After the fierce battle with the great white tiger, Song Jinyu and her companions were completely exhausted. They had to find a dry place and take turns to rest.
Where on earth was the paradise?
Song Jinyu closed her eyes and carefully recalled the description in the book. There was something strange about this forest. The air was filled with a sweet smell that made people drowsy. Fortunately, they had taken the antidote pills; otherwise, they would have been tricked by now.
Looking around, Song Jinyu could smell the faint scent of sulfur. The spring water gurgled, and in the night, many plants emitted a faint fluorescent light.
Seeing that she was still awake, Yan Fei walked over and persuaded her, "If you don't sleep, it will be dawn soon."
"Senior brother, you go to sleep first."
"My body is much stronger than yours, and I'm also the most skilled in martial arts."
After persuading Song Jinyu to fall asleep, Yan Fei and Cheng Song took turns to keep watch.
Just as everyone let their guard down, there was a sudden strange fluctuation in the air. "Who's there?" Yan Fei hissed.
Unexpectedly, a burst of laughter came from the air, which was like the sound of a demon entering their ears.
"I haven't smelled the scent of humans for decades!"
A figure flitted back and forth above their heads.
Song Jinyu was awakened. "Who is it? How dare you play tricks?"
She took out several bottles of poison and gently opened the lids, allowing the poisonous gas to slowly evaporate.
"You naughty girl! How dare you use poison... You're showing off your skills in front of an expert!" The figure continued to flit around. Yan Fei impatiently threw out his "Flying Sky Chain," but he missed the figure. Strange! Yan Fei rarely missed when he used his "Flying Sky Chain."
"Ho!"
The figure landed lightly. Taking a closer look, it was neither fully human nor fully ghost. It was wearing ragged clothes that barely covered its emaciated body. Its eyes were as big as a bull's and were turbid and terrifying.
Missing with the first attack, Yan Fei continued to attack. And Cheng Song also found an opportunity to stab with his sword.
"You've intruded into my paradise and still dare to attack! You're seeking death..."
The figure suddenly flew into the air again and almost forced Yan Fei to retreat step by step within just a few moves!
Song Jinyu grew anxious. Oh no, they had met a tough opponent! Yan Fei was no match...
Immediately, she shouted loudly, "Senior, we junior disciples accidentally strayed into this place. Please forgive us."
"If you don't welcome us, we can surely retreat!"
The figure suddenly let out a sneering laugh. "Retreat? Dream on!"
"I haven't seen a human for decades. All of you will stay here to serve this palace!"
Did he refer to himself as "this palace"? Could he be someone from the martial world or the royal family?
There was no time to think. Seeing that the figure didn't seem to want to let them go, Yan Fei and the other three joined forces, but they were still forced to defend under the figure's strange moves.
Song Jinyu quietly took out the "Soul - Numbing Powder." There was no other way! She would have to knock everyone out together!
This was a high - concentration "Soul - Numbing Powder" she had refined a few days ago. Once released, it could make people lose their senses.
Before long, Cheng Song was hit by the figure's palm and spat out fresh blood. And Niaoniao, who was already injured, fainted at this moment.
Micu was in a slightly better condition, but she couldn't hold on for long either. Yan Fei alone was attracting the figure's attention.
Gradually, everyone was enveloped in a strange atmosphere.
Yan Fei and Cheng Song naturally knew about the "Soul - Numbing Powder" and held their breaths in time.
However, the strange figure in the air gradually became dazed. "Come down!" Song Jinyu's voice seemed to have a strange magic power, and the strange figure actually obediently landed.
"Stay still!"
Seeing that the figure was very obedient, Song Jinyu quickly took out silver needles and inserted them into the vital points to temporarily suppress the figure's internal energy.
After subduing the figure, she heard a "thud" sound. Yan Fei had fallen to the ground.
He was seriously injured and could no longer hold on.
Lifting his clothes, Song Jinyu saw that his chest was full of hard black thorns. Suppressing her heartache, she pulled out the thorns for him and applied the spiritual medicine.
After feeling his pulse, Song Jinyu's face changed greatly. This strange figure was so powerful that he had actually destroyed half of Yan Fei's internal energy.
It was really despicable!
If she hadn't been careless and almost fallen into the strange figure's trap, Yan Fei wouldn't have had to take this palm forcefully to save her!
Originally, she had wanted to send the strange figure to hell with her own hands. But now, their path ahead was unknown, and they still needed a guide.
She used the silver needles to wake the strange figure up, but he was still under the effect of the "Soul - Numbing Powder."
"Where is the paradise?"
The strange figure silently pointed forward. "How far is it?"
Under Song Jinyu's successive questions, the strange figure told her everything. Seeing that this person was wearing ragged clothes and had abnormal hair all over his body, she guessed that he might be a capable person who had come in search of rare treasures decades ago.
Although she didn't kill him for fear of future troubles, she gave him a pill to take.
With the help of the spiritual medicine, Yan Fei gradually regained some of his energy. However, his internal energy had been destroyed. Although he was open - minded about it, Song Jinyu was extremely sad.
Because she knew that her junior brother had practiced hard for many years to achieve what he had today. Now, because of her, half of his internal energy had been destroyed.
"It doesn't matter. Don't be sad..."
Yan Fei reached out to wipe away her tears and gently comforted Song Jinyu.
Cheng Song carried Niaoniao on his back, and Micu supported Yan Fei. The group continued on their journey.
Finally, they reached the place the strange figure had mentioned. It was actually a lake.
Not far away was something like a huge wellhead, which was even bigger than a house. This place was very quiet, or rather, it had an air of peace.
When they reached the cave entrance, there were steps leading underground. Song Jinyu thought it was very similar to the description in the book, so she was sure that this was the place she was looking for.
The group walked down the steps. A blast of water vapor hit them as they entered the cave.
"We should be at the bottom of the lake."
At first, the cave was very spacious, but it gradually became narrower. The last section could only accommodate one person at a time. Pressing against the stone wall, they could feel the bone - chilling cold.
After about an incense stick's time, their field of vision gradually widened.
Just as they were looking around, a roar came, "Roar..."
Now was not a good time for another battle. Some were sick, and some were injured. Song Jinyu couldn't help but feel anxious. Yan Fei smiled faintly. "Don't be panicked, junior sister."
Hearing his words, Song Jinyu felt a little more at ease. From now on, it was her turn to protect everyone.
Casually looking up at the ceiling, she was shocked to see... the lake.
And hanging upside - down on the ceiling were...
Clumps of Yin Grass! She rubbed her eyes in disbelief. Was it really this easy to obtain?
Yan Fei followed her gaze and leaped up, picking a lot of it. Song Jinyu's hands trembled slightly. She was so excited!
But before she could even finish her joy, she felt the ground shaking. Micu exclaimed in surprise, "What's that?"
Everyone was stunned by what they saw. The animal looked quite similar to the stone lions in front of the prince's mansion.
"A unicorn???"
Song Jinyu stared at it in disbelief. "Isn't this a legendary divine beast?" She was really opening her eyes today!
Seeing the Yin Grass in her hand, the unicorn roared angrily and charged straight at her. Unexpectedly, Yan Fei stepped in front of her.
Worried about his injury, Song Jinyu pushed Yan Fei away forcefully and only held a bottle of spiritual medicine in her hand. She felt heart - broken. This was the last bottle!
The originally angry unicorn now became as docile as a kitten.