After all, our team is so strong, and no one will reject us. I'm royalty."
Bu Zhi only then realized they were going to join his brother's base. He was overjoyed and was about to get out of the car to find Bu Ying.
Ming Yue stopped him, saying she wanted to talk to Bu Ying herself because she needed to secure the greatest benefits for the Ming Yue team, and Bu Zhi was not suitable.
"Brother, what happened to you? Why are you injured?"
With the decision made, everyone got out of the transforming car. Bu Zhi immediately ran to Bu Ying and asked with concern.
Bu Ying had burned his hand, and a wood-element ability user was treating him.
"I'm fine. I just got too close to the fire prison and got burned a little. It's nothing.
Captain Ming Yue, what was the result of your discussion?
I won't beg. After all, Qing Ying just joined, and it's not appropriate for me to interfere in your past grievances."
Bu Ying briefly appeased his brother and then walked over to Ming Yue, his attitude respectful and his tone strangely subdued.
Gone was his previous aggressiveness, replaced by a hint of flattery, even implying he would give up on Qing Ying.
This change occurred because, as the Ming Yue team boarded their vehicles, he had stealthily approached the fire prison.
He had intended to break the fire prison without anyone noticing and rescue Qing Ying and Qi Wu.
However, he was repelled by the flames and injured. Fortunately, he had been cautious and only tested the waters.
Otherwise, he might have already been a charred corpse. Thus, having witnessed the strength of the Ming Yue team, he dared not act presumptuously in front of Ming Yue.
He knew that if Ming Yue insisted on not releasing them, they would have no way to break the fire prison and rescue Qi Wu and Qing Ying.
Therefore, assessing the situation, he dared not maintain a strong stance and adopted a conciliatory approach.
"Let's talk in the car."
Ming Yue understood Bu Ying's change in attitude perfectly. She saw through it but didn't expose it, as she had her own plans.
Even if Bu Ying had a hundred tricks up his sleeve, she knew what she was doing, so she just smiled.
The two talked in the car for about five minutes. They both got out, and Qing Ying walked directly towards the fire prison where she was confined.
Without any apparent action from her, she walked right in, not a single strand of her hair singed by the flames.
Bu Ying's eyes widened in astonishment, thinking that Ming Yue was the one he should try to win over, as she was unfathomably deep.
He was curious why Ming Yue had entered the fire prison to see Qing Ying alone, so he slowly approached, wanting to eavesdrop.
However, before he could get close, the flames flared up, blocking his view. He could neither see the scene inside nor hear any sound.
Ten minutes later, Ming Yue emerged, waved her hand to dissipate the flames, and released Qi Wu and Qing Ying.
She then instructed her team members to get in the car and told Bu Ying that they would meet outside the south gate of Jin City and head to Cloud City together.
"Sister Ming Yue, what did you talk to my brother about? And why did you go into the fire prison to see Qing Ying?"
As the transforming car drove out of the city, Bu Zhi asked curiously, voicing everyone's thoughts.